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2016 Snapshot: Princeton

Put your track shoes on if you are an opponent of Princeton in 2016. New head coach Pat McLaughlin is going to have his Vikings in the spread, no huddle offense. The athletes are there for McLaughlin it is just a matter of putting them in the right positions to succeed. “We have depth at the skills positions but they must learn a new offensive system,” McLaughlin states.

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Princeton is trying to return to its glory days of the ’80 and early ‘90’s. The program was the class of the Greater Miami Conference before handing the torch over to Colerain after its wonderful run under the legendary Pat Mancuso.

The Vikings have had just one winning season in the last nine. They have finished 1-6 in GMC play four times in the last seven years. McLaughlin has been called upon to rectify the situation.

It won’t be an easy for Princeton to rise from the dead but with nine seniors returning on defense, a wide open offense and good leadership this off-season things are looking up. If McLaughlin can get this team to six wins against a brutal schedule the Vikings will be in the hunt for their first a playoff berth in a decade.

Division II, Region 8
2015 RECORD: 3-7, 1-6 GMC
COACH: Pat McLaughlin (0-0 at Princeton, first year; 13-8 overall, two years)

HONOR ROLL
Samson Hairston, Sr, OL – A two-time Second Team All-GMC selection the 6-foot-3, 280 pound Hairston is the anchor and leader of the Vikings offensive line.

Jamal Hines, Sr, DE – A three-year starter Hines has 146 total tackles, 12.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries at the varsity level. He has verbally committed to Cincinnati.

Princeton DL Jamal Hines (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Princeton DL Jamal Hines (photo by Mike Noyes/TriStateFootball.com)

Raymond Kozlowski, Sr, WR/P – A Second Team All-GMC selection as a punter a year ago, Kozlowski averaged 37.3 on 38 punts with 11 inside the 20-yard line and a long of 89 yards. He will also be a factor at receiver this fall.

LeRoy Wilson, Sr, DB – Little Leroy loves to mix it up with the big boys. He was in on 103 tackles and had a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown versus Fairfield in ‘15. The 5-foot-5, 145 pound Wilson was named Second Team All-GMC for his efforts.

Terrance Smith, Sr, RB/DB – Smith threw for 286 yards, ran for 290 yard, had four receptions for 40 yards and accounted for seven touchdowns (three passing, four rushing) last fall. He has offers from Davenport and Kentucky Christian.

Lovell Gilbert, Sr, LB – The latest member of the Gilbert clan to star for Princeton, Lovell registered 55 total tackles and had two-and-a-half sacks a year ago. He has an offer from Kentucky Christian.

Hosea Hairston, So, QB/WR – Even before he had made an impact at the varsity level the young Hairston picked up his first offer from Toledo this Spring.

OTHER RETURNEES:
Quincy Dawson, Sr, TE/OLB – Dawson recorded 27 tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery as a junior.

Brandon McCray, Sr, WR/DB – A two-way starter, McCray made his mark on both sides of the ball in ’15. He led the team with three interceptions and had 12 receptions for 280 yards (23.3/catch) with two touchdowns.

Anthony Rodgers, Jr, WR/DB – A solid junior campaign saw Rodgers get in on 50 total tackles and come up with four takeaways (three fumble recoveries, one interception).

Solomon Reed, Sr, WR/DB – A wild card for McLaughlin you can bet on Reed playing a prominent role in the Princeton offense.

Raphael Floyd, Jr, QB/DB – Floyd led Princeton with 465 yards passing in ’15. He will be in the mix for the starting quarterback spot.

Cornelius Henderson, Sr, WR/RS – Henderson is a threat as a runner, receiver and returner. He amassed 597 all-purpose yards with three receiving touchdowns on 59 touches in ’15.

James Walz, Sr, K – Walz connected on 19-20 extra points and 3-8 field goals as a junior.

NEWCOMERS
Donta Carter, DL – This transfer from Newton, Georgia makes the Vikings even stronger on defense.

Parker Messmore, Jr, OL – Despite being just a junior the Vikings will look for leadership from Messmore on the o-line.

Bobby Dixon, Jr, DL – This could be a breakout season for Dixon on the defensive side of the ball.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(14 appearances, 19-11) – 2007, 2001, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 (State Runner-up), 1988 (State Runner-up), 1987 (State Champion), 1985, 1983 (State Champion), 1982, 1980, 1978 (State Champion), 1972 (State Runner-up)

2016 SCHEDULE
Princeton’s opener against Glen Este could be extremely pivotal in the race for a Region 8 playoff berth by seasons end. The Division II Vikings will play eight games versus Division I teams including all seven league games and a Week 2 tilt against Springfield. The Vikings avoid Lakota East and Fairfield in GMC play. Their other non-conference affair is against a very athletic Division IV Dunbar squad who is very capable of pulling out a win in that battle.

WHO BE THE QB
There will be a heated battle for the Vikings starting quarterback job. “Several players saw action under center last year so identifying the QB and getting the others on the field is our challenge,” McLaughlin says. Reed, Smith and Floyd all played quarterback last fall. Hosea Hairston is also in the mix.

WARE DOES PRINCETON PROUD
Former Vikings quarterback Spencer Ware (the 2007 GMC Offensive Player of the Year) was one of the feel good stories of the NFL in 2015. Drafted by Seattle in the 6th round of the 2013 draft Ware played just two games (three carries for 10 yards) for the Seahawks that season before being cut by the team and then being jobless the entire ’14 NFL season.

Last season the Kansas City Chiefs who were sitting at 1-5 and decimated by injuries in the backfield signed Ware of off waivers. Converted to running back in college at LSU, Ware made the most of his opportunity with KC. He would go on to run for 403 yards, average 5.6 per carry and score six touchdowns as the Chiefs won their final 10 games and surge into the playoffs. The “Pride of Princeton” is becoming a “King in Kansas City.”

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