PRZNY Team Previews: A. Phillip Randolph Cougars

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Last Season (8-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was an entertaining season, to say the least for a young APR team last year. After losing their first two games, they picked up steam and got some impressive victories down the stretch. The Cougars started to find their rhythm at the end of the season. They went on a deep run in the PSAL 2A playoffs as they made it to the title game. They got a decisive win over FJM but fell short to South Shore in the championship. APR is now moving up to the 3A Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Prospect </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["807911"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ce62b021282"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Easily one of the most entertaining players in New York City. [player_tooltip player_id='807911' first='Travis' last='Gamble'] had that breakout sophomore year that many people expected. He was the feature back for APR and he was dominant. Gamble was All State and put himself in the conversation with the top 2026's in New York. The way he cuts and makes people miss jumps out at you immediately. Gamble had a monster showing in the Rising Stars Bowl and other showcases this summer, he makes an argument to be the top player in the 3A headed into this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">X Factors</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648870"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ce62b021328"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mnahsheh had a great junior season and followed it up with a phenomenal offseason. He is the captain for APR headed into the fall and has developed as a leader and a football player. Over the years he's gotten more athletic to match his already impressive football IQ. He will be making an impact in all three phases of the games this season. He will be the leader of the secondary and will also be one of the top targets in the receiving game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["820107"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ce62b02139a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last year Jaden Haly and Yomar Perez saw a lot of the touches alongside [player_tooltip player_id='807911' first='Travis' last='Gamble']. Now that those two players have graduated, it's time for [player_tooltip player_id='820107' first='Jaden' last='Padilla'] to shine. The senior tailback has put together an excellent offseason like some of his other teammates. He will be a great weapon for this offense. Padilla has the ability to make a ton of plays and form a scary combination with [player_tooltip player_id='807911' first='Travis' last='Gamble'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["820040"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ce62b021404"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is a new starting QB for the Cougars and its [player_tooltip player_id='820040' first='Manny' last='Opoku']. The sophomore signal caller has already surprised people this offseason. At the Move The Chains Academy 7v7 Tournament, he was lighting up the competition. He was throwing the ball all over the field against talented teams from the PSAL. Last year he was the 2nd string QB and he learned the system and also started on defense. This year he got stronger and has developed more as a true QB headed into Randolph's jump to the 3A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806620"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ce62b021472"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rhoden is a transfer from Archbishop Stepinac with a very high ceiling. He has great size and is 6'3 and 220 pounds and has already made a huge impact this offseason. Rhoden is playing with a serious purpose so far this offseason and has the potential to be one of the most effective defensive ends in the 3A this season. His size and athleticism is bound to give opposing lineman trouble this season in the PSAL.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Player</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1143004"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ce62b0214e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He's just going to be a sophomore but Jones is another high-ceiling player for APR this season. He's a lanky athlete but plays with more physicality than you think. Jones isn't afraid to lower the shoulder when he has the ball and can certainly lay some hard hits. In his junior varsity tape, he displayed the speed in his game and it should translate well to the next level as he's only gotten more athletic this offseason.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>Name</td><td>Year</td><td>Position</td><td>Notes</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820119' first='Roddrick' last='Vivieca']</td><td>2025</td><td>OL</td><td>Impact on both sides of the line, played in the Rising Stars Bowl</td></tr><tr><td>Aiden Scriba</td><td>2025</td><td>DL</td><td>Amazing size, senior leader</td></tr><tr><td>Dane John</td><td>2025</td><td>LB</td><td>Great offseason, very talented OLB</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820096' first='Hector' last='Garcia']</td><td>2025</td><td>ATH</td><td>Under the radar, solid tackler</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='820000' first='Rhoc' last='Kwawununu']</td><td>2026</td><td>OL</td><td>Starting center, a great offseason, impacting the game on both sides of the ball</td></tr><tr><td>Lord Winston </td><td>2026</td><td>TE</td><td>Returning from injury, big and physical player, good hands</td></tr><tr><td>Christian Torres</td><td>2026</td><td>ATH</td><td>Throwback football player and can play anywhere</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1143062' first='Isaac' last='Suazo']</td><td>2027</td><td>ATH</td><td>A great cornerback and can also make an impact as a receiver <br></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Losses</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL/DL- Richard Stratton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL/DL- Lenz Pierrot </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB- Jaden Haly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH- Yomar Perez </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2024 Schedule </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a class="" href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/new-york/randolph-campus-cougars/football/schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Schedule - Randolph Campus Cougars (New York, NY) Varsity Football 24-25</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Season Outlook</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Eric Perlowitz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>APR starts off the season with a bang. They take on rival Kennedy in a rematch of what was an exciting opening game last year. Then the fearless Cougars hit the road to play against Philadelphia powerhouse Roman Catholic under the lights. APR then plays its PSAL 3A schedule against Bayside, Cardozo, Fort Hamilton, and many others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Things Going for the Cougars </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Size up front: Randolph returns some big and quality lineman this upcoming season. They were undersized a year ago and still had success on the ground. This year they should take the next step as the line has improved&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Returning talent: APR loses some great seniors but they have some great 2025's and 2026's returning from last year. The future is bright for the Cougars and they are in good shape in many areas this upcoming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young core: Randolph has built a well-rounded program. has some very talented 2027 prospects who are expected to make a huge impact for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">One Area of Concern </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year they had a hard time stopping prolific run games like South Shore and when they played against FJM in the regular season. This year they'll have to stop the run if they want to win a 3A title this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Last Word</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>APR lost some quality seniors but they bring back a ton of talent. With the changes around the league, some people think Randolph is the favorite in the 3A and I will be hopping on that train. The Cougars have a solid line and will have some of the top-skill players in the PSAL running behind it. This rebuild over the past 5 years has truly been an amazing story. The next chapter for the Cougars is winning a 3A championship and they have the talent to do it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->