High Point hosts Wallkill Valley in season opener

High Point Regional High School will start its football season by hosting neighbor Wallkill Valley Regional High School at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

When the two teams played each other last year, the game went into a second overtime. The Rangers won, 23-20.

“The most important goal is to become a better player fundamentally and more important is that the kids leave our program a better person,’’ head coach Bill Percey said.

The Wildcats posted a 3-6 overall record last year and lost to all of their opponents in the Super Football Conference American White Division.

This season, they will compete in the SFC American Blue Division along with Hackettstown, Lenape Valley, Kittatinny, Sussex Tech and Newton.

“We are still young and inexperienced, but I hope to see us competing close to the top of the division,’’ Percey said. “I would have to say Newton will be the team to beat, but all of the teams are very well-coached and should be in a competitive league each week.’’

Among the key returning players are seniors Cody DiCarlo (offensive line and defensive line), Ryan Jaick (offensive line and defensive line), Don Weis (offensive line and defensive end), John Elko (quarterback and strong safety), Dylan Masters (running back and corner back) and juniors Jack Kithcart (offensive line and defensive line), Gio Dureny (running back and linebacker), Jerron Martress (running back and linebacker), Slade Muller (wide receiver and corner back) and Jayden Ruplall (running back and linebacker).

Promising newcomers include seniors Michael Mohamed (offensive line and defensive end), Gabe Reinstein (offensive line and defensive line), Jacob Velez (full back and corner back), Aiden Dugan (offensive line and defensive line); juniors Rubin Rivera (offensive line and defensive line), Connor Hemmer (offensive line and defensive line), Brandon Kent (offensive line and defensive line), Caden Nardone (wide receiver and corner back), Brendan Lehman (running back and strong safety), Thomas Holder (offensive line and defensive line), Jacob Woods (wide receiver and free safety); and sophomores Alex Conway (offensive line and defensive line), Mark Leach (wide receiver and corner back) and Landon Sorensen (offensive line and defensive end).

“We have a mix of seniors, juniors and a few sophomores that could see some quality varsity time this season,’’ Percey said. “We only have nine seniors, so we will need some juniors to pick up the slack as far as leadership goes.

“We work on building our culture every day, so teaching the team leadership concepts is very important. Staying positive and having fun is a mandatory when we are out on the field practicing or playing in a game.’’