Piscataway Democrats facing all-female slate of primary challengers
SPORTS

Experience will be key for the Patriots

Mike Jago
@MikeJagoSports

The Colonia High School football team found a lot of success in 2013, finishing with a 6-4 record. With seven returning starters on each side of the ball, the Patriots will be right back in the thick of things as possible favorites in the white division of the Greater Middlesex Conference.

"Our quarterback is back, our running back is back and our wide receivers are back with three out of five lineman back too," said Patriots' head coach Tom Roarty. "We were 6-4 last year and we're just looking to fix some mistakes and stay healthy."

Roarty comes into his second season as the head coach of the Patriots after taking over for longtime coach, now turned Athletic Director, Ben LaSala. The Patriots will have some high expectations for 2014, but Roarty is confident his squad will perform.

"Our ultimate goal is the first state championship for Colonia," said Roarty. "That's our goal every year but CHS hasn't won one yet. Our other goal is to just get better every day ... we're taking it one step at a time."

Tenny Adewusi is back at quarterback for the Patriots, and stand-out running back Sam Pero, who rushed for over 1,400 yards last year, is in the backfield ready to field an offense that will give defenses fits.

"With our offense, the way both of those guys run you need to pick your poison," said Roarty. "If you take away Sam, then Tenny runs the ball and vice versa. They're both capable of 1,000 yard seasons if we get the blocking."

Adewusi is now in his second season as the Patriots signal caller, and the differences in his experience were felt right away.

"My first season was more of a competition because I was competing with Matt Mizak for the starting job," said Adewusi. "This year I've just worked on all my weaknesses, like my post and my reads."

Adewusi also has great respect for Pero, who takes a bit of the burden off the shoulders of the young quarterback.

"We have too much talent on our team," said Adewusi. "We can run the ball with Pero, who should be rushing for way more than 1,000 yards this year, and we have great receivers as well with (Pharoah) Napoleon, and Bryce and Chase Barneys."

Being a leader of an offense is never an easy task, but Adewusi is happy to shoulder the load with such a talented offensive squad.

"The line blocks so well when it comes to the running game," said Adewusi. "We have so much talent where if you try to lock down one part, we can use another part and I feel like that's a strength this year."

The Patriots want to build on an impressive 2013, and with Adewusi, Pero and Napoleon on the offensive, they have a great shot to hang with the best.

"The ultimate goal is a state championship, but we're going to take it week by week," said Adewusi. "We're going to keep that focus this year because we have a lot of seniors on this team and we want to do well."

COLONIA

About the Patriots

Head coach: Tom Roarty, second season (6-4).

Assistants: Mike Henderson (offensive line, defensive line); Nick Ruta (running backs, linebackers); Joe LaSala (quarterbacks, defensive backs); Ryan DonDiego (wide receivers, linebackers); Rich Kondryk (freshman), Andrew Cianfano (freshman).

Stadium: Colonia Patriots Stadium (turf).

Colors: Blue and gold

Classification: North 2 Group IV.

Offensive formation: Spread.

Defensive formation: 4-3.

Last year: (6-4 overall, 6-2 GMC White): J.F. Kennedy 35-7 (W), St. Joseph (Met.) 16-7 (L), New Brunswick 48-14 (W), Perth Amboy 40-6 (W), Woodbridge 21-7 (W), South Plainfield 24-21 (W), Raritan 38-18 (L), Carteret 34-14 (L), Bishop Ahr 44-7 (W), Mendham 47-26 (L).

2014 schedule: Sept. 12 at Bishop Ahr, 7 p.m.; Sept. 19 J.F. Kennedy, 7 p.m.; Sept. 26 at Perth Amboy 7 p.m.; Oct. 3 Carteret 7 p.m.; Oct. 10 at Matawan, 7 p.m.; Oct. 17 Woodbridge, 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 St. Joseph (Met.) 7 p.m.; Oct. 31 at New Brunswick, 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at South Plainfield, 7 p.m.

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing

Comp

Att

TD

Yards

Tenni Adewusi

76

113

14

1,136

Rushing

Att

Yards

AVG

TD

Sam Pero

176

1,412

8.0

15

Receiving

Rec

Yards

AVG

TD

Pharoah Napolean

30

410

13.7

8

THE SKINNY

Returning starters: Tenni Adewusi (Sr., 6-1, 185, QB-DB); Sam Pero (Sr., 5-8, 175, RB); Raul Cardona (Sr., 6-1, 210, TE-LB), Jim Becker (Sr., 6-3, 290, G-DT); Pharoah Napoleon (Sr., 6-1, 180, WR); Bryce Barneys (Jr., 6-0, 165, WR/DB); Chase Barneys (Jr., 5-9, 165, WR/DB); Anthony Nystrom (Sr., 5-10, 215, C-DE); Solomon Manning (Jr., 6-2, 205, LB); Mike Quinn (Sr., 6-2, 225, T-DT); Robert Malaga (Sr., 6-0, 185, K); Brian McGovern (Sr., 6-0, 210, T); Tyler Lordi (6-3, 315, DT).

Key losses: J.J. Fugaro (T); Nick Matrongolo (LB); Chris Carrothers (LB); Elijah Williams (WR-DB); Josh Brindley (T); Nick Hauderhauer (G); Bill Allardice (NT).

Top newcomers: Brandon Haines (Sr., DE); Jordell Thompson (Sr., LB), James Corbett (Sr., CB), Ryan Petty (Sr., DB), Bashir Lauderdale (Jr., RB), Mike Lako (Jr., DE), Bill Fitzsimmons (Sr., G), Darius Bobek (Jr., T), Scott Eihri (Jr., DT), Tyler Santos (Jr., CB/WR), Dave Matuewski (Sr., DB), Chris Garcia (Sr., LB), Tyrell Lamb (Sr., DE), Zac Manente (Sr., 6-0, 205, DE), Kenny Florczak (Jr., 5-10, 185, TE).