Following a rebuilding season that saw several young players forced into new roles, a large group of players from the 2011 team are back and much more experienced in 2012, which has resulted in a much different feel around the program and high expectations.
Hill returns six starters on each side of the ball for the 2012 season. Leading the group is two-way starter and two-way All-MAPL receiver and free safety Adam Regensburg ’13. Adam is coming off a season in which he broke Hill’s single season receptions record with 40 catches while also snagging eight interceptions as the starting free safety. Twin brother Seth Regensburg ’13 also returns at the other receiver position to form an explosive pass catching duo. Returning under center this year is quarterback Grant Smith ’14. Grant started all nine games as a sophomore in 2011 and had a strong second half of the season. In the last four games of the 2011 season, he averaged more than 125 yards passing per game while completing nearly 60 percent of his pass attempts. This trio will combine to provide Hill with a potent passing game this season.
Also returning on the offensive side of the ball are linemen Chris Argenti ’13, Dom Lucchesi ’13, and Austin Black ’13, all of whom started every game on the offensive line during the 2011 season. These three experienced players will provide the nucleus in building an aggressive and successful offensive line. Returning on the defensive side of the ball are corner back Zach Garland ’13, defensive ends Sean Dougherty ’13 and Brandt Beck '14, and defensive lineman Tommy Nelson ’13. Additionally, Argenti and Black (defensive line) along with Lucchesi (linebacker) all saw lots of action last season on the defensive side of the ball.
Three strong post-graduate players will join The Hill in 2012-13 and will be relied upon to make major contributions to the football program. Joining Hill after a standout career at nearby Pope John Paul II High School is Johnny Cherneskie ’13. Johnny is a talented all-around player who will contribute in all three phases of the game, but will be most relied upon at both the linebacker and running back positions. Also joining the team as a linebacker and running back is AJ Garcia ’13, who comes to The Hill from New Jersey. AJ is an extremely talented linebacker who also figures to contribute to Hill’s running game on offense. Rounding out the post-graduate group for the 2012 season will be Minnesota native Jameson Carter ’13. Jameson is an extremely versatile football player who will provide Coach Simpson the flexibility to play him in a number of positions on both offense and defense. A linebacker by trade, he covers well enough to play safety, and also is physical enough to play inside linebacker, outside linebacker, or defensive end.
Players will return to campus on August 23 anxious to get the 2012 season started. There is a lot of excitement for the start of the upcoming season as a talented and deep senior class looks to return Hill football to the top of the Mid-Atlantic Prep League.