Sparta Spartans
August 24, 2023
2022:
- 6-4
- Lost to Old Tappan in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 semifinals and beat Mendham in the quarterfinals
- Wins included Jefferson, Vernon, Mount Olive, and Lakeland
- Losses were to West Morris, Ramapo, and Newton
- Scored 283 points for a 28.3 average
- Allowed 262 points for a 26.2 average
Graduation:
- QB Austen Frattura – Holy Cross
- OL/DL Hunter Peterson – Kutztown (Pa.)
- OL/DL Bradley Maines – FDU (Florham Park)
- OL Anthony Faraone – Wilkes (Pa.)
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 4
Quarterback:
- Hunter Takacs, Senior, 6-2, 215 – projected starter
- Shane Hoover, Sophomore, 6-1, 155 – competing
- Brett Beierle, Junior, 5-9, 170 – competing
Running Back:
- Brandon Cabrera, Senior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter
Wide Receiver:
- Josh Brancy, Senior, 5-10, 195 – 4-year starter at slot receiver
- Luke Doster, Junior, returning starter
- Patrick Dunn, Senior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter
Tight End:
- Nick Curry, Senior, 5-11, 185 – projected starter
Offensive Line:
- Tahg Herbison, Senior, 5-11, 235 – projected starter at center; started on defense
- Seth Gary, Sophomore, 5-11, 230 – projected starter at guard
- Connor White, Senior, 5-11, 210 – projected starter at guard
- Declan Monaghan, Senior, 6-2, 240 – returning starter at tackle
- KJ DiStefano, Senior, 6-3, 240 – projected starter at tackle
Defense:
- Formation: 3-4
- Returning Starters: 7
Defensive Line:
- Shane Stiansen, Senior, 6-2, 190 – projected starter at end
- Seth Gary, Sophomore, 5-11, 230 – projected starter at nose guard
- Tahg Herbison, Senior, 5-11, 235 – returning starter at end
Linebacker:
- Hunter Chlodnicki, Junior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter on the inside
- Jon Calderone, Senior, 6-0, 215 – projected starter on the inside
- Greg Peters, Senior, 5-11, 180 – returning starter on the outside
- Lucas Brown, Junior, 6-0, 195 – projected starter on the outside
Secondary:
- Vin Rispoli, Junior, 5-8, 155 – returning starter at cornerback
- Mason Lindsay, Senior, 5-11, 170 – returning starter at cornerback
- Josh Brancy, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter at safety
- Booey Rodriguez, Senior, 5-11, 195 – returning starter at safety
Special Teams:
- Junior Brody Tunyeri is the kicker and sophomore Shane Hoover will punt
- Brancy, Cabrera, and Rispoli are the return men
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/1, Lakeland at home
- Friday, 9/8, Vernon at home
- Thursday, 9/14, at Ramapo
- Friday, 9/22, at West Morris
- Friday, 9/29, at Jefferson
- Friday, 10/6, Mount Olive at home
- Friday, 10/13, West Milford at home
- Friday, 10/20, at Newton
Concerns:
- Four new starters on the offensive line and a new quarterback
Recruiting:
- Brancy, Cabrera, and DiStefano have the best potential to play college football
- It is too early to discern the underclassmen
Coach’s Comments:
“I am proud of the guys. We graduated a big senior class, numbers wise, and we just had a good scrimmage. We will see where this team is soon enough.” – Head Coach Frank Marchiano