Superb sophomore Anthony Cioffi (22), seen here in action vs. New Providence last year, is one of the exciting players for the Dayton Bulldogs, who look to return to playoffs. (photo courtesy of Dayton)

Coach Joe Goerge (right) worked wonders with his Dayton Bulldogs in 2009 when the Union County team posted superb season. (Photos by JR Parachini)

The Dayton football fans had plenty to be excited about during 2009 season

Dayton Has Plenty Of Firsts
To Build On After Fine 2009
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

SPRINGFIELD – Here are some of the more noteworthy firsts that were accomplished by the Bulldogs last season:

First winning season since 1999 – Dayton’s previous one was a 6-4 finish 11 years ago.

First 8-win season since 1988 – Dayton’s previous one was an 8-2 finish 22 years ago.

First division title since 1988 – Dayton won the Mid-State 39 Conference’s Union Division championship. In 1988, the Bulldogs won the Mountain Valley Conference’s Mountain Division crown as a Group 2 school.

First playoff season since 1988 – Dayton’s previous one was 22 years ago when it qualified in North 2, Group 2.

First playoff berth in North 2, Group 1 – Dayton’s three previous playoff seasons were in North 2, Group 2 in 1981, 1984 and 1988.

First win over New Providence since the mid-1980s – I was told either 1984 or 1985.

First win over Brearley since 1999.

Despite losing talented seniors to graduation such as quarterback John Hoehn, running back Kevin O’Connor and lineman Dan DuBeau, there is plenty of talent back where expectations are high again for the Bulldogs.

Six of the seven returning starters on offense are seniors as are five of the six returning starters on defense.

“We have a senior-dominated team,” said fifth-year head coach Joe Goerge. “We know what it takes, but have done nothing yet this year.”

Returning starters on offense include junior center Jesse DiCocco, senior guard Kareem Jackson, senior tackle Christian Wortman, sophomore quarterback-running back Anthony Cioffi, senior quarterback-running back Skyler Apicella, senior running back Jesse Bell and senior wide receiver Aaron Williams.

Back on defense are senior nose guard Alfonso Cacciatore, Jackson at tackle, Wortman at tackle, Williams at linebacker, senior linebacker Mike Hess and Cioffi at cornerback.

“I think with the experience we have, we can be outstanding,” Goerge said. “Hopefully, the kids understand what it takes to play at the best possible level.”

One of the top freshmen in the county last season, Cioffi will see time at quarterback and running back.

“Anthony’s a sophomore, so we’ll keep it simple,” Goerge said. “He’s a hard worker and a good athlete.”

Goerge said that Cioffi got banged up a bit during Dayton’s first scrimmage at South River and as a result didn’t participate Saturday when Dayton was at Johnson along with North Plainfield and Cedar Grove.

“We will run the ball predominantly, but we’ve been getting better at throwing the ball,” Goerge said.

Also to see time at quarterback and running back is Apicella, with junior Mike Fischetti also at the QB position.

“We’re strong up front, with three of our top four guys being seniors,” Goerge said.

Jackson is the leader on defense.

“It starts with Kareem up front, he anchors the line,” Goerge said. “We have experience on the line with Jackson, Wortman, Cacciatore and at linebacker with Williams and Hess.”

Jackson (6-2, 250) can halt an opposing offense by not allowing the ball carrier to get by him once he’s off his block.

“Kareem has the ability to do it all,” Goerge said. “He’s strong, quick, has good size for a lineman and runs real well. “He has the chance to be a dominant player.”

A three-year starter, Jackson is looking to play on defense at the next level.

Goerge felt Dayton performed better in its second scrimmage. The game-scrimmage is Thursday, Sept. 2 at Robbinsville, with a 6 p.m. start.

Then a whopper of an opening game will take place at Union’s Cooke Memorial Field on Sept. 11 when Dayton hosts New Providence in a battle of 2009 North 2, Group 1 playoff squads. Both are situated in the same section this year.

For the third straight season, all of Dayton’s home games are scheduled to be played at Union.

“We’ll find out right away what type of team we have,” Goerge said.

Last year when Dayton was one of five teams in the Mid-State 39 Conference’s Union Division, the Bulldogs played only three of those squads. Dayton defeated Roselle Park in its first game, New Providence in its seventh and Brearley in its ninth, while not playing Roselle.

This year, Bound Brook was added to a division that is now called East C, with everyone playing everyone.

Dayton ’s first five games are all against division foes, with three of them at home. The fifth and final one is home vs. Roselle on Oct. 9, with a 4 p.m. starting time because of SATs.

When Dayton last played Roselle it was during the 2008 season and also at Union, with Roselle coming away with a convincing 34-0 triumph. The Rams went 5-4 that year for their first winning season since 1998, while Dayton made great strides by finishing 5-5.

“There will be no time for waiting for our third or fourth game to be good,” Goerge said. “We have to be ready for our first game. There is a big challenge for us every week.

“We continue to say that we want to be a program like New Providence and Brearley. We don’t just want to be good here and there, but every year.”

DAYTON ’S TRIPLE OPTION OFFENSE:

G Kareem Jackson, senior, (6-2, 250)

G Alfonso Cacciatore, senior, (6-0, 250)

C Jesse DiCocco, junior, (6-2, 255)

T Christian Wortman, senior, (6-3, 210)

T Keith Heleno, senior, (5-10, 190)

T Matt Lyna, junior, (6-0, 200)

WR Andre Battle, senior, (6-1, 180)

WR Aaron Williams, senior, (6-2, 195)

QB-RB Anthony Cioffi, sophomore, (6-0, 175)

QB-RB Skyler Apicella, senior, (5-7, 150)

QB Mike Fischetti, junior, (5-8, 150)

RB Jesse Bell, senior, (5-8, 160)

RB John Hess, junior, (5-8, 145)

FB Carl Korieocha, senior, (5-11, 185)

PK Mike Hess, senior, (5-9, 205)

P Anthony Cioffi and Skyler Apicella

DAYTON ’S 5-2 DEFENSE:

E Christian Wortman, senior, (6-3, 210)

T Kareem Jackson, senior, (6-2, 250)

NG Alfonso Cacciatore, senior, (6-0, 250)

T Jesse DiCocco, junior, (6-2, 255)

T Adam Kennedy, sophomore, (6-1, 220)

E Chris Maslo, senior, (5-10, 205)

LB Aaron Williams, senior, (6-2, 195)

LB Mike Hess, senior, (5-9, 205)

CB Anthony Cioffi, sophomore, (6-0, 175)

CB John Hess, junior, (5-8, 145)

CB Skyler Apicella, senior, (5-7, 150)

CB Mike Fischetti, junior, (5-8, 150)

FS Savonn Maye, senior, (6-0, 165)

FS Andre Battle, senior, (6-1, 180)

SS Angel Liggins, junior, (5-8, 160)

SS Jesse Bell, senior, (5-8, 160)

DAYTON BULLDOGS

Head coach: Joe Goerge,

varsity since 2006,

overall since 2005.

Fifth season: 14-26 (.350)

Conference: Mid-State 39

Division: East C

Section: North 2, Group 1

Dayton ’s last playoff season: 2009

2009: (8-2)

Bulldogs in the 2000s: 14-36 (.280)

Varsity seasons included: 2000, 2006,

2007, 2008 and 2009.

Cooke Memorial Field in Union: Field Turf.

Joe Goerge is a 1972 graduate of Msgr. Farrell in Staten Island.

He was previously a head coach at Franklin and at Port Richmond

in Staten Island. George guided Dayton’s JV team to a 3-5-1 record

in 2005.

DAYTON BULLDOGS 2010

(all five home games at Union)

Sept. 11 New Providence, 1 p.m.

Sept. 16 vs. Bound Brook

at Bridgewater-Raritan, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 Brearley, 1 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Roselle Park, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 Roselle, 4 p.m.

Oct. 15 at Belvidere, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 North Warren, 1 p.m.

Oct. 29 Pingry, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 at South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.

Head coach: Joe Goerge,

fifth season

2009 DAYTON BULLDOGS (8-2)

(A) Dayton 34, Roselle Park 6

(H) Dayton 28,  South Hunterdon 7 - at Union

(A) Dayton 34, Pingry 12

(H) Dayton 42, Bernards 21 - at Union

(A) Belvidere 18, Dayton 13

(H) Dayton 31, Manville 0 - at Union

(A) Dayton 18, New Providence 7

(H) Dayton 20, Bound Brook 7 -  Scotch Plains

(H) Dayton 28, Brearley 12 - at Union

(H) Becton 27, Dayton 6 - at Union

Head coach: Joe Goerge

Section: North 2, Group 1

Record: 8-2

Home: 5-1

Away: 3-1

Points for: 254

Points against: 117

Shutouts: 1

Overtime : 0-0

DAYTON BULLDOGS FOR THE

DECADE OF THE 2000s: (14-36, .280)

2009 - (8-2), reached North 2, Group 1 quarterfinals

2008 - (5-5)

2007 - (1-9)

2006 - (0-10)

There was no varsity football from 2001-2005. Junior varsity

football returned in 2005, finishing 3-5-1.

Varsity football returned in 2006.

2000 - (0-10)

Made state playoffs (1 time): 2009.

Present head coach: Joe Goerge, fifth year.

He also coached the JV team in 2005.

Varsity head coaches the past decade (2): Kristofer Kohler 2000.

Joe Goerge 2006-2009.

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