Clifton Mustangs

2018 in Review:  

• 8-3 record
• Lost to Ridgewood in North 1 Section 1 Group 5 semi-finals
• Beat Kennedy in first round
• Scored 320 points – 29.09 average
• Allowed 175 points – 15.91 average, including two shutouts
• Wins Included: Northern Highlands, Kennedy, Hackensack, Passaic Tech
• Losses: Ridgewood, Delbarton

Departing Seniors:

• RB/DB David Martinez – Montclair State
• OL Will Suarez – Kean
• QB Armani Brinson – Rutgers (Newark) for basketball
• OL Devin Garcia – chose not to play football
• LB Jay Patel – Montclair State, undecided on football  
• WR/DB Devon Swasey – possibly sprint football

*The bold print is a returning starter. This includes one who had playing time and one who started on the other side of the ball only in 2018, with explanation included after their name.

Offense:

Formation: Multiple Pro
Returning Starters: 6

Quarterback:

• Kyle Vellis, Sophomore, 6-0, 160 – started varsity baseball in right field and was 6th-man on varsity basketball as a freshman

Tailback:

• Christian Boneparte, Senior, 5-9, 175 – started on defense and played often last two years on offense
• Andre Gardner, Senior, 5-7, 160 – may spell Boneparte and play as slot receiver

Fullback:

• Eddie Maldonado, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter

Wide Receiver:

• Caleb Boneparte, Junior, 5-9, 165 – started on defense
• Christian Feliciano, Senior, 6-1, 150 – in the mix
• Michael Kristof, Sophomore, 5-10, 165 – in the mix
• Gardner may play in slot and Maldonado may see reps here

Tight End:

• Angel Payano, Senior, 5-11, 170 – returning starter

• Competing for time:
• Lord Belton, Senior, 6-1, 180 – started on defense
• Luke Ceneri, Sophomore, 6-0, 170

Center:

• Omar Alshujaieh, Junior, 5-11, 260 – returning starter

Guard: 

• Robert Urban, Senior, 5-11, 275 – 3-year starter
• Mohammad Abedrabo, Junior, 6-1, 265 – returning starter who may move to tackle
• Competing for time:
• Malik Allan, Senior, 5-8, 196
  
• Yaheya Ghaleb, Senior, 6-0, 255

Tackle:

• Possibly Abedrabo, depending on pre-season developments – two positions are open
• Tyler Williams, Sophomore, 6-4, 290
• Ahmad Ramadan, Sophomore, 6-1, 235
• Abraham Montalvo, Senior, 6-1, 280

Defense:

Formation: 3-4
Returning Starters: 7

Nose Guard:

• Jahhon Willis, Senior, 6-0, 295 – returning starter

End:

• Josh Hernandez, Junior, 5-10, 205 – returning starter who may play linebacker, which will leave two positions open, instead of one
• In the running:
• Shaquaye Brimley, Junior, 6-1, 185
• Nick Burgess, Sophomore, 6-0, 205
• Abedrabo and Ramadan may spell starters

Outside Linebacker:

• Angel Payano – returning starter
• Lord Belton – returning starter

Inside Linebacker:

• Eddie Maldonado – returning starter
• Competing at other position:
• Hernandez may move here, depending on pre-season developments
• Jacob Maldonado, Sophomore, 5-10, 175
• Jesus Valdez, Senior, 5-9, 215
• Marcellus Belmar, Senior, 5-10, 210

Cornerback:

• Caleb Boneparte – 3-year starter

• Competing at other corner:
• Andre Gardner
• Dahmier Soria, Junior, 5-9, 150
• Donovan Swazey, Sophomore, 5-6, 155

Safety:

• Christian Boneparte – 3-year starter

• Competing at other safety:
• Ahmad Muheisen, Senior, 5-10, 165
• Ivan Flores, Junior, 5-6, 160
• Bryan Feliciano, Sophomore, 5-8, 155

Special Teams:

• Kicker and punter are open.
• Both Bonepartes, Gardner, and Swazey will return kicks and punts

Schedule:

• Friday, 9/6, at Mount Olive
• Friday, 9/13, Northern Highlands at home
• Thursday, 9/19, at Kennedy
• Friday, 9/27, Hackensack at home
• Friday, 10/4, Passaic Tech at home
• Thursday, 10/10, Ridgewood at home
• Friday, 10/18, at Eastside
• Bye Week
• Friday, 11/1, Delbarton at home
• Thursday, 11/28, Passaic at home

Concerns:  

• Youth on the offense

Recruiting:   

• Christian Boneparte, Montalvo, and Payano are anywhere from D3 to 1-AA
• Urban can go D3 or higher
• Willis has good upside who moves well for a big man
• Among underclassmen, Williams is a sophomore who can go far, but needs to develop and Caleb Boneparte is a junior who will play somewhere
• There is a very deep sophomore class and somebody can emerge

Coach’s Comments:

“I love our team; the kids work hard. We have had over 50 kids in attendance, so far; they are not afraid of hard work and holding one another accountable.” – Head Coach Ralph Cinque