By Andy Loigu

After a summer of uncertainty, and players being locked out from their practice fields, fall sports did not get the go-ahead to start organized practices until mid September.

Local fall sports got off to an encouraging start when the Hackettstown boys soccer team earned a 6-2 win at Lenape Valley on Oct. 1.

You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first one.

Chase Reardon was ready to play, evidenced by his three-goal hat trick, plus an assist. Also scoring were Jonathan Smith, Cam Reardon and Ryan Luke. Smith also assisted on a goal.

Goalkeepers Nate Harrison and Carlos Pelarez-Maita each made three saves for the winning Tigers, who outshot the Patriots 14-8.

LEARNING CURVE

In local football, eighth-year Hackettstown head coach CJ Robinson and new Warren Hills head coach Marcus Gurdineer (already nicknamed Coach G by the players) know they will have to be patient. The Tigers bring in a new quarterback and backfield while the Blue Streaks bring in a new system.
Hackettstown was 2-6 last season, but the offense was not the problem. The Tigers gave up 318 points in their eight games, including 40 or more in five of them.

Everybody in the program, including the guys moving up from the JV level, know how their triple-option offense works. It needs a quick-thinking quarterback who can make decisions on the field. Last fall, Nick Gagliardi handled the responsibilities with distinction, as did running backs Alejandro Castro, Jason Kuehner and Zeb Burke. They all have graduated.
The Tigers’ core strength this year will be their offensive and defensive lines which feature two-way seniors Will Peterson, Jarrett Waiters and Tyler Yanoff.

Senior Devin Feeney answers the call at quarterback. He will have seniors Angegabriel Lessida, Cole Bizzaro and Mike Van Ness, plus junior Evan Hatten as his primary running backs and receivers.

In the American White Division of the Super Football Conference, the Tigers will face tough opposition from High Point, Kittatinny, Lenape Valley and rootin tootin Newton.

Warren Hills was 3-7 last season, including two forfeits due to health related concerns They will employ a 3-4 front on defense, which requires agility and quickness from linebackers who will need to prevent big gains over the edges.

Senior quarterback Kevin Farrell will guide a spread offense which hopes to establish a productive balance with both the run and pass being in play. The basic fundamental, whatever Xs and Os get drawn up, is old-school blocking and tackling.

Senior two-way lineman Ashton Sozanski and tight end/outside linebacker Eddie Conklin will be experienced team leaders.

Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.