NJIC Football
The Quest for the Conference Championship begins ….
(Compiled by the Record Sports Staff)
NJIC North
*Division winners will meet for overall championship
Colonial Division
GARFIELD
Coach: Jeff DeVito, seventh season
2017 record: 4-5
What to expect: The Boilermakers have 13 returnees, six on offense and seven on defense. Most of the offensive experience is in the running game, where Daryel Garcia scored three touchdowns and Ashonmir McElveen averaged better than 5.5 yards per carry. On the outside, junior Nakie Graham is the top returning receiver (17 catches, 174 yards, three TD) and classmate Kacper Szuberski was second on the team in tackles (60) at defensive back last fall.
Key players: Charles Davis, jr., OG/DE; Brian Fernandez, sr., WR/DB; Daryel Garcia, sr., HB/CB; Jay Hawes, jr., QB; Ashonmir McElveen, sr., FB/OLB; Gabe Quiles, sr., OT/DT.
Forecast: Garfield opens the season against next-door neighbor Lodi, a team it has beaten four straight times head-to-head. Another good showing could help set the course for 2018.
GLEN ROCK
Coach: Jim Kurz, 10th season
2017 record: 4-5
What to expect: The primary goal for the Panthers is to be competitive week in and week out. The road to victory will follow. With five starters back on both offense and defense, there is plenty of competition for playing time. With a multiple-front defense, Glen Rock will count on Pierce Tuttle and Steve Bilbao to fortify the front seven. On offense, the Panthers will continue to use a spread offense, and Kurz is expecting Justin Douenias to add spark to the wide receiving corps.
Key players: Ashton Dalessio, sr., WR/LB; Pierce Tuttle, sr., OT/DL; Steve Bilbao, sr., RB/LB; Justin Douenias, sr., PK/P; Greg Schlett, jr., QB/DB.
Forecast: The Panthers will strive to be competitive in the NJIC as well as in Group 2. If the offense jells quickly and they can pick up a couple of wins out of the gate, the postseason is within reach.
LODI
Coach: Mark Maggio, second season
2017 record: 4-5
What to expect: Lodi bounced back from an 0-3 start and nearly had a winning season. The Rams hope to keep the momentum going from the last three weeks of last season, when Lodi outscored its opponents by a combined total of 123-7.
Key players: Quarterback Kyle Leach returns for his senior season after a 1,000-yard season in the air and 17 touchdown passes. Lodi will have to find a replacement for the departed Carlos Pepin, who caught 13 of those touchdowns last season.
Forecast: Lodi hasn’t been to the postseason since 2013 and will hope to return this fall. The young Rams will have difficulty contending in both the NJIC Colonial and North, Group 2 with defending champion Rutherford.
MANCHESTER REGIONAL
Coach: Rande Roca, 17th season (seventh of second stint)
2017 record: 8-3
What to expect: The Falcons were hands down the biggest surprise of the 2017 football season, finishing with their most wins in a season since 1996 and recording the school’s first playoff victory. The last time the school had back-to-back winning seasons was 1995 and 1996. The good news is there are still plenty of holdovers from last year, Roca brings back six starters on offense and defense.
Key players: David Boucher, jr., QB/DB; Shasmar Hughes, sr., RB/LB; Kristian Kaca, sr., WR/DB; Dustin Lewicki, sr., OL/DL.
Forecast: Manchester doesn’t do anything fancy on offense, but the Falcons use the speed they have to get outside and make plays. Defensively, they like to be physical. There’s enough talent left here to believe that last year was not just a fluke. But no one will see Manchester as a pushover anymore, so they will have to be prepared for team’s best efforts.
PALISADES PARK/LEONIA
Coach: Chris Kulcsar, first season
2017 record: 0-9
What to expect: Kulcsar, a former NV/Demarest standout lineman, becomes the Tigers’ fifth coach in six seasons. He’ll try to help them bounce back from being outscored by an average of 34-8 a year ago. The coach has an abundance of young skill players at his disposal and said that if they can learn to play instinctually rather than over-thinking, “this team has the ability to make strides forward and erase the thought of last year.”
Key players: Dennis Bajanov, jr., OL/LB (5-10, 205); Leo Driotez, so., QB/DB (5-9, 160); Roman Gil, sr., WR/LB (6-0, 175); Julio Mancilla, sr., OL/DL (5-10, 235); Eric Marson, sr., OL/DL (5-9, 260); Nate Meano, jr., OL/LB (5-8, 195).
Forecast: With only seven seniors on the roster and just one, Gil, at a skill position, patience will be key as Palisades Park/Leonia develops its bevy of underclassmen.
RUTHERFORD
Coach: Andy Howell, ninth season
2017 record: 11-0; North 2, Group 2 champion
What to expect: As they did last year, the Bulldogs anticipate using a variety of running backs and slot-backs to move the ball. Five different players attempted at least one pass last fall, though the majority went to returning signal-caller Kyle Russell (77-of-125, 1,017 yards, 16 TD). The defense got contributions from many sources, including sack leader Regan Landrigan (7½).
Key players: Lawson Fisher, sr., OL/DL; Owen Meister, jr., WR/CB/P; Abellany Mendez, sr., RB/DB; Kyle Russell, sr., QB/S.
Forecast: Rutherford has won three straight Colonial Division titles. It added the NJIC tournament championship as well as the sectional crown last season, so Howell knows, “we will not be under the radar and sneak up on anybody now. Our opponents will be gunning for us, and I think we’re embracing this challenge.” With that attitude, the Bulldogs should defend at least one of their titles.
WALDWICK/MIDLAND PARK
Coach: Greg Gruzdis, ninth season
2017 record: 5-4
What to expect: The Warriors have reached the playoffs in five of the past six years, and their five straight winning seasons equal the longest stretch either school has enjoyed in its history. Gruzdis (52-29 record) does well reloading rather than rebuilding, and the challenge will be to do the same after graduating seven all-division players, each of whom started on both sides of the ball. The front lines were hit hardest and will rely upon third-year varsity regular Kai Della Penna for stability.
Key players: Kai Della Penna, jr., OL/DL; Chris Hunt, sr., OT/DE; Ethan Kucharski, jr., QB/DB; Harry Parker, sr., SE/RB/DB; Sam Rossnagel, sr., RB/LB.
Forecast: Waldwick/Midland Park has a few more question marks entering the season than it’s had in recent years, so only time will tell if the co-op can get back to the playoffs. “We don’t have a lot of depth, but I think we put a good 11 out there,” Gruzdis said.
Liberty Division
ELMWOOD PARK
Coach: Tom Mulligan, fifth season
2017 record: 1-8
What to expect: The Crusaders have only recorded two victories in the last three seasons, but the overall health of the program and attitude have not declined. Mulligan still has a big roster and he believes the players are hungry to get better. The Crusaders have returners coming back on both sides of the ball and the win over Palisades Park/Leonia in the last game of the season served as excellent motivation in the off-season.
Key players: Eddie Alfieri, jr., RB/DB; Joseph Leto, jr., QB/DB; Harold Martinez, soph., OL/DL.
Forecast: Mulligan has worked very hard to promote his program and the positive gains made so it’s hard not to root for him and the Crusaders, but their schedule is loaded. Look for some progress though. Two wins would be a nice sign of progress, a handful more games that are close in the second half would be even better.
HARRISON
Coach: Dan Hicks, first season
2017 record: 1-7
What to expect: The Blue Tide experienced a slight down-tick after ending a 26-year playoff drought in 2016. Now, the team turns to the 26-year-old alum Hicks as its fifth coach in seven seasons. Harrison’s roster is also quite young, with freshmen (10) outnumbering seniors (eight). Mateo DeSosa is heading into his fourth varsity season on defense, and all-division tight end Paul Mobus made the switch to offensive line.
Key players: Ray Chico, sr., WR/DB; Mateo DeSosa, jr., QB/DB/K; Paul Mobus, sr., OL/DE; Mike Oeckel, sr., WR/OLB; Elvin Pina, sr., OL/DL; Landor Vallejo, sr., RB/ILB.
Forecast: Much is new at Harrison, right down the updated logo that harkens back to the XFL’s Hitmen. If the Blue Tide can work through growing pains to stay in the playoff hunt, it must contend with the NJSIAA’s realigned South section.
HAWTHORNE
Coach: John Passero, 18th season
2017 record: 5-4
What to expect: The Bears have strung together three straight winning seasons. They missed the playoffs in hotly-contested Group 2 each of the past two years, but Passero likes that his team has experienced success. “That has driven them to have a great off-season,” he said. “The battles for the spots left from graduation have been intense all summer.” Four all-division selections lead the way.
Key players: Jaydon D’Errico, sr., RB/LB (All-Liberty 2nd team); Jalen Palmer, jr., RB/DB (2nd team); TJ Palmer, sr., QB/FS (1st team); Mike Renzo, sr., RB/LB (2nd team).
Forecast: One of Hawthorne’s late-season victories was against sectional semifinalist Manchester, which ended a three-game skid and started a two-game win streak. The Bears are hoping that momentum will carry over.
LYNDHURST
Coach: Rich Tuero, fifth season
2017 record: 5-4
What to expect: The Golden Bears snuck into the playoffs as the eighth seed in North 2, Group 2 last season thanks to a tiebreaker. Lyndhurst began the year 3-1 and will need another strong start like that to contend in the NJIC Liberty.
Key players: Junior RB Piotr Partyla made an immediate impact for Lyndhurst after transferring from the closing Queen of Peace. Partyla, the former quarterback, rushed for 772 yards and 14 touchdowns in his season as a tailback. Senior Jeff Grasso returns to lead the Golden Bear defense after consecutive seasons with at least 100 tackles.
Forecast: Tuero has turned Lyndhurst around in large part due to early season success. Strong showings at home against Hawthorne and at Secaucus will set the tone for the rest of the season for the Golden Bears.
NEW MILFORD
Coach: Bill Wilde, 14th year
2017 record: 8-2
What to expect: Coach Bill Wilde said his team has turned the page on last year’s bizarre ending, a playoff loss when refs called off a miracle last-play touchdown. Now the Knights are eyeing another division title and believe they have the quarterback to contend. Senior Brian Mackey gets his chance after waiting his turn and at 6-foot-3, appears to have the tools to succeed. He’ll have a nice safety blanket in RB Bart Nativo, who goes for another 1,000-yard season, and will be surrounded by seniors in the lineup.
Key players: Elian Valdivia, sr., WR/CB; Tyler Picinic, sr., WR; Alex Heinemann, sr., OG/DT; Emmett McElroy, sr., OT/DE; Alex Molina, sr., RB/LB.
Forecast: Don’t expect any regression for the Knights, whose speed and athleticism will take them far. New Milford is on the short list of Group 1 contenders.
POMPTON LAKES
Coach: Scott Mahoney, 14th season
2017 record: 8-3
What to expect: Pompton Lakes is a young team with a combined 36 freshmen and sophomores on the roster and only six seniors. The Cardinals, who went all the way to the North 1, Group 1 state final last December, could have some early growing pains, but like last season, they’ll improve as the season goes on.
Key players: Senior running back Frankie Negrini is again expected to carry the load after rushing for 1,790 yards on 209 carries and 26 TD in 2017. Senior wide receiver and three-year starter John Tanis (13 catches, 161 yards, two TD) is a deep threat, along with junior tight end PJ Latora (11 catches, 169 yards). Senior two-way lineman Ryan Presta is back for his third season and teams with junior lineman Kyle Kleinot.
Forecast: With untested sophomore quarterback Mike Eberhart running the offense this fall, expect Pompton Lakes to lean on Negrini while the passing game evolves. By midseason, the Cardinals should be firing on all cylinders with a return trip to the sectional final in reach.
SECAUCUS
Coach: Charlie Voorhees, 20th season
2017 record: 2-6
What to expect: Secaucus was full of young talent last season and 2018 is no different. Only five combined wins in the past three seasons hasn’t been ideal, but Voorhees, also the athletic director, has built a solid core of young players as a Group 1 school.
Key players: Despite a lack of success in the standings, the Patriots have developed a solid group of lineman among the best in the entire NJIC. That line took a major blow last October when center and captain Hunter Pein suffered an injury that required Tommy John surgery. With Pein’s senior season status still up in the air, it is the biggest question mark for a team that didn’t lose. Also watch out for Raequan Andrews, sr., RB.
Forecast: It has been five years since a winning season happened in Secaucus. Early contests against Lyndhurst and at Pompton Lakes will test the Patriots, but overall improvement for the team is on the horizon.
NJIC South
*Division winners will meet for overall championship
Meadowlands Division
BECTON
Coach: Jack Maher, fourth season
2017 record: 5-4
What to expect: The Wildcats have to replace four starters on the offensive line (including Monmouth freshman Greg Anderson) and all three starters on the defensive front. The Wildcats always have a good offensive scheme, and Nick Monahan doesn’t get a lot of attention but he’s as tough a runner as there is in North Jersey. New quarterback Michael Renta has a good arm and understanding of the offense. The Wildcats had a rough preseason, however, losing a week because of a team-wide virus.
Key players: Nick Monahan, sr. RB/LB; Michael Failla, jr. WR/DB; Michael Renta, jr. QB/DB, Jeff Marques, sr. WR/DB; Al Benameur, jr. WR/DB
Forecast: Becton is coming off a pretty good off-season (illnesses aside) and the schedule sets up nicely for the Wildcats to work through some kinks. Hasbrouck Heights is still the team to beat in the division, but the Wildcats might match up with them as well as anyone else in the league.
BUTLER
Coach: Jason Luciani, sixth season
2017 record: 6-4
What to expect: Butler moves to the NJIC, which is comprised of mostly Bergen County Schools, after spending the last few years in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), made up of schools from Morris and Sussex Counties. The shift to a smaller-school conference could work in the Bulldogs’ favor, as they’ll face schools that went a combined 21-25 in 2017, which also includes perennial power and defending North 1, Group 1 champion Hasbrouck Heights (10-1).
Key players: Senior running back Sean Centinaro returns for his fourth season and is within 800 yards of breaking the school’s all-time rushing record of 2,612 yards. Junior quarterback Evan Smith gets his first start after serving in a backup role last fall, while senior wide receiver/defensive back Derrick Timpinaro is a top target (17 catches, 243 yards, four TD).
Forecast: The Bulldogs will lean on the versatile Centinaro to keep them in most games. Although they haven’t reached the playoffs since 2013, they’ll have a shot while playing an all-new schedule against similar teams. However, as Butler has experienced in the past playing a Group 1 schedule, a few slip-ups in the early going can squash any playoff hopes.
CRESSKILL
Coach: Kevin Quinn, fifth season
2017 record: 4-5
What to expect: Three straight losses to end the season last fall gave the Cougars its first losing season under Quinn. Cresskill must replace key seniors such as quarterback Mike Ferrara and linebacker Tyler Pinnel.
Key players: Seniors Jack Morgan and Jacob Hamburger lead a Cougar defense that, aside from Hasbrouck Heights, has not allowed an opponent to score over 21 points in the last two seasons. Senior Max Gentile is one of the best lineman in the conference and will be vital as Cresskill looks to develop more skill position players.
Forecast: The Cougars missed the playoffs last season for the first time this decade and should return in 2018 under the new playoff format. Cresskill will look to dethrone Hasbrouck Heights atop the NJIC Meadowlands and reach the conference playoffs for the first time ever.
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS
Coach: Nick Delcalzo, 34th season
2017 record: 10-1; North 1, Group 1 champion
What to expect: Hasbrouck Heights is a force to be reckoned with, having won league and section titles in the last two years. With the production from explosive senior WR Jasiah Purdie and passing from first-year starter Spencer Lee, the Aviators should remain in contention for more hardware. Delcalzo will need to groom new defensive playmakers though with the loss of two middle linebackers and parts of the line.
Key players: Michael Lohrmann, sr., G/DT; Will Vera, sr., LB/DE; Michael Robertson, jr., RB/LB, Ian Rinke, sr., WR/DB; Anthony Marino, sr., OT/DT.
Forecast: The Aviators haven’t had a losing season in 25 years and shouldn’t be in danger of snapping that streak. Purdie is one of the most dangerous weapons in North Jersey, so the offense will look to get him touches however possible. If the defense can replicate last year’s numbers with five starters back, the team will be in good shape.
NORTH ARLINGTON
Coach: Paul Savage, second season
2017 record: 0-8
What to expect: The Vikings carry a 14-game losing streak. Their spread offense returns 10 starters, including their starting line: seniors Dante Andrews, Jose Gongora and Kenan Kimil, junior Jeremiah Mercado and Pete Ziakos. Senior Will Cruz is a three-year starter at QB. They return nine defensive starters, including senior LB Steven Bello and senior DBs Jayden Martinez and Val Boyko.
Key players: Ryan Clifford, sr., TE/LB; Will Cruz, sr., QB/DB; Alvaro Gongora, jr., RB/LB; Karim Wahby, sr., Athlete/DB; Joe Witt, so., WR/DB; Zach Young, sr., WR.
Forecast: Group 1 North Arlington is among the most experienced teams in the NJIC and should break through with a couple of wins. “We’re looking to see how much of that experience from last year benefits us,” Savage said.
SADDLE BROOK
Coach: Leo Ciappina, 11th season
2017 record: 2-7
What to expect: The Falcons have not had to endure many long rebuilding stretches during Ciappina’s tenure. They qualified for the playoffs three straight years from 2010-12 and again from 2014-16. Starting another postseason streak will be tricky after graduating 11 seniors, but Saddle Brook has a strong-armed quarterback in Kevin Daly and a solid running game led by Jakub Dmitruk.
Key players: Kevin Daly, sr., QB/DB; Jakub Dmitruk, sr., RB/DB; Dante Guzman, jr., RB/DB; Dean Setticase, sr., OL/DL.
Forecast: While it may be a challenging season for the Falcons, there should be numerous opportunities for young players – including six freshmen – to develop and gain on-the-job experience.
OTHERS
Ridgefielddropped its program during the preseason, leaving the Meadowlands with six teams.
Patriot Division
BOGOTA
Coach: Brian Appleton, first season
2017 record: 2-6
What to expect: A former Indian Hills assistant coach, Appleton returns to a program that he won a sectional title with in 2005 as a standout lineman. The Bucs have not won more than two games in a season since its last playoff appearance in 2014.
Key players: Senior quarterback Andrew Miller showed flashes late last season with six touchdown passes, including five against North Arlington, and four rushing touchdowns in the final two weeks. Senior Andrew Franco and sophomore Ashanti Caviness lead a defense that must improve after averaging over 36 points per game allowed.
Forecast: Bogota is in a rebuild this year as Appleton hopes to recreate the winning culture he experienced under former Bogota coach Dan Sabella, who continued his success at Paramus Catholic before taking over at Ridgefield Park in the off-season.
EMERSON
Coach: Nick Calandrino, fourth season
2017 record: 8-2
What to expect: The Cavos will be a contender and may be the favorites to win the NJIC Patriot Division this season. They bring back the core of a playoff team from last year and one of North Jersey’s top running backs in Ryan Shaw. The offensive line is a great unit, Calandrino said they only gave up three sacks all last season and have a combined 70 starts between them. Nick Castrovillari had 10 sacks last season. Of course, the biggest fear at any small school is injuries, although Calandrino feels this team is versatile and has some depth.
Key players: Ryan Shaw, sr. RB/LB; Nick Castrovillari, sr. OL/DL; Peter Durocher, sr. QB; Nico Savino, sr. TE/LB, Adam Gildea, sr. OL/DL; Zach Marck, sr. RB/LB; Nick Peterson, sr. OL/DL
Forecast: Emerson is set up for a nice run in the NJIC and in the North, Group 1. It’s still a team with something to prove after being upset by Pompton Lakes in the playoffs last year, and Shaw is expected to make an impact on both sides of the ball. We will probably be talking about the Cavos into November.
PARK RIDGE
Coach: Tom Curry, Jr., fourth season
2017 record: 5-4
What to expect: The Owls hope to contend in the NJIC Patriot, where they can contend with the likes of Wallington and Emerson. Park Ridge has had four straight winning seasons, three of which have come under Curry. North, Group 1 is one of the tightest sections in the state and Park Ridge is among those contenders.
Key players: Junior QB/RB Vince Pinto took first team honors in the NJIC Patriot by rushing for 1,122 yards as a sophomore. Pinto remains surrounded by weapons on offense, including seniors Zach Lewis and Marcus Raman.
Forecast: The Owls reached the playoffs for the third straight year in 2017, but still couldn’t end their nine-year playoff win drought. Park Ridge nearly upset second-seeded Wallington after trailing, 29-0, in the third quarter, but the comeback fell short, 29-27. Could this be the year that Park Ridge finally wins a playoff game? The talent is there.
ST. MARY
Coach: Mike Coyne, second season
2017 record: 5-5
What to expect: Coyne promised a return to old school St. Mary football when he took over and he delivered on his promise as the Gaels relied on a solid ground game to post a 5-5 mark and a playoff spot. That’s a good foundation for the Gaels to build on this year. Coyne said he has around 30 players on the roster and feels like this team is more unified than last year, now that they are used to him and his expectations. There are just five seniors, but Coyne said his team is not rebuilding, that it has talent.
Key players: Chris Buchta, sr. DE/OT; Tommy Truberg, sr. OL/DL; Dave Tarallo, jr. RB; Matt Toman, jr. QB
Forecast: Toman, a transfer from Secaucus, will likely have to sit out the first 30 days of the season to be eligible. He will be a difference maker for the Gaels on both sides of the ball. If he can’t play, St. Mary will rely on Tarallo and the running game to make noise in the NJIC. We have been waiting for the Gaels to break out for the last few years – they haven’t won a playoff game since 2014 – and this could be the team.
WALLINGTON
Coach: Barry Blauvelt, 10th season
2017 record: 7-3
What to expect: The Panthers raced out to a 6-0 start and reached the NJIC playoffs as the division champion before losing to Hasbrouck Heights. It was one of those years where a lot of things came together. The good news is that there’s a strong senior class back, led by quarterback David Backo, and he has a top wide receiver to throw to in Zaheir Mitchell. Blauvelt is underrated as a coach. He finds a way to utilize the talent that he has: if it means throwing the ball 50 times, he will do that, or running 50 times a game. He does have some holes to fill up front, and that could be a problem, especially early.
Key players: David Backo, sr. DB/QB; Zaheir Mitchell, jr. DB/WR; Patrick Kaczor, sr. DL/RB; Robert Fabijanczuk, jr. DL/OL
Forecast: If Wallington can piece together the line, they have the skill players to win the division title again. But if things don’t jell up front, it could be a long year.
WEEHAWKEN
Coach: Nick DeStefano, second season
2017 record: 2-6
What to expect: The Indians had six players garner all-division recognition last fall, and all did so as underclassmen, including All-Patriot first team DB Jimmy Lopez. The senior made a splash at quarterback as well, logging almost as many rushing yards (643) as passing yards (673). Backfield mate Jaden Rodriguez is also a multi-faceted talent who led Weehawken in rushing touchdowns (five) and receiving (25 catches, 354 yards, two TD).
Key players: Michael Fitzgerald, sr., C/DL; Rex Fukuda, sr., TE; Jimmy Lopez, sr., QB/DB; Derek Mejia, so., WR/CB; Jaden Rodriguez, sr., RB/FS; Juan Jose Santos, so., OG/DE.
Forecast: The offense has playmaking ability, and if the Indians are to improve, they will need the defense to reach the same level.
WOOD-RIDGE
Coach: Charlie Trentacosti, sixth season
2017 record: 4-5
What to expect: Last year, it was a bit of irony. The Blue Devils had their first sub-.500 mark since 2014 but reached the state playoffs for the first time since 2006. This fall, Wood-Ridge must find a successor to star QB/DB Mike Giancaspro and linemen to step up alongside senior RT Drew Tomat. There were three main players taking snaps in the preseason, led by senior Joe Casella with senior Dante Milne and freshman Nino Iacovino.
Key players: Jake Colon, sr., WR/LB; Eric Drotos, sr., DE; Johnoi Martin, sr., WR/LB/DB; Jake Reiter, jr., MLB; Drew Tomat, sr., OT/DE; Evan West, sr., WR/SS.
Forecast: As one of the smallest schools in North Jersey, Wood-Ridge is used to playing the underdog role and typically thrives in it. The Blue Devils hope to do so again and compete for the division title.
