2012 In Review: The Patriots were 6-5, losing to Pascack Valley in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 semi-finals after beating Hackensack. They scored 310 points for a 28.18 average, while allowing 164 points for a 14.91 average, including three shutouts. Wins included Passaic Tech, Teaneck, and Northern Highlands, while losses were to St. Joe's (Montvale), Wayne Valley, Pascack Valley, and Paramus.

Departures: QB Kevin Olsen - Miami, WR/DB Erik Moskal - Sacred Heart, TE/LB Ryan Kardux - lacrosse, CB Preston Quinn - West Virginia as a walk on

Offense: Wayne Hills runs a multiple I and returns three players who started some games or played, plus two defensive starters. Quarterback has experience in senior Justin DeGroat (6-foot-2, 185), who started a good part of the season when Kevin Olsen was injured. The tailback will be junior Justin Hogan (6-foot-2, 215), who saw action and started on defense. Fullback will be a committee of seniors Anthony Kenny (6-foot-1, 205) and Martin Kilroy (6-foot-1 220). Another who may play in the backfield is senior Steve Pusterla (5-foot-9, 185) and he may also see time at wide receiver.

The wide receivers will be seniors Nick Falzarano (5-foot-11, 175) and Erik Martinez (6-foot-0, 205), while the tight end will be senior Sean Slazyk (6-foot-4, 235), who played late in the year, but missed much of the season with an injury. Pushing at tight end is sophomore Joe Kenny (6-foot-1, 230). Also in the picture at wide receiver are Pusterla and sophomore Vincent LoVerde (5-foot-10, 165).

No starters return to the line, but two defensive starters will start. The center will be senior Mike Scheiner (5-foot-11, 210). The guards will be seniors Chris Lohmann (5-foot-11, 240), a defensive starter from last year, and Robert Luterzo (5-foot-10, 210). The tackles will be junior Derek Bastinck (6-foot-5, 230) and senior James Kelly (6-foot-0, 220). Kelly started on defense, while Bastnick was injured much of the year.

Defense: The Patriots run a 4-4 and return four starters and another who started before being injured. Lohmann and Kelly return at the tackles. Bastinck and Slazyk will be the ends; Bastinck started before being injured.

The linebackers have Hogan as a returning starter on the inside, moving from end. Kilroy will be his partner, while Anthony Kenny and junior Dylan Doecks (5-foot-7, 175) will man the outside positions. Joe Kenny may enter the picture, either inside or outside.

Returning at safety is Nick Falzarano. The corners will be junior Frank Falzarano (6-foot-1, 185) and Brian Berges (5-foot-11, 175), with a push from LoVerde.

Special Teams: Martinez returns as the kicker and he will add punting duties this year. The return men will be Hogan, Pusterla, and others.

Thursday, 9/12, at Northern Highlands, 4PM

Friday, 9/20, Wayne Valley at home, 7PM

Saturday, 9/28, at Tenafly, 1PM

Friday, 10/4, St. Joe's (Montvale) at home, 7PM

Saturday, 10/12, at Teaneck, 7PM

Friday, 10/18, Pascack Valley at home, 7PM

Friday, 10/25, Passaic Valley at home, 7PM

Friday, 11/1, at Passaic Tech, 7PM

Friday, 11/8, Paramus at home, 7PM

Question Marks: Staying healthy. The injury bug hit the team last year, so if they stay healthy, they'll be alright.

Recruiting: Slazyk has been a 1-AA prospect, who has also heard from Syracuse and UConn recently. The others are D3 prospects.

In the junior class, Hogan is a 1-A prospect, who has interest from Rutgers and others. Bastinck is 1-AA/1-A. Others need a good year.

Coach's Comments: "Things are positive. We're continuing a strong tradition at Wayne Hills. We feel good about the kids coming back and we're ready to get going." - Head Coach Wayne Demikoff