Belleville lineman work on their stances during a practice at Belleville HS Municipal Stadium's Doc Ellis field.
BELLEVILLE — The Belleville High School football team last season produced one of its best years in quite some time.
For a program that has endured its share of struggling seasons, including going 0-9 in 2023, before bouncing back with a 5-4 mark in 2024, the Buccaneers nearly finished with a perfect campaign in 2025, ending with a 7-1 record after falling to Ridgefield Park in the semifinals of the Super Football Conference–Ivy divisional playoffs. It marked the most wins in a season since going 7-3 in 2019.
The Ivy divisions consist of programs that have fallen on hard times, in an effort to give them a chance to compete. Those teams are ineligible for the state playoffs.
Still, the Bucs savored the taste of winning and are looking to build off that success this year.
“We had a great year last year,” said head coach Brian Antab, entering his fifth year at the helm. “We had a great senior class that we’re going to miss a lot, but it showed these younger guys what it takes to win – the work ethic, the preparation and attitude that it takes, and we’re just hoping we can build off of that and keep it going and step up in those spots and just take over.
“We’re returning some talented players from last year that had some success and we’re excited about them stepping up to an even bigger role.”
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The Bucs have a new quarterback in sophomore Ethan Varona, a transfer from St. Mary, of Rutherford, who will replace four-year starter and since-graduated Jordan Armstrong. Verona enrolled at Belleville during the offseason and quickly immersed himself in the program’s offseason plans, much to Antab’s delight.
“He did a great job all offseason,” Antab said. “He’s a hard worker. He showed great leadership for such a young kid. That’s something that we’re excited about.
“He’s really rallying around the guys around him.”
Antab is also excited about his running backs. Juniors Nathaniel Anabwani and Jasiah O’Uhuru gained valuable experience last year and are expected to take on bigger roles.
The Bucs have to replace a few offensive linemen, but Antab likes their work ethic and potential. Senior right tackle Bryce Phillips returns as the most experienced lineman.
Defensively, junior safety Sean Sharpe and senior cornerback Jadiere Rivera-Hampton will lead the secondary. Senior outside linebacker Lorenzo Tiankee is another key returning player.
Make no mistake, the Bucs want to finish this job this season, which means winning the Ivy championship.
“It’s going to take consistency, building off of those habits that we’ve learned in the past and doing it consistently and putting it all together,” Antab said.
Schedule
Sept. 4: at Pascack Hills, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: vs. Bergenfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 17: at Bergen County Tech, 6 p.m.
Sept. 25: vs. Dover, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: at Paterson Kennedy, 6 p.m.
Oct. 8: vs. Millburn, 7 p.m.
Photos by Joe Ragozzino
Photos: The Belleville Buccaneers are shown during practice at BHS Municipal Stadium’s Doc Ellis Field.
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