Clifton Mustangs
August 13, 2024
2023:
- 3-7
- Lost to Westfield in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 5 quarterfinals
- Wins were against Ridgewood, East Orange, and Passaic
- Losses included Delbarton, Passaic Tech, Union City, Northern Highlands, and Montclair
- Scored 128 points for a 12.8 average
- Allowed 244 points for a 24.4 average
Graduation:
- OL/DL Trumain Lawson – Wyoming Seminary (Pa. prep) as a post-grad
- RB Devon Stroble – Springfield College (Mass.)
- WR/DB Marvin Bailey – Springfield College (Mass.)
- WR/DB Nate Ceneri – Montclair State
- LB Kyano Jimenez – Caldwell sprint football
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 4
Quarterback:
- Messiah Campbell, Sophomore, 5-9, 150 – competing
- EJ Valentine, Sophomore, 5-8, 150 – competing
- Thomas Bauman, Junior, 6-1, 185 – competing
Running Back:
- Jassin Gaviria, Senior, 5-9, 190 – returning starter at fullback, moving from guard
- Joel Vera, Junior, 5-10, 160 – projected starter at halfback
- Joe Dumeng, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at halfback
- Eureil Wyatt, Sophomore, 5-6, 140 – provides depth
- Marion Ford, Sophomore, 5-8, 160 – provides depth
Wide Receiver:
- Jayden Mouzon, Sophomore, 6-1, 150 – projected starter
- Chase Avellan, Senior, 5-9, 170 – part of the rotation
Tight End:
- Omar Rosario, Senior, 6-1, 210 – projected starter
- Jeremy Toyos, Senior, 5-10, 200 – provides depth
Offensive Line:
- Isaac Cazimoski, Senior, 5-10, 280 – returning starter
- Justin Gaviria, Senior, 5-9, 240 – returning starter at guard
- Aidan Romero, Junior, 6-1, 240 – returning starter at tackle
- Najay Luna, Senior, 6-1, 240 – projected starter at guard or tackle
- Auyash Rana, Senior, 6-4, 250 – competing at tackle
- Jaden Walker, Sophomore, 6-0, 240 – competing at guard and tackle
Defense:
- Formation: 3-4
- Returning Starters: 3
Defensive Line:
- Isaac Cazimoski, Senior, 5-10, 280 – returning starter at nose guard
- Justin Gaviria, Senior, 5-9, 240 – returning starter at end
- Aidan Romero, Junior, 6-1, 240 – part of the end rotation
- Najay Luna, Senior, 6-1, 240 – part of the end rotation
Linebacker:
- Jassin Gaviria, Senior, 5-9, 190 – returning starter on the inside
- Joe Dumeng, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter on the inside
- Jeremy Toyos, Senior, 5-10, 200 – projected starter on the outside
- Omar Rosario, Senior, 6-1, 210 – projected starter on the outside
- Yandel Nina, Sophomore, 6-1, 180 – part of the outside rotation
Secondary:
- Joel Vera, Junior, 5-10, 160 – projected starter at cornerback
- Jayden Mouzon, Sophomore, 6-1, 150 – projected starter at cornerback
- Eureil Wyatt, Sophomore, 5-6, 140 – provides depth at cornerback
- Marion Ford, Sophomore, 5-8, 160 – provides depth at cornerback
- Chase Avellan, Senior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at safety
- EJ Valentine, Sophomore, 5-8, 150 – competing at safety
- Aidan Nolan, Sophomore, 6-0, 180 – competing at safety
Special Teams:
- Senior Joe Geleta returns as the kicker and punter is undecided with senior Jeremy Toyos currently in the lead
- Vera, Wyatt, and Ford are the return men
Schedule:
- Friday, 8/30, Ridgewood at Paramus
- Friday, 9/6, Paterson Eastside at home
- Friday, 9/13, Passaic at home
- Friday, 9/20, at Morristown
- Friday, 9/27, Newark East Side at home
- Friday, 10/4, Bayonne at home
- 10/11-12, Bye Week
- Friday, 10/18, at Passaic Tech
- Friday, 10/25, at East Orange
Concerns:
- Inexperience: how do they respond in the face of adversity?
Recruiting:
- There are several who may D3 who are good high school football players but may not check all the boxes
- Underclassmen:
- Romero has interest
- The rest is to be determined
Coach’s Comments:
“The team learned from the last three years what good leadership and what bad leadership looks like. They’ve seen what it takes to be successful and what it’s like not to be successful. This group has worked hard in the offseason. The strength of the team is up front: we go as they go.” – Head Coach Ralph Cinque