NORTH CALDWELL, NJ -- The West Essex High School football team will open defense of its North Jersey, Group 3 championship on Friday night with a game at Old Tappan.
The Knights' 10-4 record in 2023 featured a 14-6 victory over Passaic Valley in the North 2, Group 3 final and then a thrilling 21-20 win over West Morris in the Group 3 state semifinals.
Head coach Chris Benacquista's team began its championship season with two straight losses, then capped its title run by coming from behind in each of its three playoff victories.
Some key players still remain from last year's title quest, including a pair of defensive backs whose presence might give the Knights one of the best secondaries in all of New Jersey: senior strong safety Anthony Drago and senior cornerback Max Garcia. The two veteran defenders have game-changing skills in the defensive backfield and a ton of big-game experience.
That's not to say that Benacquista doesn't face some significant challenges this fall in replacing some vital components from last year's squad. The top four rushing yardage leaders from last year's Wing-T offense all graduated.
"Every year we lose great leaders and players to graduation and this season is no different," Benacquista said. "We did have some key underclassmen contribute to last year's championship and they seem really excited to take the next step and lead the 2024 time to success."
Junior Jake Long takes over at quarterback after his brother, Sam, last year's QB, graduated. Jake didn't take many snaps in 2023, but he was a huge part of the Knights' defense at outside linebacker, and he will continue to man that position as a two-way starter this year. Jake Long made eight tackles for losses and three fumble recoveries last season.
Garcia will see a bigger offensive role this season as one of the starting halfbacks along with senior Nick Sangillo. Senior Brady Phillips will step in at fullback, an all-important position in the Wing-T. Phillips will double as an inside linebacker after taking part in 75 tackles (9.5 for losses) as a junior.
Drago, a Duke University lacrosse commit, led West Essex in receptions as a junior with 32. His ability as a wideout to go get all manner of aerials will continue to be a big part of the Knights' offense this season.
Three senior starters return on the offensive line: center Joe Russo, tackle Mike Conforti and guard Mikey Cerisano. Sangillo and Cerisano will man two linebacker spots on defense.
"We seem to have pretty good team speed, which is always important for the way we like to play," Bencquista said. "We might be a bit undersized in some places, but we're never really a huge team from year to year."
Among the varsity newcomers expected to make significant impacts this season are junior WR/DB Justin Perini, senior OL/DL Yeshua Cuello, junior OL/DL Matt Celentano, senior RB/FS Vin Giaquinto and senior cornerback Oliver Kik.
Old Tappan, which West Essex did not play last season, represents a tough opener for the Knights. The Bergen County powerhouse was 9-2 last year. After a second-week visit to Wayne Valley, West Essex will play its home opener on Friday the 13th of September against Caldwell, a game that always fires up both communities.
WEST ESSEX 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
08-30 @ Old Tappan 09-06 @ Wayne Hills 09-13 Caldwell 09-20 Lakeland 09-28 Nutley 10-05 @ Passaic Valley 10-18 @ Hanover Park 10-25 Morris Knolls
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