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TEAM PREVIEW: Bergen Catholic

2015 In Review: The Crusaders were 7-4, losing to Don Bosco in the Parochial Group 4 semi-finals after beating Seton Hall Prep. They scored 334 points for a 30.36 average, while allowing 229 for a 20.82 average. Wins included St. Joe’s, Paramus Catholic, DePaul, and St. Peter’s Prep, while losses were to Don Bosco, IMG Academy (Florida), and St. Edward’s (Ohio).

Departures: QB Jarrett Guarantano - Tennessee, TE Korab Idrizi - Boston College, DE Sal Mauro - Delaware, WR Gene Coleman - Rhode Island, LB Danny DeLorenzi - Columbia, FB/DE Frankie Feaster - Muhlenberg, CB Emmanuel Appiah - Bridgeton Prep (Maine), LB Trevor Weingarten - Bryant for lacrosse, LB Javon Dunmore - Rutgers for lacrosse, DB Nick Tighe - Amherst, RB Ryan McCarthy - New Haven, G Vincent Karabatsos - Wesleyan, T Frank Jerkovich - Stonehill, NG Joe Cruz - ASA JC (Brooklyn), C Matt DiScola - Manhattan for lacrosse, Melvin Covin - Montclair State, LB Anthony Fusco - Worcester Poly Tech, Will Gentilello - Williams

Offense: Bergen Catholic runs a multiple spread and returns three starters and two others who started games. The quarterback is junior Johnny Langan (6-foot-3, 220), who started both here and at wide receiver. Running back has sophomore Josh McKenzie (5-foot-9, 150), who started five games. Also in the backfield with in a variety of roles is sophomore Rhamir Johnson (5-foot-10, 175).

The receivers have senior Andrew Vito (5-foot-8, 155) returning in the slot. Senior tight end Connor Hebbeler (6-foot-2, 235) started a few games and senior Ankaury Camilo (5-foot-10, 175) saw a lot of time. Also in the picture will be junior Dylan Classi (6-foot-0, 185), junior Isaiah Givens (6-foot-4, 195), senior Isaiah Dean (6-foot-1, 178), and junior Michael Feaster (5-foot-10, 165). Sophomore Aeneas DiCosmo (6-foot-2, 205) will play in two tight end formations. .

The lone returning starter on the line is senior CJ Jaramillo (6-foot-0, 255), who is moving from guard to center. The tackles will be junior Zaakir Faith (6-foot-1, 270) and senior Nick Kranjac (6-foot-2, 255). Guard is a competition among junior Kevin Kenerson (6-foot-3, 230), junior Brian Gentilello (6-foot-2, 245), freshman Bryan Felter (6-foot-2, 285), and junior Sean Twomey (5-foot-9, 230).

Defense: The Crusaders play a 3-4 and return three starters and another who started half the games. The ends will be sophomore Anthony Alfano (6-foot-5, 270) and senior Erik Massey (6-foot-3, 230). The nose guard will be junior Sean Connolly (6-foot-0, 210). Hebbeler will play at both nose guard and end. Others who could play are Gentilello and senior Joe Stanton (5-foot-8, 230).

Returning at middle linebacker is senior Shqipron Idrizi (6-foot-0, 205). On the strong side is junior Javontae Jean-Baptiste (6-foot-5, 205) and senior Vinnie Martin (5-foot-11, 205) will play the weak side. The rover will likely be senior James Pizzuro (5-foot-10, 185). Others who may play are sophomores Dante Ziccarelli (6-foot-0, 220) and Anthony Corbin (5-foot-11, 190).

The secondary has experience with senior three-year starter Jahmel Johnson (5-foot-9, 175) and senior Nick Palmer (5-foot-9, 170) will move to the other corner after starting at safety. The free safety will be senior Pat Palmer (5-foot-11, 190), who started six games, and junior Cade McDermott (6-foot-1, 175) will play strong safety. Others who may get to play are senior Anthony Lisanti (5-foot-11, 180), senior Aidan Velez (5-foot-11, 185), freshman Jordan Morant (6-foot-0, 190), and senior James Gashler (6-foot-2, 170).

Special Teams: Punter is a competition between juniors Ronnie Vergona and Aidan Gorman. Returning at kicker is sophomore Mike Carney and he will be pushed by Vergona. On the return side, Jahmel Johnson, Nick Palmer, and Klassi will return punts, while Jahmel Johnson, Rhamir Johnson, and Nick Palmer will return kicks.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/2, Archbishop Wood (Pa.), 7PM - at William Tennant High School, Warminster, Pa.

Saturday, 9/10, Tampa Catholic (Fl.) at home, 2:30PM

Friday, 9/16, at DePaul, 7PM

Saturday, 9/24, Paramus Catholic at home, 1PM

Saturday, 10/1, at St. Joe’s, 2:30PM

10/7-8, Bye Week

Friday, 9/14, at St. Peter’s Prep, 7PM

Saturday, 10/22, at Pope John, 2:30PM

Saturday, 10/29, Don Bosco at home, 1PM

Saturday, 11/5, Seton Hall Prep at home, 2:30PM

Concerns: Inexperience and depth, especially on both lines. The team will be young, with several sophomores playing.

Recruits: Johnson is a 1-AA/CAA and Army candidate. Hebbeler has an offer from Towson and may get Patriot/Ivy League offers soon. Massey and Dean have both Patriot and Ivy interest. Idrizi has CAA interest. Vito has Ivy and NESCAC interest, while Jaramillo and Kranjac have NESCAC interest. Others may play D3.

In the junior class, Langan has offers from Boston College and temple. Givens and Jean-Baptiste have the ability to elevate to the 1-A level. Classi is an Ivy League candidate.

Among sophomores, McKenzie has offers from Rutgers, Boston College, and Temple. Rhamir Johnson has a Boston College offer, while Alfano has been offered by Ohio State. Another who should be 1-A is DiCosmo.

Coach’s Comments: “We have a talented, young team. We will see how quickly we mature to see what kind of team we have.” - Head Coach Nunzio Campanile

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