It was almost a foregone conclusion, a complete ritual of early November that North Bergen would be a participant in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV playoffs.
Just mark it down. Etch it in stone. Write it in red marker on the calendar. A total done deal.
For 21 straight seasons, the Bruins were indeed part of the Group IV post-season parade, every single season from 1988 through 2007. It was the longest consecutive state playoff appearance streak in Hudson County history.
However, that streak ended in 2008, when the Bruins posted an uncharacteristic 3-7 record, only the third losing season in legendary coach Vince Ascolese’s storied coaching career.
But the Bruins rebounded last year and earned another berth in the state playoffs. It might have taken one team getting eliminated from contention for unsportsmanlike conduct in a game the week prior to the cutoff, but the Bruins were indeed there once again.
Maybe the Bruins can start another streak, because they have the ingredients to make another Group IV state playoff appearance in 2010.
“I really think we’re going to make the playoffs with this team,” said Ascolese, who begins his 46th season as a head coach, first at Hoboken, then at North Bergen since 1973 and has amassed an astounding 343 victories, third all-time in New Jersey state history. “I’m looking forward to having a great season. I think that was a key getting back to the playoffs last year. We spent the whole year getting back and it meant a lot to get there.”
The Bruins were 5-5 last season and lost in the state playoffs to eventual state champion Roxbury in the first round.
“We talked to the kids and told them that we can’t be satisfied with just being in the states,” Ascolese said. “We have to go further. We talk about being a successful team this year. Every day, we’re getting better and that’s the only way to go. You just have to get better each time you go out on the field.”
Ascolese is happy that he’s welcoming back a host of experienced players this season. Over the last couple of seasons, the Bruins fielded inexperienced teams and some years, the key players mostly ended up on the sidelines with injuries.
“I think it helps a great deal having the experience that we have,” Ascolese said.
Perhaps the most experienced of the Bruins is senior quarterback Peter Ramanand (6-0, 180), who returns for his third season as the Bruins’ top signal caller. Ramanand earned Hudson Reporter All-Area honors as a quarterback last season, passing for almost 1,400 yards and compiling a total of 20 touchdowns either throwing or running.
Having someone who has been through the wars for three seasons is not a bad place to start. It’s not known when the Bruins last had a starting quarterback for three seasons. More than likely, it was Eddie Duran in the early 1980s, before Duran went on to become a fine defensive back at Boston College.
“That definitely helps,” Ascolese said. “Pete is very comfortable back there. If his experience doesn’t help us, then there’s something wrong. Pete is also much stronger. He spent a lot of time in the weight room over the summer. He’s really stepped up as a leader and his work ethic is much better. I think he’s taking it all more seriously, and he’s matured a little bit.”
The Bruins went to a modified spread offense last season to utilize Ramanand’s skills as a thrower and runner, and it worked well. In the preseason, Ramanand has looked brilliant throwing the football. He appears poised to have a big season.
The main running back is senior Chris Adorno (5-8, 165), who is also a three-year varsity player. Adorno just has to avoid the little bumps and bruises that have kept him on the sidelines from time to time over the last two seasons. Healthy, Adorno is a player to watch.
Juniors Anthony Calabrese (5-10, 185) and Vinnie Ascolese (6-2, 205), the coach’s grandson, will also see time in the backfield, but the real rising star might be sophomore Debray Tavarez (5-11, 170), who looks like he has all the tools to be a very good one.
Senior Luis Obregon (5-10, 205) is another veteran player who will see the bulk of the time at fullback.
Another player to watch is junior speedster Denzell Leitch (5-7, 160), who is the fastest North Bergen football player to come along in decades. A transfer from Xaverian in New York, Leitch has blazing speed (timed in one drill at 4.2 for the 40-yard dash) and should see time at either slot back or wide receiver.
“He runs like the wind,” Ascolese said.
The tight end is senior Mike Mentor (6-3, 235), who has to be one of the truly most inspirational stories in Hudson County football. Mentor has missed the last two seasons with a severe knee injury, but has returned this season.
“He’s made a big difference,” Ascolese said. “He’s a leader out there.”
The main receiver is senior Justin Glennon (6-4, 225), who has great hands and is a big target for Ramanand.
The offensive line features returnees in seniors Alain Forbin (6-3, 265) and Irving Leon (6-2, 240) at tackle, with seniors Armando Schipkowski (6-1, 220) and Bryan Arcos (6-0, 215) at guard. Junior Adolfo Gonzalez (5-10, 190) is the center. Senior Dante Triana (6-3, 275) and junior Nick Garcia (6-1, 235) should work their way into the mix along the Bruins front as the season moves on.
Defensively, Mentor is a standout at defensive end, and he’s enjoyed a fantastic preseason.
“No one can block him,” Ascolese said.
The other defensive ends are senior Wayne Estrella (6-0, 185) and senior Anthony Navarro (5-11, 185).
Forbin, Garcia, Glennon, and Schipkowski (who owns one of the best names in local sports) are all seeing time at defensive tackle.
The outside linebackers are Navarro and young Ascolese, who spent the summer attending some of the best camps and combines in the nation, including an eye-opening appearance at the University of Oklahoma camp, where he caught the eye of Sooners head coach Bob Stoops. The grandson has a good shot to be a top college recruit next year.
The inside linebackers are returning starter Obregon and Calabrese, with Adorno and Leitch at cornerback.
Senior Chris Vann (5-10, 170), one of the best secondary players in the county, returns at safety. Vann is also a capable pass catcher on offense.
The ingredients are there and there’s certainly potential for improvement over a year ago.
“I think we could be a lot better than we were last year,” Ascolese said. “We have a chance to be a very good defensive football team. Pete has to come through on offense, but we have to expect that from him. I think we have a chance to do well, but we have to come out of the gates well.”
That won’t be easy. The Bruins have home games against Sparta and Montclair, before welcoming local power St. Peter’s Prep to Bruins Stadium for the third week of the season.
“We will know how good we are early on,” Ascolese said.
And if the Bruins are good, then the new playoff streak can continue. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.