Union City Soaring Eagles
2020:
- 3-3
- Scored 203 points; 33.83 average
- Allowed 141 points: 23.5 average
- Wins: Hudson Catholic, North Bergen, Newark East Side
- Losses: Seton Hall Prep, Randolph, Irvington
Graduation:
- RB/DB Zahir Abdus-Salaam – Western Michigan
- RB/DB Glaser Arias – Judson University
- C Joe Alfonso – William Paterson
- K Ronald Alvarez – William Paterson
- TE/DE Luis Avalos – ASA (Miami)
2021 Captains:
- Jalen Phillip, Nick Alvarado, Nelson Monegro, Damon Pallotto, John Carlos Suero, Daham Subeappu
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 6
Quarterback:
- Chris Howell, Junior, 6-0, 180 – will share position
- Damon Pallotto, Junior, 6-1, 225 – returning starter who will share position and play running back
Running Back:
- Damon Pallotto, Junior, 6-1, 225 – when he is not playing quarterback
- Nick Alvarado, Senior, 6-1, 205 – Don Bosco transfer, where he started on defense and will get carries here
- John Paul Diaz, Senior, 5-9, 170 – will see action
Fullback (when used):
- Dennis Garcia, Senior, 6-0, 235 – will get time
- Jaylen Guzman, Senior, 5-11, 205 – will get time
Wide Receiver:
- Jalen Phillip, Senior, 5-9, 170 – returning starter
- Esteban Ortiz, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter
- Oumar Berete, Junior, 6-2, 190 – part of rotation
- Elijah Rose, Sophomore, 5-11, 200 – part of rotation
- Carlos Lopez, Senior, 5-11, 185 – part of rotation
- Jonathan Morrobel, Senior, 5-9, 180 – part of rotation
- Nick Alvarado, Senior, 6-1, 205 – will play here when he is not playing running back
Tight End:
- Mike Taveras, Senior, 6-0, 210 – returning starter
- Christian Martinez, Senior, 5-10, 205 – will operate as second tight end
Offensive Line:
- Nelson Monegro, Senior, 6-7, 200 – returning starter at left tackle
- Daham Subeappu, Senior, 6-0, 230 – projected starter at left guard; started on defense
- Michael Calderon, Senior, 5-11, 320 – competing at center
- Prinz Guitan, Senior, 6-3, 290 – competing at center
- JaSire Peterson, Junior, 6-5, 280 – returning starter either here or right tackle
- Julian Guerra, Junior, 5-11, 230 – competing at right guard
- Anthony Crawford, Sophomore, 6-6, 310 – competing at right tackle
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 4-man fronts
- Returning Starters: 8
Defensive Line:
- Mike Taveras, Senior, 6-0, 210 – returning starter at end
- Daham Subeappu, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at end
- JaSire Peterson, Junior, 6-5, 280 – returning starter at tackle
- Nelson Monegro, Senior, 6-7, 200 – part of tackle rotation
- Michael Calderon, Senior, 5-11, 320 – part of tackle rotation
- Jordan Bermudez, Sophomore, 5-11, 200 – part of end rotation
- Julian Guerra, Junior, 5-11, 230 – part of end rotation
- Oumar Berete, Junior, 6-2, 190 – part of end rotation
Linebacker:
- Dennis Garcia, Senior, 6-0, 235 – returning starter; moving from strong side to middle
- John Carlos Suero, Senior, 5-7, 200 – returning starter; moving from middle to strong side
- Damon Pallotto, Junior, 6-1, 225 – returning starter on weak side
- Jaylen Guzman, Senior, 5-11, 205 – part of rotation and started four games at safety a year ago
- Prince Breeden, Junior, 6-1, 205 – part of rotation
Secondary:
- Jalen Phillip, Senior, 5-9, 170 – returning starter at cornerback
- Isaac Koffa, Junior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter at cornerback
- Nick Alvarado, Senior, 6-1, 205 – projected starter at safety – started at Don Bosco
- Elijah Rose, Sophomore, 5-11, 200 – competing at safety
- Carlos Lopez, Senior, 5-11, 185 – competing at safety
- Esteban Ortiz, Senior, 5-10, 170 – competing at safety and cornerback
- Jonathan Morrobel, Senior, 5-9, 180 – competing at safety and cornerback
Special Teams:
- Diaz will be the kicker and he is competing with Garcia at punter
- The return men will be Phillip, Diaz, Alvarado, and Rose
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/3, Seton Hall Prep at Rutgers
- Friday, 9/10, at Irvington
- Friday, 9/17, Newark West Side at home
- Friday, 9/24, North Bergen at home
- Friday, 10/1, at Ridgewood
- Friday, 10/8, West Orange at home
- Friday, 10/15, Bayonne at home
- Friday, 10/22, at Hudson Catholic
- Friday, 10/29, at Kearny
Concerns:
- Getting ready for a tough schedule and being ready every week
Recruiting:
-
- Monegro verballed to Rutgers
- Alvarado verballed to Northern Illinois
- Phillip has a size issue who is receiving looks from Monmouth, Sacred Heart, and New Haven
- Garcia, Suero, Morrobel, Taveras, and others are D2/D3 types
- Underclassmen:
- Peterson verballed to Rutgers
- Pallotto will play somewhere, having good size and speed
- Koffa could go the prep route, as he is very young for his grade
- Sophomores Crawford and Rose will have offers, with Crawford a 1-A
- This is a talented sophomore class, including some not mentioned in this preview
Coach’s Comments:
“We’re very optimistic. I like the chemistry of this team and they’ve been working very hard since they got the green light. They are a focused group and we’re very excited.” – Head Coach Wil Valdez