Post 370 – HS Football Preview 2019: West Essex

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 

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