TEAM PREVIEW: Wayne Valley
2016 In Review: The Indians were 9-3, losing to Wayne Hills in overtime in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 finals after beating Randolph and Morris Knolls. They scored 370 points for a 30.83 average, while allowing 287 for 23.92 average. Wins included River Dell, Downingtown West (Pa.), and Morris Knolls, while their other losses were to Wayne Hills and Irvington.
Departures: OL/DL Jake Pluta - Kutztown, WR/DB Joe Scancarella - Wesleyan, QB Grant Ferrauilo - Fullerton College (JC in Ca.), WR/DB Elijah Beard - St. Thomas More (Ct. prep), LB Danny Sandowick - Rowan, OL/DL Joey Monsen - Moravian, Jordan Montero - Bucknell for track
Offense: Wayne Valley runs a multiple spread, returns two starters, two who started some games, and three others who started on defense. The quarterback will be senior Vinnie Marrone (6-foot-1, 200), who started on defense. At running back, one and two-back packages will be used and players competing will be junior Shaheem Maple (6-foot-1, 185), junior Nick Trani (6-foot-0, 220), junior David Trinidad (6-foot-0, 235), senior Greg Poloso (5-foot-8, 195), and senior Isaac Rosado (5-foot-11, 170). Poloso saw time and Trinidad, Trani, and Rosado all started on defense.
Returning at wide receiver is senior AJ Tedesco (5-foot-11, 190). Joining him in the mix are senior James Pollack (5-foot-10, 170) and junior Sam Bumbaco (5-foot-8, 160). At tight end, it will be senior Tyler DiMaio (6-foot-1, 225) and Trinidad.
On the line, senior tackle Shane Connelly (6-foot-3, 295) returns, junior guard Greg Fox (5-foot-11, 255) started a few games, and senior guard Gabe Ortiz (5-foot-11, 220) saw significant time late in the season. The other tackle will be junior Ian Lancelotti (6-foot-1, 270), while center is a battle between sophomore Ricky Ruggiero (5-foot-10, 220) and junior Joe Esposito (5-foot-10, 190).
Defense: The Indians run a 3-4 and return three starters and another who started some games. Fox started some games at nose guard, while the tackles will have a rotation of players. One tackle has Ortiz and DiMaio, with Connelly and Lancelotti at the other. Also in the rotation may be sophomore Jordan Botero (5-foot-10, 245).
Returning at linebacker are Trinidad outside and Trani inside. In addition, Rosado started some games on the outside. The other inside linebacker will be either Poloso or junior Selim Maksut (5-foot-10, 175). Backing up the outside will be junior Danny Murphy 6-foot-2, 200).
Returning in the secondary is Marrone at cornerback. Maple, Tedesco, and junior Liam Dring (5-foot-8, 150) will be in competition for the other corner and it’s possible Marrone will be rested since he will be playing quarterback this year. The two safety positions are up for grabs, with Bumbaco, Pollock, junior Nick Duncan (5-foot-8, 150), and junior Chris Ventura (5-foot-7, 150) in the running.
Special Teams: Kicker is open with Trani and DiMaio in the mix, while Marrone will punt. Return men have not been settled, but Maples has a chance.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/1, Downingtown West (Pa.) at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/8, at Lakeland, 7 PM
Friday, 9/15, at River Dell, 6 PM
Saturday, 9/23, Passaic Valley at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/29, at Morris Knolls, 7 PM
Friday, 10/6, Northern Highlands at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/13, Irvington at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/20, at West Milford, 6:30 PM
Saturday, 10/28, at Wayne Hills, TBA
11/3-4 Bye Week
Concerns: There is a light senior class and a deep junior class. They need to get ready for tough games early in the season and pre-season will be important for their development.
Recruiting: Connelly has D2 interest, along with Tedesco. Marrone, Ortiz, DiMaio, and Peloso are D3 possibilities.
In the junior class, Trani and Trinidad have 1-AA interest, while others could go D3.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re excited about the season. We’ll have a different type of team, more run oriented. We will be big and strong up front and our strength will be in the backfield. On defense, our strength is experience up front in the box.” - Head Coach Roger Kotlarz