Patriots to face several challenges this season
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
When its new season kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday, the Colonia High School football team will look to put some of the recent frustrations behind it and improve upon last season's 3-7 mark.

PHOTOS BY ANDREW MILLER staff Above, Colonia's Tyler Jackow fights for some extra yards during a recent scrimmage against East Brunswick in East Brunswick. Below, Corey Jones looks for an opening in the Bear defense.

The Patriots will square off against JFK in Saturday's match-up but without some major players from last year's lineup. Gone from the Colonia sideline is quarterback Tim Munson, defensive end Bryant Androvich, and wide receiver Joseph LaSala. LaSala is currently playing for Montclair State while Androvich has extended his playing days at Pace University.

A very young Colonia team will look to follow in national standout Eric LeGrand's path. Committed to play for Rutgers next season, LeGrand is ranked among the nation's top linebackers.

"Eric has been playing for me since his freshman year and he's a hard-nosed kid," Colonia head coach Ben LaSala said. "He's going to be a great player."

Fellow team captain Cory Jacik will join LeBrand at the linebacker position and help solidify the defense.

After opening the season with JFK, Colonia will play its first and only home game of the season when visiting Monroe pays a visit Sept. 15.

After that date, the Colonia track will be replaced, putting the field out of commission for the duration of the football season.

"The team will have to overcome the adversity of having no home field," LaSala said.

"That immediately puts us a step behind the eight ball, but this team will have to learn how to win and get back to the days of years past. These last three years have been a struggle."

With a handful of players back on both sides of the ball, the team has a legitimate shot at improvement.

Along with LeGrand and Jacik, cornerback and wide receiver Nate Brown brings experience to the gridiron. Fellow receiver Aron White and linemen Josh Guarda and Sean Martin are also back for another varsity season.

While faced with the task of replacing Munson behind center, Colonia seems to have the luxury of putting the ball in the able hands of either Jordan Edmonds or Tyler Jackow. Both are currently battling for the starting quarterback position.

Senior Ryan Donbiego is expected to tally several carries this year at running back. A varsity player his sophomore season, Donbiego is back with the team after missing his junior season.

"Our motto is for everyone to do his job," LaSala said. "If all 11 players do their job, we should be competitive."

Colonia is hoping the addition of several key newcomers can help bring the team the much-sought-after success.

Players like linemen Antoni Bonnell, Jonathan Grasso, Julian Smith and Marc Triebwasser will need to play with consistency despite some youth and inexperience. Receivers Mike Neweme and Zavier Jack will also be key additions to this season's offensive firepower.

"We are definitely young, but the players are working hard," LaSala said.

"Now it's time to win and improve upon