The North Warren Patriots began their season Friday in a similar manner as last year’s opening game by scoring 32 points to defeat Bound Brook.
This year, however, they claimed a 32-0 shutout while last year’s win was a razor thin 32-27. North Warren head coach John Baum said he hopes this season’s decisive opener portends a better year for the Patriots. In 2025, after their opening-game win, North Warren slugged through a disappointing season finishing 1-9.
This year the Pats have several experienced veterans at key positions, after fielding several young teams during the past couple seasons.
Zach Paseler had a standout night rushing for 160 yards on 11 carries and scoring one touchdown.
“Zach had a great game,” Baum said. “Right out of the gate he was running the ball hard.”
Baum said his team, which has remained largely unchanged during the past two seasons, has a cohesiveness developed from playing as a core group since their freshman years.
“We played four full quarters as a whole team,” Baum said. “We really carried our 11-as-one mentality out there Friday night.”
Baum was pleased with the offensive line, led by senior guards Michael Soricelli and Brady Cook.
“Our offensive line blocked incredibly well,” Baum said. The offensive blocking was frequently a weak line last season, and Baum believes Soricelli and Cook are just the right players to forge that connection.
Moving to fullback this year, Cole Castles rushed for 105 yards on 17 carries. Baum said he has been pleased by Castles in his new role.
Other key changes paid dividends as well.
“We had several guys step into new roles and do whatever the team needed,” Baum said. “Tyler Stout stepped up at the other wingback position and led the team with two sacks. Sophomore Austin Inscho came in and made a big play with a great touchdown run.”
Senior C.J. Mamay, who has been pressed into the quarterback slot with increasing frequency since he was a freshman, started Friday and passed for 24 yards, completing four of six attempts.
But that was not the whole story. His command of the ground game has benefitted from his early days being thrust in to service because of injuries to older quarterbacks.
“C.J. really came into his own this game,” Baum said. “Afterward when I talked to him about his pass attempts, he told me he doesn’t care how many times he throws the ball, he just wants to win. That tells you everything you need to know about where he is mentally right now. His maturity has really shined through. He led the huddle with poise and confidence, and I cannot speak highly enough about the way he continues to grow as a leader for this team.”
Mamay carried for a pair of two-point conversions against Bound Brook.
Also flexing his flexibility was Killian Lynch, who blocked a Bound Brook punt at a pivotal point in the game.
“Killian Lynch is another great example of what this team is all about,” Baum said. “He bounced all over the field and played wherever we needed him.”
The Patriots will take their winning record on the road next Friday to Parsippany.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
