2013 In Review: The Soaring Eagles 8-3 (including forfeit loss), losing to Montclair in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 5 semi-finals, after beating West Orange. They scored 463 points for a 42.09 average, while allowing 181 points for a 16.45 average, including three shutouts. Wins included North Bergen, Hoboken, and Shabazz, while their only loss on the field was to St. Peter's Prep.

Departures: T David Allen - Delaware State, C Roger Riera - Kean, TE/DE Raphael Cartagena - Monroe JUCO (NY)

Offense: Union City runs a multiple Wing T and return seven starters. The quarterback will be senior Renaldy Tavarez (6-foot-2, 170), who alternated last year. All three running backs return, with senior fullback Tamaine Boyd (5-foot-11, 240), plus seniors Jonathan Castellano (5-foot-9, 180) and Nawell Rojas (5-foot-10. 200) at the halfbacks. Also pushing for some time are senior Danny Nunez (5-foot-10, 185) and junior Jeremy Torres (6-foot-0, 205) at fullback, along with juniors Raven Josiah (5-foot-9, 170) and Jose Valle (5-foot-9, 170). Nunez was a defensive starter last year.

Returning at split end will be senior Daiquan Kelly (6-foot-3, 210) and he will split duties this year with junior Steven Sanchez (6-foot-2, 175). Tight end will be a battle among junior Raul Fernandez (6-foot-2, 230), senior Brian Baez (5-foot-11, 190), and senior Ricardo Corrado (6-foot-2, 205).

Two starters return to the line in senior three year starter Steven Gonzalez (6-foot-5, 315) at left tackle and senior Kevin Mejia (6-foot-2, 250) at right guard. The left guard will be junior Ulises De Los Santos (6-foot-4, 270), with senior Ariel Veras (6-foot-2, 310) at right tackle. Center is a competition between junior Jonathan Beltre (5-foot-11, 260) and Bryan DeLeon (5-foot-10, 240), with Beltre seeing time last year. Three sophomores will supply depth in Anthony Garcia (6-foot-0, 235), Leo Cruz (5-foot-11, 225), and Elyzer Oliveri (6-foot-3, 240).

Defense: The Soaring Eagles run a 4-3 and return nine starters. Boyd moves to end after starting at linebacker and he'll be paired with Mejia, who saw action inside. Rotating in will be Torres and junior Keven De La Cruz (6-foot-2, 225). De Los Santos started the last six games at tackle, with nose guard being patrolled by Gonzalez and Veras, who both saw a lot of action. Playing in a rotation will be Beltre and DeLeon.

Returning at linebacker are senior Wilfredo Reyes (5-foot-9, 195) in the middle and Nunez on the weak side. The strong side will be either Baez or junior Juan Cruz (5-foot-9, 170). Boyd may still see time, along with sophomore Fernando Breton (5-foot-10, 210) and other underclassmen.

The entire secondary returns, with Kelly at free safety and Castellano at strong safety, and corners Rojas and senior Dayber Licea (5-foot-7, 160). There is very good depth here, with sophomore Harrison Fernandez (5-foot-11, 190) at strong safety and Sanchez at free safety, Josiah, Valle, sophomore Josiah Negron (5-foot-9, 170), and senior Michael Baeza (5-foot-9, 170).

Special Teams: Valle will be the kicker and senior Isaac Alberto will punt. Castellano will return kicks and punts, while Rojas will return kicks.

Friday, 9/5, Seton Hall Prep at home, 7PM

Bye week, 9/12-13

Saturday, 9/20, at Montclair, 1PM

Friday, 9/26, Bayonne at home, 7PM

Friday, 10/3, Lincoln at home, 7PM

Friday, 10/10, at North Bergen, 7:30PM

Friday, 10/17, at Memorial, 7PM

Saturday, 10/24, at St. Peter's Prep, 7PM

Friday, 10/31, at Ferris, 7PM

Friday, 11/7, Kearny, 7PM

Concerns: Keeping their focus and hunger is the top issue. This is a team that has not maximized its potential.

Recruits: Gonzalez committed to Penn State, Kelly committed to Syracuse, and Castellano committed to Old Dominion. Boyd has offers from James Madison and Buffalo. Mejia is receiving attention from Towson, James Madison, and Central Connecticut. Others can play in college with a good year.

In the junior class, De Los Santos has offers from Rutgers, Syracuse, and Old Dominion. Sanchez can be a good prospect. He has good hands, runs good routes, and a good athlete.

There is a talented sophomore class, including Ferguson and Negron.

Coach's Comments: "We're very excited and optimistic. We return a lot of starters that are hungry and ready to have a big year." - Head Coach Wilbur Valdez