The team’s very accurate gun slinger Sepe delivered the ball and Placenti did the rest, hauling in the reception at the Caldwell 42 and then bolting down the right sideline to remaining 58 yards to complete the 82-yard pass play for the pivotal touchdown and help his Chiefs win what became quite a memorable game.

Caldwell coach Todd Romano was thrilled with the game-deciding pass play his aerial combo completed, including praising the special qualities of his junior wide receiver.

“He’s electric, he’s a gamer,” said the veteran Chiefs head mentor. “He wants the ball in his hands and he makes things happen.

“I’m just glad he’s on our side!”

Placenti is also an outstanding center fielder and top hitter for the terrific Caldwell baseball team as a 3-year starter for the Chiefs diamond squad which finished 23-5 last spring. He batted a solid .373 with 26 RBI as a sophomore in 2026 while earning Coaches Second-Team All-Essex honors.

College baseball appears to be very much in the future for one of the county’s top young players and Placenti has already had contact with several colleges including Salve Regina, Delaware, UMass, Bryant and Seton Hall University.

“My goal is to one day play Division I college baseball and we’ll see where that journey takes me,” said the Chiefs’ 2-sport star. “But, right now my full focus is on looking to do my part to help our Caldwell football team win a state championship this season!”

NOTES- Dante’s dad Damon Placenti was also a center fielder in high school while also playing running back in football at Belleville. His mom, Dayna Barber Placenti, played some softball in her younger days and was also a cheerleader at Cedar Grove High School. Younger brother Dean, 13, is a budding football-baseball prospect as a 7th grader on the rise…Along with being a Giants and Yankees fan, Dante Placenti enjoys watching and trying to learn from game telecasts and mixed tapes of outstanding NFL wide receivers such as current Los Angeles Rams star Davante Adams and the now retired standout Tavon Austin, who started his career with the Rams…One of Placenti’s favorite classes at James Caldwell High School is AP environmental science as he said he also strives to maintain an ‘A’ average…He has played for the Wow Factor 16U among his summer baseball travel teams.

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Parisi Speed School has been empowering athletes for over 30 years, since 1992. As the industry leader in youth performance training in the country, they have successfully trained over 1,000,000 athletes to include schools, teams, youth organizations and individual athletes from 7 years of age to the Pros in MLB, NFL, MLS, NBA and WNBA. 

Parents and coaches are invited to visit their website for additional information at www.parisifairfield.com or contact their Director, John Cirilo at 973 227-0199.              

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