August 24, 2018
2017 In Review: The Bulldogs were 8-2, losing to Bloomfield in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 5 playoffs. They scored 230 points for a 23.0 average, while allowing 103 for a 10.3 average, including four shutouts. Wins included Union City, Ridgewood, and Clifton, while their other loss was to Montclair.
Graduation Losses: TE/DE Ahmad Rabah – American International, LB Jonathan Stobe – Western New England, RB Rahzik Starr – William Paterson, OL Chris Chumacas – William Paterson, OL Donte Carter – Rowan, DL Josh Giles – Lackawanna JC (Pa.), FB Tyron Brown – Hudson Valley CC (NY)
Offense: Passaic Tech runs a multiple spread, both in the gun and under center. Quarterback is a competition between juniors Gabe Balevski (5-11, 180) and Jayden Hunt (5-8, 155). The running backs in one and two-back sets are seniors Ray’Vaughn Clark (5-7, 185), Zyaire White (6-0, 190), and Courtney Herbert (5-11, 186).
Returning at wide receiver are junior Jaheim McGuire (6-0, 160) and senior Neimar Santouse (5-9, 160). Others in the mix will be senior Jasaih Guy (5-8, 170) and junior Devin Virgil (5-8, 160). The tight end is junior Shamar Taylor (6-0, 190), with junior Miguel Cerna (5-10, 200) pushing hard.
Three starters return to the line: senior three-year starter Adrian Malave (6-1, 255) at guard, senior Isaiah Willis (6-1, 270) at guard, and junior Jayden Johnson (5-8, 215) at tackle. The center is between juniors Josh Garcia (5-8, 225) and Jasir Burgess (5-9, 275), while junior Matt Smith (5-11, 210) is the opposite tackle. Making a push on the line is senior Jordan Gerena (6-3, 285).
Defense: The Bulldogs run a 4-3 and return five starters. Malave returns at tackle and he will be in a rotation with Willis, Smith, and Johnson. The ends will be senior Edwin Baez (5-11, 215), who saw time, and junior Jordan Pusey (5-6, 195), with Taylor and Herbert rotating in.
Returning at linebacker are junior Sahmee Clyburn (5-10, 165) on the outside and White on the inside. Joining White inside is either junior Josh Lara (5-11, 180) or junior Josh Curving (5-9, 185). Also getting time at linebacker will be junior Jimmy Agresta (5-11, 180) and junior David Smith (5-10, 165).
The secondary returns Guy at cornerback and Santouse and Clark at the safeties. McGuire will be the other corner, while Virgil and junior Cameron Bascomb (5-10, 161) will play on the corners and junior Alex Acevedo (5-10, 170) will play at safety.
Special Teams: The kicker will be senior Josh Bueno and Pusey will punt. The return men will be Clark, Santouse, Guy, McGuire, and Virgil.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/7, at Hackensack, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Seton Hall Prep, 6 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Ridgewood, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, Clifton at home, 6 PM
Friday, 10/5, at Kennedy, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, at West Orange, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, Wayne Hills at home, 6 PM
Friday, 10/26, Eastside at home, 6 PM
Recruits: Santouse is attracting interest from Towson, Lafayette, and other 1-AA’s, while Malave is receiving Northeast 10 interest.
Concerns: Filling holes for departed seniors – their defensive line controlled the front, winning games for them. Can they do it again?
Coach’s Comments: “We’re excited. This is a fresh group that is hungry. We have depth this year and the second stringers had a good camp. The depth will be a strength since there is little drop-off from the first to second teams. It’s depth we didn’t have last year.” – Head Coach Matt Demarest