August 9, 2018
2017 In Review: The Spartans were 9-2, losing to Ramapo in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 semi-finals after beating Bergenfield. They scored 363 points for a 33.0 average, while allowing 127 for an 11.54 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Roxbury, Jefferson, and High Point, while their other loss was to West Morris.
Graduation Losses: WR Eric Castorina – Wagner, TE/LS Thomas Ferrara – Cornell, OL/DL Kevin Carpenter – Lycoming (Pa.), QB Anthony Broccoletti – Kean, WR/DB Jake Zerillo – Kean, T/DE Ben Davis – Kean, DB Mike Candeloro – Muhlenburg, C/LB Robbie Gennat – Stevens Institute for wrestling
Offense: Sparta runs the spread and returns two starters. The quarterback will be senior Kenny Oelkers (6-0, 165) and the running back will be junior Eric Castorina (5-10, 185).
The lone returning receiver is senior wide receiver Will Cisko (6-3, 195). He will be joined by senior Ben McDonald (5-11, 160) and junior Tyler Szabo (6-0, 165). In the slot will be either junior James Hogle (5-9, 170) or sophomore Brendan Cino (5-9, 150). Junior Joe Batton (6-0, 180) will be the tight end.
Senior Ty Lewis (6-1, 270) is lone returnee on the line and will be one guard. Junior TJ Hurley (6-0, 235) will be the other guard and senior Matt Siglio (6-0, 225) will play center, with both starting on defense last year. The tackles will be senior Ollie Sears (6-2, 220) and junior Tim Sember (6-4, 240).
Defense: The Spartans run a 4-2-5 and return five starters. Hurley and Siglio return at the tackles, while Sears and Sember will be the ends, with Sears being the third end last year.
Junior Sam Bushey (5-7, 175) is one returning linebacker and the other spot is open with senior Jhordan Griffin (5-11, 175), junior JJ Valentin (5-11, 180), and senior Luke Romano (6-0, 180) battling it out.
Returning to the secondary are senior free safety Ryan Richardson (6-0, 170) and senior Pat Millikin (5-11, 170) at weak safety. The strong safety will be senior Carter Sheridan (5-7, 165) and the corners will be juniors Nick Broccoeltti (5-8, 150) and Braden Jensen (6-1, 170).
Special Teams: Junior Vin DeSimone returns as the kicker and he will add punter to his duties this year.
Schedule:
Saturday, 9/1, Ramapo at home, 1 PM
Friday, 9/7, at Roxbury, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, at West Morris, 7:30 PM
Saturday, 9/22, Mendham at home, 1 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Jefferson, 7 PM
Thursday, 10/4, Vernon at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/13, Randolph at home, 1 PM
Friday, 10/19, at Montville, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, at Morris Hills, 7 PM
Recruits: Cisko is a 1-AA/D2 recruit and the other seniors are D3 candidates.
In the junior class, Castorina will be a solid prospect; he missed last year with a broken arm.
Concerns: Graduating three 2-year starters on the line, but they do have hard working replacements.
Coach’s Comments: “We will look a little different this year. There will be new players in spots and we will compete. We will go as far as our lines take us.” – Head Coach Frank Marchiano