September 1, 2012
2012 Team Preview: |
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RB/DB Brandonlee Diaz and North Bergen start a new era with Czar Wiley as coach. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| North Bergen Football Practice Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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NORTH BERGEN – Last year's North Bergen playoff run read like a Hollywood movie script.
Under retiring head coach Vincent Ascolese and a physical defense led by his grandson, the Bruins battled out a pair of overtime victories before posting one of the biggest upsets in recent memory as North Bergen stunned Montclair 14-13 on a touchdown from Sergio Rodriguez to Debray Tavarez as time expired.
Once the season ended, the fairytale story, quickly turned into a nightmare under allegations of illegal recruiting. In the end, the title which had been won on the field of MetLife Stadium in December was stripped in a courtroom the following June.
After all of that and a controversial coaching process which saw Texas' Jimmy Crane hired and resigned within a span of a month, the Bruins turn to their past in former All-State defensive back Czar Wiley to lead the school into its next era of play.
Despite a tumultuous offseason, Wiley and the Bruins start a new era on September 8, against the same Montclair team they stunned nine months earlier.
"The beautiful part of all of that is that all of the chaos fuels us up for Sept. 8 when we go out to their home field on a Saturday afternoon and we'll do what we have to do to earn the respect back for North Bergen," Wiley said.
Offensive Overview:
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Junior Dominick Trautz is a dual-threat at quarterback for North Bergen. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| North Bergen Football Practice Photo Gallery |
There aren't many places where the Bruins have much in the way of experience, but one place is on the offensive line. Christian Ponce de Leon returns at center and Steven Gomez (5'11", 210) shifts from guard to left tackle. Senior guards Welmar Muriel and Bryan Heredia each have game experience with senior Leutrim Mustafa (6'3", 220) at right tackle. Juniors Kelvin Beltre and Christian Nunez provide depth on the line. Senior Alex Rodriguez (6'2", 220), who also had experience on the offensive line, starts at tight end.
Junior Dominick Trautz (6'1", 195) takes over as the starting quarterback and has shown promise both as a runner and passer in the new fast-paced offense Wiley has installed.
One of Trautz's top targets should be senior Danny Melian (6'4", 205), who started the first three games at quarterback last year before suffering a foot injury. While Melian is a possession target Tavarez is a deep threat, catching 30 passes for 602 yards and six touchdowns. Kevin Jarado and German Rodriguez should also see snaps at receiver.
Junior Brandonlee Diaz (5'10", 175) is a physical runner and should see the bulk of the carries with senior Ariel Santos and sophomore Daniel Hackley also in the mix. Justin De Lorenzo is the starting fullback.
"Brandonlee's one of those old-school football players where you just tell him once and he knows what to do," Wiley said. "You look at his height and his weight, he's a small guy. He's like a little chihuahua, but has a fight like a pitbull. He plays like he's 230 and that's what we want. That's a typical North Bergen football player."
Defensive Overview:
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Junior Steven Gomez takes over as North Bergen's middle linebacker. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| North Bergen Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Tavarez is a ball hawk and equally adept at laying a big hit on a ball carrier from his safety spot. Senior Ryan Delchiz and Luis Pajardo will compete at the other safety spot. Diaz returns at one corner spot opposite junior German Rodriguez. Santos and Danny Toro are also expected to fill roles in the secondary.
Heredia and Alex Rodriguez are the outside linebacker spots after starting at the defensive end spots a year ago.
"You're talking about two athletic kids with great personalities and a great feel for the game," said Wiley, who is unconcerned about the shift.
Gomez starts at middle linebacker with Miguel Gomez also likely to see time for a linebacker unit which has the daunting task of replacing All-State selection Vin Ascolese III as well as standouts Eric McMullen and Anthony Calabrese.
North Bergen's youth is especially apparent on the defensive line, where is going to start three sophomores.
Brandon Medrano (5'10", 180) and David Medina (5'8", 180) line up at the ends with Justin Gomez (5'10", 230) at tackle along with junior Kevin Herrera. Muriel will also be in the rotation.
"We want quicker, faster linemen. We want to get to the football. We're going to be doing a lot of different things up front. We know we're not that big, but we're faster than you, we're quicker than you and we're going to beat you to the spot."
Star Spotlight: Bryan Heredia, G/LB
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Senior Bryan Heredia moves from defensive end to outside linebacker in 2012. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| North Bergen Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Bryan Heredia grew up wanting to play linebacker like his favorite player - Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.
Heredia, a starter at defensive end last year, will finally get his chance.
"I love it, it's the best thing," Heredia said. "I wanted to play it, but I had the chance to start at defensive end. I took that chance and left my dream back. My senior year they put me back at linebacker and I love it."
Whether its at linebacker, defensive end or on offense where he will start at guard, the senior is an aggressive hitter who packs a punch, usually associated with players much bigger than his listed size of 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds.
"When you look at him he's undersized for where he's playing," coach Czar Wiley said. "But he just plays with a big heart and determination and at the end of the game, he's just going to wear down his opponent. With Bryan, no matter what obstacle you throw his way, he's going to knock it down. There's nothing really in life that if Bryan sets his mind to it he won't overcome or overachieve. That's just the way that young man is built."
"I just got heart," said Heredia. "I just play to my best abilities. Whoever comes in front of me, I'm going to give you a hard time."
'12 North Bergen Overview |
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| HCIAL National; North 1, Group V |
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