Warriors hope manageable schedule helps lead to success

Posted: September 5th 2024

Wildwood football's seniors include (from left) Dante Varrone, Sammy Santiago, Thomas Rios, Nick Kroesche, Nate Wolfe and Goergio Palesano.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

The Wildwood High School football team’s 2023 season began with so much promise.

The Warriors rallied for a victory over Cumberland in their opener and appeared poised to have a good season.

But then the team became decimated by injuries and didn’t have the depth to compensate. A forfeit over Lindenwold notwithstanding, Wildwood didn’t win another game. Three of the losses were by a touchdown or less.

Now that the page has been turned to 2024, Wildwood is hopeful for a better outcome. Some excellent seniors were lost from last year’s team and the overall numbers are a bit lower than they’ve been compared to recent seasons (about 25 players), but Wildwood is optimistic it can win a few games and be competitive in a lot of others.

“We’re coming along,” Wildwood coach Ken Loomis said. “We lost a lot of our offensive output. We had 13 seniors last year and that’s huge for a small program like ours to lose. We’ve had a lot of teaching to do but the guys have been getting a good amount of reps and they’re learning a lot.”

Two of Wildwood’s better players figure to be senior Nate Wolfe and junior Eric Jordan, a pair of two-way linemen with outstanding size. Wolf lost a lot of weight since last season and appears more athletic, while Jordan, at 6-4, will be one of the bigger linemen in the West Jersey United Division. Both are three-year starters in the 250-pound range.

“We expect them to anchor down our lines both offensively and defensively,” Loomis said. “We’re going to be running behind them a lot on offense and defensively we hope they can control things up front. They have some experience and they know what to do. We’ll definitely be leaning on them.”

Another returnee with experience is junior QB Jordan Dozier, who started a handful of games toward the end of last season. He had a 246-yard passing game in a loss to KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy.

“Jordan getting game reps last year has made a world of difference,” Loomis said. “He’s looked good all summer and in our scrimmages. We have big expectations for him.”

Other key returning players for Wildwood include seniors Thomas Rios (RB/LB), Sammy Santiago (OL/DL) and Nick Kroesche (OL/DL); junior Liam Carmel (OL/LB); and sophomores Trevor Troiano (WR/DB) and Gianni Troiano (WR/DB). Junior Ryan Gilligan (TE/DL) is a transfer expected to make significant contributions.

Wildwood is again in the WJLF United Division and also has crossover games against similar small-school and/or rebuilding opponents. There may not be a game this season in which Wildwood will be an overwhelming underdog.

The season begins for the Warriors with a long road trip to Holy Cross on Friday.

“We’re hoping for .500,” Loomis said. “We like the division we’re in again. Pretty much every game is going to be a fair game for us where we’re going to have a chance to compete. It’s going to come down to the little things, like how we can execute, limiting penalties and not turning the ball over.”

After the game against Holy Cross, Wildwood goes to Gateway next week. The Warriors’ first home game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20, against Lindenwold.

Loomis is assisted by Kevin Atkinson, Chris Chobert, Anthony Freeman, Jimmy Purcell and Dom Troianio.