H.S. Football Preview 2006

Sussex County boasts top two running backs in NJ By Dennis Wilson Hopatcong’s Joe Martinek and Pope John’s Jeremy Tucker are rated the two top scholastic running backs in the State of New Jersey for the 2006 campaign. Martinek had given an oral commitment to continue his student/athlete career with the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers in 2007. In the three varsity seasons, Martinek (6-0, 200) has accumulated more than 5,200 yards on the ground and should graduate as the state’s all-time leading rusher. Tucker (5-9, 180) joined the Pope John program last fall after Bayley-Ellard closed its doors and proceeded to rush for more than 2,300 yards while scoring 37 touchdowns for head coach Vic Paternostro’s juggernaut that went 9-2. What makes the accomplishments of both even more impressive, they have to run against some of the top defensives in the Garden State. Hopatcong has another prospective All-State player in defensive lineman Zach Rey (6-1, 245) who is the defending NJSIAA heavyweight champion. Pope John’s offensive lineman Matt Washer (6-2, 270) is another NCAA Division I-A candidate while Lenape Valley’s linebacker Mike Groome (6-1, 210) will impress the scouts for the recruiting Class of 2007. Coming off an 11-1 record, head coach Paul Reduzzi’s Chief’s are the team to beat with Martinek and Rey joined by a talented lineup that includes Carl Juskus (5-11, 195), Matt Imroth (5-11, 205), Steve Hynson (6-0, 200), Anthony Bumbaco (5-10, 165) and A.J. Pagano (5-9, 155) providing quality and experience. Paternostro’s Lions will also be tough to beat and are picked by many to wear the crown. The only negative to the SCIL season is that Hopatcong opens the season at Pope John on Saturday afternoon, September 9 so that the champion could be decided on opening day. Eugene McGuire (6-3, 195) provides Paternostro’s dynamic running attack with a proven, third-starter at quarterback who adds the airways to the Lions’ offensive plans. Other returning Lion veterans besides Washer, include John Van Aman (6-0, 210), Jon Gonzalez (6-2, 210), John Corrigan (6-1, 245) and Rob Russo (6-1, 185). Don Smolyn begins his 31st season as head coach of Lenape Valley and one thing is for certain, the Patriots are a perennial powerhouse. In addition to Groome who not only excels at linebacker but also powered his way into the end zone on nine occasions, LVR is solid with Anthony Dalesandro (5-11, 210), Ryan Mendia (6-1, 250), Sean Pruden (5-11, 265), Rob Klinck (5-11, 180), Jim Hammill (6-2, 200) and Rob Bergstrom (5-10, 160). Vernon went 8-3 in 2005, reaching the semifinals of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section I, Group IV playoffs. Head coach Chuck Tepper’s squad has the capabilities to strike quickly through the air with senior quarterback Dan Lisa (6-1, 175) hooking up with veteran receivers Mike Deutch (6-5, 205) and Casey Manning (5-10, 180). Tepper must find a running back to replace the graduated Justin Gannon. Sparta finished 8-4 last season, reaching the NJSIAA North Jersey, Section I, Group II title game after knocking out unbeaten Pascack Valley in the semifinals. Head coach Rob Ambrosino’s Spartans must fill the signal calling slot but possess a talented receiving corps with Derrick Freligh (6-3, 190) and Russ Mastriani (601, 185). Up front in the trenches, the leaders will be Brandon Dock (6-3,225) and Brian Pelletier (6-4, 275). Newton has made significant strides in upgrading its program as the Braves improved to 4-6 last season. Steve Zander (6-0, 185) could be the SCIL’s top QB after scoring 11 times and tossing for seven six-pointers as a junior. Other veterans include Matt Cafaro (6-2, 250), Jon Miskew (6-2, 240), Gregg Bittner (6-2, 275), Scott Paul (6-1, 195), Jared Zappa (5-9, 140) and Deshawn Howard (6-1, 190). High Point went 1-9 last year. The Wildcats look to improve behind veterans Mark Khoury (5-10, 170), Chris Smith (6-0, 190), Brad Thomas (5-11, 200) and Aaron Volcar (5-9, 180). Kittatiny hopes to enter the “W” column after going winless in 10 tries. Corey Pittinger (6-4, 300) will be the leader in the trenches for the Cougars along with Steve Dell (6-3, 275) and Jake Weinrich (5-11, 210) while the running attack will be ignited by Nick Campbell (5-10, 195), Joe Carlson (5-10, 210) and Chris Carr (5-9, 155). Wallkill Valley returns to SCIL competition after a two-year hiatus when the Rangers played an independent schedule. SCIL Schedules (Compiled by newjerseyfootball.org) High Point Wildcats 09/08 at Lenape Valley 7 p.m. 09/16 POPE JOHN 1 p.m. 09/21 at Hopatcong 7 p.m. 09/30 at Kittatinny 1 p.m. 10/06 JEFFERSON 7 p.m. 10/14 at Sparta 2 p.m. 10/21 WALLKILL VALLEY 1 p.m. 10/28 at Vernon 1 p.m. 11/04 NEWTON 2 p.m. Hopatcong Chiefs 09/09 at Pope John 1 p.m. 09/16 at Newton 1 p.m. 09/21 HIGH POINT 7 p.m. 09/30 at Jefferson 1 p.m. 10/06 SPARTA 7 p.m. 10/13 KITTATINNY 7 p.m. 10/21 at Vernon 1 p.m. 10/28 LENAPE VALLEY 1 p.m. 11/04 at Wallkill Valley 2 p.m. Jefferson Falcons 09/09 at Newton 1 p.m. 09/16 WALLKILL VALLEY 1 p.m. 09/22 at Vernon 3 p.m. 09/30 HOPATCONG 1 p.m. 10/06 at High Point 7 p.m. 10/14 POPE JOHN 2:30 p.m. 10/20 LENAPE VALLEY 7 p.m. 10/28 at Kittatinny 1 p.m. 11/04 at Sparta 2 p.m. Kittatinny Cougars 09/09 WALLKILL VALLEY 1 p.m. 09/16 VERNON 1 p.m. 09/21 at Lenape Valley 7 p.m. 09/30 HIGH POINT 1 p.m. 10/07 at Newton 1 p.m. 10/13 at Hopatcong 7 p.m. 10/21 SPARTA 2 p.m. 10/28 JEFFERSON 1 p.m. 11/04 at Pope John 2 p.m. Lenape Valley Patriots 09/08 HIGH POINT 7 p.m. 09/09 HIGH POINT 1 p.m. 09/16 at Sparta 1 p.m. 09/21 KITTATINNY 7 p.m. 09/30 at Pope John 1 p.m. 10/07 at Wallkill Valley 1 p.m. 10/13 NEWTON 7 p.m. 10/20 at Jefferson 7 p.m. 10/28 at Hopatcong 1 p.m. 11/03 VERNON 7 p.m. Newton Braves 09/09 JEFFERSON 1 p.m. 09/16 HOPATCONG 1 p.m. 09/23 at Wallkill Valley 1 p.m. 09/30 VERNON 1 p.m. 10/07 KITTATINNY 1 p.m. 10/13 at Lenape Valley 7 p.m. 10/21 at Pope John 2 p.m. 10/28 SPARTA 1 p.m. 11/04 at High Point 2 p.m. Pope John Lions 09/09 HOPATCONG 1 p.m. 09/16 at High Point 1 p.m. 09/24 SPARTA 2 p.m. 09/30 LENAPE VALLEY 1 p.m. 10/07 at Vernon 1 p.m. 10/14 at Jefferson 2:30 p.m. 10/21 NEWTON 2 p.m. 10/28 at Wallkill Valley 1 p.m. 11/04 KITTATINNY 2 p.m. Sparta Spartans 09/09 at Vernon 1 p.m. 09/16 LENAPE VALLEY 1 p.m. 09/24 at Pope John 2 p.m. 09/30 WALLKILL VALLEY 1 p.m. 10/06 at Hopatcong 7 p.m. 10/14 HIGH POINT 2 p.m. 10/21 at Kittatinny 2 p.m. 10/28 at Newton 1 p.m. 11/04 JEFFERSON 2 p.m. Vernon Vikings 09/09 SPARTA 1 p.m. 09/16 at Kittatinny 1 p.m. 09/22 JEFFERSON 3 p.m. 09/30 at Newton 1 p.m. 10/07 POPE JOHN 1 p.m. 10/14 at Wallkill Valley 2 p.m. 10/21 HOPATCONG 2 p.m. 10/28 HIGH POINT 1 p.m. 11/03 at Lenape Valley 7 p.m. Wallkill Valley Rangers 09/09 at Kittatinny 1 p.m. 09/16 at Jefferson 1 p.m. 09/23 NEWTON 1 p.m. 09/30 at Sparta 1 p.m. 10/07 LENAPE VALLEY 1 p.m. 10/14 VERNON 2 p.m. 10/21 at High Point 1 p.m. 10/28 POPE JOHN 1 p.m. 11/04 HOPATCONG 2 p.m.