Coach: Bill Wilde, 13th year
Last year’s record: 8-3
Last year’s ranking: 11
Rearview mirror: With QB Ryan Picinic running a prolific offense and then-senior RB Christian Correa plowing through defenses, New Milford reeled off an 8-3 season that ended in the North 1, Group 1 championship game, where the Knights fell to Hasbrouck Heights, 30-12. New Milford’s other two losses came against Pompton Lakes and Harrison. The Knights had a strong defense, but it was their offense that frequently stood out as they scored an average of 30.7 points per game.
Looking ahead: New Milford will have to replace the production of Correa, who ran for 2,509 yards and scored 35 touchdowns. But the Knights do return Picinic. The senior threw for 1,085 yards and nine touchdowns last season. New Milford’s defense isn’t short on talent, either. Linebacker Matt McElroy finished 2016 with 120 tackles, including 12 for losses and five sacks. McElroy, who’s on the radar of several colleges, was also one of Picinic’s top targets. He caught 20 passes for 322 yards and five touchdowns.
Bold prediction: The Knights win the NJIC Liberty Division to secure a spot in the conference playoffs.
