FOOTBALL 2016 HIGH SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER 8, 2016
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PAGE 2 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 3
BERNARDS HIGH SCHOOL
Much Firepower Gone, But plenty reMains By KELLY FENTON SPORTS EDITOR
BERNARDSVILLE – Bernards High School’s 38-13 mark and three conference championships over the past five seasons may provide less of a clue to the program’s staying power than does the fact that the losses last year of so many top-notch players to graduation – several again to college teams – should not slow the momentum in 2016. Yes, no doubt that Sebastian Sanchez wearing that UPenn rather than that Mountaineer jersey this fall changes things up dramatically, given he accounted for more
than a third of the total yards last season and scored 15 offensive touchdowns, all the while leading the defense with 11.5 tackles per game and 15 tackles for losses. And no doubt linebacker Griffin McParland’s graduation will hurt both sides of the ball, as will those of linemen Miles Kenny, Trevor Lawrence, Brendan O’Reilly, Delbert McCrann, Evan and Owen Elliot and linebacker Brandon Hildebrandt (17 tackles for loss). “We won’t be as deep initially, especially on the lines,” said ninth-year head coach Jon Simoneau. “We hope to build that up. But we had a lot of guys playing because
of injuries last year and we’ve got some good young guys as sophomores. And we have a lot of skill guys back.” That includes Sanchez’s backfield mate Marc Murphy, who ac- Bernards Head Coach c o r d i n g t o Jon Simoneau Simoneau has been among the hardest offseason workers in the weight room and is stronger than ever. Murphy is coming off an outstanding offensive season, rushing for 653 (8.5 yards per carry) and scoring six touchdowns. Junior Lofton Hoover will join Murphy in the backfield. Handing off to them will be second-year
BERNARDS MOUNTAINEERS Head Coach: Jon Simoneau (9th year) Section: Central, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 7-3 Playoffs: Didn’t Qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 2 @ Shabazz Sept. 9 Clark Sept. 16 @Johnson Sept. 23 Hillside Sept 30 @ New Providence Oct. 7 @Delaware Valley Oct. 14 Bound Brook Oct. 21 Voorhees Nov. 4 @Pingry
PLEASE SEE BERNARDS, PAGE 4
•
Photos by Glenn Clark
Bernards High School seniors, front row, from left: Brendan Ryan, Chris Jones, Ray Delk, Zack Lakatos and Alex Mastronardi; back row, from left: Jonah Walsh, Curt Gouldin, Timmy Lawlis, Stephen Gribben, Bobby dePoortre, Matt Tantleff, J.P. Heppes, James Zukowsky, Dmitry Stommz and Marc Murphy.
HIGH S CHOOL F OOTBALL 2 016 is published by New Jersey Hills Media Group, 17-19 Morristown Road, Bernardsville, N.J. 07924. PUBLISHERS
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PAGE 4 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
BERNARDS FROM PAGE 3
starter Stephen Gribben, stronger than ever at nearly 190 pounds. Gribben got a lot of his yards on the ground, rushing for 355 on just 52 carries and scoring eight times. Because of Sanchez and Murphy, Bernards threw a lot less often than in previous seasons, accounting for only 100 of their nearly 350 yards of offense through the air. But some outstanding receivers return, none better than senior Matt Tantleff, who led the team with 20 catches for 450 yards and six touchdowns. Those numbers alone tell you what a dynamic threat he is on any given play. Also back is Curt Gouldin (six catches, 167 yards, 3 TDs). They’ll be joined by Alex Mastronardi, as well as by a pair of newcomers — slotback Evan Caldwell and wideout Brendan Ryan. Junior Declan McParland also figures into the passing game and may get the occasional carry out of Bernards’ in-motion sets. While Simoneau said he would expect the Mountaineers to go airborne a little more this fall, his strategy has always been to have a balanced attack that keeps the defense guessing. The numbers (27.7 points per game last year, 33.5 ppg in 2014) suggests those defenses are mostly guessing wrong. Helping alleviate the impact of the line losses will be big senior Bobby dePoortere, who comes in at 255. “He’s our strongest kid the last couple of years,” Simoneau said. “And we got another big guy in Andrew Best, who transferred in. And Cubby Schuller goes at about 250 and he’s so athletic. He’s so big and fast and has great feet. He’ll probably go to college as a tight end.” Also up front will be senior Zack Lokatos, who saw action a year ago. Simoneau said
Photos by Glenn Clark
At right, Bernards quarterback Stephen Gribben and his top target, wide receiver Matt Tantleff, above.
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 5
BERNARDS FROM PAGE 4
three sophomores – 250-pound Matt Panzarino, 280-pound Jason Meyer and Sam Cunningham - could spend some time in the trenches. Defensively, the secondary should be the strength, with Gouldin (4.8 tackles per game), Tantleff (3.0) and Mastronardi (6.7) bringing plenty of savvy. Gouldin and Mastronardi each picked off four passes in 2015. Hoover also returns. Ryan, Caldwell and Timmy Lallis will also figure in the mix. The line will mostly consist of those on the offensive front. dePoortere was a beast last season, totaling five stops a game and making five tackles in the backfield. With him and Schuller leading the way, Bernards should be stout. Lokatos and Best are among the others who will spend time up front. That leaves the linebackers, which Simoneau calls a work in progress. Only Murphy (6.8 tackles, three for loss) returns and replacing Hildebrandt and Sanchez will be a tall order. “Marc is very talented obviously,” Simoneau said. “But we’ve got to fill those other spots. There’s been a real battle for them in training camp.” Among those in the tussle are McParland, Ben Martin, Kieran Corus and Cunningham. As for special teams, senior Jake Walsh has shown great range, nailing field goals from 40 yards out in the summer. Lallis and Schuller provide options in the punting game. The conference realignment means, to every one’s relief, no more Manville and that annual lopsided Bernards win. Instead the schedule will include perennial power New Providence, local rivalry Pingry to
Photos by Glenn Clark
Running back/Linebacker Mark Murphy, left; wide receiver/defensive back Alex Mastronardi, above. close out the regular season and a trip to Shabazz High School in Newark on Sept. 2, a week before almost everyone else opens their season.
years with 7-3 records. “It’s going to be a much tougher division.”
“It should help with our power points, which is something we always struggle with,” said Simoneau, whose teams have missed the playoffs two of the past five
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PAGE 6 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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BOONTON HIGH SCHOOL
Boonton FootBall Is Back aFter 16 WIns over Past tWo seasons
By HARRY FREZZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BOONTON — Before last season, Boonton
High football coach Bryan Gallagher talked about his team’s renewed, more stringent goals. The Bombers met most of those, going
9-2 and advancing to their second straight North 1, Group I semifinals. So the Bombers face perhaps even bigger objectives this year – they are approaching territory Gallagher once experienced as an assistant on his father Gerry’s staff at Montville. In 2006, the Mustangs reached Giants
BOONTON BOMBERS Head Coach: Bryan Gallagher (6th year) Section: North 1 Group 1 Last Year’s Record: 9-2 Playoffs: Lost in sectional semis Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 4/4
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 at Pequannock Sept. 16 Weequahic
Boonton Head Coach Bryan Gallagher Stadium and the North 2, Group 2, where they fell to West Essex. The Bombers appear to have come out of the shadows after enduring six straight non-winning seasons from 2008-13. “We made progress, we made progress, but the thing is that I’ve expressed to the kids a lot is that’s you know it’s only going to get harder,” Gallagher said as he enters his sixth season at Boonton. “I think that 7-4 year (in 2014), I think you know we surprised some people. I think last year we earned some respect. I Photos by Warren Westura think at this point you know we are definitely Key senior players are, from left, running back Amaro Andersen, lineman Charles not going to sneak up on anybody anymore, so it only gets more difficult. Zarzecki and linebacker Steven Delaporte.
Sept. 23 at Parsippany Sept. 30 North Warren Oct. 7 at Shabazz Oct. 14 Hopatcong Oct. 21 at Dover Oct. 28 Verona Nov. 4 at Butler “We have to raise the bar on a daily basis in terms of the level of expectation. Things have to be done right repeatedly because we won’t be sneaking up on anybody anymore.” PLEASE SEE BOONTON, PAGE 7
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 7
BOONTON FROM PAGE 6
The quest will go on without graduated quarterback Gage Cabalar (now at Gettysburg) who ran for 1,282 yards and 14 touchdowns and threw for 377 yards and three scores. Senior Joe Whritenour will take over. He filled in for Cabalar when the starter had to leave the first round playoff game with Saddle Brook when an ankle injury forced him off the field on the first play of the second half. Whritenour played the rest of the game, managing a late-game scoring drive that sealed a 13-0 win. “It wasn’t like a comeback drive, but it was a clutch performance, so he has been in a difficult environment before,” said Gallagher. As for the contrast in style, Gallagher said the quarterbacks are different. “Gage was a better runner,” he said. “Gage was special, but Joe has his own set of skills. He has really worked hard at throwing the ball in the off season, and worked hard on making the right decisions with the ball in his hands in terms of making his reads and who to throw to and when to throw it and when to tuck it and get what you can.” The Bombers ran for 3,172 yards last season with 12 different players getting at least one carry. The bulk of the players who contributed most of those yards have graduated — Sean McKeown (66 carries for 530 yards, 6 TDs), T.J. Green (626 yards, 9 TDs) and Quinn Sweeney (279 yards, 7 TDs). The Bombers averaged 6.9 per carry. Senior tackle Charles Zarzecki (6-7, 320), offensive tackle and senior nose guard Jake Kondroski (6-0, 225) along with junior guard Janok Bilgee, senior guard Steven Delaporte and senior center Joe Russo give the team an experienced line to help senior quarterback Joey Whritenour, who takes over for the graduated Gage Cabalar.
Far left: Boonton senior tight end Ty Dauti sophomore Nick DeLuca; left: senior center Joe Russo Photos by Warren Westura
Gallagher expects big production from senior back Amaro Anderson. Anderson will share carries with senior fullback Ryan DiLorenzo and senior halfbacks Maleek Awan and Julien Kempf. Senior wide receiver Ty Dauti (3 catches for 96 yards last seadon) will likely be one of the quarterback’s top targets and senior Chris Corporan is at tight end. Delaporte, a linebacker on defense, made 44 tackles last season – five of them for losses. Anderson, also a corner, was second on the team with three interceptions. Senior halfback Amaro Anderson, who’s played split end, looks like the main guy in the backfield. He would have been in the backfield
last year, but the Bombers had to find a spot for him because of his versatility, the coach said. “The reason he was playing there was that there were backs that were little bit better than him, but he was so athletic we had to get him on the field,” Gallagher said. “He’s a pretty special athlete, a really good track guy. He’s just done a phenomenal job leadership wise. I think if he keeps doing the right things he can be primed for a big season for us.” Senior fullback Ryan Dilorenzo, who played behind Sweeney last year, along with senior halfbacks Julien Kempf and Maleek Awan will be the foundation of the run game. “Those four will be our rotating backfield,”
said Gallagher. “If you have things based on one guy then it’s probably not working right, it’s about being able to spread the defense on both flanks and up the middle on each play,” added the coach. One starter returns up front on offense – senior tackle Charles Zarzecki (6-7, 320), who’ll also play full time on defense this year at nose tackle. Anderson, also a cornerback, and senior linebacker Steve Delaporte are the two defensive starters back. The Bombers were a whopping plus 26 on turnovers last season.
PAGE 8 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL
Cougars out to Prove Last Year’s triP to titLe game Was No FLuke
By CHRIS ORLANDO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CHATHAM — While it’s true that the Chatham High football team had a breakthrough season last year, fourth-year head coach Jason Izsa is hopeful that his charges don’t rest on their laurels. “We definitely don’t want to be ‘a onehit wonder’,” said Izsa. “What we accomplished last season was great but this is a new year with a lot of different personnel.” The Cougars are coming off a very successful 9-3 campaign that culminated with a trip to the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 championship game. Chatham ended up on the short end of a 50-23 decision at Kean University in early December but the Cougars had served notice that they had become a state title contender after many years away. “We may not be a powerhouse yet, but we’ve made steady strides over the last few years,” Izsa said. “Making the transition to become a contender is where we are now and we want to continue moving forward.” The Cougars are just two years removed from having snapped a 23-game losing streak, which began with the final game of the 2011 season and lasted through the first two games of the 2014 campaign. Chatham finished 3-7 in ‘14 and then had an incredible 2015 where, after splitting its first two games, won eight of its next nine
games. The Cougars excelled in the state playoffs, first besting Barringer, 31-6, on the road in the first round and then West Essex, 45-6, in the semifinal round at home. That Chatham Head Coach Jason Izsa victory landed Chatham in sey Athletic Conferits second-ever ence, Chatham will have state final and a brand-new endeavor first since it lost ahead of it when it beto Lodi for the gins play in the newNorth Jersey, ly-established 113-team Section 2, Group North Jersey Super 2 crown in 2005. Football Conference. “Being able The Cougars are situto beat a team ated in the NJSFC Patrilike West Essex ot White Division along in our backyard with Parsippany Hills, was a huge acPhotos by Glenn Clark Orange, Nutley, West Escomplishment,” sex, Barringer and Fersaid Izsa. “They Chatham lineman Graham LeMon ris. are a program Ironically, despite switching to a new conwith a tremendous amount of success and tradition. Their coach, Chris Benacquista, ference, Chatham will face four opponents has done a great job with that team. It made that it played last year in Barringer, Parsippany Hills, Morris Hills and West Essex beating them mean that much more.” After many years in the Northwest Jer- among its first five games. Chatham was 4-0
CHATHAM COUGARS Head Coach: Jason Izsa (4th year)Section: Central, Group 3 Last Year’s Record: 9-3 Playoffs: Reached sectional champi-
onship
Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 3/2
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 @Barringer Sept. 17 Parsippany Hills Sept. 24 Morris Hills Oct. 1 @Ferris Oct. 8 West Essex Oct. 14 @Newton Oct. 22 @Nutley Oct. 29 Mount Olive Nov. 5 Orange
against those teams a year ago. “It’s weird that it ended up that way,” said Izsa. “We played two of those teams in the PLEASE SEE CHATHAM, PAGE 9
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 9
CHATHAM FROM PAGE 8
playoffs, so it’s basically a rare occurrence. “As far as NJSFC goes, it’s an honor to be a part of the biggest conference in the United States. I feel it’s a positive thing and we’re definitely excited to start playing these schools.” West Essex will look to gain a measure of revenge for its playoff defeat when it comes to play again at Cougar Field on Saturday night, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. “That game will be on our ‘Cougar Night’ so it should be a great atmosphere,” Izsa said. “We’ve lost some rivalries with the new conference, but maybe playing West Essex will be a new one that we can start.” The personnel on this year’s Chatham team will look significantly different than last year’s as the Cougars graduated 21 seniors, including 17 that had significant playing time. “We have some young inexperienced players, but we also still have some guys who have been here for three to four years and our sort of our elder statesmen,” said Izsa. “Our three tri-captains are seniors Timmy Adams, Pat Cosgrove and Graham LeMon and they are all very versatile and give us another dimension.” In addition to those three, the Chatham seniors on this year’s roster include Jack Dean, P.J. Joel, Thomas Lofaro, Jack Maguire and Sean Smiley; Juniors include Christian Cutitta, Thomas Elliot, Eoghan Fisher, Connor Harrington, Ben Herbert, Ryan Ness, Patrick O’Malley, Drew Sardini, Max Schelling and Chris Strutt and the sophomores include Alex Molinaro, Colin Petrullo, Colin Schroeder and Nick Vivona. Chatham’s season gets underway on Sept. 9 when it travels to Newark to take on Barringer at 7 p.m. Its first home game
Above: Chatham Senior Co-Captains: Graham LeMon, Timmy Adams and Pat Cosgrove. Right: Middle linebacker Jack Dean Photos by Glenn Clark
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PAGE 10 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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DELBARTON HIGH SCHOOL
Green Wave PrePares For LiFe in neW, TouGher ConFerenCe
By MARK KITCHIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MENDHAM — Having an offensive line that is practically intact from last year is one of the positives Delbarton football has in its favor this year. The Green Wave will take any advantage
it can going into the season. The new super conference has eliminated all of their traditional public school rivals and replaced them with non-public school opponents. Having plenty of veteran leadership can only help in battling unfamiliar foes. “I feel really good about the line,’’ Delbarton coach Brian Bowers said. “When you
Photos by Al Wehrhahn
Delbarton playmakers: senior lineman Jake Maciejewski, senior QB/FS Davis Bell, senior RB/FS Luca Tria, senior QB Andrew Papantonis, junior FB/LB/SS Anthony Siragusa and junior QB/SS Miles Leniw.
have (younger, inexperienced) kids it takes so long to jell. Assignments are a lot more complex. When you get them to speak the same language it makes a difference. We can get a lot more done.” The offense has seven returning starters in all. Left tackle Michael Huston, left guard Will Anderson, center Eric Lenz, right guard Jake Maciejewski and right tackle Jonas Lyons should be able to set the tone and make the quarterback’s job easier. The Green Wave will have three signal callers to choose from with senior Davis Bell and junior Miles Leniw competing for the starting position. The most intriguing prospect will be when and where senior Andrew Papantonis lines up behind center. A sophomore sensation who missed most of his junior year due to injury, Papantonis will play a key role in the offense wherever he lines up. “Andrew’s athletic ability is a difference maker,’’ Bowers said. “When he has the ball in his hands, he is exceptional.’’ Tailback Luca Tria played a lot last year and has excellent skills as a runner and pass catcher. Junior Anthony Siragusa and sophomore Mashod Harrison should also see plenty of touches. Fullback Cole Kreshpane is a force of nature. A tremendous blocker, Kreshpane and senior Chris Colon can open holes as well as run through them. The receiver position is also deep and talented.
DELBARTON GREEN WAVE Head Coach: Brian Bowers (13th year) Section: Non Public, Group 3 Last Year’s Record: 8-3 Playoffs: Lost in semis Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/6
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 @St. Anthony’s (Long Island) Sept. 17 Brunswick School (Ct.) Sept. 24 Pope John Oct. 1 Don Bosco Prep Oct. 7 @Seton Hall Prep Oct. 14 @ Depaul Catholic Oct. 22 Hudson Catholic Oct. 28 @Poly Prep Country Day Nov. 4 @Paramus Catholic Sean McGrath, Greg Olson, Murphy Fitzpatrick, Reed Gregory and Papantonas are seniors who saw a lot of playing time last year with Olson getting the most reps. When they go to three wide receiver sets, PLEASE SEE WAVE, PAGE 11
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WAVE lanky Anthony Kearns can make a difference in the slot. Junior Paul Spada and sophomore Michael Jarmolowich are pushing for that position, too. Defense has six returning starters. Huston, Anderson and Maciejewski are twoway players. Houston at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, is a steady and persistent force at defensive end and Maciejewski at 6-foot, 265-pounds is a quality run stopper at nose tackle. Kreshpane has been a starting linebacker since his sophomore year. He can be a tackling machine. Colon and Siragusa are also linebackers to watch. Like receiver, the defensive secondary is also a deep position. McGrath and Olson
FOOTBALL 2016 gained some experience last year at cornerback. Papantonis started there as a freshman. Kearns and Kevin Sawtell are also pushing for a spot. Gregory and Fitzpatrick are battling for the strong safety role. Tria and Spada are key performers at free safety. The Green Wave has been forced to look at preseason a little bit differently this year. Bowers believes there is power in numbers. The more his players stay healthy and gain experience the better off the Green Wave will be in the long run. “It’s a different deal,’’ Bowers said. “It’s a very competitive schedule. The one thing we are focusing on is creating depth at every position. We will play a lot of good guys and manage our subs well. Depth is going to be the difference.’’
Senior QB Andrew Papatonis fakes a handoff to sophomore running back Mashod Harrison.
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 11
Photos by Warren Westura
Left: Delbarton head coach Brian Bowers. Above: Senior quarterback Davis Bell (2) fakes a handoff to junior running back Anthony Siragusa.
Lineman Liam Higgins, left, goes through a drill.
Prepare to compete.
Delbarton.org Prepare yourself.
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PAGE 12 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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DOVER HIGH SCHOOL
UnfortUnate InjUrIes Last Year MaY PaY DIvIDenDs In 2016
By HARRY FREZZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
DOVER — Something good came out of Dover’s 3-7 season in 2015 though coach Nick Gregorio didn’t plan for it. Injuries to several starters, among them Dan Castro and Jardy Mendez – now graduated — opened opportunities for younger Tigers, giving them a jump on the 2016 season. “We were decimated with injuries, so the positive out of that was a lot of young kids got varsity playing time a little bit before their time, so that got some of our younger players varsity experience,” said Gregorio, who enters his third season at the helm of the Tigers. “The last three games you had a significant number of junior varsity players get varsity experience, so we took a positive out of it.” One of those players was quarterback Christian Acevedo, who started the Tigers’ consolation game against Manchester. Gregorio said Acevedo has taken his opportunity seriously. The sophomore will direct a spread Wing-T. “He had a great off season, we couldn’t kick him out of the weight room,” said Gregorio. “He’s a huge positive. He’s really mature beyond his years. “We are a healthy mix of veterans and newcomers,” added Gregorio, who led the Tigers to 6-4 season in his first season after a 1-3 start in 2014. “It’s a different feel this
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Key Dover players are running back Francisco Arenas, left, and lineman Kenny Anyanaso. Photos by Warren Westura
DOVER TIGERS GOOD LUCK!
66 West Blackwell Street P.O. Box 1304, Dover, NJ 07801 Office: (973) 366-3395 • Fax: (973) 989-0052
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DOVER TIGERS Head Coach: Nick Gregorio (3rd year) Section: North 2, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 3-7 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 Hackettstown Sept. 17 at Kittatinny Sept. 23 at Hoboken Sept. 30 Hanover Park Oct. 2 Newark Central Oct. 14 at Kinnelon Oct. 21 Boonton
Dover Head Coach Nick Gregorio
Oct. 28 at Pequannock
Above: Quarterback Christian Acevedo takes a snap. Right: fullback Oscar Vindel carries the ball.
Nov. 4 Madison
DOVER
Photos by Warren Westura
FROM PAGE 12
year. We have great kids and everyone works together. I think it’s gonna pay dividends. We have had a great camp.” Seniors Kenny Anyanaso (OT-DE, 6-3, 230) and Rene Garin (OT-DT, 6-4, 300) and junior Izzy Quiroz (5-8, 200) are a good foundation up front. “Garin’s a good one,” said the coach. Senior running back Francisco Arenas (58, 175), fullback Oscar Vindel (5-10, 200), junior fullback Jason Daun (5-10, 200) and junior back Masyn Sanchez (5-4, 155) give the Tigers experience to surround their young QB. Sanchez scored both Tiger touchdowns
DOVER TIGERS
in the loss to Manchester. Senior Deshea Wilfong will be one of the receivers Garin will be a key in the 4-3 defense along with linebackers Vindel, Daun and Quiroz and defensive backs Wilfong and Arenas Dover will play In the American Division-B of the new North Jersey Football Conference. The Tigers have been grouped with Newark Central, Hanover Park, Kinnelon, Madison and Pequannock. Hoboken, Kittatinny, Newark Central and Kinnelon replace Wallkill Valley, Parsippany, Lenape Valley and Jefferson on the Tigers’ schedule. “It’s very fair for Dover,” said Gregorio of the schedule. “The whole league overall is fair and competitive. I’m sure after the first twoyear cycle it’ll be tweaked and be even that much better.”
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HANOVER PARK HIGH SCHOOL
Back Home ... and Ready FoR anotHeR PlayoFF Run
By MARK KITCHIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
HANOVER PARK HORNETS
HANOVER TWP. — Last season seemed
like one long bus ride for Hanover Park football. The 9-2 team was on an extended road trip because of delays in installing artificial turf to its football field. Their home games included two games on a makeshift field at East Hanover’s Lurker Park and a contest at Parsippany High’s brand new turf field. With their new turf finally in place, the Hornets can go back to true home games and the band can get back to serenading their heroes while celebrating home victories once again. “I give them a lot of credit for dealing with it last year,’’ Hanover Park coach Gerry Moore said of his players. “Getting on a bus every Friday night and playing wasn’t easy. Now it’s going to be nice to have home games and play in your own backyard. The kids are excited about it.’’ Hanover Park has five returning starters on offense and four on defense. One of the most important returnee is quarterback Donato Casolaro. As a junior, he helped trigger 2,400 yards of offense and 34 touchdowns with his arm and legs. “Having Donato back is huge,’’ Moore said. “He understands the system. He ran it last year. He will be that much more com-
Head Coach: Gerry Moore (7th year) Section: North 2, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 9-2 Playoffs: Lost in semis Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/4
SCHEDULE
Photos by Paul Hamilton
Sept. 9 @Cedar Grove Sept. 16 Newark Central Sept. 23 @ Mountain Lakes Sept. 30 @ Dover Oct. 7 Mahwah Oct. 14 Pequannock Oct. 21 Kinnelon Oct. 28 @Madison Nov. 4 West Essex
Hanover Park captains Donato Casalero QB/SS, Eric Magnifico TE/DE, Rory DeLuca RB/LB. fortable. He has gotten bigger. He is up to about 180 (pounds). He is very strong. He is very athletic. He is going to help us a lot.’’ Hard-nosed rusher Rory DeLuca is back. Casolaro will also have some talented targets to throw to with Michal Radomski,
Go HORNETS!
Jimmy Fortier and Eric Magnifico returning as well. The key will be how long it takes for an inexperienced line to jell. Its only returnee
Wishing you a Successful 2016 Season from all of us at
Hanover Park head coach Gerry Moore
PLEASE SEE HP, PAGE 15
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 15
HP FROM PAGE 14
is left tackle Anthony Otto. “Right now our line is young,’’ Moore said. “We just keep pushing them and keep molding them until we can get them to where we want them to be. We are in this situation every year. We lose some great kids and others have to step up.’’ Like most programs, the Hornets run the same system in all their teams. Players moving to the varsity level should have a good working knowledge of the playbook and feel comfortable in the system they run. There are plenty of battles for starting spots and Moore likes the consistent improvement due to competition. “This is a group that is going to get better every week,’’ Moore said. “I don’t use the term young; I use the term lack of experience. We will have seniors and juniors with a couple of sophomores mixed in. We are young when it comes to experience but they understand the system.’’ Junior defensive lineman Dan Corcoran and senior linebacker Ed Schimminger are among a number of defensive players that are showing promise early in camp. This year’s defensive returnees including Magnifico at defensive end, Deluca at linebacker and Radomski and Mark Amendola in the secondary. Radomski will be interesting to watch. As a sophomore, he improved dramatically game to game and made plays on both sides of the ball. He also figures prominently in the Hornets’ kicking game. “He got more confidence as the year progressed,’’ Moore said. “As a sophomore, he was thrown into a system defensively where we have some checks and reads. Getting seven interceptions is huge for a sophomore. As the season went on he got more confident and he understood the system more and he got stronger.’’ The new super conference has tweaked the team’s division. Newark Central, Pequannock and Kinnelon are among the new names on the regular-season schedule. However, their rivalry with Madison is intact and going up against the defending state champions is always a good test. Although that one is up the road, four of the Hornets’ last five games will be at home. “We will do what we do,’’ Moore said. “We are going to focus on ourselves and the things we need to do to get better. Offensively, we like what we do. Defensively, we like what we do. We are going to keep doing it.’’
Above: Hanover Park TE/DE Eric Magnifco; Left: QB/safety Donato Casalero Photos by Paul Hamilton
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CALDWELL HIGH SCHOOL
CoaCh hoping To Turn STrong 2015 FiniSh inTo 2016 upTurn
By CHRIS ORLANDO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CALDWELL — There isn’t much that Caldwell High head football coach Ken Trimmer hasn’t seen in over 50 years of being around the sport. So when the veteran skipper mentions how proud he was of his team’s effort at the tail end of last season despite its 3-6 overall record, it should be looked at as a hopeful harbinger of things to come this year. “2015 was a very tough year for us, but we really finished up in such a positive way,” said Trimmer. “We had so many guys getting beat up and injured throughout the season but the team had a lot of resiliency. “No one in the world gave us a chance to beat Nutley to get into the playoffs, but we did, as a three-win team, and then we went out and really set the tone early against an 8-1 Hanover Park team and gave them a great game but came up just short.” And while Caldwell suffered a 34-29 loss to its Morris county foe in the first round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 state tournament, the Chiefs served notice that they weren’t a team to be taken lightly. Caldwell had defeated then undefeated Nutley one week earlier to qualify for the postseason and finished its year splitting its final six games after dropping its first three of the year. Trimmer has a bunch of returners from
Caldwell Head Coach Ken Trimmer
CALDWELL CHIEFS
Head Coach: Ken Trimmer (23rd year) Section: North 2, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 3-6 Playoffs: Lost in first round Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 8/8
SCHEDULE Photos by Warren Westura
Caldwell seniors, WR James Miller,LB Jon Housel, QB Brian Clarkin, LB Mike Cavallo. that squad on his 2016 roster and those late-season experiences should serve the Chiefs well. As practices and scrimmages were continuing late last week and early this week, Trimmer noted that some starting positions are still up for grabs, including who the opening day quarterback will be when Caldwell heads to Untermann Field in Newark to take on West Side on Saturday.
“Right now we have our junior Brian Clarkin, who took snaps last year for us going head-to-head with sophomore Ethan Carpentier, for the position,” said Trimmer. “Competition among positions is always good for a football team as it keeps everyone on their toes. If a player isn’t performing well, he knows there’s someone waiting PLEASE SEE CALDWELL, PAGE 17
Sept. 9 @West Side Sept. 16 Parsippany Sept. 23 Millburn Sept. 30 vs. West Essex Oct. 8 @Montville Oct. 15@Lincoln Oct. 21 Mountain Lakes Oct. 29 @Whippany Park Nov. 4 Pequannock
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 17
CALDWELL FROM PAGE 16
Caldwell quarterback Brian Clarkin
in the wings to step into that spot.” The Chiefs running and receiving game appears to be strong with a core of receivers led by seniors Vince D’Agostino, John Housel and Mike Cavallo sophomore Thomas Sheehan and juniors Pat Theobold and James Miller. The backs include senior Gage Andreski and juniors Kyle Schaffer and Anthony Costigan, who is also the team’s placekicker. The offensive line will be fronted by junior guards Max Van Allen and brothers John and Steve Murphy as well as senior Dante Capizzoli and junior center Nick Christopher. Defensively, Capizzoli, Housel, Cavallo and senior Christian Della Riva are the Chiefs’ main linebackers with D’Agostino setting up at cornerback and Andreski floating at strong safety. Juniors Mark Wheelan, Andrew Hyatt and Greg Pallone and sophomore Frank Mondacini are the current defensive ends. Costigan will once again handle placekicking duties while Cavallo handles punting with sophomore Brian McNamara the long snapper. Cavallo, Housel, Capizzoli and Andreski were named team captains. This season also brings about big change as far as Caldwell’s schedule is concerned. Say goodbye to the Super Essex Conference and hello to the North Jersey Super Football Conference, which is the largest single football conference in the United States, housing 113 teams. Trimmer, on board for discussions about the new league since its inception, will lead his charges into battle as a member of the six-team American C Division along with Mountain Lakes, Lincoln, West Side, Whip-
LB Mike Cavallo pany Park and Parsippany. Non-conference foes include Millburn, West Essex, Montville and Pequannock. A year ago, Millburn defeated Chiefs for the first time since 1984, earning a 26-22 victory at home. Caldwell will host the rematch on Sept. 23. “I’m real happy about it,” said Trimmer, who has been coaching football for 53 years, including the past 23 with Caldwell. “Things should run smoothly. It was critical that teams not be playing teams that are three to four sizes bigger than it. This puts everyone on a level playing field.” Caldwell, a Group 2 school, will host neighborhood rival West Essex in a non-conference game on Sept. 30. “While West Essex isn’t in our division, we thought we should play,” Trimmer stated. “(Coach) Chris Benacquista does an outstanding job with that team and it should be a great game. It’s a huge rivalry but it’s a clean one and a respected one. But that’s down the road; right now we’re just focusing on West Side and what we want to accomplish.”
PAGE 18 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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MADISON HIGH SCHOOL
CoaCh hopes Winning Formula lands dodgers BaCk in TiTle game
By MARK KITCHIN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MADISON — Madison football proved conclusively last season that it’s not where you start that counts. It is where you finish. The Dodgers were 1-2 at one point before finishing its state championship season on a nine-game winning streak. “We were just off to a slow start,’’ Madison coach Chris Kubik said. “It was just one of those things. We knew we had enough talent to kind of pull through. We moved some positions and focused on some new things. We tweaked our scheme a little bit and let the kids go. It was nice to get on that run. We hit our stride against Hanover Park. It all just came together.’’ They were undaunted even in the North 2, Group 2 championship game. They gave up an early touchdown on a gimmick play but then proceeded to rout Rutherford 27-6 in a commanding performance at MetLife Stadium. There are no guarantees that this year’s team will repeat that success, but the Dodgers have won two titles in the last four years. They have a blueprint for success that gives them an opportunity at fulfilling their potential and achieving glory every year. “There is a formula that gets you there,’’ Kubik said. “It’s just that at the end of the day it doesn’t always work. You can’t win them all. No one has won them all. A two-
Photos by Glenn Clark
Madison lineman Max Downing year break, it is what it is. We wanted to win those two years. Sometimes a team is better that day. Sometimes you have injuries and you just don’t make the play when you need to or the coaching call you needed to.’’ If the Dodgers repeat their success, they
will have to do it with a different quarterback. Senior Michael Kearney and junior Ryan Schmitz have different attributes. The Dodgers plan to use their individual qualities to their advantage. “Schmitz is a better runner Madison Head Coach and throws a Chris Kubik great deep ball,’’ Kubik said. “Kearney is a good game manager and can run well enough. They have their strengths and weaknesses.’’ P.J. Mulcahy broke off some terrific runs the second half of the season. The Dodgers will count on him for continued success in their ground game. “He blocked hard and he worked himself into the starting lineup with a good backfield,’’ Kubik said. “He had to force himself in there. He has good attention to detail. He is a hard runner. He is a tough runner.’’ Matt Boyd will take over fullback duties; senior Kyle Monaco, junior Brian Bradley and sophomore Matt Mulcahy will also see some touches.
• SALADS •
MADISON DODGERS Head Coach: Chris Kubik (10th year) Section: North 2, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 10-2 Playoffs: Won state title Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 6/7
SCHEDULE Sept. 10 Lenape Valley Sept. 17 @ Verona Sept. 24 Kinnelon Oct. 1 Pequannock Oct. 7 @ Mountain Lakes Oct. 21 @ Newark Central Oct. 28 Hanover Park Nov. 4 @ Dover Nov. 24 Millburn The Dodgers usually aren’t known for their passing attack but senior Matt O’Donnell and newcomer Santi Quintero have shown some ability to make plays when they are thrown the ball. PLEASE SEE MADISON, PAGE 19
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Madison senior captains Dante DiIonno, P.J. Mulcahy, Max Downing.
MADISON FROM PAGE 18
Madison has some experience in the trenches. Brian Kraska, a fullback last year, will fill one of the tight end spots. Griffin Meister, Dante DiIonno and Ylakos Kostidakis are big, strong athletes who saw plenty of playing time and should provide excellent leadership for the newcomers on the offensive line. “Dante is the best athlete on the line,’’ Kubik said. “He’s the kid that will finish blocks almost every play. He gets penalties because he blocks so hard and it is legal but he is just very physical. Griffin has a very good motor and quick feet. Ylakos is a strong kid and he could move too for a big kid. He has great leverage. He has big hips. He is built.’’ Max Downing will also start at center and is potentially a two-way player. In fact, most of the linemen will see time on offense and defense de-
Above: QB Mike Kearney; Right: RB P.J. Mulcahy.
pending upon the situation and the development of the Dodgers younger players. The defense has as many as seven returnees. Kraska and Downing expect to be mainstays at linebacker. Ryan Schmitz and P.J. Mulcahy are stalwarts in the secondary. Kubik likes the work ethic of this year’s team. They will need that type of attitude. Crossover games with Lenape Valley, Verona (a team that hasn’t lost in two years), Mountain Lakes and Millburn will be particularly difficult. In their realigned conference Pequannock, Kinnelon, Newark Central and Dover are no pushovers. Their rivalry with Hanover Park continues to grow. It remains to be seen how much last year’s success will help or detract from this year’s effort. It certainly will be interesting to watch how this year’s Dodgers progress. “It works both ways for us,’’ Kubik said. “If we hit the gate running strong and doing what we need to do, we understand it is about finishing in the end. If we struggle in the beginning, we know
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PAGE 20 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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MENDHAM HIGH SCHOOL
New DivisioN, New sectioN Usher iN New coach at MeNDhaM
By KELLY FENTON SPORTS EDITOR
MENDHAM TWP. – A Hall of Fame coach with 130 wins and six conference championships is a pretty tough act to follow. On the other hand, Brett Ressler is fulfilling a dream. Ressler takes over at Mendham High School this season after five years as an assistant coach at the school, the past three under that legendary coach, Bill Carpluk. “I look at it more as a tremendous opportunity,” said Ressler. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do. I want to continue what Coach Carpluk has built here. He has set the tone not only four our football program but as a teacher and a coach. He did things the right way.” Carpluk, who in two stints at Mendham, coached for 20 seasons and who took a team that had been 4-16 in its previous two seasons all the way to the sectional championship in his first year back in 2013, will continue as an assistant under Ressler. Much in the same way that the state’s third-winningest basketball coach, Jim Baglin, stayed on as an assistant after he stepped down five years ago. Ressler takes over a team that finished 3-7 a year ago and allowed nearly 25 points per game. The Minutemen featured an offense that was at times explosive but also suffered droughts. Gone from that team
MENDHAM MINUTEMEN Head Coach: Brett Ressler (1st year) Section: North 1, Group 5 Last Year’s Record: 3-7 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/6
SCHEDULE Sept. 10 Morris Hills Sept. 16 @Mount Olive Sept. 24 Jefferson Township Sept. 30 @Roxbury Oct. 8 Vernon Oct. 14 @Randolph Photos by Al Wehrhan
Mendham senior playmakers Brian Speicher, Jack Anderson, Tommy Spinelli and Braden Stagg. are two-year starting quarterback Danny McHugh, along with fullback Drew Robshaw, top receivers Alex Haddad and Zack Wierzbicki and a couple of down linemen. Bobby Longo seems to be the natural heir to the quarterback role as the only other Minuteman to see action in 2015. But Ressler said there are four candidates for
the job, including freshman Logan Clouse, brother of recent standout wide receiver Spenser Clouse. “He was getting interest from some of the private schools but I was able to develop a relationship with him through youth football and he decided to stay home with his buddies,” Ressler said. Clouse is already
Oct. 21 @Indian Hills Oct. 29 West Morris Central Nov. 5 Morris Knolls 6-2, 180. Clouse will vie for the position with Longo as well as sophomores Kevin Sansone and Tyler Barragan. PLEASE SEE MENDHAM , PAGE 21
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MENDHAM FROM PAGE 20
“Bobby’s senior leadership has been tremendous,” Ressler said of Longo. “He’s really progressing this summer.” Reid Randolph is the top returning runner after averaging nearly six yards a carry and scoring five touchdowns. Randolph is a tough downhill runner who has the capability to get separation if he can get to the second level. Oft-injured Jack Anderson will also pose a threat in the backfield. He has big-play capability as he showed on special teams the past two seasons when he was healthy. Fullback Tommy Spinelli should provide some hard-nosed running, as will 5-10, 185-pound fullback Giuseppe Canino, a player Ressler has dubbed “the Italian Stallion.” “Mendham has a history of physical runners and he is another of those,” Ressler said. Sophomore Eric Schmeal should also see action, as Ressler plans to “share the carries, share the wealth.” Junior Joe Scotti returns as perhaps the top receiving threat, along with senior Nat Spencer and Garrett Petrucci. Petrucci has plenty of speed as a member of the 4x100 relay team. Mike Cataldo also will be in the mix. “Joe Scotti is as good as any high school wide receiver around,” Ressler said. “He has hands, speed and decent size. He’s a good quick-strike or underneath guy. And we can also strike out of the backfield with Jack Anderson.” Up front, the Minutemen return seniors Brian Speicher, Michael Bowen and Jack LaVecchio. Blake Barragan and James Perrin will fill out the line. Ressler said they aren’t the thickest guys but they’re all tall
Mendham Head Coach Brett Ressler with an average of about 205 pounds across. All of them move well, he said. Ressler said the offense would be multiple again, with the running attack as the staple around which the rest of the offense will run. Ressler said that Mendham might have as many formations as Rutgers. Most of those big guys on the offensive line will line up on defense as well, with Justin Kaplan, a 6-0, 190-pound end as the only lineman who will specialize on defense. “We have enough guys that we can rotate in to keep them fresh,” Ressler said. “We don’t necessarily have a set four guys.” Linebacker should be a position of strength with Spinelli and Braden Stagg back. Spinelli (4.5 tackles per game, three for loss) will man the “hero” position, allowing him to rotate down to defensive end
on occasion as Mendham switches from 3-4 to 4-3 to even 4-4 on occasion. Stagg was a beast last year, averaging more than five stops a game. Joining those two behind the down-linemen are Zack Polley, a 190-pound junior, and Patrick MacLean. Randolph, Anderson, Scotti and Nat Spencer will fill the defensive backfield, with Petrucci and Cataldo also figuring to see action. There are changes in both conference and sections this year as Mendham moves up to Group 5 and will play in North 1, Group 5. The North Jersey Super Conference that separates out the non-public schools means Mendham will not have to face Delbarton. The Freedom Red Division includes West Morris Central, Roxbury, Randolph, Morris Knolls and Mount Olive. Jefferson and Indian Hills are also new to
Above: FB/ LB Tommy Spinelli; Left: RB/DB Jack Anderson Photos by Al Wehrhahn
the schedule. The Minutemen open with Morris Hills (3-7 last year) on Sept. 10. Ressler is antsy for the date to arrive. “I’m very excited to get things going,” he said. “The players are excited and the community is excited. I’m anxious to get that first win.”
PAGE 22 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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MONTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Mustangs try to turn things around With neW CoaCh, neW offense
By HARRY FREZZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MONTVILLE — Montville High School’s football team has a new coach, tinkered with staff responsibilities and has switched offenses. The Mustangs have also been showing a vibrant spirit and work ethic. Perhaps it has something to do with some very familiar coaches at the top of the staff. Mustangs’ assistant Rick DeBonta moves up to replace Don Morgenroth (now at
Whippany Park) as head coach with Ian Schwindel (offensive coordinator) and Keith Runne (defensive coordinator) serving as DeBonta’s chief assistants. “I told them when I got the job ‘let’s do this together,’” said DeBonta, who’s worked at Montville for 17 years. DeBonta, the school’s head boys’ lacrosse coach and an assistant wrestling coach, is a devoted follower of the adage: my favorite sport is the one I’m currently doing. The energetic 44-year-old who played foot-
MONTVILLE MUSTANGS Head Coach: Rick DeBonta (1st year) Section: North 1, Group 3 Last Year’s Record: 2-8 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 8/8
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 @Vernon Sept. 16 Sparta Sept. 23 @West Milford Oct. 1 @High Point Oct. 8 Caldwell Oct. 14 Jefferson Oct. 21 @ Pequannock Oct. 29 @ Morris Hills
Montville Head Coach Rick DeBonta
Photos by Warren Westura
Key Montville returning seniors QB/LB Mike Trezza, lineman Parker Fox, OL/LB Nick Recchia
ball at Pompton Lakes, then at William Paterson University, is eager to get the Mustangs turned around- this year would be a great place to start. “Football is the sport that really sets the vibe and spirit of the school,” said DeBonta. But it hasn’t been Montville’s anchor in
Nov. 4 Parsippany years. The Mustangs have gone 12-58 since their last winning season in 2008. They have gone a collective 5-25 the last three seasons. “The seniors have seen struggle, they have struggled through it and right now PLEASE SEE MONTVILLE, PAGE 23
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 23
MONTVILLE FROM PAGE 22
Photos by Warren Westura
Montville RB Jason Archer
we have 16 seniors who have stuck through it,” said DeBonta. “My No. 1 thing is I want our guys walking out of here with pride in Mustang football and to keep their heads up when they walk out the door. That’s No. 1. Regardless if we win or lose that’s going to happen this year.” Versatile seniors are the core. The team returns nearly every starter from offense and defense. Senior two-way players Dom Caccavella (SB-CB), Parker Fox (C-NG), Mike Trezza (QB-DB), Tyler Weiss (SB-CB), Jason Archer (SB-CB), Nick Recchia (OL-DL), Matt Hager (RB-LB), Matt Burke (WR-LB) and Nick Gauweiler (RB-CB) have provided leadership throughout the off season as changes were made. Senior quarterback Michael Trezza will direct the spread offense and has senior Dom Caccavella in the slot with experienced backs in senior Jason Archer junior Mike Riola. Trezza will be throwing to senior wide receiver/tight end Matt Burke and junior wide receiver Anthony Manna and sophomore wide receiver Grant Shine. The line promises to be better with senior left tackle Parker Fox, sophomore left guard Alex Khalaf, senior right guard Eric Walker, junior center Nick Cocomello and senior right tackle Nick Recchia. The defense also has plenty of experience with the secondary anchored by Caccavella, Archer, senior Tyler Weiss and junior Connor Meytrott, Fox at nose guard, senior outside linebackers Trezza and Ty Teresa and junior Mike Riola and senior Matt Hager in the middle and inside backers Reccia and Burke and junior Nick Gauweiler. Sophomore Dom Trifari will do the punting and Weiss will handle the kicking. The team will go to a spread offense from the triple option, but will remain in the 3-3 stack on defense. DeBonta believes junior lineman Liridon Leka and senior lineman Ty Teresa could be factors along with junior lineman Alex Khalaf, who started five games last season along with junior
Go MUSTANGS!
Above: QB Mike Trezza; Left: Lineman Parker Fox
lineman Nick Cocomello and. senior offensive lineman Eric Walker. Junior outside linebacker Mike Riola will start. DeBonta said the Mustangs have 60 players between sophomores, juniors and seniors with 39 more freshmen.
Wishing you a Successful 2016 Season from all of us at
PAGE 24 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
MORRIS HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
Knights LooK to shaKe off three-game sKid that ended 2015 season By LOU MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ROCKAWAY TWP. — The Morris Hills football team is looking for consistency as it kicks off its 2016 campaign at Mendham on Sept. 10. Despite a decent start last season, the Knights lost their final three games and six of their last seven with its lone victory during that stretch, a 21-7 home triumph versus High Point on Oct. 24. Morris Hills started the season with a record of 2-1, averaging 23 points per game during that span, with a 21-6 home-opening victory over Montville and a 28-0 victory at Vernon, its first road win of the season, on Sept. 25, and it’s first since late October 2014. “The 3-7 record last season is a bit misleading as we lost a tough road matchup at Morris Knolls (27-20) in overtime and after that had three losses by two touchdowns or less,” said Morris Hills head coach Mike Sabo, who is entering his 13th season at the helm. “We had a lot of juniors on the field last season and now with another year of experience under their belt, and with them being seniors, we are looking forward to turning that 3-7 record around this season.” This year, Morris Hills opens its season with three of its first five games at home, highlighted by its home opener under the lights versus Morris Knolls on Sept. 16.
Photos by Warren Westura
Morris Hills captains Daymon Fleming, Dajon Chappell, Tom Stoback, Nick Walls Four-year starter and senior quarterback Daymon Fleming propels the Knights offense as he threw for 700 yards and rushed for another 700 last year.
Fleming has some help on the offensive side of the ball too as senior Nick Walls powers the backfield and returns after posting a 1,000-yard plus rushing season last
year at the fullback position and seniors Billy Nieman, Tom Stoback, Pete Stobinski, PLEASE SEE MORRIS HILLS, PAGE 25
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FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 25
MORRIS HILLS FROM PAGE 24
Nick Merz, and Troy Dawson provide strong stability and a foundation on both the offensive and defensive lines. Junior Damian Gonzalez, who will again handle kicking and punting duties, gives Fleming an option at the tight end position. Junior Devin Caruso (middle linebacker/ Head Coach: Mike Sabo (13th year) tight end) and sophoSection: North 2, Group 3 more Sam Valerio (outLast Year’s Record: 3-7 side linebacker) hopes Playoffs: Didn’t qualify to improve the Knights’ Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): defense, which gave up 6/6 21.2 points per game last season. SCHEDULE Other players looking Sept. 10 @ West Morris Mendham to make solid and sigSept. 16 Morris Knolls nificant contributions are senior Dajon ChapSept. 24 @ Chatham pell sophomore Angelo Oct. 1 Sparta Macera, and freshman Jeremy Bussell. Oct. 8 High Point “We are trying to get Oct. 14 @ West Milford ready for a good Mendham team on the road Oct. 21 @ Jefferson for our season opener. Oct. 29 Montville We have a mixture now of some seniors and a Nov. 4 @ Vernon handful of juniors and sophomores who are going to provide us with some good leadership,” Sabo said. “We have played pretty well in our scrimmages thus far and I think we will be competitive.” The Knights will be part of the new North Jersey Super Football Conference and will compete in the Patriot Division – Red with seven teams including Sparta, Jefferson, West Milford, Vernon, High Point, and Montville. “I think it’s good for New Jersey football, we are proud to be a part of it,” Sabo added.
MORRIS HILLS SCARLET KNIGHTS
Morris Hills Head Coach Mike Sabo
Photos by Warren Westura
Clockwise from above right: RB Dajon Chappell, WR Jake Antonelli, FB/LB Nick Walls.
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PAGE 26 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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MORRIS KNOLLS HIGH SCHOOL
Despite Key Losses, Veteran CoaCh LooKs For repeat oF 7-3 Campaign
By HARRY FREZZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ROCKAWAY TWP. — It is clear just from listening to Morris Knolls head football coach Bill Regan’s voice just how gratifying last season was for him. The Eagles – paced by 12 seniors – finished 7-3 with a North 1, Group 4 playoff berth – a stark contrast from the 2-8 of 2014. Now the task is to endure the graduation losses of players like Jayson Parisi and twin brothers Dean and Luke Drugac to build a new personality and sustain the success. “Last year Jayson Parisi (running back-safety) and Dean (guard-linebacker) and Luke Drugac (guard-linebacker) were real firebrands,” said Regan, now in his 42nd season at the school. “Those three guys were our leaders last year; they played with great passion and courage and characterized our senior class last year. As coaches, that’s exactly what we are hoping for going into the season. “We were a small team and we weren’t particularly fast, but they just wanted to play hard and it worked out really well.” Parisi ran for 1,286 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also caught a 64-yard TD pass and finished with 1,592 yards in total PLEASE SEE MORRIS KNOLLS, PAGE 27
Photo by Warren Westura
Key Eagles: Senior LB/TE Nick Donadio, RB/DB Derek Ferguson, QB/DB Nick Vittorio.
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
KNOLLS FROM PAGE 26
offense. Regan said that as long as Parisi was successful he’d continue to get the bulk of carries. That figures to change now that he’s gone. Juniors Derek Ferguson and Nate Howell and sophomores Brydon Gibbs, Chris Marra and Mike Kaiser and senior Bryce Carpenter are the next wave who’ll line up behind three-year starting quarterback Nick Vittorio. Morris Knolls will once again run the triple option. Vittorio will count on junior wide receiver Joe Taylor, senior tight end Nick Donadio and junior tight end Bryce Mott and senior Shane Dougherty as targets. “We are a triple option and if you are a triple option you better have an athlete at quarterback,” Regan said. “(Nick) throws
FOOTBALL 2016 well, he runs well and he sees the field well.” Retur nees are led by senior center-defensive end Mike Forsythe, junior guard-defensive lineman Billy Tuttle and senior tackle Augie Blumhoefer and senior linemen Matt Grasso and Shane Breston. Sophomore Dance Byrnes will kick and punt. “We had a great character, attitude and they were fun to coach,” said Regan, referring to last year’s team. “We are still finding our identity sometimes it takes longer to gel.” The Eagles will now be a member of the North Jersey Super Conference Freedom Red Division with old Iron Hills Conference rivals West Morris, Roxbury, Randolph, Mendham and Mount Olive. Wayne Valley – which eliminated the Eagles in a first-round playoff game last season, Millburn and Columbia will replace Delbarton, Morristown and High Point on the schedule.
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 27
MORRIS KNOLLS GOLDEN EAGLES Head Coach: Bill Regan (42nd year) Section: North 1, Group 4 Last Year’s Record: 7-3 Playoffs: Lost in first round Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE
Sept. 10 Mount Olive Sept. 16 @Morris Hills Sept. 24 Randolph Sept. 30 @Wayne Valley Oct. 8 Roxbury Oct. 14 @ West Morris Oct. 21 @ Millburn Oct. 29 Columbia Nov. 5 @Mendham
Above: Morris Knolls QB Nick Vittorio; Left: Showing off the right attitude at practice. Photos by Warren Westura
Left: Running back Connor Chegwidden; Above: Morris Knolls Head Coach Bill Regan.
PAGE 28 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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MORRISTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
New CoaCh, SeNiorS ready To TurN ThiNgS arouNd aT MorriSTowN
By PAUL BRUNO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MORRISTOWN — Jesse Unger is thoroughly prepared for his final season on the football field for Morristown. “As a senior I feel like I have to make sure everyone is working together,” said the Colonial running back. “Maybe last year we weren’t focused enough and played like individuals. We weren’t together. But this year everybody is coming together. Everyone is competing to get better.” The Colonials enter this fall campaign ready to improve on last season’s 3-7 finish — and with a new coach in John Power. The coach recognized what aspects he wanted to focus on. “I think the main thing in football is to be strong and be in good condition,” Powers said. “If you’re not, it is hard to play at a high level. When you are in shape and strong it gives your team a lot more confidence. Collectively, that belief permeates the entire team.” Power and his staff especially keyed in on the overall strength of the club. “Our staff has done a great job in the weight room and the players have bought into what we are trying to do,” he said. “It’s not overly complicated. It really just comes down to fundamentals and being an aggressive football team.” Morristown most surely will look offen-
Photos by Paul Hamilton
Above: Key Morristown key players include, from left, TE/LB Justin Burke, lineman El-Amin Bashir, lineman Matt Napoleom and DB/WR Josh Szott; Right: New Head Coach John Power. sively to use its assets at the skill position against opponents. Unger, junior Jhamil King and senior Andrew Chilson all return in the backfield and will provide a strong ground game for the Colonials. On the flanks Power is confident in wideouts Josh Szott (senior) and Nate Esterverne (junior). Junior Jake Buckner has impressed thus far running the offense at quarterback. The increased power has been noticeable in the fine line play displayed by seniors
Isaac Castillo and Matt Napoleon, junior Thomas Hussey and sophomore El-Amin Bashir. Senior tight end Justin Burke appears ready for an impressive campaign as well. “I like our offense this season,” Unger said. “We have some very good running backs and receivers, maybe the strongest groups we’ve had in a couple of years; and our line play has been very strong. Last year PLEASE SEE MORRISTOWN, PAGE 29
FOOTBALL 2016
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 29
MORRISTOWN FROM PAGE 28
we weren’t as crisp but now we are and I think that and our increased strength will be very important for us.” On the other side Unger and senior Ryan Gilmore will anchor the defense. After Morristown earned a 34-28 overtime victory over Mendham to improve to 3-2 last season the Colonials struggled and finished the season with a fivegame winless streak. “When we first met coach Power and Head Coach: John Power (1st year) his staff he said he wanted us to put Section: North 1, Group 5 forth our best effort,” Unger recalled. Last Year’s Record: 3-7 Coach Power told us that we had talent Playoffs: Didn’t qualify and skill and it has been great partnerReturning Starters (Offense/Defense): ship between the players and the coach3/3 es.” Power knew that tweaking his team’s SCHEDULE psyche was a critical factor in moving Sept. 9 @West Side forward. Sept. 16 Parsippany “We wanted them to know that they had the talent and that the record last Sept. 23 Millburn season didn’t reflect what would happen Sept. 30 vs. West Essex this year,” he said. “We were focused on getting them out of the mindset of last Oct. 8 @Montville year’s final record and forget about that Oct. 15@Lincoln struggling. We know that they can be successful. With that said, it will take Oct. 21 Mountain Lakes time. You strive for success and then Oct. 29 @Whippany Park that will breed confidence.” The goal for the Colonials is to secure Nov. 4 Pequannock their first winning season since 2010, when they posted an 8-4 record and defeated Nutley, 40-6, in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 championship. “I have really liked the attitude of this team,” Power said. “They are good young men who are willing to work. We are trying to rebuild that culture of hard-nosed football that is Morristown football. We are definitely looking to re-ignite that at Morristown High School.” The Colonials will open the season on Sept. 10 when they play host to Roxbury. Unger and his teammates are ready for the challenge. “Roxbury will be a huge game for us,” he said. “They beat us last year (38-7), so we’ve been focused on that for a long time. I think we are ready. We want to make a big impression this year.”
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Clockwise from top: Defensive tackle El-Amin Bashir; DB/WR Josh Szott; TE/LB Justin Burke; DT/OG Matt Napoleon. Photos by Paul Hamilton
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PAGE 30 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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MORRISTOWN-BEARD HIGH SCHOOL
Crimson Hopes To puT Winless 2015 in rearvieW mirror
By LOU MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MORRISTOWN — Forget last year. It’s a new season for the Morristown-Beard football team. Coming off a 0-9 season, the only way is up for Mo-Beard as it kicks off its 2016 campaign at St. Anthony in Jersey City on Sept. 2. The Crimson opens its season with three of its first four games on the road with its lone home contest versus People’s Prep of Newark on Sept. 9. Having lost 10 straight games since 2014, Mo-Beard is looking for its first victory since a 40-6 road triumph against Newark Academy in 2014. “I think for the boys, they need a win. St. Anthony is pretty explosive offensively and we are just looking to compete,” said Morristown-Beard head coach Tim Fell, who is entering his fourth season at the helm. “I think it’s real urgent that we get off the schneid early, if not the opening week then the next couple of weeks after that.” Fell has some players to work with on his 29-man roster including the centerpiece of PLEASE SEE CRIMSON, PAGE 31
MORRISTOWN- BEARD CRIMSON Head Coach: Tim Fell (4th year) Section: Non-Public Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 0-9 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 2 @ St. Anthony Sept. 9 People’s Prep of Newark Sept. 17 @ Sussex Tech Sept. 24 @ Pennington Oct. 1 Riverdale (NY) Oct. 15 @ Hackley (NY) Oct. 22 Montclair Kimberley Oct. 29 @ Fieldston (NY) Nov. 5 Hopkins (CT) (at Newark
MorrristownBeard QB/LB Declan Kelly throws a pass in practice. Photo by Paul Hamilton
FOOTBALL 2016
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 31
CRIMSON FROM PAGE 30
the Crimson offense, junior Tahj Valentine. Valentine led last year’s offense with 120 carries for 648 yards and two touchdowns, along with 220 receiving yards. Junior Declan Kelly, a backup last season who was hampered by ankle issues, takes over the quarterback position. Kelly saw limited action last year, completing just eight-of-23 passes for 108 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Junior Ryan Russo also will have a hand in the offense, returning as a starting slot receiver from last year’s 58-reception, 620-yard season. “Ryan is a real dynamic kid,” said Fell. “He is fast with good hands and if we stay healthy and can protect our quarterback, he will get a lot of throws his way.” Three seniors headline the offensive line to give Kelly some needed protection. John Crispo, Garrett Ryon, and Brian Worts anchor the front, with sophomores Joe DePoalo and Patrick Salazar contributing. However, a loss on both sides of the ball will be senior offensive lineman and linebacker Oliver Stitt, who has been lost for the season due to mono. Last season, the Crimson lost its first two games by seven and eight points, scoring a total of 66 points. In its last seven games of the season, Mo-Beard totaled just 41 points and for the season, gave up an average of 33 points per game. Defensively, last year’s offensive coordinator Jared Cook, takes over the defensive coordinator’s position this season and will implement a 3-3 stack defense. “Basically we have to tackle and stop the run. A lot of our guys we had on defense are back this this year and we feel this new system will help us as we move forward,” Fell said. Coming back to help the defense are senior defensive back Jack Cipriano, senior linebacker Garrett Ryon, Valentine and Russo at defensive back, Kelly at middle linebacker, and junior Andrew Sokolowski at defensive back. Crispo and Worts, along with DePoalo and Salazar, solidify the defensive line, with 6-foot-2 junior Henry Hawkins contributing. “I don’t know if the kids have a chip on their shoulders, but I know they want to make right for last season. Our energy, effort, and enthusiasm has been awesome thus far, but there is just so much we can do as a coaching staff with the limited amount of kids we have, as we also have 12 freshmen on the squad this year,” Fell said. “My staff and I talked about not bringing up last year at all. It’s a new season with a new slate. I think we should definitely be more successful in the wins column.”
Clockwise from above: Morristown-Beard WR/CB Ryan Russo; Captain WR/HB/LB Justin Cipriano; Head Coach Tim Fell. Photos by Paul Hamilton
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FOOTBALL 2016
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MOUNT OLIVE HIGH SCHOOL
New Marauder CoaCh BriNgs Years of wiNNiNg experieNCe
By PAUL BRUNO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
MOUNT OLIVE — It may be Brian O’Connor’s first year in command of the Mount Olive football team, but he brings plenty of experience onto the sideline. O’Connor, who fashioned a 68-56 record that included four conference championships in 12 seasons at Wayne Valley, has been hard at work since the winter preparing the Marauders for this fall’s gridiron campaign. “It’s a new program but the experience of having been a head coach before is a big help,” said O’Connor. “You know more about what to do and what not to do. I was hired in February so I had time to get to know the players and to work with them in the off-season. They’ve done a great job in the weight room and the past few months hasn’t been much about Xs and Os. “We need to be in condition and mentally tough, and we’ve seen a big change in that regard. We were able to get a major renovation to our weight room and that’s made a big difference.” The Marauders are expecting the preparation to pay off this season as they look to improve on last year’s 2-8 finish. O’Connor has instituted a more technical approach on offense this season as
MOUNT OLIVE MARAUDERS Head Coach: Brian O’Connor (1st year) Section: North 1, Group 4 Last Year’s Record: 2-7 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 10 @ Morris Knolls Sept. 16 Mendham
WR/DB Marcquis Smallwood the Marauders will run a no-huddle, fastpaced scheme. “The players are learning,” said O’Connor. “It’s obviously a new offense so there is a learning curve. It’s different because it’s up-tempo and fast-paced. We want them to always play the next play, and not focus on the last play. Our offense will fit our personnel. We have a good number of skill guys and we want to force opponents to cover the perimeter.” Directing the attack will be junior quarterback Liam Anderson.
Sept. 23 High Point
Mount Olive Head Coach Brian O’Connor “Liam is a dual threat,” observed O’Connor. “He has football savvy, a strong arm and he can make things happen.” Senior Myles Shelton, junior Anthony DiJoseph and sophomore Flynn Brown will get plenty of handoffs lining up in the backfield. There appears to be reliable hands and speed on the flanks to spread opposing defenses out in senior wideout Marcquis Smallwood and juniors Lance Johnson and Evan Kelson. O’Connor is confident in his offensive
Sept. 30 @ West Morris Oct. 7 Hackettstown Oct. 14 @ Vernon Oct. 21 Roxbury Oct. 29 @ Chatham Nov. 4 @ Randolph line as well with seniors Jon Radel (G), Brandou Foushe (G), Matt Marro (C), PLEASE SEE MO, PAGE 33
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FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 33
MO FROM PAGE 32
Shane O’Connor (T), Paul Davis (T) and Spencer Labaska (TE) anchoring the front. On the other side of the ball Radel and Labaska are expected stalwarts on the defensive line in Mount Olive’s 4-3 set. Junior Ryan Hodgkins has posted an impressive camp and is an expected leader at linebacker. Davis and Isaac Santiago will also contribute on the defensive front. O’Connor has been impressed with his secondary, too, led by Smallwood, junior Rob Bockovich and Anderson Mount Olive will begin its season on Sept. 10 when it travels to Rockaway to kick off against Morris Knolls at 1 p.m. The Marauders were fine in their opening contest last season in downing High Point 27-19. But then the club struggled through seven tough losses before defeating Vernon, 28-19, in its final game. O’Connor is intent on again opening with a victory and trying to maintain that positive momentum. “When you’re looking at your first game or two of the season we aren’t much different than any other team,” said the coach. “We want to win and stay healthy. It’s pretty basic. We have some good skill players but we don’t want injuries. So you want to combine that with continued improvement and to get into the player’s heads that they must believe in themselves. If we can do those things maybe we can surprise some people. “I know many people may not believe it,” O’Connor added, “but we want to, and believe we can, compete for our conference and make the playoffs. We want to win now, not next year.”
Photos by Al Wehrhahn
Key Mount Olive players: Senior lineman Paul Davis, senior TE Spencer Labaska, junior QB Liam Anderson Far left: LB/TE Ryan Hodgins. Left: RB Paul Moore evades a tackle by DT Corey Weiss.
PAGE 34 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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MOUNTAIN LAKES HIGH SCHOOL
Herd Celebrates a Half-Century Of exCellenCe tHis fall
By KELLY FENTON SPORTS EDITOR
MOUNTAIN LAKES – It will be seven years since Doug Wilkins coached his final game at Mountain Lakes. It was, fittingly enough, a victory in the 2009 North 2, Group 2 championship at Giants Stadium: Wilkins’ 328th win and his eighth state title. It will also be 50 years this fall since Wilkins introduced the Thundering Herd tradition at Mountain Lakes back in 1966. That half-century of football excellence at the school will not go unnoticed, nor uncelebrated this fall, even as Wilkins continues to struggle with health issues. He still attends games, but in a wheelchair. “It’s been 50 years of excellence not only on the field but off in terms of training guys for life,” said seventh-year head coach Darrell Fusco said. “Just in terms of all the guys who still come back who Coach Wilkins had an influence on. He had a tireless passion for the game of football and for the development of young men and teams.” There may be cruel irony in the fact that just as the school acknowledges its nearly unprecedented gridiron dominance in New Jersey, it appears to be suffering one of its first downturns in years, having just finished off a 6-4 campaign that was bookended by losses to Madison in the first game of the season and in the final game in the state semifinals.
Photo by Warren Westura
The Wall of Honor: Plaques commemorating Mountain Lakes’ football championships. The school will celebrate the 50th anniversary of legendary Coach Doug Wilkins’ introduction of The Thundering Herd, which has won 11 state titles. While a 6-4 mark and a trip to the semis is something a majority of schools would take going in, consider this: Those four losses equal the number of losses the Herd suffered over the previous seven seasons, when they amassed a 77-4 mark, won four state championships and were runners-up in two others.
“We’re just going through a lot of changes,” Fusco said. “We just haven’t been at the level with our senior classes the last couple of years. Times have changed. Kids are playing other sports more year-round with club teams and don’t have the time to commit to our program.” The result last year was a drop from an average of 20 seniors to just 10 and from a total roster of 70 to only 40. This year, only 42 are on the roster. Whereas the Herd were wellknown for starting almost exclusively seniors, that will not be the case – out of necessity – this year. Since that was also the case last year, there will be some experience coming back, especially on the lines. But there will be little two-platooning up front on offense and defense. Senior guard Kevin O’Connor and junior A.J. Kloza are veterans in the trenches, while well-recruited 250-pound tackle Andrew Donohue will join Miles Harris-Hohn at tackle. Senior center Will Westenberger also returns. Junior Tommy Wyciskala will back up Harris-Hohn. Sophomore Jack Backer takes over at quarterback. Fusco said the 6-4, 190-pounder is good enough to eventually draw some college looks. He’ll have three top-notch tall targets at receiver, starting with 6-2 senior split end Ben Adams, as well as 6-3 junior Jake Marshall and 6-4 sophomore Jake Schicke. PLEASE SEE MT. LAKES, PAGE 35
MOUNTAIN LAKES HERD Head Coach: Darrell Fusco (7th year) Section: North 2, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 6-4 Playoffs: Lost in sectional semis Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 6/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 @Parsippany Sept. 16 Lincoln Sept. 23 Hanover Park Sept. 30 @Lenape Valley Oct. 7 Madison Oct. 15 @Whippany Park Oct. 21 @Caldwell Oct. 28 West Side (Newark) Nov. 4 @Mahwah
Mountain Lakes Head Coach Darrell Fusco
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FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 35
MT. LAKES FROM PAGE 34
Because of all that talent, Fusco said the Herd might well air it out a little more this fall. “At Mountain Lakes, everyone knows our bread and butter is the Wing T, but with the kids we have, I think we’ll definitely be putting the ball up a little more, even if it’s just in the short game,” he said. Junior tight end Frank Patracuolla will also figure into the air game. In the backfield, senior Collin Pond figures to be one of the feature halfbacks, and will share carries with sophomore halfbacks Matt Palazzi and Jason Luzzi. Captain Nick Palazzi, older brother of Matt and younger brother of Jack, who was a member of the 2014 state championships squad, will go at fullback. Defensively, O’Connor and Donahue are the likely defensive ends, while Wyciskala will line up at nose guard. Kloza and Luzzi, Mission Kercher and Pond will man the linebacker corps. Senior Benji Wuersch, a scheduled starter, will likely miss as many as six weeks with injury. Adams and Nick Palazzi will be at corner, with Marshall and Matt Palazzi as safeties. The kicker will be a dandy. Fusco figures sophomore Drew Brennfleck, who has already agreed to play lacrosse at Virginia, will set some school touchback records with his strong leg. If you do the numbers, you’ll find that Mountain Lakes starts only six seniors on offense and just four on defense. Included in those are seven positions that might be manned by sophomores. “We kind of put the ultimatum to the kids this year and tightened the reins and a lot of guys just decided not to come out,” Fusco said. “We haven’t had that in a long time. And then we weren’t blowing a lot of people out last year so some of the younger kids weren’t getting to play.” Fusco said that while he’d obviously take 12-0 over 6-4 anytime, he relishes the challenge that the changes have brought. “I think it opens up some doors for some younger kids,” he said. “You know, we came into last year on a long winning streak (24 games) and maybe we didn’t want to do different stuff. Now, you can do different things. Maybe the
Left: Mountain Lakes senior captains HB/S Collin Pond, left, and FB/CB Nick Palazzi. Below: QB Jack Baker. Photos by Warren Westura
younger kids are more eager to get out there on the field early. There is such a tradition here in Mountain Lakes that people start to talk and they’re wondering why aren’t kids playing football.” That’s not the only thing that’s changed. The North Jersey Super Conference has completely realigned Mountain Lakes’ schedule, leaving long-time rivals by the wayside and bring in bigger schools, almost all of whom are also part of the Herd’s section. They include Lincoln, which Mountain Lakes beat two seasons ago in the state sectional championship, Madison, which beat the Herd in the state championship in 2012, perennial power Caldwell, Hanover Park, Lenape Valley and Mahwah. “Eight of the teams on our schedule could be playoff teams,” Fusco said. “So far, I’ve been very pleased with the way the young kids have held their own in scrimmages with some bigger schools. We’re not at the level we’ve been in the past, but everyone is handling it well and the seniors have done a good job of getting the younger kids involved.” Launching it all this season will be a heartfelt expression of appreciation for all that Coach Wilkins has meant to the school and the community. “Coach has been a tremendous inspiration to not only the coaches and to Mountain Lakes football but to the people in the community,” Fusco said. “He’s the reason for our values and tradition.”
FOOTBALL 2016
PAGE 36 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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NORTH HUNTERDON HIGH SCHOOL
Lions RetuRn MajoRity of staRteRs, eye RetuRn to PLayoffs
By LOU MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
CLINTON TWP. — After a one-year hiatus, the North Hunterdon football team is looking to take the next step forward to returning to the NJSIAA state playoffs this fall. Returning 15 starters (7 on offense, 8 on defense), a solid core of players with experience and leadership is key for head coach Jared Mazzetta, who begins his third season at the helm when the Lions open its 2016 campaign at home against perennial state power Summit on Sept. 9 with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. “Our football program needs to take the next step this season. We have to understand each of the offensive, defensive, and special team’s philosophies. We need to take the hard work that we developed in the weight room in the off-season and apply it to the playing field,” said Mazzetta, who has posted back-to-back 5-5 regular season records, with the Lions’ lone trip to the state playoffs in his first year (2014). “One very important goal for our season is to develop relationships inside the program. Playing for each other and having a sense of community. Throughout this off-season, we worked on being a mentally-tough team, being in any situation and coming out with a positive response.” Having lost its leading rusher Robert Marron (190 carries, 1,015 yards, 12 touch-
Photo by Al Wehrhahn
North Hunterdon defensive front four, from left are Kayson Woolford, Christof Ennis, Charlie Tordik and Will Wood. downs) and its leading receiver Chris Tywanick (26 catches, 547 yards, four TDs) to graduation, the Lions offense will be led by junior quarterback Matt Busher. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder threw for 1,061 yards with seven TDs and also picked up 120 yards rushing.
Go LIONS!
Senior running back Mitchell Finnegan (300 yards rushing), junior wide receiver Luke Wain (200 rushing yards, 3 TDs), and senior wide receivers Kayson Woolford (nine catches, 120 yards) and Travis Morell (10 catches, 100 yards, one TD) all look to step up their games and support Busher on
Wishing you a Successful 2016 Season from all of us at the
the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, the Lions are strong and are led by Finnegan at strong safety (50 tackles), Woolford at defensive end (six sacks), senior defensive end Will Woody (58 PLEASE SEE NH, PAGE 37
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NH FROM PAGE 36
tackles, four sacks) and two 6-foor-3 senior defensive tackles in Charlie Tordik (56 tackles, two sacks) and Christof Ennis (33 tackles, two sacks). “With a lot of experience coming back in some very key positions, I think we are poised to push for a (MidState 38 – Raritan Division) championship and a state playoff berth (North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4),” said Mazzetta. “That being said, we will be putting on our hard hats in camp and going to work. We bring back and lot of our offense, and North Hunterdon Head on defense, our en- Coach Jared Mazzetta tire defensive line and secondary is back.” North Hunterdon ended its season last year on a high note, winning its last two games, including a 35-21 victory at Irvington in an NJSIAA Regional Crossover game on Nov. 14, but must improve its home record in Annandale as it finished with a 1-4 record as compared to a stellar 4-1 road slate. After its season opener, North Hunterdon goes on the road for four straight games (at Warren Hills (9/16), at Watchung Hills (9/23), at Immaculata (9/29), and at Bridgewater (10/7), before returning home for three of its next four games starting with Scotch Plains-Fanwood (10/14) and highlighted by its regular-season finale in the annual Milk Can Game versus Voorhees on Nov. 4.
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 37
NORTH HUNTERDON LIONS Head Coach: Jared Mazzetta (3rd year) Section: North 2, Group 4 Last Year’s Record: 5-5 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/8
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 Summit Sept. 16 @ Warren Hills Sept. 23 @ Watchung Hills Sept. 29 @ Immaculata Oct. 7 @ Bridgewater Oct. 14 Scotch Plains-Fanwood Oct. 21 @ Hillsborough Oct. 28 Phillipsburg Nov. 4 Voorhees (Milk Can Game)
Photos by Al Wehrhahn
North Hunterdon playmakers include, front row, from left: Luke Wain, Jared McMahon, Matt Rusher, Mitchell Finnegan; back row, from left: Charlie Tordik, Will Wood, Christof Ennis, Kayson Wollford.
From far left: WR Jared McMahon; WR Kayson Woolford; WB Matt Rousher.
FOOTBALL 2016
PAGE 38 Thursday, September 8, 2016
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
THE PINGRY SCHOOL
Big Blue Wants to Close out Mid-states 38 Play With a Winning season
By HARRY FREZZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
BERNARDS TWP. - Much of the talk surrounding The Pingry School football team since the end of last season has been about the program’s future, on the Big Blue exit from the Mid-State 38 Conference into the new Metropolitan Independent Football League starting next season. The league will be made up by private schools — Montclair Kimberley and Morristown Beard in New Jersey and Fieldston, Riverdale and Hackley in New York. “I’m looking forward to this private school league, it’s a whole bunch of men who want to save football at their schools, all fighting uphill battles, all kind of in the same boat,” said Big Blue coach Chris Shilts, adding that the plan is to expand the league to eight schools in the future. “We’re not running away from good football teams and we’ll still schedule some local public schools. Maybe a Bernards or Manville down the road.” Future schedules aren’t much interest to current players, out to orchestrate the team’s first winning season since 2003 when the Big Blue went 7-3 under Mike Webster. Shilts enters his ninth year at the helm and like his players would love to leave the MS38 on a memorable note. The Big Blue went 2-8 last year after a 1-9 season in 2014. “A lot of our problems were self-inflicted
PINGRY BIG BLUE Head Coach: Chris Schilts (9th year) Section: Non Public Group 3 Last Year’s Record: 2-8 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 7/7
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 @Brearley Sept. 16 at Manville Sept. 24 Bound Brook Oct. 1 Dayton Oct. 8 South Hunterdon Oct. 15 Roselle Park Oct. 22 at Belvidere Oct. 28 at Newark Academy Nov. 4 Bernards
Playmakers include, from left, Ryan Moylan, Joe Possumato, Rich LeGrand, Spencer Spellman, Jason Resnick. Pringry opens its season Friday, Sept. 9, at Bearley in Kenilworth. last season, a lot on the snap. We’d have a second and five turn into a second and 10, a lot of that is on me,” said Shilts. Optimism has been part of the early pre-
season. Part of that is because the Big Blue will carry much more experience this season. “We have been young,” Shilts said. “We
started seven 10th-graders last year. Now we lost a couple of those kids. Even though they started as sophomores, we lost a couple of PLEASE SEE PINGRY, PAGE 39
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 39
PINGRY FROM PAGE 38
those guys. But 24 of our 38 kids last year were ninth and 10th graders. We’re older so we should be a little better.” Seniors Jake Moss (RB-OLB), Spencer Spellman (QB-CB), Rich LaGrande (FB-DE), Joe Possumato, (RB-DB-K), Clay Galiardo (OT-DE), Ryan Boylan (OG-MLB), and Jason Resnick (C-DT) will be the heart of the team. Top juniors are Channing Russell (WR-DB), Clyde Leef (RB-DB), Tommy Dug an (OLDL) and Obi Nnaeto (WR-CB). Moss, also an outstanding lacrosse player, made all conference as a freshman. Spellman, Nnaeto and Possumato also got some starts two seasons ago because of injuries. Spellman passed for 126 yards and a score last year; Moss rushed Rich LeGrande for 318 yards and two TDs and LeGrande had 190 yards and two scores. Shilts is very encouraged by what junior back Zach Aanstoots may contribute. He ran for 117 yards on 31 carries in his first year in the sport. “We’re going to try to get Zach the ball,” said Shilts. “He’s a good player. We’re going to try to do a lot with him.” Moss is the leader on defense. He led the team with 77 tackles last year and Boylan was next at 68 with two sacks. “We had a nice first scrimmage the other day. I think we’re better,” said Shilts. “If we can be healthy we’ll be better. So far so good.”
Clockwise from above: Offensive lineman Ryan Boylan; Defensive lineman Clay Ganiardo; Head Coach Chris Shilts. Photos by Glenn Clark
PAGE 40 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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RANDOLPH HIGH SCHOOL
Second-year coach hopeS ramS can Win The cloSe oneS ThiS year
By LOU MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
RANDOLPH — With a year under his belt, head coach Tariq Holman looks to continue to move the Randolph football program in the right direction as it kicks off its season on the road at Sparta on Sept. 10. Last season, Randolph (4-6) jumped out to a quick start, having won two of its first three games, but dropped five of its last seven to close out the year with a 35-0 home loss to Northern Highlands in a NJSIAA Regional Crossover game on Nov. 12. With the season-ending loss, Randolph dropped to 1-5 at home despite an impressive 3-1 road record. “We lost three really close games including the season opener at home to Chatham (25-22) on the last play of the game,” Holman said. “Under my first season as head coach, the seniors did a really good job of laying the foundation for our future success and for the players that will take over moving forward.” Offensively, leading the way for the Rams this season will be senior running back/defensive back Carlo Zarro. Last season, Zarro led the team in rushing with 864 yards on 139 carries with 10 rushing touchdowns and also led the team in receiving with 16 receptions for 201 yards and one score. This season, Zarro is on pace to become
RANDOLPH RAMS Head Coach: Tariq Holman (2nd year) Section: North 1, Group 4 Last Year’s Record: 4-6 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 8/9
SCHEDULE Sept. 10 @ Sparta Sept. 16 Morristown Sept. 24 @ Morris Knolls Sept. 30 @ Livingston Oct. 7 West Morris Central Oct. 14 West Morris Mendham Oct. 21 Columbia Photos by Paul Hamilton
Key players are, from left, Sean Makovek, Jeramie Simmons and Carlo Zarro. the school’s all-time leading rusher and finish within the top three amongst Morris Country rushers all-time, currently standing at over 2,600 rushing yards and 21 career touchdowns. “My expectations for this season are very high. My team has been working tirelessly
in the weight room on the field and even in the film room. We are all determined to accomplish one common goal and that is winning a state championship,” said Zarro. “As for personal goals that would be to reach
Oct. 28 @ Roxbury Nov. 4 Mount Olive
Randolph Head Coach Tariq Holman
PLEASE SEE RAMS, PAGE 41
Go RAMS!
Wishing you a Successful 2016 Season from all of us at the
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Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 41
RAMS FROM PAGE 40
4,000 career rushing yards and with an offensive line as strong and as dedicated as the guys we have this year, that goal seems to be in reach for me.” Having shown interest from Ivy and Patriot League schools for next fall including Lehigh, Pennsylvania, Yale, Villanova, and Connecticut to name a few, Zarro knows this could be a special season. “This is a new year with a bunch of guys with a year of Holman under their belt. We know what he’s about now and we’re used to everything he is trying to teach us,” Zarro said. “We want to change that 4-6 record from last year around and come out with a winning season. Our team and I feel confident coming into this season in the sense that we have put in the work and are prepared.” Senior tight end/linebacker Nick Zach returns at the wide receiver spot and looks to add points via the kicker position and seniors Anthony Salemi and Nick Jung will coincide in the backfield with Zarro to solidify the Rams’ offense. Defensively, seniors Jeramie Simmons and Ryan Knox, along with junior Chandler Boykins set up a strong defensive line. A unique schedule awaits the Rams (North Jersey, Group 1, Section 4) as it joins the Garden State’s mega Super Conference (Freedom – Division A) opening its season with three of its first four games on the road and closing the season with four of its last five games at home, with one lone exception, its rivalry game at Roxbury on Oct. 28. “We expect to live up to the high standards of the past Randolph teams. We want to improve on every facet of our program to make it the best in the state for helping
We have it all!
Above: Randolph LB/OL Sean Makovec; Left: WR Jeramie Simmons Photos by Paul Hamilton
RB/DB Carlo Zarro young men rise to meet their greatest potential,” Holman said. “In my first season as head coach, I learned that the brand of football in Morris County is second to none in the state, that there are many great coaches that prepare their teams like no other and that each game takes a state playoff mindset of preparation and execution in order to be successful.”
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PAGE 42 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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ROXBURY HIGH SCHOOL
Loss 0f Dixon, sLew of other starters Leaves rams with Question marks
By LOU MONACO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ROXBURY TWP. – Coming off its best season since an 11-1 state championship in 2012 and having compiled a 16-5 record the last two seasons, the Roxbury football team has more questions than answers as it begins its 2016 campaign at Morristown on Sept. 10. Finishing with an 8-2 record and winning a share of the North Jersey Athletic Conference – National Division championship, the Gaels ended last season on a down note, losing to Wayne Hills, 35-14, in the first round of the NJSIAA, North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 state playoffs on Nov. 13. The two losses came in the last four games of the season. Quarterback Grant Dixon, who passed for more than 4,500 yards over the past two seasons, highlighted by 28 total touchdowns (19 through the air) last year, has been lost to graduation and with only two starters returning on offense, the rebuilding begins with senior running back Tucker Voelbel. Voelbel, who registered 757 all-purpose yards last year, was also the team leader in catches with 52 and tied for second in receiving yards (600) and touchdown receptions (five). Juniors Donovan Brady and Nick Amendola are both competing to take over for Dixon at the quarterback position.
ROXBURY GAELS Head Coach: Cosmo Lorusso (15th year)
Section: North 1, Group 4 Last Year’s Record: 8-2 Playoffs: Lost in first round Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 2/1
SCHEDULE Sept. 10 @ Morristown Sept. 16 Wayne Hills Photos by Paul Hamilton
Key Roxbury players include, from left, lineman Jake Babus, RB/DB Tyler Voelbel and quarterback Donovan Brady.
Sept. 23 @ Parsippany Hills Sept. 30 West Morris-Mendham Oct. 8 @ Morris Knolls Oct. 14 Sparta
Two-year starter and senior Jake Babus, who played center last season, will switch to tackle this season to anchor the offensive line as the Gaels return to a more traditional wing T offense, the same one implemented in 2009 and 2012, both of which brought state championship banners to the school. Some aspects of the spread offense will be mixed in as well as they have used the past two seasons to highlight Dixon’s skills and athleticism.
On defense, the Gaels implement multiple looks and coverages, as they typically start in a four- man front, playing with two inside linebackers and four defensive backs. But, according to the offense they face each week, those defensive alignments can change. Voelbel, who played safety last year, returns as the team’s lone defensive starter and Babus will also start on the defensive line, having rotated in and out at that posi-
Oct. 21 @ Mount Olive Oct. 28 Randolph Nov. 4 @ West Morris Central tion last season. Also looking to provide significant contributions on both sides of the ball are PLEASE SEE ROXBURY, PAGE 43
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ROXBURY FROM PAGE 42
junior running back/defensive back Michael Roumes, junior wide receiver/defensive back Anthony Perhacs, senior tight end/linebacker Matt Garofalo, junior running back/safety Kevin Sembrat, and junior tight end/linebacker Connor Mahoney. “With so many untested starters, it is hard to predict how things will turn out. We are hoping our guys rise to the challenge and are hoping that some guys surprise us in a good way,” said Roxbury head coach Cosmo Lorusso. “The class that just graduated was always a dominant class and had many playmakers that the guys behind them didn’t get much time. Our starters this year were always behind the guys in the spotlight. Well now the spotlight is on them. They have been preparing hard for this moment. This group has improved every day and they have bought in to what we are trying to accomplish. I am very proud of their effort and attitude so far and hope their hard work is rewarded with wins.” It’s also a new look for Roxbury on the Garden State’s football landscape as it will be competing in the newly-formed North Jersey Super Football Conference. They will compete in the Freedom Red Division, which also includes West Morris, Randolph, Mendham, Morris Knolls, and Mount Olive. Their non-division games are against Morristown, Wayne Hills, Parsippany Hills, and Sparta. “For us, the only change to the schedule is that Wayne Hills took the place of Delbarton,” Lorusso said. “Otherwise, it is a schedule that goes back to our old Iron Hills Conference days. I am glad we were able to keep our traditional rivalry games. One of the things I don’t like is that our division is only comprised of six teams. Winning a sixteam division championship is not equal to winning a nineteam conference championship. I hope they expand the divisions so that we don’t dilute the value of a divisional championship.” Lorusso begins his 15th season at Roxbury, needing just three victories to reach 150 for his career and four wins to record 100 triumphs at Roxbury, which would tie him with former head coach and legend Jim Fiorello, currently the winningest football coach in school history.
Clockwise from above left: Roxbury RB Tyler Voelbel; lineman Jake Babus; QB Donovan Brady; Head Coach Cosmo Lorusso. Photos by Paul Hamilton
PAGE 44 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Key Personnel losses leave ridge CoaCh UndaUnted heading into 2016
By KELLY FENTON SPORTS EDITOR
BERNARDS TWP. – Ridge High School was one tipped pass away from making it back to the sectional championship for the first time since 2013 last November. That loss to Bridgewater-Raritan came by a single point after Ridge coach Bill Tracy opted to go for the two-point conversion in the first overtime after the Red Devils had scored to pull within one in the North 2, Group 5 semifinals. The decision, while strategic in nature, was also a testimony to the trust he has routinely put in his players from the time he arrived at Ridge in 2009. “During the timeout, everyone said they wanted to go for two and that was awesome,” Tracy said after that loss to Bridgewater. “That is what competing and coaching is all about. I was grateful they wanted to do that.” That is the attitude he’ll once again bring into a 2016 season that will feature plenty of new faces in positions all across the board. Gone is quarterback Duncan Roberts (2,124 yards passing, 18 touchdowns, just seven interceptions), top pass catcher Kermit Hoffman (46 catches, 770 yards, 7 TDs), the two leading running backs in Hoffman (701 yards, 12 TDs) and Ben Rengulbai (857 yards, 12 TDs) and four of the five starters on the offensive line. So you can see why a positive outlook
RIDGE RED DEVILS Head Coach: Bill Tracy (8th year) Section: North 1, Group 5 Last Year’s Record: 6-5 Playoffs: Lost in sectional semis Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 4/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 Montgomery Sept. 17 @Westfield Sept. 23 @ Linden Sept. 30 Plainfield Oct. 7 Hillsborough Oct. 14 @Immaculata Photos by Glenn Clark
Ridge Captains are, fromleft, Mark O’Brien, Aidan Murphy, Dan Skea, Matt Rusiniak. would be important in the face of all those losses. “We’ve had a great summer,” said Tracy, whose Red Devils walloped Elizabeth in the first round of the playoffs last year and finished the season 6-5. “We had outstanding attendance and we saw some good things in a scrimmage with Roxbury from guys who were in there for the first time. I’m very happy with the team right now.”
Among the key ingredients returning on offense are center Mark O’Brien, who will be heading off to play at Bryant University next year, running back Dan Skea (318 yards rushing, 3 TDs, 17 catches for 334 yards, 2 TDs), tight end Matt Rusiniak (29 catches for 447 yards and 5 TDs), and Brandon Radice, who will move from running PLEASE SEE RIDGE, PAGE 45
Oct. 21 Union Oct. 28 Elizabeth Nov. 4 @ Watchung Hills
Ridge Head Coach Bill Tracy
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FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 45
RIDGE FROM PAGE 44
back to quarterback, despite never having played the position. “We have two good quarterbacks with Brandon and Aidan Murphy,” Tracy said. “Duncan taught them well. We always knew Brandon had a strong arm from just watching him in practice and he expressed an interest. His arm strength is right up there with some of the best I’ve coached. He’s a definite running threat and if things break down on a pass play, he has good quickness and speed. “We’re lucky to have two good quarterbacks. Aidan would start at a lot of schools.” Skea will be the feature halfback after starting the past two seasons. Tracy said Skea, who was injured throughout last season, should be fun to watch as he “takes it to a new level.” The left halfback will be Brody Bunsa, returning from a lacrosse injury two years ago. Bunsa is smart and has good hands and should be a threat in the passing game. R.J. Milligan and Reid Handabaka should share fullback duties. Milligan also missed most of last year. Backing up Skea and Bunsa at halfback will be Ryan Gogerty and Devin Steiglitz. Anthony Lusardi returns at left end after catching seven passes a year ago, while Rusiniak will man the right end slot, with Scott Chiriaco and Andrew Herrington backing them up. Tracy said the line, though largely new, is shaping up. It’s all built around the 6-3, 275-pound O’Brien at center. Flanking him at guard will be Miles Cicchetti and Matthew Giordano. Andrew Ursino will line up at left tackle, while Chris Breault and
Photos by Glenn Clark
Left to right from above: Ridge lineman Mark O’Brien;QB Brandon Radice; LB Matt Rusiniak. George Islinger are battling for the other tackle slot. Ridge has a little more size than usual up front. Brendan Hennessy Rose and Luke Ganny are next in line in the trenches. O’Brien and John Mullins (who has received a couple of scholarship offers) will join Ganny and Cicchetti on the interior line. “John started the second half of the season for us and is really active on defense,” Tracy said. Mullins averaged 4.5 stops a game and led the team with eight tackles for loss. Lining up at one end is Skea, a Merrimac
lacrosse signee, while Herrington will man the other side. Leading tackler Rusiniak (10.4 tackles per game, six for loss), a three-year starter who wreaked havoc on foes in 2015, will line up at linebacker alongside Jack Forand, with Handabaka next in line. Murphy returns at defensive back after averaging 3.1 stops a year ago, while Bunsa will take over at the other defensive halfback position. Battling it out for safety are Radice (3.9 tackles) and Chiriaco. Noah Graves and Nolan Hughes will share kicking duties, with Lusardi listed as
the punter. The new conference alignment has Watchung Hills and Hillsborough back in Ridge’s division, while Elizabeth also joins the league. Ridge hosts Montgomery on Sept. 9 before traveling to Westfield in Week 2. “We have to do a better job in our running game, based on our last scrimmage,” Tracy said, by way of assessing his team’s prospects. “But all our backs are big and physical and all can catch the ball. Brandon can throw to any of our kids. And he has shown pinpoint accuracy and has a great arm for the deep ball. The main thing for Brandon being a first-year starter at quarterback will be adjusting to facing pressure and being able to read defenses and pick open receivers. “It’s a lot to take on, but so far, he’s done great.”
PAGE 46 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
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VOORHEES HIGH SCHOOL
YOUNG VIKINGS HOPE TO EXTEND STREAK OF WINNING SEASONS TO FIVE
By CHRIS ORLANDO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LEBANON TWP. — The youth movement is in full swing for the Voorhees High football team. With just 10 seniors on the squad, the Vikings will rely on a bevy of underclassmen – including 22 juniors – to look to make its mark this fall. And a winning record would continue a trend of recent history that has seen Voorhees put together four straight winning campaigns for the first time in school history all under fifth-year head coach Robert Angstadt. “The players have done a nice job over the last few years producing winning seasons,” said Angstadt, who has guided the Vikings to a 6-4 mark each of the last four years. “This year we’re a little thin on seniors but we have a very strong junior class and some sophomores will be under fire.” One of those juniors garnering a lot of attention is junior tailback/outside linebacker Colin Tong. “Colin is a player who will definitely share more of the load for us this year,” said Angstadt. “He’ll be playing both sides of the ball and won’t be sitting out many plays.” Another junior that will be looked at to produce is junior quarterback/free safe-
VOORHEES VIKINGS Head Coach: Robert Angstadt (5th year)
Section: North 2, Group 3 Last Year’s Record: 6-5 Playoffs: Lost in first round Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 Gov. Livingston Sept. 16 @Cranford Sept. 23 Somerville Sept. 30 Rahway Oct. 7 @North Plainfield Oct. 14 Delaware Valley Photo by Al Wehrhahn
Voorhees Captains: Albert Metzler, William McDonald, Connor Brown. ty Jack McCabe. McCabe has some big shoes to fill as he takes over for 2016 graduate Charlie Rodenberger, who was a threeyear standout at the position. For his career, Rodenberger threw for 2,652 yards and 29 touchdowns and also ran for another 29
touchdowns and additional 2,188 yards on the ground. This year’s roster includes seniors Connor Brown, Patrick Evers, Eli Jones, Thomas Leonessa, William McDonald, Albert Metzler, Adam Murdock, Jacques Pereira,
Oct. 21 @Bernards Oct. 28 Warren Hills Nov. 4 @North Hunterdon Colton Riley and Kevin Thor. In addition to Tong and McCabe, the slew of juniors PLEASE SEE VOORHEES, PAGE 47
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FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 47
VOORHEES FROM PAGE 46
include Evan Anderson, Aiden Baumstark, Michael Bohm, Joseph Cafaro, Evan Cortese, Jared Crampton, Matt Czerw, Jonathan Davis, Tommy Driscoll, Kyle Enchill, Scott Fernandes, Dan Haus, Alex Hufford, Luke Marturana, Michael Norment, Will Rodenberger, Matthew Rojas, John Roncoroni, Grayson Sieber and Josh Trudel. Incoming sophomores include Charles Eberle, George Eberle and Sam Huff. Voorhees will get a sense of where it stands right away as it plays host to Gov. Livingston in its season opener on Sept. 9. The Vikings have defeated Gov. Livingston, its Mid State 38 Raritan Division foe each of the last four years. Voorhees finished in second place with a 4-2 record in the seven-team division last fall, trailing only undefeated Cranford, which went 12-0 and captured the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 title. Voorhees played Cranford twice last season, dropping a very competitive 49-24 decision in the regular season before bowing, 56-7, in the opening round of the sectional tournament. Joining Voorhees in the Mid State 38 Raritan Division are Somerville, North Plainfield, Bernards and Warren Hills and Delaware Valley. Cranford and Gov. Livingston are now in the Mountain Division but remain on the Vikings’ schedule along with Rahway and North Hunterdon. The North Hunterdon game takes place on Nov. 4 at North Hunterdon and will mark the 41st playing of the annual Milk Can Game. A year ago, North Hunterdon won a wild 39-32 decision in two
Junior guard Tommy Driscoll, right, goes up against defensive tackle Adam Murdock. overtimes to take a 27-12-1 lead in the series. “I know that’s a huge game to the community and the fans but for us its just another game on the schedule,” said Angstadt. “I want the players to play with the same intensity every single game on the schedule. If we win it’s a nice cherry on top, but at that point of the season, hopefully the focus is on the playoffs.” Before Angstadt took over the reins four years ago, Voorhees suffered through eight straight losing seasons. Its last winning season prior to 2012 was when it finished 7-3 in 2003. Voorhees last won a playoff game in 2002 when it defeated Long Branch and advanced to the semifinal round of the Central Jersey, Group 2 bracket. It won its only state title in 1995 when it captured the Central Jersey, Group 2 championship. “We started to set the tone two to three years ago,” began Angstadt about his team’s recent success. “It’s something we definitely want to keep going. “We’re starting fresh this year and right now just concentrating on getting ready for our first game.”
Photos by Al Wehrhahn
Voorhees junior playmaker, from left: DE Luke Marturana, QB John McCabe, RB/LB Colin Tong
Left: RB Kevin Thor. Above: QB John McCabe
RB Kevin Tho
FOOTBALL 2016
PAGE 48 Thursday, September 8, 2016
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
WATCHUNG HILLS REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
A GiAnt AmonG them: Former nFL LinemAn tAkes over WArrior heLm By KELLY FENTON SPORTS EDITOR
WARREN TWP. – There is no truth to the rumor that the NFL Giants are calling Rich Seubert out of retirement after offensive line woes plagued them in their first two exhibition games. No, Seubert, who retired with a Super Bowl ring after the 2010 season, is thrilled with the second leg of his professional life – as new head football coach at Watchung Hills Regional High School. “I’m enjoying coaching these boys,” he said. “Besides, I don’t get down the field quite like I used to.” Seubert is the third coach in three years at the school, following a one-year stint by Mike Katz, who presided over a 4-6 campaign. Seubert was an assistant during a season in which the Warriors radically altered their offensive philosophy – from Wing T to Spread. But with the graduation of record-setting quarterback Mark Ball (175 completions, 25 touchdowns, 2,386 yards) and record-setting wide receiver Frank Rica (81 catches, 1,031 yards, 15 TDs), the Warriors figure this season to settle somewhere into a happy medium between the two offensive mindsets. “We’re going to have a mixed offense,” Seubert said. “We’ll do what works. We’ll watch tapes and find (other teams’) weak-
Former Giants lineman Rich Seubert is the new head coach at Watchung Hills Regional High School.
WATCHUNG HILLS WARRIORS Head Coach: Rich Seubert (1st year) Section: North 2, Group 5 Last Year’s Record: 4-6 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense):
Photo by Glenn Clark
5/6
SCHEDULE Sept. 9 @Union Sept. 16 @Elizabeth Sept. 23 North Hunterdon Sept. 30 Westfield Oct. 7 @Phillipsburg Oct. 15 @Plainfield Oct. 21 Linden Oct. 28 @Hunterdon Central Nov. 4 Ridge nesses and try to exploit those. I’m not going to say we’re going to run 60 times a game. Our philosophy is it doesn’t matter who gets the ball; it’s who gets the ‘W’ on
Friday night.” While the Warriors lost the two players who accounted for more than two-thirds of their offense, they have some big-play threats coming back. The most explosive of those by far is senior running back Nadir Beyah, who averaged nearly 18 yards a catch over 28 receptions, three of which went for touchdowns. Beyah also led the limited rushing attack, accounting for 303 of the team’s mere 678 yards on the ground. “Nadir worked hard this year,” Seubert said. “He’s a lot headier. He’s learning more what everyone else’s role is in a play, not
• • • •
just his part. We’re going to put him everywhere because he’s so explosive, but we also have plenty of other weapons. This team is not going to be about individual stats. It’s about winning on Friday night.” Those other weapons include junior running back Zahveae Thorne, who caught 10 passes last season but got limited opportunities in the running game. Nick Ugarte is the second leading returning receiver (13 catches, 191 yards, 4 TDs) and will be joined in the receiving corps by backup ‘X’ PLEASE SEE WH, PAGE 49
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FOOTBALL 2016
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Watchung Hills lineman Michael Bereheiko.
Left: QB Jack Smith; Above: Linebacker Jonathan Taub.
wideout Lamar Evans. “Nick is one of the toughest kids we’ve got and has been doing everything right,” Seubert said. “We’ve got enough balls to go around to everyone based on the best possible matchups. So we’re going to lean on those four or five guys a lot. We want to keep everyone involved and happy.” Others expected to fit into the passing game are wideouts Jordan Clark, a big-bodied senior at 6-3, 230, Michael Assante and senior Matt Lampert. Assante, who played on the freshman team last year, is one of the fastest players on the team, Seubert said. Jack Smith has earned the starting nod at quarterback as the only Warrior to see any time at all last year with Ball running the show so magnificently. Seubert said Smith is improving every day. While Watchung Hills lost some dandy veterans up front, they return a couple of experienced linemen in Michael Bereheiko and Michael Montecalvo, both packing a lot of beef at 250 pounds. Junior Devin Moffitt and seniors Chris Pinho, Cross Zampetti and Frankie Yarussi will all see significant time in the trenches. “Nothing’s set in stone just yet,” Seubert said. “We have some scrimmages coming up and we’ll find the best five guys.” Seubert obviously hopes to improve on a defense that allowed nearly 33 points a game, and his best hope, experience-wise, comes from the secondary, where Beyah, Ugarte and Thorne return as either starters or significant contributors. Evans also will man a slot in the secondary. Wide receiver and defensive back are where Seubert will enjoy the greatest depth and experience. Up front, most of the offensive linemen will man the trenches on the other side. Pinho leads the way after a team-high four sacks, seven tackles for loss and five tackles a game. “Chris is quick off the edge and good at getting in the gaps,” Seubert said. “We’re going to be aggressive on defense. We’re not going in thinking football,
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 49 we’re going in to play football. I think you’re hurting yourself if you’re thinking too much during the snap.” Linebacker is a work in progress, with seniors Lampert and Josh Lontai joining junior Jonathan Taub. Junior Michael Miller will also compete at outside linebacker. Des p i t e g iv i n g up all those points last year – in part due to the Warr i o r s ’ q u i ck strike offense – the Warriors forced 18 turnovers. Seubert is serious about getting the program moving forward – the Warriors have just one winning season since 2006 – but is also stressing fun and camaraderie. “We aren’t setting any specific goals this year,” he Watchung Hills RB Nadir Beyah said. “We want to have fun and play football and find a way to win every game. They’re excited about the opportunities we’re going to give them. “Someone told me the other day they’d been around the program 25 years and they couldn’t remember a home playoff game here. I want to give these guys a chance. I want this to be the first team that began to turn this around.”
PAGE 50 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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WEST ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL
New CoNfereNCe, Same KNight goal: wiN a State ChampioNShip
By CHRIS ORLANDO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
NORTH CALDWELL — While the West Essex High football team is embarking on a brand new venture this fall — participating in the newly-formed and much-ballyhooed 113-team North Jersey Super Football Conference — there are still some old school tenets that remain. “We have a certain level of expectations here at West Essex,” said head coach Chris Benacquista. “It’s been awhile since we’ve won a state title and that something that we’re not used to. “No matter what conference we’re in, that goal remains the same — to win a state championship.” The Knights are coming off a 2015 season in which it finished 6-5 and lost in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament to Chatham, 45-6, in Chatham. West Essex began last year winning five of its first six games before dropping four of its last five contests. The first three losses in that skein were to Seton Hall Prep, Montclair and Bloomfield. It marked the second straight season the Knights finished 6-5 playing in the ultra-tough American Division of the Super Essex Conference. “We’re a Group 3 school and playing a steady diet of Group 5, Group 4 and Non-Public schools can wear on you,” Benacquista said. “That definitely took a
WEST ESSEX KNIGHTS Head Coach: Chris Benacquista (6th year)
Section: North 2, Group 3 Last Year’s Record: 6-5 Playoffs: Lost in sectional semis Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 2/4
SCHEDULE
Sept. 9 Nutley Sept. 16 @West Morris Sept. 23 Orange Sept. 30 @Caldwell Oct. 8 @Chatham Oct. 14 Parsippany Hills Oct. 22 @Ferris Photos by Warren Westura
Key Knights: RB/LB Brian O’Neil, LB Michael Lacovara, OL Dan Searle, physical and psychological toll on us the past two years. It can really beat you down.” Also hampering the Essex County school was a slew of injuries that also slowed down the Knights last year as it pursued its first state title since winning the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 crown in 2011. The Knights were never really in its sec-
tional semifinal against Chatham last fall, falling behind, 31-0, at the half and 38-0 after three quarters. “That loss is a true source of motivation for us,” said Benacquista. “We were beat up and banged up pretty good, but Chatham thumped us pretty good. All credit to them.”
Oct. 28 Barringer Nov. 4 @Hanover Park
As fate would have it, West Essex and Chatham are both situated in the NJSFC Patriot White Division along with Parsippany Hills, Orange, Nutley, Barringer and PLEASE SEE WE, PAGE 51
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 51
WE FROM PAGE 50
Ferris. West Essex will look to gain a measure of revenge for its playoff loss when it plays at Cougar Field in Chatham on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. But before the Knights get to that contest, its inaugural NJSFC season will begin on Sept. 9 when it takes on Nutley at home at 7 p.m. West Essex defeated Nutley, 28-7, in its firstround playoff game last fall. West Essex will then play three of its next four games on the road, including non-conference games at West Orange (Sept. 16) and at neighborhood rival Caldwell (Sept. 30). The Knights will wrap up it’s regular season on Nov. 4 with a non-conference game at Hanover Park on Nov. 4. “That game will definitely bring back memories of the old Iron Hills Conference games that we’ve had in the past,” said Benacquista, who is embarking on his sixth season at the helm of the Knights. “Playing in this new conference will be a different feeling but I feel it’s going to be a positive experience.” West Essex lost a bunch of seniors to graduation and returns only two starters on offense and four on defense. But one of those returnees is star running back/linebacker Brian O’Neill. The 6-2, 225-pound senior has been a consistent performer for the Knights, leading the team in rushing last year as well as recording 111 tackles. “Brian has been a tremendous football player for us,” said Benacquista. “He’s been a great leader with a tremendous work ethic and he’s been getting a lot of interest from schools like Lehigh, Lafayette, Buffalo and William and Mary.” O’Neill will be joined in the backfield by senior fullback Mike Lacovara, junior running back Vin Scaglia and sophomore quarterback Zach Lemanski. Senior Drew Lepre, who caught 20 passes for 300 yards last year, returns at wide
West Essex junior LB/G Frank Jineta receiver. Here is Benacquista’s probable lineup for its season opener against Nutley. (Offense) QB: Lemanski. RB: O’Neill, Scaglia. FB: senior Mike Lacovara. WR: Lepre. TE: senior Brett Reo. OT: senior Dean Girardo, senior P.J. Scheer. OG: senior Vin Salvatoriello. OC: senior Mike Contreras. (Defense) DE: Scheer, senior Danny Searle. NG: junior Gerard Onorata. LB: O’Neill, Lacovara, junior Anthony Sangillo, Reo. SS: sophomore Will Perez. CB: Lepre, senior Rani Abdulaziz. FS: Scaglia. Benacquista, who owns a career record of 42-13 at West Essex, would like nothing more than to see the Knights return to its former glory years when it captured state titles in 1974, ‘80, ‘01, ‘03, ‘04, ‘06, ‘07 and ‘11. “It’s been a drought of sorts,” said Benacquista. “The seniors on this team haven’t won a championship and I know that’s something that pushes them. We have a strong sophomore class this year, and along with the experience that we bring back, I know they’ll be giving it their all.”
Clockwise from above: RB Brian O’Neil; QB Brian Contaldi; West Essex Head Coach Chris Benacquista. Photos by Warren Westura
FOOTBALL 2016
PAGE 52 Thursday, September 8, 2016
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WEST MORRIS CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Wolfpack Way: Wing T, SeniorS and poSTSeaSon BerThS
By HARRY FREZZA CONTRIBUTING WRITER
WASHINGTON TWP. — For nearly all of its history – from virtually its first varsity football game in 1959 – the West Morris High School football team has won behind the Wing-T. The buck sweep, guard trap and waggle have been the team’s staple, contributing to four section titles and 17 playoff appearances in coach Kevin Hennelly’s 20 years. Perhaps what’s so impressive is that opponents know exactly what’s coming from year to year, but knowing hasn’t been good enough to stop the Wolfpack from earning the current streak of eight straight playoff berths. ‘We’ll run the ball 90 percent and we’ll do some play action, but it won’t go anywhere if you can’t run it,” said Hennelly, who took over as coach after being an assistant from 1991-’96. “We have a couple things outside of it (Wing-T), but we don’t surprise people. Offense, defense .. they know what we run.” The running game will feature senior fullback Cole Draghi, who was a 1,000-yard rusher last season. He picked up 250 yards in terrible conditions in a win over Randolph. He will also return kicks and punts. Senior halfback Jake Congdon wasn’t a starter last season, but will be this year, Hennelly said. Junior halfback Chris Col-
Photos by Paul Hamilton
Key Wolfpack players: Jake Congdon, Ryan Finlay, Peter Taylor and Cole Draghi. atriano and Bryce Sokolowski will also get time. Senior Mike Egan returns at tight end and is also the team’s place kicker. Junior Chad Lusardi will back Egan up at tight
end. Senior Johnny Radossich is one of the wide receivers The contest between seniors Garrett Izzo and Ryan Finlay for starting quarterback
was still not determined at press time. Finlay was to start the game scrimmage with PLEASE SEE WOLFPACK, PAGE 53
FOOTBALL 2016
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
WOLFPACK FROM PAGE 52
Hunterdon Central. “Both are strong athletes, students of game, it’ll probably come down to who manages the game better,” said Hennelly. “Garrett is the finesse guy and is smooth with his deliveries; Finlay is a throwback, like a linebacker playing quarterback. He doesn’t mind the quarterback bellies.” Senior guard Taylor Parkinson-Gee (60, 250) and senior tackle Erik Henwood (61, 235) anchor the offensive line. The center is junior Thomas Pelligrino. Junior PJ Wright (5-11, 205) and junior Rourke Colligan (5-11, 195) are guards “Our line is very important when you run it like we do; it’s tackle-to-tackle,” said Hennelly. Egan, Henwood and Parkinson-Gee are the vets up front in the 50 defense. Pelligrino is a nose guard and senior tackle Mike Bolla – who got most of his time in goal Line situations last season – will be more of a factor. Senior Matt Steen also returns at tackle. The linebackers will be junior Rouke Colligan, senior Zach Meister, Finlay and senior Cameron Beltran. The secondary has a retuning starter in senior corner Peter Taylor and Congdon, Sokolowski, Izzo, Draghi, Radossich. Finlay will be the starting punter with Sokolowski in reserve. “A lot of our guys go both ways,” said Hennelly “Every senior has a place – we have 11 seniors- and they will all play for the most part through special teams. I like seniors to carry load. Seniors have a tendency to step up their play, they have my trust. They have been in the program for four years.”
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 53
WEST MORRIS CENTRAL WOLFPACK Head Coach: Kevin Hennelly (21st year)
Section: North 1, Group 4 Last Year’s Record: 7-3 Playoffs: Lost in first round Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 5/5
SCHEDULE
Sept. 9 @Parsippany Hills Sept. 16 West Essex Sept. 24 @Morristown Sept. 30 Mount Olive Oct. 7 @Randolph Oct. 14 Morris Knolls Oct. 22 @Sparta Oct. 29 @Mendham Nov. 4 Roxbury
Clockwise from left: West Morris Central FB/LB Cole Draghi; RB/LB Jake Congdon; QB Ryan Finlay. Photos by Paul Hamilton
West Morris Central Head Coach Kevin Hennelly
PAGE 54 Thursday, September 8, 2016
FOOTBALL 2016
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
WHIPPANY PARK HIGH SCHOOL
New CoaCh Looks To offeNsive LiNe To heLp improve from 2015
By PAUL BRUNO CONTRIBUTING WRITER
WHIPPANY — The Whippany Park football team has toiled these past few months preparing itself for a fresh start this fall. The gridiron outlook is looking up for the Wildcats, who enter the season with firstyear coach Don Morgenroth taking command. “As far as expectations we are looking to
be a .500 team or better,” said Morgenroth, who had coached the previous three seasons at Montville after a three-year stint at Chatham. “And we definitely want to compete with all the teams in our conference (North Jersey Super Football Conference Group II American Division).” The Wildcats struggled through a difficult opening last year, posting an 0-4 record before earning their first victory in a 3427 verdict over Wallkill Valley in mid-Oc-
tober of 2015. The squad did respond and was able to earn victories in two of its last three contests, downing Newton (44-26) and Newark Central (27-12) to close out its season at 3-7. But Morgenroth is eyeing a better finished product this season. As always there will be holes to plug on both sides of the ball as the Wildcats graduated several talented starters from 2015 with the likes of RBs Joe Michalewsky and
Michael Lacitignola, WRs Robert Greenwald and Mark Basista John McGuire. But PLEASE SEE WP, PAGE 55
WHIPPANY PARK WILDCATS Head Coach: Don Morgenroth (1st year)
Section: North 2, Group 2 Last Year’s Record: 3-7 Playoffs: Didn’t qualify Returning Starters (Offense/Defense): 4/4
SCHEDULE
Sept. 9 @ Morris Catholic Sept. 17 vs. Kinnelon Sept. 23 @ Lincoln (Jersey City) Sept. 30 vs. Wallkill Valley Oct. 8 vs. Montclair Immaculate Oct. @ Mountain Lakes Oct. 22 vs. Parsippany Oct. 29 vs. Caldwell Photo by Paul Hamilton
Key Wildcats: OL/LB Dylan Hayduk, Lineman Nick Foglia, QB Luke Papa, FB/LB Andrew Lake.
Nov. 4 @ West Side (Newark)
NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP
FOOTBALL 2016
Thursday, September 8, 2016 PAGE 55
WP FROM PAGE 54
Whippany Park does have a solid core of skill returning along with a fresh crop of newcomers. As for offense the always-critical play of the offensive line is where Morgenroth feels the Wildcats have a strong position. Senior guard Dylan Hayduk (6-0, 180) is back to help anchor the offensive front five along with Nick Foglia (6-2, 260) and Tyler Haduk (61, 175). Rugged senior Andrew Lake (5-11, 215) is back to help forge the ground game along with talented junior quarterback Kyle Lisa, junior wideout Luke Papa and junior fullback Jake Crane. On the defensive side Morgenroth has liked what he has seen from junior outside linebacker Anthony Auriemma (6-2, 253) along with Dylan Haduk at outside linebacker, Lake Whippany Park Head Coach at middle linebacker, Foglia at tackle and Tyler Don Morgenroth Haduk at outside linebacker. Another key weapon that returns is junior Paul Padilla, who has proven to be an excellent place kicker who can boom consistently long field goals if needed. Padilla will also handle the punting. Other players the Wildcats will watch for include seniors Mark Tognetti (RB/ WR/FS), Derek Goldstein (T/DT) and Daniel Sanchez (T/DB/CB); juniors Connor Wotas (TE/SS), Mike Collins (WR/NG), Matt Wong (RB/CB), Eric Major (WR/CB), Mike Dimeo (RB/CB), Robert Annino (G/MLB), Chase Bello (C/NG), John Trevisan (G/NG), Dean Carlson (T/DT), Joseph Krentz (G/C/NG), Steven Funicelli (T/DT), Eric Kelly (T/DT) and Nicholas Geraldi (WR/DE); sophomores Travis Kowalskie (RB/CB), Michael Roma (RB/LB), Nicholas Pryer (WR), Jason Davidson (T/C), Ryan Slotnick (DE) and Stephen Barone (QB/SS/ FS). Whippany Park will commence its season when it takes to the road to play at Morris Catholic on Sept. 9. The Wildcats will be looking to avenge last year when they were edged, 28-21, by Morris Catholic in the second game of the season. Another important game will come in week two when the Wildcats play host to Kinnelon on Sept. 17. The Colts handed the Wildcats a 52-27 in last year’s match. In week three on Sept. 23 Whippany Park will hit the road and head east into Jersey City to collide with the Lincoln Lions. Whippany Park will close its regular season slate with a trip to Essex County to kick off against West Side on Nov. 4.
Clockwise from above: Lineman Nick Foglia; FB/LB Andrew Lake; OL/LB Dylan Hayduk. Photos by Paul Hamilton
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