KENILWORTH – This year without a big lead, experienced running back the Bears will be more balanced offensively, according to head coach Scott Miller.
“We will still be primarily a running team, but I would say that averaging 10 passes a game in the past – that will increase.”
At quarterback is sophomore Danny Ramos, the younger brother of Mike, who was the quarterback last year and who also played in this summer’s Snapple Bowl – in the secondary.
Brearley has three capable wide receivers for Ramos to throw the ball too, including size in 6-6 junior Sean Boyars. The other receivers are seniors Kyle Shaw and Vin Rappa.
“We have a young offensive line and young running backs, so we’re going to throw the ball a little more,” Miller said.
At fullback is senior Dylan Santelli and at tailback is sophomore Derek Graichen.
Returning starter at linebacker is sophomore Michael Dotro. Even though he missed the final two-and-a-half games last year because of a shoulder injury, Dotro still led Brearley in tackles with 92.
“He will be our guy to count on so that the defense is lined up correctly,” Miller said. “He has good experience coming back and we expect him to have a solid season.”
Miller said that the defense was ahead of the offense after scrimmages against Middlesex, Newark Academy and South River.
“We have some more experience coming back on defense,” Miller said. “Right now we’re struggling with our youth on offense.”
Brearley, coming off consecutive 5-5 finishes, was to host Verona Thursday, Aug. 30 in its game-scrimmage.
The Bears will then remain home for their first two games of the year, including Highland Park Sept. 7 and Mid-State 36 Conference-Union Division rival Dayton on Sept. 14.
Brearley is opening against Highland Park because Roselle Park is not fielding a varsity team this season because of a lack of numbers, specifically juniors and seniors.
“It’s very disappointing that Roselle Park does not have a varsity team,” said Miller, who not only has coached against the Panthers since 2002, but played against them when he was a student at Brearley Regional in the mid-1980s.
“With the great tradition that they have and the things they have done over there going back to even when I played in high school, it’s unfortunate,” Miller said. “There are other teams in our conference such as South Hunterdon and Dayton that have struggled with numbers recently. This year I’m starting a ton of sophomores.”
New Providence replaced Roselle Park in the Union Division, moving over from the Valley Division. Brearley plays at New Providence on Oct. 12. The week before New Providence plays at Newark Academy, which is its replacement game for Roselle Park.
Dayton plays at Middlesex on Oct. 12 in its game to replace Roselle Park.
Brearley’s other home dates are against Union Division foes Belvidere and South Hunterdon.
Brearley’s final regular season game is at Dunellen, which is considered Brearley’s Middlesex County crossover contest. Brearley beat Dunellen 31-20 at home last year in a sectional consolation game to finish at .500 for the second straight season.
BREARLEY’S MULTIPLE-PRO OFFENSE:
T Justin O’Rourke, senior, (5-11, 180)
T Aiden Samila, sophomore, (6-6, 290)
G AJ O’Brien, senior, (5-10, 220)
G Michael Dotro, sophomore, (6-0, 210)
C Michael Padula, sophomore, (5-10, 210)
TE Pete Siragusa, junior, (5-10, 185)
WR Sean Boyers, junior, (6-6, 180)
WR Kyle Shaw, senior, (5-11, 175)
WR Vin Rappa, senior, (5-8, 160)
FB Dylan Santelli, senior, (5-10, 170)
TB Derek Graichen, sophomore, (5-11, 170)
QB Danny Ramos, sophomore, (5-8, 145)
PK Antonino Principato, junior, (5-7, 140)
Returning starters (4): O’Rourke, O’Brien,
Keith, Santelli.
BREARLEY’S 5-2 DEFENSE:
E Justin O’Rourke, senior, (5-11, 180)
E Anthony Locorriere, senior, (5-8, 175)
T AJ O’Brien, senior, (5-10, 220)
T Dylan Santelli, senior, (5-10, 170)
T NIcholas Soriano, sophomore, (5-10, 175)
LB Michael Dotro, sophomore, (6-0, 210)
LB John Braun, junior, (6-0, 185)
CB Chris Keith, senior, (6-4, 175)
CB Vin Rappa, senior (5-8, 160)
S Kyle Shaw, senior, (5-11, 175)
S Antonino Principato, junior, (5-7, 140)
P Antonino Principato, junior, (5-7, 140)
Returning starters (5): O’Rourke, O’Brien,
Santelli, Dotro, Shaw.
BREARLEY BEARS 2018
Sept. 7 Highland Park, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 Dayton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 at Manville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Bound Brook, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 Belvidere, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 at New Providence, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Dunellen, 7 p.m.
Head coach: Scott Miller,
17th season
2017 BREARLEY BEARS (5-5)
(H) Holmdel 17, Brearley 12
(H) Belvidere 18, Brearley 15
(A) Brearley 41, South Hunterdon 13
(A) Brearley 40, Roselle Park 21
(H) Brearley 41, Dayton 27
(H) Manville 14, Brearley 7
(H) Bound Brook 41, Brearley 33
(A) Brearley 29, New Providence 28
(A) Hillside 21, Brearley 15
(H) Brearley 31, Dunellen 20
Head coach: Scott Miller,
16th season
Section: North 2, Group 1
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Union, 3-3
Record: 5-5
Home: 2-4
Away: 3-1
Points for: 264
Points against: 220
Shutouts: 0
Overtime: 0-0
BREARLEY BEARS
Head Coach: Scott Miller, since 2002.
A 1987 Brearley Regional graduate.
17th season: 111-56-1 (.665)
Conference: Mid-State 36
Division: Union
Section: North, Group 1
Brearley’s last sectional title: 2006
2017: (5-5 and 3-3, fourth in Union Division)
Ward Field in Kenilworth: Grass
Miller has guided Brearley to the playoffs 12 times
in his first 16 seasons at the helm. His playoff record is
9-11, including an appearance in the Central Jersey,
Group 1 final in 2005, the North 2, Group 1
championship in 2006 and the N2, G1 final in 2015.