Football

August 30, 2010

A new era

Ed Ayala, Union City

Ed Ayala is a three-year starter at LB and team leader for Union City.

Click Here for more photos from Union City's scrimmage.

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.

Valdez has had a track record of success both as a player and a coach and he believes the pieces are in place to turn around a Union City team which struggled through a 3-7 season.

“There’s talent here,” Valdez said. “There’s kids that have the will and if they are led to the point that they only focus on the task at hand I think they can accomplish anything and everything.”

Valdez has already run into his first major obstacle as new head coach as Josue Matias, one of the state’s premier talents, may be lost for the season after a right knee injury suffered in the team’s first scrimmage. With their elite left tackle out, Valdez knows it is imperative that the rest of the team steps up to fill the massive void.

“We’re just going to have to all give more of ourselves to try to make up for (losing) such a big part of the puzzle,” Valdez said. “Everyone has to make themselves a bigger part of the puzzle. I think that though he’ll always be missed, we can continue to improve and get better as a football team.”

Offensive Overview:

Antonio Pacheco, Union City

Antonio Pacheco takes over as the top wide receiver for Union City.

The Soaring Eagles have had a heated competition for the starting quarterback between Isaiah Marrero and Jesus Larios. While Larios provides a certain steadiness as a senior, Marrero, a sophomore, has turned heads with his potential and could take the spot.

“Isaiah has a live arm and a lot of potential,” Valdez said. “But he needs to manifest that potential now or he’s going to have to wait his turn (until his junior year).”

Whoever the starting quarterback is, he’ll have plenty of help from a running game headlined by Dominik Montanez, a HCV All-County running back. Roy Santiago, Steve Le, Ed Ayala and Nick Espana should all see carries out of the backfield. Junior Antonio Pacheco has emerged as the top receiving threat at wide out with Le and Santiago also seeing time at receiver.

There will be immense pressure to replace Matias on the offensive line. Kevin Arias gets the first crack at filling the void at left tackle with Steven Garcia starting on the right side. Mervin Menier is the starting center after starting at guard last season. Isaac Flores is a returning starter at guard and David Brenton and Kevin Iraheta will compete for the other starting spot.

Defensive Overview:

Steve Le, Union City

Junior transfer Steve Le is expected to be a hard hitter at safety this season.

With six returning starters, Union City returns as experienced group on defense, led by Ayala, a three-year starter at middle linebacker.

“He’s a kid who can play sideline to sideline,” Valdez said. “He likes to hit, he’ll stick you. He’s an athlete. He has a lot of (former Ferris LB) Bryant Worts in him and we’re looking for the same results in his production.”

Ayala will be joined at linebacker by Kevin Roman and Juan Cruz.

Flores is a three-year starter at defensive end with Iraheta and Chris Hernandez also seeing time on the outside. Arias, Garcia and Menier will rotate at defensive tackle.

Montanez has made a smooth transition to cornerback in his first season as a full-time player on defense. Pacheco, Santaigo and Larios form a deep group at the position. Le, a junior is a hard hitter at one safety spot and will team up with Espana, a sophomore.

Star Spotlight: Dominik Montanez, RB/CB

Dominik Montanez, Union City

RB Dominik Montanez rushed for 1,192 yards last year as a junior.

Union City head coach Wilbur Valdez believes the ability make the big play is what separates a special running back from the rest. Dominik Montanez is a textbook example with his ability to make people miss with his speed and elusiveness.

“The design of a football play allows you get to get maybe three or four or five yards untouched and the rest is up to you,” Valdez said. “It takes a special back to be able to create big plays. Dom is definitely that type of special back.”

Montanez certainly showed that big play ability a season ago as he rushed for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns to earn a spot on Hudson County Varsity’s All-County First Team at running back. The 5-foot-8, 170 pound Montanez has blazing speed, but runs with a power and ability to break tackles not normally seen in backs his size.

Montanez knows that opposing defenses scheme specifically to shut him down, but it’s just another challenge that he has embraced as he enters the season with a goal of being an All-State selection.

“It motivates me a lot,” Montanez said about the attention. “It just makes me want to work harder and I just love it.”