Although Memorial High School’s football team lost a lot of players from the team that finished 4-6 last season, fifth-year head coach Oscar Guerrero believes that the Tigers will be as competitive, if not more, this season.
“We did lose a lot of guys in the skilled positions,” Guerrero said. “But we have some talent back there. I don’t see that much of a drop off. I think we have some depth and experience in the offensive line and that should help us. We’re leaning a lot on those guys.”
Guerrero said that the Tigers were decimated by injuries last year, which also led to the losing record.
“We were banged up a little last year, but we were able to get some of those guys back this year,” Guerrero said.
One of those returning running backs is junior Ricardo Azucar (5-10, 190), who exploded onto the scene as a freshman two years ago, earning Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week honors once that season.
“Azucar had a great freshman year,” Guerrero said. “He had about 750 yards and eight touchdowns, but he got hurt last year and didn’t play. He’s doing really well in the preseason and I expect big things from him this season. He’s a program kid who just works hard. He shows up every day for practice and he’s ready to go to work. He’s become a leader on this team over the past year.”
The quarterback is junior Justin Bailey (5-8, 160), whose older brother, Bobby, was the starting signal caller for three seasons for the Tigers.
“Justin has a little bit of experience from last year as a wide receiver and defensive back,” Guerrero said. “We turned him into a quarterback this year. We put a lot on our quarterbacks and Justin has learned the entire offense. It’s now just a matter of him performing on game day.”
The other running back slot is being shared by junior Chris Fernandez (5-9, 185) and sophomore Tyme Tracy (6-0, 190), who has one of the best names in Hudson County football this fall. Needless to say, it’s his Tyme to shine.
“When we’re substituting, we can’t say Tyme out, because we will get charged with one,” Guerrero laughed. “We already had a problem with that in a scrimmage.”
The Tigers have plenty of depth and speed in their backfield, especially when it’s Tracy’s Tyme to carry the ball.
The Tigers utilize four wide receivers in their offense, with seniors Willie Romero (5-9, 175) and Jose Baez (6-0, 175) leading the way. Sophomore Donovin Diaz (6-3, 175) has all the makings of being a standout. He has good size, speed and hands. Look out for him.
“Absolutely, Diaz has potential,” Guerrero said. “He just needs to get a little stronger.”
Freshman Pedro Morales, Jr. (5-6, 155) is a scat back receiver, low to the ground with a lot of speed.
“He’s definitely shown a lot of promise,” Guerrero said.
The tight end is junior Alejandro Aguilar (6-0, 200), who also has solid size for that position.
The offensive line has some decent size and experience, led by senior tackle Joseph Morenchal (6-0, 205) and junior center Justin Almonte (5-11, 210). Both Morenchal and Almonte started last season.
Senior Christian Ramos (5-11, 225) is the bookend tackle to Morenchal. The guards are juniors Jared Arias (6-0, 275) and Jonathan Romero (6-3, 255).
The Tigers will utilize a 4-3 defensive set.
Aguilar and Jonathan Romero are the defensive ends, with Arias and senior Anthony Romero (6-3, 325) at tackle. One thing is for sure: The Tigers definitely lead the county with players named Romero. Anthony and Jonathan are brothers. Willie is not related.
The linebackers are Fernandez, Tracy and sophomore Fernando Alvarado (6-0, 190), who also has the potential to be a player of impact for the Tigers.
Senior Steven Cosme (6-0, 165) returns to his starting position at cornerback, joined there by junior Christian Ramirez (6-1,180).
Bailey and Azucar are sweet – pardon the pun, as Azucar translates to sugar in English – at safety.
The Tigers should be improved this season. Guerrero realizes that.
“We won some games last year, then we beat Clifton [in the NJSIAA consolation game to end the season],” Guerrero said. “That game against Clifton gave us a lot of momentum going into the offseason. Every practice keeps getting better and better. It’s just a matter of limiting our mistakes on game days. But I definitely think we can do something throughout the season.”
Whether the something that Guerrero was alluding to is a state playoff berth remains to be seen, but it’s definitely in the realm of possibility, as long as the Tigers stay relatively injury-free.
For one, the Tigers will not be thrown to the lions this fall and will not have to face the state’s No. 1-ranked team in St. Peter’s Prep, so the schedule is a lot more favorable. Look for the Tigers to be in the hunt for a state playoff berth come November.
The Tigers open the 2014 season with Barringer of Newark this weekend. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.