After enjoying the 1999 season as Hudson County’s biggest surprise, winning the HCIAA National Conference championship and making their first trip to the NJSIAA Group IV playoffs for the first time in a decade, the Memorial Tigers fell on hard times in 2000, suffering through a tough 3-7 campaign.
"It was a big disappointment, especially after where we went the year before," said Ed Sargent, who begins his fifth season as the head coach at Memorial. "There’s no way we anticipated going 3-7. We started off the season being ranked in the Top 20 [in the state] and that wasn’t right. I think that hurt us more than anything, because teams came ready for us. They circled Memorial on their calendars and came ready. And sometimes, success breeds laziness and I think we all got a little lazy after being successful."
You can be rest assured that Sargent’s Tigers will not be lazy this season, as evidenced by their impressive 26-0 victory over Lincoln to open the 2001 campaign last weekend.
The Tigers have three highly experienced and talented performers returning from a year ago. Senior quarterback Rudy Delgado (5-10, 175) suffered through some growing pains as the Tigers’ signal caller a year ago, but he made better decisions at the end of the season. Delgado is also a fine cornerback, collecting six interceptions.
"He’s a veteran guy and he’s a take-charge kind of guy," Sargent said. "He’s been in the fire many times, so I think he’s ready to be a big-time player for us."
Another veteran performer is senior Bryan Durango (5-11, 185), who may be Hudson County’s best all-around athlete. Durango came of age last year as a wide receiver and outside linebacker, but the state champion sprinter during the track season can legitimately run a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.
"We’re going to do a lot of things with him," Sargent said. "He’s going to get his fair share of touches. He has to get the ball. He can run, catch, do everything we ask."
With speed like that, Durango will receive looks from college recruiters. It will be interesting to see what sport (either football or track and field) he pursues after graduation. One way or another, he’s going to receive scholarship offers."
Another big-time college prospect on the Memorial roster is senior tight end/defensive end Newbery Rosario (6-4, 220). Like Durango, Rosario is listed among the top 50 college prospects in New Jersey. Sargent also promises to get the ball more in Rosario’s hands this fall.
If last weekend’s performance is any indication, then senior Marcus Morales (5-9, 180) is going to be a player to watch. Morales ran wild in the win over Lincoln, scoring three touchdowns and gaining 117 yards on just eight carries.
"Before, Marcus was the kid who had to block," Sargent said. "Now, he’s going to be the featured back. This group of seniors was asked to perform as sophomores and then compete as juniors. Now, it’s their turn to shine."
Yohan Correa (5-8, 165) is the starter at fullback and senior Angelo Rosa (5-8, 160) is the other receiver, alongside Durango.
The offensive line has decent size and some experience, with senior center Mario Filian (6-1, 235) returning. Juniors Cesar Sabino (6-4, 245) and Juan Carlo Labanda (5-10, 230) anchor the tackle positions, with seniors Christian Gallego (5-8, 175) and Danny Roman (5-11, 180) manning the guard slots.
Many of the offensive personnel turn around and play defense, with Rosario, an All-Area performer last year, at defensive end, and Delgado and Durango leading the secondary.
Sabino, Labanda and Filian will also play along the defensive line, with Morales and senior Larry Brockington (5-10, 175) playing linebacker, along with junior Henry Espin (5-8, 160).
Junior Gregory Francis (5-8, 160) plays cornerback with Delgado, with Rosa and Durango manning the safety slots.
Sargent is confident that the Tigers will be much improved this season.
"I don’t know how much better we’ll be, but we’ll be better," Sargent said. "I can’t predict anything, because that will put all the pressure on the kids. But I have a good feeling about this team."
Much like Sargent did two years ago.