The new-look Bombers are looking to rebound from their 2023 season, which saw them lose three straight games twice. With the realigning of the National Blue Division, they will not have to play the teams to which they suffered blowout losses.
With Bryan Gallagher now off to Morris Knolls, Sean Norton takes over in his place. Norton was Gallagher’s assistant at Boonton for eight years, had a cup of coffee in Hackettstown as their OC, and most recently was head coach of Hopatcong.
The player to watch on offense is Senior Sylas White, who could very well be one of the best players in the National Blue Division this year. As a Junior, White rushed for 1,362 yards while leading the team with 17 touchdowns.
Like Boonton, the Chiefs are also facing a change in the head coaching position. The aforementioned Sean Norton is leaving to take over as the Bombers’ head coach. Mark Certo returns as the head coach and takes over a program that has improved the past two seasons.
Just two years ago, the Cheifs were 1-8 but improved to 4-7 last season, which is the most wins the program has had in a season since they went 5-5 back in 2016. What’s even better for Hopatcong is that they are coming into a new division and did not play any of their division opponents in that stretch.
Plenty of the team’s starters are returning for the 2024 season, including Mark’s son Mike Certo, who enters his Junior year as the team’s quarterback. Kiyon Simpson and Jake Reardon also return to lead the offense, which looks to take a step forward from last season. Last year’s defense also featured underclassmen, with Kyle Ladmirak standing out as he hopes to build and get even better in his Sophomore year.
On paper, the Colts enter the 2024 season looking to be one of the top offenses in the National Blue. Third-year head coach Dustin Grande has set the foundation for the Colts to possibly win the division this year.
The Kinnelon offense scored 265 points, and while they were 5-4, they finished 4-1 in their division. Taking a deeper look, they were 3-0 against their current division opponents this year, beating Boonton, North Warren, and Whippany Park. Looking at the four losses outside of Mahwah in their first game, the Colts weren’t able to contain opponents on defense.
Dustin’s son, Zach Grande, will return on offense for Kinnelon, looking to build off a Junior year that saw him throw for 10 touchdowns and rush for 10 leading the team total with 20 on the year. Matt Goldstein and Wyatt Sisco project to be Grande’s top weapons as Kinnelon looks to take the division title.
Last year was a Jekyll and Hyde year for the Patriots, who went 3-6 overall and 2-3 in the National Blue Division. Their offense played well in the games, but their defense couldn’t get stops, and when the defense did get stops in games, the offense couldn’t score. As a whole, they put up 150 points while allowing a total of 220.
John Baum takes over as the Patriots head coach after coach Eugene Flui stepped down this past year. Fluri is still on the coaching staff as the OC, which can go a long way since he has chemistry with the players and knows the team.
The key this season for Noth Warren will be having complete games that the offense and defense come to play. Doing so will result in more wins and provide growth as a team; these coaches are the right ones for the Job.
Jim Hamill takes over for Bobby Leach. The Rangers will look to take advantage of leaving the American Blue Division to join the National Blue. While two of the team’s seven losses came to Kittatinny and Whippany Park, there is still room to be optimistic with all the hope a new year brings.
The Wallkill Valley offense scored only 127 points last season, but with some key returning starters, it should rebound nicely. The defense will also need to tighten up and get after the quarterback a lot more than they did in 2023.
Zack Clarkin returns for his Senior year after leading the offense and defense last season. Clarken threw for seven touchdowns and rushed for six to lead the team in total scores. Clarkin also chipped in on the defensive side of the pall, leading the team with three interceptions.
The Wildcats finished the 2023 season with a 4-6 record behind a relatively young team poised to improve in 2024. After a 3-2 start, the Whippany Park offense could not get much going, leading to four straight losses in which they scored just 34 points. The foundation is there, however, for the Wildcats to start to build a winning team.
Head coach Luke Maginnis has been working hard on creating a winning culture with his young team and hopes that will show this upcoming season. Maginnis has a young core of players and some veterans he has been with and can turn the Wildcats into a dark horse in 2024.
Returning on offense is Brandon Giangeruso, entering his Junior year after throwing for nearly 1,500 yards for ten touchdowns as a Sophomore. Leo Lima and Sam Cobane return on the defensive side of the ball, which looks to continue its improvement in the National Blue Division.
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