Season Preview: Manassas Park Courgars

Dan Clendaniel
Published: August 27, 2008

The David Coccoli Era begins at Manassas Park with a new offense, a new coaching staff, but the same goal in mind—reaching the playoffs.

Just three seasons removed from a glorious three-year run that included a state title in 2004, the Cougars are hoping their young talent can emerge to blend with their experienced players to result in a competitive season in the Bull Run District.

Coccoli replaced Jeff Lloyd who left to start the program at Kettle Run High School in Fauquier County. The 27-year old Coccoli (pronounced COKE-lee) has installed the “I” formation that was the standard at his former school, Warwick, where he served as the defensive coordinator for the last three years.

It will be a radical shift from the spread formation that the Cougars have run for the past few seasons. But Coccoli is comfortable with the offense and also feels it is a better fit for his personnel.

The running backs in the new formation will be Ashton Patron and D.J. Gaskins.

Patron, a senior transfer from Osbourn Park, and backup Michael Williams will get a load of carries if the offense is successful. Leading them into the line will be Gaskins, a punishing blocker.

They will run behind a line with two returners in seniors Mike Shulz and Troy Herndon. Newcomers on the line will be junior Kenny Moore, sophomores R.J. Garrett and Bobby Jackson and freshman Jake Wren.

“We have a corps of seniors who will carry us,” said Coccoli. “If our young talent comes through, we’ll by OK. Our job as coaches will be to mold the young talent.”

Sophomore Donavan Johnson moves up from the JV team to play quarterback. His experienced receiving corps includes Brandon Livingston, Cody Griffith and Corey Swanson.

“Donavan’s job will be to learn to make good decisions,” said Coccoli. “He’s got a strong arm but he’s young. We’re going to start as a running team.”

Livingston had 32 receptions last year as a wide receiver and will play tight end in the new offense.

Manassas Park returns six starters to the 4-4 defense. The Cougars will rely on Livingston, Griffith, Swanson, Shulz and Gaskins to play both ways.

“Gaskins is one heck of a defensive player,” said Coccoli of his senior defensive end. “His play on defense is one of the first things I noticed when I came here.”

Herndon and Pedro Teixera will play inside linebacker with Moore at the other end position. Patron, Williams and Swanson will play in the secondary.

“We’ll be carried by our defense,” said Coccoli, who noted that long-time Cougar coach Joe McElfish will coordinate the defense while Coccoli runs the offense.  “It’s the same defensive system as in past years.”

Team info
2007 record: 4-6
Offensive look: I-formation
Defensive look: 4-4
Returning starters: 7 (offense); 6 (defense)
Last playoff appearance: 2005
Overall record last five years: 48-13
Speed merchant: Senior transfer Ashton Patron (5-8, 180), who runs a 4.5 40 and will play tailback in the team’s I-formation as well as defensive back.
Powerhouse performer:
Senior two-way lineman Mike Shulz (6-3, 270), who can bench 300 pounds and can squat 350.
n Blue collar special: Senior WR/DB Cody Griffith (6-0, 200). “He will do anything you ask him to do —receiver, tight end, anything,” Coccoli said.
Other key returners: RB/DE D.J. Gaskins (5-11, 230, sr.); OL/LB Troy Herndon (5-10, 180, sr.); TE/LB Brandon Livingston (6-4, 210, sr.); OL/DL Kenny Moore (6-2, 215, jr.). WR/DB Corey Swanson (6-0, 170, jr.), OL/DL Bobby Jackson (6-3, 240, so.)
n Promising newcomers: OL/LB R.J. Garrett (6-1, 205, so.); QB Donavan Johnson (5-9, 195, so.); RB/DB Michael Williams (5-8, 155, so.); OL/DL Jake Wren (6-0, 230, fr.)

Head coach
David Coccoli
Age: 27
Year as Manassas Park’s head coach: First
Overall Record at Manassas Park:    0-0
Coaching background: Assistant coach, Warwick, 2003-07
Teaches: U.S. History
Family: Single
SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)
Aug. 29 at Washington & Lee (7 p.m.)
Sept. 5 Spotsylvania
Sept. 12 Briar Woods
Sept. 26 James Monroe
Oct. 3 at Buckingham County
Oct. 10 at George Mason
Oct. 17 at Strasburg
Oct. 24 Clarke County
Oct. 31 at Berkeley Springs (W.Va.)
Nov. 7 Madison County