Brian Meeney begins his fourth season as the head football coach at Memorial High School this weekend and he knows that this is a big season for the Tigers.
“The bottom line is that we have kids who played varsity as freshmen and this is now their fourth year of varsity football,” Meeney said. “They had to endure some good beatings over the years, but they’ve been committed to football and committed to this program.”
So Meeney knows that the Tigers have to be somewhat improved in 2009, even better than the 5-5 mark they posted a year ago.
“I’m aware of that,” Meeney said. “I felt like we made a major step forward last year, but now we definitely have to take it further. We need to approach every game as one we can win and that’s a different mindset than what has been here for a while. We feel we’re going to win and that’s a change.”
Another change comes within the Tigers’ coaching staff. After Rob Stern was unceremoniously let go as the head coach and athletic director at Hudson Catholic in June, Meeney reached out to three of Stern’s dutiful assistants, namely Lou Zampella, Chris Johnston, and Chris Cassaro, to join Meeney at Memorial. Zampella worked with Meeney under Stern at St. Peter’s College and Cassaro was a player on those Peacock teams.
“I think that may be the biggest change,” Meeney said. “We have people like Louie and Chris who know how to coach and know how to win. We’re very fortunate to have them. Louie has become like my right-hand man. They all bring tremendous knowledge of the game. We’re lucky to have Louie as a defensive coordinator. I expect us to be a better defensive football team. We needed him like oxygen.”
The Tigers also need more than just assistant coaches to get through the season. They have some talented returning performers and they need them to play more than they need to be coached.
Leading the returnees is senior quarterback Ariel Soriano (5-11, 180). The left-handed Soriano, who is also a baseball standout at the school, has the ability to both run and throw.
Senior running back Denssy Portorreal(5-6, 165) returns for his fourth year of varsity football. Portorreal has shown moments of brilliance in each of the last two seasons.
“He’s quick and can get to the outside, but he also runs between the tackles a little,” Meeney said of Portorreal, who rushed for more than 800 yards last season. “The key is keeping him healthy, because he isn’t that big.”
Sophomore Chris Gomez (5-9, 170) enters the Memorial backfield picture this season. Gomez scored four touchdowns in a preseason scrimmage against St. Anthony, also rushing for more than 170 yards.
“He’s a very good player and he’s going to get a lot of carries for us this year,” Meeney said.
Junior Jermaine Reyes (6-0, 175) is the starting fullback. Reyes has nice size and can block well.
Seniors Mickey Marte (5-7, 150) and Jonathan Munoz (6-1, 215), the basketball standout, are the wide receivers.
The offensive line may be Memorial’s largest in three decades, led by another four-year performer in senior guard Martin Ojeda (6-5, 320). Ojeda is definitely a big-time college prospect and has been moved to guard from tackle this season to help boost his college chances.
“A lot of people have been in contact with us,” said Meeney of Ojeda, who also is a booming straight-away kicker. “He’s been playing well.”
Senior Jose Varona (5-11, 240) is the other starter at guard, with senior Henry Lopez (6-2, 270), another returning starter, and junior Mike Acosta (6-3, 210) at tackle. Senior Dave Betancourt (5-10, 225) has been doing a fine job at center while last year’s starter Eric Galdames (6-2, 225) tries to recover from a knee injury. Senior Jose Gil (6-2, 205) is the tight end and he also is an excellent blocker.
Defensively, Acosta and Munoz return to their starting slots at defensive end. Ojeda is a force to be reckoned with at defensive tackle, where Lopez, Varona and Betancourt also will see time.
Senior Sammy Molina (5-9, 185) is at outside linebacker with Reyes. A pair of talented sophomores, Max Kaplan (6-2, 200) and Felix Borbon (5-11, 185), man the inside linebacker slots.
Sophomores Martis Ramirez (5-10, 150) and Elicio Oliveres (5-10, 150) hold fort at cornerback, along with junior Matt Zapada (5-11, 160). Soriano returns to his strong safety slot, while Portorreal returns at free safety.
While Meeney doesn’t want to get too giddy about the team’s prospects, he knows with a more competitive schedule this season, the Tigers have a chance to compete.
“We’re not looking ahead by any means,” said Meeney, whose team opens this weekend against North Bergen. “The bottom line is now we know we can win.”
However, whether the Tigers can actually win will be up to the dutiful seniors who have obviously paid their dues. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.