After experimenting with a high-paced, fast-tempo, no-huddle spread offense for the past two seasons – an offensive approach learned from current Philadephia Eagles coach Chip Kelly from an era gone by – North Bergen head football coach Czar Wiley has scrapped the idea and gone back to a more conventional approach.
“We’re going back to old school North Bergen football,” said Wiley, who begins his third season as the head coach of the Bruins, replacing the legendary Vince Ascolese. “To be an effective head coach, you have to know your talent. After last year, we sat down and decided this was the best thing for our program.”
One of the reasons for the change was that Dominick Trautz, the three-year starting quarterback, graduated and took his immense talents to Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. Trautz passed for more than 6,000 yards and 45 touchdowns during his brilliant career, capped by three straight Hudson Reporter All-Area nods.
“We don’t have a kid who can throw it 60 yards down the field and get to the line of scrimmage like he could,” Wiley said.
In fact, as the Bruins prepare to face Bloomfield in their season opener Sept. 12, they still don’t have a No. 1 quarterback.
“That changes the way you operate offensively,” said Wiley, who has guided the Bruins to back-to-back appearances in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group V playoffs.
The Bruins welcome in a new offensive coordinator in John Conroy, who spent the last three years as the head coach at Ferris.
“This gives us more options,” Wiley said.
As the season approaches, Wiley will have to choose from one of three possible starting quarterbacks in senior Jose Caminaro (6-1, 185), junior Anthony Ramos (6-2, 205) and sophomore Kyle DeOrio (5-8, 160).
“It’s anyone’s guess right now,” Wiley said. “Ramos was hurt for all of training camp, so that set him back. Kyle really stepped up as a sophomore. Jose has tremendous athletic ability and is more of a running threat. Every one of them can do their own little thing.”
One thing is for sure. The main running back will be returning starter Anthony DeOrio (5-9, 205), Kyle’s other brother. The older DeOrio, a senior, is considered to be among the top 100 prospects in New Jersey.
“He’s an old school kind of guy,” Wiley said. “He runs straight forward and runs hard.”
Senior Daniel Hackley, who was a slot receiver in the Bruins’ spread offense last year, moves into the backfield. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Hackley has speed to burn.
“He’s the switch-up back and can take it any time,” Wiley said. “With him and Anthony, we have ‘Thunder and Lightning.’ Daniel is lightning quick.”
The fullback duties are being shared by juniors Ronald Fuentes (5-5, 185) and Nathaniel Zamot (6-0, 170).
Senior Victor Richardson (6-0, 185) is a returning starter at wide receiver. Richardson had his share of moments last season.
“He has good hands and brings that kind of energy you need, with a chip on his shoulder,” Wiley said. “He gets everyone else up.”
Senior Carlos Fuentes (5-9, 170 and Ronald’s twin brother) and junior Tommy Rivera (6-1, 160) are two other pass catching options for the Bruins.
Senior Sam Rosa (6-2, 220) is a good looking tight end and a presence on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Rosa is the Bruins’ player to watch.
Senior Emmanuel Cordoba (5-11, 200) also sees time at tight end.
The offensive line features three returning starters in senior tackle Cesar Bontero (6-1, 215), senior guard Brandon Medrano (6-0, 200) and junior center James Perez (5-9, 200).
Junior Darius Ryan (6-4, 260) is at the other tackle and sophomore Rafael Poncedeleon (5-8, 190) is the other guard.
Although the Bruins aren’t big up front, Wiley likes their strength and quickness.
“I’m very happy with our offensive line and the way they have been playing,” Wiley said.
Defensively, the Bruins use a 3-3-6 formation to get as much speed on the field as possible.
Medrano and junior Jason Vizcaino (6-1, 180) are the defensive ends, with senior Justin Gomez (5-11, 235) at the nose guard.
Rosa is a returning starter at outside linebacker, with Cordoba returning at inside linebacker. Senior Ralph Silva (6-0, 185) is the third member of that linebacker corps.
Anthony DeOrio returns to his cornerback slot, where he has played the last three seasons.
“I am expecting a lot from him this season,” Wiley said of DeOrio, who should dominate on both sides of the ball. “He’s an excellent leader.”
Carlos Fuentes and Hackley are also cornerbacks, with Mario Fuentes, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior and no relation to the twins, and Zamot at safety.
The Bruins are in position to make another run at the state playoffs.
“With eight returning starters, I think that should be our goal,” Wiley said. “Our strong point will be our defense. It’s going to be like old North Bergen teams, where we scored 14 points and then held the opposition down to win. We’re trying to get back to our roots. We got away from that the last couple of years. I think we have one of the best defenses in the county, if not the state. I’m that confident in our defense.”
Wiley said that he’s ready for the challenge at hand.
“I like this team,” Wiley said. “Most of them have been with me through the three years. These are now our kids. They have to see our way of playing North Bergen football. It’s still the same, just a little different. Our goal is to make the state playoffs, like we do every year. We hope to continue that tradition and maybe even get a home game. I believe in our system and I think the kids do as well.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.