August 20. 2018
2017 In Review: The Raiders were 9-3, losing in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 final to River Dell, after beating Sparta and Pascack Valley. They scored 410 points for a 34.17 average, while allowing 201 for a 16.75 average. Wins included River Dell, Demarest, and Hudson Catholic, while their other losses were to Wayne Hills and Old Tappan.
Graduation Losses: OL Mike Hughes – Lafayette, RB Shane Brancaleone – Springfield (Mass.), WR/CB Michael Graff – RPI, OL/DL Joe Mosca – Misericordia (Pa.), OL/DL Mark Shifar – William Paterson, K Alex DeLeo – College of New Jersey
Offense: Ramapo runs a multiple spread and returns five starters. The incumbent quarterback is senior AJ Wingfield (5-11, 185) and running back will feature senior Luke Ragone (6-2, 205), who gained 500 yards in a part-time role. Also in the mix will be senior Anthony Sargenti (6-1, 220), who started on defense.
Three wide receivers return in seniors Ty Jaten (6-2, 175), Max Baker (5-11, 175), and Noah Baker (5-8, 175). The fourth receiver will be senior Isaiah Savitt (6-0, 195), who moved from Twinsburg, Ohio, where he started. When a tight end or h-back is used, it will be Sargenti and Savitt.
The lone returnee on the line is senior Grant Cotugno (5-10, 275), moving from center to left guard. The left tackle will be senior Sean Costello (6-2, 200) and junior Josh D’Avanzo (5-11, 200) will play center. The right side will have juniors Sam Basa (5-8, 220) at guard and Arman Young (6-4, 240) at tackle.
Defense: The Raiders play a 3-4 and return six starters. Costello and D’Avanzo will be the ends, with Cotugno at nose guard, where he saw action last year. All rotating in will be juniors Miles Shifar (6-1, 205), Luke Pensallorto (6-2, 250), and John Dabrowski (6-0, 225).
All four linebackers return. Seniors Mike Connor (6-0, 215) and Matt Wingfield (6-2, 195) are back on the outside, while Sargenti and Senior Anthony Valvano (5-8, 185) are back inside. Ragone will be getting some time on the outside.
Noah Baker returns at cornerback and Max Baker is back at free safety. Playing the opposite corner is junior Jake Tirone (5-7, 145) and Savitt will be the strong safety.
Special Teams: The kicker will be sophomore Aidan Labell and Savitt will punt. The return game will feature both Bakers and Tirone.
Schedule:
Saturday, 9/1, at Sparta, 1 PM
Friday, 9/7, Bergenfield at home, 6:30 PM
Friday, 9/14, Northern Highlands at home, 6:30 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Old Tappan, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, River Dell at home, 6:30 PM
Friday, 10/5, Teaneck at home, 6:30 PM
Friday, 10/12, at Wayne Hills, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, at Pascack Valley, 6 PM
Friday, 10/26, Randolph at home, 6:30 PM
Recruits: Connor verballed to Yale and Ragone to Lafayette. Both Wingfields will choose between football and baseball, while the Bakers have Noah a D3 candidate and Max may go track or football. Jaten can go from 1-AA to D3 and Sargenti D2, plus Valvano and Savitt going somewhere.
Concerns: Depth up front: replacing four offensive linemen and all three defensive linemen.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re very excited about this group. We have a lot of experience coming back. They work well together and have high expectations.” – Head Coach Drew Gibbs