Post 912 – Team Preview 2022: New Providence Pioneers

New Providence Pioneers

2021: 

  • 9-2 
  • Lost to Point Pleasant Boro in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinals after beating Delaware Valley in the first round 
  • Scored 361 points: 32.82 average 
  • Allowed 124 points: 11.27 average 
  • Wins included Brearley, Bound Brook, and Middlesex 
  • Their other loss was to Willingboro 

Graduation: 

  • RB/LB Charlie Barth – Rutgers as a walk-on 
  • OL/DL Anthony Kaspereen – New Haven 
  • QB/DB Dean Licari – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 

Offense: 

  • Formation: I-Pro 
  • Returning Starters: 3 

Quarterback: 

  • Jackson Zarinko, Junior, 5-9, 155 – projected starter; saturated on defense  

Running Back: 

  • Ben Gullo, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter 
  • Sean Reilly, Junior, 5-11, 180 – will spell Gullo 

Fullback:  

  • Jack Verbaro, Junior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter 

Wide Receiver: 

  • Matt Botvinis, Junior, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
  • Eric Dowden, Junior, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation 
  • Matt Barlow, Junior, 6-0, 205 – part of the rotation 
  • Brandon Gregory, Junior, 6-1, 150 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

  • Sean Donnelly, Junior, 6-2, 225 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

  • Jack Donahue, Senior, 6-1, 210 – returning starter at left tackle 
  • Matt Perillo, Junior, 5-10, 250 – projected starter at left guard; started on defense  
  • Cam Sheeran, Junior, 5-11, 250 – projected starter at center 
  • Gabe DeLuca, Junior, 5-10, 245 – projected starter at right guard 
  • Matt Smith, Senior, 6-5, 240 – projected starter at right tackle; started on defense 

Defense: 

  • Formation: 4-3 
  • Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

  • Sean Donnelly, Junior, 6-2, 225 – returning starter at end 
  • Jack Donahue, Senior, 6-1, 210 – projected starter at end 
  • Sam Verbaro, Junior, 6-0, 170 – part of the rotation at end 
  • Matt Smith, Senior, 6-5, 240 – returning starter at tackle 
  • Matt Perillo, Junior, 5-10, 250 – returning starter at tackle 
  • Gabe DeLuca, Junior, 5-10, 245 – part of the rotation at tackle 

Linebacker: 

  • Jack Verbaro, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter in the middle; saw action 
  • Matt Barlow, Junior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter on the outside 
  • Ben Gullo, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter  on the outside 
  • Nico Arcadia, Junior, 5-10, 205 – part of the rotation 

Secondary: 

  • Jackson Zarinko, Junior, 5-9, 155 – returning starter at free safety 
  • Matt Botvinis, Junior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter at strong safety 
  • Max Woodby, Senior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter at cornerback 
  • Eric Dowden, Junior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter at cornerback 
  • Owen Silver, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – part of the rotation at cornerback 

Special Teams: 

  • Junior Jack Verbaro will handle kicking and punting duties 
  • Botvinis and Dowden will be the return men 

Schedule: 

  • Friday, 8/26, Governor Livingston at home 
  • Thursday, 9/1, St. Thomas Aquinas at home 
  • Friday, 9/9, Roselle at home 
  • Friday, 9/16, at Delaware Valley 
  • Saturday, 9/24, at Hillside 
  • Friday, 9/30, Johnson at home 
  • Saturday, 10/8, at Metuchen 
  • Friday, 10/14, Middlesex at home 
  • Friday, 10/21, at Bernards 

Concerns: 

  • Inexperience 
  • Returnees from last year who went one way will now be going both ways 

Recruiting: 

  • There is very little recruitment in the senior class 
  • There are juniors who can go D3 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have to replace some really good players. There is some inexperience, but we have some good players. We are becoming a program and we have a tougher schedule, which is good. We want to keep improving and it will be fun to watch.” – Head Coach Chet Parlavecchio, Jr.

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