Patriots look to three-year starters to lead the wayAs Charlie Voorhees enters his sixth season as the head football coach at Secaucus High School, he knows one thing: He has a team that has taken three years to build, and that experience should lead to victories this fall.
"This group has been playing together since they were sophomores," said Voorhees, who guided the Patriots to a 6-4 mark a year ago before losing to Hoboken in the Group I state playoffs. "They have a lot to prove this year."
Leading the group of returnees is senior quarterback Joe Prestimonico (5-11, 170), who has been a three-year starter. Prestimonico passed for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns last year.
"He went to a lot of camps over the summer, and that helped him a lot," Voorhees said of Prestimonico. "He's been very good in the preseason and he's been a role model with the younger guys. I've been really pleased with the way he's been carrying himself."
Another key returnee is senior running back/cornerback David Tejada (5-7, 165), who is as versatile as he is quick. Tejada earned All-Area honors last year as a defensive back, but he's probably more dangerous when he's carrying the ball.
"When it's all said and done, he could be one of the best players we've ever had," Voorhees said. "He's all over the place."
Another solid veteran running back, also with three years experience, is senior Neil Schaffer (5-10, 180).
"He's a rocket off the ball," Voorhees said. "He's a great overall player."
Senior Randy Worthington (6-0, 215) is the starting fullback. The receiving corps is talented with senior Victor Vera (5-10, 165) leading the way. Vera also plays wingback and running back. Senior Bayu Sutrisno (5-6, 175) is a "lightning quick" receiver, according to Voorhees. Sophomore Ricky Nunez (5-9, 165) is a promising talent who reminds Voorhees a lot of Tejada.
"He has a lot more power already, and someday, he might just get to where Tejada is," Voorhees said of Nunez.
The tight end is the program's best prospect in senior Andrew Ramirez (6-3, 225), who is considered to be a high college recruit and is ranked among the Top 100 players in New Jersey by the McCarthy Report.
"Andrew has been starting for us since he was a freshman and he just keeps getting better and better," Voorhees said. "He's going to make some college coach really happy."
There is a lot of depth along the line for the Patriots. Junior Anthony Zito (5-8, 210) is the center, with juniors Alex Burmeister (6-2, 225) and Joe Torejon (6-0, 190) and sophomores Adam Mustafa (6-0, 225) and Peter Antonacci (6-2, 295) all seeing time at guard. Senior Gus Bageorgos (6-2, 210), a converted tight end, leads the tackles, along with junior Dan Primavera and senior Justin Segro (6-4, 340).
Senior Jon Gallego is the place kicker. Voorhees thinks he's a good threat from 35 yards and in.
Defensively, Ramirez is the key at defensive end. He had 12 sacks a year ago and causes havoc every time he steps on the field. Tejada is rock solid in the secondary.
Worthington and senior Mike Holland (6-0, 195) will be the defensive tackles, with Zito manning the nose guard slot. Schaffer and junior Ed Roesing (5-10, 165) are the inside linebackers, with Vera, Prestimonico and Nunez in the secondary with senior Mike Bronowich (6-0, 180).
So can this be a season to remember for the Patriots?
"We sure hope so," Voorhees said. "We've put in a lot of time over the last three years with this group. We've competed in the league and made the state playoffs and we hope to do the same this year."