August 30, 2018
2017 In Review: The Chiefs were 8-3, losing to Bridgewater-Raritan in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 5 semi-finals after beating Bayonne. They scored 344 points for a 31.27 average, while allowing 147 for a 13.36 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Sayreville, South Brunswick, and Edison, while their other losses were to Old Bridge and Manalapan.
Graduation Losses: OL/DL Brijon Artis – American International, WR/DB Nahjir Woods – Wilkes (Pa.), LB Matthew Peterson – Utica, DL Chris Long – Norwich, WR/DB Demetrius Johnson – U of Chicago, LB Michael Pettite – Buffalo for wrestling, WR Paris Foster – Middlesex CC for wrestling, DB Keshawn grant – basketball
Offense: Piscataway runs a multiple I and returns seniors Joseph Hatcher (6-0, 175) at quarterback and Juwon Jackson (5-10, 180) at tailback. Also getting carries at tailback will be senior Nasir Best (5-9, 170) and junior Khristian Hernandez (5-7, 160), while the fullback/h-back/tight end will have senior Nick Recine (6-0, 180) and Andre Felton (6-0, 230). Recine saw time and Best started on defense.
The wide receivers are going to be seniors Joey Bellamy (5-6, 155), Best in the slot, Isaiah Mahaley (5-10, 165), Immaculata transfer Lord Jones (5-10, 170), and Chris Lowry (6-0, 180).
Four starters return to the line, all seniors. Jordin Martell (6-3, 285) is at left tackle, David Greene (6-0, 280) is at left guard, Austin Mosier (6-3, 280) is at right guard, and Charles Parker (6-2, 270) will play tackle. The new center will be senior Andy Buchek (6-1, 250). Two seniors in reserve are Josh Detal (6-2, 260) and Matt Buchek (6-1, 230).
Defense: The Chiefs run a 4-3 and return five starters. Greene is back at end, where he will be paired with Felton, with senior Daylin Washington (5-11, 190) rotating in. Martell and Mosier are the returning tackles and junior Angel LaPorte (6-2, 290) supporting them.
Recine is the middle linebacker, where he saw action and rotating in will be junior Tahj Bean (6-1, 175) rotating in. On the outside, junior Marcus Pettite (5-10, 170) and senior Chas O’Reilly (5-9, 170).
The secondary, Jackson and Best are returning starters at cornerback, with Khristian Hernandez also getting some time. The free safety is junior Khristopher Hernandez (6-0, 170) and junior Christian White (5-10, 165) will be the strong safety. Jones will back up at the two safeties.
Special Teams: Sophomore Robert Konya returns as the kicker and he will add punting to his duties. Mosier is the long snapper and the return men will be Khrsitian Hernandez for punts and kickoffs, with Jackson on kickoffs and Bellamy on punts.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/7, East Brunswick at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, South Brunswick at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, JP Stevens at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Old Bridge, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, at Perth Amboy, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, Bridgewater-Raritan at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, at Sayreville, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/27, at Westfield, 1 PM
Thursday, 11/22, at Franklin, 10:30 AM
Recruits: Mosier verballed to Old Dominion, while Jackson is receiving 1-A and 1-AA looks. Martell has a Robert Morris offer and others are D2 and D3 types.
There are good underclassmen, but this is a senior dominated team.
Concerns: New guys in the secondary and consistency in the kicking game.
Coach’s Comments: “We’re excited about our potential and we return a lot of experience. We have a challenging schedule, one of the hardest we’ve had, and we’re looking forward to it.” – Head Coach Dan Higgins