BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer
JEFFGRANIT staff Old Bridge senior Nikhil Khanna is one of a few returning starters to an Old Bridge defense that looks to be the strength of the team this season. Although just three starters are back from last season, the Old Bridge High School football team has plenty of talent and speed as it seeks a return trip to the NJSIAA playoffs.
The Knights, 7-3 a year ago, open the campaign on Saturday in a 1 p.m. match-up at Williamstown, which went 8-2 last season and qualified for the state playoffs.
“It will be a good test for us,” Old Bridge coach Bob DeMarco said. “They’re a good team.”
Guards Troy DeCuester (6-0, 250) and Zach Khan (5-11, 240) and tackle Tom Gabriel return from last year’s team to give the Knights an experienced and quick offensive line. They will be joined by tackle Steve Balla (5-11, 240) and center Ryan Gallery (6-1, 285).
“We’re looking for our returning guys to play leadership roles on and off the field,” the coach said. “They’re all good solid players and they will help their teammates.”
Ed Bucior (5-10, 155) will call the signals for Old Bridge’s wishbone attack. Nikhil Khanna (5-8, 150) and sophomore Ted Greffin (6-0, 170) are the halfbacks with Ed Ebewo (6-0, 175) and Kyle Stevens (5-10, 175) splitting time at fullback.
While the Knights like to run, DeMarco makes good use of the passing game. Last season Old Bridge scored 10 touchdowns through the air and Bucior has a pair of good targets in split end Mike Pelayo (5-9, 150) and tight end Elvis Obi (6-2, 190) in addition to the running backs.
Defensively, Old Bridge lines up Lansana Rogers (6-6, 190) and junior Dan Soto (6-0, 195) at the ends, while Travis Gerdon (6-0, 200), Chris Swinarski (6-1, 210) and sophomore Jorge Merino (6-2, 255) will split the tackle jobs. Carmine Coppola (5-11, 180), Jamaar Connor (5-10, 185) and Rob McGuiness (5-11, 175) are the linebackers in what will sometimes be a seven-man front.
Khanna, Pelayo, Doriann Mambelli (6-2, 180), Justin Zimmerlink (5-11, 175) and sophomore Chris Coffman (5-11, 175) patrol the secondary. Gerdan, who booted four field goals last fall, will handle place-kicking and punting duties.
“We lost 19 starters to graduation so we’re a little light on varsity experience, but we do have a lot of talented players,” DeMarco explained. “Overall we have excellent team speed – our lineman all run well and that’s where our experience is. Our backs are also very quick so we’ll be looking to use our speed to our advantage.”
As always, DeMarco said Old Bridge has set its sights high. The coach expects his team to contend for the top in the Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division, and too secure another state playoff berth.