2019 Team Previews: Martin Luther King Golden Cougars (12)

Written by: David Mika on Tuesday, August 13th, 2019. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Malik Jones (First Year 0-0 Record) Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Secondary

Assistant Coaches:

Jonathan Hoffmeier – JV Head Coach

Ezra Howard – Co-Offensive Coordinator (Pass Game)

Jordan Alexander – Co-Offensive Coordinator (Run Game)

Kirk Stehman – Offensive Line

Darius Hurst-Rodney – Offensive Line

Darnell Baldwin – Wide Receivers

Nate Nixon – Running Backs

John Vetter – Linebackers

Team Name: Martin Luther King High School Golden Cougars

2018 Record: 9-3

Twitter: @mlk_football

Hudl Highlights:

Key Starters lost:

Athlete Al-Ma’hi Ali (University of Massachusetts/St. Frances Academy )

Wide Receiver Isaiah Allen (West Chester University)

Defensive End Salim Dixon (West Chester University)

Linebacker Amir Manner (Kutztown University)

Linebacker Daquon Thorington (Millersville University)

Offensive Guard Aziz Timms (Millersville University)

Linebacker Qasim Wilford (East Stroudsburg University)

Safety Clarence “CJ” Battle Jr. (Lackawanna College)

Cornerback Taahir Hall (Bloomsburg University)

Defensive Tackle D’Andre Andrews (Lincoln University)

Running Back Quadir Phillips (Lincoln University)

Quarterback Cam’Ron Carter (Pierce Junior College)

Defensive End Nasif Ennis (Manor College)

Linebacker Jordan Bibbs

Offensive Tackle Rod McDaniel

Running Back Jacob Lightbourne

Defensive End Chris Clark

Wide Receiver Mahmoud Ware

Safety Ameer Crockett

Offensive Starters Returning: (6)

#55 Jr. OG Matthew Pajuste, 6-3, 280

#3 Sr. RB Robert Laurie-Clark, 5-10, 175

#12 Jr. QB Daquan Robinson, 5-10, 170

#56 Sr. C Zaire Dean, 5-8, 250

#58 Sr. T Alexcey Facey, 5-11, 300

#20 Sr. RB Kindred Cooper, 5-10, 180

Defensive Starters Returning: (4)

#10 Sr. CB Tyrell Mims, 5-10, 170

#51 Sr. LB Henzloy “Shock” McFarlane, 6-0, 230

#19 Sr. S Garnette Morris, 5-11, 180

#28 Jr. LB Kentay Garner, 6-1, 185

Special Team Starters Returning: (2)

#51 Sr. P/K Henzloy “Shock” McFarlane, 6-0, 230

#3 Sr. KR Robert Laurie-Clark, 5-10, 175

Key Newcomers: (5)

Soph. LB Quadir Tucker, 5-10, 185

Jr. WR Nadir Mcleod, 5-10, 160

Fr. DB Qaahir Smith, 6-0, 170

Sr. WR Tymir Shaw, 5-9, 180

Sr. WR Karon Ballard

D1 (FBS & FCS) Prospects:

Sr. Cornerback Tyrell Mims

Sr. Lineback Henzloy “Shock” McFarlane

Jr. Offensive Guard Matthew Pajuste

Sr. Wide Receiver Tymir Shaw

Jr. Wide Receiver Nadir Mcleod

Key Stats:

53 Quarterback Sacks

5 Players with 50+ Tackles

2 Defensive Players with 6 Interceptions

Defense held opponents to just over 8 points per game on average

2019 Outlook: Please let us know the keys about your team on offense, defense and special teams. What are your keys to having a successful year?

Overall, with a new first time Head Coach, the 2019 season for the MLK Cougars is a bit of a mystery. Having lost a significant amount of talent to graduation on both sides of the ball, the Cougars enter the season very inexperienced in many areas. We’ve had a great off-season, but there is no substitute for experience.

Offense: A bright spot is that we return some great players on our offensive line, so we look forward to a strong run game with returning 1,000 yard rusher Robert Laurie-Clark. The key to our success is our skill development in the off-season. We last a lot to graduation, but have some young hungry guys ready to step up.

Defense: 2018 will be tough to follow as the Cougar Defense was stingy a year ago. Leadership is solid as we return two of our top defenders in Cornerback Mims and Linebacker McFarlane, but replacing so many college-bound players is going to be difficult. The key to a successful year will be young leaders stepping up and others emerging.

Special Team: In 2018, we had one of our best recent years on Special Teams. All units were very sound and well coached. The keys to a successful year is the continued development of McFarlane as a third year starter at Punter and Kicker.