Sayreville expecting big things from Hartsfield

Heading into his 20th season as head coach of Sayreville's High School football team, George Najjar has been blessed with an embarrassment of athletic talent.

Local standouts such as Delon Stephenson, Shaun Thomas and as far back as Brandon Hoyte immediately come to mind. Yes, the blue and grey have had no shortage of playmakers through Najjar's tenure.

Which brings us to another star that has already left his mark in Sayreville's athletic lore, Myles Hartsfield.

Arguably the best player in the Greater Middlesex Conference, Hartsfield is a three-sport letterman, possessing varsity status as a basketball player and track star.

A state champion in the triple jump with association to a 4x100 state champion team as well, Hartsfield has built the quintessential, stand-out, athletic resume for the Bombers.

He was the GMC's leading scorer a year ago with 28 touchdowns, its third-leading rusher with 1,586 yards, and posted a conference-best 2,229 all-purpose yards while leading Sayreville to its 18th consecutive NJSIAA playoff appearance.

With his football accolades preceding him, he's up there in the ranks of his top predecessors.

"He's one of the best athletes we've ever had here," Najjar said. "As a three-sport athlete, he excels in all three, and we all know what he can do on a football field. He's a terrific player and has stepped up in all aspects of his game as a runner, a pass catcher, and as a blocker. But most importantly, as a leader of this team. He understands the way things operate around here and has set the tempo, and tone for the rest of the team."

Pretty big shoes to fill when you're so highly regarded and mentioned in such company.

Headed for Penn State after the conclusion of his senior year, Hartsfield takes it all in stride, no skin off his back.

"It feels great to come up after those guys," the six-foot, 185-pound running back said. "As a freshman, watching Delon, he taught me a lot. Learning from that guy was tremendous. It may seem from the outside that I have a lot of pressure, or a lot to live up to, but when you play with a great group of guys like we have here, there isn't much pressure at all. It feels great to be another player coming through Sayreville's system that worked hard."

Hartsfield is obviously the go-to player the Bombers and one that opposing defenses will center its game plan around. But he can't do everything for them.

Considered a strength for the past few years, Sayreville has question marks up front on its offensive line.

After graduating three from its starting five a year ago, the Bombers have been trying to piece the puzzle together through the dog days.

"The offensive line is the nuts and bolts of the offense," Najjar said. "We need cohesion and we need togetherness when you're running schemes. They have to learn about blocking different fronts. When you have an inexperienced, young group there it takes a while for that cohesion to actually develop. That's where we've been spending a lot of our time."

In his first two seasons as a varsity football player, Hartsfield was spoiled after back-to-back sectional titles as an underclassman.

After losing to Manalapan in last year's Central Jersey Group V semifinal matchup, which snapped the Bombers run for a fourth straight sectional crown, it certainly left a lot to be desired for his senior campaign, and he's set his goals high.

"Our goal is to win the Red Division and a state championship," he said.

Hartsfield and Sayreville's quest for such titles commences on Friday at J.P. Stevens. Kick-off slated for 7 p.m.

SAYREVILLE

About the Bombers

Coach: George Najjar, twentieth season (161-47).

Assistants: Charlie Garcia (defensive coordinator); Jim Nardone (defensive line); Mike Novak (quarterbacks); Richie Crane (offensive line); John Bell (defensive backs); Mark Poore (receivers, defensive backs); Bobby Berardi (line); Joe Cirigliano (running backs); Ed Mish (head freshman); Bill Mudge (assistant freshman); Tim Ballard (assistant freshman); Sal Richiusa (assistant freshman); Jerry Dean (assistant freshman).

Stadium: War Memorial (turf).

Colors: Blue and silver.

Classification: Central Group V.

Offensive formation: Wing-T.

Defensive formation: 4-2-5.

Last year (8-3 overall, 6-2 GMC Red): Old Bridge 35-19 (L), East Brunswick 42-0 (W), Edison 35-27 (L), J.P. Stevens 42-7 (W), Freehold Township 35-0 (W), Piscataway 39-18 (W), North Brunswick 49-14 (W), South Brunswick 35-13 (W), Monroe 56-26 (W), Monroe 35-34 (W), Manalapan 34-7 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 at J.P. Stevens, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 North Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Manlapan, 6 p.m.; Oct 2 South Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 Monroe, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at Old Bridge, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 Piscataway, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 at East Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at Edison, 7 p.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Myles Hartsfield (Sr., 6-0, 185, RB-DB); Dylan Thillet (Sr., 6-0, 200, OL-DE); Linwood Crump (Jr., 5-11, 160, RB-DB); Anthony Porcaro (Jr., 6-3, 255, OL-DL); Michael Porcaro (So., 6-4, 245, OL-DL); Dan Rodriguez (Sr., 5-10, 195, RB-LB).

Key losses: Deion Miller (RB-LB), Malik Pressley (QB-DB), Dan Grecco (OL-DL), Brian McDonough (OL-DL).

Top newcomers: Corey Williams (Sr., 6-0, 180, WR-CB); Jayson DeMild (So., 6-1, 170, QB); Mike Liberti (Jr., 5-9, 170, RB-LB); Cyro McMoore.