July 23, 2018
2017 in Review: The Panthers were 9-3, losing to Westfield in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 5 finals after beating Piscataway and Watchung Hills. They scored 331 points for a 27.58 average, while allowing 153 for a 12.75 average, including three shutouts. Wins included Hunterdon Central, Hillsborough, Linden, and Elizabeth, while their other losses were to North Hunterdon and Phillipsburg.
Graduation Losses: LB Chike Nwankwo – Rutgers preferred walk-on, LB Justin Bryant – U Conn preferred walk-on, TE/LB Brandon Myers – Rutgers walk-on, DL Allen Choy – Delaware Valley, OL/DL Nick Celli – College of New Jersey, RB/DB David Usewick – Carnegie Mellon
Offense: Bridgewater-Raritan runs a multiple pro and returns eight starters. Senior Greg Verano (6-0, 190) returns at quarterback and he is receiving a hard challenge from junior Alex Fromberg (6-0, 175). Anthony Goffe (5-10, 205) is back at tailback and junior Peter Usewick (5-10, 175) will also receive carries. Fullback will be shared by senior Martin Mitchell (5-9, 195) and junior Brett MacMath (5-10, 185).
The wide receivers have seniors Colton Rosseland (5-10, 160) and Kyle Nickel (6-0, 170) returning. They will be joined by junior Nick Vizzoni (5-8, 155), who started on defense last year. The tight end will be junior Mike Maciolek (6-0, 195).
Four starters return to the line: junior Johnny Confalone (5-8, 235), senior guard Chris Nice III (5-9, 215), plus senior tackles Alec Miseo (6-4, 280) on the left side and Robert Stashek (6-0, 240) on the right after moving from guard. The other guard will likely be between seniors Dylan Glassberg (6-0, 215) and Alex Hall (5-10, 235).
Defense: The Panthers run a 4-2-5 and return five starters. The lone returning starter on the line is senior Billy McClymont (5-10, 255) at tackle. The tackle alongside him will be either Teddy Lubliner (6-3, 310) or Brandon Novick (5-10, 200). One end will be Maciolek and his partner has yet to be determined.
In the running at linebacker are Goffe, MacMath, and Mitchell, with Goffe being a hybrid linebacker/safety.
The secondary has experience: Vizzoni is back at cornerback, while Verano, Fromberg, and Usewick are returning starters at the safeties. Goffe can also move back there.
Special Teams: Senior Nick Balliro returns as the kicker, Rosseland is back at punter, and senior Jake Maggio is the returning long snapper. The return men are Verano, Goffe, and Usewick.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, at Elizabeth, 7 PM
Friday, 9/7, Hillsborough at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Ridge at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, Franklin at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Phillipsburg, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, Hunterdon Central at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, at Piscataway, 7 PM
10/19-10/20, Bye Week
Friday, 10/26, at Union, 7 PM
Recruits: Goffe has been receiving 1-AA interests and others can play somewhere with a good year.
Concerns: Can they control the play up front on defense? How fast they figure it out will determine the success of their season. They have to replace the front seven of their defense; five of them are playing college, including three on the Division 1-A level.
Comments: “We have good, quality kids and the coaches are getting them to understand our program has created a new standard by getting to the finals the last three years. We have to work hard; we have players who played when we had a nice lead, but now they have to be men and play when it counts.” – Head Coach Scott Bray