Philadelphia, Pa. – (9/12/2019) – Chestnut Hill College enters 2019, its fifth as a member of the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL), with a renewed spirit as the Griffins are a year removed from graduating their first four-year class and now under new management. Former Offensive Coordinator, Shawn Brady now dons the interim head coach title and looks to continue a culture that has established the Scarlet and Gold as one of the top programs in the league. "I have high expectations for this group. We want to finish first in the CSFL South, which will give us a chance to play in the league championship on November 8."
 
Chestnut Hill College finished 2018 with their second straight 4-3 record. In the first year of divisional play, the Scarlet and Gold finished second to eventual league champion, the United States Naval Academy (Navy) in the CSFL South with a 3-1 mark that included wins over Mansfield University (59-44 on September 21), the University of Pennsylvania (31-26 on September 28), and Caldwell University (26-6 on November 3). Chestnut Hill College offered 11 student-athletes to the All-CSFL Team and ranked among the top half of the league (5^th or above) in 19 statistical categories, most notably leading the league in field goal percentage (1^st, 6-of-7, .857) and point-after kicking percentage (T1^st, 26-of-26, 1.000), while ranking second in passing efficiency (134.0), punt returns (9.9 yards/return), interceptions (11), and sacks (29).
 
The Scarlet and Gold's offensive success will be rely on the play of three-time All-CSFL performer (1^st Team; 2017, Honorable Mention; 2016, 2018) and 2016 CSFL Freshman of the Year, senior quarterback Michael Marino (Blue Bell, Pa.). "Our seniors, Mike and David, are steady, proven commodities. And we have some young quarterbacks who will keep them dedicated to playing their best every snap," said Coach Brady. Marino ranked fifth in the league for passing efficiency last season with a 134.5 rating. He totaled 1,205 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while completing 73-of-154 (47.4%) of his passes. He will be joined under center by fellow senior David Navas (Woodhaven, N.Y.) and a pair of freshmen in Garrett Brown (Tuckerton, N.J.) and Carmen Deo (Manahawkin, N.J.).

At the skill positions, senior running back Sef Penson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and senior wide receiver Domoree Hill (Bethlehem, Pa.) take over the limelight with the departure of Raevon Floyd-Bennett '19 and Reggie Robinson Jr. '19. Penson finished 2018 with 265 yards on 97 carries (2.7 yards/carry) and is the all-time leader in rushing (776 yards) for Chestnut Hill College, but he will see a more featured roll in 2019 as the most experienced member of a backfield that also includes junior Zhiair Bland (Woodbine, N.J.), sophomore John Mychael Castro (Telford, Pa.), sophomore Sean Plunkett (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as freshmen James Naylor Jr. (Middletown, Del.) and Luis Rivera Turell (Egg Harbor Township, N.J.). A three-time All-CSFL (1^st Team; 2017, 2^nd Team; 2018, Honorable Mention; 2015) wide receiver, Hill earned Second Team accolades in 2018 with 456 yards and six touchdowns on 27 receptions (16.9 yards/reception). He is complimented on the depth chart by juniors tight end/fullback Biagio Bisicchia (Laurel Springs, N.J.), wide receiver/tight end Akeem Browne (Elkins Park, Pa,), Matthew Williams (Somers Point, N.J.), sophomores Colby Goldsmith (Phoenixville, Pa.), Luke Friend (York, Pa.), Glenn Brown (Tuckerton, N.J./Stockton University), and Alex Minnier (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as freshmen John Barlow III (Newark, Del.), Pierson Dyson (Baltimore, Md.), Jay Kelly (Washington, DC), Jayvond Kelly (Washington, DC), and Devon Timms (Philadelphia, Pa.). "A lot of these guys are going to an impact." Coach Brady expanded, "We are looking for Browne to take a big step forward. The twins, Jay and Jayvond, and Naylor have all given us reason for high expectations."
 
Despite the graduation of perennial All-CSFL performers Kevin Clancy '19 and Kevin Meredith '19, offensive line remains a strength for Chestnut Hill College, who welcomes back proven plow members in senior Nick Parsell (Christiansburg, Va.) and stable of juniors; Harry Davis II (Huntingdon Valley, Pa.), Teddy Tabasco IV (Ridgefield Park, N.J.), Steven Venango (Philadelphia, Pa.) and 2018 All-CSFL First Teamer Matt Weir (Drexel Hill, Pa.). Nate Kessler (Telford, Pa.) and Zach Heim (Norristown, Pa.) accounted for the line's sophomore class, while junior transfer Jamal Copeland Harris (Silver Spring, Md.) serves as the unit's only newcomer. In 2018, Weir captained an offensive line that helped the Griffins rank third in scoring (30.3 points/game), passing (222.4 yards/game), fourth in total offense (325 yards/game), and fifth in rushing (102.6 yards/game), first downs (16.4/game), and red zone efficiency (70.4%).
 
On the other side of the line, seniors Marcel Mitchell (Mays Landing, N.J.) and Anthony Pavone (Deptford, N.J.), juniors Marcus Hems (New Hope, Pa.) and Tony Wilson (Kennett Square, Pa.), and sophomore Marcus Jimenez (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Copeland Harris has blended well with a line backing crew that includes seniors Mike McIlhenney (Philadelphia, Pa.), Tyler Smith (East Greenville, Pa.), Williams, fellow junior P.J. Crane (Maple Glen, Pa.), Heim, and freshmen Luke Attanasi (Hammonton, N.J.) and Jalin Meachem (Philadelphia, Pa.). McIlhenney was one of the cornerstones of the Chestnut Hill College defense in 2018, totaling 18 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a six-point fumble recovery in the Griffins' 48-6 rout of St. Thomas Aquinas College (October 26). He and the rest of the front seven will have big shoes to fill with the graduation of Jonathan Baldwin '19, Kyle Johnson-Hackett '19, and Josean Perez '19. 
 
"Defensive secondary is our strongest position," highlighted Coach Brady. The unit features 2018 All-CSFL First Teamer, junior Nate Moser (Bethlehem, Pa.), as well as senior RahSaan Hayes (Camden, N.J.), juniors Rahsul Brown (Swedesboro, N.J.), Terrell Bush (Valley Stream, N.Y.), and Dan Gavin (Havertown, Pa.), sophomores Ryan Jakeman (Cheltenham, Pa.), Ezekiel Martin (Philadelphia, Pa.), and John Casselli (Philadelphia, Pa.). Moser ranked first in the CSFL for passes defended (12; 8 breakups, 4 interceptions) while also blocking three kicks over the course of the season.
 
"We have a great group of coaches who have been here since day one. We love this team and I am looking forward to leading this team," Coach Brady concluded, "They have worked extremely hard. We will carry ourselves with class and continue to work hard all year."
 
Chestnut Hill College opens their 2019 CSFL season on Friday, September 13, with a 7:00 p.m. home opener versus Post University.