Secaucus Patriots
BCSL National
North 2, Group I
2008: 10-1
Playoffs:Quarterfinals: Defeated Becton 46-0.
Semifinals: Lost to Hoboken 14-0.
Head Coach:
Charlie Voorhees
11th year (76-26)
Returning Starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 6
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 3-4
2009 Schedule
9/19 at Wood-Ridge 1 p.m.
9/25 vs Harrison 7 p.m.
10/2 at Lyndhurst 7 p.m.
10/9 vs Wallington 7 p.m.
10/16 vs Bogota 7 p.m.
10/23 at Becton 7 p.m.
10/31 at St. Mary (Rutherford) 1:30 p.m.
11/6 vs North Arlington 7 p.m. 11/25 at Weehawken 7 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
One step closer
Giuseppe Marzocca and the Patriots look to remain the class of the BCSL National.
Click Here for more photos from Secaucus' football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
SECAUCUS – Success has not made the Patriots content. The three-time defending champions of the BCSL National division, playoff success had eluded Secaucus until last season, when they won a state playoff game for the first time in more than five seasons. However, their title hopes came to an end a week later when they dropped a 14-0 decision to Hoboken.
“I would like to say that the guys felt like they were going to win last year,” Secaucus coach Charlie Voorhees said. “They really felt they had the ability to win last year.”
Those expectations remain high going into this season for a deep Patriots squad. Thirteen starters return from last year, led by Rutgers-bound lineman Betim Bujari. Bujari and the rest of the team are out to make sure that this season has a different ending than the previous ones.
“I remember all the playoff games since my freshman year,” he said. “Every loss had a terrible feeling. I don’t want to go through that this year. That won’t happen this year.”
Offensive Overview:
Junior Niko Petruzzella takes over at quarterback for the Patriots.
The Patriots should continue to overpower opponents this season as they return their entire offensive line from a year ago.
“That certainly helps,” Voorhees said. “They know what they’re doing, they all worked extremely hard. They all worked in the weight room and they’re a good group of guys. They gelled.”
Bujari is a four-year starter, who anchors the line at left guard. Joining him once again are right guard Mike Landi, center Igor Ivanovski and tackles Nick Gjoni and Evan Rodriguez.
Joe Impreveduto, Matt Roman, Alex Farinola give Secaucus a trio runners in the backfield. Tight end Giuseppe Marzocca and wide receiver Matt Traynor are returning starters for the Patriots.
Secaucus will have a few new starters at the skill positions, most notably at quarterback where Niko Petrezzula takes over the reigns.
“He is a good guy for our system and he does a good job as far as running the offense,” Voorhees said. “I’d say his play action skills help us out a lot.”
Defensive Overview:
Linebacker Mike Landi (right) is a key part of Secaucus' deep front seven.
Landi is a three-year starter at outside linebacker while Impreveduto and Farrainola will man the inside for the Patriots. Marzocca, Matt Pagnano and Matt Roman will also see snaps at linebacker.
Bujari returns at nose tackle and will have plenty of help on the line with Ivanovski, Rodriguez, Gjoni and Kimelman playing in key spots.
But on a very deep front seven for Secaucus, the most important piece might be Carlos Quinones. The senior can play all seven spots up front if necessary allowing the Patriots to give multiple looks on defense.
“Carlos can play everywhere up front, all the linebacker spots and all the d-line spots<” Voorhees said. “He will be a starter, it’s just a matter of where. He will play, we don’t know where, but he’s going to play somewhere every week.”
Traynor had four interceptions last year at free safety. Noah Mustafa is a returning starter at cornerback and Angelo Abdellatif will start at strong safety.
Star Spotlight: Betim Bujari LG/DT
The Rutgers-bound Betim Bujari is an imposing figure at left guard for Secaucus.
As a 6-foot-4, 300 pound, future Division I lineman, it might be hard to picture Secaucus’ Betim Bujari as an underdog on the gridiron. But every time he lines up on the field, that’s how the Rutgers-bound senior envisions himself.
“I like going in as the underdog,” Bujari said. “I just always picture the person in front of me as someone I want to knock out.”
That mentality is just part of the package that makes him one of the state’s top offensive linemen.
“He’s aggressive,” Voorhees said. “He can move, he’s strong, he’s tough, he’s fast, he knows his plays. He’s just a good ball player. He’s a good football player.”