TASTY TIDBITSSecaucus boys’ soccer team electrifies on offense

Character No. 7; football musings; top fives

If you drove along County Road in Secaucus and managed to see kids running up and down Shetik Field located there, it’s not a track meet going on.

Nope, it’s actually a soccer game being played by the Secaucus High School boys’ soccer team. The Patriots play at a break-neck fast pace, going up and down the field at will, trying to score goals.

“We like to put on high pressure on offense,” said third-year head coach Chris Garcia. “We have a lot of offensive pressure out there.”

It’s true that Shetik Field isn’t the biggest field around. It’s nowhere near the conventionally sized soccer pitch. It’s about a third of the size of a regular field, so the size of the field is actually conducive to the style of play that the Patriots employ.

“A lot of teams have difficulty playing here,” Garcia said. “Every other field is bigger than ours. We’ve always had a winning record at home.”

The Patriots kept their winning ways Monday afternoon, exploding for six goals in a 6-4 win over previously undefeated Lyndhurst.

Sophomore forward Gabriel Chavez scored three goals and had two assists for the winners, while junior forward Dylan Vasquez had a goal and three assists.

“I’ve been playing on this field for 10 years, so I’m used to it,” Vasquez said. “We just don’t lose at home.”

“I like the game being more controlled,” said Chavez, a transfer from St. Peter’s Prep. “But I like the energy that is here. The fans love it and get into it. It makes it a lot more fun.”

Garcia is also ambivalent about the style of play caused by the small, quaint field.

“I don’t like it that much, but it’s what happens here,” Garcia said. “It’s kind of good for the fans. I guess if I was a fan, I’d like it, but as a coach, not so much.”

Garcia loves the way Chavez and Vasquez feed off each other, like the way they did Monday.

“I talk to them during most practices and I want them to have that kind of connection,” Garcia said. “They really play well together.”

Incredibly, almost unbelievably, Chavez and Vasquez knew each other when they were five years old, playing Secaucus Recreation soccer together. But they lost complete touch with each other, even if they both still reside in Secaucus.

“I didn’t see him at all for about 10 years,” Vasquez said.

After all, the two went to different schools and played on different high school teams. But not even see each other? It seems improbable.

The two had a reunion when Chavez appeared at his first Secaucus training session in August – and it’s been almost magical ever since.

“He’s the first one I look to,” Vasquez said. “As soon as I get the ball, I look for Gabe. I know where he’s going to be. I see someone go by me and then I say, ‘Is that Gabe?’ I just know it’s him.”

Chavez likes the connection the two shares on the field.

“We are connecting more and that’s good for the team,” Chavez said. “I’m new to this team, but I like playing with these guys a lot.”

The Patriots now own a 6-2 record with the big win. Sophomore Anthony Reyes also scored two goals for the winners. They are a serious threat for the remainder of the season…

Congrats to the North Bergen boys’ soccer team for upsetting previously unbeaten St. Peter’s Prep last Monday night by a 2-1 margin. It means that the Bruins have wins already this season against two of the state and county’s best in Prep and Kearny. Congrats to head coach John Belluardo on those mammoth victories…

Speaking of North Bergen, it’s time for Character No. 7 in the Top 25 Sports Characters of the last 25 years. It’s none other than the late John “Digger” O’Dell, the former recreation coordinator, chief football guy and resident “know everything” guru.

If there was a Pop Warner football game in North Bergen, then chances are for the last three decades, Digger was there, on the sidelines, surveying the situation. He was the one who made sure the equipment was handed out to the hundreds of youngsters – then chased the kids down at season’s end to collect them.

Digger was also known for his acerbic sense of humor and quick wit. If someone made a crack, chances are Digger had a response.

Digger died last year after a battle with cancer, leaving everyone in North Bergen at a sense of loss, losing both football giants Vince Ascolese and O’Dell in the span of just a few months.

But Digger’s personality and larger-than-life persona gets him on the list of the Top 25…

Great games were had by Algenis Baret of Bayonne, who had 230 yards rushing on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Baret is the son of former Bayonne standout Tico, also a former Bayonne assistant coach.

Hoboken’s sensational Wilden Germain had 203 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Germain and the Redwings face Lincoln in a Hudson County showdown this weekend.

From a passing standpoint, St. Peter’s Prep quarterback Johnathan Lewis completed 16 of 28 passes for 150 yards last week, with eight of those passes caught by speedy Shayne Simon.

On the defensive side, give credit to St. Anthony lineman James Mitchell, who recorded four sacks last week…

Hudson Reporter High School Football Top Five: 1. St. Peter’s Prep (3-0). 2. Union City (2-1). 3. Hudson Catholic (3-0). 4. Hoboken (2-1). 5. Lincoln (2-1)…

Hudson Reporter High School Boys’ Soccer Top Five: 1. North Bergen (4-1-2). 2. St. Peter’s Prep (6-1-1). 3. Bayonne (5-2). 4. Hudson Catholic (4-1-1). 5. Secaucus (6-2)…–Jim Hague

Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com

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