Shrine Camp: Day 6
Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com
Although New Hampshire coach Greg Husband said he has at least three capable quarterbacks on his roster, it's unlikely Exeter's Andrew Kukesh will take a snap from center during Saturday's Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl.
After surveying his roster, Husband said it was clear that Kukesh, who also plays defensive back, would be more valuable on the defensive side of the ball.
"The decision was pretty much made before camp started," Husband explained. "He's an excellent defensive player. Not that he couldn't play quarterback, but we had other quarterbacks. From a team standpoint I just figured we'd be stronger if he was in the secondary."
Bishop Guertin's Andy Vailas will likely be New Hampshire's starting QB when the Granite State faces the Vermont all-stars Saturday at Windsor (Vt.) High School. Milford's Jeff Agnew has been working with the second offense.
"Vailas is very elusive," Husband said. "He's got great agility. He's very smart and he's not afraid to put his head down."
Kukesh and Vailas are two of the captains on this year's New Hampshire team. Exeter linebacker Eric Rajkowski and Bishop Guertin offensive lineman Kyle Endyke are the others.
"The Rajkowski kid is just a defensive animal," Husband said. "Both those Exeter boys are very well coached and know exactly where to be."
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Vermont running back Mick Wong has seen limited practice time because of a bruised shoulder. Wong, who helped Hartford win the Division I state championship last season, did not play in Saturday's scrimmage and did not work with the first offense Monday.
"We're hoping he'll come along," Vermont coach Mike Hatt said. "(Tuesday) will be a big day for him."
Wong rushed for 1,427 yards (he averaged 9.7 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns as a senior. Hartford also won the Division I title during Wong's junior season. He was named Vermont's Gatorade Player of the Year last year.
If Wong can't play Saturday, Mount Mansfield's Brian Wilcox will likely be Vermont's primary ball carrier.
Wilcox was a four-year starter and is a much more physical runner than Wong. Wilcox (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) was moved from the offensive line to the offensive backfield after his junior season, and rushed for 1,497 yards and 21 TDs last season even though he missed significant time in three games because of an ankle injury.
"I'll tell you what, Wilcox has looked pretty good," Hatt said.
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Husband said Manchester Central's Jake Tremblay and Concord's Colin Brown will be the kick returners in Saturday's contest. ... Souhegan's Jameson Luks, who was playing both center and offensive tackle, was scheduled to leave camp Monday because of a knee injury. Unless an exception is made, Husband won't be allowed to replace Luks on the roster. According to Husband, all Shrine replacements had to be selected by last Saturday. ... Husband said he has been impressed with the Division V and Division VI players on the New Hampshire roster.
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Shrine fact: Vermont's Michael Keenan holds the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl record for TD passes (six), pass completions (30), pass attempts (49) and yards passing (352). Keenan, who played for Mount St. Joseph, guided Vermont to a 47-40 victory in 2000.
