Westfield 2004 Football Preview

Football coaches are often known to blame their athletic directors when they think a schedule is unreasonably difficult. With the Westfield football team once again facing one of the area’s most difficult schedules, Ed Tranchina, starting his eighteenth season as Westfield High School football coach, can only blame himself, Ed Tranchina the Westfield athletic director. Starting with their home opener tomorrow against powerful Old Bridge the Blue Devils will face six 2003 playoff teams in their first seven games, a daunting task for a young team which is very inexperienced at the skill positions.

But there are few football coaches anywhere better suited for the challenge than Tranchina who enjoys his role of football teacher. “It would be more challenging but this is a very intelligent and coachable group of young men and I am confident we will be a cohesive unit before the end of the year,” said Tranchina.

The toughest challenge will be to replace Jan Cocozziello, an all Union County quarterback who was even more spectacular on defense where he intercepted a school record eight interceptions.
“Jan was the man for us last year ,” said Tranchina. “He did everything for us on both sides of the ball. He was a phenomenal football players who will be hard to replace.”

Cocozziello teamed with halfback Tyshon Blackmon to help the Blue Devils overcome a 0-3 start and qualify for the Group 3 sectional playoffs where they bowed to unbeaten Sayreville 20-13. Included in the comeback were four straight wins including an upset of unbeaten Morristown, which made the group IV section finals. The Blue Devils dropped their final three games to finish 4-6.

Taking the quarterback reins will be senior Mike Patella, a starter a year ago in the secondary. “He’s a good athlete with excellent speed who throws well on the run,” said Tranchina. As to his lack of experience Tranchina noted ,”He doesn’t have to win the game for us. he just needs to play solidly.”

Talking over the bulk of the running duties in Westfield’s full house backfield will be senior Tom DelDuca who gained almost seven yards per carry last year. Sharing the all important blocking fullback position will be Mark Dowling and Richie Stewart. Senior Sammy Kim and junior Andrew Schaeffer will share duties at the other halfback.

Tranchina will rotate John Gagliano, Ryan Sharkey and Mike Barbieri at split end. Bryan Power a ferocious hitter at linebacker will also return as a starting tight end. The offensive and defensive line will feature numerous two-way players led by returning starts Mike Finne and Mark Harbaugh. Others who will play a key role in the trenches include Darrell Haopkins, Cowles Stewart, Jake Brandeman, Diego Betancourt and Richie Stewart.

Rounding out the defense will be linebacker Paul Goldewitz, safety Nick DeRosa and cornerbacks William Jenkins, Jayshawn King and Terron Rodgers

Although Tranchina tries not to look past Old Bridge, an 8-3 team and playoff semi finalist a year ago, he knows there are few breathers on the schedule. Westfield has replaced Kearny, which dropped football, and has been an easy win the past few seasons, with top ten power Elizabeth, which figures to be loaded again this year.

According to Tranchina, a big part of the schedule difficulty comes from playing in the loaded Watchung Conference, arguably the toughest public school conference in the state with perennial powers like Union, Elizabeth. and neighborhood rival Scotch Plains among others. “We are tied into the conference schedule for most of our games ,” said Tranchina.

“A lot of teams like to play Westfield because of our football tradition ,” said Tranchina.
“I would rather playa tough schedule than an easy schedule because it helps you find out how good you are.”

Spoken like a true football coach and athletic director.