HUNTERDON CENTRAL RED DEVILS
Head coach: Casey Ransone (8th season at Central, 24-41, 12th season overall, 50-54)
2023 record: 6-4
Playoffs: Lost to Kingsway, 27-14, in South Jersey, Group 5 quarterfinals
Division: Big Central - American Silver
Key players: Andrew Cella, Jr., QB; Jayden Cozze, So., RB/LB; Kyle Ettere, Sr., OL/DL; Quinten Fisher, Sr., OL/DL; Declan Joyce, Jr., OL/DL; Devin Marerro, Sr., WR/DB; AJ Melo, Jr., TE/DL; James Mongno, Jr., WR/DB; Edwin Sanchez, Sr., OL/DL; Preston Shemanski, Jr., OL/DL; Matt Smith, Sr., WR/DB; Tyler Suk, Sr., OL/DL; Jesus Vargas, Sr., TE/LB; Nick Vasquez, Jr., WR/DB; Gio Veliz, Jr., RB/LB.
Outlook: It would be easy for the Red Devils and head coach Casey Ransone to lament all the production lost due to graduation, particularly at the offensive skill positions.
But while asking one individual to fill the void left by a Jake Saus or Connor Gray may be impossible, there’s a confidence that collectively, Hunterdon Central has the depth to collectively help replace the production of such stars.
“We’re going to expect more production from a lot of different people (at running back). Same at wide receiver where we’re going to be asking everybody to be productive for us in the passing game,” Ransone said. “It’s going to be totally different this year. So in a lot of ways it could make us a lot more versatile and keep teams on their toes.”
Hunterdon Central’s depth at running back took a major hit when projected primary ball carrier Xavier Arteaga (5-9, 185) was lost for the season due to injury. But even in the big play senior’s absence, Ransone has two backs he has confidence in their ability to split the bulk of the carries in junior Gio Veliz (5-9, 180) and sophomore Jayden Cozze (6-0, 185).
“Veliz is shifty. I think he has good patience and good vision,” said Ransone. “Jayden’s a little bit more of a power back, downhill guy.”
The Red Devils feel they have four strong options at receiver to open the season
James Mongno (5-11, 185), Alex Kaegan (5-9, 180), Devin Marerro (5-11, 185) and Nick Vasquez (5-11, 180). AJ Melo (5-10, 205) is the H-Back/Tight End.
The quartet of receivers will have a new quarterback throwing to them as junior Andrew Cella (6-2, 195) takes over after a very strong offseason.
“He’s got a big arm and he’s picking up the offense very well,” Ransone said. “I think he’s extremely smart. For him, it’s just about repetition and being put into the fray. He’s looked very good in the scrimmages and he’s getting better every day.”
One place where Hunterdon Central does have experience is on the offensive line, in particular, the right side of the line as senior Kyle Ettere (6-4, 230) is a returning starter at tackle as is senior Tyler Suk (6-0, 270) at guard. Senior Quinten Fisher (6-0, 280) is a three-year starter at center.
Declan Joyce, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound junior takes over at left tackle and junior Preston Shemanski (6-2, 230) is the left guard.
The size and depth on the line also applies to the defensive side of the ball. Senior Edwin Sanchez (5-9, 330) is set to be the nose guard and junior Maurico Aquino (6-1, 220) will see a lot of snaps all over the defensive line. Combined with Ettere, Suk, Fisher, Joyce, Shemanski and Melo are all being a part of a rotation at the other two spots, Hunterdon Central’s line is as deep and versatile as it’s been in recent years.
“We’re going to be moving guys around,” said Ransone. “I think they’re athletic enough, especially what we’re asking them to do defensively, schematically to where we can move them in different positions based on what a team is doing.”
That versatility continues to the back seven of the defense’s 4-3 scheme as outside linebackers Cozze, Veliz and Odin Potynsky (5-9, 185) are rangy enough to move back to a strong safety hybrid role while Vasquez, the strong safety is comfortable moving up to give the Red Devils an extra linebacker.
Senior Jesus Vargas (5-11, 195) is set to start as the middle linebacker. Senior Matt Smith (5-11, 185) is a two-year starter at free safety and the quarterback of the defense.
Junior Troy Arteaga (5-9, 175) and senior Tyler Farley (5-10, 185) are the starting cornerbacks.
Hunterdon Central coach Casey Ransone argues with an official during the on Sept. 30, 2022.Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com
2024 HUNTERDON CENTRAL SCHEDULE
Aug. 31: vs. North Hunterdon, 5
Sept. 6: vs. Monroe, 7
Sept. 13: at Phillipsburg, 7
Sept. 20: vs. Bridgewater-Raritan, 7
Sept. 27: at Union, 7
Oct. 5: vs. East Brunswick, 1
Oct. 10: vs. Ridge, 7
Oct. 18: at Old Bridge, 7
Oct. 25: at Hillsborough, 7
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