TEAM PREVIEW: Wayne Hills
2016 In Review: The Patriots were 11-1, winning the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 title by beating Wayne Valley in overtime, after beating West Morris and Roxbury. They scored 410 points for a 34.17 average, while allowing 219 for an 18.25 average. Wins included Ramapo, Roxbury, Old Tappan, Irvington, and Wayne Valley. Their lone loss was to Pahokee (Fl.), who had to forfeit all 14 of their wins; nonetheless, the game was lost on the field.
Departures: QB/LB Brendan Devera - Rutgers, WR/DB Tyler Hayek - Rutgers, WR/DB Hunter Hayek - Rutgers, WR Evidence Njoku - Miami, RB Luca Grave - Moravian, DE Ky Salley - Rowan, DB Dom DiCarlo - Rowan
Offense: Wayne Hills runs a multiple spread and returns four starters and another who played. Quarterback has competition between junior JP Lemchak (6-foot-3, 165) and senior Anthony Casasanta (5-foot-11, 175). At running back, it will be between senior Dario Sirni (5-foot-8, 175) and junior Adam Adida (5-foot-10, 160). Junior Joe Mongelli (5-foot-6, 165) started a couple of games, but is out indefinitely with an injury. When a fullback is used, it will be junior Anthony Puntolillo (5-foot-9, 190).
At wide receiver, junior Jaaron Hayek (6-foot-1, 175) saw action and he will be joined by junior Charles Njoku (6-foot-3, 180), junior Zach Zachmann (5-foot-7, 170), sophomore Justin Vorabouth (5-foot-11, 170), and senior Joe Cerone (6-foot-3, 185).
Four starters return to the line and they will be junior left tackle Bence Polgar (6-foot-4, 310), senior left guard Mike Zaccone (6-foot-1, 230), senior center Scott Fischgrund (6-foot-0, 225), and senior right guard Justin Modak (6-foot-1, 255), with Zaccone and Modak being three-year starters. The right tackle will be junior Joe Rondi (6-foot-4, 255). Pushing for time will be junior Ben Kurzer (5-foot-9, 185) and senior Pete Dellechaie (6-foot-2, 240).
Defense: The Patriots run multiple fronts, depending on the opposition, with three starters returning and another who played. Modak returns for his third year at end, while Rondi will play opposite him, with junior Gabe Dellechaie (6-foot-2, 225) possibly getting some time. Tackle will have Polgar, Pete Dellechaie, and others playing.
Returning at outside linebacker is Zaccone for his third season and senior Nick Alechammas (5-foot-10, 200) opposite him, with juniors Joe Montanez (5-foot-10, 195) and Lundrin Nasufi (5-foot-11, 200) possibly rotating in. Inside linebacker will have Puntolillo having some experience, plus Kurzer and Zaccone may see time here.
Back in the secondary is Hayek at safety, where he will be joined by senior Nick Casasanta (5-foot-11, 190), Zachmann, Cerone, and others. In the running at cornerback are Sirni, Adida, sophomore Patrick Orapello (6-foot-0, 170), and junior Nick Azzopardi (5-foot-11, 170).
Special Teams: Kicker has Polgar kicking off and and Sirni on extra points. The punter will be Lemchak or Orapello, while the return men will be Hayek, Njoku, Zachmann, and others.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/1, at Canton McKinley (Oh.), 7PM
Friday, 9/8, at Ramapo, 7PM
Friday, 9/15, Roxbury at home, 7PM
Saturday, 9/23, at Old Tappan, 1PM
9/29-30, Bye Week
Friday, 10/6, Pascack Valley at home, 7PM
Friday, 10/13, at Millburn, 7PM
Saturday, 10/21, at Passaic Valley, 1PM
Saturday, 10/28, Wayne Valley at home, TBA
Friday, 11/3, at Irvington, 7PM
Concerns: After last year, they have a target on their backs as state champions; they will have to rise to the occasion. Coach Wayne Demikoff is pleased, however, at how hard the players have worked, putting in the time to defend that title.
Recruiting: Modak has interest from Ivy League and Patriot League schools, plus New Hampshire. Zaccone has interest from Rhode Island, Army, and Navy. Others are good high school football players who have a chance to play somewhere.
In the junior class, Polgar has a Temple offer, Hayek has offers from Rutgers and Buffalo, while both Njoku and Rondi have interest from Rutgers and Temple. The top sophomore at this point is Vorabouth.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re excited about the season, we have a good group coming back. They’re hungry, even after winning a State Championship and they’re working hard to get another.” - Head Coach Wayne Demikoff