Spartans Focus on Defense

Under head coach Dan Sabella, the football team has continued to make strides.

The Spartans have played in the North 1, Group 3 state semifinal game three out of the last four years, including last year's .

But Sabella doesn't want to stop there.

"We're trying to win a state championship," said the head coach, who won a state title with Bogota in 2006. "As long as I'm here, that will be the goal every year."

In order for the Spartans to reach that goal, Sabella said they will have to be "a complete football team, being solid in all three phases [offense, defense and special teams], not just one or two of them."

Paramus didn't have trouble scoring points last year, but the team struggled to prevent them. This year, Sabella plans to make the Spartans a more defensive-minded team.

"We need to be able to win games with our defense, and you do that by causing turnovers, being tenacious," Sabella said.

Record-breaking quarterback is , but wide-receiver-turned-quarterback Mike Bussanich is ready to take over the offense.

Sabella is confident in his signal caller.

"He has a great demeanor," Sabella said. "The way he carries himself—he’s got a fantastic work ethic, and he’s got confidence and a presence about him. Mike is primed and ready to go.”

After watching his team in practice as well as in a scrimmage against Hoboken, Sabella said, “So far, I like what I’m seeing out of these guys and we can’t wait for Sept. 9 [when the Spartans open the season at home against Northern Highlands.]"

PLAYERS TO WATCH: senior quarterback Mike Bussanich, senior fullback/linebacker Chris Durante, senior running back Mike Urban, senior wide receiver/cornerback Joe Rizzitello, sophomore wide receiver Brandon Sebahie, junior defensive lineman Joey Binns, junior tight end Josh Rollins, senior center Joe Zysman, senior wide receiver/free safety Tyler Garguilo, junior wide receiver Chris Sabo, senior defensive end TJ Chambers

• Bussanich said he "doesn't want to be the next John Robertson"—he wants to make a name for himself. Bussanich played quarterback at the recreation level and his first two years of high school before switching to wide receiver when he moved up to varsity. He knows the offense, can run the ball as well as throw, and has become a vocal leader in the huddle. The 5-foot-11 signal caller also hit the gym and added muscle to his 170-pound frame during the offseason. He has tremendous respect for his teammates, and despite being only one of two captains, he looks up to some of the other seniors on the squad and speaks highly of the skill players.
• Urban didn't carry the ball as much last year with Robertson as the signal caller, but he should get more carries this year.
• Durante is a physical player and a bruising back and should continue to be a solid blocker for Urban and Bussanich.
• Paramus has depth at the wide receiver position with Rizzitello, Garguilo and Sebahie—all speedsters, with Sebahie edging out his teammates as the swiftest of the trio. Garguilo hasn't played football since his sophomore year, but demonstrated his speed as leadoff hitter for the Spartan baseball team, stealing a team-high 21 bases and routinely tracking down fly balls in the outfield. 
• Sabo may not be as quick as his teammates, but he has good hands, runs good routes and has a vocal supporter in his quarterback. He also bring some height at 6-foot-1.
• Binns said he is poised to have a breakout year. He brings some experience to the defensive line and Sabella thinks the junior will make a huge impact as the Spartans look to improve on defense.
• Zysman is the lone returning starter on the O-line. His experience, especially at a key position, benefits the Spartans. As a senior, he should provide some guidance to the younger guys on the line.
• Rollins and Chambers have come along since last season. The 6-foot-tall Rollins was an all-league player at his position and was a big target last year when the Spartans threw the ball.
• In losing Robertson, it may seem easy to overlook the departure of Lukas Sahdo to graduation. Sahdo was a big body on the offensive line and put together a solid season blocking for Robertson, Urban and Durante. He'll be difficult to replace, and his teammates won't let you forget about his contributions.
• Depth is also an issue for the Spartans. Sabella will need all of his players to contribute, especially on defense.

QUOTABLES:

Durante on the team's expectations: "We have the same expectations. We have a lot of seniors coming back. Just because we lost some good players like John [Robertson] and Lukas Sahdo, we still have great players coming out this year."

On the team: "We’re a blue-collar team. We’re going to be working hard throughout the season."

On having Bussanich at quarterback: "I have true faith in Mike. I’ve played football with him since we were 7 years old. He can throw the ball, he can read defenses."

Bussanich on his transition to quarterback: "Like I said, I don't want to be John. He was a good player, but I just want everyone to do the right thing, be on the right path, make plays."

On being captain: "You need to be a leader. People look up to you, but I look up to people who aren't captains."