Northern Highlands Highlanders
2018 in Review:
- 4-6 record
- Lost to Morris Knolls in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 playoffs
- Scored points – average
- Allowed points – average
- Wins Included: Wayne Valley, Bergenfield
- Losses: Ramapo, Old Tappan, Clifton, West Morris, Morris Knolls
Departing Seniors:
- OL/DL Luke Larkin – Sacred Heart
- WR/CB CJ Minchin – Salve Regina
- CB Liam Roy – Middlebury
- WR Joe Nirchio – Tampa for lacrosse
*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: 7
Quarterback:
- Jack Stephen, Senior, 6-1, 195 – returning starter who will play several positions, including quarterback
- Enzo Arjona, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – projected starter
Running Back:
- Ethan Harris, Senior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter
- Jack Stephen, Senior – part of rotation
- Nick Lapi, Junior, 6-0, 190 – will play in 1-and-2-back sets
Wide Receiver:
- Zack Saturn, Senior, 6-0, 170 – 3-year starter
- Jack Stephen, Senior – part of rotation
- Charlie Cheney, Senior, 6-3, 180 – returning starter
- Will Dreyer, Junior, 6-0, 175 – returning starter
Tight End:
- Nick Holle, Junior, 6-1, 180 – returning starter
Offensive Line:
- Luke Barthel, Junior, 6-2, 225 – returning starter at left tackle
- Jack Bonarigo, Junior, 5-11, 195 – projected starter at left guard, started on defense
- Jack Lish, Junior, 6-1, 210 – projected starter at center
- Decklon Blache, Senior, 6-3, 330 – returning starter at right guard
- Sean Hochrine, Junior, 6-3, 255 – projected starter at right tackle
- Lucien Fritsch, Sophomore, 5-11, 195 – sixth man along the line
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 4-3
- Returning Starters: 9
End:
- Dan Talkiewicz, Senior, 6-3, 215 – returning starter
- Nate Quinn, Senior, 6-1, 175 – returning starter moving from linebacker
Tackle:
- Jack Bonarigo, Junior -returning starter who will be part of rotation
- Decklon Blache, Senior – part of rotation
- Sean Hochrine, Junior – part of rotation
- Charlie Johnson, Sophomore, 6-0, 220 – part of rotation
- Jack Lish, Junior – part of rotation
Linebacker:
- John Ozdemir, Senior, 6-3, 235 – returning starter in the middle
- Nick Holle, Junior – returning starter on the outside
- Nick Lapi, Junior – projected starter on the outside; started three games
- Jack Stevens, Senior – projected starter who started in 2017
Cornerback:
- Zack Saturn, Senior, 6-0, 175 – returning starter
- Ethan Harris, Senior – projected starter who started twice
- Ian Langan, Sophomore, 6-0, 165 – third corner who will rotate
Safety:
- Charlie Cheney, Senior – returning starter
- John Haemmerle, Junior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter
- Chris Herrera, Junior, 5-11, 165 – third safety who will rotate
Special Teams:
- Junior Andrew Haas is the kicker and punter
- The return men are still being decided
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/6, at Old Tappan
- Friday, 9/13, Clifton at West Point
- Friday, 9/20, Ramapo at home
- Friday, 9/27, at Tenafly
- Friday, 10/4, at West Morris
- Friday, 10/11, Bergenfield at home
- Saturday, 10/19, Teaneck at home
- Friday, 10/25, at Wayne Valley
- Friday, 11/1, Morris Knolls at home
Concerns:
- Tough schedule
- Stay healthy
Recruiting:
- Blache has the ability to play anywhere and has interest from Kansas, Rutgers, and other 1-A/1-AA programs
- Ozdemir has an offer from Bryant, with interest from Rutgers, UMass, and Stony Brook
- Stevens has interest from the Patriot/Ivy Leagues and Johns Hopkins
- Saturn and Cheyney are 1-AA/D2 prospects
- Harris will be a slot receiver in college and a very good player for the D2/D3 level
- Underclassmen:
- Ajona will be a very good prospect
Coach’s Comments:
“We’ve been working hard and have had a good summer and a good camp. Let’s see how we can play; we need to take the next step and it’s a matter of doing it.” – Head Coach Greg Russo