Highlanders in ‘really good spot,’ coach says

With an eye to improving on its 4-6 overall record last year, the West Milford High School football program is creating competition on and off the field.

“We feel as though we are in a really good spot going into this year,” head coach Steve Maslanek said Aug. 6 during a High School Football Media Day at MetLife Stadium.

“Our culture has been ‘win at everything.’ These guys understand what they have to do to win those big games, which we have to do this year to get back in the playoffs.

“The seniors are doing a great job of leading. Nobody is missing workouts. Everybody has been locked in, and we are creating competition in the weight room and on the field.”

Maslanek was joined at the Media Day, sponsored by the New York Jets, by three seniors: lineman Owen Ginder, wide receiver/defensive back Marcus Morgan and lineman Riley Treptow.

“I’d say culture was a big part of this off-season,” said Ginder. “We are trying to become a family because families win games. We must stay close.”

Maslanek said last year’s team was fairly young. “This year, we have a ton of multiyear starters.

“We have had a great off-season so far, are excited about where we are at, and look for improvement from last year with our core coming back.”

The Highlanders will play their first game at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 at Paramus.

They play at Jefferson at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6.

Key returning players include seniors Marcus Morgan (wide receiver and defensive back), Jake Kelshaw (tight end and linebacker), Owen Ginder (offensive line and defensive line) and Riley Treptow (offensive line and defensive line) and juniors Patrick Foley (wide receiver, running back and linebacker), Aydin Deane (quarterback and defensive back), Chase Tyburczy (running back and linebacker),Jeffery Papinuek (linebacker) and Kyle Schwarzlow (offensive line and defensive line).

Treptow, Ginder, Morgan and Kelshaw will be team leaders this year, Maslanek said.

Newcomers include seniors Ethan Garcia (offensive line and defensive line), Jason D’Errico (wide receiver and defensive back) and Max Gorny (wide receiver and defensive back) and juniors Ethan Massarone (offensive line and defensive line), Nick Triverio (defensive back), Nick Manthy (offensive line and defensive line), Cole Czerpak (linebacker), Jeremiah Christman (wide receiver and linebacker), Adonai Aarons (linebacker), Mark Schinasi (wide receiver and defensive back) and Zack Johnson (wide receiver and defensive back).

The coach’s goal is to return to the playoffs.

The Highlanders will compete in the Super Football Conference Patriot Red Division along with Lakeland, Vernon, Sparta, Jefferson and Dover.

Sparta, Lakeland and Vernon are among the top teams to beat in the division, Maslanek said.

“We feel we are a contender this season. Others may view us as a spoiler.”