Hopewell starts season by hosting the CVC’s newest team, Robbinsville.
By: Tim Falls
Drew Barnabei takes a lot of pride in the Hopewell Valley Central High School varsity football program.
The senior quarterback has seen the team come a long way as it embarks on its third season since its return after taking a hiatus after the 1932 season.
Hopewell Valley plays the Colonial Valley Conference’s newest varsity program, Robbinsville, in its season opener, at 1 p.m. Saturday in a home game. The Bulldogs play behind the Timberlane Middle School.
The home opener will be a chance for Barnabei and his teammates to prove what the program has accomplished since its return.
"It means a lot," said Barnabei. "I’ve been trying to get the team to show the same intensity I have."
Coach David Caldwell still sees room for progress, but said the team continues to gain strength.
"It’s the opening game of our third season," said Caldwell . "We look to be much stronger than the previous two years. I think we still need a lot of work, but we’ve gotten better. We’ve made progress."
Barnabei said one of Hopewell ‘s biggest strengths is the team’s turnout this season.
"We have more depth," said Barnabei. "We’re looking good this year."
Even though Robbinsville is still a young program, the Bulldogs are not taking the game lightly.
"I think it should be a good test for us," said Barnabei. "We can’t be too confident."
After Robbinsville, Hopewell plays West Windsor-Plainsboro North away at noon on Sept. 16.
Coach Caldwell stressed discipline as a key ingredient to his team’s success. Hopewell will need to be disciplined to take on the Knights.
"We have to be disciplined," said Caldwell . "We’re the type of team that needs to be disciplined and execute to be successful."
The players are learning that discipline in practice.
"It’s a lot of reps," said Barnabei of the Bulldogs practices.
The repetition conditions the team and helps them focus on improving.
"Every year we’re getting better," said Caldwell . "We’re getting better in every aspect of the game. Our field has gotten better, our plays, we even have more kids and more coaches."
Barnabei’s goal is for football to become as important to Hopewell as it is to many of the schools in the CVC.
"A lot of people in this town look at soccer as the main sport," said Barnabei. "I want people to look at football that way. I want to make it seem like a football town."
Barnabei said for that to happen the team will have to have more and more success.
"I believe," said Barnabei. "I have confidence. I think it’s important not to settle for one win a season."
Hopewell will have its opportunities this season with away games against Trenton and Hightstown on Sept. 21, and Sept. 29, respectively, home games against Princeton , Allentown and Ewing on Oct. 7, Oct. 14, and Oct. 21, an away game against Nottingham on Oct. 28 and a home game against Steinert on Nov. 4.
"I have a lot of pride," said Barnabei. "A lot."
The Hopewell Valley football roster: Faiz Afridi (Sr., WR/DB), Dave Anderson (Sr., OL/DL), Drew Barnabei (Sr., QB), Joe Benedetto (Sr., WR/DB), A.J. Cassavell (Sr., WR/DB), Greg Coats (Sr., OL/DL), Justin Dumhart (Sr., OL/DL), Shawn Furfey (Sr., TE/DE), Steve Giovacchini (Sr., RB/DB), Ben Hart (Sr., OL/DL), Yannik Hughes (Sr., OL/DL), Ziv Liu (Sr., OL/DL), Bo Palker (Sr., OL/DL), Lazerick Russell (Sr., RB/LB), Matt Birkhofer (Jr., OL/DL), Ryan Clements (Jr., TE/LB), Rob Devlin (Jr., OL/DL), Chris Didun (Jr., RB/LB), Steve Dvorak (Jr., RB/LB), Anthony Gibbons (Jr., RB/DB), Marc Kilstein (Jr., WR/DB), Andrew Kosek (Jr., TE/LB), Paul Martori (Jr., WR/DB), Judah Mathaney (Jr., WR/DB), Brian Menditto (Jr., RB/LB), Derek Miller (Jr., TE/LB), Jeff Radice (Jr., OL/DL), George Saliba (Jr., OL/DL), Kenneth Stella (Jr., WR/LB), John Wuethrich (Jr., OL/DL), Scott Yaros (Jr., OL/DL), Rob Alicea (Jr., RB/DB), Matt Peck (Jr., OL/DL), Bobby Coleman (Soph., QB), Evan Ellenbogen (Soph., OL/DL), Zak El-Shroa (Soph., RB/LB), Nick Helmstetter (Soph., OL/DL), Junaid Kahn (Soph., WR/DB), Kevin Kley (Soph., WR/LB), Tim Korwin (Soph., OL/DL), Alex Macdonald (Soph., OL/DL), Fred Neary (Soph., WR/DB), Zurain Niaz (Soph., OL/LB), Matt Pagano (Soph., OL/DL), Tom Petrino (Soph., OL/DL), Zack Schutsky (WR/DB), Noah Simon (Soph., WR/DB), Max Van Zandt (Soph., TE/DL), Chris Womack (Soph., RB/LB), John Womack (Soph., RB/LB), Shane Young (Soph., OL/DL), Kevin Gilroy (Soph., OL/DL), Joe Hazen (Soph., QB/DB), Matt Barnabei (Soph., WR/LB), James Betz (Soph., OL/LB).
Hopewell Valley ‘s coaching staff consists of head coach David Caldwell, assistants Ken Harrison, Matt Bastardi, David Machin, Jim Logue, Amir Siddiqu and volunteer Al Pagano.

