Sparta Spartans 

2019: 

• 9-2 record 
• Lost to West Essex in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 semi-finals 
• Beat Nutley in the first round 
• Scored 433 points for a 39.36 average 
• Allowed 185 points for a 16.82 average, including four shutouts 
• Beat West Morris, Randolph, Montville, and Morris Hills 
• Ramapo was their other loss 

Graduation: 

• RB Austin Castorina – Monmouth 
• WR/DB Tyler Szabo – Kean 
• LB Sam Bushey – Kean 
• OL Tim Sember – Rowan  
• K – Vinnie DeSimone – New Haven
• OL Trey Mudrick – Sussex County College football
• OL Aidan Maxwell – lacrosse at Montclair State 
• LB JJ Valentin – D3 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 explanations included after their name.  

Offense: 

Formation: Multiple Spread
Returning Starters: 4 

Quarterback: 

• Austen Frattura, Sophomore, 5-1, 170 – returning starter; passed for 2,468 yards  

Running Back: 

• Sam Esposito, Junior, 5-9, 165 – competing 
• Justin Smith, Junior, 5-9, 170 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

• Brendan Cina, Senior, 5-8, 160 – 3-year starter in the slot  
• Colby Plotts, Senior, 6-2, 170 – returning starter 
• Luke Szabo, Junior, 6-3, 180 – projected starter 

Tight End: 

• James Maloney, Senior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter and started on defense 

Offensive Line:  

• Max Schelle, Senior, 5-9, 220 – returning starter at center 
• *The other four positions will be determined when the pads are on – among them:
• Billy Quinn, Junior, 5-11, 230 – competing and started on defense 
• Gareth Ecke, Senior, 6-0, 240 – competing 
• Zach Holick, Junior, 5-11, 230 – competing 
• Finn Curley, Senior, 6-3, 225 – competing 
• Charlie Flint, Senior, 6-1, 245 – competing 

Defense: 

Formation: 3-3 Stack
Returning Starters: 2 

Defensive Line: 

• Billy Quinn, Junior, 5-11, 230 – returning starter at tackle  
• Charlie Flint, Senior, 6-1, 245 – competing at tackle; saw action 
• Parker Williamson, Junior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter at end; played often with 7 sacks
• Josh Ermeus, Junior, 6-3, 220 – competing at end 
• Max Schelle, Senior, 5-9, 220 – competing at end – started on offense  

Linebacker: 

• Dominick Gigantelli, Senior, 5-10, 195 – competing 
• Paul Gennat, Junior, 5-10, 195 – competing  
• Joe Byrnes, Junior, 5-9, 180 – competing 

Secondary: 

• James Maloney, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter at free safety 
• Justin Smith, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at weak safety 
• Brady Doyle, Junior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter at strong safety 
• Zach Palladini, Junior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Lukas Hein, Senior, 5-8, 155 – was projected to start at cornerback, but was injured in lacrosse 
• Mike McGovern, Junior, 6-1, 165 – competing at cornerback 
• Any of the wide receivers may figure at cornerback 

Special Teams: 

• Mike McGovern will punt 
• Kicker is open and includes sophomore Michael Favichia, who is recuperating from a lacrosse injury 
• Cina, the wide receivers, and possibly Hein will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 10/2, at Lakeland 
• Friday, 10/9, Jefferson at home 
• Friday, 10/16, West Morris at home 
• Saturday, 10/24, at Passaic Valley
• Friday, 10/30, West Milford at home 
• Friday, 11/6, at Vernon 

Concerns: 

• COVID issues and limitations. The players will be in pads soon and the conditioning has been fine, but the mental remains to be seen. Will they be in game shape?

Recruiting: 

• Cina verballed to Robert Morris for lacrosse 
• Plotts verballed to Utah for lacrosse 
• Maloney, Schelle, and others will be D3 players 
• Underclassmen: 
• Frattura offer: Pitt 
• The others are unproven 

Coach’s Comments: 

• “We have a great group of kids who have been working hard either in practice or on their own. But we’ll get a better idea when the pads come on.” – Head Coach Frank Marchiano