D.J. Catalano is entering his third season as head coach, and fourth overall, at Bridgewater-Raritan. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Any time a program gets a new head coach, it’s a few years before everyone gets through the program, and is fully immersed in its culture.
Now at Bridgewater-Raritan for four years, and entering his third as a head coach with the Panthers, D.J. Catalano has gotten everyone through the system, including the first year there, which he spent under Rick Mantz.
To say Catalano is excited is an understatement. Plus, look at who he has coming back this year.
Senior Declan Kurdyla will lead the offense, a year after ending up just five yards shy of throwing for 1,800 yards, and 20 touchdowns. A lacrosse standout, as several key players are, those two-sport athletes – particularly lacrosse, a very physical sport – will be instrumental against the competition the Panthers will face.
Top rusher Denzel Amoafo (530 yards, 5 TDs last year as a junior) is also back, and the defense could see some key returnees step up, too. Miles Tofte is the returning sacks leader, with 2 1/2 last season as a junior.
Bridgewater-Raritan plays in perhaps the toughest top-to-bottom division in the Big Central Conference, the only one that has had all of its teams make the playoffs each of the last three seasons. This year will be no different, as the Panthers look to make some moves.
They’ll open at 6 pm Friday at home against Notre Dame out of the West Jersey Football League.
Click below to hear Bridgewater-Raritan third-year head coach D.J. Catalano with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko at Big Central Media Day:
Discover more from Central Jersey Sports Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.