August 18, 2018
2017 In Review: The Aviators were 10-1, winning the North Jersey Section 1 Group 1 championship by beating Pompton Lakes after beating New Milford and Cedar Grove. They scored 363 points for a 33.0 average, while allowing 122 for an 11.09 average. Wins included Wallington, St. Mary, Cresskill, and Hawthorne, while their lone loss coming to Rutherford.
Graduation Losses: DE Jordan Wexler – Rowan, G/LB James Varga – Maritime Academy
Offense: Hasbrouck Heights runs a multiple spread and return four starters. The quarterback will be junior Spencer Lee (5-10, 173) and the running back will be either junior Michael Robertson (5-11, 170) or sophomore Rocco Minichello (5-10, 145).
Returning as the slot back is senior Jasiah Purdie (6-0, 190), a four-year starter who will line up as a running back at times. Also returning at wide receiver is senior Ian Rinke (5-11, 160) and the other wideout at this time is senior Shawn Calhoun (5-11, 160), with senior Dylan Grisafe (5-6, 150) pushing for time. At tight end is senior Will Vera (6-0, 208) and others who will play at wide receiver when they are healthy are senior JC Pagan (6-4, 190) and junior Zai’heer Jenkins (6-0, 165).
Returning starters on the line are seniors Michael Lohrmann (5-8, 210) at guard and Anthony Marino (6-3, 220) at tackle, moving over from tight end. At center will be senior Frank Battaglia (5-8, 200), while senior Chris Thibault (5-10, 195) will play guard and junior Matteo Ochoa (6-1, 190) will play tackle.
Defense: The Aviators run a 4-4 and return three starters. Lohrmann returns at tackle, where he will be paired with senior Alex Daus (5-8, 232), with Battaglia rotating in. The ends will be Marino and Thibault.
Purdie returns as an outside linebacker, with Robinson and Minnichello competing at the opposite side. The inside guys will be Vera and senior Etni Alvis (5-10, 195).
The secondary has Rinke and Jenkins returning at the corners and Calhoun will be the free safety.
Special Teams: Purdie returns at punter and the kicker will be senior Matthew Gwziszc. Purdie will also be the main return man.
Schedule:
Thursday, 8/30, Saddle Brook at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/7, at Ridgefield, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, at Becton, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, Cresskill at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Butler, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, North Arlington at home, 7 PM
10/12-13, Bye Week
19/19-20, NJIC Playoffs
10/26-27, NJIC Playoffs
Recruits: Purdie is a 1-AA/D2 recruit with no offers yet.
Concerns: Depth.
Coach’s Comments: “We have to get better; we lost a good group of seniors from last year. We have to develop our own identity and step up.” – Head Coach Nick DelCalzo