Game Notes (PDF) 

William Paterson (0-0, 0-0 NJAC) will open its 2010 football season with a New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) game at The College of New Jersey (0-0, 0-0 NJAC) Friday, Sept. 3. Kickoff at Lions' Stadium (6,000) will be at 7:00 p.m. Live statistics and live audio will be available via http://www.tcnjathletics.com/schedule.aspx?path=fball& (click "Details"). 

Scouting the Pioneers
William Paterson returns four offensive starters and eight defensive starters from a 2009 team that compiled a 5-5 overall record and a 4-5 mark in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) play. The Pioneers, who welcome back five all-conference selections from a year ago, were predicted to finish fifth in the 2010 NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll, and were the “dark horse” pick to win the title this fall. 

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

Running back 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 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. 

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 are the projected starters at wide receiver, but will be pressed by a very talented and deep group behind them. 

Sophomore Joseph Cordato (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) has had the early advantage in an open race for the starting nod at tight end, but junior Kyle Hamilton (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) has also made a compelling case for playing time. 

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.  Projected to start alongside Osborn are sophomore John Matthews (Pennsauken, N.J./Roman Catholic) at left tackle, senior Sean Tyson (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport) at left guard, junior Mike Merkh (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Holy Spirit) at center and freshman Dashawn Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Hoboken) at right guard.

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. 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. 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. 

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 likely be joined in the starting lineup by senior Brandon McNeil(Somerset, N.J./Franklin) and 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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.