Woodbridge football faces tough '08 schedule
Team opens with South Brunswick on Friday BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
Woodbridge High School football returns six starters to the gridiron as it opens the season at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 when it travels to South Brunswick. The team's home opener is slated for Sept. 19, when it takes on Piscataway, the team that bounced the Barons from last season's state playoffs.

Above: Woodbridge High School quarterback Johnny Mayi looks for daylight in his team's recent scrimmage against South River. Below: Woodbridge's Deshawn Knight bowls over a defender en route to a touchdown during the scrimmage, which the Barrons won, 22-7. The team opens the regular season Friday night against South Brunswick.

Heading the list of returning players from last year's 4-6 team is senior tailback Deshawn Knight. Knight finished the 2007 season with just over 700 yards rushing. He will also return to the outside linebacker position.

"Deshawn did great work in the weight room," Woodbridge head coach Brian Russo said. "He's added some size and strength, and we're looking forward to a big year from him."

Three-year starter Jose Clemente will fill the other outside linebacker position. In addition, Clemente will line up at wideout on the other side of the ball.

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Another starter back for his senior season is two-way tackle Kimo Elsayed. Elsayed teams up with classmate John Farrell on the line. Farrell returns to play center.

"With two guys back on the line, we will need them to be leaders," Russo said. "We moved junior tight end Pat Santiago to the offensive line to join Kimo and John."

Santiago's move left the tight end position open for Mike Kosakowski to fill. Kosakowski brings steady hands and good size to the position.

Christian Mangine will be expected to carry the ball for the Barons and much of the load offensively. An All-County linebacker a year ago, Mangine should be among the area's best players once again.

"We're hoping Christian can give us the ability to run the ball," Russo said. "Our experience in the backfield should be one of our strengths. If we can run the ball between tackles and attack the perimeter with speed, we should be all right."

Just who will be handing the ball to Mangine is yet to be determined. Junior John Mayi and senior Massab Younas are currently battling for the starting job.

"John gives us lots of speed back there," Russo said. "Massab is intelligent and very poised. The problem is that neither one has any varsity experience."

With Mangine leading the middle of the defense, the Barons hope Richie Fils and Nick Candelario can help fortify the secondary.

"Right now, we need to gain leadership," Russo said. "We'll find out what we'll be able to do at quarterback and move forward for this week's game. We've had trouble winning the close games lately. We always seem to be in low-scoring tight games, but we haven't been able to get the job done."

This year will not be any easier for the Barons, with the GMC Red Division stacked with formidable opponents once again."