Football

August 22, 2010

Pushing forward

Anthony Landi, Bobby Reiss

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.

Lacking in size and experience, the Indians have just three wins to show for their efforts over the past two seasons. Now in their third season, Johnsen and Weehawken feel that this more experienced group has started to turn the corner.

“They knew what was coming,” Johnsen said. “They knew we’d take our lumps (as freshmen and sophomores) and we should be good in the next two years. From my first year here, this was kind of the year we’ve been looking forward to.”

While the Indians are still a very young team with only four seniors, they aren’t lacking in experience. Weehawken returns seven starters on offense, eight on defense and has a quartet of three-year starters in senior Anthony Landi and juniors Humberto Leigue, Kenny Minier and J.J. Pineda. This experience along with a new conference schedule has Weehawken believing 2010 will result in the success that has eluded the program in recent years.

Offensive Overview:

Damian Corredor, Weehawken

RB Damian Corredor had more than 800 all-purpose yards as a freshman.

Weehawken has completely revamped their offense for 2010, switching from a Wing-T attack to a triple option scheme which Navy has perfected in recent years. The coaching staff went to Navy during an offseason coaches’ clinic to extensively learn about the new offensive scheme.

“I thought it was going to be more of a struggle in the beginning,” Johnsen said about the transition. “The way things have been coming together, it’s like ‘oh we can move on (to the next task.’ We’ve got most of it in. The kids are ready to go.”

Leigue and sophomores Damian Corredor and Chris Cintron will comprise the Indians’ backfield. Corredor and Leigue are outside slashers, while Cintron is more of an inside runner. Pineda should also see some carries in the offensive attack.

Landi is a three-year starter at center for Weehawken and will be joined by a pair of experienced guards in Bobby Reiss and Luis Nunez. Junior LT Nick Steen returns from a knee injury in last year’s season opener.

Minier is a three-year starter at wide receiver while sophomores Steven Rodriguez and Dev Blanco compete for the other starting spot.

Defensive Overview:

Chris Cintron, Weehawken

Sophomore Chris Cintron starts at middle linebacker for Weehawken.

Nine starters return on defense for a Weehawken defense which incorporates parts of the 4-3 and 46 defenses. The strength of this unit lies in the secondary with Corredor, Leigue and Jordy Martin at corner and Pineda at safety.

Cintron starts at middle linebacker and will be flanked by older brother Danny Cintron and Minier on the outside.

Landi, Nunez and Reiss comprise the defensive line as the Indians have placed an added priority on improving the run defense.

“Last year we had a little trouble stopping the run,” Johnsen said. “But now everybody’s bigger, stronger, faster and we should be able to run to the ball a lot better this year.”

Star Spotlight: J.J. Pineda, QB/S

J.J. Pineda, Weehawken

A three-year starter, J.J. Pineda has adapted well to the Indians' new offense.

Weehawken’s J.J. Pineda may only be a junior, but as he enters his third season as the team’s starting quarterback, few can match his experience under center. After two years of experience, Pineda has a calmness on the field that wasn’t always there as a freshman and sophomore.

“Experience wise, there’s a lot less stress, a lot less pressure now that it’s my third year,” Pineda said.

With his ability to run and throw, Pineda has also had little trouble picking up the Indians’ new offense with head coach Chris Johnsen comparing Pineda to Navy QB Ricky Dobbs.

In addition to his responsibilities on offense, Pineda doubles as the team’s starting safety. A season ago, he earned All-BCSL National Second Team honors for his play on defense.