ROSELLE PARK – A much more experienced team – the Panthers return eight starters on offense and also eight on defense – could be the impetus to Roselle Park producing its first winning season in four years.
“We’re excited,” sixth-year head coach Terry Hanratty said. “We have 18 seniors and a freshman class of 20. We’re a little low in the middle (seven juniors and two sophomores), but I think that is the case for all of the sports at Roselle Park.”
Continuing at quarterback after starting three games a year ago is 6-4 junior Patrick Gergich.
“Patrick is real tall and lanky and smart and can throw the ball well,” Hanratty said. “He’s okay at running, but has gotten better. He’s a tall, hard-working young man.
“He played well when he played those three games last year and he understands.”
Three-year starters, both seniors, include lineman Sean Matthews and wide receiver Enzo Brutus.
Matthews started at end as a sophomore and is the starting center once again.
“Sean, Oniks (Fazliu), Jawahn (Gasque) and Devin (Hilburn) have played a lot the last three years,” Hanratty said of those returning starting linemen.
Brutus, like Matthews, seeks to play at the next level.
“We think Enzo can be a good player,” Hanratty said. “We’re hoping his senior year is a breakout year. We might put him in the Wildcat this year.”
Matthews, Gasque, Fazliu and Hilburn all return on the defensive line in Roselle Park’s 4-4 scheme.
“Matthews is strong, smart, relentless and a great leader,” Hanratty said. “All the kids respect him and follow him.
“We have the four linemen back and most of the linebackers. The defensive backs (not counting Brutus) are where we are new. We hope the new guys (Gergich and Juan Morales) just keep getting better every week.”
Roselle Park last finished above .500 in 2013 when the Panthers fashioned an 8-3 record that included reaching the North 2, Group 1 semifinals and ending the season with a second straight win over Thanksgiving Day neighborhood rival Roselle.
“In the past people would worry about their individual stats more than the team,” Hanratty said. “This is more of a team. They’re not about just their stats. They’re more worried about everyone and that’s a good thing.”
ROSELLE PARK’S WING-T OFFENSE:
LG Jawahn Gasque, senior, (6-4, 225)
LT Oniks Fazliu, senior, (6-3, 245)
C Sean Matthews, senior, (6-3, 235)
RG Jared Rivera, senior, (5-10, 225)
RT Ryan Urban, senior, (5-7, 200)
TE Devin Hilburn, senior, (5-10, 185)
QB Patrick Gergich, junior, (6-4, 185)
TB Dylan Camilo, senior, (5-7, 155)
WB Abel Crespo, senior, (5-10, 185)
FB Vincent Figueredo, senior, (5-9, 215)
WR Enzo Brutus, senior, (5-9, 165)
PK Angel Tlanipa, junior, (5-11, 180)
Returning starters (8): Gasque, Fazliu,
Matthews, Hilburn, Gergich, Crespo,
Figueredo, Brutus.
ROSELLE PARK’S 4-4 DEFENSE:
E Jawahn Gasque, senior, (6-4, 225)
T Oniks Fazliu, senior, (6-3, 245)
T Sean Matthews, senior, (6-3, 235)
E Devin Hilburn, senior, (5-10, 185)
OLB Abel Crespo, senior, (5-10, 185)
MLB Dylan Camilo, senior, (5-7, 155)
MLB Vincent Figueredo, senior, (5-9, 215)
OLB Angel Tlanipa, junior, (5-11, 180)
S Patrick Gergich, junior, (6-4, 185)
CB Enzo Brutus, senior, (5-9, 165)
CB Juan Morales, junior, (5-8, 170)
P Patrick Gergich, junior, (6-4, 185)
Returning starters (8): Gasque, Fazliu,
Matthews, Hilburn, Crespo, Camilo,
Figueredo, Brutus.
ROSELLE PARK PANTHERS
Head Coach: Terry Hanratty, since 2012.
A 1990 Elizabeth graduate.
Sixth season: 30-23 (.566)
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Union
Section: North 2, Group 1
Roselle Park’s last sectional title: 1993
2016: (3-7 and 3-4, fifth in Union Division)
Herm Shaw Field: Grass.
Hanratty has guided Roselle Park to the North 2, Group 1
playoffs in four of his five seasons at the helm. He has
a 3-4 playoff record and a 1-0 consolation games mark. Hanratty
has two winning seasons and two .500 campaigns at RP.
ROSELLE PARK PANTHERS 2017
Sept. 1 at Sussex Tech, 4 p.m.
Sept. 8 South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15 Dayton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Belvidere, 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 Brearley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6 at Bound Brook, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21 at New Providence, 1 p.m.
Nov. 3 Manville, 7 p.m.
Nov. 23 Roselle, 10:30 a.m.
2016 ROSELLE PARK PANTHERS (3-7)
(A) Roselle Park 33, South Hunterdon 0
(A) Roselle Park 32, Dayton 0
(H) Belvidere 24, Roselle Park 20
(A) Brearley 29, Roselle Park 7
(H) Bound Brook 15, Roselle Park 8
(A) Pingry 27, Roselle Park 26
(H) New Providence 11, Roselle Park 0
(A) Roselle Park 32, Manville 22
(A) Weequahic 44, Roselle Park 18
(H) Roselle 42, Roselle Park 20
Head coach: Terry Hanratty,
fifth season
Section: North 2, Group 1
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Union 3-4, fifth
Record: 3-7
Home: 0-4
Away: 3-3
Points for: 196
Points against: 214
Shutouts: 2
Overtime: 0-0