Waldwick
The Record

Football

No. 24 Waldwick/Midland Park

Last year’s record: 9-3

Final ranking: No. 17

Marquee game: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia, Sept. 27

Best assets: Waldwick/Midland Park will return plenty of firepower in its high-powered Wing-T backfield that rushed for more than 2,700 total yards (225 per game) last season and helped guide the program to the North 1, Group 2 final. Senior Tyree Lee broke the program’s single-season TD record, reaching the end zone 17 times while adding 877 rushing yards and senior FB Nick Dragonetti added nearly 600 yards and eight scores. Waldwick/Midland Park also returns the versatile Ron Kruis, the team’s “do-it-all guy,” according to coach Greg Gruzdis. The senior is expected to continue thriving in his roles at running back, kicker, safety and punter.

Biggest concerns: After graduating 20 seniors, numbers are lower than they were last year (32 players on varsity) and Waldwick/Midland Park will have plenty of two-way players this fall. Also, the Warriors must revamp 80 percent of their offensive line. Sean Billies is the team’s lone returning starter. W/MP will have a first-year varsity QB under center, Ryan Moore.

— JJ Conrad

– See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/football/h-s-football-countdown-no-24-waldwick-midland-park-1.1066554#sthash.E6Ar8WRu.dpuf