WEST ORANGE- The recent National Signing Day period (Dec. 3-5) featured a number of the top New Jersey high school football players formalizing their commitment to colleges at different Division I levels, including Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly 1-A) and Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA), and one of the schools continuing its impressive trend of producing a number of FBS-bound commits is West Orange, which had three of its seniors in running back Farad Green (West Point), wide receiver-defensive backs David Moore and Akhir Morgan (both headed to the University of Massachusetts) celebrated for their achievement during a recent gathering in the high school’s Tarnoff Cafeteria.
“One percent or less of high school football players receive scholarships as the national average,” said West Orange head football coach Darnell Grant. “Tonight we are celebrating three, and since 2019 we have had about 20.
“This doesn’t just happen! It’s the support of leadership, administrators, coaches, players and parents.
Among the former Mountaineers currently on FBS college rosters are University of Illinois junior DB Saboor Karriem, Syracuse freshman WR Terrell Wilfong and Marshall freshman linebacker Eahjay McAdams. Among those at an FCS school is freshman quarterback Charlie LaMorte who is at Bucknell University.
There were plenty of smiles and cheers throughout the room from family members, friends, school administrators, coaches and fellow players as the most recent set of West Orange football commits were honored for their achievements.
“This is one of my favorite nights of the year,” stated West Orange Athletic Director Stephan Zichella. “It’s a privilege to have been able to watch these boys become men. It takes a village, and thanks to Coach Grant, who has been with us since 2019, our athletes have received close to six million dollars in scholarships.”
West Orange High School Principal Oscar Guerrero has been part of the Mountaineer family since the current seniors’ freshman year when the journey to success and landing a great opportunity to have college paid for has happened for the select trio recently feted.
“This is my fourth year as principal at West Orange High School,” Guerrero told the crowd gathered in the Tarnoff Cafeteria. “And, this is the 14th signing event I’ve attended. I’ve spent time with these young men. They have good reputations and they come from good families.”
Then, speaking directly to the senior gridders being feted, he added, “And, I appreciate the example you have set for those coming after you!”
There is not a typical scholarship set of forms to finalize when one plans to attend West Point where there is the military commitment and initial step of attending West Point Prep, and West Orange’s star running back who is making that big decision in his life is looking forward to the journey he is undertaking while he plans to major in Business.
Green, who had 17 college offers, including from the Air Force and Naval Academies, made his verbal commitment when he visited West Point on Aug. 31 as Army was preparing to face Tarleton State on its season-opening Game Day. He spent time talking to a number of people including assistant head coach John Loose, who is one of the top aides to head coach Jeff Monken, and it didn’t take long for the West Orange senior to make his unique college decision.
