North Bergen

2009 football preview

Bouncing back

Peter Ramanand North Bergen

QB Peter Ramanand and the Bruins look to avenge last season's 3-7 record.

Click Here for more photos from North Bergen's football practice.

By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director

NORTH BERGEN – Winning had become a given in North Bergen under long-time head coach Vin Ascolese. But that run of success, including 21 straight trips to the state playoffs, came to an end as injuries and inexperience contributed to a disappointing 3-7 campaign.

“I think that they felt that they let everyone who played here down,” Ascolese said. “It hurt. We won the last game of the season and we were happy about that, but it still didn’t take away the idea that we didn’t make the playoffs and we didn’t have a winning season. It was a bitter pill for the kids to swallow.”

One consolation from last year’s lost season was an opportunity for some of the underclassmen to gain some needed experience. Now with 14 returning starters, a chip on their shoulders and some promising athletes the Bruins are out to prove that 2008 was merely a blip on the radar.

“It’s been a real motivation,” QB Peter Ramanand said. “We want to prove a point and show how much we want it.”

Offensive Overview:

Carlos Mateo North Bergen

Senior RB Carlos Mateo provides strength and speed in the backfield.

Ramanand is an explosive athlete who should be more confident as he enters his second season as the starting quarterback. The Bruins will incorporate the shotgun into their offense to utilize the speed of Ramanand and running back Carlos Mateo.

“They have great vision and quickness and it’s really a weapon,” Ascolese said about Mateo and Ramanand. “The key is the quarterback knowing how to read (the defense) and Pete’s getting better at it.”

Senior Wellington Mejia gives the Bruins a second speedster in the backfield and Chris Adorno is a pass-catching threat in the slot. Pass-catching TE John Stark gives them another weapon in the offense.

Guard Mike Beltre and tackle Rafael Palacios provide stability to the offensive line.

Defensive Overview:

John Stark North Bergen

Linebacker John Stark moves from the inside to outside in 2009.

The strength of the Bruins’ 4-4 defense lies at linebacker. Luis Obregon and Mateo are the starters inside and Stark shifts over to the outside. Six-foot-2 sophomore Vinnie Ascolese has added 20 pounds and moves from the secondary to outside linebacker to round out the quartet.

These linebackers should have room to roam with the bulk of Chris Duran (5-foot-9, 300 pounds) and sophomore Alain “Big Papi” Forbin (6-foot-3, 260 pounds) at defensive tackle. Anthony Navarro and Anthony Salciedo are projected to start at the ends.

Junior Chris Vann returns at safety and is flanked at the corners by Adorno and Josh Martinez

Star Spotlight: Peter Ramanand QB/KR

Peter Ramanand North Bergen

A wide receiver a year ago, Peter Ramanand is a multi-dimensional threat.

Last season may have been a disappointing one for North Bergen, but one bright spot certainly was the development of Ramanand. After starting the season at receiver, Ramanand quickly took over at quarterback for the Bruins. A threat to score whenever the ball is in his hands, Ramanand is also the team’s top kick returner.

“He can throw the football,” Ascolese said. “He can put it down the field, but he’s a very elusive guy. He’s got great feet.”

Ramanand’s coming out party came against Dickinson when he threw for three touchdowns and returned two punts for scores. Ascolese raved about Ramanand’s improvement during the offseason and improved decision making skills. With another year under his belt, a more confident Ramanand appears ready to make the next step.

“I feel much better now that I’m a lot more used to (the offense),” he said. “I’m a lot more confident.”