Hoboken High School Redwings: Revitalizing Football Pride with New Coach and Improving Talent

After finishing 0-8 and scoring just two touchdowns in all of last season, Joe Borkowski, Hoboken High School’s (N.J.) new football head coach, wanted to try something different with the program.

So, he had some of the Redwings competing in seven-on-seven tournament during the summer.

He said it turned out to be a productive experience for his players, brining hope to a team that had a down 2023-24 season.

“Prior to me getting here, they never went the seven-on-seven route,” said Borkowski, who coached at North Arlington last season. “But we had success there. My receivers had some highlight reel catches in the seven-on-seven tournaments. It was really good for the kids to play in those tournaments.”

Now, Borkowski said it is just a matter a pride and a relentless desire to win for him, the boys, and the rest of the Hoboken faithful, to return the football program to prominence.

“I’m trying to restore the Hoboken football pride,” he said. “They were rocking and rolling in the 1990s and 2000s.”

As for the summer competitions, Borkowski said the seven-on-seven action helped him to gauge the team’s talent, and he liked what he had witnessed.

On top of that, Borkowski said Hoboken, who currently competes in the New Jersey Group 1 level, has most of its starters returning for the 2024-25 campaign, with several players looking to prove themselves this year. Plus, there is a measure of healthy hype surrounding the football program.

“I have a lot of experience coming back,” he said. “My line is pretty experienced. There’s buzz and excitement now. They’re (kids) using last year as positive motivation as fuel for (winning) this year.”

One of those returning starters is Isaiah Blanks, a 5-foot-9, 210-pound tough junior athlete who is entering his third year under center.

Borkowski said he is excited about the prospects of Blanks taking the next jump at quarterback, given his experience, smarts, talent and power on the gridiron.

“He has a great football IQ,” Borkowski said. “He’s got the experience. He can fling it a little bit. He won’t run around you. He’ll run over you.”

And Blanks will get the opportunity to put the football in the air due to Borkowski’s style of offense.

“Historically, Hoboken has been known as a Wing-T heavy run offense,” he explained. “I like to run a spread (offense). I like to throw a little bit more. I got no problem throwing, getting guys in open space.”

But Borkowski said he will do his best to show different facets of the Redwing’s offense, to the point that it is easily digestible for his players, while being complex for opposing defenses to figure out.

“I’m anticipated us being a pretty well-balanced, multi-dimensional offense,” Borkowski honestly laid out. “Hopefully for us, it will be simple for us, but difficult for other defenses.”

As for Hoboken’s ground attack, senior running back Kris Atkins and sophomore Devin McMillan will be shouldering the load.

“They can be shifty, and they’re big, strong kids,” the longtime football coach said.

Headlining the receiving corps is sophomore Jae’on Walker, a promising athlete with several offensive attributes, according to his coach.

“He is my go-to guy,” Borkowski said of Walker. “I’m going to move him all over the place. He’ll get some runs. He’s can do it all. He’s fast, great hands and good in open space.”

In addition to Walker, the Redwings boast sophomore Jaeden Wright, freshman Nick Benway and senior transfer (St. Peter’s) Gianluca Araneo, who will sit out the first three games per New Jersey high school transfer rules.

Senior Max Casazza, a good athlete, per Borkowski, will also play receiver. He is a gifted infielder/pitcher who captured the Player of the Year award as a junior.

Hoboken’s offensive line returns four starters with ample size, plus an open spot up for grabs right now, Borkowski noted.

At left tackle is 6-foot-3, 265-pound senior Zyair Miller. At center is 5-foot-11, 255-pound senior Eddie Cruz. Manning one of the guard positions is Luke Schreiber, a 5-foot-11, 260-pound junior. At right tackle is captain Jaiden Holmes, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound senior.

On the defensive line is Ali Mendoza, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound junior. Senior Geo Lugo, at 6-foot-2, 315 pounds, is the biggest guy on the squad, and is a two-way player who will start as nose guard and rotate on the O-Line.

There will be other D-Linemen, such as Schreiber, Holmes, Miller, freshman Victor Scott and sophomore Angel Bruno, who will round out the substitutions.

At linebackers, there is freshman Algelis “Poppa” Reyes–a 5-foot-10, 175-pound player who can deliver the thunder, his coach remarked.

“This kid is going to be a dude,” Borkowski said with conviction. “He brings it. He can hit.”

Blanks will play outside linebacker, while Reyes will sit on the weakside. McMillan will compliment a solid core of players.

Ismar Walker, although a senior, is a first-year player at cornerback with a promising upside, according to Borkowski.

“He’ll be awesome,” he said. “He has been pleasant surprise. He’s hardworking, great work ethic. He’s embracing the changes we brought to the table.”

Atkins will play free safety, while Wright and Araneo will also roam the secondary.

Not deterred by 2023-24’s dismal outcome, Borkowski is confident that this year’s Hoboken squad will yield better results.

“I really think we have a chance to compete,” Borkowski said. “I’m really excited for September 6th. We’re home under the lights. I’m hoping we can surprise a lot of people, exceed all expectations.”

The Redwings will face Westside High School on Friday, September 6th at 6:30 p.m. at Louis Taglieri, Jr. Field.

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Thank you for reading. Please stop by again real soon.

— Jerry Del Priore

Photos: Christopher Munoz, Hoboken Public School District Student Activities Coordinator.