Beginning of the Season
Hawthorne High School football team has started off great this year in the Meadowland Division. They have started off the year 2-0, this is a drastic change from last year’s start. Last year was a learning curve for the Bears. Towards the end of the 2024-25 season last year they ended on a 2 game winning streak, which shows how they were improving as a team in just a single season.
Past Games (2-2)
On Friday, August 29th the Bears took on Montclair Kimberly they had an outstanding win 42-14 to start the season off 1-0. Dylan Mejia led the team with 140 passing yards. Sebastian Gill led with 46 rushing yards. Anthony DeLallo led with 68 total receiving yards and Damian Delvalle with 6 for 6 on FG attempts. There were 6 total touchdowns for the Bears. Dylan Mejia, Ali Visaev, and Anthony DeLallo all had 2 touchdowns to give the Bears their first win!
On Thursday, September 4th the Bears took on Wallington High School. They had an excellent 25-12 win to go on a 2 game winning streak. Anthony DeLallo led the team with 86 total passing yards. Giovanni Trovato led with 103 rushing yards. Ali Visaev led with 60 receiving yards. Joshua Kliot led with 6 tackles and Sebastian Gill led with 2 interceptions. There were 4 total touchdowns for the Bears. Anthony DeLallo and Giovanni Trovato had 1 touchdown each. Sebastian Gill had 2 touchdowns to close out the game and give the Bears their 2nd straight win of the season.
On Friday, September 12th the Bears received their first loss of the season from the 2024-25 Sectional Champions the Butler Bulldogs. It was a hard fought game and the Bears played a great game. Dylan Mejia led the team with 87 total passing yards. Giovanni Trovato led with 65 total rushing yards. Anthony DeLallo led with 49 total receiving yards and Sebastian Gill led with 10 tackles. On a punt return in the 3rd quarter wide receiver Ali Visaev suffered a high angle sprain injury and could be out for up to 3 weeks. There were 2 total touchdowns for the Bears by Dylan Mejia and Ali Visaev had 1 each but unfortunately was not enough for the Bears and the 24-25 Sectional Champions delivered the Bears their first loss of the season.
On Friday, September 21st the Bears fell short and received their second loss of the season to Hasbrouck Heights. Dylan Mejia led the team with 130 passing yards and 56 rushing yards.
Anthony DeLallo led the team in receiving yards with 53. The Bears were only able to score 1 time with a Dylan Mejia 1 yard rushing touchdown. The Bears fought and left everything on the field but wasn’t enough and lost 41-7.
Coaching Staff
Talking to some of the players they have nothing but good things to say about head coach Angelo Guarnieri. With this being his second year as a head coach for the team. On Tuesday, September 9th head coach Angelo Guarnieri and Sebastian Gill alongside Aidan Baird, stated on The K&K Sports Show & All In On High School Sports podcast on September 9th, “ It started back last year. We were a young team last year, if you remember 2 years back made it to a sectional final big senior class, graduated that class. A lot of shoes to fill…” For other coaching staff former HHS Bear Richard Grofsick is the offensive coordinator and alongside him is long time coach Christopher Warner. Offensive O-line coach is Kevin Mantel. HHS alumni Mike O’ Hagan, Tommy Walls, and Joseph Oliva.
Upcoming Games for the Bears
This Friday, September 26th The Bears will be going against New Mildford at home at 6pm. Following that, Friday, February 3rd the Bears go back on the road to face off against Secaucus at 7pm. Then on February 10th they make their way back home to take on Saddle Brook at 6pm. Hopefully the Bears can secure a win Friday night against Hasbrouck Heights to make it 2-3.