Over the years, Hoboken’s football team has had to face its fair share of talented quarterbacks. The Red Wings once knocked current Heisman Trophy candidate Chris Simms silly when the current University of Texas gunslinger and son of the famed Giants QB Phil was playing for Ramapo against the Red Wings in the Group III playoffs in 1996.
The Red Wings have also defended players like Emerson’s Joan Quezada and current Prep quarterback Joe Dailey. However, perhaps the Red Wings’ biggest quarterback challenge to date will take place this weekend, when Hoboken faces Rutherford and its talented signal caller Dennis Davis in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group II semifinals.
"He’s a prototypical drop back passer," Hoboken veteran head coach Ed Stinson said of Davis. "He’s got great size at 6-4 and 200 pounds and has been schooled well. He throws with great touch and throws the ball deep with touch as well. He also throws the wide ball to the sidelines with velocity. He definitely has the mechanics for the next level."
So that’s why the passing ability of Davis and the Bulldogs provides such a big challenge to the Hoboken defense. They cannot sit back and rely on just stopping the pass. Running back David Dyson is also a threat. Receiver Brian Murphy is also a big-time performer.
"This team provides so many diversified formations, which makes it difficult to defend," Stinson said. "They run with an empty backfield, with four wide receivers or three wides. They have the whole component, so you basically wind up with two preparations. Preparing for the pass and the run. These guys have the capacity to do both. They’re very talented. They have a team with talent and desire."
So that’s why Stinson has to make sure that his Red Wings are prepared for the showdown against Rutherford. A good way to get them ready is to just jump aboard the Ira Guilford train and watch the brilliant senior running back/defensive back carry the Red Wings home.
Guilford has been unstoppable over the last month, collecting more than 250 yards rushing in each of the last four games, including rushing for 280 yards and three touchdowns in the Red Wings’ romp over Pompton Lakes in the first round of the Group II playoffs last Friday night.
"He has more than 1,800 yards now this season," Stinson said of Guilford, who is now approaching numbers only reached by the elite All-State backs in Hoboken’s rich history. "Some of the things he’s done have been [Tyrell] Dortch-like. He’s run over people and run away from people. He’s been able to stop and regenerate speed."
When Stinson was asked if Guilford is beginning to earn his place with the all-time greats at Hoboken, like Dortch, Ravon Anderson, Keeon Walker and Dwayne Peterson, he replied: "It’s starting to get you to think that way."
However, the Red Wings suffered a huge loss when standout two-way performer Quadir Ladson went down for the season in the recent victory over North Bergen. The senior Ladson, who had been playing on a sprained knee after missing four weeks of action, injured the same knee against North Bergen and may require surgery.
"It’s a big loss for us," Stinson said. "Not having Quadir is what made Ira’s game against Pompton Lakes even more phenomenal."
Stinson said that since the Red Wings played four games without inspirational leader Ladson earlier in the year, there isn’t a culture shock playing now without him.
"There’s a reference there," Stinson said. "We know who we have to go to and make adjustments."
Levone Lyons, who was shifted from flanker to running back when Ladson was first injured, will play a bigger role in the backfield, as will Terrance Vargas. Stephon Anderson will be asked for more carries. Quarterback Jason Blanks will have to continue to make big plays.
"We’re trying to make as minimal of change as possible," Stinson said. "The rest of the guys have to pick up the slack. Blanks makes big plays at big times."
Defensively, the Red Wings will count on defensive tackle Nick Turner to continue to shine.
"He’s a superior defensive lineman," Turner said. "We use him as a teaching aide. When we watch tape, we tell our players to do what he does. He’s been that good."
Inside linebacker Kevin Gonzalez and cornerback Ernest Walker have also been solid. Walker has at least one interception in each of the last four games.
Of course, Guilford is also a force to be reckoned with defensively at strong safety. Many of the big-time colleges recruiting Guilford project him as a defensive back.
If Hoboken is to win and continue the winning tradition, it has to keep the game close.
"No doubt, we don’t want a basketball game," Stinson said. "We need to make sure we can control the ball and stop their attack."
There is another intangible that favors Hoboken. It’s called tradition. JFK Stadium will ooze the past successes when Rutherford enters the field. The past state championship banners are prominently placed. So is the reminder of state championships on the far wall.
"Absolutely, the legacy of our past teams plays a big part," Stinson said. "We have a lot of pride in our history and there are reminders. The banners, the rock is there. It speaks to the legacy and the tradition. Maybe we can reach back and grab some of it."
If they can, then the Red Wings will be in very familiar territory once again – playing for a state championship on the first weekend in December. – Jim Hague