VERONA- Manj Singh certainly saw progress being made in his rookie season at the helm as Verona finished a very respectable 7-4. Now, he wants to see his Hillbillies take the next step.
“We’re still working to continue turning the culture around and the main thing is we want to finish everything; on every play and in every game,” said the enthusiastic head coach. “We really like this group!
“We have more depth at a lot of different positions and a great group of freshmen which makes both the present and future look very positive for Verona football.”
The Hillbillies, who are members of the Super Football Conference's National Red Division, open the new season with an independent contest as part of the 3-day Giants Mountaineer Classic (Aug. 28-30) at West Orange, facing St. Mary’s of Rutherford, 7 p.m., Thursday (Aug. 28), at Suriano Field.
The rest of the Mountaineer Classic slate includes two games on Friday (Aug. 29) with Bayonne facing Morris Knolls at 3:30 p.m. followed by Burlington vs. Passaic Tech at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday (Aug. 30) is an attractive All-Essex matchup as last year’s Group 2 state runner-up Shabazz takes on the host West Orange Mountaineers at 7 p.m.
For Verona, a Group 1 program with a strong history in the sport, its season-opening opponent is certainly an unfamiliar foe.
“St. Mary’s is somewhat of an unknown and a team we don’t know a lot about,” said Singh. “We know that they have some really big kids returning and there will be a size differential.
“Like a boxing match we’ll just have to feel them out on the first few drives and adjust with our own different schemes.
“It’s going to be a challenging opener, but I feel that we’re ready to go and we’re certainly excited about getting the new season started.”
St. Mary’s, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Paul Johnson, finished 7-4 last fall losing big (61-6) to St. Thomas Aquinas in the first round of the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group B playoffs. The Gaels, who operate out of the Bergen County-dominated North Jersey Interscholastic Conference, graduated their leading passer, rusher and receiver, so the skill positions will have to be spearheaded by predominantly new personnel this season.
Verona was also defeated soundly in its final game in 2024, losing at archrival Cedar Grove, 42-14, in a North 2, Group 1 playoff sectional semifinal. The ‘Billies began last season with gusto and were 6-1 after defeating a solid New Providence team, 26-13, in their seventh game, only to be upset at Glen Ridge - which is Singh’s former team – by a 21-14 score which began less than auspicious finish to the season as Verona lost three of its final four games.
Still, last fall’s final ledger was an improvement since the program had endured three straight losing seasons, including a 2-8 mark in 2023.
One of the players who has seen both the ups and downs is 4-year starting linebacker and running back Bodie Maisano (5-11, 195) who rushed for 928 yards and 6 touchdowns a season ago and will help lead the ground attack along with fellow senior Jayden Nigro (5-10, 180) who gained 698 yards with 8 TDs in 2024 along with hauling in 15 passes, including 4 TDs as a key receiver.
“Bodie has been such a mainstay of this program for four years and Jayden is one of the most dangerous players out there when the ball is in his hands.,” said Singh. “We certainly like the possibilities for our offense, that’s for sure!”
Other reasons for optimism with the ball is the emergence of first-year starting quarterback Johnny McEnerney (6-1, 160 junior) who has mastered the playbook and is ready to direct the attack, while other receivers to watch include senior Dean Algieri (6-2, 185), a 3-year starter who had 21 receptions and 2 TDs in 2024.
Leaders on the O-Line include two returning starters in junior left tackle Kyle Thompson (6-3, 215) and senior left guard Gavin Palmer (6-0, 220). An imposing physical presence to watch up front is junior right tackle Sam Besante (6-7 230).
