For the first time in a couple of decades, North Arlington will not have Dan DiGuglielmo as its head coach.

DiGuglielmo opted to concentrate on his work as principal of the North Arlington Middle School and handed over the varsity head coaching chores to his assistant coach and junior varsity coach, Paul Marcantuono.

"He let me know last year that he was not coming back and that I should put in for the job," said Marcantuono. "I always wanted some day to be a head coach and Coach D made it an easy transition."

For 2008 Marcantuono is hoping to bring North Arlington into the spotlight for the full year. The Vikings have shown glimpses the last couple of years of success, but not for the full season.

Last season, North Arlington went through a tough season to say the least with a 3-18 record. "We’re not looking to change the world," said Marcantuono who pointed to only five wins in the last two years. "I’m not going to count wins and losses. We just want to have a chance in every game."

One of the featured players is senior centerfielder/pitcher Anthony Iavarone, who hit more than .400 last season and is looking for more this season. While last season he was the leadoff hitter, Marcantuno is moving him to the third spot. "I’m expecting him to continue getting his singles and doubles, but with a little more pop in his bat," said Marcantuono who added about Iavarone’s pitching. "He knows where to hit his spots."

While Iavarone contributes more with the bat, the Vikings are looking to their top pitchers, senior right handers Joe Monahan and Ryan Kenny along with senior southpaw Luigi Gomez.

The Vikings got off on the right start with a 6-4 victory on the road at Palisades Park. Monahan fired a complete game and only gave up one earned run. The senior threw 78 pitches while striking out seven and allowing only three hits. Monahan also had a pair of RBI in the independent win. "He was really hitting his spots and trusting his defense," said Marcantuono who added about his repertoire of pitches. "He’s definitely a fastball, curveball pitcher and he’s been working on his changeup while working on his control in the off season."

In terms of Kenny and Gomez, they are battling for the second spot in the rotation. "Ryan is not a hard thrower with more off speed stuff," said Marcantuono. "In terms of Luigi he throws several pitches including the fastball and curveball and has a little more pop."

The pitching has experience and the players that are going to catch them are not, in sophomores Jon Cassidy and Patrick Ford who are fighting for the starting spot.

While those four pitchers make up the team’s rotation, Iavarone leads the offense along with the likes of senior first baseman Michael Gross, sophomore shortstop Bruno Janota and senior infielder Luis Gomez, the brother of Luigi. Janota is also a pitcher and Luis Gomez will mainly see time at third base after seeing most of the action at second base last season.

Iavaronne leads an inexperienced outfield. When not pitching, Luigi Gomez will start at right field while juniors Kedwin Parra and Frank Gangi will see time also in the outfield. Gangi showed some hitting prowess in the opener as he went 2-for-4 against Palisades Park.

Also expected to get at bats will be senior designated hitter Shawn Cappola.

While the Vikings will be hard pressed to get to the level of Hasbrouck Heights, Lyndhurst and St. Mary’s at the top of the BCSL National, they are looking to pull some surprises this season.