Cranford Cougars
2021:
- 11-1
- Lost to West Morris in the North Jersey Group 3 regional championship
- Won the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 championship by beating Sparta, Pascack Valley in the semifinals, and Demarest in the first round
- Scored 447 points: 37.25 average
- Allowed 247 points: 20.58 average
- Wins included Woodbridge, Colonia, North Hunterdon, Montgomery, Summit, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood
Graduation:
- Ol/DL Matt Fries – Illinois
- OL/DL Kevin Shriner – Monmouth
- QB Shane Van Dam – SUNY Cortland
- OL Geoff Gretta – Pace
- H-B/DL Lukas Ruby – Hobart
- DE Sam Dorasmo – New Haven
- WR/DB Will Gallagher – Rider for baseball
- DB Lucca Limeira – Brookdale CC for baseball
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 4
Quarterback:
- Liam Godwin, Senior, 6-3, 180 – projected starter; started on defense
Running Back:
- Ryan Lynskey, Senior, 5-10, 180 – will share duties; started on defense
- Shane Kanterman, Senior, 6-0, 215 – will share duties; started on defense
Wide Receiver:
- Jake Carter, Senior, 5-9, 165 – returning starter in the slot
- Declan Quigley, Senior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter
- Sean Riley, Junior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter
H-Back:
- Jake Caravalho, Senior, 6-1, 220 – projected starter; saw action
- Ryan Carracino, Junior, 6-0, 220 – will see action
Offensive Line:
- Tyler Egan, Senior, 6-0, 230 – projected starter at left tackle
- Dylan McDonald, Senior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter at left guard
- Ryan Heesters, Senior, 5-11, 220 – returning starter at center
- Ben Fossella, Junior, 6-0, 290 – projected starter at right guard
- Tom McCarthy, Junior, 5-10, 220 – competing at right tackle
- Colin Podeszwa, Senior, 5-10, 195 – competing at right tackle
- Kyle Fay, Senior, 6-4, 285 – returning starter who is lost for the season with an injury
Defense:
- Formation: 3-3 Stack
- Returning Starters: 3
Defensive Line:
- Jake Caravalho, Senior, 6-1, 220 – projected starter at nose guard
- Dylan McDonald, Senior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter at end
- Ryan Wozniak, Junior, 5-10, 225 – projected starter at end
- Amari Petgrave, Sophomore, 5-11, 215 – part of the rotation
Linebacker:
- Shane Kanterman, Senior, 6-0, 215 – returning starter in middle
- Ryan Heesters, Senior, 5-11, 220 – projected starter on outside
- Ryan Carracino, Junior, 6-0, 220 – projected starter on outside
- Dylan Jones, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – part of rotation at all three positions
Secondary:
- Liam Godwin, Senior, 6-3, 180 – returning starter at cornerback
- Jake Carter, Senior, 5-9, 165 – competing at cornerback
- Joe Brodbeck, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing at cornerback
- Ryan Lynskey, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at free safety
- Lucas Caldwell, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at left strong safety
- Christian Moroses, Junior, 6-1, 175 – competing at right strong safety
- Tyler Beltre, Sophomore, 6-1, 175 – competing at right strong safety
Special Teams:
- Senior Liam Godwin returns at kicker and punter
- Carter and Lynsky are the return men
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/2, North Hunterdon at home
- Saturday, 9/10, at Summit
- Friday, 9/16, at Woodbridge
- Friday, 9/23, St. Thomas Aquinas at home
- Friday, 9/30, at Rahway
- Friday, 10/7, Scotch Plains-Fanwood at home
- Friday, 10/14, at Linden
- Friday, 10/21, North Brunswick
Concerns:
- Inexperience
- New faces and high expectations
- Having to be ready to play good teams early in the schedule
Recruiting:
- Godwin has 1-AA interest as a cornerback, kicker, and punter
- Lynsky and Kanterman will play at a high-academic D3 school, possibly in the NESCAC or Centennial Conference
- The junior class will be determined this year
Coach’s Comments:
“There are new faces who were good football players playing behind very good football players. Five starters return and this will give many kids an opportunity: the seniors to prove they can play and for the younger kids to step up. The expectations are the same: we expect to win.” – Head Coach Erik Rosenmeier