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Westwood will start the 2022 football season at Rutgers University. The idea is to wind up back there in December.
The Cardinals have been one of the top public school programs over the last few decades and the roster (in the low 60’s) is evidence of how much football resonates in the area.
Coach Dennis Hard has built on that tradition with a .672 winning percentage and six playoff trips in seven years. All that’s left to do is bring a sixth state title back to Washington Township.
“We feel like it’s unfinished business,” Hard said. “We got to the [sectional] semis in the playoffs and we want to keep going. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be knocking on the door for a state championship.”
This year, the road to Piscataway will start inside SHI Stadium at the Rumble on the Raritan. The Cardinals (7-4) will be tested right off the bat when they open up against Shore Regional.
Hard is bullish on his team this season and it’s not hard to see why. The Cardinals have one of the best offensive duos at their disposal in quarterback Robbie Carcich and senior wide receiver Colby Laughton.
Carcich was thrust into the lineup in the second week last year when a teammate tested positive for COVID, making him the first sophomore to run the Cardinals offense in at least a decade. He answered the call by leading Westwood in rushing, and throwing for 1,346 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“He’s a winner on both sides of the ball,” Hard said. “He has good touch as a quarterback and good feel for the game.”
Many of the same qualities apply to Laughton, who’s caught more passes than anyone in North Jersey over the last two seasons.
The tradition
Westwood has won five sectional titles in the modern playoff era (1974-present) and each has come since the turn of the century.
The last ones came in 2013 and 2014 under current Bergen Catholic coach Vito Campanile.
The challenge
During the Campanile Era, the Cardinals soared to the top with some of the highest-scoring seasons in program history. The Cardinals appear to have the blueprint to get back there with an offense that Hard calls “absolutely” the best since he’s taken over.
The more pressing question is how the defense will respond after allowing at least 30 points in four games last year, including the season-opening loss to league rival Ramsey.
“They were the head of the class last year,” Hard said of Ramsey. “They’re the team we have to get through to get to our goals.”
Expectations
Westwood can contend for a sectional title with a senior class that knows what it takes on the varsity level. Hard praised his team for having an “all-in” mentality and perfect attendance at 6:30 am workouts.
The coaching staff got a pleasant surprise this summer when senior Anthony Sabatella returned from an ACL injury to fill a hole at running back. Senior linebackers Yianni Constantinides and Jack Makdis and senior lineman Chris Picnic also add value and experience to the lineup.
“The kids are willing to take a step to be as good as they possibly can be,” Hard said. “They know there’s no shortcuts. They’re willing to work.”
2022 schedule
Sept. 2: vs. Shore Regional, at Rutgers
Sept. 9: at Dumont
Sept. 16: vs. River Dell
Sept. 23: vs. Mahwah
Sept. 30: at Ramsey
Oct. 7: vs. Demarest
Oct. 14: vs. Lakeland
Oct. 21: at Ridgefield Park
Sean Farrell is a high school sports reporter for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.
Email: farrells@northjersey.com
Twitter: @seanfarrell92
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