David Cruz waited patiently for his first chance at being a head high school football coach.
A former football player at Hoboken High School during the glory days, Cruz was an assistant coach at Union City, St. Anthony and Dickinson over the last decade.
“I learned a lot about football,” Cruz said. “Football has been a big part of my life. Every place I’ve been, I learned a little bit more. I always wished I could get a chance.”
When former Dickinson head coach Sean Fallon resigned at the end of last season to devote more time to his family, it left the door open for Cruz to finally get his shot.
Cruz said that there was no trouble sliding into the top spot.
“The transition went smoothly,” Cruz said. “I was here last year, so I was familiar with the kids. I was comfortable with them and I think they were comfortable with me. There was no friction. I just brought a structure and expectation of winning. The kids all did a good job of knowing what I wanted to do.”
Cruz said that he placed the responsibility of the program on the players themselves.
“I gave them ownership of the program,” Cruz said. “It’s a new program now. I told them to forget about anything else except for taking ownership of the team. If they don’t feel like they have something invested in it, like they’re a part of it, then who’s to say they would buy in? I’m really big on that ownership idea.”
Cruz said that it won’t be a case of the inmates running the asylum.
“But I’m not going to run it like it’s a dictatorship,” Cruz said. “The last thing I want to do is tick the kids off. It’s not my way or the highway. I’m going to give them the structure, but a lot of the responsibility has to come on their own. They are the ones who have to make it happen.”
So far, so good.
In the season opener last Thursday, the Rams upset perennial state playoff team Paterson Kennedy, 24-20, giving Cruz a victory in his head coaching debut.
Leading the way for the Rams is senior quarterback DeShawn Oliver (5-9, 185). Oliver was a running back last year, then was injured and missed the second half of the season.
“He’s made a dramatic improvement in his leadership and his knowledge of the game,” Cruz said. “He’s what makes the offense go.”
Sophomore Elijah Payton (5-9, 195) is the fullback in the Rams’ Delaware Wing-T. As a disciple of the legendary Ed Stinson, what offense did you expect Cruz to run?
The halfbacks are senior Kenneth Miles (5-10, 180) and junior Dion Jackson (5-9, 185). Miles filled in a bit at fullback last season under Fallon.
Senior Kahiem Tucker (6-0, 175) is the main wide receiver. Senior Brandon Caraballo (5-10, 210) is the tight end.
Cruz was asked about his team’s lack of size in the skilled positions.
“I’m not concerned,” Cruz said. “I still feel like we’re better at those positions this year than last year. They’re learning the system and they have no egos. I’m super comfortable with them back there.”
The offensive line is young, but blessed with good size. Only senior center Faybien Libran (5-11, 230) returns from last year’s offensive line.
Juniors Lucas Aponte (6-2, 250) and Sean Johnson (6-3, 220) are the tackles, with senior Juan Quiceno (5-8, 200) at guard with sophomore Kayshaun Massey (6-4, 250).
“They’re doing a fine job up front,” Cruz said.
The Rams utilize a 5-2 defensive formation most of the time.
Massey and Johnson are the defensive ends, with Libran at defensive tackle and sophomore Joseph Fulgencio (6-2, 230) at the nose guard position.
Miles and Oliver are the outside linebackers. Cruz has no problem using his quarterback in such a high-contact defensive position.
Caraballo and senior Omar Mansour (5-11, 185) are the inside linebackers.
The cornerbacks are Tucker and junior Ahmed Elkhalfa (5-11, 160), with Jackson at safety. Oliver will also drift back from linebacker to play a safety slot from time to time.
Cruz knows that his team cannot rest on the laurels of just one victory. It doesn’t get any easier, as the Rams play host to 1-1 Union City at Caven Point Cochrane Stadium this weekend. Union City rebounded from a tough opening game loss to St. Peter’s Prep to defeat West Orange, 15-13, last weekend.
Still, the newness of being a new head coach has not disintegrated for Cruz and his new program.
“I’m super excited that I’m getting this chance,” Cruz said. “I think the kids are excited, too.”
A huge win in their first game has to help leaps and bounds.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
