TEAM PREVIEW: West Essex

2013 In Review: The Knights were 10-1, losing to Parsippany Hills in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 semi-finals, after beating Orange. They scored 393 points for a 35.73 average, while allowing 159 points for a 14.45 average. Wins included River Dell, West Orange, and Caldwell.

Departures: QB Matt Theis - Susquehanna, FB/LB Jason Russo - Susquehanna, DB Joe Scaglia - Susquehanna, LB/TE Alex Wojcowicz - Susquehanna, OL/DL Mark D'Ignazio - Moravian, OL/DL Matt D'Ignazio - Delaware Valley

Offense: The Knights run a Wing T and return one starter. The quarterback will be senior Luke Magliaro (5-foot-9, 170), a defensive starter last year. The fullback will be senior Marc McDonald (6-foot-1, 230) and one halfback will be senior Dominic Magliaro (5-foot-9, 170), both returning defensive starters. The other halfback will be senior Kevin Pierce (5-foot-9, 165). Competing for time will be junior Anthony Scaglia (5-foot-7, 155) and senior Matt Vassallo (5-foot-9, 170).

At the receivers, split end will be split by seniors Jon Agolia (5-foot-11, 185) and Michael Panzarino (5-foot-10, 170). Tight end will be between juniors Jason Rusignuolo (6-foot-1, 195) and Brandon Heinz (6-foot-1, 195).

The lone returning starter to the line is senior Roberto LoCascio (6-foot-0, 200) at left guard. The right guard will be senior Angelo Margiolas (5-foot-8, 185). The left tackle will be senior Jared Ponzio (5-foot-10, 220) and junior CJ Lopez (6-foot-1, 220) will play right tackle. Center has senior Emon Mirghahari (5-foot-9, 225) and junior Frank Hunter (6-foot-0, 230) competing.

Defense: The Knights playa four man front and return four starters. McDonald returns at end and senior Bobby McGuire (5-foot-10, 205) manning the opposite side. Pushing for time will be Rusignuolo and Heinz. The tackles will be Mirghahari and Ponzio will be the tackles, with competition from junior Tom Tabatneck (6-foot-2, 235), Hunter, and junior Rich Caronia (5-foot-11, 225).

Two linebackers, with LoCascio a three year starter in the middle and Dominic Magliaro back on the weak side. Margiolas will play the strong side and competition will come from junior Danny Calix (5-foot-8, 180) and sophomore Brian O'Neill (6-foot-1, 210).

Luke Magliaro will return at one corner and Panzarino will be the other, with Pierce seeing time on the corner. Free safety will be Agolia and strong safety has Scaglia, Vassallo, and junior Justin Trigg (5-foot-8, 160) battling it out.

Special Teams: The kicker and punter will be Dominic Magliaro and the return men will be Agolia and Panzarino.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/5, at Delaware Valley, 7PM

Friday, 9/12, Irvington at home, 7PM

Bye week, 9/19-20

Friday, 9/26, Central (Newark) at home, 7PM

Thursday, 10/2, at Weequahic, 7PM

Friday, 10/10, at West Orange, 7PM

Saturday, 10/18, at East Orange, 1PM

Friday, 9/24, Seton Hall Prep at home, 7PM

Friday, 10/31, Montville at home, 7PM

Friday, 11/7, at Bloomfield, 7PM

Concerns: Inexperience and moving into the large division of the Super Essex Conference.

Recruits: McDonald has interest from Monmouth, Lehigh and other Patriot League schools. LoCascio committed to Villanova for lacrosse. The Magliaro twins have interest from Susquehanna and Delaware Valley, but both will be four year starters in baseball and may go that route. Others need a good year and a couple may be able to play D3.

At this point, Lopez, Tabatneck, and Hunter are the top juniors, going anywhere from D3 to 1AA.

In the sophomore class, O'Neill will play somewhere.

Coach's Comments: "It will be a big challenge for us. We will be a young team, with one starter on offense returning and four on defense. There is a lot of competition for positions and moving up to the large school division will be a challenge. The kids are prideful and will take their shot at the best. We'll see how it works out; if we succeed, it will help us in the playoffs." - Head Coach Chris Benacquista