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