Record 9/18: Explosive St. Joseph Seeking its Identity

As reported in the Sports section in today's Record, the Teaneck High School Highwaymen stayed close to #2-ranked St. Joseph in the first half, but couldn't eke out a win or get on the scoreboard as St. Joseph put the game away in the second half to complete the shutout. Though for a rebuilding Teaneck team, the 35-0 loss was a moral victory, especially in comparison to last year's 42-2 loss. Hopes are for better results vs. Ridgewood next Saturday. See today's Record or click on http://tinyurl.com/7scu9 for the item at the Record's http://www.Bergen.com web site (registration required).

Explosive St. Joseph seeking its identity Sunday, September 18, 2005 By MARK J. CZERWINSKI STAFF WRITER

TEANECK - St. Joseph has a wide variety of offensive weapons at its disposal. Slowly but surely, the Green Knights are figuring out the right way to use them.

"We're still feeling our way," coach Tony Karcich said after the Green Knights, ranked No. 2 in The Record Top 25, shut down No. 25 Teaneck, 35-0, Saturday night. "I'm being honest. We're a multiple approach offense right now, and I honestly don't know if we've found our identity yet."

They certainly looked like a team in full search mode during the first half when an aggressive, young Teaneck defense pushed the Green Knights around a bit. St. Joseph (2-0) led, 14-0, at the half, but it wasn't very convincing.

"Maybe we had some jitters," said senior running back Anthony Ferla. "In the second half, we started to execute."

And by execute, Ferla meant block. The Green Knights started to give him some holes, and Ferla scored three touchdowns while churning out 132 of his 180 yards on the ground.

"Watching Anthony run in the second half, maybe I was starting to see some of our identity," Karcich said. "But I still think we're searching."

"I love this," said Ferla, who has become one of the offensive focal points. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm trying to lead by example."

Junior quarterback Robert Cervini completed seven of nine passes for 139 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Klein late in the second quarter that took some of the sting out of the lackluster first half. Cervini seems to have developed a nice chemistry with senior receiver Junior Galette, who caught five passes for 57 yards in the first half.

Galette, playing receiver for the first time, has pulled in 10 passes over the first two games. It will be interesting to see how the St. Joseph passing attack expands Saturday against Hackensack if injured ace receiver Dominic Wright returns.

"Me and Rob work hard after practice," Galette said. "I just want to catch everything I can. And when Dom comes back, we'll have an even better passing game."

Teaneck coach Dennis Heck was pleased with his team's opening effort. He's starting five sophomores on defense, three in the secondary and every one of his starting offensive linemen is new.

"We're green as can be," said Heck, singing the NNJIL's theme song so far this season. "For our first game, we hung in there with a team of that ability. We went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the state, and I think, at times, we were more physical than them."

As for the Green Knights, that elusive identity should become a little clearer Saturday when they host Hackensack.

"We're all in the same boat, not as good as last year," Karcich said. "They're 2-0 and still looking for the pieces to the puzzle. So are we."

Copyright © 2005 North Jersey Media Group Inc.

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