TEAM UPDATE: Pascack Valley

2012 In Review: Pascack Valley is currently 1-0 following a season-opening 26-0 victory over Clifton. The Indians were 11-1 in 2012, losing to Roxbury in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 final, after beating Wayne Hills and Vernon. They scored 420 points for a35.0 average, while allowing 140 points for an 11.67 average, including four shutouts. Wins included Ramapo, DePaul, Wayne Hills, and Old Tappan.

Departures: QB Kyle Schneider - Cortland State, WR/DB Kevin Illian - Cortland State

Offense: Pascack Valley runs a multiple I and returns one starter. Quarterback has been a three way battle among senior Dan DePropsero (6-foot-2, 195), junior Steve Farrell (6-foot-2, 185), and sophomore Colin Dedrick (6-foot-2, 175). The tailback will be a committee of senior Jake Morra (6-foot-0, 190), senior Jaleel Felton (5-foot-11, 160), junior Rocco Swatek (5-foot-9, 180), and junior Jorge Cortes (6-foot-0, 185). Morra was a defensive starter last year. Returning at fullback is senior Jimmy Butler (5-foot-10, 195).

At wide receiver, the main players will be senior Brendan Morrissey (5-foot-11, 165), senior Ricky Tribuzio (5-foot-10, 165), and junior Jack Madden (5-foot-8, 155), with Morrissey being a defensive starter a year ago. Also getting time will be senior Tim O'Shea (5-foot-10, 165), senior Aaron Sariol (5-foot-11, 180), and sophomore Jack Giambona (6-foot-0, 170). The tight end will be junior Greg Collier (6-foot-0, 185).

The line will have junior Jimmy Albertus (6-foot-1, 190) at center and seniors Matt Saidel (5-foot-10, 220) and Jake Creagh (5-foot-10, 190) as the guards. The tackles will be senior Jake Sirico (6-foot-0, 210) and junior Jake Padva (5-foot-11, 270). Others are also vying for time.

Defense: The Indians run a 3-4 and return three starters. At one tackle, senior Mark Rigney (6-foot-0, 210) returns. Saidel will be the other tackle and senior Jake Matuszewski (5-foot-11, 175) will be the nose guard.

Morra returns at one inside linebacker and Swatek will play next to him. The outside linebackers will be Collier and Sirico.

In the secondary, Morrissey returns at safety and Farrell or senior Hunter Biedenkapp (5-foot-11, 170) will be the other safety. Felton and Tribuzio will be the cornerbacks, with Madden also seeing time and senior Will Choi (5-foot-8, 155) pushing for time. Giambona is pushing for time at safety.

Special Teams: At kicker and punter, junior Colin Smith and Farrell are competing at both positions. In the return game, Tribuzio and Felton will return kicks and Madden and Morrissey will return punts.

Schedule:

Thursday, 9/12, Clifton at home, 6PM

Friday, 9/20, at Old Tappan, 7PM

Friday, 9/27, Bergenfield at home, 6PM

Friday, 10/4, at DePaul, 7PM

Friday, 10/11, Passaic Valley at home, 6PM

Friday, 10/18, at Wayne Hills, 7PM

Friday, 10/25, Demarest at home, 6PM

Friday, 11/1, at Ramapo, 7PM

Friday, 11/8, at West Milford, 7PM

Question Marks: Inexperience. Even the seniors are not experienced, but they are a good program and they will reload.

Recruiting: Morra is D3 and others can go D3 with a good year.

Collier is the best player in the junior class. Others need a good year.

Coach's Comments: "We have a lot of people to replace, losing 30 seniors to graduation. We are coming together and moving in the right direction." - Head Coach Craig Neilsen