Position change: Kingsley Ehie

By Sal Interdonato | Published: February 5, 2010 | 0 Comments

Junior Kingsley Ehie, who started 10 games at fullback in 2009, will begin spring practice at middle linebacker.

Ehie will play behind sophomore Bill Prosko and freshman Josh Powell. Starting middle linebacker Stephen Anderson continues to rehab his left knee and will miss the spring.

Ehie rushed for 473 yards (third on the team) and two touchdowns (both in the season opener) last season. He had trouble holding onto the ball, losing five fumbles.

Ehie’s move makes it clear that freshman Jared Hassin will be Army’s top fullback in the spring. Hassan sat out 2009 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Sophomore CeDarius Williams, junior Jacob Bohn and freshman Brad Gallik should also see fullback reps.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recruiting: Wisconsin recruits, Ugenyi

By Sal Interdonato | Published: February 3, 2010 | 0 Comments

Jon McNamara of BadgerBlitz.com thinks Army may have signed two steals from the Cheese State. Here’s his take on Neenah running back/linebacker A.J. Armstrong and wide receiver Geoffery Bacon of Riverside High in Milwaukee.

McNamara of Armstrong: “Armstrong’s a kid Wisconsin was real interested in and was probably atop its recruiting board at fullback in the 2010 class. The 6-foot, 220-pound prospect moves well with the ball in his hands and is an above average lead blocker in the run game. Also a standout for Neenah at middle linebacker, Armstrong was one of the better two-player players in Wisconsin’s 2010 senior class.”

McNamara of Bacon: “Bacon flew under the radar a bit but clearly has the measurables to be productive at the next level. Still a bit raw in his route running, Bacon will benefit from working exclusively at the wide receiver position under the guidance of a college coaching staff. Could really turn into a great pickup for Army down the road.”

***
Army’s 2010 football signing class has a familar name.

Mike Ugenyi, the brother of Army’s 2009 co-captain Victor Ugenyi, is on board, according to goblackknights.com. The younger Ugenyi is 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds and projects as a defensive end.

West Rowan (N.C.) High signee Jon Crucitti caught a Rowan County-record 79 passes for 1,262 yards in 2009.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recruiting: The ones Army didn’t get

By Sal Interdonato | Published: February 3, 2010 | 0 Comments

It’s hard to get a totally accurate read on how Army fared recruiting against its service academy rivals.

Sure, Army won some battles like Florida running back Scott Jones. And it lost some too.

Here’s a few names of who Army was after at some point in the recruiting process and didn’t sign:

Ft. Campbell (Ky.) quarterback Antonio Andrews, Kentucky’s Mr. Football, is off to Air Force.

Madisonville North Hopkins (Ky.) cornerback Martinez Davis and Apalachee (Ga.) running back Jon Lee also picked Air Force.

Moorpark (Calif.) kicker Stephen Picchini and Memphis University School running back Keith McBride chose Navy.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recruiting: Armstrong to sign letter of intent Wednesday.

By Sal Interdonato | Published: February 2, 2010 | 0 Comments

A.J. Armstrong has Wisconsin Badger in his blood.

Armstrong’s father, Brett, was a third-year letterman for Wisconsin.

A.J. was born and raised to follow in his father’s footsteps.

That’s until Armstrong started finding out more information about West Point.

Armstrong, a Neenah (Wisc.) High running back/linebacker, took an official visit to West Point last weekend. He called Army fullbacks coach Joe Ross, his recruiter, and chose Army over Wisconsin Tuesday.

Armstrong, who was offered preferred walk-on status by Wisconsin, will sign his letter of intent Wednesday morning.

“I knew a little bit about West Point early on in high school,” Armstrong said. “I learned more and more about it. The more I learn, the more honored I am to be a part of this tradition. It’s a great opportunity to play for my country and defend freedoms for everybody.”

Armstrong is being recruited as a fullback/middle linebacker. He will likely head to Army Prep in the fall.

Armstrong’s Facebook page reads: “6′1″ 225, 4.67 – 40, 30.5″ vertical, 9′6″ broad jump, 3.65 GPA…once ate 23 hot dogs.

Check out my story on Armstrong.

For more on Army’s recruiting, check out my story here.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recruiting: McFarlin makes three locals on board

By Sal Interdonato | Published: February 1, 2010 | 0 Comments

Monroe-Woodbury senior wide receiver Jared McFarlin will be joining his high school teammate Patrick Laird at West Point.

McFarlin informed Army’s coaching staff of his decision Tuesday and will sign his letter of intent Wednesday.

McFarlin, who had 12 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns, passed on a chance to walk on at UConn, where he said he was the third-highest recruited receiver in its class.

At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, McFarlin fits the mold of the taller receivers that Army likes to use in its triple-option offense.

McFarlin made official visits to Patriot League schools Colgate, Lafayette and Bucknell.

His brother, Justin, is a 2005 West Point graduate and works in admissions on post.

McFarlin, who carries a 94 average in honors classes, spent his freshman season at national powerhouse Don Bosco. He pinched a nerve in his back and missed his entire sophomore season. He transfered to Monroe-Woodbury his junior season.

Laird, who has known McFarlin since he was four years old, has already sent in his letter of intent.

Mitch McKearn, a James I. O’Neill linebacker, said he will officially sign his letter of intent Wednesday, national signing day.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recruiting: Luetjen chooses Army over Air Force

By Sal Interdonato | Published: January 27, 2010 | 0 Comments

Score one for Army over Air Force.

Hennessey (Okla.) quarterback Matt Luetjen verbally committed to Army Tuesday.

“I took a visit out there (West Point) last weekend and I was just blown away,” Luetjen said. “I had decided before then that there wasn’t any other place I’d rather be. It was the icing on the cake and it sealed the deal.”

Army also offered Luetjen a chance to compete immediately for a spot at quarterback.

“That’s the initial idea,” said Luetjen, who is 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. “I’ll get there and see how I do. If not, they can always change my position. The way I understand it, they are kind of shallow on the quarterback depth chart. They are going to have to have someone to at least back up Trent (Steelman).”

Luetjen had received scholarship offers from both service academies during his junior season at Locust Creek (Okla) High. Army recruiting coordinator and slotbacks coach Tucker Waugh stayed in contact with Luetjen after the offer.

“Air Force was definitely No. 2,” Luetjen said. “They were my first offer. As it went on other things would come and go, Army was always there. I like the coaches from Army. I felt well. I had already formed an opinion it was the place that I wanted to be, it fit me. When I went there, I didn’t feel like I had to visit anywhere else and I made my decision.”

Luetjen ran for 1,366 yards and passed for 1,260 yards in his only season at Hennessey, which ran a spread offense.

He played for his father, Rick, at Locust Grove. Rick Luetjen was Hennessey’s offensive coordinator in 2009.

Being a coach’s son will help Luetjen adjust to Army’s triple-option attack.

“I think I know the reads and scheme and what to look for,” Luetjen said. “While we were up there, I got to sit down with coach (Ian) Shields (Army’s offensive coordinator) a little and he kind of told me the reads based on this or that. The toughest part will be knowing who to read with what’s there.”

Luetjen runs track and also on his school’s powerlifting team. Last week, he benched 290 pounds.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Mr. Kentucky not interested in Army anymore

By Sal Interdonato | Published: January 27, 2010 | 0 Comments

Ft. Campbel quarterback Antonio Andrews canceled an official visit to West Point, leaving Army out of the running for Kentucky’s Mr. Football.

Andrews told the Times Herald-Record Wednesday afternoon he called a member of Army’s coaching staff and informing him of his decision last week

“I’ve changed some mind (on the visit),” Andrews said.

Andrews has received scholarship offers from Air Force, Louisville and Western Kentucky, according to rivals.com. The Web site ranks him as two-star (out of five) recruit.

When asked, Andrews said he has made his choice but declined to comment on his selection until Feb. 3, national signing day.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Blog comments

By Sal Interdonato | Published: January 26, 2010 | 0 Comments

Just to let Black Knights blog readers know, comments are now enabled. You need a Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo or Twitter account to sign in and post your comments. If you have any problems, e-mail me at sinterdonato@th-record.com

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

Recruiting: Arizona LB on board, McKearn next

By Sal Interdonato | Published: January 23, 2010 | 0 Comments

Tempe (Ariz.) McClintock linebacker Hayden Tippett joined to class of 2010, verbally committing to Army, according to azcentral.com.

McClintock, who was his region’s defensive player of the year, made 95 tackles.

Army continues to make a push locally. James I. O’Neill linebacker Mitch McKearn didn’t need to drive to his recruiting trip to West Point. The trip was more like a walk. McKearn says he lives about 200 yards from Michie Stadium. Col. Mark McKearn, Mitch’s father, is the Brigade Tactical Officer.

McKearn, who is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds,  said offensive line coach Bill Tripp stopped by O’Neill in mid-December and invited him to check out Army’s facilities. McKearn, a third-team Varsity 845 pick, made 80 tackles in 2009.

“Growing up I haven’t thought about going to West Point a lot,” said McKearn, who also applied to Wisconsin and Albany. “It feels like the best decision for me and it’s the best college in the nation.”

Monroe-Woodbury wide receiver Patrick Laird, who has been accepted to West Point, was also visiting Army Monday.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments

East-West Shrine roommates

By Sal Interdonato | Published: January 19, 2010 | 0 Comments

Guess who is Army wide receiver Ali Villanueva’s roommate at the East-West Shrine Game week in Orlando, Fla.

None other than Navy linebacker Ross Pospisil.

“He’s a good guy,” Villanueva said. “It’s not like we are fighting with each other all of the time.”

Look for my story on Villanueva at the East-West Shrine later this week.

Posted in Uncategorized | 0 Comments