2015 In Review: The Cardinals were 4-5, losing all five games by a total of 18 points and were leading with a minute left in four of those losses. They scored 287 points for a 31.89 average, while allowing 143 for a 15.89 average. Wins included Palisades Park and Lodi, while losses included Glen Rock, Hawthorne, New Milford, Lyndhurst, and Lakeland.
Departures: OL/DL Ryan Gosiker - Wesleyan
Offense: Pompton Lakes runs multiple formations and returns five starters and several others who played often. Returning at quarterback is junior Kevin Cotter (6-foot-1, 175). Another junior, Kyle Shafer (6-foot-0, 205), also saw time and they might even go to a two-quarterback system. Tailback will have seniors Chris Grecco (5-foot-8, 170) and Cole Harriet (5-foot-8, 175) playing, as both saw time here and started defensively. The fullback will be sophomore Frank Negrini (5-foot-11, 210) and he saw more time as the year progressed.
Two receivers return at the receiving positions. Senior Nick Posimato (5-foot-8, 185) is back at wide receiver, as is senior Nick McDonald (6-foot-0, 190), who will move to tight end. In the running at the other wideout are juniors Steve Sanders (5-foot-11, 170) and Logan Mahoney (6-foot-0, 160). Another who may see time at either wide receiver or tight end is sophomore John Tanis (5-foot-10, 165).
The line returns three starters. Back at tackle are junior Drew Flynn (6-foot-3, 255) and senior Joe Nicoletti (6-foot-0, 245). Filling out the line are senior Cameron Kleinot (5-foot-11, 250), junior Austin Leone (6-foot-0, 245), junior AJ Gesimondo (5-foot-10, 220), and junior Leo Sylvestri (5-foot-10, 190). Kleinot started on defense last year. A returning starter, senior Nico Negrini (6-foot-0, 190) may end up playing only on defense this year. Another who could be in the mix is sophomore Ryan Presta (5-foot-9, 185), possibly at center.
Defense: The Cardinals run multiple three, four, and five man fronts, where players can play more than one position, with eight starters are back. The line returns Flynn and Kleinot at the tackles, with Nicoletti and Gesimondo will be included in the rotation. Negrini started at linebacker last year and will play both end and linebacker.
Returning at the linebackers are Shafer and McDonald, plus Negrini when he isn’t playing end.
Three starters return to the secondary, with Harriet and Posimato back on the corners and Grecco back at strong safety. The free safety will be Sanders.
Special Teams: Harriet returns as the punter, while kicker and the return men have not been decided. The leading contenders to return kicks are Grecco and Harriet., while a punt returner will be settled in camp.
Schedule:
Saturday, 9/10, Elmwood Park at home, 1PM
Friday, 9/16, at Queen of Peace, 7PM
9/23-24, Bye Week
Friday, 9/30, at New Milford, 7PM
Saturday, 10/8, Hawthorne at home, 1PM
Saturday, 10/15, Harrison at home, 7PM
Friday, 10/21, at Lyndhurst, 7PM
*The NJIC, which Pompton Lakes is a member of, are only scheduling division games. I am not clear on whether a team can schedule an extra game during the bye week. After the division games, the first place team in one division plays a first team in another division (there are four divisions). The winner of that game plays the winner of the other game between first place teams. The same holds true for second place through seventh place.
Concerns: Staying healthy. Coach Scott Mahoney likes the team he has and likes the depth they have. They gained experience the last two years.
Recruits: There are seven kids in this class that can play a college sport at a D2/D3 level. Kleinot, Posimato, Grecco, Harriet, McDonald, Negrini, and Nicoletti. Kleinot could go track, Posimato and McDonald could go baseball, Greco may wrestle and he made it to Atlantic City for the states last year, Harriet is a top lacrosse player, and Negrini could go track or wrestling.
In the juniors, Flynn has been drawing interest from Rutgers and Boston College. He is also a very good wrestler, wrestling in some national tournaments. Shafer and Cotter will also get some looks.
Coach’s Comments: “We look to have a good season. We’ve had a good summer and the kids have worked hard. We were young the last two years and I think that will pay off this year.” - Head Coach Scott Mahoney
