August 26, 2012
2012 Team Preview: |
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Senior center Jonathan Rodriguez and Bayonne look to build upon last year's 8-3 record. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Bayonne Football Practice Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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BAYONNE – When Rick Rodriguez was re-hired as the head football coach at Bayonne 16 months ago, he vowed to return the success and attitude to a school which had thrived in his first stint before falling upon hard times in recent years.
Despite Rodriguez's impressive resume, few outside of the Peninsula City envisioned a turnaround as dramatic as the Bees experienced in 2011, going 8-3 (matching the win total of the previous three years) and winning a playoff game for the first time since 2002.
Now comes the hard part of maintaining the success with a young roster and an ambitious schedule which includes Sparta and Montclair.
"There's a lot of pressure on this group. It's their turn," Rodriguez said. "We don't have that many returning starters coming back, but we had a great off-season program, we've been in there since January 15. It's their turn to ante up. My expectations don't change."
Offensive Overview:
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Senior Ceoan Marlin is expected to be Bayonne's top rusher in 2012. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Bayonne Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Few in the area are as willing to throw the ball as much as the Bees and with the group of receivers they bring to the gridiron, such a pass-friendly offense is understandable.
Leading Bayonne's quartet of wide outs is returning starter Biaggio Cancro (6'1", 185), the team's leading receiver from a year ago. Cancro will start opposite junior Cody Balderamos (6'3", 185) with senior John Leake (5'9", 175) and freshman Zamir Williams (6'0", 160) also expected to see plenty of time. The depth continue at tight end with sophomore Peter Petrovic, Brandon Hilliard and Bryce Smith all in the mix giving 6-foot-4 senior quarterback Chris Wright plenty of options in the passing game.
Ceaon Marlin (5'10", 185) takes over as the starting running back after excelling in part-time duty a season ago. Victor Torres and fullback Diante Adams should also see touches along with the dual-threat Wright.
Jonathan Rodriguez (5'8", 250) is a three-year starter at center and anchors an offensive line with three new starters. Danny Perez (6'4", 260) starts at left tackle with Kendrix Cantive (6'0", 280) at left guard. Mike Ruiz (6'2", 250) and Dillion Figueroa (6'0", 260) are battling it out at right tackle with Ralph Ocasio returning to start at right guard.
Amir Namjoukhalis returns as the kicker.
Defensive Overview:
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Junior safety Mark Jackson is one of eight new starters on the Bayonne defense. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Bayonne Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Rodriguez's 46 defense requires fast, agile linebackers. What his linebacking group may be lacking in terms of size, it makes up for in speed.
"We're such a pressure team that they got to be athletic," Rodriguez said. "If they're not athletic, they can't play for us (at linebacker). They got to be able to cover. The No. 1 thing we look for at linebacker is speed. Speed, speed, speed."
At the forefront of this attack is Marlin, who has the ability to blitz from the edge and drop back into coverage. The senior is a returning starter at outside linebacker and the team's leading tackler from a year ago. He will be flanked on the outside by senior Anthony Scalia (5'10", 190) with Adams and Keyson Dingle starting at inside linebacker. Scalia, who Rodriguez cited as one of the most improved players during the offseason, is expected to provide a pass rush off the edge.
Junior Matt Jackson (5'10", 165) is a returning starter at cornerback and will be joined in the secondary by his brother Mark Jackson (5'11", 165) at safety and senior cornerback Junior Aldano (5'8", 165). Torres, Cancro and Leake should also see time at defensive back.
Cantive is a returning starter at left defensive end with Hilliard starting on the other side. Senior Michael Whitney (6'0", 280) and Figueroa start at defensive tackle.
Star Spotlight: Chris Wright, QB
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Chris Wright had 12 rushing and nine passing touchdowns for Bayonne in 2011. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Bayonne Football Practice Photo Gallery |
For Bayonne quarterback Chris Wright, being 6-foot-5 certainly has its advantages.
"It helps a lot. I can see over the line a lot easier," said Wright. "As soon as I get to the line of scrimmage, it makes it a lot easier for me to see the coverage without turning my neck and allowing them to see what I'm reading."
The height may be a plus, but it is far from the only attribute in Wright's favor. At just 190 pounds, Wright wouldn't seem to be built for running the ball, but the signal caller has proven more than capable of the task as he rushed for more than 600 yards and 12 touchdowns a season ago.
"He's a tough kid, he's your typical Bayonne kid," coach Rick Rodriguez said. "He's just a tough kid and a great kid to coach."
Wright, who threw nine touchdowns last season, said he has improved his throwing strength and accuracy, while adding 10-15 pounds.
2012 Bayonne Overview |
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| HCIAL National; North 2, Group V |
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