Williams a key player for Old Bridge

For the second straight year, the Old Bridge High School football team enters the season having to replace more than 2,400 yards from scrimmage.

The defending Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division champion Knights, whose roster is among the state's biggest, hope they have developed enough depth to maintain continuity and overcome the cyclical nature of scholastic sports.

"Obviously we are going to miss the guys we graduated," Old Bridge coach Anthony Lanzafama, the Home News Tribune's 2013 Coach of the Year, said of five recently departed skill position players.

"But we hope these (newcomers) can step in and play and that we've coached these guys up and put them in a position to be successful. We have to overcome as quickly as we can to get these kids to play varsity football."

Old Bridge's revamped backfield will feature halfback Myles Williams, an incumbent starting cornerback who showed flashes of brilliance on offense last fall, most notably scoring three touchdowns in a victory over Middletown South.

"He got a lot of reps on offense," Lanzafama said. "He wasn't a starter, per se, but he's going to be a two-way starter this year. He will also return kickoffs and punts."

Williams, who had two touchdowns receiving and another rushing against Middletown South, said his performance in that game aided his confidence. Williams had already established himself in the secondary, where he accumulated 36 tackles.

"My coaches told me before (the Middletown South kickoff) I needed to have a big game," Williams recalled, noting teammates Marcus Lominy and Brandon Giles were sidelined with injuries for that contest.

"I feel like after that game, especially scoring three touchdowns on offense, it proved not only could I play defense, but I could play offense and score on offense as well."

Lanzafama said Williams "put in the time and effort" during the offseason to ensure he could help the Knights in a variety of capacities.

"He's a kid that's been around and been through the wars already and is ready to go this year," Lanzafama said. "He's a lot more confident."

Williams said he feels a responsibility to help the young Knights maintain their composure.

"I've been around for a couple of years now," he said. "I feel like my team looks to me to make the plays and to keep us even keeled."

The offense will be in the hands of Mike Gargano, whose older brother, Vin, quarterbacked the team a few years ago.

Old Bridge returns just four starters on each side of the ball including gifted wideout Tyler Hopman (23 receptions) and multi-purpose star Ed Mish, who plays running back, linebacker, punts and kicks (Mish amassed 45 kicking points and recorded 15 touchbacks last season).

OLD BRIDGE

About the Knights

Coach: Anthony Lanzafama, fifth season (22-19).

Assistants: Kevin Roberts (offensive backs, linebackers); Adam Tivald (wide receivers, defensive backs); Matt Donaghue (offensive line, defensive line); Chris Kelly (jayvee); Nick Ciambrone (jayvee); Alec Alspach (jayvee); Ed Bucior (freshmen); Andrew Borriello (freshmen); Dan Haviland (freshmen).

Stadium: Lombardi Field (turf).

Colors: Purple and black.

Classification: Central Group V.

Offensive formation: Triple Gun.

Defensive formation:3-4.

Last year (7-3 overall, 6-2 GMC Red): Sayreville 35-19 (W), Piscataway 17-16 (L), South Brunswick 27-8 (W), North Brunswick 35-6 (W), Middletown North 35-8 (W), Monroe 17-14 (W), Edison 28-0 (W), J.P. Stevens 9-0 (L), Hunterdon Central 24-0 (L), East Brunswick 35-6 (W).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 at North Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 Edison, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at South Brunswick, noon.; Oct. 2 J.P. Stevens, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 Brick Memorial, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 Sayreville, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 at Monroe, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at Piscataway, 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 East Brunswick, 10 a.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Myles Williams (Sr., 5-11, 170, RB-DB); Tyler Hopman (Sr., 6-4, 180, WR-DB); Mark DeMaio (Sr., 6-1, 250, OL-DL); Matt Short (Sr., 6-1, 225, OL-DL); Ed Mish (Sr., 5-10, 195, RB-LB-K-P); Chidera Udeh (Sr., 5-9, 210, RB-LB); Demetrius Pate (Sr., 6-1, 190, RB-LB); T.J. Townsend (So., 5-11, 280, OL-DL).

Key losses: Nick LaVecchia (QB), Marcus Lominy (RB-DB), Brandon Giles (RB), Cameron Hutchins (RB-DB), Denis Kilduff (OL), Justin Fridman (OL), Dan Grillo (WR), Mike Friedman (RB-DB), Isaac Chang (OL), Michael Hunt (DL), Chris Weber (DL), David Hopman (LB), Dmitriy Mikhol (LB).

Top newcomers: Wisdom Donkor (Sr., 5-9, 205, OL-DL); Darius Dixon (Sr., 5-10, 195, LB); Chris Crossman (Sr., 5-11, 180, RB-DB); Carlos Donou (Sr., 5-9, 150, RB-DB); Dante Whipple (Sr., 6-3, 190, WR-LB); Noah Torino (Sr., 6-0, 220, OL-DL); Michael Gargano (Sr., 6-2, 180, QB); Christian Manzanares (Sr., 6-4, 280, OL-DL); Jake Esposito (Jr., 6-0, 180, RB-DB); Tru Stell (Jr., 5-10, 245, OL-DL); Nick Sodano (So., 5-6, 150, RB-DB); Jake Kodros (So., 6-3, 180, WR-DB).