Governor Livingston head football coach Terry Hanratty has developed a penchant for preparing his Highlanders for a successful run to the playoffs during each of his six seasons at helm. (Photo by Jim Whelan)

G.L. Has Been A Playoff Fixture
In Hanratty’s First Six Seasons
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

BERKELEY HEIGHTS – The Highlanders have qualified for the state playoffs each of the first six seasons of head coach Terry Hanratty’s tenure.

Only Brearley and New Providence at eight years each have a longer string of success among Union County schools at the moment.

Hanratty said he is looking for leadership now in order for the Highlanders to make it seven years in a row.

Hanratty reported that senior Brendan DiLandro will not play this year after having shoulder surgery a month ago.

“He hurt it last year and it never really recovered,” Hanratty said.

DiLandro (6-3, 230) was being recruited by the likes of Delaware, James Madison and William and Mary, according to Hanratty, with those colleges looking at him at tight end.

Concentrating on baseball is senior John Jennings, who started last year at middle linebacker.

Two former soccer players GL gained include senior placekicker Kyle Reavey and junior punter John Schemdel. Hanratty said they both played on the junior varsity level last season.

“It always seems like we lose a player to baseball and pick up soccer players,” Hanratty said.

Last year’s placekicker was Blake Anderson, who also previously played and lettered in tennis and soccer. Anderson, an all conference and all county selection last year, is now playing football at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. The business major is listed as a kicker and punter and wears No. 98.

Hanratty is proud to report that Anderson is one of 12 GL football players presently playing in college. Others include Max Machado and Rob Ingebretsen at Bryant University, Frank Yannotta at Moravian, Frank Colder at East Stroudsburg, Matt Zimmerman of Mountainside – who is one of two captains this year – and Matt Boyer at Princeton, Ian Cunningham at Wagner, Tyler George at Monmouth, John Manganiello at Coast Guard Academy, Kevin Reavey at The College of New Jersey and Joe Gilfedder at Ithaca.

Returning starters on offense include junior quarterback Joe Graziano, junior fullback Andrew Romeo, senior wingback Richie Murillo, junior left tackle Scott Anderson and senior center Matt O’Sullivan.

“Graziano played half of last year and did okay for a sophomore,” Hanratty said. “He’s getting better. He can throw pretty well and has improved a lot on his speed. We hope that he can be versatile enough to run with and throw the ball.”

Returning starters on defense include junior tackle Tony Manganiello, senior cornerback Pat Eichner and Romeo at inside linebacker.

“We’re doing a lot of learning right now and a lot of teaching,” Hanratty said. “We have so many young kids, but we can’t complain. We’ll do the best we can.

“This will be a challenging year. Everyone will have to step up their game. We hope to win this year and will play to win this year, without a doubt. We’re not playing for next year. We want to win this year.”

NOTES: GL’s first scrimmage was at Chatham Tuesday and its next as part of a quad at Montgomery Friday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m.

GL’s game-scrimmage is at North Plainfield Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.

The Highlanders open at Delaware Valley Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.

GOV. LIVINGSTON’S

WING-T SPREAD, SPREAD OFFENSE:

LG Rob Stern, junior, (6-2, 220)

LT Scott Anderson, junior, (6-2, 260)

C Matt O’Sullivan, senior, (5-11, 225)

RT Tony Manganiello, junior, (6-1, 255)

RG Zack Boyer, junior, (6-1, 220)

TE Michael Romano, senior, (5-10, 195)

WR Rendyll Mooman, junior, (6-2, 170)

WR Tyler Martis, junior, (5-9, 160)

QB Joe Graziano, junior, (6-1, 185)

WB Richie Murillo, senior, (5-9, 170)

WB Pat Eichner, senior, (5-9, 175)

FB Andrew Romeo, junior, (6-0, 220)

FB Justin Ennis, sophomore, (5-10, 180)

PK Kyle Reavey, senior, (5-10, 180)

P John Schemdel, junior, (6-2, 215)

GOV. LIVINGSTON’S 4-3 DEFENSE:

T Tony Manganiello, junior, (6-1, 255)

T Scott Anderson, junior, (6-2, 260)

E John Hutton, junior, (6-1, 215)

E Anthony Natale, sophomore, (5-10, 185)

ILB Andrew Romeo, junior, (6-0, 220)

ILB Shane Haddad, sophomore, (5-10, 185)

OLB Michael Romano, senior, (5-10, 195)

OLB Richie Murillo, senior, (5-9, 170)

OLB Justin Ennis, sophomore, (5-10, 180)

S Joe Graziano, junior, (6-1, 185)

CB Tyler Martis, junior, (5-9, 160)

CB Pat Eichner, senior, (5-9, 175)

GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS

Head coach: Terry Hanratty,

since 2004.

Seventh season: 37-27 (.578)

Conference: Mid-State 39

Division: East B

Section: Central Jersey, Group 2

GL’s last playoff season: 2009

2009: (5-5)

Highlanders in the 2000s: 54-50 (.519)

Gov. Livingston’s Frey Field: Field Turf.

Terry Hanratty is a 1990 Elizabeth graduate. He has

guided GL to the state playoffs in each of his first

six seasons at the helm. Hanratty was an assistant

at Elizabeth from 1995-2001 and an assistant at

Linden in 2002 and 2003.

GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS 2010

Sept. 10 at Delaware Valley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Immaculata, 7 p.m.

Sept. 25 North Warren, 1 p.m.

Oct. 9 Cranford, 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 Summit, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 Johnson, 1 p.m.

Oct. 30 Rahway, 1 p.m.

Nov. 6 at Hillside, 1 p.m.

Nov. 25 at New Providence, 11 a.m.

Head coach: Terry Hanratty,

seventh season

2009 GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS (5-5)

(A) Governor Livingston 34, Johnson 33

(H) Governor Livingston 17, Brearley 7

(A) Hillside 33, Governor Livingston 27

(A) Summit 35, Governor Livingston 10

(H) Governor Livingston 45,  Delaware Valley 14

(H) Governor Livingston 33, Roselle 15

(A) Governor Livingston 37, Cranford 20

(H) Rahway 25, Governor Livingston 7

(H) Madison 35, Governor Livingston 14

(H) New Providence 26, Governor Livingston 20 (2OT)

Head coach: Terry Hanratty

Section: North 2, Group 2

Record: 5-5

Home: 3-4

Away: 2-1

Points for: 244

Points against: 243

Shutouts: 0

Overtime: 0-1

GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS

FOR THE DECADE OF 2000s: (54-50, .519)

2009 - (5-5), reached North 2, Group 2 quarterfinals

2008 - (7-5), reached North 2, Group 2 final

2007 - (5-5), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals

2006 - (8-3), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 semifinals

2005 - (6-4), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals

2004 - (6-5), reached North 2, Group 2 semifinals

2003 - (4-6)

2002 - (5-5), reached North 2, Group 2 quarterfinals

2001 - (4-6)

2000 - (4-6)

Made state playoffs (7 times): 2002, 2004-2009.

Championship game appearances (1): 2008-lost.

Present head coach: Terry Hanratty, seventh year.

Head coaches the past decade (2): Joe Hubert 2000-2003.

Terry Hanratty 2004-2009.

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