After 2016 turnaround, Mount Vernon looking to reach next level

Mount Vernon’s football renaissance was one of the biggest surprises of the 2016 season, as the Majors sprinted out to a 3-0 start and qualified for the 6A playoffs under first-year head coach Monty Fritts.

This season an experienced Majors squad appears primed to improve on last year’s 5-6 mark. Mount Vernon returns 18 of 22 starters, and faces a somewhat less daunting schedule thanks to conference realignment. The Majors also had a very successful offseason in the 7-on-7 circuit, including a dominant performance in their own tournament.

“We’re going to look a lot different than we did last year,” Fritts said this week. “I’m sure there’s some bigger teams, but I think we’ve done a good job closing the gap.”

High octane offense

Offensively, the Majors’ spread attack has an abundance of talent, starting with all-conference slotback Darrien Newton. Newton was one of the most dynamic players in Northern Virginia last year, leading the Majors in receiving and finishing second on the team in rushing despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in ninth game. Newton had offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and Fritts said he’s looked fully recovered in the preseason.

Throwing the ball to Newton will be senior quarterback Timothy Heltzel, who emerged as one of the top passers in the region last season. Heltzel finished with more than 2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns — a feat all the more impressive because he did it while learning a whole new offensive system. An offseason of mastering the playbook and watching film have Heltzel much more in command of the offense, Fritts said.

“He’s probably night and day better than he was last year,” said Fritts.

Heltzel has plenty of weapons at his disposal, including senior wideout Damien Burke, who caught six touchdowns a year ago. The Majors primary ball carrier is expected to be sophomore Jordyn Reid, who played defensive back as a freshman. Fritts says his speed gives the Mount Vernon offense another dimension. 

“If he gets a crease he’s going to take it to the house,” Fritts said. 

Senior Josh Henry is also expected to get a lot of carries for the Majors.

Four out of five starters are back on Mount Vernon’s offensive line, with senior guard Jaime Reyes and senior tackle Jovan Jones leading the way.

Another scoring weapon for the Majors will be sophomore kicker Samuel Renzi, who was 7 for 7 on field goals last season and has the range to make kicks consistently from 50 yards, according to Fritts. 

Focusing on defense

The Majors struggled defensively last season, surrendering 37 points per game. Fritts said that improving the defensive unit was the number one priority in the offseason, and a new 3-4 scheme has been installed to better suit the Majors’ talent.

Anchoring the Majors defense will be senior outside linebackers Jason Lewis and Aaron Busby, a converted defensive end who has received a scholarship offer from Howard.  Fritts said Busby has been “a monster on the outside” during the preseason and described Lewis as the emotional leader of the unit.

“Jason just plays angry,” Fritts said. “He definitely sets the tone for us on defense.”

Andrei Golding returns at inside linebacker, healthier after being slowed by a groin injury last season. Junior Bernard Dankyi, a transfer from Woodbridge, joins Golding on the inside. 

The defensive line will be anchored by nose guard Chris Gallman, a 6-feet 2-inch 340-pound senior who Fritts thinks has all-conference potential. Seniors Bilal Arouna and Zion Manual will start at the two defensive end spots. 

Two of the most important players on D will be junior cornerbacks Kai Brooker and Chris Morris. Both spent time a special camp for DBs in the offseason, and Fritts said each has made huge strides in terms of technique and overall strength. 

“They’re both more physical,” Fritts said. ” We can put them on an island.”

Games to watch

For the first time in years Mount Vernon will play all three other Richmond Highway-area schools. The Majors open the season Friday night at 7 p.m. with a non-conference game at Edison. Mount Vernon renews an old rivalry when they travel to Hayfield on Oct. 6, and later close the season with a trip up Richmond Highway to face West Potomac on Nov. 3. 

Mount Vernon will also face T.C. Williams in the second-to-last week of the season in a rematch of one of 2016’s most exciting games. The Majors fell 42-37 in a back-and-forth affair that the Titans won in the final minute. 

Mount Vernon football 2017 Schedule
8/25/17	7 p.m.	at Edison
9/1/17	7 p.m.	vs. Langley
9/8/17	7 p.m.	vs. Falls Church
9/15/17	7 p.m.	at Washington-Lee
9/22/17	7 p.m.	vs. Wakefield
10/6/17	7 p.m.	at Hayfield
10/13/17	7 p.m.	at Stuart
10/20/17	7 p.m.	vs. Annandale
10/27/17	7 p.m.	vs. T.C. Williams
11/3/17	7 p.m.	at West Potomac