Passaic Valley Hornets 

August 28, 2024

2023: 

• 7-3 
• Lost to West Essex in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 semifinals and beat Vernon in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Lakeland, Vernon, and Wayne Hills 
• Losses were to West Essex and Wayne Valley 
• Scored 258 points for a 25.8 average 
• Allowed 98 points for a 9.8 average 

Graduation: 

•  RB/LB Brandon Veneziano – Montclair State
• QB/DB Daian Kribs – South Carolina for club lacrosse 
• WR/LB Stavros Makrygiannis – William Paterson for basketball 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6   

Quarterback: 

• Ralphie Cintron, Senior, 5-11, 155 – returning starter who is competing, started at wide receiver 
• Anthony Bagnuolo, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing 

Running Back: 

• Colin Woodall, Junior, 5-10, 175 – competing and part of the rotation 
• Nicky Huliev, Junior, 5-8, 165 – competing and part of the rotation; St. Joe’s (Montvale) transfer 

Wide Receiver:

• Dante Benvenuti, Junior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter 
• Colby Woodall, Junior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Ralphie Cintron, Senior, 5-11, 155 – returning starter who will play here if not playing quarterback 

Tight End: 

• Marc Meola, Senior, 5-11, 185 – competing; started on defense 
• Vinnie Berardi, Junior, 5-9, 185 – competing  

Offensive Line: 

• Tristan Puerta, Senior, 6-3, 250 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Richie Breitweiser, Junior, 5-10, 200 – returning starter at left guard 
• Danny Bucher, Senior, 6-0, 200 – returning starter at center 
• James Picariello, Junior, 5-11, 185 – projected starter at right guard 
• Kenny Van Winkle, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-3 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Defensive Line: 

• Kenny Van Winkle, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter at end 
• James Picariello, Junior, 5-11, 185 – projected starter at end  
• Tristan Puerta, Senior, 6-3, 250 – returning starter at tackle 
• Will Capizzi, Junior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter at tackle; saw action 
• Richie Breitweiser, Junior, 5-10, 200 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Rocco Testa, Sophomore, 6-2, 235 – part of the tackle rotation  

Linebacker: 

• Dante Benvenuti, Junior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter on the outside 
• Christian Meletta, Junior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter in the middle 
• Vinnie Berardi, Junior, 5-9, 185 – competing on the outside 
• A’Miere Simpson, Senior, 6-0, 185 – competing on the outside 
• Dayran Figueroa, Senior, 5-9, 190 – part of the inside rotation  

Secondary: 

• Ralphie Cintron, Senior, 5-11, 155 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Colby Woodall, Junior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Marc Meola, Senior, 5-11, 185 – 3-year starter at safety 
• Ayden Mulroony, Senior, 5-9, 165 – competing at safety 
• Colin Woodall, Junior, 5-10, 175 – competing at safety 
• Nicky Huliev, Junior, 5-8, 165 – part of the safety rotation 

Special Teams:  

• Junior Dante Benvenuti returns as the kicker and the punter 
• Cintron, Huliev, and Colin Woodall are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 9/5, at Caldwell 
• Friday, 9/13, at Wayne Valley 
• Friday, 9/20, West Milford at home 
• Friday, 9/27, at Millburn 
• Friday, 10/4, West Essex at home 
• Friday, 10/11, Wayne Hills at home 
• Friday, 10/18, Nutley at home 
• Friday, 10/25, at Lakeland 

Concerns: 

• Depth on the offensive line 

Recruiting: 

• Puerta has interest from Patriot League schools, particularly Lehigh
• Simpson may play somewhere
• Others can go D3 if they want 
• Underclassmen: 
• Benvenuti is the top junior 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have had a good camp with good, young guys replacing some good players who graduated. We have young guys stepping into leadership roles. They know how hard it is to get back to where we were. The kids are excited about our tough schedule..” – Head Coach Max Wassel