August 7, 2012
2012 Team Preview: |
 |
Rafael Colindres and Union City have reached the N1, G4 semifinals the last two years. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Union City Football Practice Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
|
|
UNION CITY – With state playoff victories in each of the past two seasons and an 8-3 2011 campaign, Union City has established itself as one of the better public schools in North Jersey.
Despite those lofty accomplishments, the Soaring Eagles still fell short of their ultimate goal of a state championship, last year falling to arch-rival North Bergen in an overtime heart-breaker in the semifinals.
"It's something that we've been so close to that we can just taste it," head coach Wil Valdez said. "Being in the semis two years in a row gives us a sense of confidence, but at the same time a feeling of unfinished business knowing how close we were to playing at MetLife (Stadium)."
Valdez and Union City look to make that next step despite fielding a roster which is one of the youngest in the county. Whatever they may be lacking in experience, they certainly aren't lacking in talent.
Offensive Overview:
 |
Senior Jeff Rodriguez was a First-Team All-County selection at center last year. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Union City Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Seniors Jeff Rodriguez and David Bretton bring stability and experience on the offensive line. Rodriguez, a HCV All-County selection a year ago, returns at center with Bretton at left guard. They will be joined by a pair of talented sophomores in Steven Gonzalez (6'4", 305) at left tackle and Alvaro Pittar (6'3", 260) at right guard.
"They're very big, they're hard-working kids and they're coachable," said Valdez about the two sophomores. "Experience is key and when it comes to them we're going to try to get them as much of it as possible."
David Allen and Roger Riera are competing at the right tackle spot.
Three-year starting QB Isaiah Diaz-Mays is a true dual threat under the center. He'll have plenty of help in the backfield with Nick Espana, a three-year starter, at fullback and senior speedster Rafael Colindres returning at one running back spot. Junior Owen Roman and sophomores Nawell Rojas and Tamaine Boyd are also expected to see plenty of action.
Sophomore Jonathan Castellano is expected to start at one receiver spot with Jose Sanchez lined up on the other side. Senior Ruben Contreras (6-2, 250) is the tight end.
Defensive Overview:
 |
Nick Espana moves to outside linebacker after starting the previous two years at safety. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Union City Football Practice Photo Gallery |
After starting at free safety the previous two years, Espana moves to outside linebacker where the 190-pound senior is expected to make a big impact.
"Nick is very physical, explosive and he brings his experience to that group," Valdez said. "He kind of outgrew the (safety) position. He feels right at home. He loves it, he played there as a freshman and he's a physical kid."
Espana will be joined on the outside by senior Lorenzo Rodriguez (5'10" 180), a returning starter, with Boyd in the middle.
Colindres is a returning starter at corner and will be joined by sophomores Castellano and Rojas. Roman and Sanchez are expected to start at safety with Diaz-Mays also likely to see action back there.
The defensive line is short on experience after graduating all four starters from a year ago, but has plenty of depth. Senior defensive end Franklin Arias has some experience on the outside and is joined by Robert Luna, Raphael Cartagena and Kevin Mejia on the outside. Contreras, Rodriguez, Allen, Pittar and Omar Aguiriano man the defensive tackle spots.
Star Spotlight: Isaiah Diaz-Mays, QB
 |
Senior Isaiah Diaz-Mays enters his third season as Union City's starting quarterback. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Union City Football Practice Photo Gallery |
Earlier in his high school career, Isaiah Diaz-Mays may not have been fully comfortable within Union City's Wing-T offense. But as the 6-foor-2, 190-pound senior enters his third season as the starting signal caller, Diaz-Mays feels right at home in the system.
"I've basically learned everything from top to bottom," he said. "Now it's just a matter of teaching the younger guys to execute and just getting everything perfect. After being a three-year starter in the same offense, everything's supposed to be perfect. I'm very comfortable."
As a junior, Diaz-Mays showed considerable growth on the field, rushing for 11 touchdowns and throwing for six more to help lead the Soaring Eagles to an 8-3 record. Diaz-Mays' dual threat ability has also prompted head coach Wil Valdez to add new wrinkles to the offense beyond the Wing-T.
"He definitely has a great feel for what we're trying to do with him as a quarterback," Valdez said. "He's a true dual-threat kid who's a run-pass option. He has the ability to run if you cover (the receivers) and if you don't cover he can throw it a mile."
So far Diaz-Mays has a scholarship offer from James Madison and has received interest from UMass, Maine, Old Dominion, Syracuse and Temple among others.
2012 Union City Overview |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| HCIAL National; North 1, Group IV |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
