SPF Football Opens Season Against Westfield

When Frank Bottone stepped down as the head football coach at New Providence after 46 varsity seasons, that made Scotch Plains-Fanwood head coach Steve Ciccotelli the longest tenured coach in Union County.

Ciccotelli is now in his 21st season at the helm of the Raiders and his first as a retired physical education teacher at the school.

“I really won’t know how it will feel to just coach until school starts and I’m not teaching anymore,” Ciccotelli said following a home quad scrimmage earlier this pre-season.

For the second straight season, arch rivals Scotch Plains and Westfield will kick off the football season against each other. The two are scheduled to clash Saturday at 1 p.m. at Westfield’s Gary Kehler Stadium.

Ciccotelli, still very enthused about coaching, is looking forward to this season opener as much as any others.

“I just love the game,” said the 1967 Johnson Regional graduate, who was also a head coach at Johnson Regional and Sparta and an assistant coach at Penn State for one season.

“I love being around the kids,” Ciccotelli continued. “I love the challenge. The first thing is for the kids to be the best person they can be, then the best student, then the best football player – in that order.”

For Scotch Plains, the Raiders want to prove right away that they are a different team this year. Scotch Plains has not had a winning season since 2007, which was also the last year that it defeated Westfield.

“Our kids worked hard during the summer,” Ciccotelli said. “They’re making the commitment, which is what we’re looking for.”

For Westfield, the Blue Devils are seeking a sixth consecutive winning campaign and will need new players at key skill positions to step up if they are to do so.

“I like our kids’ work ethic,” said Westfield head coach Jim DeSarno, in his sixth year at the helm.

DeSarno, since taking over in 2006, has guided Westfield to five winning seasons in five years and to the playoffs the last four. In two of those playoff seasons the Blue Devils were a win away from playing for the North 2, Group 4 state championship.

“I like the way our seniors have stepped up,” DeSarno continued.

Scotch Plains last qualified for the playoffs in 2007. The Raiders have won just three games the past two seasons and have lost eight straight contests to Union County teams.

The last time Scotch Plains won on Opening Day was also its last win against a Union County opponent. It was on Sept. 12, 2009 when the Raiders won at Cranford 26-24.

Westfield has a three-game winning streak over Scotch Plains, with the last two victories coming at Scotch Plains. The last Scotch Plains win over Westfield was Nov. 3, 2007, a 28-14 victory at Scotch Plains. The last Raider triumph at Westfield came on Sept. 18, 2004 by the score of 27-0.

While Westfield was winning games and making the playoffs the last three years, Scotch Plains was going through a rough time.

“The last two years have not been fun for anyone,” Ciccotelli said.

For the second straight season Scotch Plains is the only Union County school in the West B Division.

“Our kids never gave up,” Ciccotelli said. “Losing is part of life and you have to learn how to handle it. It’s our job as coaches to get the kids ready.”
Ciccotelli took Scotch Plains to Giants Stadium in 2003 and almost again in 2007. There have been many seasons where Scotch Plains was considered one of the top teams in North 2, Group 3.

Players on this year’s squad are confident the Raiders can get back to winning football games again on a consistent basis.

“There’s a lot of talent on this team and we have a lot more pride,” said returning senior wide receiver-safety Matt Jegede. “The seniors are tired of losing. We’re confident we can go out and win every game we play.”

Scotch Plains senior running back-linebacker Anthony Byers agreed. “We worked real hard in the off season and have a lot of confidence going into the Westfield game,” he said.

DeSarno, who is 4-1 against Scotch Plains, recognizes how revved up Scotch Plains will be to try to reverse fortunes this weekend.

“We know they will come right at us,” DeSarno said. “This is a big rivalry game right off the bat again. They have some size on their line that we’ll have to deal with as well as some good skill players.”

Key Scotch Plains players include Byers, Jegede, returning senior lefty quarterback Steve Alleman and senior tight end-linebacker Andrew Miller.

Replacing Dan Kerr at quarterback for Westfield is senior Nate Mitchell. The lead runners are senior tailback James O’Rourke and senior fullback James McCrea. Senior Peter Ondi is a key returning receiver as is senior tight end John Lanzano.

Westfield also has a weapon in steady, third-year placekicker Jonathan Gribbin. 

SCOTCH PLAINS VS. WESTFIELD SINCE 2001:

2010: Westfield 28, Scotch Plains 0 – at Scotch Plains

2009: Westfield 30, Scotch Plains 6 – at Scotch Plains

2008: Westfield 35, Scotch Plains 12 – at Westfield

2007: Scotch Plains 28, Westfield 14 – at Scotch Plains

2006: Westfield 28, Scotch Plains 21 – at Westfield

2005: Scotch Plains 32, Westfield 29 (OT) – at Scotch Plains

2004: Scotch Plains 27, Westfield 0 – at Westfield

2003: Scotch Plains 27, Westfield 6 – at Scotch Plains

2002: Scotch Plains 13, Westfield 10 – at Westfield

2001: Westfield 21, Scotch Plains 10 – at Scotch Plains