The West Orange High School football team began practice Monday for a season the Mountaineers hope will end with a North Jersey, Section I Group IV title. Head coach John Jacob welcomed the varsity back after a busy summer, which included a 7-on-7 league that West Orange hosted.
"Our numbers are very big, we've got a lot of kids," said Jacob, who welcomed 70 players from 10th through 12th grades Monday. "I think we're going in the right direction."
The Mountaineers finished last season with a 4-4 record and qualified for the North I Group IV playoffs. Unfortunately, the team was unable to compete after three players were ejected during an on-the-field skirmish in the team's 34-6 victory over Livingston.
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West Orange would have been the the No. 7 seed in the playoffs, but had to miss the postseason because of a New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association rule that prohibits teams with three cumulative disqualifications from competing in the playoffs.
"It was behind us once it was addressed," Jacob said. "It's one isolated incident. The kids learned from it and it won't happen again."
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Optimism is what the team has now. The team had the pads on Monday, working on making contact, sound blocking and tackling.
"We also went over safety issues regarding tackling," Jacob said. The varsity should be strong with speedy junior Lance Smith in the backfield along with senior quarterback Christian Smith. Smith's brother, Caleb, plays at Yale where he's a tight end. Christian may also become an Ivy League player.
"I can assure you Smith will be amongst the top players," Jacob said. "He's extremely fast." The spread offense also features senior receiver Nurcal Benton and senior slot back Josh McNeil, who'll also play in the defensive backfield. Senior two-way linemen George Christian, Lamar Cummings, Pascal Luis and Emiliano Betancor will be should be sound. Betancor finished fourth in the NJSIAA state wrestling tournament at 285 pounds last March. Junior linebacker Anthony Angelone is another of the Mountaineer linemen. He'll be a guard on offense, Jacob said.
"Angelone's as tough as nails," the coach said.
The Mountaineers finished third in the Super Essex Conference American Division behind Seton Hall Prep and Irvington.
"The objective will be to make first downs, gain good field position, play solid defense and not turn the ball over," said Jacob.
The season begins at home Saturday, Sept. 11, against West Morris at 1 p.m.
