Sports
Football Program Looking to Continue Success
Will need to replace many players to return to the state playoff
As the summer months come to an end, it is time for the Bridgewater-Raritan athletic teams to prepare for the fall season. With opening day approaching, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Panthers football team.
OVERVIEW
Head coach Scott Bray is trying to build something in his fifth full season as coach. This season, he and the Panthers look to become the first Bridgewater football team to make the state playoffs three years in a row. Bray said his team is “inexperienced in time on the field,” so even though it is a senior-laden team, players will need to step up for the Panthers to make it back to the state playoff.
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LAST SEASON’S RESULTS
The 2010 Panthers entered last season almost the same way as this year’s team. Talent was not the issue, but the experience was lacking as the Panthers team was looking to fill in key spots from departed players. Last year’s team was able to step up and replace the missing players to have a successful season that resulted in a trip to the Group IV North 2 sectional semi-finals.
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KEEP YOUR EYE ON
•Ray Mastroianni, Quarterback (Sr.)—The Panthers will not look for him to be just a quarterback. They will look to follow him as their leader on and off the field.
•Isaiah Solomon, Wide Receiver/Defensive back (Sr.)—Will be one of the key receivers that will need to replace graduates Jared Hargis and Derek Beck. At 6’3” he will be a big target for Mastroianni and the Panthers offense.
•Michael Pennella, Linebacker/Running back (Jr.)—Only a junior but already has varsity experience in both positions. Bray looks for him to keep developing as an athlete and to be an essential part to both the defense and offense.
•James Burke, Offensive and Defensive Line (Sr.)—One of the team captains, he will be the anchor on both the offensive and defensive lines.
THEY’LL MISS
•Jamar Archer, Running back—The 1,000-yard rusher was one of those players that stepped in for the Panthers. The All-Area selection is now playing lacrosse at Kean University.
•Connor Smith, Linebacker—All Group IV State selection racked up nine sacks and 110 tackles last season. Smith is now attending Bryant University.
•Jared Hargis, Wide Receiver—One of the smartest players from last year’s team, his “hard receptions” will be missed. He will be taking his studies to Raritan Valley Community College.
•Derek Beck, Wide Receiver—The most athletic player from last year’s team, he posed threats as a returner and his ability to stretch the field. Signed a Letter of Intent to play at UMass this season but is taking a stop at prep school first.
COACH’S TAKE
“We need to replace nine of 11 on defense from last year. We’re hoping guys step up like last year. We went in nameless last year and came out with a lot of guys who were being mentioned as best around the state. We want to qualify for the state playoffs and that is our first goal. Our other expectation is to compete for a conference and state title. We made it to the sectional semi-finals last season and we want to take it a step further this year and play for a championship.”—Bray
THEY SAID IT
“I think we have a great chance to qualify for the playoffs, which would be the third year in a row. Ray Mastroianni has a year of experience at quarterback and a playoff win. I also think that there will be a lot of younger guys who step up this year, which should make for a great season.”—Jake Maggio, 11-year-old fan and son of BRHS athletic director John Maggio
No.
Name
GRADE
HT.
WT.
Off.
Def.
1
Daniel de Deus
12
5-9
150
WR
DB
2
Julian Dorsey
12
5-5
145
RB
DB
3
Derek Roberts
12
6-1
165
WR
DB
4
Amos Lee
12
5-9
135
WR
DB
5
Brandon Weidenfeld
11
6-2
190
QB
DB
7
Isiah Solomon
12
6-3
185
WR
DB
8
Randall Ramirez
10
5-10
150
WR
DB
9
Eric Pernini
10
5-11
160
WR
DB
10
Nick Oliver
12
6-1
165
WR
DB
11
Kyle Coulter
12
5-11
170
WR
DB
12
Ray Mastroianni
12
6-4
180
QB
DB
13
Michael Pennella
11
6-1
205
RB
LB
14
Kyle Lutz
10
5-10
135
QB
DB
15
Matt Picciurro
10
5-10
188
QB
DB
16
Donny Stires
11
6-6
215
QB
DL
17
Michael Alesandro
10
5-10
178
QB
DB
18
Michael Fair
10
5-7
152
QB
DB
19
Josh Robbins
10
5-10
155
WR
DB
21
Kazier Archer
12
5-11
205
RB
DB
22
Nick Fabiano
11
6-0
145
WR
DB
23
Jared Kaden
11
6-2
155
WR
DB
24
Khalil Gordon
10
5-9
140
WR
DB
25
Kevin Li
10
5-6
145
WR
DB
28
Daniel Renna
10
5-10
165
RB
DB
29
Evan Mock
12
6-1
165
TE
DB
30
Darnell Thigpen
10
5-5
135
RB
DB
31
Frank Costa
12
5-11
170
RB
LB
32
Karl Szymanski
11
5-10
155
WR
DB
33
Onur Has
12
6-0
185
RB
DB
34
AJ Kolen
12
6-0
205
RB
LB
35
Keith Schroeder
10
5-11
165
TE
LB
36
Connor Tereman
12
5-10
170
RB
LB
37
Zach Tiano
11
5-10
190
TE
LB
38
Eric Shugan
11
5-10
160
RB
LB
39
Kene Nwankwo
10
5-8
145
RB
DL
40
Phil Picone
10
5-8
155
RB
DB
41
Rob Condo
10
6-0
150
RB
LB
42
Jack Fanning
10
6-0
180
RB
LB
43
Andrew Wieczenski
10
6-6
180
TE
DL
44
Nick Norcia
11
6-0
185
TE
LB
45
Matt Eichhorn
10
6-0
170
RB
LB
46
Billy Barber
10
6-1
188
TE
DL
48
Mark Farnham
12
6-3
175
WR
DB
49
Pierce Berrios
12
6-3
185
TE
DL
50
James Burke
12
6-0
200
OL
DL
51
Alec Garrity
12
6-3
225
OL
DL
52
David Kiffin
12
6-2
205
OL
DL
53
Kyle Fross
10
5-7
172
OL
DL
54
John Wukovits
12
6-2
225
OL
DL
55
Ryan Mirra
11
5-10
195
OL
DL
56
Kyle Kiernan
10
5-11
217
OL
DL
57
Ryan Moran
10
5-7
184
OL
DL
58
Shane Carmody
12
6-0
210
OL
DL
59
Matt Bloom
10
6-0
209
OL
DL
60
CJ Martini
12
5-9
250
OL
DL
62
Jaleen Harrington
10
5-11
218
OL
DL
63
Mario Alarcon
12
6-5
275
OL
DL
64
Chris Song
10
6-2
205
OL
DL
65
Joe Zebleckas
10
5-8
210
OL
DL
66
Daniel Gausz
11
5-9
270
OL
DL
67
Jesse Gonzalez
12
5-10
197
OL
DL
68
Patrick Gardner
10
5-10
195
OL
DL
70
Chris DeLuca
10
6-0
278
OL
DL
71
David Vanora
10
5-9
220
OL
DL
72
Chris Carter
10
6-3
200
OL
DL
73
Steve Holden
12
6-0
282
OL
DL
74
Alex Kaiteris
11
6-1
205
OL
DL
75
Matt Roselle
11
5-11
215
OL
DL
76
Ryan Stevens
11
6-2
275
OL
DL
77
Patrick Saulino
11
6-1
225
OL
DL
78
John Goode
12
6-5
270
OL
DL
79
Josh Hanemann
11
6-4
290
OL
DL
80
Scott Brandle
11
6-0
215
TE
LB
81
Carmine Pennisi
10
5-10
143
WR
DB
82
Anthony Cyriac
10
6-0
150
WR
DB
83
Alex Rios
11
5-9
190
TE
LB
84
Alessandro Castellani
10
5-9
150
WR
DB
85
Joe Vitiello
10
6-5
210
TE
DL
86
Mike Piel
10
5-10
155
WR
DB
87
Will Geraghty
10
5-10
168
WR
DB
88
Tommy Goodberlet
11
6-5
182
WR
LB
89
Nathan Melewski
10
5-8
155
WR
DB
90
Botond Veress
12
6-4
230
OL
DL
*In case you missed it:
Tuesday—We looked at the field hockey team’s goal to improve its record this year.
Wednesday—We previewed the boys soccer team with its fairly new team following the loss of many graduating seniors.
Thursday—We checked in with the girls soccer team as they prepare to get down to business.