December 3, 2009
Senior core leads Cedar Grove
Cedar Grove RB/S Patsy Cagiano is one of the premier players in Essex County.
(photo credit: Sean Buldiger Photos)
Click Here for photos from the Patriots' 2009 season.
By Steve Tober
Sidelinechatter.com
Regardless of the size of a school, having a strong senior nucleus can work wonders for the overall psyche of a football team. Having that core group of experienced, seasoned performers, combined with a corresponding strong talent quotient makes any coach’s life easier,
For Cedar Grove’s Ed Sadloch, the last few days of the 2009 season leading up to Friday night’s North 2, Group 1 playoff championship game vs. Secaucus (5 p.m., at Giants Stadium) means one last chance to coach a very special group of seniors-18 all told-who have helped make this Panther squad (10-1) one of the best in the school’s rich history of football success.
“This is a great group of seniors,” said Sadloch who has compiled a 157-41 record in 19 years at Cedar Grove. “They are focused and work very well together.
“To compare them with other senior classes we’ve had is unfair right now. I will wait to make judgment until after our game on Dec. 4.”
Getting ready to take on a big and strong Secaucus team (11-0) is a tall task at hand for the Panthers, who have five state sectional playoff titles including, most recently, in 2004 and 2007.
Led by its senior nucleus, Cedar Grove has spent the past several days since its dominating 46-7 semifinal victory over Belvidere on Nov. 20 gearing up for the championship game.
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“The focus and dedication of our players and coaches is on the task at hand,” said Sadloch. “This group seems to have the chemistry of all our state championship teams we’ve had…We shall see.”
Spoken like the true task-master who knows the mission is not yet complete, especially with such a worthy opponent in the title tilt.
“Secaucus is an undefeated team which means they are pretty sound in all phases of the game,” continued Sadloch. “We have to be solid fundamentally. Blocking and especially tackling the two kids they have in the backfield (senior Joe Impreveduto and junior Eddie Delgado) are pretty good. On the plus side we have faced some pretty good backs this year.”
Offensively, Cedar Grove can present a diversified attack with a dangerous ground game and an efficient passing attack.
“We are a pretty balanced offense,” said Sadloch. “I believe that this has been the key all season. You can’t just concentrate on stopping one or two kids. If you shut down our run we can loosen people up throwing the ball.
As far as running the football, the primary ball carrier is standout senior halfback Patsy Caggiano (150 carries for 1,094 yards and 18 touchdowns plus 24 receptions for 423 yards and 4 more scores). A lethal weapon on offense, Caggiano is also one of the best defensive backs in the state with his ability to come up from his strong safety slot and make the hit with the strength of a linebacker, or provide solid pass coverage as an extra DB when needed there.
“Patsy is focused and is an intense player in all phases of the game,” said Sadloch. “Because of his athletic ability, a lot of skill and technique comes to him naturally. He is also a hard worker year-round as far as strength and conditioning goes.
“He is the complete athlete!”
Another prime option in the rushing department is senior fullback Will Gonzalez (87-574-7), who rushed 13 times for 190 yards and scored 3 times in the semifinal win over Belvidere.
The aerial arsenal starts with senior quarterback Dan Gogerty (99-of-173 for 1,665 yards, 15 TDs, 5 interceptions), who has also rushed for 7 touchdowns. Gogerty also has 34 extra points and two field goals at kicker. His favorite target is senior wide out Brian DelGuercio (36-584-6).
Seniors Ken Miele (15-291) and Pete DeFrancisci (8-150-4) are other big-play receivers.
The offensive line of Sal Benanti, Tommy Williams, Joe Ligas, Cody DiOrio, Omer Ersen, Freddy Gold and tight end Russ Pagano is not big by Secaucus standards (the Patriots have four linemen between 250 and 300 pounds) but has worked very efficiently as a cohesive group.
“Our offensive line is comprised of a great bunch of kids who have worked very hard both in the off-season and in-season to get to this point,” said Sadloch. “They all work well together as a unit.
“They are not the biggest Group 1 offensive line, but they understand leverage and blocking schemes and do a good job in their execution.”
Defensively, Cedar Grove has its typical lock-down unit that attacks the ball carrier with quickness and decisiveness.
Heading the ‘D’ are ends Gonzalez and junior Garrett Schlosser, linemen Ligas, Gold, Pagano and fellow senior Joe Smigelsky; linebackers Mike Booth (junior) and Ersen, DBs Miele and DeFrancisci and safeties DelGuercio, Caggiano and Gogerty.
Booth (team-leading 47 solo tackles) and Ersen share the team tackle lead with 76 apiece. Caggiano’s and DelEuercio have 60 and 55 total stops respectively and Gonzalez and Liga have 52 tackles apiece.
DelGuercio has five sacks and Ligas, Booth and Smigelsky each have four. DeFrancisci, who returned an interception 56 yards to the two-yard line to set up a touchdown against Belvidere, has three picks on the season.
Nothing is left unattended at Cedar Grove, which is a huge reason for its annual success on the gridiron. A strong coaching staff that includes offensive coordinator Chuck Manzo and defensive coordinator Al Cagcano are a reason why Sadloch believes he’s “I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have such a strong group of guys to bounce ideas off of and help formulate a game plan.
“We prepare one game at a time, just like always,” said Sadloch. “Secaucus is a very good football team. I do know everyone on our team is looking forward to the challenge ahead in the championship game!”
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