ROSELLE – This is how sixth-year head coach James Williams puts it: “we’re very young, but we still have a lot of speed.
“I think we’ll still be okay.”
That’s your standard message from a coach that has only two returning starters on both sides of the ball.
By season’s end Williams and his staff would like to see a progression that takes that “okay” at present time to the next level come November.
Naseer Page is a two-year starter and a returner at running back and safety. He is a senior that will be counted on not only for his performance on the field, but his leadership off of it as well.
“Naseer brings a lot of energy to the team,” Williams said. “He’s a real smart player and shows leadership every day at practice. He’s also another good student.
“I like all my players. All of them are good students and it transfers on to the field.”
Newcomers on offense include sophomore quarterback Cameron Chatman-Rice and sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Vallderruten – last name spelling according to Williams. The latter is a transfer from Bergen Catholic. Williams said he played on the freshman team at BC last season.
The other returning starter on offense is junior tackle Trevor Sejour.
The other returning starter on defense is linebacker Khair Pendleton, a three-year starter on that side of the ball. The senior will also be used as a running back on offense along with Page.
“Khair has been showing leadership the whole summer,” Williams said. “Since his sophomore year he’s showed leadership. That’s why he is a captain this year.
“He’s worked hard in the weight room and has good grades. He’s a great kid. He will be a big part of showing leadership to the other players on such a young team. He’s also looking to play at the next level.”
For the second straight season – while the construction of first-time field turf continues at Arminio Field – Roselle will play its home dates at Rahway River Park’s field turf field.
Roselle’s four home dates are in succession following the team’s Aug. 31 season-opener at Bishop Ahr, which is the first of four Middlesex County schools the Rams will battle. The others will be South River, Metuchen and Spotswood.
The two Union County schools the Rams play are Hillside and Johnson, which are in the same section as Roselle – South, Group 2.
“Central Jersey, Group 2 was tough and I think this new section that we’re in is even tougher,” Williams said.
For the first time since 1918 Roselle will not play Roselle Park on Thanksgiving, exactly one year after the neighborhood rivals clashed for the 100th time.
Roselle Park decided not to field a varsity team this season for safety reasons based on a lack of juniors and seniors. The Panthers will have junior varsity and freshman teams.
ROSELLE’S MULTIPLE OFFENSE:
G Trevor Sejour, junior, (6-3, 375)
T Djuan White, junior, (6-3, 220)
C Justin Eden, junior, (6-3, 255)
G Pernell Atkins, sophomore, (6-0, 265)
T Sebastien Fabre, junior, (6-1, 240)
QB Cameron Chatman-Rice, sophomore, (6-1, 210)
RB Khair Pendleton, senior, (5-10, 205)
RB Naseer Page, senior, (5-10, 175)
WR Lamar Moore, senior, (5-9, 175)
WR Clifton Brutus, junior, (6-0, 170)
WR Isaiah Vallderruten, sophomore, (6-1, 165)
WR Shuaib Amin, senior, (5-10, 170)
PK Clifton Brutus, junior, (6-0, 170)
Returning starters (2): Sejour, Page.
ROSELLE’S 4-2-5 DEFENSE:
T Trevor Sejour, junior, (6-3, 375)
T Djuan White, junior, (6-3, 220)
E Shuaib Amin, senior, (5-10, 170)
E Jamail Holton, junior, (6-0, 190)
LB Cameron Chatman-Rice, sophomore, (6-1, 210)
LB Malik (Jared) McRae, sophomore, (6-0, 180)
LB Khair Pendleton, senior, (5-10, 205)
CB Lamar Moore, senior, (5-9, 175)
CB Isaiah Vallderruten, sophomore, (6-1, 165)
S Naseer Page, senior, (5-10, 175)
S Clifton Brutus, junior, (6-0, 170)
S Lovany Laube, junior, (5-10, 165)
P Cameron Chatman-Rice, sophomore, (6-1, 210)
Returning starters (2): Pendleton, Page.
ROSELLE RAMS 2018
Aug. 31 at Bishop Ahr, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8 South River, noon
Sept. 14 Hillside, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 Johnson, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 Metuchen, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 at Delaware Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Bernards, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 at Spotswood, 1 p.m.
All home games at Rahway River Park.
Head coach: James Williams,
sixth season
2017 ROSELLE RAMS (6-4)
(H) Roselle 34, Bernards 17
(A) Roselle 28, Delaware Valley 21
(A) Johnson 23, Roselle 13
(H) Hillside 14, Roselle 12
(H) Roselle 46, New Providence 0
(H) Roselle 52, Belleville 0
(A) Roselle 61, Dayton 0
(A) Roselle 31, Bound Brook 7
(H) Manasquan 41, Roselle 8
(A) Roselle Park 7, Roselle 6
All home games at Rahway River Park.
Head coach: James Williams,
fifth season
Section: Central Jersey, Group 2
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Valley, 3-2
Record: 6-4
Home: 3-2
Away: 3-2
Points for: 291
Points against: 130
Shutouts: 3
Overtime: 0-0
ROSELLE RAMS
Head Coach: James Williams, since 2013.
A 1989 Clifford Scott graduate.
Sixth season: 31-21 (.596)
Conference: Mid-State 36
Division: Valley
Section: South, Group 2
Roselle’s last sectional title: 1989
2017: (6-4 and 3-2, third in Valley Division)
Arminio Field: Grass – getting field turf this year.
Williams has guided Roselle to the CJ, G2 playoffs
the last four years, including the program’s first
playoff win since 1998. He has led the Rams to the
CJ, G2 semifinals two of the past four years.