Set To Face Another Formidable Slate
By Steve Tober
For sidelinechatter.com
August 20, 2024
NORTH CALDWELL- When West Essex started 0-2 out of the gates last fall there was no panic or second-guessing by the Knights faithful.
After all, despite falling to a pair of outstanding teams in Haddonfield and Westwood, West Essex knew there were better days ahead, and that was proven with an eventual 8-game winning streak that included four straight playoff wins over Cranford, top-seeded Summit, Passaic Valley and West Morris to earn a berth in the overall Group 3 state final at Rutgers.
And, although Delsea proved a superior opponent in the state championship game, the result did not take away from the fact that the Knights enjoyed a superb 10-4 campaign, including the proud gridiron program’s ninth sectional title.
Now, a strong veteran cast along with a few new faces in the mix are ready for the next challenging slate of foes beginning with a trip to Old Tappan on Friday, Aug. 30, against a Golden Knights team that is a sparkling 21-3 the past two seasons, including a Group 3 championship in 2022.
“Even though it’s a real challenge for us, we look forward to having a tough schedule each season,” said West Essex’s 14th-year head coach Chris Benacquista. “We feel it makes us battle-tested come playoff time and opening up with Old Tappan in week zero will let us know right away where we stand as a team.”
It’s a West Essex team that will undoubtedly retain its trademark physical toughness no matter how many new faces may appear in the starting lineup. Plus, the athleticism of the offensive playmakers appears to be first-rate with players such as veteran wide receiver Anthony Drago (Duke commit for lacrosse), running back Max Garcia (all-county baseball player), fullback Brady Phillips (lacrosse) and first-year starting quarterback Jake Long (baseball).
“We have some good athleticism at the skill positions,” Benacquista added. “And, these guys have been pushing each other hard for reps and playing time.”
Junior Ryan McInerney will add depth along with Phillips at fullback, while seniors Nick Sangillo, TJ Barbella and Vin Giaquinto provide talent and athleticism along with Garcia at the running back slot, a position that traditionally sees multiple ball carriers operating out of the Wing T attack throughout the course of any contest.
That assertion is evident in the balanced production of last year’s three leading rushers: the since-graduated Riley Ruane (661 yards, 5 TDs), Ryan Lasher (613 yards, 8 TDs) and Jorden Simeone (560 yards, 8 TDs).
Junior Jake Long moves into the QB spot vacated with the graduation of his brother Sam Long (1,142 passing yards, 8 TDs in 2023) and appears ready to trigger the aerial production which is a big part of the rather diversified Knights attack that has Wing T fundamentals but creative, multiple wrinkles.
Drago, who is one of the top returning all-around players in the state, was the Knights’ leading receiver last fall with 32 receptions for 569 yards.
Junior Justin Perini is another wide receiver to watch.
One of the strongest areas for the Knights should be its O-Line which returns three senior starters in tackle Michael Conforti, guard Mikey Cerisano and center Joe Russo. Competition for the other two starting spots and also in providing depth and different options for the key unit will be seniors Jack Kostick, Joe Petrullo, Mike Brier, Cole DiMarco, Yeshua Cuello and Matt Capra and junior Matt Celentano.
Defensively, one of the strongest areas is the secondary with the return of Drago (91 tackles, 6 interceptions), who earned second-team all-state honors from nj.com last fall, and Garcia (58 tackles, 4 Int., including 1 for a critical TD in the playoff upset win at Summit).
Sangillo, last season’s leading tackler with 115 total stops, returns to lead a strong and deep position that also includes Phillips (75 tackles, 9.5 TFL). Jake Long (65 tackles, 2 Int., 8 TFL) and Cerisano (45 tackles) were other productive players at the position in 2023.
It remains to be seen how the D-Line forms with some talented new faces set to do battle in the trenches.
“We have some experience on the back end of our defense, and hopefully we can develop a D-Line that can complement those returning players,” said Benacquista. “We feel that we have good speed on defense and that’s really important for the way we like to play.”
What appears clear in looking at the overall prospects for the 2024 Knights is that there is no hesitation about the inevitability of always having to turn the page and form a new chapter of West Essex football, which seems to always mold a successful campaign.
“Every year we lose great leaders and players to graduation and this season is no different,” said Benacquista. “We did have some key underclassmen contribute to last year’s championship, and they seem really excited to take the next step and lead the 2024 team to success.”
NOTES- West Essex is a member of the Super Football Conference-Patriot White Division along with neighboring rival Caldwell which will visit Travis Field Friday night, Sept. 13, for their always-invigorating local showdown…The Knights rushed for more than 2,300 yards last fall…West Essex has won sectional titles in 1974 (behind coach Fred Keil) 1980 (behind coach Bill Roca when the team finished No. 1 in the state), 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2007 (all behind coach Dave Drozjock) and 2011, 2017 and 2023 (behind Benacquista)…Benacquista, a former standout linemen at both West Essex and The College of New Jersey, joined Drozjock’s coaching staff in 2001…The 2024 Knights have just one change on the coaching staff from last fall as Steve Lastra has left and has been replaced by Vin Cordasco, who is the head baseball coach at nearby Cedar Grove. “We feel fortunate to have replaced a good coach with another real good coach,” said Benacquista. “Other than that change our staff is still intact and that’s always a great feeling for a head coach”…Drago, who was an nj.com third-team all-state selection in lacrosse last spring, has 178 goals and 92 assists in his first three high school seasons in the lax sport…After its 12-1 championship season in 2022, coach Brian Dunn’s Old Tappan team finished a solid 9-2 last fall…Along with its nine sectional titles, West Essex has appeared in 16 sectional playoff finals and sports an outstanding all-time playoff record of 40-20…The Knights have a pair of pre-season scrimmages, both at home, with Clifton, 9 a.m., Monday, Aug. 19, and with Madison, Vernon and Weequahic in quad action, 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24.
West Essex’s 2024 Regular Season Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 30: at Old Tappan, 6
Friday, Sept. 6: at Wayne Hills, 7
Friday, Sept. 13: vs. Caldwell, 6:30
Friday, Sept. 20: vs. Lakeland, 6:30
Friday, Sept. 27: vs. Nutley, 7
Saturday, Oct. 5: at Passaic Valley, 6
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