Trouble Bruin
North Bergen appears ready to come of age
A year ago, veteran North Bergen High School football coach Vince Ascolese had to make a tough decision regarding his team – whether to play older players or go with inexperienced younger players who had a bright future. Ascolese chose the latter.
"We were hoping that the younger kids would come of age," Ascolese said. "That’s why we played them. And we got through it."
The Bruins went 6-3 last season and made their 14th consecutive appearance in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV playoffs. That was with an inferior team.
Now, Ascolese has his best team since the undefeated state championship season of 1997. And it looks as if these Bruins are ready to make a run at the HCIAA National Conference and state championships this season.
Leading the way for the Bruins is senior halfback/defensive back David Castro (5-9, 180), who has been a three-year starter. Castro earned All-Area honors at defensive back a year ago and has emerged as one of the premier runners in Hudson County, rushing for 104 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a 26-8 victory over William Penn of Delaware in the opening game last weekend.
"He can do a lot of things for us offensively," said Ascolese, the state’s No. 2 all-time leader in coaching victories, with 286. "He can run. He can catch the ball. Although he’s done so well defensively already, it’s a tough call where David is better. He had about 800 yards last year."
And he’s well on his way to bettering those numbers this year.
Junior Mark Rogers (5-11, 185) is the Bruins’ starter at quarterback. He gives Ascolese the most amount of diversity – running and throwing – that he’s seen in quite some time. Rogers completed eight of 11 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns in last weekend’s first victory.
Junior Eric Macias (6-0, 195) is the team’s fullback.
"He’s a very strong kid who can run, catch and block very well," Ascolese said.
Junior Eddie Morales (5-10, 180) and senior Chris Torres (5-11, 185) will alternate at the other halfback slot, although Torres will miss a little action while recovering from a collarbone injury.
"When we have both, we’ll have some quickness and depth," Ascolese said.
The starting tight end was expected to be senior Alex Chiaparro (6-3, 220), but he’s recovering from a hairline fracture of his foot. Right now, junior Emil Fuda (6-3, 215) has been moved from split end to tight end in place of Chiaparro. Senior John Vargas (5-9, 170) is now the starter at wide receiver.
"Fuda has nice hands and is a good target," Ascolese said. "He’s a very good football player. Alex is a very good offensive player and a strong blocker."
The Bruins have two returning starters along the offensive line, including senior center Robert Carujo (5-7, 195), who was an All-Area honoree a year ago.
"Rob is a three-year starter and I like having that kind of experience along the line," Ascolese said. "He’s the ultimate team player and is everything a coach would want in a player."
Senior Chris Collins (6-1, 220) is a returning starter at tackle. Junior Dom DeCandia (6-3, 220) is the team’s other starter at tackle. The guards are juniors Robert Lane (6-3, 225) and Eric Junco (6-0, 215).
Many of the Bruins turn around and play defense as well. Morales and Lane have returned to the defensive end positions they manned last year. Senior Jason Winchester (6-5, 220) joins Carujo at defensive tackle.
Macias returns to his inside linebacker slot, where he collected 90 tackles a year ago. Junior Brian Carujo (5-7, 160), Robert’s younger brother, is the other inside linebacker. The outside linebackers are seniors Jon Barrero (5-9, 160) and Andre Cano (5-9, 175).
Castro is a standout at defensive back. He may be the best defensive back in Hudson County. Vargas and junior Michael Pena (5-11, 170) are the other members of the secondary.
They have one win under the belt and a showdown with Union Hill tentatively scheduled for this weekend, pending a decision regarding the New York World Trade Center tragedy.
"These kids have a lot of experience and we’re hoping that the experience leads to good things this season," Ascolese said.
Sure looks that way.