Returning Contributors: The Montclair Mounties Skill Positions
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In his first full season in charge of one of the state’s most decorated programs, head coach Jermain Johnson was able to recapture the Montclair magic in 2023. Leading the team to an 8-4 final record and a trip to…
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Continue ReadingIn his first full season in charge of one of the state’s most decorated programs, head coach Jermain Johnson was able to recapture the Montclair magic in 2023. Leading the team to an 8-4 final record and a trip to the sectional finals, it was more of the same of what we have come to know of Mountie Football.
Their magical season came to an end on the road in a 7-point loss to eventual Group V state runner-up Passaic County Tech. That said, here are a handful of skill players who look to lead their team to another title.
Prior to writing this evaluation I was familiar with Malachi Lewis Malachi Lewis 6’3″ | 185 lbs | QB Montclair | 2024 FL ‘ season (141 of 227 for 2220 yards 26 TDs, 6 Ints, 74/233/5 on the ground), as the junior was a top signal caller leading the Mounties on a deep playoff run. Now that I have watched his film, I am unsure how many 2025 public school quarterbacks in New Jersey are better than him.
Mobility-wise, Lewis moves in the pocket and is a dual-threat who looks to pass first. He has the savviness in the pocket to set up better throwing angles/windows and moves up in the pocket as the rush comes at him. When forced to, Lewis is an athlete who can scramble for big plays – with his feet or through the air. He keeps his eyes down field when he breaks the pocket and roams in the comfort of open, green grass holding the ball until the last possible moment before he must decide what to do with it. Blessed with prototypical size for the position, he is large enough to absorb contact when running with the ball and possesses the arm strength to hit just about any spot on the field. Moreover – and perhaps most impressively – like a veteran, Lewis puts touch on the ball where few of his throws look the same. Seeking the big play, he loves to stretch the field vertically. With many skillsets and abilities already harnessed, I can only hope to see more of what Lewis is capable of. Colleges will salivate over him should he feature highlights of him running read-option and going through his progression.
Montclair’s leading rusher, and perhaps their best zone corner, is back for more. Ja-khi Chance Ja-khi Chance 5’8″ | 150 lbs | ATH Montclair | 2025 NJ slashed 124/679/7 on the ground, 15/132/2 through the air, and defensively had 26 tackles (23 solo), 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 FF, 1 FR and 1 Int on defense.
Since his highlights showed him on defense first, I will start there. Chance takes outstanding breaks on the ball. In doing so, he has a keen sense of when to undercut the pass or when to play over the top. This ability prevents Chance from either truly being out of position or taking a chance. He will extend his arm to break up or tip the pass throwing in his direction. With a running start and help near by, Chance will look to lower the boom on a call carrier headed in his direction. It seems that receivers have a hard time creating much, or meaningful, separation from him when route running.
When toting the rock, Chance is the type of player who can easily gain the edge and go for big gains; however, what is not lost is his subtle ability to know exactly how much yardage to gain in situation. In my opinion, Chance profiles as a one-cut runner who can make people miss, yet is extremely difficult to bring down with the first defender. A willing blocker, we see Chance both take the legs of defensive linemen out and try to light up his kick out assignment as a lead blocker.
Areas I can still see Chance grow, one for each side of the ball, would be to tackler lower and with correct leverage on defense and run with lower pad level on offense.
When I put the tape of Jayden Lee Jayden Lee 5’8″ | 150 lbs | WR Montclair | 2025 NJ on he immediately popped off the screen with his super-quick release from the line, getting defenders’ on their heels in a hurry. Lining up mostly in the slot, he is a mismatch nightmare for defensive coordinators, particularly when he is running the wheel. Montclair’s most agile weapon, this hand-catcher creates space when running his route by flexing his wiggle and head fakes. Going for 411 yards on 34 receptions and 2 scores through the air, Lee runs mostly verts, wheels, and flags or outs. He possesses sideline awareness, as he looks to make a tip-toe grab near the boundary. Lastly, during the scramble drill, Lee is apt at lulling defenders to sleep and then finding open space for a big play. For as quick and fast that he is, Lee can stand to improve his core and hips this offseason. It will allow him to improve his shiftiness and ability to make people miss.
The only defense-first player on today’s evaluation is Richard Williams Richard Williams 5’11” | 180 lbs | LB Montclair | 2025 NJ . Williams was amongst the team leaders in tackles with 70.5 (42 solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble and fumble recovery a piece. He contributed on offense as a lead blocker out of the backfield to the tune of 21/90/2 on the ground and 6/53/2 through the air.
Whoever coached Williams when he was younger got through to him as fundamental football prevails yet again. Like he has been doing since his pop warner days, Williams keeps his feet and drives through contact when making tackles. Showing versatility in his game, Williams is seen lining in the box and off the edge. I am of the opinion that as a linebacker he is best when he is in motion and moving near the line of scrimmage. Williams is practically unblockable with tight ends, wing backs, or h-backs. He also runs like a maniac on kickoff and special teams.
Williams is a sneaky threat on offense. Acting as a safety valve in the flat, Williams is a sure-bet as a safe check down. Similarly, he shows the ability to slip and get lost in the heap, only to find himself leaking out for easy yardage and scores. When rushing he has the ability to carry the team on his back or spin off of defenders who are off balance and over leveraging themselves for a tackler.
Given his two-way status as a player, here are two bits for Williams to continue to improve. Defensively I want to see Williams read his keys more clearly. Should he do this, there is a very good chance he could be amongst the state’s leaders in tackles next year. Offensively, limiting false steps when lead blocking will allow Williams to get to his assignment quicker and thus be more effective as a lead blocker.
The Mounties return their leading touchdown receiver in Jace Auletta Jace Auletta 6’1″ | 170 lbs | WR Montclair | 2024 NJ . With his 9 touchdowns, Auletta hauled in 21 receptions for 567 yards and 47 tackles (38 solo) 3 fumble recoveries, and 3 defensive touchdowns on the season. Auletta excels when things do not go as drawn up. We see him break off his route and find space and soft voids when the scramble drill is in effect. Similarly, he adjusts to the balls flight on both when under thrown and less-than-perfect trajectories. Ball skills continue to be a plus for Auletta as he comes back to it nicely when running routes. He is capable of taking the top off of the defense as well, although he is not exclusively used that way. From his safety spot, he does a great job of reading the quarterbacks eyes. This ability allows him to instinctively break on the ball and make plays sideline-to-sideline. Auletta’s game can jump to another level has he works to become an exclusive hands-catcher when the ball is lofted his way.