To say Dan Fulton is excited for the 2024 season would be an understatement.
Though the Hanover Park coach says he’s always amped this time of the year, there’s something special about the upcoming campaign that has the veteran skipper over the moon.
“It’s a bit too early to predict what kind of team we’re going to be, but I like what I see with this team," said Fulton who is in his seventh season at the East Hanover school. "We bring back a lot and the kids have a lot of confidence.”
Last fall, the Hornets posted a 7-3 mark and reached the North 1, Group 2 semifinals for the second time in as many years. Most of last season’s starters are back, including a veteran group of upperclassmen who have big-game experience.
“Our juniors are talented and have a lot of athletic ability,” Fulton said. “When you look at the team as a whole, quite a few are two and three-year starters. It’s a veteran group that’s used to winning.”
The Hornets bring back nine starters on offense and six on defense. Senior dual-threat quarterback Joey Borrello returns following a breakout junior season in which he threw for 1,415 yards and 11 touchdowns, and rushed for a team-high 408 yards and seven touchdowns.
Participation numbers are strong, and interest in the program continues to trend in the right direction. Fulton said the community is heavily vested in the program and supportive.
“We get everyone involved. Home games around here are exciting. You can feel the support,” Fulton said. “I believe that’s the way to run a program.”
The tradition
Hanover Park won the North 2, Group 2 sectional title in 1990, its only championship in 21 playoff appearances.
The Hornets are 14-20 overall in the playoffs, reaching three sectional finals, most recently a 44-14 loss to Caldwell in 2021.
The challenge
Though the Hornets return several starters on both sides of the ball, building their front line has been a work in progress.
Fulton likes what he seen with the linemen in preseason camp but understands that for the team to succeed and execute, getting it right up front is paramount.
The schedule is going to be challenging with a number of talented Group 1 and Group 2 school on the slate, including defending Group 1 state champion Mountain Lakes, and playoff teams Pequannock and Glen Ridge.
Expectations
The Hornets have the potential to be a serious contender in the small school field and make a run in Group 2.
Their strength lies with their skill position players. Behind Borrello’s guidance, the offense expects to continue to put up points after averaging 22 per game in 2023.
Defensively, Hanover Park returns senior linebackers Joey Filippone (71 tackles) and Hector Lopez, III (88 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions).
“Filippone and Lopez are two of the best in the conference and all of Morris County,” Fulton said. “We’re focused on keeping the opposition’s points down and scoring more than what we let up.”
Schedule
Sept. 7: at Madison
Sept. 13: vs. Mountain Lakes
Sept. 21: at Glen Ridge
Sept. 27: vs. Parsippany
Oct. 5: at Pequannock
Oct. 10: vs. Jefferson
Oct. 18: vs. West Essex
Oct. 25: at Weequahic
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