Hoboken Red Wings
NJTCC Division 6
North 2, Group I
2008: 8-4
Playoffs:Quarterfinals: Defeated Cedar Grove 7-6.
Semifinals: Defeated Secaucus 14-0.
Final: Lost to Verona 13-12.
Head Coach:
Lou Taglieri
5th year (35-10)
Returning Starters
Offense: 2
Defense: 4
Offense: Wing-T
Defense: 4-3
2009 Schedule
9/12 vs Sparta 1 p.m.
9/18 vs Cedar Grove 7 p.m.
9/26 at Snyder 1 p.m.
10/2 vs St. Anthony 7 p.m.
10/17 at Kittatinny 2 p.m.
10/23 vs Lincoln 7 p.m.
10/31 at Marist 1 p.m.
11/7 at Hudson Catholic 3:30 p.m.
11/28 at St. Peter’s Prep 1 p.m.
Football Preview Guide
Team Previews
Bayonne
Dickinson
Ferris
Harrison
Hoboken
Hudson Catholic
Kearny
Lincoln
Marist
Memorial
North Bergen
St. Anthony
St. Peter’s Prep
Secaucus
Snyder
Union City
Weehawken
A fresh start in Hoboken
Cornerback Carlos Garcia will have a big role on a Hoboken team that has lost 16 starters.
Click Here for more photos from Hoboken's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
HOBOKEN – Most head coaches might dread losing as many players as Lou Taglieri did this offseason. But for the fifth-year head man at Hoboken, this revamped roster with 16 new starters provides a challenge that he has embraced thus far.
“Coaching becomes fun again,” Taglieri said about the opportunity to coach this many first-year players. “They don’t know any better and a lot of the bad habits aren’t there. These kids have been here working and the only thing bad about this is that they don’t have a reference point. As soon as the experience gets there I think they’ll start to gel.”
These young Red Wings will have to grow up quickly as Hoboken has a tough early schedule that includes match-ups with Cedar Grove and Sparta. Despite the inexperience and schedule, Taglieri’s expectations are still high, if not a little different than in the past.
“You set your expectations week to week,” he said. “As long as they get better and you’ll be fine. The goal of the team would be to make the playoffs and if that happens I think it will be a successful season.”
Offensive Overview:
Jason Montalvo looks to bounce back after an injury-plagued sophomore season.
The Red Wings have a quartet of backs of battling for carries. Travis Rivera is one of just two returning starters on offense and is a power runner who should see a much bigger role this season. Junior back Jason Montalvo looks to rebound from an injury plagued 2008. A physical runner when he’s healthy, Montalvo ran for 11 touchdowns as a freshman.
“This is his third year in the program, so he understands the offense a little bit better,” Taglieri said about Montalvo. “Usually our best running back becomes the fullback and he’s going to become the fullback. As they become older they just understand the offense a lot better and they can see the field a lot differently.”
Chris Morales and speedster Tony Sweeney join Montalvo and Rivera in the backfield. Juniors Daquan Stewert and Damon Haley will start at receiver and Anthony Corella is at tight end.
Justin Arocho takes over at quarterback for Hoboken. While he’s a first-time starter, Arocho has experience and the trust of Taglieri.
Left guard Saul Rosado is the only other offensive starter for the Red Wings. He leads an offensive line that features tackle Jaylin Haynes and freshman center Andrew Mullins.
Defensive Overview:
Saul Rivera (left) will be asked to help fill a big void at defensive tackle.
Half of the secondary from last season remains in tact with Rivera returning as a third-year starter at strong safety and Sweeney at corner. The unit is completed by Arrocho and cornerback Carlos Garcia.
Montalvo, Morales and Corella make up a linebacking corps that Taglieri feels is the strength of the defense. Corella is a returning starter in the middle and provides some much-needed stability on defense.
The departures of Isaac Holmes and Bernardo Nunez create a big void on the defensive line. Tackles Rosado and Michael Santos and ends Haynes and Michael Mumford will try to replace the two stars who now call the Big East Conference home.
Star Spotlight: Travis Rivera RB/SS/KR
Senior Travis Rivera is a physical player for Hoboken on both sides of the ball.
On a team lacking in experience, the value of having a three-year starter is immeasurable for the Red Wings. Travis Rivera provides not only leadership, but a physical style of play that has earned him the nickname of “The Truck.” That style is most evident on defense where he is an aggressive run stopper.
“I’m really more of a hitter than a coverage safety,” Rivera said. “They really use me for downhill running and tackling.”
One of the goals of the 5-foot-8 Rivera was to become a more complete safety and he said that he spent most of the season working on his cover skills.
Safety won’t be the only place you’ll see Rivera. In addition to returning kicks, Rivera will be a focal aspect of the running game.
“Travis is a great blocker and the half backs in the Wing-T offense have to be great blockers,” Taglieri said. “We expect him to have a really good season.”