Old Tappan Knights
August 27, 2023
2022:
- 12-1
- Won the New Jersey Group 3 championship by beating Delsea
- Won the North Jersey Group 3 regional championship by beating West Morris
- Won the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 championship by beating Hillside in the finals, Sparta in the semifinals, and Lincoln in the quarterfinals
- Wins included Northern Highlands, River Dell, Paterson Eastside, and Paramus
- Their loss was to Ramapo
- Scored 436 points for a33.54 average
- Allowed 125 points for a 9.61 average, including three shutouts
Graduation:
- RB/LB Jack Diggins – Rochester
- RB/LB Adrian Heaney – Tufts (Mass.)
- QB Tommy Carraciolo – Texas Tech as a walk-on
- WR/DB Luca Saracino – Springfield College (Mass.)
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 4
Quarterback:
- Alex Orecchio, Junior, 5-8, 155 – projected starter; saw action, including the state championship
Running Back:
- Nick Rossi, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter; started on defense
- Christian Greaney, Senior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter; started on defense
- Nick Rotolo, Junior, 5-11, 165 – provides depth
- Devyn Radoian, Sophomore, 5-10, 150 – provides depth
Wide Receiver:
- Evan Brooks, Senior, 6-3, 195 – 3-year starter
- Mike Miceli, Senior, 5-11, 155 – projected starter; started on defense
- Ronan Malady, Junior, 6-0, 175 – projected starter
- Robert Agans, Junior, 6-0, 190 – part of the rotation
- Tim Rutigliano, Senior, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation
Offensive Line:
- Jack Small, Senior, 6-7, 295 – 3-year starter at left tackle
- Matt Renaghan, Senior, 6-0, 205 – competing at left guard
- Jack Horgan, Junior, 6-1, 245 – competing at left guard
- Ryan O’Neill, Senior, 5-10, 215 – returning starter at center
- Dennis Delaney, Senior, 6-0, 215 – 3-year starter at right guard
- Mike Gracey, Junior, 6-0, 230 – projected starter at right tackle
- Zach Falkenstern, Senior, 6-0, 265 – top reserve along the line
Defense:
- Formation: 3-3 Stack
- Returning Starters: 6
Defensive Line:
- Jack Small, Senior, 6-7, 295 – returning starter at end
- Dennis Delaney, Senior, 6-0, 215 – returning starter at end
- Ryan O’Neill, Senior, 5-10, 215 – part of rotation at nose guard
- Mike Gracey, Junior, 6-0, 230 – part of rotation at nose guard
- Zach Falkenstern, Senior, 6-0, 265 – part of rotation at nose guard
Linebacker:
- Nick Rossi, Junior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter in the middle stack
- Christian Greaney, Senior, 5-11, 190 – returning starter on the weak side stack
- Devyn Radoian, Sophomore, 5-10, 150 – will split time at the strong side stack
- Kevin McMahon, Senior, 5-11, 180 – will split time at the strong side stack
- Robert Agans, Junior, 6-0, 190 – will share time on the outside
- Tim Rutigliano, Senior, 5-10, 170 – will share time on the outside
- Antonio Campagna, Senior, 5-10, 185 – will share time on the outside
- Luke Piccinich, Senior, 5-10, 185 – provides depth at stack linebackers
- Zach Piccinich, Senior, 5-10, 185 – provides depth at the stack linebackers
Secondary:
- Mike Miceli, Senior, 5-11, 155 – returning starter at cornerback
- Ronan Mullady, Junior, 6-0, 175 – projected starter at cornerback
- Evan Brooks, Senior, 6-3, 195 – 3-year starter at safety
Special Teams:
- Senior Nico Ottomanelli is a 3-year starter at kicker and add punting duties
- Mullady, and sophomore Joey Crescitelli are the return men
Schedule:
- Friday 9.1, Paramus at home
- Friday, 9/8, at Northern Highlands
- Friday, 9/15, Pascack Valley at home
- Saturday 9/23, at Bergenfield
- Friday, 9/39, at River Dell
- Friday, 19/6, at Paterson Eastside
- Friday, 10/13, at Ramapo
- Friday, 10/20, Demarest at home
Concerns:
- Depth
- Health
- Young kids playing that have to learn first and compete at a high level
Recruiting:
- Ottomanelli verballed to Nebraska
- Small verballed to Duke
- Brooks has 1-AA and D2 offers
- Others are D3 types
- There is a wait and see outlook for underclassmen
Coach’s Comments:
“The preseason has gone fast and we’re ready to get going. They’re good kids who have worked hard. We’ll see how they come together and respond to a challenging schedule.” – Head Coach Brian Dunn