November 11, 2011

Senior Vinny Ascolese has 104 tackles and six sacks for North Bergen this season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen Bruins Photo Gallery

Vincent Ascolese has accomplished it all during a legendary 50-year career as a football head coach, winning 356 games and seven state titles. Playoff football has been the norm for Ascolese and his Bruins as this is the 24th time in the last 25 years they qualified for the playoffs.

But this run will hold special meaning for the retiring head coach. Led by his grandson Vinny at linebacker, North Bergen looks to send Ascolese out on top with a final state title, which would be his first since 1997.

Passaic County Tech represents the first obstacle in the potential storybook ending. These two teams squared off in the first round last year with the Bruins squeeking out a 27-25 win on a defensive stand in the final seconds.

Players to Watch for North Bergen:
Vin Ascolese, RB/LB
Opposing offenses need to know where Ascolese is at all times. A ferocious blitzer, Ascolese is one of the state's top linebackers with 104 tackles and six sacks on the season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior can take over a game on defense as evidenced by his 17 tackles against Union City and his 15-tackle, two-sack performance against Peddie with two forced fumbles.

Debray Tavarez, RB/WR/S/PR
In a game this tight, special teams could be the difference and with Tavarez that could be the difference. This versatile junior has returned punts for touchdowns against Peddie and Mastery Charter this season. More than just a special team specialist, Tavarez caught a pair of touchdowns against Bayonne and has been one of the county's top safeties.

Players to Watch for Passaic Tech:
Josh Johnson, LB
This senior is all over the field for the Wildcats making a team-high 122 tackles on the year. Passaic Tech has held its opponent to 14 or fewer points on five occassions thanks in large part to Johnson. He had 20 tackles last week against Hackensack, 19 vs. Paterson Kennedy and 18 in wins over Clifton and Paterson Eastside.

Isaac Williams, RB/DB
This 5-foot-9 speedster ignites the Passaic Tech offense. The junior has eclipsed the 100-yard plateau in six games this season, including 201 yards against Kennedy and 182 in a 34-0 win ove Passaic. He also had an 88-yard touchdown and 151 yards in a loss to Lakeland. For the season, Williams has 1,094 yards and 10 touchdowns on 174 carries.