A year ago, the Union City High School football team was thrown together for the first time, combining the programs of both former schools, namely Emerson and Union Hill.
It was a lot to ask of head coach Joe Rotondi, the former coach at Union Hill, who was selected to lead the new united program.
“Last year was a cultural change for everyone, taking the Emerson culture and the Union Hill culture and combining them,” Rotondi said. “We were also in two buildings, then coming together at 4 p.m. for practice. It really was tough.”
But those obstacles have totally changed. The students are now all housed in the brand new $100 million Union City High School located on Kennedy Boulevard, the site of the old Roosevelt Stadium.
And the athletic facility is perhaps the most unique in the entire state. It’s located on the roof of the school, three stories above the streets below. It’s a state-of-the-art FieldTurf facility with bleachers and backdrop that almost mirror the old Roosevelt Stadium. In fact, the entrance to the field from Kennedy Boulevard still features the Roosevelt Stadium marquee. It’s really pretty remarkable.
“It’s like we’ve all gone to Disney World,” Rotondi said of the new facility. “We have a place to rally around and give our kids a sense of community. It’s absolutely fantastic. It takes away a bunch of worries.”
First, just from a logistic standpoint, the football players in Union City have been accustomed to traipsing all over the town to go to and from football practices. There was a time when both teams had to share Roosevelt Stadium, then share the new Midtown Athletic Facility near the old St. Michael’s Monastery. But even then, they had to drag their equipment all over.
Now, all they have to do is climb three flights of stairs and go through the door onto the field.
“It’s easier for me,” Rotondi said. “My office faces the field. I walk out the door and I’m there. The daily hassles are gone.”
And a year ago, there were all these extraneous concerns – who was an Emerson kid, who was a Union Hill kid – enough to drive any coach mad. Now, they’re all one.
“This preseason was all about football,” Rotondi said. “It’s beautiful. People lose sight of the time factor. Our kids would get out of practice by 6:30, have dinner at 7 and then have to do homework. Now, they’re right there and not going all over the place. We’re lucky. For all those years, our kids were coming from the greatest distances to get to practice. Now, they simply go upstairs. It’s a blessing.”
The Soaring Eagles christened their new facility last Friday night in the rain against Paterson Eastside, but unfortunately, they were not victorious, dropping a 20-14 decision.
But nothing can dampen the enthusiasm that surrounds the Union City program.
“The kids all know each other better and they’re comfortable with each other,” Rotondi said. “They’re comfortable with me. Everything is in place.”
The facility and the school are not the only two new things. The Soaring Eagles are facing different opponents this season, like the Paterson Eastside squad they faced last Friday night. They will also travel to West Milford and Teaneck and will play host to Fair Lawn. The Eagles do have six home games out of nine, so that’s not a bad gig. The newfangled athletic field will get tested right away, with six straight home games to start the year.
“New faces, quality teams,” Rotondi said. “It’s going to be really strange for us to go to West Milford. Why we’re not playing Memorial, which is right next door? I don’t understand that. But the schedule is competitive and good.”
Leading the way for the Soaring Eagles is senior quarterback Pedro Aragon (5-10, 175), who started most of the games last season. Aragon has the ability to run and throw.
“He has a better command of things this year and he’s more comfortable with the schemes,” Rotondi said. “He’s also become a true leader.”
Junior Dominick Montanez (5-9, 165) is the main running back threat, although senior Ricky Ramos (5-7, 160) at wing back and juniors Chris Hernandez (6-0, 230) and Edgardo Ayala (6-0, 230) sharing time at fullback are also serious weapons.
Senior Michael Carrasco (6-1, 200) is the main wide receiver, although senior Gio Cruz (6-0, 170) is in the mix there as well. Senior Frank Vidal (6-1, 230) is the tight end.
The offensive line features senior guard Julian Brignoni (6-3, 240), a returning two-year starter. Senior Braian Fernandez (6-1, 210) is the center, with junior Mervin Menier (6-1, 235) at the other guard slot. The tackles are huge and both are juniors, namely Steven Garcia (6-3, 260) and Josue Matias (6-5, 290), who has the potential to be a great one.
“I think Josue is in the same mode like Pedro Sosa [the former Union Hill standout who had a great career at Rutgers and a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins],” Rotondi said. “Josue is a scholarship player.”
Defensively, the Soaring Eagles will count on bookend juniors Ayala and Hernandez at linebacker.
“They really mirror each other,” Rotondi said. “They’re both good football players.”
Junior Isaac Flores (6-1, 220) is at one defensive end, with Fernandez at the other. The defensive tackles are senior John Escandal (6-2, 290) and junior Kevin Iratta (5-9, 215). Seniors Derrick Deseth (6-1, 190) and Chris Masallence (6-0, 190) are the outside linebackers, with Cruz and senior Laz Perez (5-9, 170) at cornerback and senior Marino Arias (5-9, 180) at safety.
Rotondi knows that a duplication of last year’s 5-5 mark won’t cut it.
“If things fall into place and we start to play well, then maybe this could be our year,” Rotondi said. “We’ll see. We think this is a ‘we’ll see’ year. But if we jell together, we have a chance to be pretty good.”
At the very least, it’s going to be a great place to watch a football game, just like The Drifters sang in the ’50s, “Up on the roof.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.