Bridgewater-Raritan Football Welcomes New Players, Maintains Old Motto

Most—if not all—sports teams have a unifying phrase that is the embodiment of their programs.

For Bridgewater-Raritan High School's football team, its "happy, not satisfied" message will be played out by a new cast of stars.

Last year, the Panthers made it to the playoffs, but lost to powerhouse Basking Ridge, 14-13 in the first round. The Bridgewater team finished with a 6-4 mark and, despite having to replace 29 seniors with 12 of them being starters, fourth-year coach Scott Bray is looking to push the crescendo of success.

"At the end of the everyday, you have to attack," Bray said. "Last year, we had a nice run, but we can't be happy and just stop there."

Bray said it is about being happy with the work put in, but always knowing that more can be done.

"You have to take that mentality into all of your drills and everything we do," he said. "You're happy with what you do, but not satisfied with what you do."

The Panthers play in the loaded Mid-State 39 West A League, in Division North II Group 4. Teams in that division include Basking Ridge, and Phillipsburg, which has won back-to-back state titles.

"They're by far one of the best in New Jersey," Bray said.

The Panthers began fall practice Aug. 16 and, despite the attrition, some talented returnees will be on hand for the team, particularly on offense. The team returns four of five starters on the offensive line, including senior guard Matthew Kunsman and junior offensive tackle John Goode.

"I think if you're going to have a base of your team come back, one of the more important areas to have players coming back in is on the offensive line," Bray said. "We feel that if you have an offensive line that can open some holes, your skilled players will have opportunities to make plays."

"The pressure won't be on them the whole time and people aren't going to be living in your backfield," Bray added.

The Panthers must replace outgoing quarterback Collin Clifford, but have two options in senior Jamar Archer, who is also expected to get plenty of carries as running back, and junior Ray Mastroianni, who stands 5-11.

"We feel both kids are capable of playing the position well," Bray said. "We're trying to see how they fit best into the team."

Bray said both players are excellent athletes.

"Jamar does a great job and he's such a good athlete, he might turn into one of our starting running backs," Bray said. "Ray is also a very good athlete. He's a lacrosse player. But both have leadership abilities, and when they walk into the huddle, the teammates feel confident in what they can do."

Perhaps the best talent, Bray said, comes in the wide receiver position with 6-foot-3 senior Derek Beck, who will be counted on to replace catches left by the departures of Matt Pennalla and Justin Burke.

"He was our third receiver last year and kick returner," Bray said. "He's being recruited by some Division I schools, and we feel he can replace some of that skill loss."

Also helping out is senior Jared Hargis, who may start alongside Beck, Bray said.

"We feel with the two of them, they can fill those roles (vacated by Pennalla and Burke)," he said.

On the defense side, the team is looking to replace eight starters, so Bray scheduled an extra scrimmage in the preseason for the new starters to begin working with each other.

"A lot with defense is getting the feel," Bray said. "It is understanding what we want accomplished and working together truly as a unit."

"We got some young bodies, some new seniors, but because we graduated so many seniors last year, we didn't get a chance to have them step on the field as much as we would've liked," he added. "So it's about getting them that real-time experience."

The defensive line returns Kunsman and junior Vincent Coltriano, who stands 6-2.

"We look for Vincent to be that foundation for the D-line," Bray said.

Senior Kyle Paustian anchors the linebacker crew.

"Kyle does a nice job leading the team and rallying the kids," said Bray of his starting middle linebacker.

The lone starting returnee in the secondary is senior Connor Smith. At cornerback, senior Jordan Blair is expected to make a big impact.

"We look for them to anchor the secondary," said Bray.

With new faces replacing outgoing ones, Bray is confident the team will just get better this year.

"We have some really good athletes, and now it's just about how fast they can gel and pick up the system we are putting in," Bray said. "One thing we preach to our team, especially our seniors, is every year to leave a legacy behind. We want them to leave behind a work ethic and the knowledge about what it takes to be successful. You hope these young kids can step into roles and are willing to work to those expectations."

Bridgewater-Raritan's season will kick off Sept. 10 with a home game against Hillsborough High School.