Wood-Ridge Blue Devils
2021:
- 5-5
- Lost to Weequahic in the North Jersey Group 2 playoffs
- Scored 172 points: 17.20 average
- Allowed 160 points: 16.00 average
- Wins included Wallington, Cresskill, and Secaucus
- Losses were to Park Ridge, Becton, New Egypt, and Butler
Graduation:
- QB Nino Iacovino – New Hampshire
- OL/DL Owen Scherdel – Springfield
- LB Michael Sarlo – Peddie (prep) for baseball, followed by playing baseball at Navy
- LB Nick Marchitelli – enrolled at the US Naval Academy, but no football
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 5
Quarterback:
- Braden Negro, Senior, 5-11, 170 – competing; 3-year starter – started in 2020 and played wide receiver last year
- Jimmy Masucci, Junior, 5-9, 165 – competing
Running Back:
- Antonio Loyola, Junior, 5-8, 170 – projected co-starter
- Brendan Pollio, Senior, 5-8, 160 – projected co-starter
- Za’ki McGhee, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – will get some reps and may play wide receiver
Wide Receiver:
- Leo Ramirez, Senior, 6-0, 185 – 3-year starter
- Christian Hutchison, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter
- Tenzin Gelek, Senior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter; started in 2020, injured in 2021
- Vladimir Schultz, Junior, 5-9, 155 – competing
- Za’ki McGhee, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – competing
- Whoever does not win the quarterback competition
- Nick Scalera, Freshman, 5-8, 150 – may see some action
Tight End (situational):
- Evan D’Agnesi, Senior, 5-10, 180 – will play tight end
- Nick Chromey, Senior, 5-10, 215 – will play h-back; started on defense
Offensive Line:
- Liam Kelly, Senior, 6-2, 270 – 3-year starter at left tackle
- Gianfranco Gentile, Sophomore, 5-10, 225 – projected starter at left guard
- Dean Singh, Senior, 5-9, 190 – projected starter; missed last season with injury
- Michael Marchitelli, Junior, 5-10, 200 – projected starter at right guard
- Colin Herford, Senior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter at right tackle
- Klejdi Elezaj, Junior, 6-1, 215 – sixth man along the line; started on defense
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 3-4
- Returning Starters: 7
Defensive Line:
- Liam Kelly, Senior, 6-2, 270 – returning starter at nose guard
- Klejdi Elezaj, Junior, 6-1, 215 – returning starter at end
- Colin Herford, Senior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter at end
- Derrick Correa, Freshman, 5-10, 235 – part of rotation at nose guard
- Dean Singh, Senior, 5-9, 190 – part of rotation at end
Linebacker:
- Nick Chromey, Senior, 5-10, 215 – returning starter on inside
- Michael Marchitelli, Junior, 5-10, 200 – projected starter on inside
- Christian Hutchison, Senior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter on outside
- Brendan Pollio, Senior, 5-8, 160 – projected starter on outside
Secondary:
- Leo Ramirez, Senior, 6-0, 185 – 3-year starter at cornerback
- Jaydin Punt, Sophomore, 6-1, 170 – projected starter at cornerback
- Braden Negro, Senior, 5-11, 170 – returning starter at safety
- Antonio Loyola, Junior, 5-8, 170 – returning starter at cornerback
- Jimmy Masucci, Junior, 5-9, 165 – part of rotation at cornerback
- Tenzin Gelek, Senior, 5-9, 170 – part of rotation at cornerback
- Ben Lopez, Sophomore, 5-8, 155 – part of rotation at cornerback
- Za’ki McGhee, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – part of rotation at safety
Special Teams:
- Junior Klejdi Elezaj returns at kicker and punter
- Ramirez, Negro, and Punt will be the return men
Schedule:
- Thursday, 9/1, Cresskill at home
- Saturday, 9/10, at St. Mary
- Friday, 9/16, at Park Ridge
- Friday, 9/23, Butler at home
- Saturday, 10/1, at Saddle Brook
- 10/7-8, NJIC crossover
- 10/14-15, NJIC crossover
- 10/21-22, NJIC crossover
Concerns:
- Offensive line – will it gel quickly?
Recruiting:
- Kelly and Chromey are 1-AA candidates
- Ramirez is a D2/D3 prospect
- Hutchison and Negro are D3 material
- Underclassmen:
- It’s too early to judge them
Coach’s Comments:
“The team is talented and it will come down to the lines. We’re good at the skill positions and it’s a matter of the linemen gelling and making sure everyone stays healthy.” – Head Coach Joe Cutrona