NHS football players chose colleges

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports editor
During their football careers at Nutley High School, they have enjoyed countless special memories. 
Reaching the state sectional championship game at MetLife Stadium in their junior year and beating rival Belleville back-to-back seasons on Thanksgiving are just some of the memories they will always cherish.
Now, they are ready to continue their careers in college.
On Feb. 1, Greg Palma, Matt DelMauro and Michael Hovan officially announced their college choices. They are each going to separate schools, but all will be in Pennsylvania.
Palma and DelMauro signed national letters of intent in accepting athletic scholarships on the Football Championship Subdivision level. Palma, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end, signed with Lehigh University, while DelMauro, a running back, signed with Bucknell University.
Interestingly, both players will get a chance to play against each other in college, as Lehigh and Bucknell are in the Patriot League. Lehigh last season won the league title with a 6-0 mark and finished 11-2 overall, falling to North Dakota State in the FCS quarterfinals. Bucknell finished with a 6-5 record.
Hovan, a linebacker, declared to Muhlenberg College, a Division 3 program.
After Palma visited Lehigh, he knew it was the perfect place for him.
“I went up there and I loved it there,” said Palma, who plans on majoring in business. “They are a great program.”
Make no mistake, Palma wants to make a strong impact, looking to become an All-American and have a shot at the NFL.
Likewise, Hovan was enamored with Muhlenberg during his visit to the school.
“I am very excited,” said the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Hovan of his choice. “When I was there, I seemed like I fit in. I went on a visit and I fell in love with the place.”
Getting a football scholarship also was a dream come true for DelMauro, who ended his career with 2,556 yards and 42 touchdowns, both NHS records. DelMauro particularly credited his coaches and family for their tremendous support.
“I am excited,” said the 5-foot-7, 180-pound DelMauro. “It’s been a dream since I started playing football. My parents supported me all the way and my coaches and (strength coach Don) Sellari for helping me lift. I am ready to play at the next level.”
To Steve DiGregorio, it was certainly a thrill being their head coach and seeing them attain their dreams of playing college football.
“We are very, very proud of all of them,” said DiGregorio, a 1979 NHS graduate and NHS teacher who stepped down as the head coach at the end of the season after eight years at the helm. “They had terrific careers here. More importantly, they performed so well academically that these great academic schools could consider them as prospects. To have three kids go to Lehigh, Bucknell and Muhlenberg, that is a heck of year.”