2010 High School Football: Nutley displaying hard work

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports editor
Nutley graduated 16 players from last year’s team that fell one game shy of reaching the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 championship game before finishing with an impressive 8-3 record.
Among the notable graduates were running back Ray Cetrulo and linebacker Antonio Sibilia. Cetrulo set the single-season Essex County record for scoring with 228 points last year.
But don’t think the Raiders will take a step back. Not with the new group showing hard work and determination.
“These kids haven’t played as much, but what I liked is how unbelievably hard this group has worked,” said NHS head coach Steve DiGregorio, entering his seventh year at the helm. “They are not going to take a back seat. They are playing hard and have high expectations, as well as they should.”
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Nick Tedesco, senior, 5-11, 180
Quarterback: Jordan Yuppa, junior, 6-0, 175
Running back: Matt DelMauro, junior, 5-9,1 65
Running back: Lou Meggiolaro, junior, 5-11, 160
Running back: Lou Mainiero, senior, 6-0, 205
Running back: Joe DeFuria, senior, 5-9, 185
Running back: Michael Hovan, junior, 5-10, 175
Wide receiver: Angelo Roccamo, senior, 6-1, 165
Wide receiver: Pete Carissimo, junior, 6-0, 170
Wide receiver: Joe Drago, junior, 5-9, 165
Wide receiver: Nick Rodriguez, junior, 6-3, 200
Wide receiver: Nikky Recalde, senior, 6-0, 165
Center: Tyler Pugliese, junior, 6-0, 215
Right guard: Joe Fusaro, senior, 5-10, 210
Left guard: Corrado Giancaspro, senior, 6-1, 235
Right tackle: Greg Palma, junior, 6-2, 230
Left tackle: Kevin Abreu, senior, 6-0, 215
Tight end: Nick Mangum, senior, 6-1, 205
Offensive analysis
Once again, the Raiders will employ a balanced attack, but the faces have changed.
DiGregorio has confidence in his new-look backfield, with first-year players Tedesco and Yuppa sharing time at quarterback. DelMauro and Meggiolaro are a pair of juniors who are capable of sparking the rushing attack as well.
The Raiders also have a new group of receivers, but DiGregorio has been encouraged by their progress. “They have done a nice job of coming along,” said DiGregorio of the receivers.
DEFENSE
Tackle: Andre Hamlin, junior, 5-10, 240
Tackle: Abreu
Tackle: Pugliese
End: Rodriguez
End: Palma
Inside linebacker: Fusaro
Inside linebacker: Hovan
Outside linebacker: Carissimo
Outside linebacker: Mangum
Outside linebacker: DeFuria
Cornerback: DelMauro
Cornerback: Drago
Cornerback: Anthony Montanari, junior, 5-10, 170
Safety: Roccamo
Safety: Tedesco
Defensive analysis
At the end positions, Rodriguez and Palma have shown improvement throughout the preseason, much to DiGregorio’s delight.
Tedesco will provide solid leadership at safety, after starting 10 games and earning All-Super Essex Conference honors a year ago. Fusaro, Abreu and Roccamo are other players who gained valuable experience last season.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Place-kicker: Phil Condito, junior, 5-10, 200
Punter: Meggiolaro
Kick-returners: Drago, Meggiolaro, DelMauro
Final analysis
The Raiders feel a strong start to the season can do wonders in their quest to duplicate last year’s success. That’s why they are focusing on the opener against Bloomfield.
“Bloomfield is a good team and it’s a nice rivalry game to open the season,” said DiGregorio. “You have to get off to a good start like we did last year. I think that’s critical.”
Nutley schedule
Sept. 10, vs. Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17, at Ferris, 7 p.m.
Sept. 24, at Millburn, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2, vs. East Side, 1 p.m.
Oct. 8, at West Essex, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16, vs. Columbia, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30, at Barringer, 1 p.m.
Nov. 6, vs. Shabazz, 2 p.m.
Nov. 25, at Belleville, 10:30 a.m.