After Seneca Valley head coach Fred Kim walked off the field for the final time last November, he faced many daunting questions.
When will he ever catch a break? When will the roadblocks be knocked down? When will the pieces to the puzzle finally form a picturesque image?
For the past two years, Kim has led the Screamin’ Eagles to a 15-5 record, but has been the odd man out – missing the playoffs both times over that timespan.
Most coaches would sit back and say that the 3A West is just too darn tough, which is true in Kim’s eyes, but it is not an excuse.
Kim believes since he’s taken over the duties in 2004, he’s had more than enough talent to run the table – piling up a 107-35 record. It’s just that something has been missing – whether if it’s leadership, not capitalizing on opportunity or the lack of team chemistry that’s led to zero state championship appearances over the last 12 years.
When the school broke ground in 1975, the Screamin’ Eagles strung off 12 state championships in a 27 year timespan leading up to 2002. Since then, they have yet to get back to the folklore “Seneca Way”.
Now it’s the dawning of a new football season and Kim isn’t taking any shortcuts, only keeping players that will surrender to the program that once dominated the gridiron tracks. The result – a slender roster of 38 varsity players.
It’s a chance that Kim is willing to take, knowing that “The Seneca Way” is on the cusp of being resurrected. Last year, the eight games that they won was not even close to meeting satisfaction and ultimately missing out on a postseason berth.
Out of the 38 players on the Seneca Valley roster, 16 of those are returning starters. They also added a few transfer chips along the way.
Though rising junior quarterback Zach Robinson tore his ACL over the off-season, transfer from Gaithersburg Petey Gaskins is primed to fill the quarterback role. Offensively they return workhorses, running back Adrian Feliz-Platt and wide receiver Antonio Fox while adding another Gaithersburg transfer, receiver Cortez Ervin.
On defense, they return core players like outside linebacker Kendall Pinales, middle linebacker Dione Jordan and free safety Zae Wright. To count out this Screamin’ Eagles team this year would be foolish. In fact, they have enough talent to realistically obtain the number one seed in Maryland’s so-called SEC, the 3A West.
With that being said, here is what you can expect out of the Seneca Valley Screamin’ Eagles in 2015:
Head Coach: Fred Kim, 12th year, 107-35 record
2014 record: 8-2 (Missed 3A West playoffs)
2015 projected record: 8-3 record (Lose in 3A West region semifinals to Linganore)
Style of play: Up-tempo run first offense / 3-4 defense
NEW CHIPS, FELIX-PLATT LEAD OFFENSE
QB, #11 Petey Gaskins (SR.)
The transfer from Gaithersburg found himself in a quarterback competition with Zach Robinson when he arrived at the beginning of the summer.
Then with Robinson going down to an ACL injury, Gaskins has now been given the keys to the Eagles offense in 2015.
Coming off of a down year in which he only won four games for his Gaithersburg Trojans in 2014 and posting a 55.5 QBR (quarterback rating), he has all the intangibles to lead Seneca Valley to as far as they need to go.
He’s not big in stature, standing at 5’6″, but Gaskins is big in heart, according to his head coach. He also fits the Seneca Valley offensive mold perfectly with his ability to run an up-tempo offense.
As a quarterback, Gaskins possesses a cannon-like arm with a quick trigger for release. He can also extend the play with his legs if needed. If Gaskins has a solid year, this Seneca Valley could very well be playing in Week 14.
Projected stats: 1,300 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns, 350 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns
RB, #7 Adrian Feliz-Platt (JR.)
This guy literally strapped Seneca Valley on his back last year almost carrying them to a playoff berth.
While his offense is looking to be more balanced this year, Feliz-Platt will no doubt be the unquestioned leader once again.
When his head coach was asked to describe his style of running, Kim said he was a compact Barry Sanders. Which is true – Feliz-Platt stands at 5’6″, but supplies all the necessary traits to ground and pound once handed the pigskin.
He’s an extremely violent runner and never gets taken down at first contact. His speed let’s him separate himself from opposing defenders, running a 4.38 40 yard dash. Feliz-Platt’s blocking skills are also superb.
AFP has it all – he’s getting looks from Old Dominion and the University of Maryland and will continue to dominant the gridiron tracks in 2015.
Projected stats: 1,600 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, 300 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
WR, #3 Antonio Fox (JR.)
One of the key pieces returning in Kim’s offense for this season, Antonio Fox offers experience and athleticism at the wide-out position.
He has good size too, standing at 6’1″ and provides a reliable target for Petey Gaskins to throw to.
Fox can also create matchup problems with the combination of his speed and length.
Projected stats: 30 receptions, 450 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns
WR, #6 Cortez Ervin (SR.)
Moves on over to Seneca Valley with his quarterback from last year, Cortez Ervin supplies many of the same traits his as his counterpart, Antonio Fox – experience and athleticism.
Ervin is also one of the biggest receivers in Montgomery County, standing at 6’3″ and 220 pounds. With the combination of his speed and size, he’ll be an opposing defensive back’s nightmare.
If Petey Gaskins and Ervin can click in the early going, all I have to say is watch out.
Projected stats: 30 receptions, 400 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns
Offensive spin: This Seneca Valley offense has a lot going for them. They have nine of the 11 starters returning – so practically the entire offense that won eight games last year are back again. They’ve also received a couple of transfers in quarterback Petey Gaskins and receiver Cortez Ervin that should increase offensive production. The receiving core has abundant athleticism and size with the likes of Antonio Fox, Cortez Ervin and Donovan Beckett-Sims. Running back Adrian Feliz-Platt is the perfect mold for Fred Kim’s system – a hard nosed runner with relentless fight and leadership. Feliz-Platt should continue to run wild in 2015 and is primed to carry Seneca Valley to the playoffs and beyond.
PINNALES, WRIGHT HEADLINE ATHLETIC DEFENSE
OLB, #9 Kendall Pinales (SR.)
The vocal leader of Fred Kim’s defense is back for one final ride this season. Pinales helped solidify a solid front seven in 2014, setting the defensive front and piling up 70 tackles.
The play of Pinales in 2015 will determine the fate of this Seneca Valley team if they were to make a deep playoff run.
Projected stats: 80 tackles, 2 sacks
LB, #21 Dione Jordan (SR.)
Another blue-collar chip in the linebacking core, Dione Jordan brings dynamic attributes to the LB position. He’s physical and has a high motor allowing him to get from one end of the field to the other with ease.
He’ll be another key contributor.
Projected stats: 65 tackles, 3 sacks
FS, #22 Zae Wright (SR.)
With an already solid front seven, Zae Wright mans a versatile athletic secondary. Last year, Wright hauled in four interceptions in 10 games as a junior.
He has ball-hawking ability and will be one of the best defensive backs in the area for 2015.
Defensive spin: While everyone is talking about how reloaded the Seneca Valley offense is, this defense is just as good. When you think about it, they have it all – from the front seven to the secondary. Key pieces in the front seven will be linebacker Dione Jordan, linebacker Kendall Pinales and lineman Michael Hite. Personally, I think the Eagles have the better secondary’s one will come across – receivers Antonio Fox and Cortez Ervin will play as a prominent corner backs and the ball-hawking Zae Wright mans the safety position. Defense is what gets you places and this Seneca Valley team has a fundamentally sound won’t-quit attitude when it comes to halting the opposition.
Toughest matchups
Week 2, at Northwest
Week 9, Damascus
The Bottom Line
Fred Kim is sick and tired of coming up short. Who wins 15 games over a two year timespan and gets no shot at a postseason berth?
Well, Seneca Valley just did, but I like their fortunes for this season.
Offensively, they are coming off of a season in which they won eight games and are returning practically the entire unit that was on the verge of breaking into the playoff party.
Kim has stated he wants to open up the pass more this season and why not? Petey Gaskins has all the intangibles to be more than a game manager and the receiving core is big and athletic with the likes of Antonio Fox and Cortez Ervin.
But if we really want to circle a strong suit in the offense it would be their up-tempo smash-mouth run game fueled by Adrian Feliz-Platt. Feliz-Platt put his Seneca Valley team on his back last season and came oh so close to a playoff berth.
Now with more weapons and experience around him you can only bet he and the offense will bring more firepower this season. Also the defense is rock solid and could formulate into an elite bunch.
Everyone is talking about Damascus and Linganore as the heavyweights in the loaded 3A West – which is fine in Fred Kim’s eyes, but he and his Seneca Valley team know where they stand.
They have all the talent needed to make a run at the state crown – something that has alluded the Eagles for the past 12 years.
If I had to choose one team in the 3A West that has the most upside, it would be this unit. It’s just the big question is, will this Seneca Valley team come together to achieve something special?
So far, so good and if the Eagles come out of the first two weeks 2-0 with dates between Poolesville and Northwest, then this Seneca Valley team is for real and is destined to capture the programs 13th state championship.
