When long-time assistant Jerry Flora took over the reins of the William Paterson football program, he wanted to bring a more aggressive and up-tempo style of play to both sides of the ball. The result was a 4-6 overall record and a 3-6 mark in the highly-competitive New Jersey Athletic Conference, including three single-digit losses, during the 2008 season. Along the way, William Paterson established a home-field advantage, posting a 4-1 record at Wightman Stadium for the program's most home victories since 1993.

With nine offensive and eight defensive starters returning from a year ago, including seven all-conference selections, the Pioneers have a solid group of veterans ready to lead William Paterson in its quest to climb the conference standings. Add to the 43 returning letterwinners a group of 54 newcomers, and William Paterson possesses a roster deep in both numbers and talent.

“Our biggest strength is that we are returning so many players from last year,” said Flora. “It was evident during our preseason scrimmage that we have a lot more talent in the program right now and that we are two, and sometimes, three deep at every position in terms of potential starters. In particular, up front on both sides of the ball we've seen a big improvement with 31 linemen currently working hard for playing time.”

OFFENSE
OFFENSIVE LINE
The William Paterson offensive line features four returning starters, a group highlighted by honorable-mention all-NJAC left tackle Saul Garcia (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen). Fellow senior John Reilly (Weehawken, N.J./Weehawken) will play alongside Garcia at left guard, a year after starting in nine contests at the same position.

On the other side, junior Sean Tyson (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport) started all 10 games last fall and will begin this season as the Pioneers' starting right guard, while classmate Chris Osborn (Dunellen, N.J./Dunellen) returns to his role as the starting right tackle.

Following the loss of all-conference center Jeffrey Arista, three players competed for the starting nod during preseason practices. Sophomore Mike Merkh (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Holy Spirit) emerged as the projected starter, but freshmen Eddie Mattice (Newton, N.J./Newton) and Eric Yuneman (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) will also likely see significant playing time as well.

Junior Jeremy Ballard (Morristown, N.J./Morristown), who has played in 12 games during his two-year career, leads a large group of capable back-ups on the offensive line.

QUARTERBACKS
After assuming the number-one role under center midway through the 2008 season opener, Matt Marshall (Burlington, N.J./Burlington City) quickly wrote his name in the program's record book, tossing a school-record 20 touchdown passes while completing 185 of 330 attempts for 2,048 yards. With another outstanding season, the senior could challenge the Pioneers' career passing records.

One of the best battles during preseason camp was to determine Marshall's back-up, with freshman Ryan Gresik (Newton, N.J./Newton) nudging slightly ahead of junior Immanuel Cabassa (Iselin, N.J./JFK Memorial).

RUNNING BACKS
The Pioneers' leading returning rusher is Marcus McKinney (Paterson, N.J./John F. Kennedy), who gained 296 yards on 65 attempts (4.6 yards/rush) as a freshman reserve. Classmate Corey Paladino (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) also saw more action as the 2008 season progressed, crossing the goal line twice, and can pose a threat on the ground or through the air.

Fighting for carries at the tailback position will be a pair of freshmen in Dan DeCicco (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills) and Dawys German (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington).

Junior Derrik Rideg (Rochelle Park, N.J./Paramus Catholic), who was an honorable-mention all-league selection after catching 19 passes for 189 yards as a first-year Pioneer, will contend with sophomore Kyle Hart (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon) and freshman Derek Whitney (Emerson, N.J./Emerson) for snaps at fullback.

WIDE RECEIVERS
William Paterson returns one of the region's best at the wide receiver position in senior Joel Rivera (Hoboken, N.J./Hoboken), who established new Pioneer records with his 74 receptions for 965 yards a year ago. Rivera added seven TDs to earn first-team all-NJAC and second-team all-region accolades last season, and he could challenge the Pioneers' career receiving records with another outstanding campaign this fall.

Senior flanker Bruce Katkowski (Saddle Brook, N.J./Paramus Catholic) returns after recovering from an injury that cut short his 2008 season (10 receptions, 113 yards), while Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) is also expected to contribute after transferring from Iona College following his freshman year.

Junior Matt Reggio (Commack, N.Y./Commack) and freshman Alex Price (Newton, N.J./Newton) also are expected to see time as the fourth and fifth receivers, respectively.

TIGHT ENDS
After an excellent preseason camp, senior Chris Schule (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) will be in his fourth season as the starting tight end after compiling career numbers of 22 receptions, 278 yards and two touchdowns. At 6-2, 230, freshman John Matthews (Pennsauken, N.J./Roman Catholic) brings excellent size to the position as Schule's back-up, and converted quarterback Kyle Hamilton (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) and freshman Joseph Cordato (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) also could see time on the field.

DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
All three defensive line starters return for the Pioneers, including second-team all-conference honoree Dyon Moore (Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic), who led the Pioneers as a sophomore defensive end with 66 tackles, 14.0 tackles-for-loss, 5.0 sacks, four fumbles forced and four fumbles recovered. Senior Dan Jones (Riverhead, N.Y./Riverhead) moved into a starting role at nose tackle last fall and produced 15 tackles, including 2.0 sacks. Classmate Keith Sayball (Milford, Conn./Foran) will start at the other end position after starting nine times in 2008 and producing 46 tackles (21 solo, 8.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks).

Junior Dan Nunez (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Paramus Catholic) will be an important part of the end rotation after starting in eight of 13 contests combined during the 2006 and 2007 campaigns, while junior Ansumana Kaba (Wilmington, Del./Christiana) and freshman Leston Hall (Bridgeton, N.J./Bridgeton) will compete for time in the middle of the line.

LINEBACKERS
The Pioneers will feature a deep and experienced group of linebackers, highlighted by two-time second-team all-NJAC selection Jared Burke (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Egg Harbor Twp.). The senior has compiled career numbers of 185 tackles (23.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks) and two fumble recoveries while starting in 21 of 26 games, and will be freed to sniff out the ball and make tackles from the will linebacker position.

The starting stud linebacker will likely be sophomore Damian DiIorio (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley), who saw action in nine contests as a rookie a year ago. Junior Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) is slotted to start at the mike spot and owns 33 tackles (3.0 TFL) and a fumble recovery is 18 career contests.

Senior Mike Lamego (North Arlington, N.J./Queen of Peace) will be ready to step in and make plays thanks to his 24 career appearances (17 starts, 111 tackles, 12.0 TFL, five interceptions). Classmate Alex Gibson (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), the former running back who moved to the defensive side of the ball late last season, and freshmen Clifton Glaze (Palmyra, N.J./Palmyra) and Mike Gregory (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) also are expected to make significant contributions.

BANDITS/SAMS
Described as being “as solid as they come” by Flora, 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) is expected to start at the bandit position a year after collecting 37 tackles, including four for a loss, and four pass break-ups. Joining him in the starting lineup will be senior Chris Thomas (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), who made 29 stops (18 solo) and broke up seven passes as a starting cornerback last fall.

Freshman Dan Brown (Bogota, N.J./Bogota) and German Decena (Union City, N.J./Emerson) will serve as their back-ups.

CORNERBACKS
Junior Leer Biddle (Sicklerville, N.J./Lenape) rounded out the Pioneers' defensive second-team all-league picks a year ago after posting 40 tackles (35 solo) and five interceptions. Sophomore Andre Snead (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City), a transfer from Coffeyville Community College, won the other starting cornerback job during preseason practices.

Junior Bret Cadena (Madison, N.J./Madison) and sophomore Josh Hidalgo (Belle Mead, N.J./Montgomery) fill the other two slots on the Pioneers' opening two-deep.

FREE SAFETIES
Sophomore Stephen Bovo, Jr. (Dunellen, N.J./Dunellen) is the Pioneers' projected starter at free safety after transferring to William Paterson from Raritan Valley Community College. Freshman Billy Mercedes (Maywood, N.J./Hackensack) and sophomore Najee McCutcheon (Paterson, N.J./Passaic County Tech) will also see the field this fall in the secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS
William Paterson expects a pair of freshmen, placekicker Ryan Brzycki (Charlotte, N.C./Charlotte Catholic) and punter DeCicco, to handle the Pioneers' kicking duties. Thomas, Muraglia and DeCicco will handle the punt returns for the Pioneers, while Biddle and Rivera are expected to run back the kickoffs.