It didn’t take Keeon Walker long to realize that his world has changed dramatically.
Walker is no longer the standout running back at Hoboken High School who led the Redwings to state and county championships. He’s also removed from the days of being a player at Syracuse University, where he went from being a defensive back to a running back and back to a safety over his four years.
Walker is also no longer the assistant football coach, a position he has held at three different Hudson County high schools since graduating from Syracuse.
As he looks out over the field at JFK Stadium in Hoboken on a crisp Sunday August morning, with the residents just beginning to do their morning jog or walk the dog, Walker is preparing for the next step in his life – being the head football coach at his alma mater.
Walker, who doubles as a Hoboken firefighter, took the reins as head coach from Lou Taglieri in the offseason. It’s a position that has been held by only two people over the last three decades – Ed Stinson and Taglieri.
“I’m entrenched now,” Walker said. “I’m used to the new role. There’s still some newness here. Instead of just handling the defense, I’m completely in charge. I have to be the one to delegate duties. I’m involved in everything. They understand what I want done and they are with me.”
Walker has brought in some close friends to serve as assistant coach like another all-time great, Rashard Casey, a former Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Year during his heyday in the 1990s before heading off to Penn State.
Tyrell Dortch is also on the staff. Dortch is another former Hoboken High All-American who at the time set the single season rushing record in the state for one season with 2,605 yards before going off to Michigan State.
With Walker, Casey, and Dortch, those guys now could beat most high school teams.
Anthony Henriquez, another former Hoboken standout, is another member of the coaching staff, as is Maurice McClain, one of Walker’s teammates at Syracuse.
“We’ve always been together,” Walker said. “Dortch even knows what I’m thinking. We’ve been together so long. It works really well. It’s been great so far.”
Walker knows that he has a tough show to follow. Stinson won six state championships during his tenure as coach. Taglieri added four more. The expectations are certainly there.
“I want to be successful,” Walker said. “I want to be like Coach Stinson and Coach Tag. I want to win. The most pressure on me is creating successful young men. That’s what I have to do. And hopefully, that translates onto the field. I want the kids to be accountable for what they do. That’s the biggest thing.”
The Redwings suffered a huge blow with the graduation of do-everything quarterback Wilden Germain.
Taglieri inserted the spread offense to utilize the talents of Germain. Walker is going to keep the offense in place.
“We’re still a spread team,” Walker said. “I think kids are getting bigger, faster, stronger and better. We have the kids to play the spread and we’re going to let them make plays.”
The quarterback is senior Jacob Perry (6-0, 180).
“He was Wilden’s backup last year,” Walker said of Perry. “He’s still continuing to learn. He knows that the position requires a lot more attention. He runs really well and throws the ball pretty good. He’s going to make plays both running and throwing.”
The main back in the Redwing backfield is senior Doug “Doogie” Moore (5-10, 190). Don’t dare call the young man Doug. He’s Doogie, just like the kid doctor on TV.
“He’s been starting for us since he’s a sophomore,” Walker said of Moore. “He has a ton of experience.”
Sophomore Nyjon Freeman (6-0, 180) is another key component.
“He can do anything,” Walker said. “We can play him anywhere. The good thing about it is that he’ll always be on the field.”
Junior Amir Goodwin (6-0, 190) already has a key distinction in Walker’s eyes.
“He’s the best athlete on the team,” said Walker. “He takes reps at quarterback, at wide receiver, and he’s never played before.”
Senior Ricky Colon (6-2, 230) is the tight end. He’s also an athletic player who was an offensive tackle last season and has been moved to tight end to capitalize on his pass catching abilities.
“I’m expecting a lot from him,” Walker said of Colon.
Senior Hamp Pooser (6-0, 180) will also see time at tight end.
The offensive line features junior Elijah Chia (6-0, 260) at tackle. Chia is a transfer from St. Anthony.
Sophomore Angel Quinones (5-11, 240) is the other tackle.
The guards are senior K’Wan “Cheese” Meggett (5-9, 270) and Luis Oquendo (6-0, 230). The center is sophomore Ali Mendoza (6-0, 240).
Defensively, the Redwings will play a 3-4 base.
Colon and Chia are the defensive tackes, with Meggett at the nose guard.
The outside linebackers are Moore and Freeman, with junior Raymond Negron (5-11, 190) and Pooser at the inside linebacker slots.
Junior Mikey Effinger (5-6, 160) and sophomore Damon Murray (6-0, 180) are the cornerbacks, with Perry and Goodwin at safety.
The Redwings open at Verona Sept. 8 and then play Cedar Grove for Friday Night Lights at JFK Stadium the following week.
“I do have a good feeling about this team,” Walker said. “I know the expectations don’t change. I know everyone expects us to be good. But this is something I love to do. I came through the system with Stinson and I learned a lot from Tag. I learned all the little ins and outs. It’s definitely a different animal being the head coach and the stuff you have to deal with daily. I think what I’ve learned over the years prepared me to be a coach. I learned a lot of different things and it prepared me to be a head football coach.”
Walker proved he was ready. The players started to filter in. One kid didn’t have the proper jersey ready. He was sent home. This is the life of a head coach in the inner city. – Jim Hague.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
