MCQUEEN AND RED DEVILS MAY HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL BREWING THIS FALL

Mikey McQueen and his father Leroy Handberry at Adrenaline Sports Performance. Photo by Al Thompson

CHERRY HILL: To win a championship in any sport, at any level, you need a lot of things to go your way.

Staying healthy is a major factor. To make a run at a banner, a team also must have good coaching, good luck, talent, and a few elements that make your team a little different, a little special.

Rancocas Valley High School’s football team in 2026 may have those elements.

One of the elements that could make the Red Devils special is wide receiver/defensive back Mikey McQueen.

The senior looks every bit his 6-foot-4, 188-pound frame. He is fast, smart, has instincts and good hands.

His coach Garrett Lucas says this Rancocas Valley team is the most “together” team he has coached going into his fifth season at the Mt. Holly campus.

“This is the most togetherness we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Lucas, a former offensive lineman from Saint Francis University (NCAA Division I) in Loretto, Pennsylvania (2011-2014). “Toughness and togetherness; and that’s what Mikey brings.”

McQueen’s numbers in 2025 were modest. He caught 22 passes for 413 yards and six touchdowns.

On defense he recorded 19 tackles and picked off two passes, the second one came during a Central Jersey Group 5 playoff game on November 1, 2025 when he returned the pick 22 yards for a touchdown in a 33-0 victory over Hillsborough.

McQueen’s numbers on offense were affected when starting quarterback Sayvien Adams was sidelined with a knee injury week two and missed over a month.

.After starting the season 4-0, the Red Devils lost four games in a row after losing Adams.

Malcolm "Slash" Harrison filled in for four games 3 through 6. Adams came back for the final five games of the season.

“Sayvien was a big part of our team,” McQueen said during an interview at Adrenaline Sports Training facility in Cherry Hill.” We were able to come back at the end of the year.”

The Red Devils indeed came back strongly, knocking off league rival Lenape 34-0, finishing 3-1 in West Jersey - Colonial League play, the Red Devils defeated Hillsborough in the first round of the South Group 5 playoffs before losing in the second round to Washington Township in a shootout 44-26.

going. [Syracuse] was a big opportunity. I went with what was best for me and my family.”

McQueen said he is playing defensive back in college. That is just fine with him.

“Personally I like corner,” said McQueen.“I like both, but corner is my favorite because I can be physical. Being physical is a big part of my game, being able to hit people…that's what I like doing.”

Rancocas Valley's Mikey McQueen catches a pass during a 7X7 game this summer. Photo submitted

MCQUEEN'S LONG TIME TRAINER CHIMES IN

Chad Hallet, the owner of the Adrenaline Sports Performance & Personal Training facility in Cherry Hill, is seeing another one of the many young athletes he's training on the verge of moving on to the next level. He talks about McQueen's progress. 

"Mikey has been with us at Adrenaline Sports Performance since he was in seventh grade,"Hallett said. "From the very beginning,

"it was obvious he was different. Even though he was undersized at the time, his athleticism, competitiveness, and football instincts were already well above average.

"One moment that really stood out was watching him at Shaun Bradley's first football camp. He was competing at such a high level on both sides of the ball that it was impossible not to notice him. He consistently separated himself from everyone else on the field.

"Since then, he's done exactly what great athletes do—he's continued to develop. He's grown into his body, becoming stronger, more explosive, and even faster, while never losing the work ethic and competitive edge that made him special in the first place.

"Syracuse is getting a stud. I know he was recruited as a defensive player, but I truly believe he has the ability to make an impact on either side of the ball. His best football is still ahead of him, and I don't think we've even seen his ceiling yet. It's only going up from here."

Rancocas Valley wide receiver/defensive back Mikey McQueen is headed to Syracuse. Photo by Al Thompson

WHAT 2026 LOOKS LIKE

Adams' career will continue at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Both McQueen and fifth-year head coach Lucas said junior Zack Merhar will be under center for Rancocas Valley.

“I can't wait,” McQueen said. “We're working out all the time, all the time.”

McQueen was asked what his goals were as a team and personally. It is not a secret that when a standout player has success, it usually transfers to wins.

“As a team, I want a state championship,” McQueen said. “Individually, I want to go over 1,000 yards (receiving) plus five picks (interceptions)."   

McQueen was asked who he thinks coach Lucas will be leaning on this fall.

McQueen brought up Junior receiver Andre Birdsong “He's electric when he gets the ball,” he said of the two-year starter.

Next was Malcolm Harrison, a senior, 6-0, 170 – 2-year starter. “He has good hands,”

McGueen was asked…what kind of offense with RV run? Will it be an explosive passing game? Run first?

“It's going to be equal,” McQueen said. “We're going to balance it out.”

McQueen brought up a number of the Red Devils offensive linemen that included Reid Hunt, Gabe Futch and Mike Johnson, “They’re all dogs.” McQueen said with a laugh. ”Our O-line is great."

The senior gave some love to RV’s running backs Hakim Theresa Jr, Junior, 5-9, 190, JJ Stewart, Senior, Junior, 5-9, 195 and Aahmil Alghanee, Junior, 5-11, 205.

Coach Lucas provided not just his thoughts on the season, but a full breakdown of the Red Devils lineup (listed separately).

"We're excited about what this group can do,” Lucas said in an email to Footballstories. “We've had an outstanding offseason, and this is the strongest team we've had since I've been at Rancocas Valley.

“We have a great combination of experienced two- and three-year starters mixed with talented young players who are ready to make an impact.

“Our depth is better than it's ever been, but our success will ultimately come down to our ability to play together and embrace toughness every single day. If we do that, we believe we can compete with anyone on our schedule."

For Mikey McQueen, it's all about winning the New Jersey Stat title. Photo submitted

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COLLEGE CHALLENGES FOR MCQUEEN

In high school, McQueen is a standout. But top college programs never stop recruiting elite talent.

McQueen's spot on the depth chart may look favorable in July 2026, but when it's time to lace them up in practice for the Orange, the depth chart at Syracuse could be a lot more congested.

Is McQueen prepared for that challenge?

“I'm prepared, I'm a competitor,” McQueen said without hesitation. “I'm not worried about anyone they bring, because I know I'm going to compete wherever I go.”

McQueen talked about coach Lucas.

“He's a great guy,” he said. “Coach Lucas is a great guy on the field and off the field. He's always checking in on me. He's always coming to the classroom, talking to me, texting me. The things he does for use outside of football, getting (college) coaches to come to our workouts really means a lot.”

McQueen said he has seen Eagles new cornerback acquisition Riq Woolen, who also is 6-4.

“It's great seeing tall DBs,” McQueen said. “It's great seeing that, but my favorite NFL player is (Steelers) Jalen Ramsey.

Is it an advantage to be a tall defensive back?

“Yes, it's definitely an advantage,” said McQueen, who lists Quinyon Mitchell as his favorite Eagle. “Quarterbacks only throw your way with fade balls and certain routes because they know they can't throw on top of you.

“As a tall DB, they will throw to routes to make you flip your hips...those are the kind of routes they throw...slants, comebacks, pitches...I think being tall limits certain routes the quarterback can throw.” *

Email Al Thompon et al.thompson@footballstories.com

Some info from MaxPreps.com and AI Overview.

2026 RANCOCAS VALLEY FOOTBALL

Offense: 

• Formation: Pro Style Spread

• Returning Starters: 8

Quarterback: 

• Zach Merhar, Junior, 6-3, 200 – projected starter

• Logan McArthur, Sophomore, 6’0 160

• Adris Anderson, Sophomore, 5’8 155

Running Back: 

• Hakim Theresa Jr, Junior, 5’9, 190 – co-starter

• Aahmil Alghanee, Junior, 5’11, 205 – co-starter

• JJ Stewart, Senior, Junior, 5’9, 195 – co-starter

• David Ogunsola, Senior, 6-0 220

• Thomas Ajasin, Senior, 6-3, 255

Wide Receiver:

• Michael McQueen, Senior, 6-4, 190 – 2-year starter

• Malcolm Harrison, Senior, 6-0, 170 – 2-year starter

• Andre Byrdsong, Junior, 5’9 170 – returning starter

• Bryce Clark, Senior, 5’6, 160 – transferred in from St. Augustine

• Kroix Mickle, Sophomore, 6’2 185

• Bryce McArthur, Sophomore, 6’0 165

Tight End:

• Kris Oesterle, Senior, 6-0 200 – 3-year starter

• Michael Beasley, Junior, 6-3, 210 – returning co-starter

• Lorenzo Patterson., Junior, 6-3, 200 – returning co-starter

Offensive Line:

• Reid Hunt, Senior, 6-0, 260 – 2 - year starter at C/G

• Gabe Futch, Senior, 6-3, 275 – 2 - year starter at G/T

• Jaden Juillet, Senior, 6-2, 240 – 2 - year starter at T

• Mike Johnson, Senior, 6-0, 250 – 2 - year starter at G

• Gavin Flood, Junior, 6-0, 250 – 1 - year co-starter at C/G

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 4-2-5

• Returning Starters: 8

Defensive Line: 

• David Ogunsola, Senior, 6-0 220 – 3-year starter at DE, holds 3 offers - Bucknell, Merrimack and CMU

• Thomas Ajasin, Senior, 6-3, 255 – returning starter at DT, committed to Villanova

• Michael Beasley, Junior, 6-3, 210 – returning starter at DE, holds 2 offers - Pitt and Syracuse

• Reid Hunt, Senior, 6-0, 260 – Rotating at DT

• Gabe Futch, Senior, 6-3, 275 – Rotating at DT

• Jaden Juillet, Senior, 6-2, 240 – Rotating at DT

• Mike Johnson, Senior, 6-0, 250 – Rotating at DT

• AJ Paden, Senior, 6-0, 250 – Rotating at DT

• Tavon Knox, Senior, 5’11, 250 – Rotating at DT

• Malachi Tull, Senior, 6’0, 280 – Rotating at DT

Linebacker: 

• Kris Oesterle, Senior, 6-0 200 – 3-year starter

• Amari Harrison, Sophomore, 6-0 190 – projected starter

• JJ Stewart, Senior, Junior, 5’9, 195 – projected starter

• Aahmil Alghanee, Junior, 5’11, 205

• Ale Aguiar, Junior, 5’8, 180

• Landry Budden, Junior, 5’8, 200

Secondary:

• Michael McQueen, Senior, 6-4, 190 – 2-year starter at cornerback

• CJ Gunter, Senior, 6-0, 170 – 2-year starter at cornerback

• Bryce Clark, Senior, 5’6, 160 – transferred in from St. Augustine

• Hakim Theresa Jr, Junior, 5’9, 190 – Nickel/Safety

• Andre Byrdsong, Junior, 5’9 170 – Safety/Corner

• Justin Mac-Attoh, Junior, 6-0 175 - transferred in from Notre Dame

Special Teams:

• Senior Kris Oesterle and junior Gio Archer are contributing at kicker

• Junior Andre Byrdsong and junior Gio Archer are contributing at punter

• Senior Kris Oesterle returns as the long snapper

• Bryce Clark, Andre Byrdsong, Malcolm Harrison, Michael McQueen, are the return men