Township High Schools Show They're Ready to Play Football

Woodbridge is excited about its upcoming football season. A long summer of camps in the heat has prepared the township's three high schools for home openers. Long practices only prepare teams for fourth quarter rallies; everything from the National Anthem to the final seconds of each game is important. The countdown has begun, and high school football in Woodbridge is underway.

Let’s take a look at what the teams have to offer this 2011 season.

JFK Mustangs

Mustangs 2011 Roster; Head Coach: Rich Nyers

Offense:

• QB Tom Farley 35 carries 175 yards 1 TD 157 passing yards
• FB Joe Stone 23 carries 93 yards 1 TD
• WR Nick Hart 7 rec 90 yards

Defense:

• LB Mike Tenpenny 9 tkls/G
• DB Tom Fischer 5 tckls/G

Team Preview:

Last year the Mustangs struggled with a 4-6 overall record and 3-4 in conference play. Rich Nyers comes into his fourth season with new excitement. They have yet to win in their first two games, but they hope to turn things around against Carteret this Friday at Iselin.

Season Projection:

A lot of nail biters are on the schedule, but this isn’t the year they finish those games. Mustangs will repeat last year’s success with a 4-6 record. Do not qualify for playoffs.

Woodbridge Barrons

Barrons 2011 Roster; Head Coach: Brian Russo, 9th season

Offense:

• QB Kyle Anderson 499 passing yards 6TD
• WP Anthony Nyers 5 Rec 103 yds 1 TD
• WR Cody Zalasar 9 rec 282 yards 5 TD
• RB Isaiha Johnson 23 rushes 127 yrds 2 TD

Defense:

• MLB Jeffrey Rodriguez 8.5 tkls/G
• DB Julian Bonilla 7.5 tkls/G

Team Preview:

Brian Russo comes into the 2011 season with multiple appearances in the state playoffs. He manages a dynamic offense and a disciplined defense. With great leadership and athletes on both sides of the ball, the Barrons show plenty of promise. Woodbridge honored two players with Player of the Week honors: Cody Zalasar in Week 1 and Kyle Anderson in Week 2. Last year they did not qualify for a playoff berth with a 5-5 record. This season they are 2-0 with convincing conference wins. They will be tested as they head down the highway to Piscataway.

Season Projection:

With a tough Red Division schedule ahead combined with an undersized roster, the Barrons finish the regular season 8-1 and qualify for the playoffs.

Colonia Patriots

Patriots 2011 Roster; Head Coach: Ben Lasala

Offense:

• QB Greg Jones 17 Carries 130 yds 1 TD

Defense:

• LB C.J. Cimilluca 10 tkls/G
• LB Christian Thomas 8 tkls/G

Team Preview:

Coach Lasala holds the longest tenure with his Patriot program. Seeing a great amount of success during his reign, Lasala hopes to have a solid season returning with an experienced roster. Last season they fell to a 4-6 record and did not qualify. Losing a tough home opener against Carteret, the Patriots hope to answer back at North Brunswick this Friday.

Season Projection:

Team will defeat JFK in their White Division meeting, but will not qualify for the playoffs. Patriots finish regular season 5-4.