15 players to watch

BRANDON NAPOLEON, QB, ST. PETER'S PREP

Napoleon, who enters his second year as the Prep starter, threw for 816 yards, nine scores and rushed for 613 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He will undoubedly be more of a focal point of the offense with the departure of star running back Savon Huggins.

"He's doing things in terms of leadership he didn't know he had to do last year," Hansen said of Napoleon. "He's a play maker, he's an athlete and he's a good quarterback who's making more reads and more checks."

DARIUS ROPER, OL/DL, ST. ANTHONY

Darius Roper was a dominting force on both the offensive and defensive line last season for the emerging St. Anthony Friars. He was named the HCIAL All-Conference White Division Defensive Lineman of the Year, and was included on the First Team for both offense and defense. On the defensive line, he compiled 12 sacks and 50 tackles a year ago.

CHRIS GOMEZ, RB, MEMORIAL

Chris Gomez is going to the be the feautured offensive player on the Tigers this season. Last year, Gomez rushed for over 900 yards and 10 touchdown, earning himself All-Conference First Team honors. With an offensive line comprised of five returning seniors, Gomez seems primed to surpass his production from last season.

STEVE LE, RB/DB, UNION CITY

Steve Le was one of the stars on a surprising Union City team that upset top-seeded West Orange in the state tournament a year ago. He had a huge game on both sides of the ball, picking off two passes, rushing for 103 yards and tallying 49 yards receiving.

In 2010, Le rushed for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns as a halfback, and tallied 70 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles as a safety. As a defensive back he was named to the HCIAL Red Division First Team, the Group IV All-State Third Team, as well as the HCIAL First Team as a running back.

D.J. SINGLETON, RB/DB, ST. PETER'S PREP

Singleton, who made a verbal commitment to Wisconsin University in late August, will add his experience to the talented Marauder defense this season and get carries at running back.

At 6-foot-2, Singleton recorded 37 tackles, two interceptions, seven pass breakups and two sacks last season, but Hansen says the best is yet to come."He's a young guy who is going to grow into his body and his talent. I'm sure the Wisconsin coaches recognized it, will maximize what he does, and take him to the next level."

JUAN CRUZ, LB, UNION CITY

Junior Juan Cruz, who Union City coach Wilber Valdez named the "heart and soul of our defense" will look to build upon a strong sophomore campaign in 2010. The linebacker tallied 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception on his way to being named to the HCIAL Red Division Second Team.

VIN ASCOLESE, LB/FB, NORTH BERGEN

Senior Vin Ascolese was a defensive leader for the 8-3 Bruins last season and is being recognized by a variety of college programs. He already has offers from Illinois, UMass, Buffalo and Temple, and is still being talked to by Michigan State, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Ascolese, ranked as the top linebacker in New Jersey by MSG Varsity, was a HCIAL Red Division First Team selection at linebacker last season. He recorded 91 tackles, 25 for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumlbes and an interception for the Bruins in 2010.

JEREMIAH PEGUERRO, OL, LINCOLN

Peguerro will be tasked with leading a young offensive line after several key linemen graduated last year. As a captain and a three-year starter, a lot will rest on his shoulders as the Lions look to duplicate last year's impressive run to the North 2, Group 1 state title game.

DAMIAN CORREDOR, RB, WEEHAWKEN

Weehawken coach Zach Naszimento called the 5-foot-9 junior running back "probably the best running back" he's ever had in his 10 years of coaching the sport.



Corredor, who has drawn interest from some Division 1-AA schools and will once again star in the Weehawken backfield, possesses excellent vision, anticipation and most importantly - speed.

"In space he just goes. He's got the second gear and he just goes," Naszimento said. "Speed is the one thing you can't really coach. He gets on the perimeter and he's gone."

DENZEL LEITCH, WR/CB, NORTH BERGEN

Leitch will look to help out first-year junior starting quarterback Danny Melian with his explosive speed. The senior wideout runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, and is coming off a strong season. He caught 31 passes for 568 yards and six touchdowns in 2010. He was a HCIAL Red Division Second Team member at wide receiver and cornerback. Head coach Vin Ascolese expects him to be a difference-maker on both sides of the ball.

"He covers very, very well - a very good corner. He shuts a lot of people down. As a receiver he's got good hands, got speed, gets in front of people and catches the ball," Ascolese said.

Leitch is currently drawing interest from James Madison and VCU.

NATE ORTIZ, TE, ST. ANTHONY

The Friars return one of their biggest red-zone targets this season in Nate Ortiz. As St. Anthony tries to build on last year's 9-1 breakout campaign, Ortiz will be a big part of the offense. In 2010, the 6-foot-4 tight end reeled in 33 catches, including nine touchdowns and around 400 yards receiving. Ortiz also has an offer on the table from Temple University, coach Sean Fallon said.

SPENCER PEREZ, QB, HOBOKEN

Coach Lou Taglieri says the success of the Red Wing offense will depend mostly on the play of their senior signal caller, Perez.

"He's been here a while, he's an extension of the coaching staff on the field and he knows every assignment," Taglieri said. "We're going to put a lot of weight on his shoulders, but we think he's mature enough to handle it."

In 2010, the 6-foot-2 quarterback threw for 22 touchdown, and only two interceptions, while compiling 1,150 yards through the air. Perez is currently drawing interest from Division I programs, Army and Temple University.

SEAN EGAN, QB/S/P, SECAUCUS

Egan is coming into his third-straight season as the Patriots' starting quarterback, and is looking to build on Patriots' 7-3 campaign in 2010. In an injury-shortened season, Egan threw for 710 yards, nine touchdowns and only three interceptions. But coach Charlie Voorhees says Egan's greatest qualities don't show up in the stat sheets.

"He runs a team from the quarterback spot, as a leader, as good as anyone we've ever seen. He's a very sound quarterback in that huddle, those things you can't measure in statistics," Voorhees said.

RUSSELL FALLACARA, OT/DT, BAYONNE

Fallacara has had to be patitent with a struggling Bayonne football program. But with new coach Rick Rodriguez back at the helm, he will have a greater chance to shine.

"The kid works hard, he's a tough kid, he plays hard and he's paid the price the last two years at Bayonne High School," Rodriguez said.

The 6-foot, 250-pound lineman was an HCIAL Red Division First Team selection last season as a left tackle.

MICHAEL GIACONE, TE, ST. PETER'S PREP

Rounding out the Division I talent on St. Peter's Prep is the Rutgers-bound Michael Giacone. The 6-foot-5, 246-pound tight end was named to the HCIAL All-Conference Red Division First Team last season.

Giacone, who primarily served in a blocking capacity last season, hauled in 17 receptions for 311 yards and three touchdowns in 2010. Giacone has shown strides as a pass catcher already and should be one of Napoleon's favorite targets.

"I think he's a more complete player in our system," Hansen said of Giacone. "He's on the path and pace to be what we thought he could do and be."