Standout running back Corey Ryan (3), seen here picking up yardage vs. Roselle last year, returns to help propel the Johnsonv offense in 2010. (photos courtesy of Johnson football team)

Johnson top-notch wide out P.J. Franciotti (88) makes impressive reception against Summit in game last fall. The veteran pass catcher is one of the experienced offensive weapons on team.

Johnson Has Plenty Left In Arsenal
While Striving For Big Season In 2010
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

CLARK – Was last year’s 6-4 playoff campaign a stepping stone for even bigger and better things for the Crusaders this season?

With the amount of returning starters back on both sides of the ball that could be the case.

Johnson has eight returning starters back on offense, with three of them returning on defense, in addition to several other players who rotated in last year.

“We want to reach our full potential as a team,” second-year head coach Nick Gregorio said following his team’s first scrimmage session, which was at Group 4 Bridgewater-Raritan and also against Group 3 Roxbury and Group 4 Sayreville. “With the amount of starters we have back, that potential can be pretty substantial.”

Returning starters on offense include senior Sal Bove at left guard, senior center Alex Rodrigues, senior wide receiver P.J. Franciotti, senior running back Corey Ryan, senior wide receiver Mike Pace, senior fullback Jordan Taylor, senior quarterback-wide receiver Anthony Fischetti and senior placekicker Matt Morozoff.

Senior Lou Bove is a left tackle and a cousin of Sal Bove.

“Our strengths on offense are our skill players,” Gregorio said. “They were major contributors for us last year.”

Those players include Franciotti, Ryan, Pace and Fischetti.

“Being in the second year of a new offense, the players have a greater understanding of the system,” Gregorio said. “The line is also considerably ahead as far as knowledge of assignment and scheme than it was last year at this point. The linemen are a lot smarter and a lot more confident and know where we’re going.”

Johnson had a big home scrimmage scheduled against Group 2 North Plainfield and Group 1 schools Dayton and Cedar Grove Saturday. The battle for the starting quarterback position was sure to intensify between senior Josh Urbanovich, Fischetti and sophomore Lance Pecina.

“It’s an open competition,” Gregorio said. “The bottom line is the one that performs and produces the best will be the starter. It will be a competition from now until the end of the season.

“We have three guys we can win with who have different strengths and weaknesses.”

Urbanovich was the junior varsity quarterback last season.

“Josh is more of a throwing-type of quarterback, one who can drop back,” Gregorio said. “He has a strong understanding of the offense and understands defenses.”

Fischetti is a lefty-throwing QB who lets his athletic ability lead the way.

“Anthony’s an athlete who has speed and the ability to make plays off it,” Gregorio said.

Pecina was the quarterback on the freshman team last season.

“Lance is also very athletic for a sophomore,” Gregorio said. “He does all the little things right.”

On the outside looking to go down field deep or cut across the middle and use his 6-5 size to catch the ball and then blitz pass opposing pass defenders is Franciotti, who last year was one of the most dangerous receivers in Union County.

“He’s a complete receiver,” Gregorio said. “He’s tall, fast, agile, and runs very good routes. P.J. can just pull down the football.

“He’s hungry to make a play and wants to be the guy. He wants to compete and be the best player in Union County.”

A three-year starter, Gregorio also said that Franciotti is a solid blocker.

“He wants to play receiver at the next level,” Gregorio said. “He was our leading pass catcher last year.”

Ryan has had injuries to battle through before trying to go through a season this year without any.

“Corey has the potential to be a dominant player on both sides of the ball, he just has to stay healthy,” Gregorio said. “He’s never lasted a full season.

“As a ball carrier he has great vision, extremely powerful legs, is tough to bring down and he can make people miss. At linebacker he has a good nose for the ball and is a good tackler.”

Franciotti at safety, Ryan at outside linebacker and Taylor at inside linebacker are returning starters on defense, with players such as junior inside linebacker Nick Campione, Sal Bove, Pace and Fischetti having rotated in a year ago.

“We need to improve our line,” Gregorio said. “That’s the only area where there are no clear cut starters at this point.

“We feel like we have depth. We need to see which ones are going to emerge to be the starters.”

Johnson’s game-scrimmage will be at home Thursday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. against Group 2 school Hanover Park.

“One of things we’re trying to do – and I think we have the numbers to do this – is to have as many one-way linemen as possible, so they can be fresh. We feel our numbers in that area are pretty strong.

“We don’t have a player like a Kyle Cannetti or a Matt Cardona, but – collectively as a group – we think we can be pretty good, especially on the offensive line.”

After serving as an assistant at Kean University, Gregorio - a 1997 New Providence graduate who played for Frank Bottone - made his debut as a varsity head coach last season.

“I like the kids and they’re more confident,” Gregorio said. “I’m more confident now in my second year.

“The first-year, trial-and-error stuff is out of the way. I know what I want from myself, my assistant coaches and from the players.”

NOTES: Johnson will open the season with consecutive home games against conference rival Cranford Sept. 10 and non-conference foe Somerville Sept. 16.

Johnson is in the Mid-State 39 Conference’s East B Division along with Cranford, Summit, Hillside, Gov. Livingston and Rahway. Everyone will play everyone within the division this year.

Non-league games are against Somerville, Brearley, Roselle and Bernards.

Johnson remains in Central Jersey, Group 2 this season, along with other Union County schools GL, Cranford and Roselle. Rahway was put back into North 2, Group 3, while Summit and Hillside remained in North 2, Group 2.

JOHNSON’S SPREAD OFFENSE:

LT Ed Oleninck, sophomore, (6-3, 235)

LT Kyle Baton, senior, (6-2, 225)

LG Sal Bove, senior, (6-1, 205)

LG Nick Campione, junior, (6-1, 205)

C Alex Rodrigues, senior, (6-1, 240)

C Nico Congiusta, junior, (5-11, 230)

RG Brian Willey, senior, (6-2, 280)

RG John Atanasio, junior, (6-2, 240)

RT Lou Bove, senior, (6-0, 215)

RT John Ferrentino, junior, (6-2, 220)

TE Scott Cheshul, senior, (6-4, 200)

QB Josh Urbanovich, senior, (6-2, 185)

QB-WR Anthony Fischetti, senior, (5-10, 195)

QB Lance Pecina, sophomore, (6-1, 170)

RB Corey Ryan, senior, (6-0, 215)

RB-WR Dylan DeFalco, senior, (5-9, 175)

FB Jordan Taylor, senior, (6-1, 235)

FB Marshall Brooks, senior, (5-9, 190)

FB Ed Eaton, sophomore, (5-10, 170)

WR P.J. Franciotti, senior, (6-5, 195)

WR Mike Pace, senior, (5-8, 170)

WR Nick Mullery, junior, (5-10, 160)

WR John Caliguire, junior, (6-1, 175)

WR C.J. Francisco, junior, (5-9, 170)

PK Matt Morozoff, senior, (5-10, 175)

P Anthony Fischetti, senior, (5-10, 195)

JOHNSON’S 4-3 DEFENSE:

E John Ferrentino, junior, (6-2, 220)

E Lou Bove, senior, (6-0, 215)

E Sal Bove, senior, (6-1, 205)

E Carmen Brocato, senior, (5-10, 210)

T John Atanasio, junior, (6-2, 240)

T Ed Oleninck, sophomore, (6-3, 235)

T Brian Willey, senior, (6-2, 280)

T John Chavarriaga, senior, (6-1, 255)

ILB Jordan Taylor, senior, (6-1, 235)

ILB Nick Campione, junior, (6-1, 205)

OLB Corey Ryan, senior, (6-0, 215)

ILB Billy Gray, senior, (5-10, 185)

ILB Ed Eaton, sophomore, (5-10, 170)

OLB Billy Ring, sophomore, (5-11, 185)

CB Anthony Fischetti, senior, (5-10, 195)

CB Dylan DeFalco, senior, (5-9, 175)

CB Nick Mullery, junior, (5-10, 160)

CB C.J. Francisco, junior, (5-9, 170)

S Mike Pace, senior, (5-8, 170)

S P.J. Franciotti, senior, (6-5, 195)

S Lance Pecina, sophomore, (6-1, 170)

S John Caliguire, junior, (6-1, 175)

JOHNSON CRUSADERS

Head coach: Nick Gregorio,

since 2009.

Second season: 6-4 (.600)

Conference: Mid-State 39

Division: East B

Section: Central Jersey, Group 2

Johnson’s last sectional title: 2002

2009: (6-4)

Crusaders in the 2000s: 66-39 (.629)

Nolan Field in Clark: Field Turf.

Nick Gregorio is a 1997 New Providence graduate

who played for the school’s only head football coach,

Frank Bottone. Gregorio spent the 2007 and 2008 seasons

as an assistant at Kean University under head coach

Dan Garrett.

JOHNSON CRUSADERS 2010

Sept. 10 Cranford, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 Somerville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 at Brearley, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 Summit, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Hillside, 1 p.m.

Oct. 23 at Gov. Livingston, 1 p.m.

Oct. 29 Roselle, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 at Bernards, 7 p.m.

Nov. 25 Rahway, 10:30 a.m.

Head coach: Nick Gregorio,

second season

2009 JOHNSON CRUSADERS (6-4)

(H) Governor Livingston 34, Johnson 33

(A) Summit 49, Johnson 7

(H) Johnson 20, Roselle 0

(H) Johnson 28, Cranford 21 (OT)

(A) Johnson 29, North Plainfield 28 (OT)

(H) Johnson 18, Hillside 9

(A) Johnson 31, Bernards 8

(H) Johnson 24, New Providence 21

(A) Rumson-Fair Haven 23, Johnson 0

(A) Rahway 19, Johnson 13

Head coach: Nick Gregorio

Section: Central Jersey, Group 2

Record: 6-4

Home: 4-1

Away: 2-3

Points for: 203

Points against: 212

Shutouts: 1

Overtime: 2-0

JOHNSON CRUSADERS FOR THE

DECADE OF THE 2000s: (66-39, .629)

2009 - (6-4), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals

2008 - (8-4), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 final

2007 - (6-4)

2006 - (9-1), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals

2005 - (7-3), reached Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals

2004 - (1-9)

2003 - (5-5)

2002 - (10-2), NORTH 2, GROUP 2 CHAMPIONS

2001 - (9-2), reached North 2, Group 2 semifinals

2000 - (5-5)

Made state playoffs (6 times): 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009.

Championship game appearances (2): 2002-won. 2008-lost.

Present head coach: Nick Gregorio, second year.

Head coaches the past decade (4): Bob Taylor 2000-2002.

Mike Katz 2003. Gus Kalikas 2004-2008. Nick Gregorio 2009.

******

2010 MID-STATE 39 CONFERENCE

East A (7 schools): Elizabeth, Immaculata, Linden, Plainfield,

Union , Watchung Hills, Westfield.

East B (6 schools): Summit, Rahway, Johnson,

Gov. Livingston, Hillside, Cranford.

East C (6 schools): Bound Brook, Brearley, New Providence,

Roselle , Roselle Park, Dayton.

West A (8 schools): Montgomery, North Hunterdon, Ridge, Phillipsburg,

Bridgewater-Raritan, Franklin, Hunterdon Central, Hillsborough.

West B (6 schools): Delaware Valley, North Plainfield, Voorhees,

Warren Hills , Scotch Plains, Somerville.

West C (6 schools): South Hunterdon, North Warren, Pingry, Belvidere, Bernards, Manville.

2009 MID-STATE 39 CONFERENCE

Delaware Division (5 schools) – Champion: Hunterdon Central

Hunterdon Central (5-0-0 division, 9-1-0 overall)

Phillipsburg ( 4-1-0, 10-2-0)

Bridgewater-Raritan ( 3-2-0, 6-4-0)

Hillsborough ( 1-4-0, 2-8-0)

Watchung Hills (0-5-0, 2-8-0)

Hills Division (6 schools) – Champion: Belvidere

Belvidere (5-0-0 division, 10-1-0 overall)

Pingry ( 4-1-0, 4-6-0)

Manville ( 3-2-0, 5-5-0)

Bound Brook ( 2-3-0, 4-6-0)

Bernards (0-4-0, 1-9-0)

South Hunterdon (0-4-0, 1-9-0)

Mountain Division (6 schools) – Champion: Summit

Summit (4-0-0 division, 12-0-0 overall)

Rahway (4-0-0, 7-3-0)

Hillside ( 2-3-0, 4-6-0)

Gov. Livingston ( 2-3-0, 5-5-0)

Johnson ( 2-3-0, 6-4-0)

Cranford (0-5-0, 4-6-0)

Raritan Division (6 schools) – Champion: Immaculata

Immaculata ( 4-1-0 division, 10-2-0 overall)

Ridge ( 4-1-0, 9-3-0)

Montgomery ( 3-2-0, 5-5-0)

Warren Hills ( 2-3-0, 5-5-0)

North Hunterdon ( 1-3-0, 5-5-0)

Voorhees (0-4-0, 2-8-0)

Union Division (5 schools) – Champion: Dayton

Dayton (3-0-0 division, 8-2-0 overall)

Roselle ( 2-1-0, 5-5-0)

New Providence ( 2-2-0, 6-4-0)

Brearley ( 2-2-0, 7-4-0)

Roselle Park (0-4-0, 0-10-0)

Valley Division (4 schools) – Champion: Somerville

Somerville (3-0-0 division, 6-4-0 overall)

Delaware Valley ( 2-1-0, 5-5-0)

North Plainfield ( 1-2-0, 4-6-0)

North Warren (0-3-0, 4-6-0)

Watchung Division (6 schools) – Champion: Westfield

Westfield (5-0-0 division, 8-3-0 overall)

Linden ( 4-1-0, 5-5-0)

Union ( 2-2-0, 7-3-0)

Plainfield ( 1-3-0, 2-8-0)

Scotch Plains (0-2-0, 2-8-0)

Elizabeth (0-4-0, 1-9-0)

UNION COUNTY FOOTBALL (17 schools)

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR 2010

NORTH 2, GROUP 4 (4): Elizabeth, Union, Linden, Westfield.

NORTH 2, GROUP 3 (3): Plainfield, Rahway,  Scotch Plains.

NORTH 2, GROUP 2 (2): Summit,  Hillside.

NORTH 2, GROUP 1 (4): Dayton, Brearley, New Providence,

Roselle Park .

CENTRAL JERSEY , GROUP 2 (4): Johnson, Roselle

Gov. Livingston, Cranford.

UNION COUNTY FOOTBALL COACHES

AT THEIR PRESENT SCHOOLS:

Union – Brian Sheridan since 2007 – fourth season

Roselle Park – James Foy since 2006 – fifth season

Brearley – Scott Miller since 2002 – ninth season

Dayton – Joe Goerge since 2006 – fourth season

Gov. Livingston – Terry Hanratty since 2004 – seventh season

Summit – John Liberato since 2007 – fourth season

Elizabeth – John Quinn since 2010 – first season

Hillside – John Power since 2008 – third season

Linden – Deon Candia since 2008 – third season

Rahway – Gary Mobley since 2004 – seventh season

Roselle – Lou Grasso Jr. since 2010 – first season

Cranford – Erik Rosenmeier since 2005 – sixth season

Johnson – Nick Gregorio since 2009 – second season

Westfield – Jim DeSarno since 2006 – fifth season

Plainfield – Bill Nyers since 2010 – first season

Scotch Plains – Steve Ciccotelli since 1991 – 20th season

New Providence – Frank Bottone since 1965 – 46th season

copyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - comments - contact the webmaster