It was going to be a senior year to remember for Hoboken’s Josh Mercado.
After all, it was Mercado who was the hero in last year’s Hoboken football state championship, making the big plays down the stretch, including the game-winning touchdown with just a few seconds left to give the Red Wings the thrilling win over Shabazz for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I state crown.
Mercado was simply going to carry over from that great run last year as a senior this year. Or so it seemed.
“I felt it was my time,” Mercado said. “I was ready to build off that. I thought the team was going to be able to build off it as well. We were going to keep moving forward toward a ‘three-peat’ [meaning a third straight state title]. Everything was there.”
However, it simply wasn’t that easy. Mercado suffered a calf injury that kept him on the sidelines for two games and limited him for the rest of the time.
“It was frustrating, because he wasn’t playing the way he typically played,” said Hoboken head football coach Lou Taglieri.
“I’d been there before, because I know what it’s like to be hurt,” Mercado said. “It’s not fun. But it definitely fuels the fire. I used that as motivation for when I got back.”
Mercado also felt that the Red Wings were not playing up to their usual standard, having lost two straight to Lincoln and Hudson Catholic.
“I felt like something had to change,” Mercado said. “We had to change our attitudes.”
“You could sense things were going to change,” Taglieri said. “I felt a little different feeling about the team. I felt a sense of urgency.”
The Red Wings had a crucial game last week against Memorial, a Group IV school with four victories. A win against the Tigers could dramatically alter this year’s North 2, Group I power point standings.
“We knew how much this game meant in terms of power points,” Mercado said. “The coaches really emphasized that. If we wanted to ‘three-peat,’ we had to make sure that we got this win, because then the playoffs would have to go through our home field in Hoboken. That’s a really big thing.”
Hoboken’s JFK Stadium has been traditionally a tough place to play for opponents, especially with all the “Friday Night Lights” hoopla that takes place when the Red Wings play on Fridays. The games have a special feeling, the atmosphere is electric. It’s unlike any other setting in Hudson County football.
“We wanted to play at home, no question,” Mercado said. “I figured it was my time to step forward. I still felt like I had a lot to prove, especially after getting injured again. I had to take a step forward and it began with this game.”
“He’s been through it all so much, so he knows,” Taglieri said of Mercado. “But now that he was healthy, I felt like he was really ready to break out. I told [assistant coach John] Peluso that Mercado looked like he was going to have a big game. He looked explosive in practice. I just had a feeling he would have a big game. I don’t have that feeling often.”
On his first carry of the game, Mercado broke free for a 55-yard touchdown.
“I just said to Peluso, ‘Thank God he’s back,’” Taglieri said. “I just knew he was ready.”
Mercado was glad to be the one Taglieri called upon with the game’s first carry.
“Of course, it’s the first play of the game and I wanted to have him put the ball in my hands,” Mercado said. “I got the touchdown and I was really hyped. From there, it just sort of took off.”
Mercado ended the night with 239 yards on 14 carries and scored four rushing touchdowns. On defense, Mercado collected seven tackles and an interception, leading the Red Wings to the 37-13 victory that clinched a first round home game in the upcoming state playoffs.
For his efforts, Mercado has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Mercado was happy with his big game performance.
“I always had confidence in what I can do with the ball in my hands,” Mercado said. “I don’t want to sound cocky, but I think the coaches had that confidence in me, too. I just asked them to put the ball in my hands and let me do what I have to do. I was going to give it everything I have. From practice to game time, I was ready. It was emotional, knowing I only have a few games left. I want to keep playing and reach our final goal.”
Taglieri could sense the change in Mercado.
“He was very aggressive from the start,” Taglieri said. “He had this nasty streak that he normally doesn’t have. He was like a man possessed. He’s been here all four years and I think he realizes that he doesn’t have many games left. I felt bad for the kid. He had the problems with the calf, then he just kept cramping up. It was really frustrating for him.
Added Taglieri, “But Josh just kept working hard. He really doesn’t get down too much. He knows he’s a good player. He just needed to get back being healthy. It was great to watch, because he just ran by people and got everyone else going.”
Mercado is hopeful to play college football. Some of the schools interested in him include Wagner and Sacred Heart of Connecticut.
“He’s a real good student, so we don’t have to worry about grades,” Taglieri said.
“I’m really trying to play at the next level,” Mercado said. “I’m going to give it my all the rest of the way. I just hope I don’t get another injury. Now, if a college coach comes to see me play, they’ll see an all-around athlete, a different player.”
And maybe – just maybe – that athlete can lead the Red Wings to a “three-peat,” like they hoped for back in August. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.