Returning Contributors: West Orange Mountaineers’ Linemen, Part 2
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Always in the mix, last year was more of the same for West Orange as they are practically a lock for the North Group V playoff bracket. Coming off of an 8-4 record and an sectional championship victory on the…
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Continue ReadingAlways in the mix, last year was more of the same for West Orange as they are practically a lock for the North Group V playoff bracket. Coming off of an 8-4 record and an sectional championship victory on the road in 2024, head Coach Darnell Grant’s group were road warriors again. Last year at 5-5 the Mountaineers went on the road and defeated Plainfield in something of a rarity – a Friday night game under the lights at old Hub Stein Field.
How will the Mountaineers fair in 2024? If history is an indicator they are going to be in serious contention, especially given the key pieces on their roster they are set to return. Here are some of those rising prospects to be aware of.
Returning Contributors Series
Serving as a nose guard for the Mountaineers is Jahid Salaam Jahid Salaam 5’10” | 260 lbs | DL West Orange | 2025 NJ who, last year, was credited with 6 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. In one of the better plays I have seen along the goal line, we see Salaam get an absolute great jump off the snap, destroy the center, and individually blow up the play. Outside of this situation we see that Salaam can recognize and feel pressure, working centers backwards toward the play’s direction by getting his hands on and with separation. One thing absent from his tape that I am curious to see is how well Salaam handles double teams. This is something if I was a college coach considering Salaam that I would want to see.
Eric Sanabria Eric Sanabria 6’1″ | 280 lbs | OL West Orange | 2025 NJ profiles as a big, mauling time of lineman. On defense he showcases his upper body strength; however, he seems to prove his worth on offense as a guard. Keeping his matchup close to his heart, Sanabria looks to get chest-to-chest whenever possible, controlling them through every step of the play. A worker, he looks to out muscle you and win his individual assignment. In limited clips in pass protection Sanabria appears to keep his head on a swivel, flawlessly picking up a N-T stunt. When it comes to double teams, he and his adjacent teammate put forth a great effort to accomplish, mostly, vertical displacement. For Sanabria’s game to get even better I want to see him improve his bend. Doing so he will gain more movement more quickly.
One of two tight end/h-back types featured today is Joseph Feli Joseph Feli 5’10” | 200 lbs | TE West Orange | 2025 NJ . An extension of West Orange’s offensive line, Feli is a worker who grinds his face off to be a part of their gritty culture. I like Feli’s game slightly more at h-back than I do tight end, as it seems he goes a better job with his footwork in that position and can see things happen as they unfold. I would want to see Feli work to keep his hands inside a bit more this upcoming season. This will enable him to control his opponent a bit more when blocking.
Highlights
The other tight end/h-back the Mountaineers feature is Daniel Iannone Daniel Iannone 5’10” | 200 lbs | TE West Orange | 2025 NJ . Iannone serves as a lead and in-line blocker for West Orange, where we see him maintain a solid base through the blocking process. He has his moments where he showcases his bend, gaining leverage on his opponent to create movement. Also a special teamer, he holds up linemen on punt return with ease, allowing nothing cheap and easy. When asked to pull across the formation we see Iannone lead up and find the first penetrator of opposite color. If Iannone can add improved hand placement at his assignment’s chest plate, with the base he drives with and an offseason of gains, he has the ability to be a dominant continuation of the Mountaineer’s offensive line.
Lining up next to Sanabria is his left tackle Jason Jones. With Jones I would say quick feet prevail. He sets an outstanding edge when reach blocking, consistently working and winning those blocks. Similarly, in pass protection he allows defenders run upfield confidently knowing he has the feet to recover and prevent defender’s from climbing back upfield. Using their own leverage against them, Jones slings unbalanced players to the ground. In terms of head-to-head blocking, Jones delivers upon short, choppy steps to get movement and can explode in an upward motion into his opponent at times. I was also impressed with his pad level when down blocking, as his back was flat and his head was up. For me to be all about Jones’ game I need to see his feet constantly pumping, consistently.