Wayne Valley Indians  

2018 in Review:  

• 6-5 record 
• Lost to Old Tappan in North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 semifinals  
• Beat Morris Hills in the first round 
• Scored 268 points – 24.36 average
• Allowed 157 points – 14.27 average, including two shutouts  
• Wins Included: Passaic Valley, West Milford, and Nutley
• Losses: Wayne Hills, Old Tappan, Northern Highlands, Spring-Ford (Pa.)  

Departing Seniors:   

• DE/OLB – David Trinidad – Kean 
• OL/DL Ian Lancellotti – Salve Regina 
• DL Greg Fox – Montclair State 
• OL Shaquan Anderson – Wesley 
• RB/LB Nick Trani – elected not to play football in college 

*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, with less spread this year
Returning Starters: 7

Quarterback:  

• Tommy Moran, Senior, 6-1, 170 – started on defense, played some offense as a wide receiver and quarterback 

Running Back:  

• John Testa, Junior, 5-8, 180 – will start and started on defense 
• Joe Fonseca, Junior, 5-10, 185 – 
• Gerry Stillianessis, Senior, 6-0, 170 – 

Fullback:  

• Jake DeLuccia, Senior, 6-1, 215 – returning starter

Wide Receiver:  

• Elijah Lugo, Senior, 5-9, 160 – returning starter 
• Chase Hemming, Senior, 6-1, 175 – returning starter
• James Jun, Junior, 5-10, 175 – will rotate 
• Mo Gega, Senior – 5-10, 160 – will rotate 

Tight End:  

• Anthony DePalma, Senior, 6-2, 200 – returning starter
• Richy Colonna, Senior, 6-1, 200 – will play in two-tight end situations 

Tackles:  

• Steven Simonetti, Senior, 6-3, 230 – returning starter
• Frank Tortora, Senior, 5-11, 190 – started four games 

Guards:  

• Jordan Botero, Senior, 5-10, 240 – 3-year starter
• Jack Freed, Junior, 5-11, 235 – competing at other guard 
• Gavin McGarrity, Junior, 6-0, 205 – competing at other guard
• Robbie Chetirkin, Sophomore, 5-11, 240 – competing at other guard  
• Justin Lopez, Senior, 5-11, 235 will provide depth 

Center:  

• Ricky Ruggiero, Senior, 5-11, 235 – 3-year starter   

Defense:  

• Formation: Multiple 3-4
• Returning Starters: 4  

Tackle:  

• Jordan Botero, Senior – will be part of rotation 
• Ricky Ruggiero, Senior – will be part of rotation
• Steven Simonetti, Senior – will be part of rotation
• Jack Freed, Junior – will be part of rotation
• Robbie Chetirkin, Sophomore – will be part of rotation   

Nose Guard:  

• Justin Lopez, Senior – will start and was good enough to start on many other teams

Outside Linebacker:   

• John Testa, Junior – returning starter
• Frank Tortora, Senior, – will start 
• Joe Fonseca, Junior – will rotate 
• Richy Colonna, Senior – will rotate   

Inside Linebacker:  

• Jake DeLuccia, Senior – returning starter  
• Joe Miscia, Senior, 6-1, 190 – competing at other inside post 
• Benino Dorsey, Senior, 5-10, 180 – competing at other inside post
• Gavin McGarrity, Junior – competing at other inside post  

Cornerback:  

• Tommy Moran, Senior – returning starter
• Elijah Lugo, Senior – returning starter  
• Robert Schneider, Senior, 5-10, 170 – will be the third corner 

Safety:  

• Anthony DePalma, Senior – competing 
• Mo Gega, Senior – competing 
• James Jun, Junior – competing 

Special Teams:   

• Gega returns at both kicker and punter, while DeLuccia is a 4-year starter as the long snapper 
• Lugo and Testa are the frontrunners in the return game 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/6, at Andover (Mass.) 
• Saturday, 9/14, Wayne Hills at home – night game 
• Friday, 9/20, Nutley at home 
• Saturday, 9/28, at Passaic Valley 
• Friday, 10/4, Indian Hills at home 
• Friday, 10/11, at West Milford 
• Friday, 10/18, at Old Tappan 
• Friday, 10/25, Northern Highlands at home 
• Saturday, 11/2, at Fair Lawn 

Concerns: 

• Replacing the entire defensive line: there are good, quality varsity players replacing them, but they need to experience on defense 

Recruiting:  

• DeLuccia is a 1-AA/D2 candidate 
• Simonetti, Ruggiero, Hemming, Botero, and Lugo are D3 candidates 
• Moran will choose between football and lacrosse at a high-academic college 
• DePalma is a D3 prospect in football and volleyball 
• Underclassmen will have the chance to make their mark this season 

Coach’s Comments:  

“We’re excited about what we have. It’s a balanced team with seven starters back on offense and will be effective running and passing. We will have good backs and two linemen who will be 3-year starters. We have four back on defense and they’re very good. Having both cornerbacks returning helps our defense do things we wouldn’t do otherwise. Having DeLuccia returning at linebacker is also a big help. Our focus is one-day-at-a-time and the commitment from the kids is as good as it’s been since I’ve been the coach here.” – Head Coach Roger Kotlarz