2010 High School Football: Columbia looks to surge more

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports editor
Columbia enjoyed one of the best turnarounds ever last season.
In 2008, the Cougars snapped a 45-game losing streak with a season-finale victory over Dickinson of Jersey City.
The good vibes from that win carried over into 2009. The Cougars started off 7-0 en route to their first winning season since 1993 and first state sectional playoff appearance since 1982 to finish with a stellar 8-2 record.
In the playoffs, the sixth-seeded Cougars lost at third-seeded Westfield, 41-6. The other loss was against West Essex, 15-12, in Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division action that snapped the perfect 7-0 beginning.
Under fourth-year head coach Dave Curtin, the Cougars are determined to have another successful season.
Roster
Quarterback Deion Hudson, sophomore
Running back/safety Denzel Nieves, senior captain
Running back/linebacker Matt McGriff, senior captain
Running back/wide receiver/safety Demetrius Cooper, senior
Tight end/linebacker Francis Eluwa, senior
Wide receiver/safety Daquan Frasier, junior
Wide receiver/running back/cornerback Obinna Nwanyuri, junior
Wide receiver/linebacker Will Vaughn, senior
Wide receiver Josh Theodat, senior
Cornerback Tyshawn Thomas, sophomore
Wide receiver Eric Burrell, senior
Wide receiver/cornerback Devon Lee, senior
Wide receiver/defensive end/kicker/punter Ndubuisi Okafor, senior
Linebacker Richard Goodluck, senior
Guard/defensive end Jordan Davis, junior
Tackle Evans Osuji, sophomore
Center Darrell Jones, senior
Guard Max Michel, junior
Tackle/defensive tackle Jared Coalmon, senior
Nose guard Mike Larsen, senior
Kicker/punter Zach Matters, sophomore
Analysis
Nieves had a productive 2009, rushing for 967 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games.
The Cougars had a strong off-season, and will look to become competitive in the conference.
“We have had very productive summer workouts and have high expectations for this year based on our turnaround from last year,” said Curtin, also the CHS athletic director. “Our goals are what they always have been: win the conference and make the playoffs.”
Columbia schedule
Sept. 11, Kearny, 1 p.m.
Sept. 25, East Side, 1 p.m.
Oct. 1, at Shabazz, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9, Millburn, 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 16, at Nutley, 1 p.m.
Oct. 23, at Barringer, 3 p.m.
Oct. 30, West Essex, 1 p.m.
Nov. 5, at Belleville, 7 p.m.
Nov. 25, Irvington, 10:30 a.m.