Post 407 – HS Football Preview 2019: Watchung Hills

Watchung Hills Warriors  

2018 in Review:  

  • 0-10 record 
  • Scored 141 points – 14.1 average
  • Allowed 381 points – 39.1 average 
  • Wins Included: None 
  • Losses: Ridge, Union, Westfield, Hunterdon Central, Linden, East Orange, Elizabeth  

Departing Seniors:   

  • RB Kevin Badger – Monmouth 

*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: 8  

Quarterback:  

  • Chad Martini, Junior, 6-6, 215 – returning starter 

Running Back:  

  • Jack Taub, Senior, 5-8, 145 – part of rotation 
  • Adam Claxton, Senior, 6-0, 180 – part of rotation 
  • Mike Butrico, Senior, 5-10, 175 – part of rotation 

Wide Receiver:  

  • Justin Drews, Junior, 5-11, 160 – returning starters
  • Terryn Stephens, Senior, 5-10, 145 – returning starter 
  • Justin Heyward, Sophomore, 5-11, 175 – projected starter 
  • Kyle Saunders, Junior, 5-11, 185 – part of rotation 

Tight End:  

  • John Bechtle, Senior, 6-1, 200 – returning co-starter 
  • Trevor Schmidt, Senior, 6-1, 205 – returning co-starter 

Offensive Line:  

  • James Coslet, Junior, 6-4, 250 – returning starter at left tackle 
  • Clem Carfaro, Senior, 6-3, 280 – 3-year starter at left guard 
  • Hunter Seubert, Freshman, 5-11, 235 – projected starter at center   
  • Kyle Merrits, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at right guard 
  • Reilly Jones, Junior, 6-2, 230 – returning starter 
  • Jordan Belle, Senior, 5-10, 265 – sixth man along the line 

Defense:  

  • Formation: Multiple
  • Returning Starters: 9 

End:  

  • Mike Morin, Senior, 6-0, 245 – returning starter 
  • Committee of players currently being decided 

Tackle:  

  • Clem Carfaro, Senior – returning in rotation 
  • Kyle Merrits, Senior – returning in rotation 
  • Jordan Belle, Senior – returning in rotation 

Linebacker: 

  • Anthony Leone, Senior, 5-11, 190 – returning starter 
  • Dominick Miller, Senior, 5-9, 170 – returning starter 
  • Andrew Russo, Junior, 6-1, 220 – projected starter 
  • Jack Taub, Senior – returning as rover/strong safety 

Cornerback:  

  • Alex Strehle, Senior, 6-1, 160 – returning starter 
  • Joey DeNave, Senior, 5-7, 142 – returning starter 
  • Tanner Ash, Senior, 5-8, 155 – provides depth 

Safety:  

  • Shane Kelly, 5-8, 155 – returning starter
  • Ryan Ward, Junior, 5-10, 170 – provides depth 

Special Teams: 

  • Returning at kicker and punter returns at kicker and punter 
  • The return men are Taub, Stevens, and Saunders are the return men 

Schedule: 

  • Friday, 9/6, at North Hunterdon 
  • Friday, 9/13, Plainfield at home 
  • Friday, 9/20, at Linden 
  • Saturday, 9/28, at Westfield 
  • Friday, 10/4, Union at home 
  • Friday, 10/11, at Elizabeth 
  • Friday, 10/18, Montgomery at home 
  • Friday, 10/25, at Ridge 
  • Friday, 11/1, at New Brunswick 

Concerns: 

  • Coming off a bad year and make sure the team stays focused 

Recruiting:  

  • Carfano is a 1-AA candidate 
  • Taub and DeNave verballed to Muhlenberg for lacrosse 
  • Claxton and Leone verballed to Kean for lacrosse 
  • Stevens is a D2/D3 prospect 
  • Underclassmen:
  • Martini is a 1-AA prospect or higher with interest from Rutgers and Boston College 
  • Bechtle is a 1-AA candidate 
  • Drews, Coslet, and Jones are 1-AA/D2 prospects 
  • Strehle is a D2/D3 candidate   

Coach’s Comments:  

“We were young last year and took our lumps. The kids attention is very good and we’re excited to get going.” – Head Coach Rich Seubert 

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