A fter a disappointing start to its last football season, Raritan High School is looking to hit the ground running this fall with a three-year starter at quarterback.
The Rockets ended a 14-game losing streak when they defeated Monmouth Regional High School in their fifth game of 2013. That win provided some momentum for the final stretch, but Raritan still finished with an overall record of 3-7. The team was 2-4 against Shore Conference Class A Central opponents.
Raritan, which is seeking its first playoff berth in five years, hopes it can find more success in the first half and get back to the state playoffs. It all starts on Sept. 12, when the Rockets open the season at home against Manasquan High School.
“I feel like we’ll have a shot at winning every game,” head coach Anthony Petruzzi said. “We’ll be in the mix.”
The Rockets will be counting on veteran quarterback Riley Sullivan, a senior who threw for 1,385 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago, to lead an offense that will be critical to turning things around. Last season, Raritan suffered two shutouts and scored less than 13 points per game. “He’s seen it all,” Petruzzi said of the experience that Sullivan brings to the team. “He’s got a level head, and he’s going to help the other guys on the field.”
Raritan also has experienced targets for the lefty signal caller. Senior Dylan DeWysockie returns to wide receiver alongside junior Jahciere Jones. Senior Colby Jones and junior Nick Pasquin are expected to provide depth. The tight end is junior Mason Sheehan.
Rich Salerno is a first-year starter at tailback. Junior Derek Ernst will add to the ground game.
Seniors Chris Vurchio and Nick Buzzo return to the offensive line as tackles, while senior Malcom Daniels moves to center. Sophomore Paul Bavaro and juniors Mike Gillen and Billy Hutchins will fill in for injured guard Anthony Zabe, a senior. Junior Bo Bentley will play at the other guard spot.
Petruzzi, who’s starting his fifth season as head coach, said the team must do a better job at converting in the red zone and completing field-goal attempts.
“When we were down there, we were shooting ourselves in the foot,” Petruzzi said, noting how penalties and other mistakes led to missed opportunities in the red zone.
Petruzzi added that Raritan must limit its turnovers this season while ramping up the pressure on opponents to force more turnovers.
The Rockets will employ a different defensive scheme this season, using an extra man in the secondary when necessary. The team’s best attribute on defense is its speed, Petruzzi said.
On the front line, sophomore Matt Thompson joins returnee Daniels at defensive tackle. Thompson was a freshman starter at defensive end in 2013. Vurchio will see time as a tackle as well. Gillen, Sheehan, junior Sean Friedman and sophomore Sean Agar are at defensive end.
Returning at linebacker are junior Sean Ennis and senior Mike Santillo. Sophomore Ryan Dickens completes the linebacking corps. Jones, Ernst and senior Peter Terranova are all returning at safety. Petruzzi expects Jones to make a lot of plays.
DeWysockie is back at cornerback, with depth coming from senior Collin Williams and junior Antwuan Bowens. Senior Kevin Koehler will rotate in as a safety and cornerback.
Following the opener against Manasquan, Raritan will get a bye week before hosting Matawan Regional High School on Sept. 26. The Rockets are also slated to play Freehold High School, Red Bank Regional High School and Point Pleasant Borough High School this season, in addition to A Central rivals like St. John Vianney High School and Holmdel High School.
“We have to be much better in conference play, and then the state section will work itself out,” Petruzzi said.