November 18, 2011

Union City's Jheisson Perozo (left) has recorded sacks in eight-straight games. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

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There are two givens when North Bergen and Union City square off - lots of big hits and very few points.

So as these two neighboring rivals meet for the second time this season, there are unlikely to be any surprises tonight at Roosevelt Stadium in this NJSIAA North 1, Group IV semifinals matchup.

"It's the personality, it's the reputation of the two programs," Union City head coach Wilber Valdez said. "We're blue-collared, hard-working types without a lot of flash. We just get after it and that's where you get those low-scoring, hard-hitting, Baltimore Raven-Pittsburgh Steeler type of games. It's definitely a rivalry, but this week is a whole lot more than that."

"I think what it is, it's a rivalry," North Bergen head coach Vincent Ascolese said. "They're right across the boulevard, a lot of the kids know each other and they just come to play."

One quick glance at the recent history shows, just how evenly matched the two teams are. Just 68 points have been scored by the Soaring Eagles and Bruins in the last four games, with three of them decided by three points or less.

With scores so close, both coaches know just how thin the margin is, especially when a spot in the sectional finals and a trip to MetLife Stadium is on the line.

"When you get to this point every single play is a huge play," Valdez said. "Any mistake, can be crucial when you get to this kind of game."

Last time it was third-seeded North Bergen (6-4), which made the crucial mistakes in a 14-12 loss on Oct. 28. Thanks to defensive touchdowns from Union City's Jheison Perozo and Antonio Pacheco the Bruins were down 14-0 within three minutes. Despite limiting the Soaring Eagle offense to less to just 93 yards, North Bergen went back down Kennedy Boulevard with the loss thanks to an unsightly five turnovers.

"We can't turn the ball over," Ascolese said. "It's very difficult to overcome. You have to cut that out. You can't have turnovers."

Union City did not commit any turnovers in the win, but Valdez knows his squad was nearly haunted by miscues as well, citing a touchdown called back penalty and a missed field goal among the squandered opportunities in the game.

One reason Valdez is confident his offense will do better this time around is the health of fullback Nick Espana. Limited all season by a hamstring injury, the talented junior appears to finally be healthy and has had consecutive weeks with 100+ yards and three touchdowns.

"That's a big plus, the fact that the kid we showcased all preseason and in the first two games is back and healthy and running hard," Valdez said. "Having Nick back healthy, focused and explosive again, that's definitely going to be a key for us with our offense."

That Soaring Eagles backfield of Espana, Steve Le and Roy Santiago will have to fight for yardage when it goes up against North Bergen's hard-hitting quartet at linebacker. Senior standout Vin Ascolese leads the way with 114 tackles and eight sacks and is joined by Eric McMullen, Anthony Calabrese and Sergio Rodriguez.

The Bruins will rely on the one-two tandem of Ascolese and McMullen, both had over 100 yards rushing in last week's overtime victory over Passaic County Tech. Debray Tavarez and Denzell Leitch will also see action and will test the Soaring Eagle defense on the outside with their speed.

Last year, both of these teams reached the semifinals before being eliminated - Union City by Montclair and North Bergen by Randolph in double overtime. The winner of tonight's game will face the winner of Saturday's Montclair/West Orange game for the championship in two weeks at MetLife Stadium.

Sergio Rodriguez rushed for two touchdowns in North Bergen's loss to Union City. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

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Players to Watch for North Bergen:
Eric McMullen, RB/LB
This senior's combination of power and speed was vital to last week's win over Passaic County Tech. McMullen showed his speed when he returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown. From there, the power game was on full display as he grinded out 117 yards on 22 carries. McMullen is also a vital cog in North Bergen's defense which didn't allow an offensive score in the first game with Union City.

Sergio Rodriguez, QB/LB
Injury forced Rodriguez into the starting lineup in later September and the since then the senior has led the Bruins to a 5-2 mark. A dual-threat signal caller, Rodriguez scrambled for a 25-yard touchdown in last week's win over Passaic County Tech. In North Bergen's first matchup with Union City, Rodriguez rushed for a pair of touchdowns in defeat.

Players to Watch for Union City:
Nick Espana, RB/DB
After struggling through a hamstring injury for most of the season, this junior runner appears to finally be healthy and poised for a strong finish. Limited to just 235 yards and two touchdowns over the first six games, Espana has racked up 217 yards and six scores in the past two weeks. He scored all three touchdowns in last week's win over Roxbury and rushed for 105 yards on 19 carries.

Antonio Pacheco, WR/DB
Pacheco has shown a knack for making big plays in the secondary for Union City recently. The 5-foot-8 senior returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the first meeting with North Bergen and then preserved the victory with another interception in the game's final minute. Pacheco picked off two more passes in last week's win over Roxbury and is also the Soaring Eagles' leading receiver this year.