Post 909 – Team Preview 2022: Elizabeth Minutemen

Elizabeth Minutemen  

2021: 

  • 3-7 
  • Lost to East Orange in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 5 playoffs 
  • Scored 167 points: 16.70 average 
  • Allowed 293 points: 29.30 average 
  • Wins came against Watchung Hills, Plainfield, and Hunterdon Central 
  • Losses came against Union, Old Bridge, Westfield, Ridge, Bridgewater-Raritan, and Summit 

Graduation: 

  • Not available 

Offense: 

  • Formation: Multiple Spread 
  • Returning Starters: 2 

Quarterback: 

  • Vito Tropeano, Junior, 6-2, 215 – competing 
  • Zion Risher, Sophomore, 5-11, 160 – competing 

Running Back: 

  • Dale Pettaway, Senior, 5-7, 165 – 4-year starter; part of rotation  
  • Nireese McDougald, Junior, 5-11, 170 – part of rotation 
  • Ryan White, Sophomore, 5-7, 160 – part of rotation 
  • Thian Grimaud, Senior, 5-9, 225 – part of rotation 

Wide Receiver: 

  • Joshua Penick, Senior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter 
  • Danowell Lorenzo, Senior, 5-10, 150 – projected starter 
  • Leoncio Remiglio, Senior, 6-3, 195 – projected starter 
  • Isaiah Bridges, Sophomore, 5-8, 135 – part of the rotation 
  • Ibn McDaniel, Junior, 6-3, 173 – part of the rotation 
  • Rayquan Clayton, Sophomore, 5-9, 140 – part of the rotation  

Tight End: 

  • Lucas Martinez, Junior, 6-2, 220 – will share duties 
  • Daivon Davis, Junior, 6-0, 230 – will share duties 
  • Luis Cuero, Sophomore, 6-2, 215 – will share duties 

Offensive Line: 

  • Josue Blanco, Junior, 5-10, 250 – projected starter at center 
  • Gerald Baker, Senior, 6-3, 345 – projected starter at guard 
  • Bryan Alvarez, Senior, 5-11, 255 – projected starter at guard 
  • Luis Ferret, Senior, 5-11, 250 – projected starter at tackle 
  • Ayo Adejumo, Senior, 6-0, 245 – projected starter at tackle 
  • Timmy Smith, Sophomore, 5-10, 210 – key reserve 
  • Alex Ramirez, Junior, 5-10, 215 – key reserve 
  • Qua’jir Birch, Senior, 6-4, 350 – key reserve 

Defense: 

  • Formation: 4-4 
  • Returning Starters: 2

Defensive Line: 

  • Daivon Davis, Junior, 6-0, 230 – projected starter at end 
  • Alex Ramirez, Junior, 5-10, 215 – projected starter at end 
  • Bryan Alvarez, Senior, 5-11, 255 – projected starter at tackle 
  • Gerald Baker, Senior, 6-3, 345 – projected starter at tackle 
  • Any of the offensive linemen may be in the rotation 

Linebacker: 

  • Thian Grimaud, Senior, 5-9, 225 – competing on inside 
  • Curtis Charles-Ceus, Senior, 5-10, 185 – competing on inside
  • Jaden Canelo, Senior, 6-0, 205 – competing on inside 
  • Dashawn Whitsett, Senior, 5-11, 205 – competing on inside 
  • Jaquy’ri Williams, Junior, 6-2, 185 – competing on outside 
  • Leoncio Remiglio, Senior, 6-3, 195 – competing on outside 
  • Dale Pettaway, Senior, 5-7, 165 – competing at rover; returning starter  
  • Isaiah DeRosa, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing at rover 

Secondary: 

  • Joshua Penick, Senior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter at cornerback 
  • Ibn McDaniel, Junior, 6-3, 173 – competing at opposite corner 
  • Michael Sagues, Junior, 6-1, 170 – competing at opposite corner 
  • Nireese McDougald, Junior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter at free safety 

Special Teams: 

  • The kicker and punter is senior Luis Beltran 
  • The return men have not been decided 

Schedule: 

  • Friday, 9/2, Plainfield at home 
  • Friday, 9/9, at Hunterdon Central 
  • Friday, 9/16, Westfield at home 
  • Saturday, 9/24, at St. Joe’s (Metuchen) 
  • Friday, 9/30, Somerville at home 
  • Friday, 10/7, at Union 
  • Friday, 10/14, Bridgewater-Raritan at home 
  • Friday, 10/21, at Watchung Hills 

Concerns: 

  • Getting the players confidence and knowing there’s a process in how to win 

Recruiting: 

  • Baker has interest and a player to watch 
  • Other seniors may play D3 
  • Underclassmen have a chance to prove they can play at the next level 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We will be better than we were last year. We only have two returning starters, but the junior and senior classes have great kids, who work hard and can improve throughout the year.” – Head Coach John Fiore

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