July 28, 2018
2017 in Review: The Bombers were 6-5, losing to North Hunterdon in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 semi-finals after beating Colonia. They scored 317 points for a 28.82 average, while allowing 164 for a 14.91 average, including two shutouts. Wins included East Brunswick, Edison, and New Brunswick, while their other losses included two one-point overtime losses to Brick Memorial and Old Bridge, plus Piscataway, and South Brunswick.
Graduation Losses: WR/CB Elijah Clark – Temple, OL/DL Damian Lupo – Wagner, TE/LB Colton Redding – Kean, OL/DL Tristan Behr – Kean
Offense: Sayreville runs a multiple spread and returns seven starters. Back at quarterback is junior Mark Whitford (5-8-1/2, 175). Running back will have senior Savon Kirksey (6-1, 220), along with senior Zuriel Wright (5-7, 165) and Jayvis Rayside (5-10, 195). Kirksey started on defense last year.
Three starters return at wide receiver. At slot receiver, seniors Connor Holmes (5-10, 175) and Jacari Carter (5-9, 150) return, with Holmes moving from running back. Getting some time here will be senior Conner Anthony (5-11, 170) and junior Ryan Russo (5-10, 160). At split end, senior Antwan Golson (5-10, 180) returns and he will be joined by junior Anthony Jackson (5-8, 155), senior Matt Iovino (5-9, 165), and senior Griffin Anthony (5-11, 170). When a tight end is used, it will be senior Cameron Davis (6-0, 185), who saw time before getting injured.
Three starters return to the line in center Agustin Delvalle (5-8, 225), guard Benedict Arthur (6-2, 240), and tackle Jorge Leiva (5-8, 200) – all seniors. The other guard will be between juniors Johnny Hernandez (5-10, 285) and Joe Porcaro (5-11, 220). The other tackle has heavy competition among junior Micah Chudkowski (5-11, 185), junior James Berecsky (5-11, 230), junior Glenn Wright (6-3, 230), junior Anthony Zimmerman (5-10, 215), sophomore Jalen Roman (5-11, 2300, and junior Chris Wendelken (6-1, 275).
Defense: The Bombers run a 3-4 and return six starters. Leiva returns on the line and he will be joined by a rotation of Porcaro, Wendelken, Wright, Arthur, and senior Nino Oneto (5-7, 195).
At linebacker, Kirksey returns inside, moving from end, and Conner Anthony returns outside. Playing inside next to Kirksey will probably be Rayside, who saw action, and he will be pushed by junior Noah Perez (5-7, 165). The opposite outside backer has Griffin Anthony, Davis, senior Alec Coelho (5-8, 140), and junior Dylan Gorczyca (5-6, 155) in the mix.
The secondary has three starters back in Golson and Holmes at safety, plus Carter at cornerback, with Holmes moving from outside linebacker. The opposite corner will likely be senior Damani Coombs (5-8, 170), who saw action. Also at cornerback will be Jackson and sophomore Javiion Simmon (6-1, 150). Iovino and Russo can play both safety and cornerback, while senior Gino Schiena (5-11, 155) can play safety.
Special Teams: Senior Nick Milewski will be the kicker and punter will have sophomore Tedo Sakhokia and others battling at punter. The return men will come from Carter, Jackson, Russo, Holmes, and Iovino.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/7, at North Brunswick, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, at Wood-Bridge, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, New Brunswick at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, Monroe at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, at Edison, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, at Old Bridge, 7 PM (tentative)
Friday, 10/19, Piscataway at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, South Brunswick at home, 7 PM
Concerns: Young kids to fill in up front for Lupo and Behr, who were two-way players. They also lose a good athlete in Clark. There is good skill but they need to be at their best up front, especially since they are moving up to Group 5.
Recruiting: Holmes has offers from Army, Monmouth, Bucknell, and Southern Connecticut. Carter has interest from Morgan State and Howard; Arthur has interest from Monmouth and others. Golson will play somewhere.
Coach’s Comments: “We’ve stressed growing together as a team, so we can play our best ball late in the year. We’re developing chemistry to face every possible adversity. The kids we have like one another and have been progressing every year.” – Head Coach Chris Beagan