August 28, 2018
2017 In Review: The Patriots were 7-4, losing to Rutherford in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 semi-finals after beating Hanover Park. They scored 254 points for a 25.4 average, while allowing 1870 for an 18.0 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Mountain Lakes, Madison, and Jefferson, while their other losses were to Newton, Hackettstown, and Lakeland.
Graduation Losses: — QB Craig Swanson – Bloomsburg (Pa.), RB Troy Dupont – Pittsburgh for lacrosse
Offense: Lenape Valley runs the Wing-T and return two starters. The new quarterback is senior Ryan Fleming (5-9, 150), while junior Nick Molinari (6-1, 210) returns at fullback. The left halfback is senior Drew Pickett (5-11, 185) and senior John Spada (5-10, 185) will play right halfback. Both halfbacks started on defense.
The split end is sophomore Cameron Samiljan (5-10, 170) and the tight end is junior Justin Peterson (5-10, 165), plus senior Michael Agens (6-0, 195) will also see action there.
The lone starter back on the line is senior left guard Joe Seck (5-10, 235). Playing at right guard is sophomore John Lapinski (5-10, 190) and junior Matt Credidio (6-0, 190) will play center. Left tackle will be defensive starter from last year in junior Rocco Bonavolonta (6-0, 260) and the right tackle is junior Bobby Erlemann (6-0, 260). Junior John Zeich (6-0, 240) is the third tackle who may make a push into the season.
Defense: The Patriots run a 3-3 stack, returning three starters. Bonavolonta returns at nose guard and senior Michael Deane (6-0, 190) is at right end, while junior Ryan Hall (6-2, 230) will play left end.
Spada returns at inside linebacker on the left side and Pickett returns as an outside linebacker. Playing inside in the middle is sophomore Jake Spada (5-10, 195), sophomore Trey Kaplan (5-8, 150) will play inside on the right, and Molinari will be the outside linebacker.
The cornerbacks are junior JT Lyons (5-9, 155) and sophomore Gavin Coles (5-7, 140), while the free safety is senior Brendan Abiskaroon (5-11, 155).
Special Teams: Molinari returns as both kicker and punter, while the return men are Coles and sophomore Drew Togno (5-7, 145).
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, Newton at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/8, at Hackettstown, 10 AM – Hackettstown celebrating 100 years of football
Friday, 9/14, at Lakeland, 6:30 PM
Friday, 9/21, Hopatcong, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at North Warren, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, Kittatinny at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/13, at Madison, 1 PM
Saturday, 10/20, at Wallkill Valley, 1 PM
Friday, 10/26, High Point at home, 7 PM
Recruits: There are good high school football players at Lenape Valley and where they go depends on how good a year they have.
Concerns: Youth and inexperience.
Coach’s Comments: “We have gotten a lot better since the first day of practice and we need to grow up in a hurry.” – Head Coach Don Smolyn