What's Important Now.

The theme for the 2010 William Paterson football program, W.I.N. could be seen as the natural progression for a team that has been knocking on the proverbial postseason door the last three years. With a 5-5 overall record in 2007 and 2009, the Pioneers' hunger to extend their 2010 season can be seen in the work done long before preseason camp began.

“For the first time in a long time, we had a lot of players pass both conditioning tests to start camp,” said Jerry Flora, ready to begin his third year as William Paterson's coach and his 10th season on the staff. “Our 15 seniors have provided tremendous leadership, which has allowed all of our players to be on the same page in terms of our expectations and the way we go about things on and off the field.”

With 54 letterwinners (26 offense, 28 defense) and 38 newcomers participating in preseason workouts, the Pioneers have had a productive and efficient preparation for the 2010 campaign.

“Our players have been showing great attention to detail,” Flora stated. “They have been taking care of the little things, which has made it a relatively stress-free camp. They go out to every practice with the belief that we are going to win every game, which is a mind-set that has definitely evolved during the last few years. We keep talking about taking the next step, and challenging ourselves to go from being a .500 team to that next level.”

Thanks to seven seniors and eight returning starters, the Pioneers' defense should be a strength this fall after ranking second in the New Jersey Athletic Conference in pass defense (135.4 yards/game) and third in total defense (252.8 yards/game) last season. Offensively, Flora will try to utilize the skill players' speed, displaying a more balanced and multiple-look package than a year ago.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Although three players return from a five-man unit that started all 10 games together last season, Flora has seen the best battles of the preseason waged for starting slots on the offensive line.

Senior Chris Osborn (Dunellen, N.J./Dunellen) was the only veteran to have locked up a starting spot midway through camp. An honorable-mention all-NJAC selection last fall, he has started 19 times at right tackle during the last two seasons. Sophomore LaSalle McDonald (Edison, N.J./Edison), who moved from the defensive to the offensive line, has emerged as Osborn's backup.

At right guard, senior Sean Tyson (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport) is the returning starter but has been challenged by converted tight end John Matthews (Pennsauken, N.J./Roman Catholic).

Mike Merkh (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Holy Spirit) became the Pioneers' starting center as a sophomore in 2009, but Matthews and sophomore Vinny Proscia (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) will press for time as well.

Due to the graduation of three-year starter John Reilly and two-time all-league honoree Saul Garcia, the competitions at left guard and tackle have been wide open. Freshman Dashawn Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Hoboken) and sophomore Kyle McGough (Commack, N.Y./Commack), a transfer from Morrisville State, both appear capable of stepping into the role at guard, while senior John Fontana (Saddle Brook, N.J./Saddle Brook) and junior Mike Sullivan (New Milford, N.J./New Milford) have waged a good battle for the starting tackle spot.

TIGHT ENDS
Thanks to the loss of four-starter and all-league honoree Chris Schule, as well as the move by John Matthews to the offensive line, there has been an open race for the starting nod at tight end. Sophomore Joseph Cordato (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) has had the early advantage, but junior Kyle Hamilton (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) has also made a compelling case for playing time. Desmond Brennan (Pearl River, N.Y./Albertus Magnus), Dillon Kenul (East Patchogue, N.Y./Bellport) and Rich Vivian (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) are a talented trio of freshmen who will likely serve as backups this fall.

WIDE RECEIVERS
The Pioneers will have big shoes to fill after the departures of Bruce Katkowski and Joel Rivera, the program's all-time receiving leader who earned a tryout with the New York Jets. This year's projected starters may not be as physically imposing, but will rely on their speed to make plays down the field.

Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) appeared in all 10 games and caught 13 passes as a first-year Pioneer in 2009, while Matt Reggio (Commack, N.Y./Commack) is back on the field after missing last season due to an injury. The pair of juniors was leading the receiving corps during preseason camp, but will be pressed by a very talented and deep group behind them.

Sophomore Chris Manfredo (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) took possession of the third spot on the depth chart during preseason workouts, while sophomores Anthony Costantino (Pennsauken, N.J./Paul VI) and Alex Price (Newton, N.J./Newton) have been neck-and-neck to back-up the other starting receiver. A transfer from Monmouth, junior Derek Scott (North Brunswick, N.J./North Brunswick) has been the wild card, and has the physical tools necessary to break into the lineup.

Freshmen Joe Murphy (Howell, N.J./Howell) and Mick Paye (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) round out the expected contributors at wide receiver.

RUNNING BACKS
What appeared to be a clear-cut depth chart following spring ball has turned in to a true competition to start at tailback. Sophomore Dawys German (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington) came on strong at the end of his freshman year, and coupled with an outstanding spring, is poised for a breakout season as a sophomore. However, he has been challenged by the arrival of freshman Ray VanPeenen (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), a former walk-on at Rutgers who has shown flashes of brilliance during camp.

Junior Corey Paladino (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) has appeared in 16 career games, but is working his way back from an injury that cut short his 2009 season. Freshman Will Woodley (Belleville, N.J./Belleville) also could find himself in the mix for carries out of the backfield.

Junior Kyle Hart (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon Regional) emerged as the starting fullback during preseason practices, this after starting in three of 20 contests during his first two years in Wayne. However, senior Derrik Rideg (Rochelle Park, N.J./Paramus Catholic), an honorable-mention all-NJAC honoree as a sophomore, will continue to make a case for the starting slot as he continues to recover from an injury.

Sophomore Mike Gregory (Harrison, N.J./Harrison) and newcomer DeAndre Page (Paterson, N.J./Bergen Catholic) will also compete for snaps as backups.

QUARTERBACKS
After playing in four games behind two-year starter Matt Marshall, Ryan Gresik (Newton, N.J./Newton) is prepared to become the Pioneers' starter under center. “Ryan has really evolved into a starter,” said Flora. “He has tremendous tools, a cannon for an arm, and grasps everything you throw at him.”

The competition for the number-two spot has been a good one between freshmen Connor O'Leary (Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank Catholic), a transfer from Campbell University, and local standout Dave Milne (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford).

DEFENSIVE LINE
Flora believes that the 2010 William Paterson defensive line will be one of the best he has seen at the school during his 10-year tenure, thanks to both the talent and the depth available this fall.

Senior Dan Nunez (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Paramus Catholic) is in the best condition of his career, coming off a season that saw him make eight appearances in 2009. He has been pushed for the right to start at end by sophomore Anthony Callandrello (Montville, N.J./Montville Twp.), a player Flora believes has the potential to be a real standout.

A two-time all-conference selection, senior Dyon Moore (Brooklyn, N.Y./Hudson Catholic) has shown the same form during camp that has allowed him to collect 127 tackles (25.5 for loss) in two seasons at William Paterson. Sophomore James Grande (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph's by the Sea) will back-up Moore at the other end, this after playing in nine games as a freshman in 2008.

Senior Ansumana Kaba (Wilmington, Del./Christiana) is the front-runner to start at nose tackle, a year after playing in nine games as a Pioneer newcomer. Leston Hall (Bridgeton, N.J./Bridgeton) will also see time in the middle, looking to build upon a freshman campaign that saw him play in five contests.

LINEBACKERS
Senior Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) will help to lead a group of talented linebackers this fall. Selected to the All-NJAC Team Honorable Mention after ranking second in the league in tackles (10.5 per game), he will be joined in the starting lineup by junior Damian DiIorio (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley), who moved up on the depth chart a year ago to start seven of 10 games.

Senior Brandon McNeil (Somerset, N.J./Franklin) has worked hard to put himself into a position to take over the third starting linebacker slot. He will compete with his former high school teammate, Jimmie Ray Ragland (Somerset, N.J./Franklin), who tallied 51 tackles as a freshman at Wilkes University a year ago.

With a year under his belt, sophomore Luigi Napolitano, Jr. (Morris Plains, N.J./Parsippany Hills) could see significant time this fall, as could classmate Steven Shawger (Newton, N.J./Newton).

BANDITS
Three proven veterans will give the Pioneers flexibility at the bandits positions.

Senior Chris Thomas (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) returns for his third season as a starter, including his second as a bandit. Also a valued kick returner, Thomas will be joined by junior Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills), the 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year as well as a second-team all-conference selection after posting 56 stops and two interceptions last year.

Junior Stephen Bovo, Jr. (Dunellen, N.J./Dunellen), a starter in seven of 10 games at free safety a year ago who led the team with three INTs, will make the move to the bandit spot and see significant time as a backup.

CORNERBACKS
William Paterson will welcome back its two starting corners in senior Leer Biddle (Sicklerville, N.J./Lenape) and sophomore Andre Snead (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City). Biddle has looked to be in the best condition of his career, and the two-time member of the All-NJAC Second Team could have an even more impressive effort this fall. Snead showed that he was up to the challenge of playing opposite Biddle with 24 tackles and an interception while starting six of nine games as a freshman in 2009.

Senior Bret Cadena (Madison, N.J./Madison) has shown an ability to be at the right place at the right time, and will serve as a backup along with freshman Blake Katkowski (Saddle Brook, N.J./Paramus Catholic), a player Flora predicts will have a bright future as a Pioneer.

FREE SAFETIES
An outstanding student as well as a smart football player, sophomore German Decena (Union City, N.J./Emerson) has taken possession of the starting job at free safety during preseason workouts, a year after starting three of nine contests and picking off a pass. Sophomore Jim Zenock (Hawthorne, N.J./Hawthorne), a transfer from Sacred Heart University, and freshman TJ Murray (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) will also compete for playing time behind Decena.

KICKERS
Freshman Cory Mundt (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) has displayed a good leg during camp and will continue to grow and improve as the Pioneers' placekicker. He will share kickoff duties with Biddle, while sophomore Brandon Naperstek (Dennisville, N.J./Middle Twp.) is expected to handle the punting duties while serving as a backup in the Pioneer secondary.