Jersey Sports own's 2024 Camp countdown series is made possible by RWJ Barnabas Health there's a saying that goes count your wins learn from your losses St Thomas aquinus did a lot of counting last fall but certainly focused on their one loss that came in the non-public B semifinal where the Trojans hosted to Paul Catholic before taking a tough 1310 loss if anything shows how close this team is would be that game taking that step advancing to the semi-finals we lost but it's another step on the way to make it all the way we prepared we're ready for next year you know St Thomas just wants to be on that on the same stage as them so anytime we can come out and and compete at that level um you know of course we would like to have that win I wish we get that three points back but uh um it's something that we're going to push forward to so that we can um continue to try to push our program forward the calendar turns to 2024 and sta is widely viewed as a preseason top 20 team in the states after that 10-1 season there's no hiding what the Trojans want to do their backfield had two separate 1,000 yard rushers last season Chase young is back after scoring 16 touchdowns along the way and they will continue to run the rock it's very important it actually opens up a lot of our offens for like more pass plays our linemen do a a really good job opening up the holes for us that's how we got our th000 yards and it opens up the passing lanes for everyone senior Roman blanks will be commanding those passing Lanes after 12200 yds and a 17 to1 touchdown interception ratio he has weapons all over Junior Josiah Zas was saa's leading receiver last year he will be the go-to target once again Speedster Anthony Perez brings another layer of playmaking ability into the offense those skill players have been putting in the work we practice from the we go there at like 1:00 and we leave by 6:30 every single day now every gu's putting in grind pain in hours and uh yeah everyone's there but play for each other you know the defense is ready to get after it 6'4 315 lb senior Elijah Thomas is a handful to deal with on both sides of the line and we'll see lots of double teams also keep an eye out for junior on war Witherspoon he will look the part of a three down linebacker in t homan's defense the Trojans of 10 games scheduled for the regular season and will play in eight different stadiums along the way they move to the big Central's National silver division with the likes of sville North Brunswick Franklin and Edison the measuring stick game this season is an October fourth Road game against pamis Catholic mixing in a few out of state games too will only help this team prepare for another potentially Deep Run in nonpublic B when you have have your your best players that um are your hardest workers um it kind of says something about where your program is headed this all season is very important C alwayss in the wa room outside on the field grinding countless hours um we're really trying to be prepared for next season be in the best tip toop shape as we can yeah you know a lot of our guys would put in the fire uh last year and we're coming back we're reloading we're going for that chip reporting from Kane University I'm Jay cook jerseysportszone.com [Music]