Lyndhurst Golden Bears
2018 in Review:
- 9-2 record
- Lost to Rutherford in North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 finals
- Beat Verona in semi-finals and Hanover Park in first round
- Scored 329 points – 29.91 average
- Allowed 166 points – 15.09 average, two shutouts
- Wins Included: Hawthorne, Pompton Lakes, Glen Rock
- Losses: New Milford in double overtime
Departing Seniors:
- TE/DE Paul Cimicata – Pace
- WR/K Benny Franchino – Pace
- FB/LB Jeff Grasso – Western Connecticut
- QB Brian Podolski – Kean
- WR/DB Emmanuel LaLuz – undecided on where to play
*The bold print below 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 Spread
Returning Starters: 5
Quarterback:
- Competing:
- Anthony Lembo, Senior, 5-11, 185 – started on defense
- Michael Renta, Senior, 6-0, 180 – Becton transfer who started
Running Back:
- Piotr Partyla, Senior, 5-9, 180, 3-year starter
- Anthony DeMarco, Junior, 5-11, 170 – may spell Partyla
- Aaron Alvarez, Senior, 5-7, 165 – may spell Partyla
- Lembo, if he is not playing quarterback may spell Partyla
Fullback (when used):
- Chris McLaughlin, Senior, 5-10, 205 – competing and started on defense
- Diego Crespo, Senior – 5-8, 170 – competing
Wide Receiver:
- John Rodriguez, Senior, 6-3, 170 – returning starter
- Isaiah De La Cruz, Senior, 5-10, 165 – competing
- Jordan Werner, Senior, 6-2, 185 – competing and can be used as tight end
- Michael Failace, Senior, 5-9, 170 – competing
- Colin Kittredge, Senior, 6-0, 170 – competing
- Lembo, if not playing quarterback
Tackle:
- James Blake, Senior, 6-0, 235 – returning starter at left tackle
Guard:
- Joe Cutola, Senior, 5-11, 220 – returning starter at left guard
Center:
- Thomas Ryan, Senior, 5-11, 205 – returning starter
Competing at tackle and guard positions on right side:
- Angel Velez, Sophomore, 6-2, 220
- Tarik Askin, Senior, 6-1, 275
- Brandon Ross, Senior, 5-8, 220
- Milton Hernandez, Senior, 6-0, 260
Defense:
Formation: 3-4
Returning Starters: 6
End:
- Joe Cutola, Senior
- Angel Velez, Sophomore
- Reserves:
- Randy Vega, Senior, 5-10, 175
- Thomas Ryan, Senior – reserve at end and nose guard
Nose Guard:
- James Blake, Senior
Outside Linebacker:
- Piotr Partyla, Senior – returning starter
- Adam Venezia, Junior, 6-1, 180 – played often and competing
- Competing:
- Aaron Alvarez, Senior – competing
- Anthony DeMarco, Junior – competing
- Justin Gerena, Senior, 6-2, 175 – competing
Inside Linebacker:
- Chris McLaughlin, Senior – returning starter
- Competing:
- Ismail Ay, Senior, 5-10, 195
- Justin Gerena, Senior
- Diego Crespo, Senior
- Adam Venezia, Junior – if he is not playing inside linebacker
Cornerback:
- Michael Failace, Senior – returning starter
- John Rodriguez, Senior – returning starter
Safety:
- Anthony Lembo, Senior – returning starter
- Competing:
- Michael Renta, Senior
- Isaiah De La Cruz, Senior
- Jordan Werner, Senior
- Anthony DeMarco, Junior
- Diego Crespo, Senior
Special Teams:
- Kicker may have Failace doing the honors and punter is undecided
- Partyla, Rodriguez, and Alvarez will be return men
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/6, at Hawthorne
- Friday, 9/13, Secaucus at home
- Bye Week
- Friday, 9/27, Pompton Lakes at home
- Friday, 10/4, at New Milford
- Friday, 10/11, at Harrison
- Friday, 10/18, Elmwood Park at home
- NJIC Playoffs
- NJIC Playoffs
Concerns:
- Complacency and overcoming adversity
Recruiting:
- Partyla has preferred walk-on at Northern Illinois and has interest from Cornell and Monmouth
- Lembo has D2 possibilities
- McLaughlin, Blake, Werner, and Gerna are D2/D3
- Underclassmen:
- DeMarco and Venezia have a chance to play somewhere
- Velez is a sophomore with potential
Coach’s Comments:
“We have a veteran team with 28 seniors and we are now a target for other teams. We have to overcome adversity and take it one-game-at-a-time. We need to finish 1-0 every week.” – Head Coach Rich Tuero