“I think we can compete for a state championship, we have a lot of talent coming back.”
Every team suffers growing pains at one point or another; it’s just part of the game. The Palmyra High School Panthers football team had its growing pains in 2016, finishing 4–6 and missing the NJSIAA playoffs. After going 19–4 the two seasons prior, the Panthers were hit hard by graduation. This is a new year however, and Palmyra has virtually everybody back from last year’s team.
“We’re just trying to reiterate to the guys taking one game at a time,” Palmyra head coach Jack Geisel said. “We’ve added in some new wrinkles this year, but haven’t really changed much on either side of the ball.”
Leading the way for Palmyra is a trio of seniors, each looking for a great ending to their high school careers. Senior quarterback Taj Harris (6-feet 2 inches, 175 pounds) is expected to get the majority of snaps under center this season, something Palmyra toyed with a year ago. The Syracuse recruit earned first-team all-conference honors at wide receiver a year ago, and has high expectations for the season.
“I think we can compete for a state championship,” Harris said. “We have a lot coming back, and I am excited for the season.” Harris is also a basketball standout for the Panthers as well, eclipsing the 1,000-point mark last season.
Senior running back Elijah Karnjay (5-feet 9 inches, 175 pounds) returns for the Panthers as well, and is a bruising runner with the ball in his hands. Karnjay was a second-team all-conference selection, and rushed for 665 yards and three scores in 2016. Karnjay, a two-way player for Palmyra, is excited to see what unfolds in 2017 with a lot of talent back.
“I’m very pumped since it’s my final year,” Karnjay said. “We have a lot of talent in our younger guys and I can’t wait to see what they can do and how they progress.”
Junior wide receivers Sam Aviles (5-feet 9 inches, 160 pounds) and sophomore Joe Smyth (6-feet, 160 pounds) are two athletes that Harris will look for out wide. On the offensive line, senior Davonte Vivian (6-feet 3 inches, 290 pounds) is a true leader and will be relied on to lead by example.
“He’s huge, it’s huge to have a guy in the line that you can count on,” Geisel said. “He’s a good role model for the team, and he’s been through everything we’ve been through. The younger kids can see the way it’s done and learn from Davonte.”
Defensively, the team will play a 3–3–5 using Harris as the deep safety to watch every play. The Panthers will look to get better at keeping their opponents out of the end zone, after allowing 27.4 points per game a year ago. Junior linebacker Curtis Jones (6-feet, 170 pounds) and junior defensive lineman Yaree Leary (6-feet, 250 pounds) are two key starters.
After a 1–5 start last year, the Panthers ended their season winning three of their final four games. Geisel knows the importance of starting strong and hopes that occurs this season.
“There are a lot of tough games on our schedule, “Geisel said. “We know there’s no gimme games and we have to be ready to go for Riverside on opening weekend.”
The Panthers kick off their season on Sept. 8 at home against Freedom Division rival Riverside.
For more information regarding Palmyra Panthers Football, check http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/palmyra-panthers-(palmyra,nj)/football/home.htm.
