Old Tappan Golden Knights  

2021: 

• 5-6 
• Lost to West Morris in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 semifinals after beating Nutley by forfeit in the first round 
• Scored 190 points: 19.00 average – not including forfeit game 
• Allowed 230 points: 23.00 average – not including forfeit game 
• Wins included Randolph, Passaic Tech, and Morris Knolls 
• Losses were to Clifton, Eastside, Northern Highlands, Ramapo, and Hackensack 

Graduation: 

• OL/DL Jake Smith – Sacred Heart 
• RB/LB Charlie Amatrula – Wesleyan 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Quarterback: 

• Tommy Caracciolo, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter 

Running Back: 

• Jack Diggins, Senior, 6-1, 215 – returning starter who will be used multiple ways
• Aidan Heaney, Senior, 6-0, 190 – returning starter who will be used multiple ways 

Wide Receiver: 

• Evan Brooks, Junior, 6-3, 185 – returning starter 
• Tim Clune, Senior, 5-11, 160 – projected starter 
• Luca Saracino, Senior, 6-1, 185 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Andrew Pinkus, Senior, 5-10, 150 – part of the rotation 
• Alex Orecchio, Sophomore, 5-9, 155 – part of the rotation 

Tight End (situational): 

• Christian Greaney, Junior, 5-11, 190 – will see action 

Offensive Line: 

• Jack Small, Junior, 6-7, 280 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Nick Varni, Senior, 5-9, 210 – returning starter at left guard 
• Ryan O’Neill, Junior, 5-10, 215 – projected starter at center 
• Dennis Delaney, Junior, 5-11, 215 – returning starter at right guard 
• Dylan Plescia, Senior, 6-0, 190 – projected starter at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-3 Stack 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

• Jack Small, Junior, 6-7, 280 – projected starter at end; saw action 
• Dennis Delaney, Junior, 5-11, 215 – projected starter at end; saw action 
• Hanif Mouehla, Senior, 5-11, 185 – part of rotation at end 
• Nick Varni, Senior, 5-9, 210 – will split duties at nose guard 
• Mike Mullany, Senior, 6-2, 320 – will split duties at nose guard 

Linebacker: 

• Jack Diggins, Senior, 6-1, 215 – 3-year starter in middle 
• Nicholas Rossi, Sophomore, 5-10, 180 – projected starter on strong side 
• Dylan Plescia, Senior, 6-0, 190 – projected starter on weak side; saw action 
• Christian Greaney, Junior, 5-11, 190 – part of the rotation 
• Niko Bedoya, Senior, 5-11, 165 – part of the rotation 
• Aidan Heaney, Senior, 6-0, 190 – returning starter on the outside 
• Luca Saracino, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter on the outside, moving from safety 

Secondary: 

• Evan Brooks, Junior, 6-3, 185 – returning starter at free safety, moving from cornerback 
• Andrew Pinkus, Senior, 5-10, 150 – part of the rotation at free safety; started two games 
• Mike Miceli, Junior, 5-11, 150 – returning starter at cornerback and part of the rotation 
• Tim Clune, Senior, 5-11, 160 – part of the rotation at cornerback; played often 
• Alex Orecchio, Sophomore, 5-9, 155 – part of the rotation at cornerback 
• Ryan Luby, Senior, 6-0, 150 – part of the rotation at cornerback 

Special Teams: 

• Junior Nico Ottomanelli returns at kicker and he is competing with Diggins at punter 
• Orecchio, Heaney, and Micelli are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/2, at Paramus 
• Friday, 9/9, Northern Highlands at home 
• Friday, 9/16, at Pascack Valley 
• Friday, 9/23, Bergenfield at home  
• Friday, 9/30, at River Dell 
• Friday, 10/7, Eastside at home 
• Friday, 10/14, Ramapo at home 
• Friday, 10/21, at Demarest  

Concerns: 

• Staying healthy 
• Protecting the football better, which killed themselves in the red zone last year 

Recruiting: 

• Diggins, Heaney, and Caracciolo will be high-academic players from 1-AA to D3
• Others can go D3 if they want 
• Underclassmen:
• Small has the potential to be a Power-5 recruit, but needs junior film 
• Brooks is the size to play somewhere 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re excited to get going. We have a fair number back from last year, but we also have questions. It remains to be seen what we can do and we have to stay healthy.” – Head Coach Brian Dunn