Gioffre confident team’s struggles are in the past
Edison team opens

FARRAH MAFFAI staff SeniorEd Kidney is back to lead the Edison Eagles this season as they look to compete with the Greater Middlesex Conference’s elite teams.

season Sept. 10 at
North Brunswick

BY SHAWN LAYTON

Staff Writer

EDISON — With a new coaching staff under his wing and a crop of returning players that are committed and enthusiastic about the 2004 season, Edison High School head football coach Vin Gioffre believes this season will see an end to a losing streak that stretches back three seasons.

"We are very confident and optimistic," Gioffre said. "I tell the guys, ‘We will do it this year.’ I’d like to think we turned the program around two years ago when I came aboard, and now it is time to take steps forward."

Last year the team finished 0-10 and upped its losing streak to 21 games.

The Eagles suffered the loss of three key players from a year ago in quarterback Brian Muldowney, offensive and defensive tackle Anthony LaGrasso, and safety Barry James. Muldowney is off to Albright College, and he joined LaGrasso in the Middlesex vs. Union County Snapple Bowl this summer, which showcased the respective counties top players.

Despite losing three critical components, the Eagles are returning leading rusher Ed Kidney. Kidney rushed for over 700 yards last season, and brings experience and toughness to a hungry team.

"Last year Ed was more of a runner, and this year he is more of a running back," Gioffre said. "He is a very good, straight-ahead power runner, but this year he understands the offense better and where the blocks are and where the holes are opening up. We think this will help him increase his yards."

Creating holes for Kidney will be projected starting center Billy Van Emburgh, as well as projected starting offensive guard Jorge Alfaro. The two seniors wel­come new addition Travis Colson from Georgia. Colson moved to Edison last year and brings a 6-foot-3, 265-pound frame to the offensive line. Colson and Kidney can each bench more than 300 pounds and should pose many problems for GMC defenders

On the other side of the ball, returning seniors Mike Weigel and Harris Shah will lead the defense from the linebacker po­sition, and Mike Owsiany is back for his third season in the varsity lineup. Owsiany has started at defensive back since his sophomore season and is pro­jected to take over at safety in addition to playing at split end on offense. Junior Dan Stio will join forces with Owsiany and start at defensive back for a second straight season.

Vying to replace the vacancy left by Muldowney at the quarterback position is Peter Fresco and Tom Stalling. Fresco’s been starting at the varsity level since his freshman year, when he played defensive back. As a sophomore he played outside linebacker and is expected to fill that starting position once again.

Both Fresco and Stalling competed in the Rutgers 7-on-7 camp this summer, where backs and receivers compete against linebackers and defensive backs.

"Peter and Tom did a great job at Rut­gers and in our own camp," Gioffre said. "The upcoming scrimmages will decide who our starting quarterback is going to be."

A pair of sophomores demonstrates where the Eagle program is hopefully headed. Brian Pascal is a 6-2, 215-pound offensive guard and defensive end with good speed and should find himself in the starting lineup, as well as linebacker and backup fullback Jim Cooper.

"Jim Cooper has shown that he is the team’s hardest hitter," Gioffre said. "I’m also confident that when Kidney needs a break, Jim can help out and do a nice job."

The Eagles will get their first chance to snap the losing streak when they travel to North Brunswick for a 7 p.m. kickoff Sept. 10. North Brunswick is the newest addition to the GMC Red Division and is playing Edison for the first time in more than six years

Edison’s home opener is slated for 7 p.m. Sept. 23, when Old Bridge pays a visit.

"All the kids have been doing a great job," Gioffre said. "The new staff is in­credibly positive, and if you came to our practice, our locker room, or the banquet at the end of the season, it’d be difficult to tell what our recent past has been like. The players and the parents have re­mained enthusiastic and dedicated."

All but one assistant, Rob Roma, are brand new to the Edison program. Bobby Jones, Frank Juliano, John Scarpa, Rich Benedict and Andre Solomon join the team for their inaugural season.

"The kids are responding well to the new coaches," Gioffre said. "Due to the time the staff has put in during the spring and in the weight room during the summer, it’s as if they’ve been with us a while. They already established a good rapport with the kids by the time we be­gan practicing."

When Gioffre took the helm in 2002 he introduced the Wing-T offense at Edison. The recent struggles have been well doc­umented, but this year Gioffre thinks the team is ready to turn the corner.

"This summer 27 kids attended the Garden State Wing-T Camp," he said. "The strength of this year’s team is that they have a better understanding of what we are trying to accomplish on offense."