Woodbridge is hungry for a winning season

The Woodbridge High School football team started off the 2013 campaign with two straight wins, riding momentum into the third week of the season against a tough Monroe squad. The Barrons lost that game 49-0, and finished 2-8 on the year.

After a disappointing 2013 season, the young squad led by head coach Bill Nyers is hungrier then ever to right the wrongs of seasons past.

"We just want to be better than a year ago," said Nyers, who's in his 12th season at the helm. "We want to be better in every phase of the game, and that's going to be the theme of our team this year."

The Barrons bring back a young squad hungry to prove that they're better than their 2013 record shows, and it all starts in the trenches of the offensive line.

Senior lineman Elon Capers anchors the line, and if the Barrons want to be successful this year, he knows that his squad will need to perform well week in and week out.

"We hope to do a lot better than last year," said Capers, who's brother Cameron was a senior lineman last year. "This year we have guys who are a lot slimmer and who have really good footwork so hopefully it's going to work out a lot better."

Capers has emerged as not only a leader on the line, but also a leader of the entire team, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. Nyers realized the second he stepped on the field this year that Capers would be an essential part of his team's success as the 2014 season approaches.

"He's bigger than everybody else, but he is a gentleman and a really nice kid," said Nyers of the 6'3 310 pound lineman. "The key with him is the harder he works, the better he is. Him playing for two years straight ... and the rest of the line is playing for the first time, he's going to lead them a bit just from experience."

Zahneer Shuler returns for his senior season as the Barrons quarterback, and the team's leading passer will look to keep the offense consistent, something the Barrons struggled with over the course of last season.

Nyers has high hopes for his squad, but knows that the offensive line's play will determine how well the team does. The Barrons had to switch their offensive scheme multiple times last season, but Nyers is hoping Capers and Co. will prevent that from happening again.

"I think he just needs to be consistent with his work ethic," said Nyers of Capers. "The more work he puts in the better he's going to be, and the better he is the better we will be."

The Barrons open the season at Carteret, and then travel to Bishop Ahr and Colts Neck in the following weeks. While the Barrons' goal this season is to get better week-by-week, Capers knows that he and his squad are capable of much more.

"We want to come home with a championship."

WOODBRIDGE

About the Barrons

Head coach: Bill Nyers, 12th season (57-50-1).

Assistants: Kevin Coleman (assistant head coach, defensive coordinator); John Moyer (special teams coordinator, offensive line); Brian Casey (quarterback and safety); Joe Licori (inside linebacker, offensive line); Michael Carbone (head freshman coach, offensive coordinator); Eric Allen (Assistant Freshman coach, defensive coordinator); Daniel Harrison (running back and defensive backs); Jay Ali (running backs and outside linebackers).

Stadium: Nicholas Priscoe Stadium (turf).

Colors: Red and black

Classification: North 2 Group IV.

Offensive formation: Spread.

Defensive formation: 40.

Last year: (2-8 overall, 2-6 GMC White): Perth Amboy 41-12 (W), New Brunswick 41-12 (W), Monroe 49-0 (L), South Plainfield 40-21 (L), Colonia 21-7 (L), Carteret 33-7 (L), J.F. Kennedy 38-0 (L), Bishop Ahr 26-16 (L), St. Joseph (Met.) 35-6 (L), Millburn 41-27 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 at Carteret, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 at Bishop Ahr, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 at Colts Neck, 1 p.m.; Oct. 3 Perth Amboy, 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 New Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 at Colonia, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 South Plainfield, 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 St. Joseph (Met.), 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Elon Capers (Sr., 6-3, 310, OL); Zahneer Shuler (Sr., 6-0, 215, QB-RB); Percy Martin (Sr., 5-10, 205, WR); Tyler Smith (Sr., 5-10, 160, WR); Ryan Alcott (Sr., 6-2, 185, TE-DE); Nat Opoku (Sr., 6-1, 205, WR-DB); Nate Lanier (Jr., 5-9, 150, RB-DB).

Top newcomers: Tracey Fudge (Jr., QB-DB); David McDevitt (Jr., OL-DL); Tyler Bork (Jr., WR-DB); Quasim Glover (So., QB-RB); Alex Lagrippo (So.); Keshaun Henry (So.); Vinnie Zechino (So.); Dylan Leone (So.); Darin Tabon (So.); Harry Rutkowski (So., K-OL-DL).

Key losses: Griffin Thomas (WR-DB); Joseph Muzzio (RB-LB); Brad Rayborn (FB-ILB); Cameron Capers (OL-DL); Morgan Okopu (OL-DL); Manny Santiago (OL-DL).