Stan Fryczynski has been the athletic director at Secaucus High School for nearly 20 years now and he’s been the track and field and cross country coach at the school even longer. In all that time, he’s had some individuals that have done well on the state level. He’s also had some teams that qualified to compete at the state Group I tournament. In fact, qualifying among the top five teams has become a habit for the Patriots.
However, this year, Fryczynski’s team has a distinction. They will head to the Group I state meet this week in Holmdel as a state sectional champion.
The Patriots captured the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I title last Saturday at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth, outdistancing closest competitors Bound Brook and McNair Academic of Jersey City in the process.
Vinny Prieto finished fourth overall in the race, completing the 3.1-mile course in 18:56. Matt Gerbasio chipped in by finishing eighth, Drue Zapoluch and Ryan Shea finished 13th and 14th respectively and freshman Kristopher Pesci finished 22nd. James Cocucci and Kevin Williams also competed for the Patriots and aided the winning cause.
The Patriots weren’t the only local team to take home a state sectional title in Elizabeth.
The McNair Academic girls, coached by former Hudson Catholic and St. Peter’s College track star Matt Hogan, captured the North Jersey Section 2, Group I girls’ title. The Cougars held off a charge from Belvidere to win the title, with Secaucus finishing fourth.
Sophomore Quiauna Smith won the race overall for the Cougars, covering the course in 22:18. Leeann Weiner of Secaucus was second.
Other Cougars to do well were sophomore Tellesia Williams (fifth overall), junior Felicia Kishun (10th), sophomore Stephanie Rajaram (16th), freshman Aurora Matador (17th), freshman Glenda Arvelo (19th) and freshman Melissa Atocha (31st).
If there’s a prevailing theme with the Cougars, check their school years. Yes, they’re all underclassmen. They’re all coming back.
Congrats to two really special guys like Fryczynski and Hogan for winning their respective titles last weekend… Well, the state football playoffs kick off this weekend and an amazing eight local teams have qualified for the tournament, including two schools, Ferris and Marist, which hadn’t been state playoff participants in over a decade. Marist’s last appearance was in 1994 and Ferris last made a state playoff contest in 1991.
Congrats to all the teams that made the post-season bonanza. For some schools like North Bergen, which has qualified every year since 1987 and has only failed to make the state tourney twice since the playoffs were conceived in 1974, the playoff experience is old hat. For others like Ferris and young coach Wilbur Valdez or Marist and first-year coach Larry Arico, it’s a new feeling, like opening the toys on Christmas morning.
In any case, the playoffs mean that it’s time for the old wide one, the pigskin prognosticator, the soothsayer, the gargantuan donut to reappear, wearing turban and waving the magic wand. Yes, The Great Hagueini is back to make his playoff predictions.
Remember, these picks are only for amusement and not to be used for any wagering purposes, unless it’s for a grilled cheese sandwich and a Tab with your Uncle Looie.
Cedar Grove at Hoboken in Group I: Isn’t this where we left off last year? The Red Wings faced Cedar Grove in the title game in the Meadowlands last December and totally destroyed the Essex County school in every facet, except the 6-0 final score. It’s revenge time for Damien Bates, one of the best all-around performers around. Newlywed head coach Lou Taglieri gets his first state playoff win – with more to come. Hoboken 35, Cedar Grove 6.
Secaucus at Belvidere in Group I: Patriots coach Charlie Voorhees’ team has been overachievers all season, with guys like Ricky Nunez and Eddie Roesing carrying the load. As a reward for their 7-1 season, they get a two-hour bus ride to the sticks of Warren County? What’s up with that? We’re looking for an upset. Secaucus 21, Belvidere 14.
Emerson at Shabazz in Group III: When it comes time for the state playoffs, coach Eddie Marinez and the Bulldogs are always dangerous. So is Jeffrey Pena, who becomes the first Emerson player to ever play in four straight state playoff games. However, this is no Morris County patsy the Bulldogs are facing. This is Shabazz of Newark, with athletes forever. Hagueini feels he’s probably wrong here, but…Shabazz 28, Emerson 14.
Warren Hills at Ferris in Group III: Yes, another Jersey City team other than the Marauders of St. Peter’s will be hosting a state playoff game this year. It’s amazing what Valdez has done. This was a team on the brink of extinction in early August and now they’re in the state playoffs. Ramir Henry and Shyeem Anderson have enjoyed All-County seasons. Where in the world is Warren Hills anyway? About four cow patches away from Belvidere. Take the Bulldogs to move on in a close one. Ferris 14, Warren Hills 12.
Vernon at North Bergen in Group IV: Despite the unfortunate incident that almost cost Evan Rodriguez’ life last weekend, the talented QB is fine and will play for a team that is determined to make some serious noise in the state tournament. Jean Mentor had four TDs last week against Snyder. This is a serious state champion contender and it certainly doesn’t stop here. North Bergen 42, Vernon 12.
Marist at Gloucester Catholic in Parochial Group 1: James St. Germain is one of the biggest fullbacks around and when the Royal Knights step off the bus with their linemen leading the way, this team from far south Jersey might not know what they’re looking at. The Royal Knights average 285 pounds across the line on a day where they ate sprouts and bean pods for lunch. However, Gloucester Catholic has a fine program and Marist’s is still growing. Gloucester Catholic 35, Marist 12.
Hudson Catholic at St. Joseph (Montvale) in Parochial Group 3: You work hard just to get to the state playoffs and as a reward, you get a team marching toward destiny, looking for an unprecedented seventh state title in a row. Hudson Catholic coach Rob Stern is a former mentor of St. Joe’s head coach Tony Karcich. The old dog will teach the young dog some new tricks. Welcome back to Montvale, don’t let the door hit you on the rear on the way out. We have some nice parting gifts, and thanks for playing. St. Joseph 55, Hudson Catholic 6.
Notre Dame of Trenton at St. Peter’s Prep in Parochial Group 4: This could very well be the year that the Marauders eliminate all the bad karma delivered by the Bergen County schools in the state playoffs. Will Hill and Kee-Ayre Griffin are a deadly duo. The Marauders are rested and ready and it doesn’t come to an end here. St. Peter’s Prep 35, Notre Dame 6.
So there you have it, Hagueini’s first foray into the prognostication game for 2005. Good luck to all…. – Jim Hague