WEST HAVEN, Conn. – Fifth year head coach Chris Pincince announced four players that will make up the leadership corps for the Chargers football program in 2018; Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune), Jonathan Badyna (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) and Miles Pease (Sicklerville, N.J./Saint Joseph / Milford Academy) return for a second-straight season as captains, while Mark Clements (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest / Worcester Academy) will join them as the go to leaders.
Patterson and Badyna are major components of the Chargers offense, both returning with extensive experience on the gridiron for the Blue and Gold. Patterson returns for his fourth season calling the plays under center as he looks to build on a 60-percent completion average a year ago. The Neptune, N.J. native will make a push throughout the season for the top spot in all-time passing yards at New Haven, entering the year needing 2,322 yards to pass Ryan Osiecki's (2009-12) mark of 9,572 yards.
One of Patterson's major targets down field will be Badyna who returns to complete his eligibility after suffering a season-ending injury in the opening game in 2017. The tight end averaged just shy of eight yards per catch and looks to build on five career touchdowns entering his final season.
Defensively, Pease and Clements cause a havoc with every opponent's offensive game plan. Combined the pair accounts for 255 total tackles. Clements, who returns to the Chargers to complete his eligibility after a year away from the team, finished fourth on the team in 2016 with 48 tackles, 32 of which were solo tackles. He also led the team with three interceptions, returning those picks for 58 yards.
Pease also finds a way to disrupt the offense, stepping in for a pair of interceptions last season while collecting 35 total tackles, 27 of which were solo tackles. Pease also led New Haven last season with eight pass breakups.
The Blue and Gold will kick off the 41st season of Charger football on Saturday, September 1 with a trip to Smithfield, R.I. for a tilt with Division I Northeast Conference member, Bryant University. The first-time meeting between the Chargers and Bulldogs, who are coming off a 6-5 record in 2017, is scheduled for a 3:00 p.m, kickoff at David M. and Terry Beirne Stadium. This season-opening match-up will be the fourth-straight season that Bryant, a former NE10 member, has opened its campaign against a Northeast-10 opponent, including the last two seasons against Merrimack.
