With the 2011 season about to begin, Jerry Flora is enthusiastic about the direction the William Paterson football program is heading in as he enters his fourth season as the head coach.

“Our classes continue to grow, and with 10 seniors, 30 juniors and 25 sophomores, we have a lot of upperclassmen who are experienced leaders,” Flora said. “The new guys are fitting in well, and our captains and other veterans have shown great leadership. We have practiced hard and this has been one of the toughest camps we have had during my time at William Paterson, but things have run very smoothly.”

The Pioneers got off to their best start since the 1992 campaign by bursting out to a 4-1 opening record in 2010, but a slew of injuries derailed WP's quest for a postseason bid. The positive to be taken from that experience was that a number of young players gained competitive experience that will benefit them individually and the program overall this fall. 

“We have been evolving as a program the last few years and gone through some stages of growth,” related Flora. “They understand now what it means to sacrifice, and that has helped us to develop even more of a family atmosphere within the program.”

OFFENSE
Thanks to nine starters and 28 letterwinners returning from the 2010 roster, the Pioneers will be more experienced and game-tested on the offensive side of the ball this season.

Offensive Line
With 19 offensive linemen on the roster, including three returning starters, the Pioneers will have quality depth at the position during the 2011 campaign.

Senior Mike Merkh (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J./Holy Spirit) will once again serve as the anchor at center, returning for his third season as the starter. After playing in all 10 contests as a rookie backup tight end, John Matthews (Pennsauken, N.J./Roman Catholic) started every game at left tackle a year ago, while Dashawn Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Hoboken) seized the starting role at right guard as a freshman last fall and has looked impressive during preseason camp.

After previously serving as Merkh's backup at center, junior Vinny Proscia (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) has emerged as the starter at left guard, and sophomore Eric Yuneman (Bloomfield, N.J./Bloomfield) has overcome an injury that sidelined him last year to lead the race to start at right tackle.

Junior Rahjon Jones (Newark, N.J./Barringer), a transfer from ASA, and freshman Andrew Donnell (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) both caught the attention of the coaches during preseason workouts, while senior Mike Sullivan (New Milford, N.J./New Milford) could see snaps at center, and freshman Ryan Sibole (Brick, N.J./Brick Twp.) will press for time after transferring from Pace University.

Running Backs
Flora will have a host of options in the backfield with as many as seven Pioneers capable of making big plays at tailback or fullback.

Dawys German (North Arlington, N.J./North Arlington) got stronger as the 2010 season progressed, finishing as the team's leading rusher with 448 yards on 129 attempts and scoring three times as a sophomore. Senior Kyle Hart (Lambertville, N.J./South Hunterdon Regional) fought through injuries last season to start six of eight games, and provides a little bit of everything at fullback thanks to his blocking, rushing and pass-catching abilities.

A host of newcomers will be competing for time, including freshmen Daryl Shuler (Peekskill, N.Y./White Plains), Dwaine Dabney, Jr. (Summit, N.J./Summit) and Isaac Jlaka (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg), sophomore St. Paul's College transfer Stanley Howard (Somerset, N.J./Franklin), and junior Erie Community College transfer Keenan Wilburn (Somerset, N.J./Middlesex).

Tight Ends
After starting nine of 10 contests last fall, junior tight end Joseph Cordato (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) will look to improve upon his 2010 totals of 21 catches for 234 yards and a score.

Senior Kyle Hamilton (Middletown, N.Y./Pine Bush) will be in his third season at tight end after coming to WP as a quarterback, while sophomore Rich Vivian (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) could see an expanded role this year.

Wide Receivers
Although two honorable-mention all-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) honorees return, William Paterson could see some changes at wide receiver this fall.

At the conclusion of preseason camp, the race for the two starting nods was too close to call. Senior Joe Muraglia, Jr. (Belleville, N.J./Queen of Peace) had team bests of 45 receptions, 442 yards and three touchdowns to earn 2010 all-league accolades. He will be seriously challenged by sophomore Ray VanPeenen (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Hills), who is changing positions after rushing 81 times for 253 yards and four TDs before his season ended after five games due to an injury, and junior Rob Casasnovas (Wanaque, N.J./Lakeland Regional), who will be in his first year as a Pioneer after transferring from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Sophomore Julian Frazier (Plainfield, N.J./North Plainfield) is ready for an expanded role after making six appearances as a rookie, while junior Chris Manfredo (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) is coming off an all-conference performance with 32 catches for 393 yards in 2010.

A former running back, Corey Paladino (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) will look to make an impact at wide receiver as a senior, and sophomore Mick Paye (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional) could contend for significant playing time as well after serving as a backup a year ago.

Quarterbacks
Continuing to improve each day, junior Ryan Gresik (Newton, N.J./Newton) started all but one game last fall and was 155-for-268 for 1,489 yards and six touchdowns. Flora believes that Gresik is set-up for an even better season in 2011, thanks to his improved decision making. Sophomore Connor O'Leary (Little Silver, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) has developed into a solid back-up, and freshman Joe Salame (Lodi, N.J./Lodi) has been impressive as a freshman during preseason workouts.

DEFENSE
Six starters and 25 letterwinners are back from a 2010 unit that finished third in Division III in pass defense (115.3 yards/game), 26th in total defense (268.8 yards/game) and 27th in pass efficiency defense (96.5 yards/game).

Defensive Line
All three starters graduated following the 2010 season, but the Pioneers will still feature some experienced players on the defensive line this fall.

Senior Damian DiIorio (Totowa, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) has made the move from linebacker to end, boasting career totals of 26 games, 11 starts, 53 tackles (6.0 for loss, 3.0 sacks) and three fumble recoveries. Junior Kyle McCourt (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) is expected to start at the other end after making seven appearances a year ago.

Also making the move from linebacker, junior Luigi Napolitano, Jr. (Morris Plains, N.J./Parsippany) should see a significant amount of time after making 44 tackles (15 solo, 5.0 for solo) and forcing a fumble in seven starts last fall. Mike Morano (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea) played in eight contests as a sophomore in 2010, and junior James Grande (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea) will be fighting for more snaps after making 16 appearances as a two-year Pioneer.

At nose tackle, Webb Geer (Sparta, N.J./Sparta) is the projected starter after playing in four games as a rookie. He will be pushed by junior Kyle McGough (Commack, N.Y./Commack), a converted offensive lineman, and freshman Carlos del Castillo (Hopewell Valley, N.J./Hopewell Valley Central), who impressed the coaching staff during preseason camp.

Linebackers
WP's linebacker corps was decimated by injuries a year ago, but the Pioneers will welcome two of those starters back for the 2011 campaign.

An honorable-mention all-NJAC pick in 2009, senior Jim Hamill (Stanhope, N.J./Lenape Valley Regional) was lost to injury during the third game of the 2010 season. He will be a welcome re-addition with his 160 career tackles (71 solo, 11.0 for loss, 2.0 sacks), including 10.5 stops per game as a junior to rank second in the league and 30th in Division III.

Senior Brandon McNeil (Somerset, N.J./Franklin) also is back after being lost to injury during the 2010 season opener, this after playing in all 10 games as a junior. One of the players who was asked to help fill the void left by the injuries to Hamill and McNeil was Clifton Glaze (Palmyra, N.J./Palmyra), who will likely start this fall after making 29 tackles (16 solo, 3.0 for loss) in starting three of 10 contests as a sophomore. Another was junior Steven Shawger (Newton, N.J./Newton), who posted 24 stops, a fumble forced and an interception in nine games and four starts.

Sophomore Matt Heyman (Sussex, N.J./High Point Regional), a transfer from the University of Minnesota-Crookston, will challenge for a starting job. Sophomore Jedd Blackowski (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) was limited by injuries during preseason workouts after making six appearances a year ago, and freshmen Wallace Cooper (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) and John Garbowski (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland) will likely see a significant number of snaps.

Bandits
Three-time all-conference honoree Doug Dudek (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) highlights the Pioneers' group of bandits. The 2008 NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time second-team selection, he enters his senior season with career totals of 168 tackles (70 solo, 19.5 for loss, 4.0 sacks), five interceptions and 12 pass breakups.

Moving from free safety, junior Stephen Bovo, Jr. (Dunellen, N.J./Dunellen) is expected to start at the other bandit position after 19 games and seven starts in two seasons as a Pioneer. Classmate J.P. Etienne (Morris Plains, N.J./Parsippany Hills), sophomore Steve Pedhoretzky (Rutherford, N.J./Don Bosco Prep), a transfer from Southern Connecticut State University, freshman Josh Colon (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) and junior Anthony Rountree (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport)¸a transfer from Nassau Community College, will give WP depth at the position.

Cornerbacks
The Pioneers will feel the loss of D3football.com first-team all-American Leer Biddle, but Flora feels good about the quality of competition this preseason by the cornerbacks.

Junior Andre Snead (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City) started alongside Biddle a year ago, coming up with a pair of interceptions and three pass breakups to go along with 33 stops (24 solo). Classmate Adam Curry (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) has made dramatic progress since arriving at WP as a walk-on, and could start on the other side of the field. Sophomore O.C. Hightower (Trenton, N.J./Perkiomen) has been in a heated battle with Curry for a starting slot, and sophomore Blake Katkowski (Saddle Brook, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and junior Fritz Headley (Hackensack, N.J./Hackensack) will likely see significant playing time.

Free Safety
German Decena (Union City, N.J./Emerson) returns to the field after starting all 10 games at free safety a year ago, tying for the team lead with three interceptions while ranking fourth on the team in tackles (47) as a sophomore. Serving as his backup will be junior Javon Hodges (Parlin, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial), who joins the Pioneers after transferring from Albright College.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore Cory Mundt (Rockaway, N.J./Morris Hills) handled the Pioneers' placekicking and punting duties a year ago, and likely will do the same in 2010 after leading the league statistics with 37.7 yards per punt. Freshmen Robert Sinegra (Wharton, N.J./Morris Knolls) and Marcin Koc (Wallington, N.J./Wallington) will compete to break-in to the lineup for PATs and field goals.

Punt returning duties will fall to Muraglia, VanPeenen and Casasnovas. Howard, Shuler and Dabney are the front runners to return kickoffs for the Pioneers.