The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

C Y A N Y E L L O W M A G E N T A B L A C K

THE WEEK IN SPORTS

EXPERIENCE WILL BE THE KEY WITH 24 SENIORS

Blue Devils Look to Uphold Remarkable Season of 1997 By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Power, experience and confidence appear to be the expected combination for the Westfield High School varsity football team this fall. The Blue Devils have come off a remarkable season, having turned a dismal 1-8 record in 1996 into a magical 63 season in 1997 which concluded in the incredible 22-7 trouncing of then 13th-ranked Plainfield. And, they did it all with just seven seniors. Although small in number, the

“Magnificent Seven” which included Jason Krieger, Brendan Hickey, Greg Gorski, Bob Baykowski, Jason Osborne, Steve Abeles and Rasheed Hawks played key roles in the Blue Devils’ rapid turnaround. Stubborn defensive plays, pulling guards opening up holes which resulted in huge gains, key interceptions and a gamewinning field goal in double-overtime were just some of the achievements of the “Magnificent Seven”. The Blue Devils have talented veterans returning and appear to have

great depth with 24 seniors. Among them are Brandon Doerr, Tom Lee, Lamont Turner, Todd Dowling, Matt Krug, Gabe Perez, Kyle Martinowich and Rob Albino. Doerr, who played linebacker and filled in as quarterback, is competing with junior Chris Giancone for the quarterback slot and will also play linebacker this season. Last year, Doerr had 55 tackles. “Brandon will be our kicker this year. He kicked off for us last year and will do the extra points and field goals this year,” stated Blue Devil Head Football Coach Ed Tranchina. “Doerr and Chris Giancone will be battling for the starting quarterback position. Giancone can also play halfback,” added Tranchina. Lee made significant contributions as a fullback and as a linebacker. Lee pulled off a smooth act of wizardry in the final minute of the Plainfield game by intercepting a pass in the end zone. Turner, who scored five CARDINALE DRIVES IN CHUPKO WITH WINNING RUN

St. Lou ‘Men in Black’ Drop St. Joseph, 14-13, for Title By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

The “Men in Black” of St. Louis successfully concluded their journey to the St. Bartholomew’s Oldtimers Softball League Title by executing a dramatic 14-13 come-from-behind victory over St. Joseph on the last swing of the bat at Brookside Park in Scotch Plains on Labor Day. More than 200 exuberant fans watched in awe as Gary Cardinale slapped a single to right and a determined John Chupko zoomed from second base to score the winning run. St. Joseph, last year’s title holder, immediately went to work with four runs in the top of the first. Tom Straniero hopped a single to right and Bill Wolff tapped a grounder to third, but both runners reached base safely when the throw to second was not in time to get Straniero. Karl Grossmann ricocheted a two RBI single off the pitcher and into right field. Dave Rothenberg reached base on a force play, Harry Semple stomped a double to left, then Gerry Spitzer splattered a two RBI single onto the left field grass. After the first two St. Louis batters

were retired in the bottom of the first, the “Men in Black” rallied. Bill Mirto doubled to center, Bob Veeck ripped an RBI single to left, then Pete Vanderheyden ‘McGwired’ a tworun homer to deep center field to narrow the score to 4-3. Neither team scored in the second and the third innings. Ken Hoelzel

singled in the second for St. Joseph and Chuck Krajcsik and Straniero both singled in the third. Cardinale singled and Gary Forsyth walked in the third for St. Louis. Only Rothenberg singled for St. Joseph in the fourth, then the “Men in Black” struck for four runs in the

WOODWARD, JONES ADD TO BACKFIELD SPEED

Raiders Are Excited About Upcoming Football Season By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Varsity football team will have several vacant positions to fill in this fall. With the graduation of 15 athletes, including quarterback Eddie Williams, backs Delmar Patterson and John Stack, receiver Donald Patterson and kicker Adam Baumwoll, who will fill their shoes? Last year, the Raiders turned their season around from a 3-6 record in 1996 to 6-4 in 1997. In addition, the Raiders won their first six games and qualified for the Section 2, Group 3 playoffs. This season, Head Football Coach Steve Ciccotelli said, “We lost a lot of good kids. There’s no doubt about it. Last year, Joe Franzone filled in brilliantly as quarterback when Williams, the starter, was either injured or rested. He will be our quarterback. He played when Eddie was hurt. He also played well at inside linebacker.” With the loss of Baumwoll, the kicking game may be affected. Ciccotelli commented, “Right now, our kicking game is our weakest point. We are not as strong as we would like to be there, but we will get better. But, the two kids we have, Blair Woodward and Nathan Jones, played really well in our first scrimmage.” When asked about further usage of Woodward, Ciccotelli answered, “We are in a Wing T, Woodward is going to

be one of our halfbacks and he will be playing in the secondary on defense.” Ciccotelli added more about Woodward and Jones. “Woodward will be at safety, who I think will be one of the best around. He’s really a talented kid. He was second in the state in the long jump. He can catch the ball and on defense, he can hit people. Jones will also play safety. He has good speed. He is elusive as a running back and he does a good job in the secondary.” Pleased with his receiving corps, Ciccotelli mentioned, “We have senior

Matt McCarthy and junior Anthony Cary who have shown us in camp that they will be good receivers for us.” The Raiders have made some position changes on the defensive line and Ciccotelli explained, “On the defensive line, we have moved Scott Paterson to inside linebacker. Dan Loomis and James Feeley return in the interior. Rob Jenerette is a big kid and has done real well in camp and in our scrimmages. He will also strengthen the line.”

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barrett&crain Devil Gymnasts Have Depth;

Must be Consistent, Healthy By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

The Westfield High School girls gymnastics team has the potential to be an excellent team this year. Several talented girls return; however, the determining factor will be the consistency of the several “club” gymnasts to compete in the crucial high school meets. Also, several fine Blue Devil gymnasts have catapulted to the college ranks this year. Megan Clarke, Kristen Mack and Diana Shineman who were the mainstay of

the team last year have graduated. “Diana (Shineman) probably competed more than anyone else. She was a real workhorse and probably the best contributor to the team because she was dependable,” stated Blue Devil Head Coach Ellen Kovac. The word is out that senior Julie Elmuccio, who was one of the best gymnasts in the state her sophomore year, will be concentrating solely on the high school level this season which should be a boon to the team. Senior Laurie Hogan still competed

on a club team and is nursing an Achilles tendon injury. “Laurie Hogan and Julie Elmuccio both ended up injured and were not able to compete last season. Julie quit her club and that is real good news to us. Laurie is still trying to juggle her private club and the team,” commented Kovac. “Laurie is also recovering from a bad Achilles tendon injury, and Julie is still recovering from ankle surgery that she had last year. So, both girls may not be at their peak yet,” Kovacs pointed out. Seniors Allison Checchio and Amy Seligman have been selected as team Co-Captains and both offer strength in the rotation. Junior Tara Clarke has returned and will be strong on the floor exercises and in the vault. “She’s (Seligman) going to be good on bars and on beam. She is someone you can always depend on to put in a meet,” suggested Kovac. “Tara, I think is going to do mostly floor and vaulting. Amy and Tara together make a good all-around gymnast,” added Kovac. “Allison will probably compete on the bars and on the beam,” said Kovac of Checchio. The Blue Devils will enjoy the luxury of adding four strong freshman to their depth. Twins Jessica and Lauren Caravello, Sarah Burke and Stephanie Goldman all have club experience. “Jessica and Lauren are two very

UNDEFEATED JV TEAMS WILL REACH MATURITY

Devil Girls Will ‘Bark With Big Dogs’ in Field Hockey By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Things look good for the 1998 Westfield High School girls field hockey team. The Blue Devil girls finished 11-6-3 in 1997 and will reap the benefits of last year’s 17-0 junior varsity squad this season. Although losing several fine seniors from last year’s squad, the Blue Devils return many veterans and are backed by many fine varsity newcomers. Last year as a senior, Shannon Wagner tore up the grass with her aggressiveness, scoring 15 goals and adding five assists. Wagner along with teammate Sarah Chance were named First Team All-Union County. Chance, a center halfback last year, was selected for her stubborn defensive ability. Another graduate, Meghan Hely, a halfback, scored four goals and had three assists and was named to the Third Team All-Union County. The Blue Devils may not have a singular “Big Gun” such as Wagner on offense but they do have several

girls who may share the booty with their swarming offensive assaults. Seniors Liz McKeon, Allison Cook, Kelsey Ill and Stephanie Flynn along with juniors Paige Corbett, Valerie Wicks and Laura Bonavita will be constantly buzzing around their op

ponents’ goals. “I have to wait and see. It’s pretty spread out right now. I would be happy with that if they all shared the scoring,” stated Head Coach Maggie McFadden when asked about the scor

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**IMPORTANT** **FOOTBALL** **MESSAGE**

Tomorrow night’s football game between Westfield High School and

Snyder has been canceled. Westfield has received a forfeit.