West Essex Sees Low Upperclassmen Turnout

West Essex High School's football team opened official workouts Monday with a solid group of experienced players leading the charge.

However, numbers are down this year for the varsity team as head coach Dave Drozjock pointed out that there are just a total of 36 sophomores, juniors and seniors. But Drozjock, who enters his 15th season, has 35 freshmen players. 

"That should help us down the road," he said.

Considering the limited amount of upperclassmen, the coach said it's critical for the Knights to remain healthy this season.

"We like our first group. We just have to stay healthy,'' Drozjock said. "This is the lowest [turnout] we've ever had. We may limit the amount of hitting. But we'll judge things as we go along.''

The Knights' first scrimmage is next Wednesday at home with Livingston, Watchung Hills and Ridgefield participating at Travis Field at 6 p.m. West Essex, which finished 8-3 in 2009, begins the regular-season at home against Delbarton on Sept. 11.

West Essex, which is expected to go with full pads on Tuesday, worked on offensive team drills Monday morning and defense during the afternoon.

Even with the low upperclassmen turnout, expectations remain high after the Knights have reached the sectional final seven times and have won five titles since 2000.

"We have some guys back from last year's team," said Drozjock, whose team won the Super Essex Conference's Liberty Division last fall. "We have a decent group of kids back."

Senior quarterback Tyler Fossetta returns after missing virtually all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament he sustained on the second snap of the season.

"He's doing well,'' Drozjock said. "He played lacrosse and did well."

The Knights will be experienced up front. Senior right offensive tackle Grant McGuire, who's 6-feet, 250 pounds, will also play nose guard on defense. Senior Kyle Kitchin (6-feet, 215 pounds) will be the right guard and work with McGuire in a three-man rotation at nose guard and defensive tackle.

Junior Dom Valeriani, who was a rare sophomore starter last fall, will be a left tackle on offense and mix in on defense. Senior Anthony Gonnella is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound returning tight end and defensive end.

"We come back with some experience on the offensive line," said Drozjock, whose team runs out of a Delaware Wing T.

Senior Kevin Glenn, who started at defensive end last season, will play left guard. Kitchin's twin brother, Chris, will be a strong side linebacker. Junior D.J. Hamker will be the fullback and middle linebacker. He'll split time with junior Garrett Rees, who will also be a linebacker.

"We have a lot of guys going both ways," the coach said.

Senior Mike D'Annunzio will be the split end and one of the cornerbacks. Senior Mike Mitchell is back to start at strong safety and junior Steve O'Neill, who got time when Fossetta was hurt, returns at free safety. Junior Ralph Velardi, who filled in when D'Annunzio was hurt, returns in the secondary.