Don Sofilkanich, Bishop Ahr High School’s new head football coach, arrives with a proven record (45-11), including three state titles in each season
2007-09) as coach at Asbury Park. Further, he brings with him the wing-T offense, which Sofilkanich has fashioned into his own pedigree to adapt to his team’s strengths.
BishopAhr is blessed with size and speed in the backfield. Kenny Virdon (6-0, 190, senior) is a fleet back who found pay dirt 14 times during the Trojans’ 5-5 season in 2010. Roger Kilgore III (6-2, 185, senior) is among the quickest on the team and is equally adept as a pass receiver. Kilgore is an outstanding student and has been courted by a number of Ivy League colleges, including Yale. Tim Haggerty (5-9, 195, senior) is the third running back in the rotation.
While quarterback Billy DeMetta (5-10, 205) is a sophomore, Sofilkanich liked what he saw on film when the youngster was inserted at the position last year midway through the season. He will be backed by Mike Viggiano (5-11, 170), another sophomore.
The receiving corps is set with tight end Dillon Salva (6-4, 245, senior), who started at quarterback a year ago but was shifted to the line to take advantage of his size and blocking ability. Taylor Black (5-10, 185, senior) is the primary target at wide receiver.
BishopAhr possesses excellent size on the line, which will be important in its attempt to get past formidable non-public Group III opponents like Holy Spirit in the playoffs. The tackles are Nick Sabian (6-1, 290, senior) and Justin Johnson (6-2, 255, senior) while Jordan Swann (6-2, 220, junior) starts at one guard and Rich Dubiel (5-10, 210, senior) at the other. Anchoring the line at center is Kyle Whitaker (6-0, 215, senior).
Many of the same faces start on defense, but Sofilkanich is attempting to utilize his depth by inserting others. Salva and Johnson occupy the defensive ends with Sabian starting at one tackle and Joe Arvelo (5-11, 230, senior) and Kajana Haney (6-0, 275, junior) at the other.
Dennis Goodman (6-2, 215, senior) and Danny Rasmowicz (6-0, 195, senior), Taylor Black, Deon Bowden (5-10, 200, senior) and John Black (6-0, 195, senior) rotate in the linebacker spots with Kilgore, Virden, Kevin Douyang (6-3, 180, senior) and Al Capik (5- 10, 170, junior) in the defensive backfield.
Mike Jenson (6-0, 185, senior) will also see action at defensive back and handles the punting. No player has emerged yet as the place-kicker.
Sofilkanich played high school football at East Brunswick, where he earned All-GMC honors. His coaching experience also includes stints as an assistant at New Brunswick under John Quinn, the former Union coach who is now at Elizabeth. And there is more Union flavor at Bishop Ahr, since Sofilkanich was able to entice former defensive coach Gary Zakovic to join the staff as an assistant.
“When I arrived here in January,” says Sofilkanich, “I spent a lot of time matching bodies with positions. The whole offseason has been dedicated to learning the wing-T. The kids have been extremely flexible and have adapted well.”
Bishop Ahr kicked off its season Friday night at home against Neptune. It was Sofilkanich who coached Neptune to a 62-0 whipping of the Trojans in the season-opener a year ago. How ironic it was that Sofilkanich was on the opposite sideline when the same Shore Conference team made a visit to Edison.
While one game does not determine a team’s success, the 28-7 loss to powerhouse Neptune could be a signal that BishopAhr will contend for a title in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division title and be in the hunt for the Non-Public Group III playoffs.