Oliver Molano was happy to be part of the Phil Simms North-South All-Star Football Classic Monday night, because kids from Weehawken rarely get selected to participate in the game.
But the talented Weehawken senior had to wonder, “What if?”
Molano was selected to play defensive back for the North squad in the 37th annual rendition of the North-South All-Star game, held at Kean University, and it’s a position that Molano will play at Monroe Junior College, when he begins his collegiate career there in the fall.
But as Molano watched the first few practices before the All-Star Classic and saw the talent that was playing quarterback in the game, he had to think that maybe he was out of position, that he should have been calling the signals in the game like he did with the Indians.
“I’m very disappointed about that,” Molano said. “I thought I deserved a shot to play quarterback.”
Nothing against the two quarterbacks who were with the North squad, but the multi-talented Molano was definitely a better runner and thrower than anyone else on the field, both for the North squad and the South.
In fact, it was joked that the only better quarterback on the field last Saturday during practices was Giants Super Bowl hero Simms, who watched practices from a covered perch.
Molano, who threw for 800 yards and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground and threw for 500 more and four more scores, certainly could have displayed his talents as a quarterback instead of a defensive back.
“It is what it is,” said Molano, who did see action at defensive back for the North, making three tackles in the game won by the South, 23-21. “It’s just a great experience for me. I got to meet new people and play football all day long for four days. It gets me excited for playing football.”
Molano was a three-sport athlete at Weehawken, playing basketball and baseball as well. But in his eyes, football is the main sport and that’s why he’ll continue to play football in college.
“I always feel like I have to prove myself when I play football,” said Molano, who will head to Monroe with the hope of hooking on with a four-year school down the road. “That’s always a big-time motivation for me. I’m proud to come here and represent Weehawken. It’s been a great opportunity for me to play on this team.”
Molano did open some eyes with his athleticism, but if only he could have gotten the chance to take some snaps and run and throw the way everyone in Weehawken knows he could.
Molano was one of three Hudson County products in the game, joining Hoboken lineman Danny Clifford and Lincoln running back Devell Jones.
It was a hectic time for Clifford, who had to race from high school graduation Friday afternoon to Kean in time for the first meetings and practice, then go through the first of three scheduled practice sessions, then head back home to Hoboken for a scheduled graduation party for him and best friend and teammate Josh Mercado, then sprint back to Kean in time for the Saturday night practices.
“It’s not that crazy,” Clifford said. “I can do it. As long as I’m not walking there and back, I can do it. But even if I was walking, I’d still be here, because this is a great experience for me.”
Clifford previously had played in the New Jersey vs. New York All-Star Classic in Englewood in late May.
“I’m getting the chance to play with guys I played against in my career, like Devell Jones,” Clifford said. “He was once my rival and now he’s my teammate.”
Clifford heads to Wagner with fellow Red Wing great Mercado.
“This was a lot of fun, because I got a little bit of a college atmosphere here,” said Clifford, who played offensive tackle in the game. “Coming from a Group I school and playing with and against guys from bigger schools is a challenge. There’s a lot of talent here and I’m just glad to be here.”
Jones was hobbled somewhat by a sore ankle and calf, so he was limited to 36 yards rushing and 19 yards receiving.
“It was a great experience to be with other college football players,” said Jones, who is headed to Monmouth University in a few weeks. “I figured that if I could handle myself well in this game, I could do well in college. This gets me ready.”
Jones was on the field with a host of others also headed to Monmouth, so he got a head start getting to know his future teammates.
“The craziest part was sleeping on the small beds,” Jones said of the Kean dormitory. “I didn’t want to roll over and fall off the bed.”
Bad news for Jones. That bed is what he more than likely will see in the Monmouth dorms next month.
Jones, who attended University Charter and became the school’s first-ever scholarship athlete, knows now that he’s carrying the banner for two schools.
“After all University Charter has done for me and what Lincoln has done for me, I can only hope now to give back,” Jones said. “I’ve been blessed.”
And blessed to represent his schools, much like Molano did for Weehawken and Clifford for Hoboken…
St. Anthony basketball legend Rashon Burno has a new home.
Burno, who went from being the MVP of the Tournament of Champions during his playing days with the Friars to a fine playing career at DePaul, then went on to coach at the University of Florida, helping the Gators reach the NCAA Final Four, has signed on to become an assistant coach at Nebraska University.
Burno spent three seasons with Billy Donovan at Florida and was rumored to be heading to Oklahoma City of the NBA, where Donovan now resides. But Burno decided to take a position with Nebraska head coach Tim Miles.
At least Burno will get a chance to return to his Jersey roots from time to time, as Nebraska does reside in the Big 10 Conference along with Rutgers…
Local sports physical therapy guru Carl Gargiulo of Strulowitz and Gargiulo in Jersey City has returned to work after a lengthy battle with lymphoma.
Gargiulo has treated hundreds of the top athletes in Hudson County over the years, getting them back on their respective fields of play, including Bobby Hurley after the Duke All-American suffered gruesome injuries in a car accident more than 20 years ago. St. Dominic Academy softball pitcher Christina Mezey and St. Anthony football star Eli Terry are just two of Gargiulo’s recent patients.
It’s great to hear that Gargiulo is back in good health and back helping so many people like he always did…
You just never know who you might run into. Recently, a Weehawken delicatessen owner was shocked when basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal popped in for a bagel and a drink. O’Neal was great with the customers, posing for pictures and signing autographs…
The District 7 Little League tournament will continue Monday night at Jackie Robinson Little League in Jersey City, when Elmora of Elizabeth faces West New York American in a winner’s bracket game at 6 p.m. WNY American defeated Roberto Clemente, 6-2, in a first round game last week. Elmora advanced with a 6-1 win over Jackie Robinson.
Bayonne won the District 7 11-and-12-year-old Little League softball championship. Bayonne will host the Section 2 Little League softball tourney this week…
EXTRA INNINGS will reappear in next week’s editions of the Hudson Reporter.
EXTRA INNINGS focuses on the best stories that come from local baseball and softball leagues throughout the area, from Little League action through travel leagues.
If you have any noteworthy information to contribute to the EXTRA INNINGS, feel free to contact Jim Hague by phone at (201) 303-5792, by general mail at 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, or via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com.
The e-mail would be the best way of getting in touch.
Please include a telephone contact name and number, in order to secure further information for a possible story. Also, if you have a picture to be used with the story, that would be a great help….–Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.