Football previews: Immaculata, Pingry boast healthy programs looking to make a mark
Two former Big Central Football Conference schools have been making impacts in the respective leagues they have called home the last several seasons.
The Immaculata High School team, which is in its fourth season in the league, went 4-6 in 2022 and won the Super Football Conference National White Division after just missing in 2021. The Spartans went 1-3 in overtime games and finished the season with a loss to DePaul in the Non-Public B playoffs.
Mike Columbo, who was named his division’s coach of the year last season, is in his sixth season at the helm. He sees his club getting closer to playing league non-public giants like Bergen Catholic, DePaul, Don Bosco and Seton Hall Prep.
“We are on our way back,” said Columbo. “I’m very happy where we are and where we are heading.”
The Spartans opened last season with a double-overtime loss at Mannheim Central (Pa.). That was also freshman quarterback Mason Geis’ first game, a contest played in front of a crowd of 5,500. Geis threw for 1,133 yards and 13 TDs – eight to the graduated Cameron Chadwick (now at UConn).
“We are going to miss Cam. If you took Cam away, we’d be in trouble, but we will have more balance, which I think will help us,” said Columbo.
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Immaculata opened practice with 80 players, significantly more than what Columbo welcomed in his first season in 2018.
“Last year at this time, we didn’t know who our quarterback was going to be, we had five brand new offensive linemen. Now we have Mason returning, the offensive line is back and so are our backs,” said Columbo. “I just think we're a year older, stronger and you know we have great size up front. I think all of those things combined makes me a little more optimistic.
*Being in those games we had and now having some veterans back, I think that's gonna be a big experience factor for sure,” added Columbo.
Geis, senior lineman Ollie Collier (6-4, 275), junior defensive back/skill Cole Hayden and senior back/defensive back Joe Fleming made second-team all-division last year.
Pingry
The Pingry School enters another season in the Metropolitan Independent Football League, after going 5-5 last season, losing in the semifinals of the playoffs to eventual champ Poly Prep Day School (N.Y.). The Big Blue enter 2023 as a healthy program in position for growth. That’s what Joe Passaro sees as he begins his third season as coach.
He has 45 players out, which is 10 more than last year when the club won four of its last five to finish 5-5. Because of the improved numbers, the Big Blue will be able to play some junior varsity games, Passaro said.
“Our roster has grown, and our program is healthy and striving as we continue to gain more experienced athletes from the ranks of other sports in our school,” Passaro said.
“During one of our practices walk-throughs, I had a full scout defense with actual talent on it — our offense is gonna get much better because of it.”
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A bulk of experienced players return. They are led by 6-foot-4 senior quarterback Mike Hollomon, senior RB Josh Woodford and senior guard Carson DeRoner. Passaro said his QB has gotten the attention of a wide range of colleges, including D1 Stony Brook.
“There is a lot of (college) interest in these three,” said Passaro.
Hollomon had to sit out several games since he was a transfer, but still threw for 857 yards and 12 TDs in six games with just one interception. Woodford ran for 950 yards and eight TDs in the multiple offense. DeRoner made eight tackles for loss.
“I’m looking to really make a splash this year with these kids,” said Passaro.
Junior wide receivers Rafferty Harris and Jack Moye and Woodford will be primary targets. Harris caught 26 passes for 571 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
Harris will play linebacker on defense, where he and DeRoner figure to be the leaders along with senior defensive end Mark Mason and safety newcomer Charles Levine in the 4-3 set.
DeRoner and senior Sebastian Salvatore are the leading offensive linemen. Newcomers Brian Fahey and Pat Lang are two other two-way linemen.
The Big Blue have historically had outstanding kickers and punters and have three — sophomore punter Connor Lamb, junior punter Diego Galvan and junior kicker Nick Henry — to fill those roles.
Pingry left the Mid-State Conference — the Big Central’s predecessor — after the 2016 season. Could it return at some point?
“I'm trying to get our sea legs underneath us so to speak before we kind of make that jump,” Passaro said.
Immaculata and Pingry football at a glance
IMMACULATA SPARTANS
Head coach: Mike Columbo, sixth season (19-27 Immaculata, 96-71 overall)
Assistants: Chet Parlavecchio Sr. (DC), Matthew Primavera (OC), Elliott Platt (DL), Mike Columbo (OL), Taj Belfield (DB/WR), Jimmy Geis (LB), Mike Sperduto (backs), David Hobson (freshmen), Rodney Van Ness (freshmen).
State classification: Non-Public B
League: North Jersey Super Conference Independence Red Division
Colors: Silver and blue
Offensive formation: Multiple
Defensive formation: 4-3
2022 results (4-6)
Manheim Central, L 44-43 (2 OT)
Newark Central, W 50-0
Holy Trinity, L 45-42 (OT)
Hoboken, W 63-6
Pope John XXIII, L 48-7
Immaculate Conception, L 16-7
Morris Catholic, W 21-7
Weequahic, W 24-21 (OT)
Hudson Catholic, L 15-14 (OT)
DePaul, L 42-13 in playoff opener
2023 schedule
8/25-Camden Academy Charter, 7 p.m.
9/1-Snyder, 7 p.m.
9/8-Newark Central, 7 p.m.
9/16-at Holy Trinity, 1:30 p.m.
9/21-at Hoboken, 7 p.m.
9/29-Pope John XXIII, 7 p.m.
BYE
10/13-Morris Catholic, 7 p.m.
10/20-at Weequahic, 7 p.m.
10/27-Hudson Catholic, 7 p.m.
PINGRY BIG BLUE
Head coach: Joe Passaro, third season (12-7)
Assistants: AJ Passaro (Co-OC), Brad Banken (Co-OC), Kevin Riordan (QB), Brandon McNeice (DB/WR).
League: Metropolitan Independent Football League
Colors: Blue and white
Offensive formation: Multiple
Defensive formation: 4-3
2022 results (5-5 overall)
Dover, L 31-7
Hopkins School, W 19-12
Poly Prep, L 30-0
Capital Prep Harbor, L 20-12
Long Island Lutheran, L 28-20
King's School, W 34-3
Montclair Kimberly, W 36-7
Morristown-Beard, W 45-18
Morristown-Beard, W 48-13 in MIFL playoff opener
Poly Prep, L 41-18 in MIFL semis
2023 schedule
9/2-at Capital Harbor, TBA
9/9-at Poly Prep, TBA
BYE
9/23-Fieldston, 3 p.m.
9/30-Montclair Kimberly, TBA
10/7-Capital Harbor, 3 p.m.
10/14-at Morristown-Beard, TBA
10/20-Rye Country Day, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Football preview: Immaculata, Pingry boast healthy programs
