BERKELEY HEIGHTS – The Highlanders hope to continue two trends immediately, one of extending last year’s season-ending three-game winning streak and the other of continued success on the road.
GL won its final three games last year to finish at 5-5 for the first time since 2009. On the road the Highlanders concluded at 5-1, tying Elizabeth for the most victories away from home of any team in Union County.
“We lost our quarterback (John Wills) for the season in our first game last year and got out to a tough start,” third-year head coach Dan Guyton said. “I give last year’s seniors a lot of credit. They kept on competing and we won our last three games.
“Hopefully we can carry that momentum into this season.”
Catching the eyes of the coaches enough to make him the quarterback in GL’s Single-Wing offense was sophomore Pat DeAngelis.
“Pat came in early in the summer and worked real hard,” Guyton said. “With our offense we could put two running backs back there, but Pat worked hard, impressed the coaching staff and really stepped up in 7-on-7 sessions.”
Guyton said that DeAngelis played multiple positions last year on the freshman team, including quarterback, wide receiver and running back.
“He’s more of an athlete type of quarterback,” Guyton said. “Lately he’s been throwing the ball really well.”
Guyton feels his offensive line is a strength, bolstered by returning juniors Ben Collins, Brian Biskaduros and Dan Tomlinson. Senior Matt Bruno moved from center to tight end.
“We feel like we’re experienced, but still young there,” Guyton said.
Guyton reported that in the pre-season senior Anthony Wong has done a great job running the ball and that senior Evan Lerch had a bunch of carries and for someone his size (5-5, 130) he’s shown a lot of explosiveness.
Guyton has also been impressed with the play of his defensive line, with Tomlinson and Bruno leading the way.
“The line has looked great,” Guyton said. “Bruno has really stepped up. He’s played guard, center and tackle for us and now he’s at tight end on offense and end on defense.
“Matt’s an old school, three-sport (football, basketball, baseball) athlete that goes all out.”
Guyton also said that senior Manoli Kanellos is one of the leaders at linebacker.
While relatively healthy, GL is dealing with a couple of concussion injuries sustained by placekicker Doug Anderson and defensive tackle Carlton Edwards. Those players may not be available for service in GL’s first game.
Also, in GL’s first scrimmage vs. Chatham and Montclair-Kimberley Academy – which was at GL – junior Jon Wong broke his ankle and will miss the season. Another three-sport standout, Wong also wrestles and plays lacrosse.
“He scored two touchdowns in that scrimmage,” Guyton said.
For a change, GL – which usually plays more Saturday afternoon games than night games – will open the season with four consecutive Friday night clashes. Three of them will be on the road.
GL opens at Voorhees and then at Summit, which is Summit’s home-opener. GL will then have its home-opener against North Plainfield and the following Friday night will play at Johnson.
GL has only three Saturday afternoon games this year, all of them at home.
GL’S SPREAD,
SINGLE-WING OFFENSE:
LG Ben Collins, junior, (5-10, 210)
LT Brian Biskaduros, junior, (6-2, 230)
C Alex Lopez, senior, (6-0, 195)
RG Matt Rothfeld, senior, (5-9, 210)
RT Dan Tomlinson, junior, (6-2, 280)
TE Matt Bruno, senior, (6-2, 210)
WR Javon Reis-Wilson, senior, (5-8, 150)
WB Steven Sottosanti, senior, (5-11, 185)
FB Jack Blasch, senior, (5-9, 190)
RB Anthony Wong, senior, (5-9, 180)
RB Evan Lerch, senior, (5-5, 130)
QB Pat DeAngelis, sophomore, (5-11, 165)
PK Doug Anderson, junior, (5-9, 160)
Returning starters (5): Collins, Biskaduros,
Tomlinson, Bruno, Anderson.
GL’S 4-3 DEFENSE:
E Matt Bruno, senior, (6-2, 210)
T Dan Tomlinson, junior, (6-2, 280)
T Carlton Edwards, senior, (5-10, 225)
T Brian Biskaduros, junior, (6-2, 230)
T Mike Magliacano, sophomore, (5-9, 220)
E Chris Bottone, junior, (6-1, 190)
E Tom Jakositz, junior, (6-3, 195)
LB Manoli Kanellos, senior, (5-9, 175)
LB Anthony Wong, senior, (5-9, 180)
LB Matt Rothfeld, senior, (5-9, 210)
CB Nick DeLuca, senior, (5-7, 160)
FS Turner Haddad, junior, (5-11, 165)
SS Steven Sottosanti, senior, (5-11, 185)
CB Evan Lerch, senior, (5-5, 130)
P Quinn Haddad, sophomore, (6-0, 165)
Returning starters (4): Tomlinson, Kanellos,
Wong, Lerch.
GOV. LIVINGSTON HIGHLANDERS
Head Coach: Dan Guyton, since 2013.
A 1998 Gov. Livingston graduate.
Third season: 9-11 (.450)
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Raritan
Section: North 2, Group 3
GL’s last playoff season: 2013
2014: (5-5 and 2-4, fifth in Mountain Division)
GL’s Frey Field: Field Turf.
Guyton was previously an assistant coach at GL
for seven seasons, including his last in 2008 when
the Highlanders reached the N2, G2 final. He then
served as an assistant coach at Johnson before landing
his first job as a head coach two years ago with GL.
GL finished at .500 and at 5-5 last year for the first
time since 2009. The Highlanders are seeking their first
winning season since 2008.
GL HIGHLANDERS 2015
Sept. 11 at Voorhees, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Summit, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 North Plainfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2 at Johnson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10 Somerville, 1 p.m.
Oct. 17 Warren Hills, 1 p.m.
Oct. 30 at Cranford, 7 p.m.
Nov. 7 Rahway, 2 p.m.
Nov. 26 New Providence, 10:30 a.m.
Head coach: Dan Guyton,
third season
2014 HIGHLANDERS (5-5)
(H) Voorhees 42, GL 24
(H) Summit 31, GL 7
(A) GL 19, North Plainfield 7
(H) Johnson 28, GL 21 (OT)
(A) GL 38, Somerville 10
(A) Warren Hills 28, GL 18
(H) Cranford 30, GL 13
(A) GL 21, Rahway 7
(A) GL 35, Palisades Park 14
(A) GL 35, New Providence 14
Head coach: Dan Guyton,
second season
Section: North 2, Group 3
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Raritan 2-4
Record: 5-5
Home: 0-4
Away: 5-1
Points for: 231
Points against: 211
Shutouts: 0
Overtime: 0-1