West Essex Knights  

2018 in Review:  

• 8-1 record 
• Lost to South Plainfield in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 playoffs 
• Scored 337 points – 37.44 average
• Allowed 74 points – 8.22 average, including two shutouts  
• Wins Included: Lincoln, Parsippany Hills, West Side, Caldwell 
• Losses: None 

Departing Seniors:   

• RB/DB Will Perez – Princeton 
• FB/LB Dorian Gashi – Wagner 
• WR/DB Philip Lutz – Tufts 
• QB Zach Lemanski – Ithaca 
• LB Luke Dignazio – Virginia Tech as a wrestling walk-on 

*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 Wing-T
Returning Starters: 2 

Quarterback:  

• Nick Ciaglia, Senior, 5-11, 184 – projected starter – started on defense 

Running Backs:  

• Cristian Cataldo, Senior, 5-8, 150 – projected starter at halfback 
• Chris Bell, Junior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter at halfback 
• Joe Visaggio, Sophomore, 5-10, 171 – will be the third halfback 
• Ryan Coyle, Senior, 5-7, 179 – competing at fullback 
• Donnie Long, Sophomore, 5-8, 173 – competing at fullback 
• Luca Salvatoriello, Freshman, 5-11, 234 – competing at fullback 

Ends:  

• Chris Corbo, Sophomore, 6-3, 191 – projected starter at split end 
• Russ Lanzl, Senior, 5-10, 170 – provides depth at split end 
• Vincent Panzarino, Junior, 6-3, 216 – projected starter at tight end 

Offensive Line:  

• Bardhyl Ghashi, Senior, 6-2, 305 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Vito Benevenga, Senior, 5-11, 230 – returning starter at right guard 
• Chris Maestoso, Senior, 5-9, 214 – projected starter at center – started four games 
• Sammy Carsillo, Senior, 5-11, 205 – projected starter at left guard 
• Christian Caronia, Senior, 5-10, 238 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Nick Mannino, Junior, 6-0, 223 – key reserve 

Defense:  

• Formation:  3-4
• Returning Starters: 3 

Nose Guard:  

• Bardhyl Gashi, Senior – returning starter 

End:  

• Chris Maestoso, Senior – projected starter 
• Vito Benevenga, Senior – competing at opposite end 
• Nick Mannino, Junior – competing at opposite end   

Linebacker:  

• Vincent Panzarino, Junior – returning starter in the middle 
• Sammy Carsillo, Senior – projected starter on the strong side – saw action
• Chris Bell, Junior – projected starter on the weak side – played often 
• Russ Lanzl, Senior – projected starter on the outside 

Cornerback:  

• Cristian Cataldo, Senior – projected starter – started five games 
• Joe Lombardo, Junior, 5-10, 170 – competing at other corner 
• Nick Lagreca, Junior, 5-9, 170 – competing at other corner 

Safety:  

• Nick Ciaglia, Senior – returning starter 
• Chris Corbo, Sophomore – competing and will play 
• Joe Visaggio, Sophomore – competing and will play 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Tyler Logan will do the kicking and punting 
• Visaggio and Corbo will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/6, Passaic Tech at home 
• Friday, 9/13, Hanover Park at home 
• Friday, 9/20 at Newark Central 
• Friday, 9/27, Madison at home 
• Friday, 10/4, at Lincoln 
• Friday, 10/11, Nutley at home 
• Friday, 10/18, at Caldwell 
• Friday, 10/25, at Parsippany Hills 
• Friday, 11/1, West Side at home 

Concerns: 

• Lack of experience replacing graduated seniors 

Recruiting:  

• Bardhyl Gashi verballed to Colgate 
• Ciaglia has D3 looks, including Moravian and Ursinus 
• Junior Vincent Panzarino has interest from Lehigh and Lafayette 
• Sophomores Corbo and Visaggio have received 1-AA attention 

Coach’s Comments:  

“There is a lot of positive energy. Last year’s ending was tough to swallow. We have to move past that and get off to a good start. We’re young, but have good potential.” – Head Coach Chris Benacquista