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.