From the moment Joe Santillo decided to attend DePaul Catholic High School, there was a part of him that longed to wear Mustang maroon.
Staff photo/Robin Gottesman
Joe Santillo of Clifton led the Mustangs to a playoff appearance last season after transferring from DePaul Catholic.
He has nothing negative to say about his time as a Spartan.
There has just always been a part of the current Clifton quarterback that beamed with pride over his hometown, the teammates he's grown up alongside and the quality of the education he has received.
Those considerations played heavily into his decision to transfer back to Clifton High School late last summer, joining several other returning Clifton natives on the Mustangs' roster.
Together, along with the team's incumbent talent, the group pushed the Mustangs to their first playoff appearance since 2008, quickly restoring pride to a program that was in need.
Now, as seniors, Santillo and fellow parochial-back-to-public players Saadiq Pitts, Hunter Halliburton and newcomer Jason Williams will look to lead Clifton to even greater heights-an opportunity for which they are admittedly grateful.
"We all believe we can make a difference here, as long as we do what we're supposed to do," Santillo said. "We all fit immediately right into that Clifton bond that the team and coaches already had when we came back."
Santillo returned to Clifton just a week before last season began, after a quarterback competition at DePaul with eventual starter Shelton Applewhite.
Pitts, a running back/cornerback, and Halliburton, a running back/linebacker, both transferred in from Paramus Catholic. Running back/linebacker Williams, meanwhile, relocated to Clifton after spending several seasons at parochial schools.
They have reversed a trend that has hurt many public school football programs in past decades-player exodus to parochial, private or technical school alternatives.
Of course, it is often difficult-if not impossible-to prove motive for a player's choice to leave their home district, but it would be hard to imagine some do not do so for athletic advantage.
They have also shown the difference that "staying home" can make for both sides.
For Clifton High School, there is major optimism about this season's football team, which appears to be loaded (with seven returning starters on offense) and with a reason shot to compete in North I, Group V. For the players themselves, Santillo sees several pluses.
"A lot of people completely overlook what public schools offer," he said. "Educationally Clifton pushes you hard, and people [at CHS] care. I haven't come across one teacher who doesn't care about student. Mr. Orlando, the guidance counselors, the teachers: they're all great."
In addition, Santillo gushes over his opportunity to take the field at Clifton Stadium alongside long-time friends, and already feels satisfaction about his contributions to his hometown team.
The biggest plus of all, though, is one he hopes he can help deliver in December-on a different field just over 10 miles away.
"I came back because I wanted to feel the feeling of being home and playing football," he said.
"But I also felt like I could help the team do well, and it would be much more satisfying to win a [sectional championship] ring with Clifton. When you get one town that is one team and one family, that would mean much more to me."