State of the Program: Elmwood Park football wants to finish strong in 2023
Finish has become the word to live by at Elmwood Park.
The Crusaders have finished in the top half of their division for the past three years and reached the NJIC Union final last November before falling to Weehawken. While that game cost them a perfect record, the Crusaders (7-1) still wound up with their highest win total and top scoring average since the 2014 season.
This year, the mindset is about finishing strong from games to sprints to their time in the rehabbing division. Elmwood Park has reached a point now where turnout is stable and success is expected.
"We're on the right foot now," coach Tom Mulligan said. "We're on the right path. We're making that trek, hopefully, out of the Union soon."
Mulligan starts his 10th season with a rebuilt foundation after digging out from the lowest of lows. Elmwood Park went winless in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, but erased the stain with a 13-7 record ever since.
Mulligan pins the turnaround on another "F" – a culture built around family. The Crusaders eat together at the high school before every game, breaking bread at 3:15 p.m. for weekday games and 9 a.m. for Saturday games. Mulligan said the tradition dates back to his time in high school and brings the community together.
"We break down 'As one' everyday," Mulligan said. "We do everything together. I'm sure you've heard that you're only as strong as your weakest link. So we have to make sure that we're strong and we're fighting together."
The tradition
Elmwood Park has gotten back on track in the Union by winning 12 of its 16 divisional games since 2020.
The most dominant stretch of Crusader football came during a run of 11 straight winning seasons from 1968 to 1978. That era is best known for producing the school's four sectional titles while under the borough's former name of East Paterson.
Last year was the 50th season with the Elmwood Park identity.
STATE OF THE PROGRAM: Inside look at every HS football team in North Jersey
The challenge
Elmwood Park lost some game-breaking pieces on offense, including its No. 1 receiver and top two rushers. The 42-man roster has also gotten younger with a big junior class and bigger-than-expected freshmen class taking up a hefty slice of the pie.
That puts more on the shoulders of quarterback Jayden Ferrer, who threw 10 touchdowns and only one interception last year as a sophomore.
"He does whatever we ask," Mulligan said. "He's really embraced the leadership role now that all our older guys have graduated."
Elmwood Park still has its share of experience. The Crusaders return four starters on the offensive line and plenty of talent from its stingy defense, led by corner Wakee King and linebackers Jesse Schratz and Kyle Shamah. Shamah is a three-year starter who Mulligan looks at as his extra set of eyes and ears.
"We bring back, from the end of the season, most of our defense," Mulligan said. "I'm excited about that. And the kids that are coming in are just tough and hungry."
Expectations
The goal for the Crusaders is to maintain their winning ways and land a promotion in the near future.
Elmwood Park will have some time to develop before facing Weehawken to cap the regular season. A high finish in the standings would bode well for 2024 when almost everyone is set to come back.
"We're a small school so it's about staying healthy," Mulligan said. "And making sure we're doing the right thing on and off the field."
2023 schedule
Aug. 25: vs. Hopatcong
Sept. 1: at Pascack Hills
Sept. 7: at Palisades Park/Leonia
Sept. 14: vs. Harrison
Sept. 21: vs. Bogota
Sept. 28: at Manchester
Oct. 6: vs. Weehawken
Oct. 13: TBD (away)
Oct. 19: TBD (home)
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: State of the Program: Elmwood Park football wants to finish strong
