Football Looks to Improve on '08 State Playoff Run

As John Liberato begins his third year as the head football coach at Summit High School, he knows that he’s already begun to change the culture. After all, the Hilltopper program was moribund for what seemed like forever, winning a total of just six games in the three years prior to his arrival.

But after the Hilltoppers went 5-6 last season and reached the semifinals of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group II playoffs, Liberato knows that the Hilltoppers are on the precipice of doing better things in 2009.

“We have some good players coming back from a predominately sophomore and junior team,” Liberato said. “They keep getting better as the weeks go on. We started 0-2 last year and then came back to go to the semifinals of the state. I think it’s only natural to expect that we should be bigger, stronger and faster this season.”

The Hilltoppers kick off the new season Saturday against Hillside with a 1 p.m. kickoff at Summit.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting this team prepared to play,” Liberato said. “We have a lot of experience in the skilled positions. They all know that they’re going to play and they have to learn to play all of the skilled positions. It sure makes things interesting.”

When Liberato was asked what kind of offensive set he runs, he came out with an interesting answer.

“It’s sort of a multiple shotgun Wing-T,” Liberato said.

Exactly. Just what everyone figured. Needless to say, it’s a hybrid offensive set, one that makes for interesting play and exciting action.

Leading the way is senior quarterback Joe Jaskolski (6-1, 180), who threw for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

“Joe has done a great job running the offense,” Liberato said. “He knows what to do and knows what is expected of him. He did a nice job in our scrimmages.”

The Hilltoppers had an extensive scrimmage schedule, facing Caldwell, Shore Regional, Bloomfield, Dumont and Rahway in the preseason. Needless to say, they should be battle tested come time for kickoff Saturday.

The fullback is senior Dwaine Dabney (6-0, 195), who rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns a year ago. Having experienced veterans like Jaskolski and Dabney has to give the Hilltoppers an advantage this season.

The Hilltoppers use a plethora of wide receivers, led by senior Matt Rea (5-7, 165), who caught 40 passes and scored 13 touchdowns last season. The Feeney twins, namely seniors Dan and Brian, are also both capable pass catchers. Both stand 5-foot-9 and weigh around 170.

Another receiver is junior Sal Liberato (5-9, 165), the son of the head coach.

“It’s pretty neat coaching my son,” Liberato said. “I know I don’t have to miss practices and games trying to run around to watch my son play, because he’s always with me.”

Seniors Marcel Godino (6-0, 165), Shawn Hillas (5-10, 160) and Pat Huer (5-11, 155) and junior  Chet Joffe (5-11, 165) are all fine pass receivers in their own right. Needless to say, with that wide open offensive approach, the Hilltoppers are going to spread the ball around this season.

“It definitely makes things interesting, that’s for sure,” Liberato said.

The offensive line also features experienced players. Senior guards Griffin Dottle (6-0, 200) and Paul Coviello (5-7, 220) return to their starting slots, as does junior center Max Munoz (6-2, 215) and senior tackle Matt Mulholland (6-2, 275). Only junior tackle Austin Jennings (6-2, 245) didn’t start last season.

“All of them have matured a great deal,” Liberato said. “They all played and played well.”

The defense features senior defensive end Pat Birosak (6-1, 195) and senior Mike Watts (6-2, 245) at defensive tackle. Both started last year. Tackle Dottle and junior defensive end Logan Jeffries (6-0, 205) round out the defensive line.

Senior Kevin McNany (6-1, 225) is a key performer at middle linebacker, where he played last year.

“McNany is like the master controller out there,” Liberato said. “He makes all the calls.”

Junior Nick Oristiano (5-8, 200) is an inside linebacker, with the Feeney twins and junior Peter Badgley (5-8, 170) playing outside linebacker.

Junior Ryan O’Malley (6-5, 210) is currently a defensive standout without a true position.

“He’s going to play all over,” Liberato said.

Senior Jake Hall (6-0, 165) and Joffe man the cornerback slots, with Rea and senior Sam Russell (5-11, 175) at safety.

The punter is senior Nolan Prinzen (6-0, 175), who will also see time at linebacker. The placekicker is senior Alex Melendez (5-10, 155).

The Hilltoppers join the new Mid-State 39 Conference this season, leaving the old Iron Hills Conference as a distant memory.

“I really enjoyed the Iron Hills and I’m going to miss that,” Liberato said. “Every opponent we play this year is new. We’re not familiar with any of our opponents, so that’s going to be a difficult task.”

But Liberato is encouraged by the 2009 season.

“We have kids who have made a huge investment in our football program,” Liberato said. “They made the investment in the off-season to get ready. I think having a championship lacrosse team helps to bring that winning flavor. I think this is a team that if it takes care of the little things, good things will happen. We can go out and be capable of great things. We have a huge, rich winning tradition at Summit High School and we’re on the way of bringing it back.”

Make that all the way back.