PTHS Football: Playoff Bound?

A new head coach and rising seniors lead the way

BY RICH LUTTENBERGER

BY ED LEONARD

When looking forward to the Pequannock High School football team’s 2023 season, one word stands out: “new.” The Panthers have a new head coach, three new assistant coaches, a new offensive scheme, and several new starters in the skill positions.

In those differences lies opportunity.

That is what first-year head coach Mike Moschella hopes for as his Panthers squad prepares for the season. Moschella has already begun the transition to a Wing-T offense, and he likes the potential of the new scheme.

“It’s really a sophisticated, four-headed rushing attack that also gives us three vertical passing threats out of all of our base formations,” says Moschella. He believes that implementation has gone well. “So far, the players have embraced the new look.”

Embracing Change

Senior Mikey Horgan agrees. “A lot of people are willing to move positions, people want to try new things,” he says. Horgan, a versatile player the past few years, looks to secure one of the three running back positions.

Moschella, who is also a teacher at Pequannock, enters his sixth year as a coach at the school. He succeeds Joel Troast, who had been a football coach at PTHS since 2007, the last five as head whistle.

Moschella has much experience in football. He played the sport from fourth grade through high school. After college, he coached youth football in his hometown for six years. He then moved to Hopatcong High School as an assistant coach for four seasons prior to coming to Pequannock. He worked closely with the Wing-T offense throughout those years.

In that time, he learned to be detail-oriented and saw the importance of personal accountability. He experienced the value of a team-first approach, and these are all points of emphasis for his coaches and players this year.

Key Losses From Last Year’s Team

In 2022, the Panthers made it to the final of the Regional Invitational Tournament, falling to, ironically, Coach Moschella’s alma mater, Lenape Valley. Pequannock graduated 11 starters from that 5–6 team.

Four-year contributor Dennis Jarensky leaves a void at both running back and defensive back. Running back and linebacker Jimmy Dolan, who played every down for two years, and defensive lineman John Vanaria, will also be especially missed.

Opportunity for New Seniors

With all this turnover, questions abound. However, the Panthers return all five starting offensive linemen. They also have seniors who are expected to fill the holes left by the graduates.

Quarterback Tyler DeNaples started every game last year and is poised to repeat that feat this year. His favorite target, tight end and twin brother Dylan, is also back. Dylan will be a key two-way player—he started every game at outside linebacker last year.

Also returning is Andrew Rivera, a dynamic skill player who will be a threeyear starter and a leader in the defensive secondary.

Other seniors expected to step up are Horgan and Billy Donnelly, who will compete for positions in both the offensive and defensive backfields.

Tough Schedule to Start

For a new head coach, the first game is significant, and the Panthers travel to Boonton to begin the season. Boonton’s disciplined triple-option attack will be a tough test for Pequannock. Moschella wants to win, of course, but there are secondary goals for the opener.

“Can we execute, can we be disciplined on defense, and can we start the season with a win,” he ponders. “It’s a great benchmark that will really set the tone for the season.”

Their second game—the home opener against Caldwell—is also intriguing. Pequannock has revenge on its mind, as the Chiefs put up 48 points in the first half of their meeting last year. A victory here would be twice as sweet.

New Faces; Old Friendships

There may be new faces in the starting lineup, but these boys are hardly unknown to each other. As Horgan points out, many have been playing sports together since early grade school, and they know this is their last year together. Rivera also notes how this group has a lot of camaraderie and one shared goal. “We have a good chance of coming together and working really hard as a family,” Rivera says. “I just can’t wait to see how we come together as a team.”

For the 2023 Pequannock football team, the new season brings new opportunities, and their bonds may be just enough for them to make the playoffs this year.