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| Joseph Petrosino '70 Demarest/Hoboken High School Hall of Fame |
Joseph Petrosino '70 also known as "Joe Pet" wore #66 for the Hoboken Red Wings from his freshman season of 1966 to his 1969 County Championship campaign. Petrosino was 5'9" and played at 180lbs. As was common during this period, he played both ways and distinguished himself as both an exceptional pulling guard on offense and a fierce, competitive, middle linebacker and leader on defense.
As former Hoboken High coach Joe Stinson has observed, "Often in football and especially on the High school level, there is no way to quantify the contributions of lineman. Their worth to any successful football team is golden. Their reward often only buried in their soul." Commenting about Joe, Coach Stinson observed, "Joe Petrosino...it's been so long and the game was vastly different at that time. But Joe's Intensity, toughness, ability and sacrifice are legendary. He along with Michael "egor" Peluso are names that immediately come up in the discussion about great Hoboken linemen. I would proudly nominate both for immediate induction." Coach Al Straten echoes much of Coach Stinson's observations about Petrosino, " I did see Joe Petrosino play for 3 years and he played both ways at a very high level of play. In his three years Hoboken probably won 20 -23 games. Linemen are unsung heroes. He was one of Hoboken's best."
Middle linebackers are often considered leaders of their defensive units and the unit that Petrosino helped lead during his senior year is legendary. That year, Hoboken High, led by a potent offense, went 8-1 and won the 1969 Hudson County Championship. The offense was lead of course by Ricky Addeo, Jimmy Foster and other great Hoboken players. What is often forgotten about that team however is the incredible defense, which complemented the offense. The '69 Red Wing defense gave up only 52 points all season (5.8 pts per game) and recorded 4 shutouts- giving up only 6 points in the last 12 quarters of play that season and ending in a 30-0 route of then rival Memorial High School.
Joe Pet was also a very accomplished offensive lineman. Known especially for his strength and agility, he was a key component of a strong Red Wing running game, which complemented its potent passing attack. Joe Pet was an exceptional pulling guard as the team ran some classic Lombardi era offensive sweeps with Joe leading the way around the corner.
Statistics were not kept for linemen during Petrosino's era. But some observations by his teammates and colleagues may be worth mentioning. Guy Federico '68 says of Joe, "I played with and against Joe Petrosino from childhood thru high school and beyond and if you ask me to name a more multi talented and tougher two way lineman, linebacker, and blocking back, I could not provide you with a name. In my opinion, Joe Pet beings in the Hall of Fame." Finally, one of Joe's best friends and teammates and a Hall of Fame member of Hoboken High; Hudson County; and New England College Hall of Fame Jimmy Foster has said this about Joe- "Joe Petrosino as a High School football teammate was a hell of a ball player and there was no one better at his position. As a matter of fact during our senior year I went in to punt on 4th down and I decided to run without the approval from coach Ascolese. Well I didn't make and it was North Bergen's ball on the 20-yard line and my ass was grass. The very next play North Bergen hands off the ball off to their running back (which happen to be JOE PET'S Cousin Robert Petrosino) and Joe pounds him and forces a fumble. We received the ball and went on to win the game (20-13). Joe has my vote for the Hoboken Hall Fame for sure.
Joseph Petrosino's selection to the Demarest/Hoboken High Hall of Fame will hopefully accomplish two important things as the hall goes forward. First, it will bring to light the accomplishments of this individual who was a quiet leader during the great Red Wing teams of the late 1960's and bring him the recognition he deserves. But perhaps more importantly, Joe's nomination will also open up for consideration other unsung and unrecognized linemen who’s worth and value and importance to a team has previously been inadvertently overlooked.
