TEAM PREVIEW: Bergen Catholic

2012 In Review: The Crusaders were 8-4, losing to Paramus Catholic in the Non-Public Group 4 final, after beating Don Bosco and Notre Dame. They scored 494 points for a 41.17 average, while allowing 291 points for a 24.25 average. Wins included Paramus Catholic, Bishop Gorman (Nev.), St. Anthony's (NY), and Friendship Academy (Wash. DC), while their other losses were to St. Joe's (Montvale), Don Bosco, and Cocoa (Fla.).

Departures: WR John Tsimis - Rutgers, G Rich Queen - UMass, DB Kyle Queiro - Northwestern, WR JJ Kulcsar - Towson, QB Jon Germano - Johns Hopkins, LB Dan Grasso - Colgate, LB Parker Tobia - Columbia, WR/DB John Feaster- Muhlenberg, C Dominic Mattia - Muhlenberg, TE AJ Gallagher - Muhlenberg, T Chris McBride - LIU (CW Post), T Carmine Goldsack - wrestling, RB James Dawson - Alderson Broaddus (WV), DT Philip Rigoglioso - Bentley, DB Michael Harper - Hobart, WR/DB Nick Brady - Wilkes, DL Bradni Black - prep, DB Talib Abdur-Ra'oof - prep

Offense: Bergen Catholic runs the spread and returns two starters. Quarterback is a battle between senior Colin McGovern (6-foot-2, 190) and sophomore Jarrett Guarantano (6-foot-3, 190). Running back will be a committee of junior Corey Russo (5-foot-9, 195), junior Jelani Garvin (5-foot-9, 160), senior JP Garcia (5-foot-8, 180), and junior Kyle Ellerson (5-foot-9, 185).

Returning at the receivers is senior tight end Cameron Dickerson (6-foot-3, 240) and he will line up all over the place. The second tight end will be junior Mike Aniello (6-foot-2, 200). At wide receiver, there will be a rotation of senior Kyle Vadis (6-foot-1, 180), junior Danny Halligan (5-foot-11, 170), senior Matt Sherlock (6-foot-0, 185), and sophomore Gene Coleman (5-foot-11, 170). The slot receiver will have junior Corey Gaarn (5-foot-8, 170) and Garvin playing.

The lone returning starter to the line is senior left guard Mario Farinella (6-foot-2, 285). The left tackle will be senior Kurt Holuba (6-foot-4, 240), a defensive starter last year. Right tackle will be junior Mike Adzima (6-foot-2, 245). Tight guard is junior Joe Woerner (6-foot-3, 250) and junior Tim Andrelczyk (6-foot-5, 280) will also play there. The center will be senior Ryan Kitts (6-foot-2, 220) and senior Tyler McGilligan (6-foot-2, 240) will see time.

Defense: The Crusaders will run a 4-3 and 3-3, returning six starters. Dickerson and Holuba return at the ends, while the tackles will have a rotation of junior Conor O'Brien (6-foot-1, 205), junior Santo Norales (5-foot-11, 220), senior Matt Miller (6-foot-0, 210), and junior Sebastian Calixte (5-foot-11, 260).

At linebacker, there are two returning starters in middle linebacker Jake Campbell (6-foot-1, 215) and junior outside linebacker Anthony Malaguti (6-foot-2, 225), who will share his position with junior Kyle Cook (5-foot-11, 205). The other outside linebacker will be senior Isaiah Powell (6-foot-1, 210), who saw time last year. The nickel linebacker in three man fronts will be senior Jake Citro (5-foot-8, 170).

The secondary has two starters back in Garcia and senior Cameron Queiro (6-foot-2, 210). Garcia moves from cornerback and Queiro started at both safety and linebacker. The cornerbacks will be Garvin and junior Tyson Stamper (5-foot-11, 180). Possibly seeing time at either cornerback or safety is senior DJ McDuffie (6-foot-0, 185).

Special Teams: Halligan will be the punter and kicker has not been decided. The return game will have Garcia and Garvin on punts and Garcia, Garvin, and Stamper on kickoffs.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/6, at John Curtis (La.), 6PM

Saturday, 9/14, at Jordan (Utah), 7PM

Saturday, 9/21, Bishop Gorman (Nev.), 1PM

Saturday, 9/28, St. Joe's (Montvale), 7PM

Saturday, 10/5, St. Peter's Prep, 2:30PM

Friday, 10/11, at DePaul, 7PM

Saturday, 10/19, Friendship Academy (Washington DC), 1PM

10/25-26, bye week

Saturday, 11/1, Don Bosco at Palisades Park, 7PM

Saturday, 11/9, Paramus Catholic, 1PM

Question Marks: Inexperience on the offensive line and at quarterback. They have talented quarterbacks and they need to improve up front.

Recruiting: Queiro has committed to Northwestern and Farinella committed to Delaware. Dickerson has 30 offers, including Stanford, Northwestern, and Michigan. Holuba also has 30 offers, including Vanderbilt, Duke, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Ivy League schools. Campbell is an Ivy/Patriot League candidate. Powell has interest from Delaware and Stony Brook. Garcia is an Ivy/NESCAC prospect. Others need good senior years.

It's still early for the juniors, although Malaguti has some interest. In the sophomore class, Guarantano has an offer from Rutgers.

Coach's Comments: "We're coming together and we're a real close group. We have a chance to have a very good year." - Head Coach Nunzio Campanile