Westwood Cardinals  

June 29, 2024

2023: 

• 13-0 
• Won the New Jersey Group 2 championship by beating Rumson-Fair Haven in overtime 
• Won the North Jersey regional championship by beating Bernards 
• Won the North Jersey Section 1 Group 2 championship by beating Rutherford in the finals, Newton in the semifinals, and Dumont in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included West Essex, Lakeland, Ramsey, River Dell, Dumont, Mahwah, and South Plainfield 
• Scored 424 points for a 32.62 average 
• Allowed 80 points for a 6.15 average, including five shutouts  

Graduation: 

• QB Robby Carcich – Monmouth 
• WR/LB Tom Bussanich – Wesleyan (Ct.) 
• WR/DB Joe Klein – Cortland (NY) 
• OL Braeden Roberts – Western New England 
• OL Tyler Roberts – Western New England 
• OL/LB Michael Carcich – Muhlenberg (Pa.) for baseball 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Quarterback: 

• Sean Morrison, Senior, 6-1, 180 – competing; started on defense 
• Anthony Caporale, Junior, 5-8, 165 – competing 

Running Back: 

• Aidan Dugan, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning co-starter; rushed for 772 yards per nj.com 
• Steve Klein, Junior, 6-1, 195 – returning co-starter; rushed for 452 yards per nj.com 

Wide Receiver: 

• Luke Bussanich, Senior, 6-3, 205 – returning starter 
• Eli Taveras, Senior, 5-9, 155 – projected starter in the slot 
• Mike Rinaldi, Senior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Connor Stewart, Senior, 5-11, 160 – projected starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Charles Sarlo, Junior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter at left guard 
• Dante Downey, Senior, 5-10, 275 – returning starter at center 
• Luke Biello, Senior, 5-11, 195 – 3-year starter at right guard 
• Mark Minas, Junior, 6-0, 210 – competing at tackle 
• Cooper Smith, Senior, 6-1, 215 – competing at tackle 
• Travis Myack, Senior, 5-10, 190 – competing at tackle 
• Andrew Myles, Senior, 6-0, 205 – competing at tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Defensive Line: 

• Dario Mathurin, Senior, 6-1, 220 – 3-year starter at end 
• Luke Biello, Senior, 5-11, 195 – returning starter at end 
• Andrew Myles, Senior, 6-0, 205 – competing at nose guard 
• Dante Downey, Senior, 5-10, 275 – competing at nose guard; started two games at end 

Linebacker: 

• Luke Bussanich, Senior, 6-3, 205 – returning starter on the outside 
• Aidan Dugan, Senior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter on the outside 
• Steve Klein, Junior, 6-1, 195 – returning starter on the inside 
• Charles Sarlo, Junior, 5-9, 180 – projected starter on the inside 

Secondary: 

• Sean Morrison, Senior, 6-1, 180 – 3-year starter at safety 
• Mike Rinaldi, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• Troy Giordano, Junior, 5-10, 160 – competing at safety 
• Tyler Hansen, Sophomore, 6-1, 175 – competing at safety 
• Connor Stewart, Senior, 5-11, 160 – competing at cornerback 
• Eli Taveras, Senior, 5-9, 155 – competing at cornerback 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Sean Morrison returns as kicker and senior Mike Rinaldi is back as the punter 
• Taveras, Klein, and Giordano are the return men  

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/29, Mahwah at home 
• Friday, 9/6, at Pascack Valley 
• Friday, 9/13, at Pascack Hills 
• Friday, 9/20, Caldwell at home 
• Friday, 9/27, at Dumont 
• Saturday, 10/5, at Weequahic 
• 10/11-12, Bye Week 
• Friday, 10/18, Ramsey at home 
• Friday, 10/25, River Dell at home 

Concerns: 

• Sorting out the offensive line, quarterback, wide receivers, and the secondary. If they are answered positively, they will be fine; if not, they will struggle 
• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Bussanich has interest from D3, D2, and some 1-AA schools 
• Mathurin can play anywhere from 1-AA to D3 
• Everyone else is D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Klein has a Syracuse offer and 1-A/1-AA interest 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We had a very successful season. How do we bounce back and stay grounded? We lost some outstanding leadership. We have good players returning and they have worked hard. Roles will change and new leaders will emerge. The players have stepped up so far and I hope they continue.” – Head Coach Bobby Guy