WEST ORANGE, NJ – Jim Matsakis, the personable head football coach at West Orange, feels his team has the potential to have a successful season in 2017.
But Matsakis, who had great success coaching at Butler High School and Jefferson, admits he’s concerned about the squad’s lack of experience. On the line, that’s particularly true.
“We have to mature in a hurry, said Matsakis, whose team had a respectable 6-4 mark last fall, including a five-game winning streak heading into the state playoffs. “And we have a very difficult start with games against Union City and Irvington.
“Hey, Union City has that field on the roof of a building, so that will be quite an experience for our kids. Then we play Irvington at home, and they might be as good as any public school in the state.”
A year ago, the Mountaineers lost their first two games to Union City and Irvington, but bounced back to beat Columbia. Then, after a disappointing loss to Bloomfield, the team reeled off five straight wins heading into the states. Included in that skein was a huge 29-26 win over Montclair.
“That was a great confidence builder,” said Matsakis, who grew up in Ohio rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “They always have a great program.”
Matsakis says the fortunes of the team this year will center around senior QB Vin DeSantis. The youngster was a wide receiver a year ago.
“Vin will be a great leader for us,” remarked the coach. “He’s a fine athlete and he has that desire to compete the best that he can. I just hope that the kids up front can protect him as much as possible. If you get pushed around up front, that’s a tough thing to overcome, believe me.”
Unlike in 2015, good defense was a key for West Orange in 2016, but the offense was also able to produce, led by back Michael Osuji, who is now at Albright College. Osuji may be gone, but West Orange will have another explosive back this fall in senior Chris Wilson.
“Chris can be lights out,” said Matsakis. “He’s awfully quick on the field, so he’ll always give opposing defenses all sorts of problems.”
Dorian Rawls, at wide receiver, will be a kid to watch for West Orange, as will Jordan White. Rawls’ older brother, Sebastian, a senior, might also contribute in the Mountaineer backfield.
The leader for the West Orange defense a year ago, linebacker Christian Onyechi, is now at Rutgers University. So several kids will have to step up in 2017.
That group will include senior linebacker Sebastian Rawls, linebacker Noah Tandy, safety L’Trell Bradley and White, also at the safety spot.
“Tandy is a great competitor,” said Matsakis, whose favorite Steeler was rugged linebacker Jack Lambert. “Bradley impresses me a lot because he’s so smart at his position on the field.”
Until a 57-14 loss to Ridgewood in the state playoffs, West Orange played fairly well on ‘D’ in every game last fall. Led by Onyechi, the Mountaineers always seemed to come up with big stops when they needed to do just that.
“Again, we have quality kids at the skill positions,” said Matsakis. “But this sport revolves around the basics – blocking and tackling. Even Tom Brady needs to be protected, or maybe the Patriots don’t win still another Super Bowl.”
Matsakis, who would love to renew a rivalry game each year with town neighbor Seton Hall Prep, says that his squad “has to stay healthy.” The team graduated 16 of 22 starters, and the returning players are going to have to lead the way.
“Osuji got injured in our final regular season game against East Orange,” said the coach. “That really affects our chances against Ridgewood.”
GRID NOTES – The home game against Montclair on Oct. 20 could determine WO’s playoff chances.
Schedule
Sept. 8, at Union City, 7:15 p.m.
Sept. 15, Irvington, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23, at Columbia, 1 p.m.
Sept. 28, Bloomfield, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6, Morristown, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Barringer, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20, Montclair, 7 p.m.
Oct. 27, Livingston, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 4, at East Orange Campus, 1 p.m.
Records for the past three years:
2016: 6-4 (Section 1, Group 5 playoffs, lost to Ridgewood, first round)
2015: 3-7
2014: 5-5 (Section 1, Group 5 playoffs, lost to Passaic County Tech, first round)
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