Some people love to jump to conclusions.
When looking at the Snider roster heading into 2020, only a few names jump out at you.
Domanick Moon. D.J. Moore. Division I talents for sure.
But the rest of the projected starting list is foreign, many listed with zero years of varsity starting experience. Only five starters return combined between offense and defense.
To many, that would signal a rebuilding season, one where bringing along new talent will be a season-long process.
But this is Snider, which doesn’t rebuild, but simply reloads.
That’s the mindset for Coach Kurt Tippmann and the Panthers entering the fall. While a 30-plus man senior class has departed from a 7-3 campaign, those who have bode their time in the shadows are ready to emerge.
Offensive, just a pair of starters return – Jade Moore at wide receiver and D.J. Moore along the offensive line. While D.J. is one of the top offensive line prospects in the country in the Class of 2012, Jade caught 14 balls for 142 yards and a score.
After that, it is a bunch of new faces as starters offensively.
Sophomore Luke Haupert is likely to get the nod at starting quarterback to replace Jon Barnes Jr., while junior Deron Swanson, who saw some spot action last year, is also an option.
The “veteran” at running back is junior Tyrese Brown, who had three total carries in 2019. Isaiah Maxwell will see time in the offensive backfield, with sophomores Langston Leavell and Kedrell Billingsley looking to break out.
Senior Kaden Benjamin will partner with Jade Moore to provide some leadership at the wide receiver spot, with Snider’s top three receivers from 2019 having graduated.
Up front, D.J. Moore is the monster force, and he has plenty of size around him. Vernon Periera will man the center spot, with guards Aidan Pelz, Gabe Hahn and Chease Peake all at 230 pounds and above. D.J. Moore will man one tackle spot while junior Caleb Hurt looks in a position to man the other side.
The defensive line may be the most experienced position group back, with senior Reece Thomas (four tackles) and junior Markell Keal (15 tackles, one sack) returning after seeing plenty of action last season. D.J. Moore could also see some spot action up front.
The wild card up front is transfer Iso Robinson, who moved in from Illinois after that state pushed high school football to spring. His father Jabar Robinson starred for Snider in the mid 90s, as well as Indiana University, where he is still one of the leading tacklers all-time. Robinson immediately slots into an interior line spot, although his availability for the start of the season is still in question.
Moon and his 29 tackles and a sack return at middle linebacker, bringing a lot of D1 interest with him. Moon has offers from the likes of Syracuse, Purdue and Cincinnati and should break out in 2020. He will be complemented by fellow returning starter Maxwell (33 tackles, one sack) and the likes of junior Caden Hurse and sophomore Jacob Miller.
Tavarious Easley-Jones is the lone defensive back returning who started last season. He will need to carry the leadership role, although seniors Jonathon McCullough and Zaire Hayes have shown plenty of potential.
WHY #2?
When most teams graduate the production that Snider did, the reality is that there will be a drop the following year. But the Panthers replace talent with talent, and have some legit D1 prospects to carry the load until the new starters get accustomed to things.
Despite three losses last year, two came to SAC champion Homestead and the other came by seven points to Bishop Dwenger. While it may take a bit for Snider to hit its stride, there is no doubt that the Panthers will finish with their 31st consecutive winning season and be a factor in the conference.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
A lot of new faces also means a lot of uncertainty. Can Haupert live up to the summer hype? Can an offensive line come together around D.J. Moore? Are the new crop of Snider skill players capable of making big plays?
These are all questions that we will find out in the coming weeks.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 1 vs. North Side
Woah, not Carroll in Week 2 or Bishop Dwenger in Week 8?
Look, everyone is hyping up North Side as a team that can a move in the SAC. A lot of those same people are also believing that Snider will have a down season (by its standards anyway).
Week 1 is a chance for Coach Kurt Tippmann’s team to prove a lot of people wrong, and also getting off to a good start by beating a quality opponent.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Domanick Moon, junior, linebacker
The inside linebacker is many times the leader of the defense, and Snider is no exception. Moon will be looked upon to create havoc with his play while also leading a unit that will be replacing eight starters.
Particularly early on against versatile QBs like Duce Taylor and Jeff Becker, Moon’s poise will be of paramount performance.
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