Bishop Ahr expecting a big year BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer With plenty of talent returning to the field this autumn, the Bishop Ahr High School football team has high expectations for a successful season. JEFF GRANIT staff Moses Negron is back to lead the Bishop Ahr offense after rushing for over 1,300 yards last season. The team opens the year Sept. 15 at Spotswood. While the Trojans did lose two valuable weapons in center Dan Hurley and quarterback Mike Negron to graduation, the list of returning players is impressive. Heading the list is tailback Moses Negron. Negron amassed over 1,300 yards on the ground last season and should be tough to contain once again. In addition to his offensive prowess, Negron was listed among the top linebackers in the county at the end of last season. "Moses worked hard during the off-season and he's looking good," Bishop Ahr head coach Ron Hilliard said. "He had a good bit of success last season and we're expecting even bigger things this season." Senior Larry Belotta will take over for Mike Negron at quarterback after seeing plenty of minutes at running back in 2006. "He's a smart kid and he throws the ball pretty well," Hilliard said. "He can run the ball, as he showed us last year, and that will make him a threat on the ground." Bishop Ahr's five returning players to the offensive line just may be the key element in the team's hopes of improving on last year's 4-6 mark. Seniors Brian Antab, Frank Guido, Nick Flugard, Chris Luma and Dan Montefusco welcome newcomer Brandon Bitabile to what could be the county's top offensive line. "We obviously bring a lot of experience to the line," Hilliard said. "Our senior-dominant line should enable us to have some success running the ball. Offensively, we should be much more balanced this season." With a strong backfield and very capable receivers in juniors Matt Sheehy and Jordan Smith, the Trojan offense is likely to bring an element of unpredictability to the field. "Last year it was Larry Belotta and the Negron brothers on offense," Hilliard said. "This year it shouldn't be as easy for teams to key in on certain guys to shut our offense down." The defensive side should be just as strong with Antab, Guido, Luma and Montefusco comprising the team's front four. Flugard has moved from defensive end to linebacker, and Belotta, the team's interception leader last season, heads the list of defensive backs. "Experienced players tend to be around the football a little more on defense," Hilliard said. "We've taken some of the offensive load off Moses so he can be a little fresher on defense. He should be even more involved this year." Junior Trevor Brummer will join the linebacker corps, where he saw some time last year, while Jesse Long and Joe Mc- Cauley will join Belotta in the Trojan secondary. After opening with Spotswood, Bishop Ahr will welcome Jackson to town for its home opener Sept. 28. "We don't know too much about Spotswood other than they have a new coach," Hilliard said. "We'll start looking at them soon, but right now we're working on our execution."