September 9, 2010
New beginnings
WR/LB Aaquil Ingram is one of many talented underclassmen on the roster.
Click Here for photos from Hudson Catholic's football practice.
Click Here for photos from Snyder's football scrimmage.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY – Change has been a constant for Hudson Catholic and Snyder lately. After forgettable 2009 campaigns, both Jersey City schools brought in new head coaches. For each it was the third head coach in as many seasons.
Just two years removed from a state finals appearance, Hudson Catholic made headlines with the hire of two-time Super Bowl winning player Leonard Marshall. The former Giant great takes over a team lacking in experience, but not in potential.
Click Here for Hudson Catholic Team Preview
While the Hawks made a high-profile hire, Snyder turned to a familiar face in former assistant Chris Grant. Just a month into his term, Grant is trying to change the culture of a team which has struggled to stay afloat in recent years, but returns 10 starters on the offensive side of the ball. Click Here for Snyder Team Preview
September 8, 2010
Up off the canvas
Left tackle Jalen Haynes and Hoboken look to avenge last season's 3-7.
Click Here for more photos from Hoboken's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
HOBOKEN –For a program defined by success and championships like Hoboken, the 2009 season was a stunning reversal of fortune. Just one year removed from an appearance in the state title game, the Red Wings endured a 3-7 season and the unfamiliar position of being excluded from the state playoffs. After such a disappointing season, Hoboken vows that this season will not be a repeat of that. Read More
September 7, 2010
Change in the air
Cesar Grandez and Kearny look to make a statement with a new coach and divison.
Click Here for more photos from Kearny's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
KEARNY –From the moment Pete Llaneza took over as the Kardinals’ head coach in June, one thing was apparent to him – changing the structure of the Kearny program.
Many key players are back from last season’s 1-9 campaign. Just about everything else is different this year for Llaneza and the Kardinals. Among the biggest changes thus far has been an overhaul of the offensive and defensive schemes. Llaneza has installed a Triple Option attack on offense and an Odd Stack scheme on defense. Read More
September 5, 2010
Great expectations
Junior Brandon Napoleon takes over as the Marauders' starting quarterback in 2010.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY –St. Peter’s Prep is aware of all the expectations being placed upon them before the season. Many preseason rankings are calling the Marauders the top team in New Jersey and one of the best in the country. They also have three of the top prospects in the country. Read More
September 3, 2010
Pushing forward
WR/CB Jamonte Pryor is one of several new starters in 2010.
Click Here for more photos from Ferris' football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY –Few teams in Hudson County have undergone more change this offseason than Ferris.
Coming off a disappointing 4-6 season, the Bulldogs have a completely revamped roster with eight new starters on both sides of the ball. They also have a new head coach in former Dickinson head man Rich Glover who took over in June after Wilbur Valdez left to take the head job at Union City. Glover brings with him a whole new system as they shift from a Wing-T offense to the spread. Read More
September 1, 2010
Something to prove
Malcolm Robinson (l) chases down a punt during Bayonne's scrimmage against Secaucus.
Click Here for more photos from Secaucus at Bayonne Scrimmage.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
BAYONNE – Bayonne knew 2009 would be a rebuilding season, but last year's 1-9 record proved to be a wakeup call for the Bees as a young core of juniors look to grow from the losses. Bayonne Season Preview
For Secaucus, 2009 was a dream season with 11-consecutive wins to reach the North 2, Group I title game. Despite the loss of some key players, the Patriots have an experienced collection of talent as the goals remain the same. Secaucus Season Preview
August 31, 2010
All grown up
Quarterback Danny Nankivell leads an experienced group of seniors for Harrison.
Click Here for more photos from Harrison's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
HARRISON –Coming off of consecutive 3-7 seasons and with one of the smallest rosters in the state, a lot of people may not have high expectations for the Blue Tide in 2010.
Head coach Dave Nankivell admits he may be bias, but he sees something different. Nankivell, a former player at Harrison, has a special relationship with this year’s senior class. He has watched this class with seven starters including his young brother Danny, grow up from the youth program all the way to where they are today. Read More
August 30, 2010
A new era
Ed Ayala is a three-year starter at LB and team leader for Union City.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
UNION CITY – With just eight wins and zero playoff appearances in the first two seasons as a unified program, Union City has not gotten off to the fast start that many people expected when Union Hill and Emerson merged. The Soaring Eagles believe they have found the coach to turn that potential into results with former Ferris head coach Wilbur Valdez. Read More
Knee injury sidelines Union City's Matias
August 29, 2010
Taking the next step
Temple-bound TE/DE Khadeem Wilson and the Friars have high hopes for 2010.
Click Here for more photos from St. Anthony's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY –As St. Anthony enters its third season of varsity football, the expectations have certainly increased. With virtually the entire starting lineup from last year’s 6-3 squad back the Friars believe a state title is in reach. Read More
August 27, 2010
One team, one goal
Gift Agiri and Marist hopes to reach the state playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Click Here for more photos from Marist's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
BAYONNE –With four wins, including a head-turning 22-16 victory over Hoboken, 2009 was a season of progress for Marist. Despite those accomplishment and exceeding the win total of the previous two years combined the Royal Knights’ goal of a trip to the state playoffs remained just out of reach. Read More
August 25, 2010
Eyes on the prize
Senior Anthony Calabrese is expected to start at running back and inside linebacker.
Click Here for more photos from North Bergen's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
NORTH BERGEN –A year ago North Bergen was playing with a chip on its shoulder, looking to prove that 2008’s disastrous 3-7 campaign was a blip on the radar for a team which had made the playoffs the previous 21 seasons. With five wins and a trip to the North I, Group IV playoffs the Bruins were able to avenge that earlier disappointment. Read More
August 23, 2010
Restoring pride
Junior QB Kenny Furlong is one of many first-time starters for Memorial.
Click Here for more photos from Memorial's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
WEST NEW YORK –Oscar Guerrero knows he has a difficult challenge in front of him as he enters his first season as head coach at Memorial. But while the Tigers have struggled in recent years, Guerrero knows firsthand that success at the West New York school can be obtained. Read More
August 22, 2010
Pushing forward
Guard Bobby Reiss (left) and center Anthony Landi (right) are returning starters.
Click Here for more photos from Weehawken's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
WEEHAWKEN –As the head coach of one of the smallest schools in New Jersey, Weehawken head coach Chris Johnsen has had little choice, but to throw his freshmen and sophomores right into the fire of varsity football. Read More
August 20, 2010
Now is the time
Middle linebacker Edwin Celestin is one of 26 seniors on Lincoln.
Click Here for more photos from Lincoln's football practice.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
JERSEY CITY –With eight-straight wins to start last season, Lincoln had visions of a long state tournament run. But what started as a dream season, ended in nightmare fashion as the Lions dropped their last two games, including a 41-18 defeat to Orange in the opening round of the North 2, Group II tournament. That loss, the second-straight first round defeat for Lincoln, has helped serve as a motivation tool all offseason. Read More