Spring Game Notes

It still seems a bit wrong to get back to day-to-day matters so soon after Bill Campbell’s passing.

But the team lives on, and the program will live on thanks mostly to the efforts and generosity Campbell exhibited over the last 30 years.

 Now to the “Spring Game…”

I put that in quotes because as we were told a few days before, the “game” was really just a practice with some scrimmaging.

The best part of it all was the very large attendance. This was definitely the best-attended spring practice wrap up I’ve ever seen. About 25 incoming freshmen and their families were there. Also, some 2017 and even some 2018 potential recruits attended.

The big BBQ afterwards was fantastic. There was very good food and plenty of chances to mingle from picnic table to picnic table to talk to the coaches, players, etc.

But as for on the field results, here’s a quick summary of how I and some of my fellow fans saw the action:

-QB Anders Hill is a lot more accurate with his throws. He was spotty at that last year, especially in the Cornell game.

-We saw a lot more deep throws than we saw maybe all of last year. This needs to be at least a part of our offensive attack.

-The receivers look better, but still have some trouble getting catchable balls.

-Three players we didn’t see too much of last year who stood out were DE Connor Heeb, DB Ryan Gilbert, and WR Tre Gabriel.  Heeb is a rising junior while Gilbert and Gabriel are rising sophs.

Heeb did a great job rushing the passer time after time. It’s not clear how he does against the run.

Gilbert was showing the most enthusiasm on the field and was in on a lot of stops and good plays.

Gabriel bulked up but kept his speed and it sure looks like he will play a role in the offense this year. He scampered in with a reception for a TD.

-PK Cameron Nizialek looked a lot better. Incoming kicker Oren Millstein, who had a big offer from Georgia, may already be pushing him.  

-Alan Watson played well and had one good long run for a TD. He got shaken up on one play, but walked off the field and came back a little later.

-Lord Hyeamang looked generally good at DT.

BREAKING NEWS: BILL CAMPBELL DIES

Probably the best supporter of Columbia Athletics of all time has passed away.

Bill Campbell has died at the age of 75.

Our condolences go out to his family.

We did not always agree, but I always respected Campbell and his devotion and intentions for the best at Columbia were never in question.

I know I'm not the only one who thinks that Campbell's old #67 should be remembered with a black #67 patch that the team wears on all uniforms to honor him this season.

In fact, I think ALL Columbia sports team should wear that patch for the next year.

5 Spring Questions

I’m sure almost everyone has seen the video of Head Coach Al Bagnoli, and new assistants John Audino and Ricky Santos reviewing spring practice so far and previewing the spring game/scrimmage tomorrow afternoon. 

Bagnoli made it clear that we won’t see a regular game tomorrow, but we’ll see quite a bit that should help us figure out where the team is headed.

The top feature will be anything we see of the new high speed/no huddle offense the team has been working on transitioning to all spring. I doubt we’ll see it going full tilt at this early stage, but any hint would be exciting.

Here are five key questions we might begin to answer by watching the spring game:

Who’s Gonna Carry the Rock?

Who’s in the lead to replace the graduating Cameron Molina at running back? I admit that coming into last year, I liked Molina a lot but only thought he was a marginal Honorable Mention All-Ivy player. Molina then turned in a legit 1^st Team All Ivy year, which was good news when he did it but is bad news now because it leaves a bigger hole to fill.

That means the spring game will be the last chance for presumptive successors Alan Watson and Chris Schroer to show what they can do before impressive freshmen like Lynnard Rose and Tanner Thomas get their shots in training camp.

Who’s On the D-Line?

Columbia’s graduation losses on the stellar 2015 D-line are extensive. My sources say their replacements started pretty slowly this spring. But let’s see if players like Dominic Perkovic,  Lord Hyeamang, and Alexander Holme can show us something tomorrow. I do know the coaches felt Perkovic was snubbed for All Ivy recognition last year and Hyeamang has the tools to be a dominant player.

Is Hill Showing Real Signs of Improvement at QB?

With Skyler Mornhinweg out of spring practice because of injury, Anders Hill has been the undisputed #1 QB in the spring. I don’t expect him to be allowed to showcase his running ability in a practice game, but that’s a good thing because it’s his pure passing ability we want to check on anyway.

Do We Get a WR Upgrade?

 Columbia just didn’t have a go-to receiver last year, and some of that was because of injuries. Top WR Scooter Hollis is coming back in the fall for a 5^th year, but he’s not participating in spring practice. Marcus Briscoe was looking good this spring but he tweaked his hamstring again, so he’s out as a precaution tomorrow. That means rising junior Cameron Dunn has a good chance to show some improvement before he’s really forced to compete for passes not only by the returning Briscoe and Hollis, but also incoming freshman Josh Wainwright who may be the best offensive player in the class of 2020.

Are the Linebackers as Good as Advertised?

Columbia sure seems to have an embarrassment of riches at this position. All three 2015 starters from this strong unit return in 2016, plus the guy who was supposed to be a starter but lost most of the year to injury. This talented and veteran group led by Christian Conway, Keith Brady, Gianmarco Rea, and Hagen Patterson, should look dominant at times tomorrow.

The spring game begins at 4:30pm tomorrow. See you there.

Late Addition

Justin Hill


A Twitter scan and a tip from a reader has yielded the name of the 41st name on our incoming freshmen list.

His name is Justin Hill, a 5-9, 160 -pound speedy all-around athlete from Springfield Township HS in the greater Philadelphia area. Hill played in the same league as fellow incoming freshmen Alex Gibson and Lamine Nouck-A-Nwal. He played a dual threat QB and as a DB last season.

Hill made his commitment late, (or maybe he was offered late), and announced it on March 19th.

Hill would be the first documented Springfield Township grad to come to Columbia football.

Hill made Honorable Mention in the Philadelphia Inquirer's all suburban team.

Apparently, getting the offer from Columbia was a surprise for Hill. After Springfield lost in the playoffs last fall, Hill said he thought that was his last football game ever. 


That brings our list of reported incoming freshmen players to 41:

1) Kyle Baskin WR/DB 6-4 210 lbs. Quakertown HS Quakertown, PA

2) Christian Boujaoude WR 5-11 165 lbs. Monmouth Regional HS Eatontown, NJ

3) Parker Coogan OL/DT 6-2 270 lbs. Kingwood HS Houston, TX

4) Matt Dame QB 6-2 185 lbs. Suncoast HS Riviera Beach, FL

5) Chris Everett WR 6-2 200 lbs. Whitney Young HS Chicago, IL

6) Danny De Lorenzi LB 6-3 230 lbs. Bergen Catholic HS, Oradell, NJ 

7) John Fischer OL 6-3 290 lbs. Sacred Heart-Griffin HS Springfield, IL

8) Michael Geraghty DE 6-3 242 Bishop Gorman HS Las Vegas, NV

9) Alex Gibson RB 5-10 195 lbs. Central Bucks High School East Doylestown, PA

10) LinDon Harris DE 6-2 215 lbs. Sidwell Friends Washington, DC

11) Ben Hill TE/DE 6-3 230 lbs. Christian Brothers HS Memphis, TN

12) Justin Hill QB/DB/ATH 5-9 160 lbs. Springfield Township HS Glenside, PA

13) Tyler Houston DE/TE 6-3 245 lbs. Olentangy HS Lewis Center, OH

14) Hunter Lunsford DB 6-1 195 lbs. Consumnes Oaks HS Sacramento, CA

15) Ben McKeighan WR/DB 6-0 187 lbs. Scottsdale Prep/Cheshire Academy (PG year) Scottsdale, AZ

16) Levi McQuinn LB 6-0 205 lbs. Fort Myers HS Fort Myers, FL

17) Oren Milstein K 5-9 165 lbs. American Heritage HS Plantation, FL

18) Max Mullaney LB 6-2 225 lbs. Colts Neck HS Colts Neck, NJ

19) Michael Murphy LB 5-11 194 lbs. Plant HS Tampa, FL

20) Van Neils RB 6-0 210 lbs. Mankato East HS Mankato, MN

21) Lamine Nouck-A-Nwal DE/OL  6-4 250 lbs. Central Bucks High School East Doylestown, PA

22) Zach O'Neill DE/OL 6-2 225 lbs. Monsignor Farrell HS Staten Island, NY

23) Will Ontiveros WR/DB 6-2 175 lbs. Assumption HS Davenport, IA

24) Hunter Petlansky QB 6-2 225 lbs. Modesto Central Catholic HS Modesto, CA 

25) Kaleb Pitts WR 6-3 175 lbs. Hamilton HS, Chandler, AZ

26) Alex Robin DT 6-0 260 lbs. Vestavia Hills HS Vestavia Hills, AL 

27) Lynnard Rose RB/DB 6-0 180 lbs. Second Baptist HS Houston, TX

28) Arman Samouk DT 6-2 270 lbs. Copley HS Copley, OH

29) Rory Schlageter TE 6-3 225 lbs. Seton Hall Prep West Orange, NJ

30) Drew Schoeberl DE/TE 6-5 250 lbs. Columbus North HS Columbus, IN

31) Joseph Scowden OL 6-4 290 lbs. Montgomery Bell HS Nashville, TN

32) Ronald Smith DB/WR 6-3 190 lbs. John Burroughs HS St. Louis, MO

33) Tanner Thomas RB 5-10 183 lbs. Farragut HS Knoxville, TN 

34) Matt Tofano LB 6-2 217 lbs. Archibishop Mitty HS San Jose, CA

35) Ian Vandenberg WR/RB 6-2 198 lbs. Paw Paw HS Kalamazoo, MI

36) Josh Wainwright WR 5-11 170 lbs. Bowie HS Austin, TX

37) Jonathon Webster DB  6-0 180 lbs. Eastside Catholic HS Sammamish, WA

38) Taylor Weldon DE/TE 6-2 240 lbs. Soutland Academy Americus, GA

39) Isaac Werkman OL 6-6 265 lbs. Lewis & Clark HS Spokane, WA

40) Jared West LB 5-11 205 lbs. Bishop McNamara HS Kankakee, IL

41) Jalen Williams LB 6-0 215 lbs. Hewitt-Trussville HS Trussville, AL

McElreavy Moves on

Former Columbia Head Coach Larry McElreavy is leaving the head coaching job at Newport HS and going to take over the same position at Pembroke Academy in the Concord, NH area.

High school football coaches need other jobs, and that's why McElreavy who also works as a realtor, needed to move to a more economically vibrant area.

Pembroke has not sent any players to Columbia football, but perhaps now that will change.