Cohen seeks normalcy in year three under Martin

Many local prep football programs are hoping for, even praying for a normal, full season.

Whether it has been hurricanes or a pandemic, no area programs have enjoyed the benefit of a full schedule and full season now since 2019.

Cohen is certainly one of those impacted.

The Green Hornets have played just 11 games in the last two seasons, including five in the 2021 season.

Derrell Martin enters his third year on the job with a young team but with some experience and optimism that things will change, both on and off the field, in year three.

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“It has been kind of tough,” Martin said. “I started off with the pandemic, followed by Hurricane Ida. We have not had a normal season yet. It is such an adjustment. Last year, we came back from the storm and had kids displaced. Lives were disrupted. It affected everyone. I’m looking forward, praying for a sense of normalcy.”

Cohen has five standout players, all of whom figure to play on both sides of the ball.

Harold Stanton, a star corner and receiver and track star, has moved to Atlanta, a blow to the team as Stanton was most likely the best athlete on the team.

“He went to Atlanta to live with his father and he will be sorely missed,” Martin said. “We hope and pray it is good for him and wish him much success. He’s a great young man.”

Senior running back/linebacker DJ Martin (6-0, 205), son of the head coach, is an outstanding player to watch.

Senior fullback/linebacker Dorian Cotton (5-9, 210), junior wide receiver/linebacker Tyrrell Nelson (6-1, 175), sophomore lineman J’Earl Paul (6-3, 340) and brother Jerel Paul (6-6, 330) and sophomore wide receiver/free safety Ernest Lyons (5-10, 150) are all good players.

The offense returns six starters, including Martin, Nelson, Lyons, Earl, sophomore lineman Travon Victor (5-9, 230) and senior center Stanley Varnado (5-10, 375).

Seven starters are back on defense, including Martin, Victor, Cotton, Nelson, Lyons and junior defensive backs Harold Stanton (5-10, 170) and Ryan Robinson (6-1, 165).

“DJ was first-team All-District last season,” Martin said. “He rushed for over 500 yards in just three games last year. He can go. I am excited about him. He is big and runs hard with pretty good vision. The Paul brothers are big and strong. Jerel does not have the experience but he is learning fast. It is his first year playing.”

Martin is happy to see the maturity of several of his players.

“Finally, we have some experience,” Martin said. “Some freshmen from my first year are juniors now. We added three or four freshmen who played last year. The first couple of years were about basics, fundamentals, development, getting prepared to play high school football. Now, we can show what we are capable of.”

The schedule includes games with Sarah T. Reed in week two, then Patrick Taylor and Berwick.

District 10-1A play begins with a home game against Crescent City Christian, followed by Varnado on October 14. Then comes a trip to Reserve to face Riverside Academy. After hosting St. Martin’s Episcopal, the Green Hornets close at West St. John.

“We do not have a week one opponent and Sarah Reed is back and I am hearing they have great athletes,” Martin said. “Patrick Taylor is new, like Reed. They have really smart young men. It is our fourth straight year playing Berwick. They beat us pretty badly last year.

The district is tougher than people think. There are a lot teams that have turned the corner. St. Martin’s has a great running back. West St. John is always tough. Riverside is good. Crescent City is playing for the first time in a while. I don’t know much about Varnado.”

Numbers remain an issue for Cohen. If the Green Hornets can avoid injuries, the prospect for more wins in 2022 is a good one.

“We have just 19 to 21 kids,” Martin said. “The numbers in the school are not ideal. We have to stay healthy. I’m looking forward to see what our kids can do,” Martin said. “They have been working very hard.”

Click here for more CCS Prep Football team previews (including archives of past season previews).