SHARP EXECUTION: Hun School running back Christopher Sharp heads upfield last fall. Senior star and University of Virginia-bound Sharp should be a force on both side of the ball for Hun this year at running back and linebacker. The Raiders kick off their 2014 campaign by playing at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) on September 20 as they look to win in the debut of new head coach Todd Smith. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

As Todd Smith takes the helm of the Hun School football team, he is bringing a different perspective to the program.

Having served as the head coach at WW/P-S for eight seasons and the offensive coordinator for Hopewell Valley last fall, Smith has cut his teeth in the public school environment, a different world than the Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) circles in which Hun travels.

Smith’s success, which includes a 63-22 record at WW/P-S from 2005 to 2012 and helping HoVal to the Central Jersey Group III title last fall, is founded upon a voluminous playbook, meticulous attention to detail, and instilling a gung-ho attitude in his players.

Based on the early returns, Smith’s approach is gaining wide support among his new players.

“Camp has been going well,” said Smith, reflecting on the team’s preseason preparation.

“The kids are grasping the concepts. We have the base offense in and we are building off of that. It is the same thing with the defense. The kids are bonding; they are having fun.”

Smith is having fun working with junior transfer quarterback Simon Vadas.

“Vadas has been great, he played well in both scrimmages,” said Smith, whose team kicks off the 2014 campaign by playing at Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) on September 20.

“He has great touch and he is a great leader. The more he learns the offense, the quicker he will be able to get rid of the ball.”

Hun boasts a great offensive weapon in senior star and University of Virginia-bound Christopher Sharp.

“Sharp is our workhorse,” said Smith. “He is playing at wide receiver as much as running back.”

The Raiders figure to get some good work from its
talented receiving corps. “Justin Morrison is our shiftiest athlete, he has got wiggle,” added Smith.

“Cameron Kitchen is at tight end and wide receiver, he is a big target. The other wide receiver is Julian Williams, he is a big time athlete. Donavon Harris played QB last year. We are getting him back for the second game; he will add a lot.”

As usual, Hun will feature a lot of beef in the trenches. “The line looks sharp, we have some local kids and they were able to work out here and they did a lot of weightlifting,” said Smith.

“Fred Hansard is a sophomore, he is 6’5, 295-pounds and he is our anchor. I am happy with right tackle Justin McGriff (6’3, 325). We have two senior guards in Tom Zuewsky (6’3, 275) and Panayiotis Zavaliangos (6’3, 265). The center is Dave Niciforo (6’0, 215), he is a senior and is new to the position and he is getting better and better.”

That bulk will help on the other side of the ball as most of the offensive linemen will also be manning the defensive line.

“The defensive line will have a lot of the same guys as the offensive line,” said Smith.

“Cameron is playing defensive line and one of the defensive ends is Mike McMenamin, who also plays fullback.”

At linebacker, HoVal transfer Kyle Horihan has made an immediate impact in the middle.

“Kyle Horihan has been named a captain, he is at inside linebacker and is flying all over the place,” said Smith. “The outside linebackers are Sharp and Niciforo.”

The secondary boasts some veterans with a trio of seniors in Morrison, Daniel Seelagy, and Mike Salerno.

“Justin is at cornerback,” said Smith. “Daniel Seelagy and Mike Salerno are in a battle for the other cornerback spot.”

For Hun, a lot of the battle this fall will come down to staying away from injury.

“As long as we stay healthy, we should be able to play with anyone,” said Smith, who is determined to restore the program to its winning ways after a 2-6 campaign in 2013 under interim head coach John Law.

“We have not been doing much hitting, it may take us a while to get warmed up in games because that will be some of our first live action. Health is our No. 1 concern.”

If Hun has its pieces in place, Smith will get the chance to show his full repertoire.

“I think we have to stay balanced on offense,” said Smith. “I don’t want to be one-dimensional. We will run to open up the pass and pass to open up the run. On defense, we need to get after the QB and put pressure on the other teams.”