Zielinski wants North Brunswick to move forward

The start of a new high school football season can signify different things for different teams. For some teams it's an opportunity to extend the success of their last season and create a legacy. For others, it's a chance to work for a fresh start or a return to the glory of yesteryear. One team in the latter category are the Raiders of North Brunswick High School.

Coming off two losing seasons, the Raiders are in the process of putting their team back on the winning track. They're led by head coach Mark Zielinski. Zielinski wants to move forward and put the last two seasons behind them. To do that he says, the team has to rely on the experience of their upperclassmen.

"I think we have a senior class that's hungry. We had a number of young players last year, and there's no better teacher than experience," said Zielinski. "For those players, it'll be crucial that they're leaders for us this year."

One of the players Zielinski is expecting leadership from is Joe Castellanos. Castellanos, a senior, is a tight end/ linebacker who's been a starter for the past two years for North Brunswick.

"He's very versatile and very very hard working," said Zielinski. "We're expecting him to continue his pursuit of excellence and be the best player he can be. He sets a great example for the other guys."

Castellanos says he'll lead by setting an example at practices. "Every day at practice we just got to do what we got to do," he said. "Our intensity just needs to be high. If we keep our team disciplined we'll be fine."

Castellanos also sees importance in keeping the team motivated. "We just have to not be satisfied," he said. "We can't be satisfied off of anything this year, cause that's gonna really mess up how we practice. We expect to be better. We should better than we were my last two years playing ball."

Two other players who'll be central to the team are seniors Kevin Poindexter and Brett Krause. Poindexter, who's starting as the quarterback and as a safety, will be in the middle of much of the action on the field.

Krause is starting at safety and has started for the last two years. "He's somebody who's coming back a year older, a year stronger and a year wiser," Zielinski said on Krause. "He's somebody who's coming back a year older, a year stronger and a year wiser."

As far as expectations go, the team is trying not to look to far into the future. "First of all we want to get better every week," said Zielinski. "We want to win football games one week at a time. We're really not into setting up some grand scheme of things. We're looking at keeping it one week at a time and one game at a time."

The Raiders open their season with a home game against Old Bridge High School on Sept. 12.

NORTH BRUNSWICK

About the Raiders

Head coach: Mark Zielinski, 12th season (53-57).

Assistants: Mike Roseborough (defensive coordinator, offensive line); Ed Breheney (running backs, linebackers); Joe Aloia (defensive backs, running backs); Tim Huber (tight ends, defensive line); Matt Primavera (volunteer); James Abdalla (freshmen); John Suk (freshmen); Paul Terrell II (freshmen); Ray Lepski (middle school); Bob Swercheck.

Stadium: Libro Field (turf).

Colors: Blue and gold.

Classification: Central Group V.

Offensive formation: Spread.

Defensive formation: 3-4.

Last year (1-9 overall, 0-8 GMC Red): Monroe 55-6 (L), Colts Neck 39-0 (L), East Brunswick 14-12 (L), Old Bridge 35-6 (L), J.P. Stevens 20-7 (L), Edison 42-6 (L), Sayreville 49-14 (L), Piscataway 35-7 (L), Freehold Township 26-20 (W), South Brunswick 34-13 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 Old Bridge, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Sayreville 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 East Brunswick, 1 p.m.; Oct. 2 at Monroe, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 Edison, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at Piscataway, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 at J.P. Stevens, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 Middletown North, 7 p.m.; Nov. 27 South Brunswick, 10 a.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Tyler Bryant (Jr., 5-8, 185, RB-LB); Gabe Rosado (Jr., 5-9, 155, RB-DB); Joe Castellanos (Sr., 6-1, 190, LB-TE); Darian Puentes (Sr., 5-4, 140, WR-DB).

Key losses: Rafieu Alharazim (QB-DB); Joseph Manley (WR-LB); Nazhier May (WR-DB).

Top newcomers: Kevin Poindexter (QB); Max Emannuel (RB-LB); Gabe Rosado (RB-DB).