2009 In Review: The Knights were 7-3, losing to Wayne Hills in the first round of the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 playoffs. They scored 308 points for a 30.8 average, while allowing 156 points for a 15.6 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Ramapo, Mahwah, and Paramus Catholic.

Departures: TE/DE Mike Reilly - William & Mary, RB/DB Chris Martinez - Lafayette, FB/LB Ray Donnelly - Rowan, Iyi Okunlola - St. Lawrence (NY), K Nick Errico - Penn state as a walk on

Offense: Old Tappan runs a Wing-T and returns five starters. Returning for his third year at quarterback is junior Devin Fuller (6-foot-0, 175). The fullback will be junior Keith Rodman (5-foot-10, 200). The halfbacks will be seniors Alex Azarian (6-foot-2, 200) and Jeff Pinelli (5-foot-8, 165), with both starting defensively last year.

Returning at split end is senior Drew Martinez (6-foot-3, 195). The tight end will be senior Dale Veselsky (6-foot-1, 190).

Three returning starters to the line are senior tackles Louis Petrocelli (6-foot-3, 300) and Derek Weissman (5-foot-10, 240), plus senior guard Peter Alsharif (6-foot-0, 220). The other guard will be senior Peter Ahn (6-foot-0, 190), while junior Dan Falkenstern (5-foot-10, 195) will be the center.

Defense: The Knights play a 3-3 and return four starters and two others with experience. Alsharif is a returning starter at end, moving from nose guard. Weissman will be the other end, after starting two games. Petrocelli will be the nose guard.

Azarian returns at outside linebacker, with junior Dylan Saccocio (6-foot-0, 195) playing the opposite side. Falkenstern will man the middle.

The secondary has two returning starters and two others who played. Jeff Pinelli returns at one corner, while the other corner will be either junior Chris Pinelli (5-foot-8, 150) or junior Andrew Dobitsch (5-foot-10, 185), who started a few games. Fuller returns at free safety. The strong safeties will be Martinez and Veselsky, as Martinez saw action last year.

Special Teams: Kicker and punter are undecided. Jeff Pinelli, Fuller, Azarian, and sophomore John Trainor (5-foot-9, 145) will be the return men.

Schedule: Saturday 9/11, at Pascack Valley, 7PM; Thursday 9/16, Paramus, 7PM; Friday 9/24, at Indian Hills, 7PM; Friday 10/1, Paramus Catholic, 7PM; Friday 10/8, at Wayne Valley, 7PM; 10/15-16, bye week; Friday 10/22, West Milford, 7PM; Saturday 10/30, at Passaic Valley, 1PM; Friday 11/6, Ramapo, 7PM; Thursday 11/25, at Demarest, 10:30AM (Schedule courtesy of www.highschoolsports.net)

Question Marks: Depth, especially up front. The kicking game is also a concern.

Recruiting: Petrocelli is 1-AA and a borderline 1-A prospect. Alsharif has Patriot/Ivy/NESCAC potential. Martinez is a 1-AA prospect with great hands and unbelievable ball skills, according to head coach Brian Dunn. He may be a tight end on the next level. Azarian has 1-AA/D2 possibilities. Weissman is a good D3 candidate. Others can go D3 with good seasons.

In the junior class, Fuller is a 1-A prospect and an excellent athlete. Rodman is tough and strong, with good potential.

Coach's Comments: "We have a good mix of returning players and young kids. We should be competitive. We're optimistic." - Coach Brian Dunn