Emerson prepares for biggest day ever
Marinez cannot forget the pain of loss to Passaic Tech three years ago
For the last century, Emerson High School in Union City has enjoyed a rich and storied football tradition, with its share of legendary names like "Pep" Novotny, Vito DeOrio, "Whizzer" Mastorelli, Richie Potente and current Green Bay Packers center Frank Winters gracing the gridiron for the proud Bulldogs, wearing the blue and white with glory and dignity.
However, with all that pride and all that glory, there was something missing in the Emerson history books – namely a state championship.
This weekend, the Emerson program will enjoy its finest and proudest moment, because for the very first time, the Bulldogs will be playing for the right to be called state champions.
On Saturday, Emerson faced Passaic County Tech for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV title, marking a historic moment for the Bulldogs.
Ironically, the team will be coached by a guy who was originally a product of the crosstown rival, Union Hill.
"But I bleed blue and white now," said Eddie Marinez, the Union Hill grad and current Emerson coach who will lead the Bulldogs into the state title game. "I’m Emerson now."
In 1998, Marinez was still a fixture at his alma mater, serving as an assistant coach for the Hillers on the staff of former head coach Carl Holbig. He was a member of the staff that led the Hillers to their biggest football moment in school’s history, to the Group IV state title game at Giants Stadium, facing none other than Passaic County Tech in the finale.
Although the result was not memorable, it’s a day that Marinez won’t soon forget.
The Hillers were embarrassed in the final game, dropping a 48-6 decision that saw the PCT coaching staff rubbing salt in the wounds of the Hillers, running up the score. The result incensed a usually reserved Holbig so much that he refused to even look at PCT head coach John Iurato a week later at the annual Heisman breakfast in New York.
"I asked Coach Holbig for the tape of that game this week," Marinez said. "In watching it, you see that they (PCT) score a touchdown to go up 40-0 in the third quarter and then decide to go for two points. I remember being on the sidelines and saying, ‘Oh, my God.’ Our kids were so demoralized after that game. The memory of that game will never go away. I think that game and what happened has made me prepare for this game a lot more."
Soon after helping Union Hill reach the state final in 1998, Marinez took the job as the head coach at Emerson. It was a program that was coming off two consecutive seasons of winning just one game.
"People were asking me why I would take the job," Marinez said. "Some people thought I was being a traitor. My closest friends were calling me names. But I knew I wasn’t going to coach school colors or coach a building. I was going to coach kids. It didn’t matter where I was."
And in three seasons, Marinez has guided the Bulldogs to a 23-8 record – including this pinnacle, which could evolve into truly something to remember. Especially after defeating Union Hill on Thanksgiving Day to clinch the HCIAA American Conference title – the school’s first HCIAA football title since 1987 – the Bulldogs are definitely ready for the challenge at hand.
"We don’t want to talk about it too much, but we’re 48 minutes away from the greatest moment in Union City history," Marinez said. "The kids are absolutely ready. They don’t know the importance of the game, about all the years of Emerson football, but they’ll realize it years from now, especially if we win."
Marinez’ experience in coaching that fateful playoff game in 1998 can go a long way.
"There are a lot of factors involved," Marinez said. "Since it’s not my first state final game, I know what it takes to get ready mentally."
Marinez also plans to unleash a few surprises this weekend as well, knowing that PCT represents the biggest and the fastest team the Bulldogs have faced this season.
"I’m not worried by their size as much as I am about their speed," Marinez said. "They have some big guns in [quarterback Rayshon] Adams and [Ernest] Green [Passaic County’s leading rusher with 1,600 yards and scorer with 25 touchdowns]. I have to see if I can come up with one more than they have. We have some guns as well."
That’s for sure, like the electric Miguel Merrick, who will be the best player on the field Saturday. Or quarterback Joan "J.Q." Quezada, who has matured into one of the finest signal callers in the history of the school. Or Carlos Castillo, the unheralded one, who merely rushed for 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns.
They’ll be ready. They have been for each game over the last two years, or especially since starting the season 0-2 and having each of the last nine games serve as do-or-die performances, with the Bulldogs winning each and every one.
Hoboken coach Ed Stinson faced both teams this season, defeating Passaic County Tech (PCT’s lone loss) while losing to Emerson. Although Stinson wouldn’t make a prediction on the game, he does think that the game will be a high scoring affair.
"Both teams have big play capacity and have players who make big plays," Stinson said. "Passaic Tech has a lot of speed. That was the first impression I had, that those kids were fast and dangerous. And they’re not just big up front. They’re huge. I think the game will come down to whether each team’s strengths can be utilized. Will Passaic Tech be able to take Merrick and Quezada out of the game? Can they shut Merrick down? This kid is making big-time plays. Passaic Tech has to address what he does."
Added Stinson, "Big game players make big plays and it’s up to whichever team can provide the opportunity for their players to make the big plays. The home field situation may be what separates the two teams."
We’ll have to see. History awaits.
And as for the Great Hagueini’s prediction? Well, we used the algebraic theory two weeks ago, if Team A beats Team B and Team B beats Team C, then A could beat C – and that blew up in the Old Wide One’s turban and crystal ball.
Well, if Emerson defeated Hoboken and Hoboken defeated Passaic Tech, naturally Emerson can beat Passaic Tech, right? Many experts believed Passaic Tech was the best team in the Group IV bracket when the pairings came out. PCT playing on artificial turf, with all that speed and size, is scary.
But I have to stick with the theory that if Hoboken found a way to beat them, so can Emerson. It’s time for a parade in Union City. Emerson 32, Passaic Tech 27.
We’ll have more in-depth coverage of the big game in next week’s editions.