New Jefferson football coach hails from Hopatcong

Throughout his football life, Jerry Venturino has played against Jefferson on the field, scouted Jefferson from the bleachers, and coached against Jefferson on the sideline.

Venturino, who played and coached at Hopatcong, has been named Jefferson’s new head football coach. He replaced Joe Mattessich, who was not rehired.

“It was tough leaving Hopatcong,” said Venturino, who was 16-14 in three years as the Chiefs' head coach. “I wanted to coach a bigger program. Hopatcong is Group I, and I’ll be going to Jefferson, which is Group III. It was time for me to take that chance.”

Venturino is a Hopatcong legend. As a high school senior, he quarterbacked the Chiefs to their first NJSIAA championship, a wild 36-35 come-from-behind victory over Mahwah to win North 1 Group II before a standing-room only crowd at Hopatcong. Only a short time before that, Hopatcong was forever in a rebuilding stage.

“I always found that you need to look to the future,” he said. “Any successful person uses the good and the bad he has experienced and builds off of that. So do I look back at the ‘01 days? I’ll use that excitement not only for the players, but the staff, community, cheerleaders and the band. I want a positive, exciting experience for everyone.”

Venturino is excited to get started at Jefferson, and his enthusiasm is spreading. How much? Jefferson athletic director John DiColo heard Venturino address the Falcons and was tempted to suit up.

“He did so well throughout the entire interviewing process,” DiColo said. “When we recommended him to be the candidate, he spoke with the players, and I sat in on the meeting. I was so inspired. I called our superintendent (Patrick Tierney) and told him I wish I could play.”

Venturino met with his returning players before the spring sports season began and likes some of the returning talent. Jefferson defeated Hopatcong the last two years, 6-0 last year and 14-6 two years ago.

“The last two years we have faced them, and they have a lot of good seniors coming back,” he said. “I game planned for them the last two years. There are some good players returning.”

Junior running back-outside linebacker Connor Brown (935 yards rushing, 8 TD), receiver Brandon Magnotta (12 catches for 285 yards, 3 TD), linebackers Jakob Jakova and Jalen Torres, defensive end Aidan Sinisgalli, and two-way lineman Cole Benfatti all had solid seasons.

“One thing I have noticed when I am there after school is that there are a lot of baseball, track, volleyball, golf ... kids who are athletes year-round,” Venturino said. “That says something about their school pride. They like to play different sports and it makes for a cool culture within the school. ... My philosophy is this: college is not guaranteed and high school is your chance to compete. It gives you an opportunity to compete, learn from different coaches and be with different teammates. That’s the best simulation I know of to prepare for Friday nights in the fall when you’re playing football.”

Jefferson will open up on one of those Friday nights: Sept. 9 hosting High Point.

The Falcons are in the North Jersey Super Football Conference’s Group III Patriot Division along with former Sussex County Interscholastic League rrivals Sparta, Vernon and High Point, as well as Morris Hills, Montville, and West Milford. Jefferson’s crossover games are against Parsippany Hills, Mendham, and Lenape Valley, another longtime SCIL rival.

“He’s so passionate about football,” DiColo said. “He’s organized and knowledgeable and a real good motivator. All of the kids I have spoken with cannot wait to get started.”