Last season saw the start of the process of turning around the Hoboken High School (N.J.) football program, as the Redwings posted a 3-6 program, three more wins than they had in the 2023-24 campaign.
“I wanted to show everyone the hard work we did,” head coach Joe Borkowski said. “Obvious to us, we could have won three games which we lost in the fourth quarter. It was like heart break after heart break. But you have to lose the close ones to come back stronger.”
What does Hoboken need to fix?
“We fumbled way too much, and our special teams’ play needs to improve,” he said. “We’re focused on finishing every play, every game now.”
Turn the page, and now Redwing football, who competes in the New Jersey Group 1 Conference, has raised the expectations of the program, with several returning talented starters and players looking to make a name for themselves.
“We got a lot of core parts back, a lot of talent coming back,” the former North Arlington coach continued. “Seven or eight returning starters. They’ll be less thinking this year because they know it (the system). The standard has already been set.”
Some of those players who endured a winless season two years ago, still have the haunting memories of tough season still lingering and residing in the back of their collective minds, Borkowski noted. But Hoboken is hell bent on continuing to redeem itself.
“They definitely have a chip on their shoulders,” he said of his players. “They were out there as freshmen and sophomores. Now, they’re two- and three-year starters. They were begging to get into the weightroom in November. Because of the full off-season, we’re quicker, stronger, and faster. We’re 100 percent battle-tested.”
Back behind center is Isaiah Blanks, a 5-foot-9, 210-pound tough rising senior quarterback who showed impressive, marked improvement over his sophomore year.
Borkowski offered up high praise for his signal caller, saying he hopes to suit up at the next level, possibly at another position, though, giving his wonderful athletic ability.
“He went from throwing 145 yards to throwing for over 1,300 yards,” Borkowski said. “He’ll probably be playing at the next level. He’s good enough. He’ll probably change positions, but he’ll be fun to watch this year.”
Next is rising junior running back Devin McMillan, who earned more work as the season progressed, and wound up rushing for 567 yards and catching 17 passes for 119 yards.
“He got the bulk of the running last season,” said Borkowski, who also coaches flag football and girls’ basketball. “He’s back, and ready. As the season went on, he got more touches.”
Another potent offensive threat is rising junior Jae’on Walker, a 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver/defensive back, whom Borkowski said he will get several different looks on offense in order to maximize his potential.
“He’s got the size, speed, strength to be someone special,” he gushed over his standout player. “We’ll move him around. We’re looking to get the ball to him as much as possible.”
Other receiving options include rising juniors Jaedon Wright and Nick Benway, whom Borkowski and his coaching staff are looking for him to be a breakout player in 2025.
“He did a great job blocking,” Borkowski said of Benway. “We’re expecting him to be a playmaker.”
Anchoring the Redwing offensive line is rising senior Luke Schreiber, who is 5-foot-11, 260 pounds. Plus, another rising senior in Michael Frene, and Brandon Caraballo, a rising junior.
Rising sophomores Jaden Folmert-Klein and Jaythan Padilla will share center duties, and rising junior Anthony Lopez will all be strong pieces on the O-line.
Equally important, Borkowski said every team needs a kid like Joshua Henriquez, a diminutive type of player who sports a fearless brand of football, Borkowski noted.
“He’s a tough dude,” Borkowski said of his rising sophomore running back/defensive back. “He’s not afraid of anyone.”
Hoboken’s defensive line will be a work in progress, according to Borkowski.
But their line backing corpse of McMillan, Blanks, and Algelis Reyes–a 5-foot-10, 175-pound hard-hitting rising sophomore who dominated on the other side of the ball last year-will set the tone on defense and lead the pack.
Borkowski was a little skeptical at first due to Reyes’ young age, but all trepidations vanished once he saw him play.
“He exceeded expectations. Algelis Reyes had over 100 tackles (107, to be exact) in nine games,” he said. “I heard some great things about him, though I wasn’t sure. Once I saw him in pads, all my doubts went away. He plays sideline to sideline.”
Borkowski said he is still in the process of getting just about everyone in the city of Hoboken to buy into what he is doing at the high school.
However, last year, it did not take long to for him to start the winning over process of the loyal Redwing football fan base after picking up his first victory in their first tilt.
“We were up by 11 points, and I decided to run a trick play,” he explained. “It went for a 47-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. I was so pumped inside.”
As far as the upcoming season goes, Borkowski said, “We’re looking to compete within the division, and make states for the first time since 2019. I love to have a home playoff game. I’m focused on doing my job, and we’re going to control what we can control.
“I’m really excited for this year, and ready for the 28th,” he continued. “Let’s go!”
Hoboken will host Becton on Thursday, August 28th at 6:30 p.m. under the bright lights of Louis Taglieri, Jr. Field.
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— Jerry Del Priore
Photos: Roberto Rosa.
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