Despite opening loss, Bordentown encouraged
By Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
Steve Perry is excited about the foundation the Bordentown High School football team is building.
”We lost some talented players from last year, but I think this year’s team has gelled really well,” said Perry, whose team opened the season with a 12-7 loss to Ewing last Friday night. “A lot of guys were working out in the spring and summer. Normally we’ll have a dozen guys working out, and this summer we averaged 25-30. They have shown dedication and are excited about what we have going. It gives us a great jump start.”
Perry would have loved a win in the opener to show for the Scotties’ hard work. But he knows the effort was there from what is a young team willing to work hard.
”The good thing is that as good as we feel about our team we only start two seniors on offense and three on defense,” said Perry, whose team will play at Florence on Friday. “Even though we are young, a lot of the guys have some experience. So we are able to move little quicker with our preparation.”
Junior Nick Bartolomei is the quarterback and he has two good receivers. The running backs are newcomers to larger roles.
”Nick as a sophomore took some lumps, but he is coming in this year with a lot of confidence from having worked with guys over the summer,” Perry said. “Our top two wide receivers are back with Jordan Kelso and Gerald Conover. We are excited to have them back. Gerald missed most of last year with a dislocated shoulder. Jordan is a three-starter at receiver.
”I am very positive about our offense. I am a defensive coach and the last couple years we have been a very good defensive team and on offense we’ve struggled. This year the offense may be leading the way for us.”
Ryan Korch and Ryan Appleby are sharing time at fullback, while Tommy Walters and Vinny Frank have been handling the tailback spot. The offensive line has been coming along.
”Our most veteran returner on the line broke his foot at a wrestling tournament over the summer,” Perry said. “Grant Corretjer is out right now and we hope to have him back in October. Nick Mancini is our center. Julius Neal and Robert Bulleck are back at guard. James Buggs is a sophomore that started two games for us last year. We are also looking at a freshman at left tackle, Brady Hudik who is 6-4, 260 and is very smart. We’re excited about him.”
On defense the Scotties graduated three of four linemen and three of four linebackers. A lot of the same players on offense will play defense, but some will be mainly defensive contributors.
”A lot of guys are playing both ways like Bulleck, Neal and Buggs on the defensive line,” Perry said. “At linebacker only Vinny Frank returns. We also have Ryan Korch and Nick Mancini. A bright spot is in the secondary where we have Jordan Kelso as a three-year starter. Conover is the free safety and Jaleel Tyson is our other corner.”
Overall, Perry is just looking for his team to improve from week to week.
”We have some tough teams coming up with Florence and Allentown and then Robbinsville,” Perry said. “We are just looking to keep building.”