The Hudson Catholic Hawks were 4-7 last year, but that was coming off a disastrous 0-5 start.
So, finishing with four wins in their final six games, including another trip to the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 2 state playoffs, was a step in the right direction for veteran head coach Lou Zampella and the Hawks.
“The key was that when we were 0-5, we practiced like we were 5-0,” said the energetic Zampella, who still gets out on the practice field and runs around like he was still playing. “We played some really tough teams to start the year. The kids never quit on themselves. That said a lot.”
Although the Hawks lost a lot to graduation, including Hudson Reporter All-Area running back Zahir White (now at American International College in Springfield, Mass.), Zampella feels that the Hawks still have a lot of talent, especially along the line.
“This could be the best offensive line and defensive lines I’ve ever had,” said Zampella, who is entering his ninth season as the Hawks’ head man. “We’re big and athletic across the board. We also have a lot of experience.”
That’s good news for senior quarterback Lukas Kasko (6-1, 195), who has all the makings of being a great signal caller.
“He started the majority of games for us last year,” Zampella said. “He’s a tremendous leader. As he’s gotten older, he’s become bigger and stronger. He is very bright. He has a very good arm. He’s really coming into his own. I like that he’s become a vocal leader. He’s a high character kid and you can’t get much better than that. He’ll have a lot of weapons to work with.”
One of those weapons is senior running back Anthony Posey (5-10, 185), who saw some varsity time last year backing up White.
“He’s really come on,” Zampella said. “He’s a physical, tough runner.”
Senior Christian Rodgers (6-0, 220) is another running back. Rodgers is the kind of player that every coach wants to have on his team. He does a little bit of everything well, does it with a smile on his face and is extremely personable.
“He’s big, strong and fast,” Zampella said. “He’s very similar to Hasan Dominick [the former Hudson Reporter All-Area linebacker currently at Southern Connecticut). He’s a do-everything running back. He’s a great blocker. He also might be our best defensive player.”
Another running back is sophomore Jacob Rodriguez (5-9, 170), who might be the Hawks’ player to watch.
“He’s a special kid,” Zampella said. “He’s fast, like a rocket.”
Another back is junior Kai’leel Jefferson (5-9, 160), who is even faster than Rodriguez.
“He’s the fastest kid I’ve ever had,” Zampella said of Jefferson, who ran sprints in the spring and ended up winning the 100-meter dash at a USA Track and Field regional meet in 2018. “He’s going to have a breakout year. We have a lot of speed.”
At wide receiver returns senior Amarrie Bolden (6-2, 180), who earned Hudson Reporter All-Area honors last year at defensive back. Bolden has the makings of being a very talented receiver.
Jalil Phillips (6-1, 205) is a junior with a great body and great hands.
“He’s the perfect specimen for a wide receiver,” Zampella said.
Sophomore Joseph Garcia (6-0, 170) is another nice target for Kasko to throw to.
“I call him JoJo,” Zampella said of Garcia. “He’s fluid and smooth. He could be special.”
The tight end is senior Juan Fajardo (5-11, 220).
“He’s sturdy,” Zampella said. “He’s a tough kid, a hard-nosed football player.”
The Hawks have some nice size and talent along the line, including some with extensive varsity experience.
Senior Luis Galarza (6-1, 240) returns to his starting spot at tackle, where he’s joined by talented junior Taj White (6-5, 300).
“Taj is young,” Zampella said. “He’s only 15 years old. He just keeps getting bigger and stronger.”
White has 16 college scholarship offers already.
The guards are both returning starters in senior Anthony Dantzler (6-2, 310) and senior Joshua Ruiz (6-3, 315).
The center is junior Samuel Urbina (6-1, 295).
There’s another player who may end up in the mix in junior newcomer Nelson Estremera (6-3, 330), who never played organized football before.
“He has great size and a tremendous upside,” Zampella said of Estremera.
Defensively, the Hawks use a lot of the same personnel.
Galarza and Fajardo are the defensive ends, along with senior Jalen Riley (5-11, 170) and sophomore Vashon Level-Byers (6-0, 195).
The defensive tackles are White, Ruiz, Urbina and Dantzler.
The linebackers are led by Rodgers, who has been a three-year starter and a two-time All-Super Football Conference United Blue Division honoree. Posey is also at linebacker, along with juniors Andrew Hunter (5-11, 185) and Osei James (5-10, 185).
“They’re all athletic and physical,” Zampella said.
The cornerbacks are Jefferson, Garcia and senior Nick Desloges (5-8, 165) and junior Levi Stewart (5-7, 160).
The safeties are Bolden, along with senior Noah Gutierrez (5-10, 170), junior Avery Jenkins (5-11, 180) and sophomore Ibrahim Camara (6-2, 160).
The Hawks open up Oct. 3 against North Bergen at 7 p.m. The Hawks haven’t defeated North Bergen since 2007.
Needless to say, Zampella likes his chances this time.
“This team is meant to compete,” Zampella said. “We have a chance to do some nice things and hope to win every game.” – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at OGSMAR@aol.com. You can also follow Jim on Twitter @ogsmar. You can also read his blog at www.jimhaguesports.blogspot.com and listen to the Hudson County Sports Podcast on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
