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