Temer Khalid-Crocker, Jared Chester, coach Mario Valentini, Aaron Sosa, and Isiaah Martir will lead Mount St. Michael this season. (Robert Cole)
Mount St. Michael has had its established stars in recent years. Last year was no different as the Mountaineers featured one of the city’s top defenses. With the majority of that group off to college, Mount will look to excel with a talented, though inexperienced, unit in search of stars.
“I thinks it’s better,” senior safety Jared Chester said. “We have an arsenal. Anyone can step up. They can’t just focus in on one person. Then another person will step up.”
One of those players could be senior quarterback Isaiah Martir, who takes over for Najee Brown. Longtime coach Mario Valentini said he isn’t the same level of athlete as Brown or previous starter Jaylen Amaker, but has an excellent understanding of the offense. His teammates praised his decision-making and ability to read defenses. Juniors Kasim Thomas and Malik Wilder could push him for playing time under center and both could also see time in the secondary and out of the backfield.
“I take a lot of good pre-reads” Martir said. “Most quarterbacks try to get the defense off guard. I try to read and see what play would do good.”
He could be working with an array of running backs led by senior Aaron Sosa, who may also see time at linebacker, and Jovon Parks. Sosa excelled in limited action last season and was described by Valentini as a feisty and hard-nosed runner. Valentini is hoping to get Andrew White, an athletic Stony Brook School transfer, eligible to help out at receiver with Vernell Mackey.
Valentini see the lines, especially on the offensive side of the ball, as one of the team’s biggest question marks. Two-way lineman Temer Khalid-Crocker (6-foot-2, 275 pounds) is back after missing all last year with a broken foot, along with Anthony Okpagu. Mount also adds sophomore Odene Gilzene.
“We are probably going to do a lot of mixing and matching,” Valentini said.
Chester, who could also see time at halfback, is the lone returner in the secondary, taking on a leadership role at safety. He is one of the Mountaineers most versatile and explosive talents as he will also play receiver and return punts. Ralph Rivas will be back at linebacker with Arton Mehaj, who will also punt. Wilder, one of the possible quarterbacks, instincts and speed could make him the group’s breakout player.
Valentini still believes this team can compete in the always tough CHSFL Class AAA league. Many of the juniors felt the need to build chemistry even before the season started, playing in 7-on-7’s and even going out on the field together during the offseason. They believe their growth will take shorter than some expect.
“Last year we had guys who played two years on varsity,” Sosa said. “This year we have guy where it’s probably their first year on varsity. We are going to learn as the weeks go on.”