“My Thoughts”

Charles McDevitt

Monday, 11-10-2003

Woodbridge heads to Bayonne for Round One in the NJSIAA Playoffs

The pairings for the NJSIAA - North Jersey 2, Group IV, State Playoffs are set. Woodbridge (#5) will be traveling to Bayonne (#4) this Friday night, 11-14-2003 for a 7pm game.

Bayonne (7-1) is a team capable of running as well as throwing for yardage, and are a hard nosed aggressive defensive unit. Neither are things the Barrons haven’t experienced this year. I would compare the Bees to a Piscataway or JP Stevens type offense because of their ability to put the ball in the air for yardage. Their ground game is successful because of speed more so then strength.

There is no way to compare Bayonne against mutual competition. There was none. I can say however, that Bayonne’s schedule appears to be weaker based on final season records then Woodbridge’s schedule. Of the eight regular season games, Bayonne’s opponents had two winning seasons, one .500 season, and 5 losing seasons. Woodbridge has played against four NJSIAA Playoff Teams (2003), one .500 season, and three losing seasons.

Don’t let the last comparison lull you, there has to be some talent there! Bayonne won the North Jersey 1, Group IV Championship in 2002, and I’m sure there are some very proud players remaining there looking to bring one home in 2003.

With the exception of St Peter’s Prep, Bayonne may not have seen a Defensive Unit like one Woodbridge is going to put onto the field. They have held all opponents to 1826 total offensive yards, for a 228 yard per game average, and 19 TD against for a 2.4 TD scoring average. But the biggest number that jumps out and is going to put the hurt into Bayonne is the Barrons’s 39 Tackles for Loss, and 23 Sacks. Pressure like that, Bayonne has not experienced! D-Players to watch: LB - Josh Bernard, DL - Pete Mazzillo, DL - Justin Hinds, DL - Andre Jones, DB - Keith Zalasar, DE - Shamar Graves, DB - Josh Rock, LB - Ryan Mozolic, DL - Rick Mozolic, LB - Jon Bajek, LB - Helmert Delacruz, and DB - DJ Pryor.

Offensively, Woodbridge has produced 2053 total offensive yards, for 257 yards per game. The O-Line can make holes and protect the QB against anyone! They have allowed only 2.3 Tackles for Loss, and 0.6 Sacks Against per game! They are anchored by C - Brad Kotuski, RT - Ken Siano, RG - Matt Bouchard (Replacing injuried Elliot Bernard), LG - John Janowski, and LT - CJ McDevitt. The production will come from RB - Keith Zalasar (1084 rushing), QB - Brian Casey (492 passing), WR – Josh Rock, RB – Rick Mozolic, TE – Ryan Mozolic, TE – Matt Bouchard, RB – Matt Barringer, WR – DJ Pryor, and RB – Tristan Forde.

The keys to success against Bayonne are not complicated, but they demand concentration and execution! The Barrons must play with controlled aggression, be fundamentally sound in all techniques and strategies, and limit penalties while taking advantage of all scoring opportunities!

Woodbridge is capable, more than capable! Put it all together this Friday night, and Round Two of the Playoffs follows!

My Prediction: Woodbridge - 24 Bayonne - 20