Team Preview: Hunterdon Central Red Devils

2011 In Review: The Red Devils were 8-2, losing in overtime to Piscataway in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 playoffs. They scored 335 points for a 33.5 average and allowed 111 for an 11.1 average, including four shutouts. Wins included Phillipsburg, Franklin, and Linden, while their other loss was to Elizabeth.

Departures: TE/DL Matt Ioannidis - Temple, RB Brandon Brocklehurst - CNJ, LB Connor Lyons - Rutgers as a walk on, WR/DB Mike Bujnowski - Stetson (Pa.), QB Blake Searfoss - Hun (prep)

Offense: Hunterdon Central runs the spread and returns four starters. The quarterback is a competition between junior Michael Knight (6-foot-0, 170) and senior Jonathan DeLello (6-foot-1, 175). The running back will be junior Jason Cabinda (6-foot-1, 205).

One receiver returns in junior wide receiver Ryan Dunleavy (6-foot-0, 180). The other two side receivers will be senior Devin DeGrasse (5-foot-11, 165) and senior Tyler Parker (5-foot-11, 185), with DeGrasse getting time last year. The tight end will be senior Bryan Duncan (5-foot-11, 235), who started on defense.

Three starters return to the line and they are senior left tackle Matt Gwizdz (6-foot-1, 260), senior left guard Max Bruccoleri (6-foot-0, 225), and senior right tackle Marcus Ortega (6-foot-0, 245). The center will be senior Ryan Hanigan (5-foot-8, 225) and right guard is undecided.

Defense: The Red Devils run a 4-3 this year and return four starters. Duncan is back as an end, while senior Shamis Henry (6-foot-2, 275) returns at tackle. Senior Joe Furino (5-foot-10, 215) will play nose guard and the other end is open.

The inside linebackers will be Cabinda and juniorKevin Ioannidis (6-foot-0, 185). On the outside, it will be junior Mark Diehl (6-foot-0, 185) and senior Shane Taggert (6-foot-1, 2050, who played last year.

Two starters return to the secondary, with senior Nick Tortoriello (5-foot-11, 175) at safety and junior Keegan Hickey (5-foot-9, 180) at cornerback. The opposite cornerback will be junior Jordan Wideman (5-foot-10, 180).

Specials: Returning as the kicker is junior Steven Barr and senior Aidan Fromme is the punter. Dunleavy and senior Chris DelRossi (6-foot-0 175) are the return men.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/7, Franklin, 7PM

Friday, 9/14, at Bridgewater-Raritan, 7PM

Friday, 9/21, Elizabeth, 7PM

Saturday, 9/29, at Westfield, 1PM

Friday, 10/5, at Hillsborough, 7PM

Friday, 10/12, Phillipsburg, 7PM

Friday, 10/19, Immaculata, 7PM

Friday, 10/26, at Ridge, 7PM

Friday, 11/2, Union, 7PM

Schedule is courtesy of www.maxpreps.com and www.gridironnewjersey.com

Question Marks: Tough schedule.

Recruits: Most of the guys have the ability to play in college, but Cabinda is a potential 1-A prospect in the junior class.

Coach's Comments: "We're cautiously optimistic for a successful season. We have a challenging schedule, one of the toughest in the state, but I think our men are up to the challenge." - Head Coach Matt Perotti