9-5-19 Issue - 12 Volume XI Shore Sports Network by Shore Sports Network Journal

ve Meyer

Cover Designed by Ste

2018 Shore Conference Football Standings AMERICAN DIVISION Team

FREEDOM DIVISION

Overall Division

Team

NATIONAL DIVISION PF

x-Middletown South

8-3

5-0

235

168

x-Red Bank Catholic

10-0

5-0

337

100

x-Holmdel

8-2

6-0

341

Toms River North

6-3

3-2

253

111

Long Branch

12-1

4-1

436

134

Donovan Catholic

7-3

5-1

310

135

Manalapan

6-4

3-2

254

182

Red Bank

7-3

3-2

221

168

Keansburg

4-5

3-3

154

188

Freehold Township

5-5

3-2

151

234

Ocean

4-6

2-3

170

213

Asbury Park

4-6

3-3

123

159

Howell

1-9

1-4

344

Toms River East

3-6

1-4

126

248

Keyport

3-6

3-3

100

244

Central

3-7

0-5

149

279

Toms River South

3-8

0-5

141

340

Manchester

5-5

1-5

139

222

Point Beach

0-9

0-6

345

COLONIAL DIVISION Team

Overall Division

Team

LIBERTY DIVISION

Overall Division

Team

Overall Division

x-Rumson-Fair Haven

10-2

5-0

352

138

x-Manasquan

8-3

5-0

256

194

Brick

8-3

3-2

280

135

Raritan

5-4

4-1

198

197

Freehold

5-4

3-2

181

180

Neptune

5-5

2-3

151

194

St. John Vianney

5-5

2-3

193

206

Point Boro

3-6

2-3

202

193

Brick Memorial

4-6

2-3

237

251

Monmouth

4-5

1-4

144

162

Middletown North

2-8

0-5

188

277

Colts Neck

3-7

1-4

150

248

Team

CONSTITUTION DIVISION Team

Overall Division

PATRIOT DIVISION

Overall Division

x-Jackson Memorial

6-4

5-0

166

101

x-Mater Dei

10-2

5-0

441

133

Wall

6-3

4-1

221

106

Barnegat

7-3

4-1

189

179

Lacey

5-5

3-2

142

244

Shore

7-3

3-2

299

101

Southern

4-5

2-3

147

161

Pinelands

4-5

2-3

146

215

Marlboro

4-6

1-4

172

187

Jackson Liberty

3-7

1-4

158

Lakewood

1-9

0-5

130

353

Matawan

1-8

0-5

108

316

Freedom Division............................ pages

SSN Top Ten.............................................Page

SSN Players To watch.................... Page

New Faces

New Places....................Page

American Division.....................pages

12-27

Long Branch

Colts Neck Jackson Liberty Lakewood Matawan Neptune Toms River East Toms River South Liberty Division...............................pages

68-79

Central Regional Donovan Catholic Holmdel Lacey Manasquan Red Bank Regional

Manalapan Middletown South Red Bank Catholic Rumson-Fair Haven Toms River North

Patriot Division...............................pages Colonial Division.....................pages

56-67

28-39

Brick Township Freehold Boro Jackson Memorial Mater Dei Prep St. John Vianney Wall

Barnegat Monmouth Regional Ocean Township Point Boro Raritan Shore Regional National Division...........................pages

Constitution Division.........pages

40-50

Brick Memorial Freehold Township Howell Marlboro Middletown North Southern Regional

80-89

90-98

Asbury Park Keansburg Keyport Manchester Pinelands Point Beach Field

Directions

Monmouth County........................................Page Ocean County.......................................................

100

Page 101

Week-by-week Feature Story..................................Pages

51-54

Shore Conference Schedule.......

Page 103

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 4

steve.meyer@shoresportsnetwork.com

Tfootball season has arrived.

he 2019 Shore Conference high school

On Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7, 32 of the Shore Conference’s 43 football programs will take the field to kick off what is sure to be another thrilling season of high school football. The Shore is chock full of talent with some of the best teams and individuals in the Garden State. Last season, the Shore Conference saw three teams – Red Bank Catholic, Long Branch, and Rumson-Fair Haven – win NJISAA state titles. Can those three teams repeat? Who else will win a state championship? Who will be the best team in the Shore? Answers to those questions and more will be answered over the next three months. One of the big stories of the offseason was divisional realignment. The divisions are more even now in terms of being competitive from top to bottom, but that means the top two divisions feature the heavy hitters of the Shore. It will be a grind for those 12 teams, but it will also be a treat for fans to see the best teams duke it out on a weekly basis. It should also make ranking the teams a bit easier since it will all be settled on the field. Before we can make our judgments based on actual results, however, we’ll use data gathered from previewing all 43 teams to present the Shore Sports Network Preseason Top 10. Without further ado, we present the Shore Sports Network Preseason Football Top 10. Middletown Red

Bank

Catholic

(10-0). Final 2018 ranking: No. 1 After going 10-0 and winning the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 title last season to go wire-towire as the No. 1 team in the Shore, the Caseys will once again begin the season as the conference’s top-ranked squad. Notre Dame-bound tight end/defensive end Kevin Bauman and Boston College-bound linebacker/tight end Charlie Gordinier lead an all-star group that also includes running backs Billy Guidetti, Kevin Degnan and Elijah Jules, lineman Chris Hart, wide receiver Sean Rossback and quarterback Ryan Edgerly. The entire Shore will be gunning for RBC, but the Caseys are up to the challenge as they aim for a repeat.

Mater

Dei

Prep

(10-2). Final 2018 ranking: No. 2 The Seraphs have been an elite team in the Shore for the last three seasons and that figures to stay the same in 2019. One year after going 10-2 and reaching the Non-Public Group 3 final, the Seraphs bring back talent on both sides of the ball and welcome some impact transfers. Mater Dei also has a new offensive coordinator in former Freehold/ Neptune/SJV statechampionship coach Mark Ciccotelli. Running back Malik Ingram leads the way after a monster junior year along with Notre Dame-bound defensive back/wide receiver Clarence Lewis, versatile playmaker Isaiah Noguera and lineman Khurram Simpson.

Long

Branch

(12-1). Final 2018 ranking: No. 3 The Green have won consecutive NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 titles and last season won the inaugural Central-South Group 4 bowl game. Long Branch lost many impact players to graduation but the program is ripe with talented players ready to step in and keep the train rolling. State rushing champion Jermaine Corbett returns along with lineman Tracey Taylor, wide receiver Jayon Farrar, linebacker Jah’kwan Gordon, and defensive end Jayson Glaspar. The Green Wave also have an impact transfer in the form of quarterback Kyle Davidson, who started in California last season.

Rumson-Fair Haven

(10-2). Final 2018 ranking: No. 4 Despite having to break in several new starters on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs have championship expectations once again after winning their fifth state sectional title in the last six years and also claiming the Central-South Group 3 bowl game. Quarterback Collin Coles, running backs John Volker and Pete Crowley, wide receiver Patrick Jamin, defensive lineman Von Factor, linebacker Gordon Forsyth and defensive backs Drew Frankel and Ryan Ruane lead the way. How a brand-new offensive line comes together will likely be the key to the season, but Rumson has earned respect and trust by finding ways to get it done every season.

Toms

River

North

(6-3). Final 2018 ranking: not ranked While the Mariners finished outside of the top 10 last season, they bring back an impressive core of starters that looks to have them competing for division and state championships. Junior quarterback Jake Kazanowsky leads a talented offense that also includes running back Jarrod Pruitt, and wide receivers Dominick Jacob and Zach Goodale. Hulking 6-foot-7, 320-pound offensive lineman Najae Hallenbeck leads the way in the trenches. Defensively, linebacker Vinny Palmieri, defensive lineman C.J. Niedzielski, and defensive back Ray Carlson lead the way.

Manalapan

(6-4). Final 2018 ranking: not ranked The Braves are primed to return to championship form in 2019 with multiple starters returning on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Sean Kehley, running backs Nico Santorelli and Andre Johnson, and an offensive line that returns four of five starters guide Manalapan’s pro-style offense while linebacker Matt Benedetti and defensive backs Justin Reilly and Anthony Matrone lead the defense.

South

(8-3). Final 2018 ranking: No. 6 The Eagles are always in the discussion – their last losing season was in 1984 – so having them in the top 10 to start the season is a pretty safe bet. The reigning American Division champions return senior defensive lineman Vinny Condito versatile two-way standouts Matt Krellin and Chris Lotito, and defensive back Tyler Cuccia as they attack a schedule that head coach Steve Antonucci says is the program’s most difficult in his 22 years at the helm. Jackson Memorial

(6-4). Final 2018 ranking: not ranked The Jaguars captured the Constitution Division title last year and bring back a talented squad that will look to make waves in the new-look Colonial Division. Defensive end Collin McCarthy, a 6-foot-7, 240-pound beast, is back after wreaking havoc on opposing offenses as a junior. Defensive end Sean Laverty, linebackers Nick Ford and Brian Zapata and defensive backs Christian Pellone and Wally Doman join McCarthy to lead a physical defense. Junior Will Towns has breakout potential at running back, Jake McKown is back at wide receiver and senior Lonnie Cebulski takes over at quarterback. Wall

(6-3). Final 2018 ranking: No. 10 After an encouraging season with a young roster, Wall returns many of its starters as it looks to take the next step under third-year head coach Tony Grandinetti. Running backs Casey Larkin, Matt DeSarno, and Dale McNally and quarterback Logan Peters lead an offense that has the chance to be very dangerous. Many of those same players will contribute on the defensive side of the ball along with standout sophomore linebackers Charlie Sasso and Colin Riley. Donovan

Catholic

(7-3). Final 2018 ranking: not ranked The Griffins have the most returning starters of any team in the Shore with 10 players back on both sides of the ball. This could be the year they break into the upper echelon of the conference. Senior quarterback Ryan Clark leads the offense along with running backs Nasir Calhoun, Damian Johnson, and Jahdir Loftland, wide receivers Andre Laney and James Bivins, tight ends Ethan Capone and Levi Wilkins and an offensive line spearheaded by FBS recruit Cam McNair (6-5, 320). On the defensive side, linebackers Quamire Green, Dominick Nocero, and Xavier Ellis lead a unit that has improved by leaps and bounds over the past two years.

KevinWILLIAMS S h o r e S p o r t s N e t w o r k Director kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com

SteveMEYER Shore Sports Network Director High School Division steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 4 6 0

Managing Editor BobBadders // bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com

Senior Content Provider MattManley // Mmanley21@gmail.com

Wednesday, 7-8pm

105.7 The Hawk,

1057thehawk.com & shoresportsnetwork.com The only weekly radio and online show that covers Ocean and Monmouth County High School Football

Award-winning broadcasters Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca and Bob Badders cover the entire Shore Conference from Matawan to Pinelands. Broadcast live each week the show features players, coaches and a preview of upcoming games.

Shore Sports Network Journal is published by: T o w n s q u a r e M e d i a 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753

very year the Shore Conference has countless ESaturday football players who light it up on Friday and during the football season, bringing crowds to their feet and giving us endless video highlights and topics to write about. This season is no different, with several players already committed to FBS schools and other standouts looking to cement their high school legacies. Here are some of the top players in the Shore Conference who you should make a point to see in person. watch

qUarter BACKS

defensive linemen

others

RYAN CLARK, SR., DONOVAN CATHOLIC

COLLIN M C CARTHY, SR., JACKSON MEMORIAL

n Chris Aldrich, Sr., DL, Donovan Catholic

A Third Team All-Shore selection last season, Clark threw for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for 653 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead Donovan to its most wins in 25 year. A four-year starter, Clark will lead a Griffins offense that returns 10 starters and will try to help the program break into the upper echelon of the Shore Conference.

An unstoppable force last season, McCarthy was a First Team All-Shore selection who 83 tackles, including a ridiculous 43 tackles for loss, plus a conference-leading 11 sacks to lead one of the Shore’s top defensive units. McCarthy, who is verbally committed to the University of Connecticut, is set to terrorize opposing offenses once again.

n n n n

n VINNY CONDITO, SR., MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

JAKE KAZANOWSKY, JR., TOMS RIVER NORTH COLLIN COLES, SR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN C.J. DUELL, SR., ST. JOHN VIANNEY SEAN KEHLEY, SR., MANALAPAN

n PAUL DAMATO, SR., MARLBORO n KHURRAM SIMPSON, SR., MATER DEI PREP n VON FACTOR, JR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN n C.J. NIEDZIELSKI, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH

Running BACKS

MALIK INGRAM, SR., MATER DEI PREP Ingram ran for 1,914 and 22 touchdowns last season on an incredible 11.6 yards per carry, helping Mater Dei go 10-2 and reach the Non-Public Group 3 final. He returns as one of New Jersey’s top running backs. n JERMAINE CORBETT, SR., LONG BRANCH n KAVON CHAMBERS, SR., ST. JOHN VIANNEY n TREBOR PENA, SR., OCEAN n BILLY GUIDETTI, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC n JARROD PRUITT, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH Wide receivers Tight Ends

KEVIN BAUMAN, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC The Notre Dame-bound Bauman is one of New Jersey’s best players and among the country’s top tight ends. He caught 15 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns last season and will continue to be an impact player for the top-ranked Caseys.

n DOMINICK JACOB, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH n JAYON FARRAR, JR., LONG BRANCH n ISAIAH NOGUERA, SR., MATER DEI PREP offensive linemen

NAJAE HALLENBECK, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH A 6-foot-7, 320-pound mountain with multiple FBS offers, Hallenbeck will anchor the offensive line for a Toms River North team that expects to have an explosive offense. He’ll also play along the defensive line..

n CHRIS HART, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC n TRACEY TAYLOR, SR., LONG BRANCH n GRIFFIN JACKSTADT, SR., BARNEGAT n CAM NCNAIR, JR., DONOVAN CATHOLIC n TOM BUXTON, SR., DONOVAN CATHOLIC

n Matt Benedetti, Sr., LB, Manalapan n James Bivins, Jr., WR, Donovan Catholic n Anthony Brett, Sr., LB, St. John Vianney n Jaiden Brown, So., RB, Southern n Terry Carlstrom, Sr., WR/DB, Shore n Ray Carlson, Sr., DB, Toms River North n Amir Coleman, Sr., DL, Mater Dei Prep n John Costanza, Sr., OL/DL, Brick n Tyquann Crawford, Sr., DL, Red Bank n Xavier Ellis, Sr., LB, Donovan Catholic

line BACKerS

n Danny Fiore, Sr., RB/DB, Raritan

CHARLIE GORDINIER, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC

n Dominick Giudice, Jr., DL, Mater Dei Prep

n Jayson Glaspar, Sr., DL, Long Branch

A Second Team All-Shore selection last season who is committed to Boston College, Gordinier made 83 tackles with 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, an interception, and six passes defended for a defense that was No. 2 in the Shore allowing 10 points per game.

n Jah’Kwan Gordon, Sr., LB, Long Branch

n NIC FORD, SR., JACKSON MEMORIAL

n Junior Haughton, Jr., RB, Neptune

n FRANKIE GIANNETTI, SR., TOMS RIVER EAST n GORDON FORSYTH, SR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN n VINNY PALMIERI, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH

n Justin Gorski, Sr., RB/DB, Lacey n Quamire Green, Jr., LB, Donovan Catholic n Connor Harris, Jr., LB, Pinelands n Matt Krellin, Sr., WR/DB, Middletown South n Mike Kudlacik, Sr., TE, Lacey n Andre Laney, Sr., WR/DB, Donovan Catholic

defensive backs

n Casey Larkin, Jr., RB/DB, Wall

CLARENCE LEWIS, SR., MATER DEI PREP

n Kevin Lind, Sr., DL, Raritan

Lewis, who is committed to Notre Dame, had six interceptions, including three pick-sixes, along with 31 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery as an integral part of a defense that allowed 11.1 points per game. As a wide receiver, Lewis caught 21 passes for 411 yards and six touchdowns.

n DREW FRANKEL, SR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN n RYAN RUANE, JR., RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN n JAYDEN BELLAMY, SO., ST. JOHN VIANNEY n JUSTIN REILLY, SR., MANALAPAN

n Cameron LaMountain, Sr., RB, Holmdel n Jahdir Loftland, Jr., RB/LB, Donovan Catholic n TJ McArthur, Jr., RB/LB, Brick Memorial n Shane McLaughlin, Jr., RB/DB, Shore n Devon Meza, Sr., OL/DL, Keyport n Yassin Moore, Jr., RB/WR, Monmouth n Dominick Nocero, Jr., LB, Donovan Catholic n Logan Peters, Jr., QB/DB, Wall n Christian Pellone, Sr., DB, Jackson Memorial

n CHRIS LOTITO, SR., MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

n Anthony Prato, Sr., QB/DB, Brick

n NICK FERROGINE, JR., RED BANK

n Sean Rossback, Sr., WR, Red Bank Catholic n Nico Santorelli, Sr., RB, Manalapan

kickers n Justin Burkert, Sr., Toms River North n Rich Pekmezian, Sr., Mater Dei Prep n Andrew Myerson, Jr., Matawan

n Charlie Sasso, So., LB, Wall n Sha’Kim Shuler, Jr., RB, Freehold n Vinny Spitalieri, Sr., RB/DB, Marlboro n Romeo Thomas, Sr., RB, Colts Neck n Will Towns, Jr., RB, Jackson Memorial n John Volker, Jr., RB, Rumson-Fair Haven

20I9 Shore Conference Preseason All-Shore Football Team

hore Sports Network presents its third annual Shore Conference Preseason All-Shore Football team, featuring our compilation of the top returning players in the Shore.

Offense

n QB – JAKE KAZANOWSKY, JR., TOMS RIVER NORTH n QB – RYAN CLARK, SR., DONOVAN CATHOLIC n RB – JERMAINE CORBETT, SR., LONG BRANCH n RB – MALIK INGRAM, SR., MATER DEI PREP n RB – KAVON CHAMBERS, SR., ST. JOHN VIANNEY n WR – DOMINICK JACOB, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH n WR – ISAIAH NOGUERA, SR., MATER DEI PREP n WR – JAYON FARRAR, JR., LONG BRANCH n TE – KEVIN BAUMAN, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC

he Jersey Mike’s Game of the Week returns to the Shore Sports Network this fall with the regular season broadcast schedule to begin on Friday, September 6 when Manalapan visits Middletown South in a battle of American Division opponents.

It’s a brand new ballgame for our game broadcasts as they will all be streamed live on shoresportsnetwork.com and through the Shore Sports Network mobile app. The schedule features eight of the teams ranked on our preseason Top Ten, including two games with #1 ranked Red Bank Catholic (October 4 at Toms River North and October 25 at Donovan Catholic).

n OL – TRACEY TAYLOR, SR., LONG BRANCH n OL – GRIFFIN JACKSTADT, SR., BARNEGAT n OL – CHRIS HART, SR., RED BANK CATHOLIC n OL – CAM MCNAIR, JR., DONOVAN CATHOLIC n OL – NAJAE HALLENBECK, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH n UT – CASEY LARKIN, JR., WALL n UT – TREBOR PENA, SR., OCEAN n K – JUSTIN BURKERT, SR., TOMS RIVER NORTH n K – RICH PEKMEZIAN, SR., MATER DEI PREP

Defense

n DB – Ryan Ruane, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven n DB – Drew Frankel, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven n DB – Justin Reilly, Sr., Manalapan n UT – Nick Ferrogine, Jr., Red Bank n P – Andrew Myerson, Jr., Matawan

n DL – Collin McCarthy, Sr., Jackson Memorial n DL – Vinny Condito, Sr., Middletown South n DL – Paul Damato, Sr., Marlboro n DL – Khurram Simpson, Sr., Mater Dei Prep n LB – Charlie Gordinier, Sr., Red Bank Catholic n LB – Frankie Giannetti, Sr., Toms River East n LB – Vinny Palmieri, Sr., Toms River North n LB – Nic Ford, Sr., Jackson Memorial n DB – Clarence Lewis, Sr., Mater Dei Prep

In addition to the regular Friday night broadcasts there is our annual coverage of the Thanksgiving Day meeting between Manasquan and Wall and NJSIAA Playoff games will be added. Matt Harmon is back as the play-by-play voice of the game broadcasts and will be joined by longtime partners Kevin Williams and Ed Sarluca. The trio have been together for 20 years calling Shore Conference football games in Ocean and Monmouth County. Jersey Mike’s returns as the title sponsor of the weekly streaming broadcasts and will also sponsor the popular Team of the Week program throughout the season. Participating sponsors include Atlantic Physical Therapy Center, Sansone Jr’s 66 Auto Mall, Turning Point Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch and RKE Athletic.

Friday

9/6

Manalapan

Middletown South

Friday

9/13

Rumson-Fair Haven

Wall

Friday

9/20

Central

Lacey

Friday

9/20

Jackson Memorial

Brick

Friday

10/4

Red Bank Catholic

Toms River North

Friday

10/11

Toms River North

Middletown South

Friday

10/18

Neptune

Toms River South

Friday

10/25

Red Bank Catholic

Donovan Catholic

Friday

11/1

Toms River South

Toms River North

Thursday

11/28

Manasquan

Wall

(11am)

Schedule is subject to change

All games streamed live at shoresportsnetwork.com and on the FREE Shore Sports Network App

Gbring stability to one of the Shore Conference’s most successful programs. Glezman,

lezman is the Red Raiders’ fourth head coach in the last six seasons and is looking to

who was Keyport’s defensive coordinator the last three seasons, takes over for Andy Carlstrom, who went 3-6 in his only season at the helm. A graduate of Mater Dei High School who played collegiately at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Glezman coached at both the high school and college level before joining Keyport's staff three years ago. He began his career as an assistant at Spotswood High School and then coached at St. Francis University (Pa.) where he served as a defensive backs coach and a co-special teams coordinator. Prior to coming to Keyport, Glezman was the head coach at Plainfield High School for two seasons.

GMatawan from Allentown where he had a very successful eight-

raber succeeds John Kaye as the Huskies head coach and comes to

year tenure. From 2010 to 2018, Graber turned Allentown from a perennial doormat to a yearly playoff team that reached two sectional championship games and won the program’s only state sectional title in 2016. Graber went 61-34 at Allentown with seven playoff appearances, two trips to the title game and one sectional championship. Graber was a standout quarterback at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville before playing collegially at Hofstra University and Bryant University.

chuman replaces Nick Giglio, who resigned after nine seasons. A two-time Bergen County Coach of the Year, Schuman was most recently the head coach at Indian Hills High School. He was also previously the head coach at Palisades Park where he led the Tigers to the North 2, Group 3 sectional final in 2013. Schuman began his coaching career at his alma mater, Saddle Brook, in 2005. He was an All-State running back at Saddle Brook before playing linebacker at the University of Connecticut.

endel is set to begin his first season as a head coach in 2019 as he takes over for Larry Nikola. A 2002 Monmouth Regional graduate who played in the All-Shore Gridiron Classic, Wendel was an assistant for the Falcons under both Nikola and prior head coach Rich Mosca and was also an assistant at Donovan Catholic in 2017 and Neptune in 2018.

A first-time head coach, Zaccone takes over for Frank Papalia and will try to get the Garnet Gulls back into the win column after going 0-9 in 2018. Zaccone was an assistant for Point Beach last season where he coached the running backs and defensive line and was also the program’s strength and conditioning coach. He has previously coached at Toms River East, Toms River South, Holmdel, and Donovan Catholic.

Prolonging the Run

By: Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Ecarrying themselves like a team that expects to keep alive a run that started two seasons ago and included

ven with some new faces replacing some of the Shore’s best talent, the Long Branch football players are

Head Coach:

Dan George, 20th season Career Record: 155-83 Assist ant Coaches: Terry King (RB) Ben Woolley (OL) Kris Parker (WR) Greg Penta (QB) Chad King (DB) Shawn Brown (LB) John Jasio (DL) Jemel Pitts & Devron Clark (Freshmen)

2018 Record: 12-1 (4-1 in Freedom Division)

O ffense:

Spread D efense: 4-3 _______________________________

many of the remaining seniors on this year’s roster. Head coach Dan George, however, remembers how fragile that success can be. Just three years ago, with many of the members of the subsequent NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship teams playing as sophomores and juniors, Long Branch struggled to a 2-8 record despite sporting that talented, promising young roster. That the 2-8 season was not so long ago serves as a reminder to the remaining players from last year’s 12-1 squad and the newcomers hoping to continue that legacy that 2018 is over and everything in 2019 must be earned. “We lost quite a few kids,” George said. “We’ve got about four or five kids back so there are a lot of opportunities for other kids to play. They have been dying waiting to play so they’re excited about that. We really focused

on day-to-day operations to get them up to seed in order to compete with the teams we’re playing.” With all that being said, there is plenty of reason for Long Branch to be optimistic. The Green Wave bring back the state’s leading rusher, a number of playmakers on the outside and a strong spine on defense – a checklist that includes just about everything a coach would want heading into a season. The notable omissions to that list are the offensive line and quarterback, which George and his staff have poured their efforts into developing as the season approaches – particularly the former.

Sat 9/7 Neptune 1pm Fri 9/13 Midd. North 7pm Fri 9/20 @RFH 7pm Fri 9/27 @RBC 7pm Fri 10/4 Midd. South 7pm Fri 10/11 @Manalapan 7pm Sat 10/19 TR North 1pm Fri 11/1 SJV 7pm Thur 11/28 @Red Bank 10:30am

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Kyle Davidson and Nick Reilly (Sr., QB) When quarterback Juwan Wilkins graduated in 2018, Long Branch had the luxury of replacing him with Marc Dennis, who had experience taking snaps and performed at an All-Shore level in his only season as the full-time starter. There is no version of Marc Dennis this year but George has been pleased with the quarterbacks competing for the job. Senior Kyle Davidson has experience at the varsity level after moving from California, where he played at Berean Christian last season. Reilly is also in the mix for time at quarterback after coming up in the program and whichever signalcaller gets the nod will have plenty of weapons at his disposal, with Corbett in the backﬁeld and junior Jayon Farrar leading a promising receiving corps.

X -FACTOR:

Offensive Line

The development of the offensive line over the years leading up to the 2017 championship season was a major reason the Green Wave went on to bring home hardware in back-to-back seasons. That is why George’s primary focus from the end of last season was preparing the next wave of Long Branch linemen to take over after enduring a heavy loss to graduation. Taylor is the only starter back from last season and will play center, surrounded by newcomers on both sides. Conklin and Figueroa are the guards while Guidetti and senior Vincent Mandica take over the tackle spots. Four of the ﬁve spots are occupied by seniors so if this is the version of the offensive line that stays intact, it will be one that includes program players from the past few seasons.

iMPACT NEWCOMERs: Jayden Farmer & Christian Rodriguez (So., DB)

Long Branch Continued page 14

(L-R) TRACEY TAYLOR (56), VINCENT MANDICA (50), JAH'KWAN GORDON (25), JAYSON GLASPER (29)

AND

MATT GUIDETTI (53)

Two sophomores will man key positions on defense – Farmer at one cornerback opposite J.J. Sherin and Rodriguez at free safety next to Corbett. Long Branch was deep and talented in the secondary last year and it remains to be seen how the sophomore duo will employ their talent at the position. That George has entrusted them with starting roles is a good early sign for both.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 at Rumson-Fair Haven The No. 3 and 4 teams in the final Shore Sports Network Top 10 meet in the third week of the season, with Long Branch making its first road trip of 2019. Rumson has been a perennial championship contender in Central Jersey Group III, winning five of the last six titles. Long Branch is trying to extend its run to something comparable and what better way to find out how this year’s team measures up than to play another champion early in the season?

Long Branch Continued from page 13

Experienced or not, the expectations have not changed. “There are no excuses – either we win or we’re a bust,” senior offensive and defensive tackle Matt Guidetti said. “We’ve got to win and everybody’s got to work hard.” Player to Watch: Jermaine Corbett (Sr., RB, 5-9, 180) After breaking onto the scene as a sophomore, Corbett took things to the next level during his junior season in 2018. Not only did his 2,021 yards lead the Shore; it also led the state. Along with those 2,000-plus yards, Corbett also reached the endzone 31 times, including 26 on the ground for the No. 3 team in the final Shore Sports Network Top 10. This year, Corbett will have to run behind and offensive line with far less experience than it had last year and will be taking the ball from a new quarterback as well. The line is trying to replace three starters while Kyle Davidson and Nick Reilly compete for the quarterback job, so Corbett will be the focal point of both the Green Wave and every one of its opponents. “He has shown a lot of football skills the last two years,” George said. “Now he is going to have to show more of his leadership skills and his tenacity to find ways to figure things out and put a stamp on his career. We have to put a lot of things in place around him. He can’t do it alone and he knows that.”

Player Under the Radar: Jayson Glasper (Sr., DE/TE, 6-1, 220) As a junior last year, Glasper emerged as a disruptive force on the defensive line. Despite only playing eight games, the crafty defensive end chased down the quarterback for eight sacks, which led the team. Cerruti and linebacker Luke Arnold earned the accolades but Glasper took advantage of his opportunity last year as well and

will be among the leaders of the defense. “Jayson Glasper really came on strong and ended up with eight sacks in only two-thirds of the games,” George said. “He is doing really well so far. He has been a guy that has had a great camp.”

Top Unit: The Defensive Spine Of all Long Branch’s losses to graduation, the one George mentioned by name was that of Kevin Cerruti – the two-way lineman who cleared the way for Corbett, protected quarterback Marc Dennis, shut down the run game and terrorized quarterbacks on the pass rush. Despite that loss in the middle of the defensive line, the Green Wave remain strong up the middle of the defense thanks to the return of some experienced players at defensive tackle, senior Jah’Kwan Gordon and junior Andrew Conklin at linebacker and a strong pair of safeties. Senior Tracey Taylor is back at one defensive tackle with seniors Miguel Figueroa and Guidetti working in at the other tackle spot on defense. “We are built up the middle,” George said. “Two inside guys, Jah’Kwan and Andrew Conklin have looked very good and right behind them is Jermaine at safety. So we’re trying to build it inside out.” Gordon is the mainstay among the linebackers, while Conklin, junior David Rodriquez and Bobby Lawrence make up the key supporting players in the linebacking corps. Corbett, meanwhile, is back at strong safety, with sophomore Christian Rodriguez earning the free safety job. “It’s hard playing in the middle because there are a lot of big running backs,” Gordon said. “We maintain it though.”

Long Branch will be successful if… The line keeps the quarterback upright and Corbett healthy. With all the weapons on hand, the offensive line does not have to drive opponents into the ground like it did on occasion over the past two seasons. Defensively, Long Branch has the depth and experience at enough key spots to remain strong on that side of the ball and the offense can only drop off so much with Corbett primed for a big senior year. A new quarterback, however, will need time to operate and if the Green Wave have to lean on Corbett to carry the offense, it could take its toll, particularly if defenders are getting clean shots at him. The Green Wave can also use its depth at running back, which includes Gordon as an elusive-but-tough chance-of-pace option. “You can put a 2,000-yard rusher in at any time but if you need to change it up, we got guys who can make plays,” Gordon said. “I don’t have 2,000 rushing yards but I’ll rush for it if I’m in there. It’s great having all of us.”

SR. DE JAYSON GLASPER

Ready Head Coach: Ed Gurrieri, 13th Season

Roll

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

or a program used to winning double-digit games and playing for state sectional championships, Flast season’s 6-4 mark was certainly a departure from the norm for Manalapan.

Career Record: 104-31 Assist ant Coaches: Dom Lepore (Def. coord/secondary), Dan Devanzo (Off. Coord./QB), Joe Tetley (OL), Dom Pollifrone (DL), Bill Smith Sr. (LB/TE); Jim Papcun (WR), Cody High (DB/WR); Myles Martin (DB/WR); Shannon Tomasula (athletic trainer).

2018 Record: 6-4 (3-2 in American Division)

O ffense:

Mult iple I

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Victor Berrios, Jr., DE Berrios will step into a starting role at defensive end, taking a spot that was occupied by Da’Shon Taylor for the last three years. Taylor was an All-Shore player the last two years and a force along the defensive line who led the Braves in sacks and tackles for loss.

X -FACTOR: Starting Strong Manalapan started last season 0-2, and while the Braves rebounded to win their next four games, those early-season losses immediately took them out of contention for the division title. With no room for error this season, a strong start – say, at least 2-1 through the first three games – is a must.

iMPACT NEWCOMERs: Mike Maksimik, Jr., OL & Chris Marzo, Jr., WR/DB Both Maksimik and Marzo are well-versed in the tradition of the Manalapan football program with older brothers who have since graduated. Maksimik is the lone newcomer along the offensive line and will slide in at right guard. If he possesses the same knack for delivering punishing blocks as his brothers Lee and Chris, he will be a welcome addition to a standout group up front. Marzo is also the new starter in his position group, stepping in at cornerback to join an experienced secondary.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 6 at Middletown South Manalapan opens the 2019 season against a familiar foe and one that beat them on a walk-off ﬁeld goal in Week 2 of last season. Every week is going to be a slugfest in the American Division, so starting 1-0 is a big deal. If the Braves can open up with a critical road victory it could key the start they are looking for.

MATT BENEDETTI (18), SEAN KEHLEY (12), JUSTIN REILLY (1)

AND

ANTHONY MATRONE (21).

Dive down past than the final scores of the 2018 season, however, and you’ll see a team that lost its first two games by a combined three points – both in the final seconds – and suffered a state sectional semifinal defeat in which injuries hampered some of its top players.

Hunterdon Central. Johnson will again add to the backﬁeld depth for the Braves, but it’s on defense where head coach Ed Gurrieri expects him to excel as a shut-down cornerback and give a lift to a defense that will try to improve its 18.2 points per game allowed mark from last season.

Manalapan was a solid team in 2018 while playing in the Shore Conference’s top division. The Braves will once again play in the top-ﬂight American Division with the likes of Red Bank Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven, Long Branch, Toms River North and Middletown South. It’s a beastly division that won’t make for gaudy records, but with eight starters back on both sides of the ball, Manalapan is primed and ready to go toe-to-toe with the best of the best.

Top Unit: Offensive line Gurrieri joked that even if the Braves had five starters back on the offensive line, longtime offensive line coach Joe Tetley would still say weren’t any good. Tetley’s refusal to accept the status quo and continually push his guys in the trenches is why Manalapan usually has one of the Shore’s best group of linemen, and with four of five starters returning in 2019, it should once again be a formidable squad. Hulking 6-foot-6, 270-pound senior Mateusz Zielinski returns at left tackle with 220-pound senior Charlie Paulucci at left guard. The center is 290-pound senior Nick Cavallaro and the right tackle is 250-pound senior Matt Kovacs, who is was also a 20-match winner as the Braves’ heavyweight wrestler. The newcomer is junior Mike Maksimik, a 5-foot-11, 260pounder who will slide in at right guard. He is the younger brother of former Braves standouts Lee and Chris Maksimik, who were coaching staff favorites because of their hard-nosed, blue-collar style of play. Mike fits that mold, as well.

The goals remain the same for one of the Shore’s most consistent programs: compete for division and state championships as a top-five team in the conference. Player to Watch: Nico Santorelli, Sr., RB Santorelli was part of a two-headed backfield monster last season, and if Dale Sieczkowski was the thunder, Santorelli was most definitely the lightning. A home-run threat every time he touched the ball, Santorelli ran for 909 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 88 carries, averaging a blistering 10.3 yards per attempt. He had double-digit carries in just four games, but each time eclipsed the 100-yard plateau. When Sieczkowski went down early in a Week 6 game against Brick Memorial, Santorelli assumed the leading role and responded with a 28-carry, 220-yard, twotouchdown performance. Santorelli’s workload could double this season, making a 1,500-yard season very reachable. For a team that thrives on power running and play-action passing, it’s just what the doctor ordered. “He’s very underrated,” said Manalapan head coach Ed Gurrieri. “He averaged 10 yards per carry and we’re not talking about a few carries, he had almost 90. He’s very subtle in his movements and his cuts, and he has great vision. Sometimes you don’t think he’s doing much but he’s setting things up and then he’s gone. He’s a home-run hitter.” Player Under the Radar: Andre Johnson, Sr., DB Johnson played the first two games of his junior year at St. Joseph Regional in Montvale before transferring back to Manalapan. He had to sit out the next four games before suiting up for the Braves. He gave Manalapan another option in the backfield and provided a lift when Sieczkowski and Santorelli went down with injuries, including rushing for 99 yards in a playoff win over

Manalapan will be successful if… The Braves need to say consistent on a week-to-week basis and avoid injuries, but the same could be said for any team in the Shore, especially in the unforgiving American Division. Talent and experience are returning on both sides of the ball, and those proven players, guys like Santorelli, Johnson, quarterback Sean Kehley, linebacker Matt Benedetti, safeties Justin Reilly and Anthony Matrone and linemen, Joe Berry, Mateusz Zielinski, Charlie Paulucci, Nick Cavallaro and Matt Kovacs need to play up the standards they set last year. The Slingin’ Southpaw Sean Kehley took over as Manalapan’s starting quarterback as a junior last season and posted solid overall numbers in throwing for 1,105 yards with nine touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 57 percent completion rate. Manalapan is never going to ask its quarterback to do everything and win the game by himself, especially considering the Braves should have a great rushing attack, but Kehley has earned the trust of the coaching staff and shown an ability to make game-changing plays when given the opportunity. Efﬁciency is the magic word for Kehley. The yard and touchdowns will come if he limits turnovers and gets his

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat

9/6 9/13 9/20 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/2

@Midd. South 7pm Howell 7pm @TR North 7pm RFH 7pm Long Branch 7pm RBC 7pm @Freehold TWP. 6:30pm @Mater Dei Prep 1pm

completion percentage north of 60 percent. “It’s been a really good offseason for Sean,” Gurrieri said. “He has a grasp of the whole offense and has worked really hard to get much bigger and stronger. He can throw the ball well and does a really good job of reading the defense. Even though Nico is back we lost a fullback and a tight end, so he’s going to have to throw the ball more and I have no problem with that. We’re not putting handcuffs on him. He has full control of the offense and we’re going to try to open it up.” No Fly (or run) Zone Manalapan’s secondary is another unit that returns almost all its starters and should be a force on the defensive side of the ball. The Braves expect Johnson to be a lockdown cornerback on one side of the field while hard-hitting and versatile senior Justin Reilly and rangy junior Anthony Matrone patrol the middle of the field as the strong and free safeties, respectively. Junior Chris Marzo joins the fold at cornerback opposite Johnson, joining a starting group following the graduation of his twin brothers, Nick and Lou. Depth on the flank Last season, Manalapan had an incredibly balanced group of pass-catchers. Although Reilly was the leading receiver with just 180 yards, the Braves had seven players recorded at least 100 receiving yards. Two of those players – Reilly and Matrone – return at wide receiver with Santorelli another player who can do damage out of the backfield. Marzo will play the slot and a group of three sophomores: Mike Bimonte, Tyler Walker and Paul Wojciechowski will all push for playing time. “This might be the deepest group of receivers we’ve ever had,” Gurrieri said. “We had guys like (Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony) Firkser and (former Penn State standout Saeed) Blacknall but god forbid any of those ever got hurt, we didn’t have the depth behind them. Now, we have five or six guys who can all play." Kicking Factory Manalapan has fielded All-Shore caliber kickers for the last decade with Mike Caggiano, David Gelb and Jack DeMatteo. Next in line is junior Vin Rea, who will assume both the kicking and punting duties for the Braves.

Survive and Advance

Dmain reasons why the Eagles haven’t suffered a losing season since 1984.

eveloping depth is nothing new to Middletown South. In fact, it’s one of the

Head Coach:

Steve Antonucci, 22 season Career Record: 190-51 nd

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Al Bigos (Def. Coordinator/Asst. Head Coach), Nick Trezza (OL/Asst. Off. Coordinator), Joe Trezza (RB/DB), Marc Tomo (LB/TE), Steve Roberts (Special Teams.DL/WR), Jeff Martin (RB/DB), Tuck Isherwood (Quality Control), Rod Murchie & John Kline (Freshmen), Kevin Higgins (Freshmen/Strength & Conditioning) Stacy White (Athletic Trainer)

Fri 9/6 Manalapan 7pm Fri 9/13 @SJV 7pm Fri 9/20 @RBC 7pm Fri 10/4 @Long Branch 7pm Fri 10/11 TR North 7pm Fri 10/18 @RFH 7pm Fri 11/1 Brick 7pm Thur 11/28 Midd.North 10:30Am

2018 Record: 8-3 (5-0 in American Division)

O ffense:

Mult iple

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ B IG SHOES TO FILL:

Vinny Bonivta (Sr. QB) or Tyler Cuccia (Sr. QB) Whoever breaks camp with the position has the unenviable task of filling the void left by Trevor Brey. The Eagles feel both are more than capable of picking up the offense and making plays.

X -FACTOR: Play Our Plan to Defense. Considering the wealth of top-shelf teams in the American Division, there is a slim margin of error to determine winning and losing. A veteran defense has all the tools to meet the rigors and turn the ball over to an offense intent on meticulously moving the chains while eating the clock.

iMPACT NEWCOMERs: Tommy Schork (So. WR/DB) & Jake Williamson (So. LG) The Eagles’ staff is excited about the upside of Schork, who can gradually mature within the ranks of the wide receivers and secondary. At 6-2, 250, Williamson is already on track to be the next premier lineman churned out by Middletown South.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 6 vs Manalapan Let’s get into it. Right off the bat, the Eagles roll into American Division play by hosting Manalapan, a team they edged, 17-14, last year in dramatic fashion when Chris Kaldrovics booted a 20-yard field as time expired. The game will be livestreamed on shoresportsnetwork.com.

( L - R ) T YLER C UCCIA (1), TJ L ATORE (59), M ATT K RELLIN (34), V IN C ONDITO (38) AND C HRIS L OTITO (26) That’s 35 years, folks, confirming that cultivating young prospects goes a long way toward sustained success. Head coach Steve Antonucci, who’s set to start his 22nd campaign guiding the Eagles, has no plans to change a formula that has yet to fail him. However, there are deeper reasons for developing substantial depth this fall. An 8-3 showing locked Middletown South into the American Division, where it went a pristine 5-0. However, the division has undergone a rousing realignment. Gone are Central, Freehold Twp. and Howell, replaced by Red Bank Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven and Long Branch. Their resumes? RBC won the Non-Public, Group 3 state title while RFH and Long Branch backed up sectional crowns by winning bowl championships. Thus, depth is more important than ever for the defending American Division titlist to offset the potential onslaught of attrition bound to unfold in such a stacked field of contenders. Oh yeah, sprinkle in non-divisional encounters with St. John Vianney and Brick, the team that eliminated Middletown South, 42-14, in the semifinal stage of Central Jersey, Group 4, and one begins to see something missing from a taxing schedule. A breather. “There is no place to hide,” said Antonucci of what lies ahead of the Eagles. “We have to fire on all cylinders every week and the next man up has to be ready mentality to fill some shoes. It’s going to be a challenge week in and week out. Not just for us, but for every team in the division. It’s the best schedule we’ve played in my 22 years.” If any program has proven for decades it’s up to even the most mountainous of tasks, it’s Middletown South.

Players to Watch: Chris Lotito (Sr. RB/WR/S) Lotito has signed to play baseball at Seton Hall, but not before finishing out a stellar career on the gridiron. A lockdown cornerback who’s been a fixture in the secondary since he was a freshman, Lotito will slide to the free safety, giving him ample opportunities to added to his interception collection and chances to deliver tackles over the middle or in support of the run defense. If ever there was a player suited to be a game-changing rover out of the defensive backfield, Lotito would be at the top of the list. “He’ll be our everything guy,” said Antonucci. “He has a tremendous work ethic and is a pleasure to coach.” As good as Lotito is in coverage, he’s just as elusive shedding it in a pass route, a handy trait as he slides into the running-back rotation from wide receiver.

SR. RB VIN CONDITO

Vin Condito (Sr. RB/DT)

Head Above Water

How many guys can fill the bill at running back...and defensive tackle? It’s exactly what makes Condito both unique and pivotal in the Eagles’ plans. At 5-9, 225, his low center of gravity and incredibly strong leg drive vaults underneath offensive linemen’s pads and turns them into helpless blocking sleds driven into the backfield. By the same token, Condito isn’t the back a linebacker wants to see bursting through the A gap, especially on short-yardage or goal-line situations. He is a bull determined to shatter every plate in the china closet when he sets his sights on a target.

Antonucci loves the chance for the Eagles to clash weekly with the best in the Shore Conference. There is only one fear...doing enough just to qualify for the post season. “There will be no better-tested teams when the playoffs start than the ones in our league,” he said...with a catch. “You just have to hope you do enough to get there and show that.”

TJ Latore (Sr. ILB/TE) Latore will oversee the defense at inside linebacker. He's a big, strong hitter with football coursing through his veins who embraces the physicality involved and responsibilities. He will add depth at tight end while also serving as the long snapper on punts and kicks.

Players Under the Microscope: Vinny Bonavita (Sr. QB) and Tyler Cuccia (Sr. QB Whoever emerges to seize the quarterback spot will be instantly thrust into the spotlight, having to compensate for the graduation of Trevor Brey. Bonavita and Cuccia share common strengths but also bring different dimensions; Bonavita a heady, methodical chain mover orchestrating the offense and Cuccia just as decisive with a slick running element to boot. There could be a chance each gets snaps early in the season until one seizes charge.

Cause and Effect One way for Middletown South to enhance its chances of qualifying will be to induce turnovers. It has the defensive components in place to certainly make that a recurring theme. Juniors Brendan Bigos and Ian Cahill flank Condito on the nose and the trio can bring the type of pressure to collapse a pocket and force regrettable throws that can turn into a feeding frenzy for the Eagles’ advantageous secondary. Add in linebackers TJ Latore, Liam Murphy, Joe Stanzione, Shane Murphy and Francis Brown shooting through gaps or blitzing on the edge, and Middletown South has the dudes to stir up some mayhem.

Serve and Protect While some new components are expected to see duty in the backfield, those who will make their work a bit easier are a cohesive bunch. Seniors Tom Mielnikiewicz, Tyler Kline and Nick Bonfiglio anchor an offensive line that will also incorporate junior Alex Higgins, sophomore Jake Williamson, Latore and Cahill.

Area of Strength: Defensive Secondary Teams will think twice before testing this unit. Ballhawks abound within the tight-knit group. Chris Lotito and senior Matt Krellin sniff out routes and defuse them over the middle while Cuccia and fellow junior Luke Albrecht adhesively attach to wide receivers on the corners. This is not the secondary you want to test your luck against.

Photos by:

Middletown South will be successful if… It can keep its players on the field. Antonucci stresses how the schedule can take its toll on a roster and test its depth chart if injuries occur. The Eagles have ample numbers, with some areas of the field deeper than others, but they can't afford significant pieces of the overall equation to miss prolonged time.

SR. TYLER CUCCIA

Still

Hungry

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

The 2018 season marked a return to greatness for Red Bank Catholic.

Head Coach:

Frank Edgerly, 14 season Career Record: 84-46 Assist ant Coaches: th

Mike Lange (def. coord), Keith Hugger (special teams), Mike Rosenfeld (RB/LB), Joe Gallagher (WR/DB), Matt Bijas (TE/DB), Joe O’Connor (OL), Kevin Gaul (DL), Anton Flego (freshmen), Andrew LaMura (freshmen), Joe McAuliffe (Dir. of Sports Performance), Sister Marge Scarpone (academic coordinator), Joe Nappo (Dir. of Player Development), Fred Valentino (team security), Amanda Balarinni (athletic trainer).

Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 10-0 (5-0 in Freedom Division)

Offense: Multiple

RFH 7pm @Manasquan 12pm Midd. South 7pm Long Branch 7pm @TR North 7pm @Manalapan 7pm @Donovan Catholic 6:30pm Freehold Twp. 7pm

tight ends) does to a defense. I saw the challenges that it presented to some of the greatest minds in the league. With two guys so dynamic it causes issues for a defense.”

Pro

Defense: 4-3

_______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Ryan Edgerly, Sr., QB Edgerly takes the reins of the Caseys offense following the graduation of Steve Lubischer, who was a two-year starter and the 2018 SSN Most Valuable Player. Edgerly was the No. 2 quarterback last season and saw some action, so he does have in-game experience. What he also has is an intimate knowledge of the offense and plenty of playmakers surrounding him.

X -FACTOR:

The Kicking Game RBC had one of New Jersey’s best specialists last season in First Team All-Shore selection Ryan O’Hara, who was reliable on field goals and extra points and phenomenal at changing field position on punts. With O’Hara now at Lafayette College, the Caseys will look to sophomore Chaz Hart at kicker and junior Anthony Borriello at punter. Junior Michael O’Connor has to sit out the first four games after transferring from Middletown South but has the skills to win both jobs once he’s eligible to return.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Elijah Jules, Sr., RB/CB Jules was behind current Dartmouth College sophomore Zack Bair and Billy Guidetti as a sophomore and missed all of last season with an injury. Even with Guidetti and Kevin Degnan both returning in the backﬁeld, Jules will get plenty of playmaking opportunities on offense in addition to starting at cornerback on defense.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 6 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven RBC’s schedule is ﬁlled marquee opponents, but the one that stands out is the season-opening clash with the Bulldogs, who are also coming off a state championship season. Last year’s contest was an epic 14-13 victory for the Caseys in one of the best Shore Conference games of the decade. Every game holds equal weight in the American Division but this one has the extra juice that comes with rivals meeting on opening day.

9/6 9/14 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/18 10/25 11/1

C HARLIE G ORDINIER (6), R YAN E DGERLY (7), B ILLY G UIDETTI (2), C HRIS H ART (52) AND K EVIN B AUMAN (18) The Caseys went undefeated and took home the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 state championship. Along the way, RBC defeated half of the ﬁnal Shore Conference Top 10, including victories over eventual state sectional and bowl game champions Rumson-Fair Haven and Long Branch before ultimately downing Mater Dei Prep, 14-10, in the state ﬁnal. It was a thorough championship season. So, what are the Caseys’ plans for an encore? They’re going to forget about last season, put their hands in the dirt, place the chip squarely back on their shoulders and aim for nothing less than a repeat.

Players to Watch: Kevin Bauman, Sr., TE/DE, and Charlie Gordinier, Sr., LB/TE Is there a program in the country with two tight ends as good as these guys? Bauman, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound matchup nightmare who is committed to Notre Dame, was a First Team All-Shore selection last season and a major reason why RBC won a state championship and ﬁnished undefeated. He caught 15 passes for 342 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He’s a complete tight end, as well, who greatly aids the Caseys’ running game as a blocker in addition to his prowess as a pass-catcher. Bauman

also was a situational defensive end last year and will see his role increase on that side of the ball. Gordinier (6-foot-5, 240) will head to Boston College next season where he was recruited as a linebacker. A Second Team All-Shore selection last season, Gordinier made 83 tackles and recorded 5.5 sacks. He was the Caseys’ No. 2 tight end behind Bauman, but in their diverse offense saw plenty of snaps on the offensive side of the ball and impacted the game whether blocking or receiving. “From a playcalling standpoint, it’s a blessing, to say the least,” said RBC head coach Frank Edgerly. “I was very fortunate to spend time in New England (as a member of the Patriots’ coaching staff) and I saw what ‘12’ personnel (one running back, two

As good as Bauman is as a tight end and Gordinier is as a linebacker, both are impact players on their respective other sides of the ball. That should be more evident for both this season. “What people don’t realize is that Kevin is an impact player defensively just as Charlie is offensively,” Edgerly said. “They both play defensive positions and (at tight end) can play with their hands in the ground and on the outside. Nothing’s off the table with them.” As tempting as it surely is, Bauman and Gordinier won’t play every snap on both sides of the ball, but Edgerly isn’t going to keep his best players off the ﬁeld if they’re needed, either. “If you have a cannon, you have to ﬁre it,” Edgerly said. “You want to keep the kids fresh, but you also don’t want to sit back at the end of the season and wish you would have done it differently. You have to be smart about it in terms of the big picture, but the reality is they have invested heavily in their conditioning and preparation to give us that opportunity.”

Player Under the Radar: Jack Zenkert, Sr., LB/OL Jack Zenkert was on the field more often than not last season, but most people probably didn’t notice. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle with the number of standouts RBC had last season and has again this season, but Zenkert’s value does not go unnoticed within the program. As a sophomore and junior, Zenkert found himself in the game so much at linebacker he was essentially a starter without being officially labeled as such. RBC’s defense is as multiple as its offense, so there are several sub-packages that require depth and versatility. That’s where Zenkert comes in. He’ll have a more permanent role this season as the Caseys' middle linebacker but has also taken his talents to the offensive side of the ball this year where he will be a rotational offensive lineman. “Wherever you need him, you plug him in,” Edgerly said. “He does everything and anything and does it well. At this level, guys like that are invaluable.”

Top Unit: Running backs The obvious answer is tight end with Bauman and Gordinier, RBC Continued on page 20

RBC Continued from page 19

but beyond the behemoth bookends, Red Bank Catholic may have the deepest backfield in the Shore Conference with Billy Guidetti, Kevin Degnan and Elijah Jules, Guidetti was RBC’s feature back last season and ran for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns on an average of 6.6 yards per carry. Degnan made his share of impact plays in limited opportunities, but when Guidetti was out with an injury in the regular-season finale against Middletown North, he exploded for 201 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries to lift the Caseys to a 31-28 win. Jules has barely played the last two years but is a player the coaching staff is extremely excited about. Expect all three to be heard from early and often this year.

RBC will be successful if… Success for Red Bank Catholic means winning another state championship, and although expectations are high, that is the bar that has been set. Of course, injuries need to be avoided, but the main message Edgerly has tried to convey is to stay focused and forget last season. RBC’s schedule does not afford it any missteps, but that isn’t any different than last season. As long as they play up to their potential, the Caseys should be in position to repeat as Non-Public Group 3 champions.

Father and son Ryan Edgerly was once a young child joining his dad at practices both at Red Bank Catholic, New England, and Cleveland. Now, he’s the Caseys’ starting quarterback with his father severing as head coach. It’s been a long, winding ride for the Edgerly family that led them far from home and then back to Monmouth County. Now, in Ryan’s ﬁnal year of high school, they’ll chase another championship together. “As a dad, I cannot articulate what this means to me and what it’s meant to this family,” Edgerly said. On the ﬁeld, Edgerly will be taking over for Steve Lubischer, who was the Shore Sports Network Most Valuable Player in 2018 and is currently a freshman defensive back at

Boston College. Lubischer was a dynamic player who impacted the game with his arm and legs, and while Ryan Edgerly is a different type of player, the expectations to perform are the same. “Lubi did a lot of great things for this program, and the thing that really separated him from a lot of quarterbacks was his ability to work off schedule and make plays when things broke down,” Edgerly said. “With Ryan, you have a quarterback who is extremely cerebral and extremely accurate. He plays with high eyes, so he’s going to see the field well and get us in the right play. His outright command of the offense I think is what separates him. Trying to balance being a father and being the head coach of one of New Jersey’s best teams in which his son is the starting quarterback will be a challenge, but also an opportunity Edgerly always hoped he'd get. “To be able to share this with my son, not just this year but his four years of high school is something I might not have experienced,” Edgerly said. “We get fired in Cleveland, (former RBC head coach) Jim Portela steps down, and it’s just one of those situations where you say maybe things happen for a reason. To have the opportunity to coach my son…I was away for seven years in the NFL and was never home. This is my first chance to really be a dad like this. I just hope it means as much to him as it means to me.”

Hart and Soul Senior Chris Hart improved so much during the course of last year that by the end of the season he was arguably the Casey’s best lineman. The 6-foot, 255-pound left guard will lead the Caseys in the trenches this season and brings a physical, punishing style to the position. As important as he is on the ﬁeld, he’s equally impactful in the locker room as the glue that keeps everyone together.

S R . B ILLY G UIDETTI

“Physically, he is our best lineman and by the end of the year last year was fantastic,” Edgerly said. “And he’s the guy who polices the huddle and the locker room. He has the intangible part and on the ﬁeld, he’s tough and nasty.”

Line it up Last year, RBC entered the season with only one experienced lineman: First Team AllShore selection Tommy Smith. The unit gelled to become one of the top units in the Shore and now brings back three starters in the trenches. The interior of the line returns with Hart at left guard, junior Jake Louro (6-foot-2, 265) at center and junior Luke Guidetti (6-foot-2, 250) at right guard. Competing for the two tackle spots are a pair of hulking juniors, Greyson Brockreide and John O’Brien, and promising sophomore Matt Cody. Brockreide checks in at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds while O’Brien is 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds. Cody, whose brothers played at Middletown South, is 5-foot-10 and 260 pounds. All three should see time as RBC plans on rotating several bodies up front.

The hunted After going wire-to-wire as the No.1 team in the Shore Conference to ﬁnish as an undefeated state champion, every team in Monmouth and Ocean counties are looking up at them. To keep it that way, they’ll need to approach this season with the same mindset as the teams chasing them. Complacency is one of their greatest adversaries. “It’s not an easy thing to do at any level because you’re constantly reminded of past successes or failures,” Edgerly said. “You get the ring and the jacket and all that stuff is great and you want the kids to enjoy it, but you have to shelf that really quickly. The fortunate thing for us is that last season we came in No. 1 and rode that the whole way, so this group understands the expectations and understands ﬁrst-hand what it takes.”

Photos by:

Winning

Ways

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

Thead coach Jerry Schulte had a simple yet entirely accurate response.

o sum up the culture that permeates Rumson-Fair Haven’s football program,

Head Coach:

Jerry Schulte, 4th season (19th overall) Career Record: 88-85-1 (29-7 at Rumson) Assist ant Coaches:

Jeremy Schulte (def. coord), John Corneliusen (off. Coord.), Joe Murphy (OL), Chris Quinn (WR), Mike Zadlock (DL), Rich Mosca (DL), Matt Walsh (DB), John Wagner (DB), John Andl (RB), Jerry Gagliano (head freshmen), Jason Lippart (assistant freshmen), John Belivance (assistant freshmen), Alex Stein (athletic trainer).

Fri 9/6 @RBC Fri 9/13 @Wall Fri 9/20 Long Branch Fri 9/27 TR North Fri 10/4 @Manalapan Fri 10/11 Mater Dei Prep Fri 10/18 Midd. South Fri 11/1 @Jackson Mem.

2018 Record: 10-2 (5-0 in Colonial Division)

Offense: Multiple

pro

D efense:

4-2-5 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Liam Horan, Sr., DE Horan saw limited action last year at linebacker but will switch to defensive end this season. Rumson lost a lot along the defensive front, including First Team AllShore defensive end Henry Sullivan, so the Bulldogs will be counting on Horan to step in and make an immediate impact.

X -FACTOR:

The Offensive Line Rumson lost its entire offensive line to graduation, which of course leaves a huge void. There are several candidates for the starting positions, none of which have been determined yet. Every team needs a good offensive line to be successful, so the development of this group bears watching.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Owen McLaughlin, Sr., TE Rumson has to replace First Team All-Shore tight end Ian O’Connor, who graduated, and McLaughlin has fit the bill so far. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior gives Coles a big target over the middle and looks to be a reliable blocker in the running game.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 vs. Long Branch After opening the season with road games at Red Bank Catholic and Wall, Rumson will return home to Borden Stadium to take on the Green Wave in Week 2. Both Rumson and Long Branch are in similar positions in coming off state championship seasons and having to replace a ton of impact players. Given the uncertainty of the roster, Rumson’s record could be 2-0, 1-1 or 0-2 coming into this game.

R YAN R UANE (22), P ETE C ROWLEY (3), J OHN V OLKER (2) “These kids don’t know what a mediocre team looks like,” Schulte said. “And also, with the schedule we play, every team we played last year was a top-notch team and almost everybody we played made the states.” Mediocre has not been part of Rumson’s vernacular for some time now. The Bulldogs are coming off a season in which they won their sixth NJSIAA sectional title, which was also their fifth in the last six seasons, in addition to winning the inaugural Central-South Group 3 Bowl Game. They haven’t had a losing season since 1999 and in the last 10 years have won fewer than nine games only once. Rumson is among the standard-bearers in the Shore Conference and in all of Group 3. To continue the winning ways, Rumson will once again have to deal with a daunting schedule of opponents in the Shore Conference’s American Division, playing the likes of Red Bank Catholic, Long Branch, Middletown South, Manalapan and Toms River North. The Bulldogs also have nondivisional games against Wall, Mater Dei, and Jackson Memorial. All of those teams will be ranked in the initial Shore Sports Network Top 10. Rumson will also be tasked with replacing a bevy of standout players from last season, including First All-Shore players Alex Maldjian (RB), Ian O’Connor (TE) and Ryan McCann (OL) on offense, SSN Defensive Player of the Year Keegan Woods (LB), First Team All-Shore defensive end Henry Sullivan, Second Team All-Shore linebacker Christian

AND

D REW F RANKEL (21)

Lanzalotto, and Third Team All-Shore selections Ethan Ardolino (OL), Isaac Vernon (DL) and Ryan Dupree (DB). The cupboard is far from bare on Ridge Road, however. Senior quarterback Collin Coles, a Third Team All-Shore selection last season, returns to lead the offense with promising junior John Volker ready to jump in at running back along with returning senior Pete Crowley. Senior Patrick Jamin is back as the leading receiver. On the defensive side of the ball, seniors Gordon Forsyth at linebacker and Drew Frankel at cornerback, and juniors Von Factor at defensive tackle and Ryan Ruane at safety will anchor a unit that has been among the Shore’s best for several years. The challenges are certainly present for Rumson in terms of navigating its schedule and breaking in many first-year starters, but with a tremendous coaching staff and a championship culture, the expectation is that they will find a way to get it done.

Rumson

Continued page 24

J R . RB J O H N V O L K E R

7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

Rumson Continued from page 22

Player to Watch: John Volker, Jr., RB As a backup to First Team All-Shore running back Alex Maldjian last season, Volker showed flashes of his great potential in rushing for 249 yards and six touchdowns and adding one receiving touchdowns. Volker has bulked up to 205 pounds this season, and his combination of speed and power could elevate him among the best running backs in the Shore Conference.

Player Under the Radar: Patrick Jamin, Sr., WR Jamin had just 12 receptions for 124 yards and one touchdown last season but came up with some big catches, including a tremendous reception along the sideline to convert a crucial third down in a victory over Woodrow Wilson in the Central-South Group 3 Bowl Game. With leading receivers Ian O’Connor and Jackson McCarthy having graduated, Jamin is the top target for senior quarterback Collin Coles.

Top Unit: Secondary With two All-Shore caliber players returning, Rumson’s defensive backfield stands out as the most stable position group on the team. Senior Drew Frankel and junior Ryan Ruane, both of whom played safety last season, lead the way along with sophomore John Lista, junior Agnello Pane, and seniors Tyler Prendergast, Joe Calabrese, and Tim Carey. Frankel (6-3, 190) will slide down to cornerback this season while Lista and Prendergast have been working in at strong safety. Pane, Calabrese, and Carey have been working in at cornerback opposite Frankel and Ruane (6-1, 210) reprises his role as the free safety. Ruane made 64 tackles and pulled down three interceptions last season while Frankel had 50 tackles and one fumble recovery.

Rumson will be successful if: Its new contributors go from green to mean sooner than later. Although there were probably some players who could have contributed at the varsity level last season but were stuck behind standout players, Rumson still returns just four starters on each side of the ball. As mentioned, Rumson’s schedule won’t exactly allow anyone to ease into their new roles. It will be a baptism by fire.

in the backﬁeld a heck of a lot. This year, Factor is the lone returner along the defensive line so his production won’t be a luxury, it will be a necessity.

Back to Backer After graduating both of its starting linebackers, SSN Defensive Player of the Year Keegan Woods and Second Team All-Shore selection Christian Lanzalotto, Rumson had to ﬁnd two players to ﬁll those large voids. The solution for one spot has been to move senior Gordon Forsyth from defensive end. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Forsyth had 50 tackles and four sacks last year. Sophomores Charles Newbury (5-11, 175) and Ryan McKay (5-10, 215) have been working at the other spot alongside Forsyth.

Ice Coles One year ago, Collin Coles was a wideeyed rookie trying to ﬁnd his way as Rumson’s new starting quarterback. This year, he’s one of Rumson’s few experienced returners coming off a season where he was a Third Team All-Shore selection. Coles threw for 1,275 yards and 15 touchdowns last season and was clutch in Rumson’s biggest games, throwing seven touchdowns in the postseason, including a pair against Somerville in the Central Jersey Group 3 ﬁnal. “He’s much more mature than last year,” Schulte said. “This time last year he was all over the place, but it’s night and day with this year. He’s elevated himself way up there.”

He’s a Factor In almost every game he played as a sophomore, Von Factor made people check the roster to see who No. 53 (or in some games, No. 38) was. As part of a deep rotation along the defensive line, Factor made 69 tackles, recorded four sacks, forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles. He was

S R . CB D R E W F R A N K E L

Up for the Challenge Fcampaign in 2018 could certainly be labeled as a successful year for or a team that went 1-9 the previous season, rebounding with a 6-3

Head Coach: Dave Oizerowitz, 8th season (10th overall)

Toms River North.

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

Career Record: 47-36 Assist ant Coaches: Mike Oizerowitz (Off. Coord/WR), Bill Dowd (OL), Nick Zaza (QB), Anthony Penna (RB), Charlie Monanian (DL), Gabe Roonan (LB/special teams); Joe Oizerowitz (DB), Bob Cassidy (DL); Kendall Culver (athletic trainer)

Fri 9/6 @Cherry Hill West Fri 9/13 @Southern Fri 9/20 Manalapan Fri 9/27 @RFH Fri 10/4 RBC Fri 10/11 @Midd. South Sat 10/19 @Long Branch Fri 10/25 TR East Fri 11/1 TR South

2018 Record: 6-3 (3-2 in American Division)

Offense: Power

Player Under the Radar: Zach Goodale, Jr., WR

spread

After playing sparingly as a sophomore, Goodale will be the No. 2 receiver behind senior Dominick Jacob (a Second Team All-Shore selection) and is expected to be a key component of the offense.

Defense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Jaden Schlosser, Jr., OL and Richie Lopez, Jr., OL Both players are competing for the starting right tackle spot that was occupied last season by Stavon Drew, who was an All-Division selection and one of the team’s leaders. Schlosser (6-4, 250) has the edge with pass protection and outside zone blocking while Lopez is a mauler as a driving run-blocker. Both could certainly see time along the offensive line.

X -FACTOR: Staying Healthy Given how difficult the schedule will be for Toms River North, even one game without a key player could throw off the entire season. As a whole, the team needs to stay healthy if they hope on making a deep postseason march following a run through the toughest division in the Shore Conference.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Justin Burkert, Sr., K/P A transfer from Jackson Memorial, Burkert connected on five field goals with a long of 37 yards and converted 18 of 21 extra points. He will also serve as the Mariners’ punter and is in the mix for playing time at inside linebacker.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 vs. Manalapan The Mariners open the season with a nonconference game against Cherry Hill West before returning back to the Shore to face longtime rival Southern in Week 1. There’s a good chance they’ll be 2-0 heading into their American Division opener against the Braves at Gernard Field. A home victory over Manalapan could mean a 30 start and early momentum in the American Division gauntlet.

6pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 1pm 7pm 7pm

C.J. N I E D Z I E L S K I (33), J A K E K A Z A N O W S K Y (19), N A J A E H A L L E N B E C K (79), D O M I N I C K J A C O B (13), J A R R O D P R U I T T (1) A N D V I N N Y P A L M I E R I (9)

“He’s an impact player for us an nobody really knows about him,” Oizerowitz said. “Between him, Dominick Jacob, Zach Browne and Jordan Grey we think we have really good wideouts with speed and depth. We love Goodale. He’s tough and very athletic and a guy who can also play in the secondary because of his length.”

Top Unit: Offensive/defensive lines The Mariners felt otherwise, however. There was the sting of close losses to Freehold Township and Middletown South – by two and one points, respectively – that wiped away their shot at the American Division title. Then there was the 33-0 loss to Vineland in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 5 playoffs. There was a lot to like about the 2018 season, but when it was time to put the pads in storage for the winter, it was hard to get rid of the bad taste in their mouths. “To me, being successful is winning your division and making it to a sectional final,” said Toms River North head coach Dave Oizerowitz. “We started the year really well and kind of hit a wall in the middle, and part of that was breaking in new guys and part of it was team chemistry and playing a pretty tough schedule week-in and week-out. I felt like we had a competitive season but losing the way we did left a bitter taste in our mouths.” But along with that disappointment was also great optimism heading into the offseason. The Mariners were a relatively young team in 2018 and saw several of their core players develop nicely over the course of 10 weeks. Now, with several impact players returning, including five offensive starters and seven defensive starters, the Mariners are eager to take the next step forward. “We were disappointed with the end result but felt really good about the team culture, and that’s carried through,” Oizerowitz said. “There are key components at each level on

both sides of the ball. We like the nucleus and what it looks like on paper, but it’s a matter of executing on the ﬁeld.”

Player to Watch: Jake Kazanowsky, Jr., QB Kazanowsky had a very successful debut season as a sophomore, throwing for 1,437 yards and 18 touchdowns to lead an offense that averaged 28.1 points per game. If he continues to develop and plays like one of the top quarterbacks in the Shore, the Mariners will have a very dangerous offense once again. Kazanowsky has grown both physically and in terms of football IQ since last season. He’s sprouted to 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, a significant jump from the 6-foot, 175-pound frame he had last season. “He’s light years ahead of where he was last year,” Oizerowitz said. “He’s a guy who always wants to be better. He’s his toughest critic and a tremendous competitor. He’s super smart, a 4.0 Ivy League-type of kid with academics. We think the world of him. He’s a great leader, earned the captaincy from the coaching staff and he has the utmost respect from the staff and his teammates.”

Specifically, the interior line with hulking senior Najae Hallenbeck along with seniors Cross Conlin and C.J. Niedzielski. Hallenbeck is an FBS prospect and is a mountain of a human at 6foot-7 and 315 pounds. He’ll be at left tackle along the offensive line and nose guard in the Mariners’ 3-4 defensive front. Niedzielski was an All-Division player last year at defensive end. Conlin (6-foot-1, 270 pounds) is a returning starter at left guard, seniors Frank Davis (5-11, 225) and John Muller (6-1, 225) are battling for the starting center spot, junior Jaden Schlosser (6foot-4, 250 pounds) and Richie Lopez are competing for the right tackle spot while junior Jamie Hans (6-1, 235) is projected as the starting right guard. On the defensive side, Myron Ford will fill the second defensive end spot opposite Niedzielski.

Toms River North will be successful if…

So far, Kazanowsky has been everything Oizerowitz and his staff has hoped for.

…It survives the war of attrition. The Mariners have solid depth but the nature of the American Division gauntlet and what kind of toll it will take on teams remains to be seen. Will the teams reach the playoffs only to be running on fumes because of the unforgiving schedule or will they be battle-tested and ready to for a run at a state title?

“Every offense is about what the quarterback can do and what he can’t do, and then you tailor the offense around that,” Oizerowitz said. “He can affect every part of the ﬁeld with his arm and he understands coverage like a coach does.”

“With these new divisions the biggest issue is that the team that survives, the attrition rate is going to be high,” Oizerowitz said. “You need to have 15 or 17 guys on both sides of the ball to make it to the end of the year.”

The Big Guy It’s hard to miss Najae Hallenbeck. The Mariners’ senior two-way lineman is a 6-foot-7, 315-pound specimen with offers from Rutgers, UMass and Central Michigan and interest from several other FBS programs. His size and athleticism more so than his ﬁlm are the reasons for his college interest, but that’s starting to change. Hallenbeck is also a standout basketball player and had spent most summers playing travel basketball. This year, he dedicated more time to honing his craft on the gridiron, and the results have been tangible. “He has developed by leaps and bounds,” Oizerowitz said. “He understands football can be his ticket and this year for the ﬁrst time he committed to football in the offseason. He worked on his footwork, his kick slide, his power step, which he never really did. We usually never got him until August. He was working on just sheer size and strength and athleticism but didn’t have the football technique down. This year does and I think he’s a can’t-miss left tackle prospect.”

The Total Package It’s the year of the running back in the Shore Conference with standouts all over Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Jarrod Pruitt isn’t a superstar name, but he gives Toms River North everything it wants from its tailback. As a junior, Pruitt ran for 945 yards and 13 touchdowns on an average of 5.6 yards per carry and ﬁgures to improve on those numbers as a senior. His impact also goes beyond just his rushing yards and touchdowns. “He can do everything, there’s not a weak spot,” Oizerowitz said. “As a runner, he’s a slasher, quick twitch, and he sees things almost like Kaz does but from the running back spot. He’s a great blocker, smart in the classroom and also a guy who can play all three secondary spots if we need him. He’s also our return specialist. On top of that, he’s a really good teammate; a special player. Players come in all different shapes and sizes and I always kid him about how I like a bigger tailback, but he does it all for us. There’s no one I’d rather have out there.”

Captain of the Ship Entering his third year as a starter and coming off a 100-tackle season, senior inside linebacker Vinny Palmieri is the man literally in the middle of everything the Mariners do on defense. “He’s the undisputed leader of the team,” Oizerowitz said. “He’s like a player/coach on defense, an extension of the coaching staff. He’s right there with the top linebackers we’ve had come through here. He’s the most important player on that side of the ball.”

Photos by :

Paula Lopez www.palimages.com

Succession, Not Regression Head Coach:

Len Zdanowicz, 5th season Career Record: 30-14

ver the last three seasons, Brick was guided by a special 2019 class which made its mark on the program. The

ODragons won 22 games between 2016 and 2018 and reached two NJSIAA sectional championship games with players like Jimmy Leblo, Cole Groschel, Richie Tallmadge, Cory Englehardt and Joey Carchio leading the way. That era of Brick football has come to an end.

Assist ant Coaches:

By:

Brian McNamara (def. coord./DB), Andrew Cruz (OL), Dennis Filippone (OL), John Dolan (WR), Dave Christopher (RB), Al Saner (off. asst.), Chris Blackburn (DL), Chad Dougherty (LB), George McNamara (def. asst.), Kurt Weiboldt (special teams), Don Marino (head freshmen), Jay Groschel (Fr. def. coord.), Scott Karos (freshmen), Dan Dornacker (freshmen), Wayne Neidermier (freshmen), Jim Barber (athletic trainer).

Bob Badders managing editor

Fri Sat Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 8-3 (3-2 in Colonial Division)

O ffense:

9/6 9/14 9/20 9/27 10/5 10/11 10/25 11/1

@Mater Dei Prep 4pm Brick Mem. 12pm SJV 7pm Jackson Mem. 7pm @Freehold 2pm @Howell 6:30pm Wall 7pm @Midd. South 7pm

Multiple

D efense:

Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Declan Decoursey, Jr., LB and Tyler DeTata, Sr., LB There are a number of players who will be stepping into roles occupied by a member of Brick’s tremendous 2019 senior class. Decoursey and DeTata are both in the mix at middle linebacker, which was a position manned by First Team All-Shore selection Richie Tallmadge for the last two seasons.

X -FACTOR:

Defense

The Dragons have just three starters back on defense and will have to replace mainstays like Richie Tallmadge, Cole Groschel, Jimmy Leblo, Cory Englehardt, Joey Carchio, Mike McGuigan and more. How quickly the first-year starters come along will be a huge determining factor in Brick’s success.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: C.J. Lavarin, Sr., WR/DB Lavarin transferred from Brick Memorial and gives the Dragons a veteran at both wide receiver and defensive back. He had two touchdowns, one interception and one fumble recovery last season.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 14 vs. Brick Memorial There are several games on Brick’s schedule that could turn the tide one way or the other, but as long as the Mustangs and Dragons play each other, this will be the game to watch. Brick has won six straight games against Brick Memorial, including a 30-7 victory last season. For the first time since the game moved from Thanksgiving to the regular season, it won’t be the season-opener for either team. Brick Memorial opens with Jackson Memorial and Brick takes on Mater Dei Prep in Week 0.

( L - R ) M AX Z DANOWICZ (55), A NTHONY P RATO (12), I AN G ELLNER (70), J OHN C OSTANZA (52), V AL G RIGORIAN (5) AND T YLER D E T ATA (66). While the Dragons bid a fond farewell to that group, they have not resigned themselves to a rebuilding year. Despite needing to replace a boatload of impact players, Brick still has its sights set on competing for division and state titles in 2019. Even with the big names who matriculated out of the program, Brick returns a handful of impact players they hope will guide the newcomers and galvanize one of New Jersey’s most storied programs. Senior Anthony Prato is back at quarterback to lead the offense along with running back Joey Armooh, wide receiver Val Grigorian and an experienced offensive line that brings back four

of five starters. The defensive side of the ball is more of a question mark, but experience returns in the trenches. Brick’s schedule is different than last year but no less difficult. Seven of the Dragons’ eight regular-season opponents were playoff teams a season ago, including all five teams – Mater Dei Prep, Wall, Jackson Memorial, Freehold and St. John Vianney – they will oppose in the revamped Colonial Division.

S R . QB A N T H O N Y P R A T O

Player to Watch: Anthony Prato, Sr., QB/DB/P Brick used both Prato and Jimmy Leblo at quarterback last season, but this season it will be Prato’s show to run by himself. Last season, he threw for 629 yards and seven touchdowns on fewer than 100 attempts, showcasing an ability to make plays from the pocket and on the run while also proving to be a capable runner. Prato will also see his defensive role increase as Brick’s starting free safety and will once again serve as the Dragons’ punter.

Player Under the Radar: Val Grigorian, Sr., WR/DB Grigorian is among Brick’s most experienced returning skill players and is the top returning wide receiver on the team. He gives quarterback Anthony Prato a veteran presence in the passing game. Grigorian will also step into a starting role in the secondary at cornerback.

Top Unit: Offensive line If coaches had a choice as to which position group they’d want

to have the most returning starters, almost all of them would likely pick the offensive line. Brick has a lot of holes to fill off of last season’s roster, but the offensive line is not one of them. Seniors John Costanza (6-4, 240) and Max Zdanowicz (5-7, 210) and sophomore Darian Newcomb (6-2, 240) were consistent starters last season and will return at left tackle, center and right guard, respectively. Senior Tyler DeTata (5-7, 195) started three games and will take over the permanent spot at left guard and senior Ian Gellner (6-2, 210) will start at right tackle after rotating in along the defensive line last season. They’ll be tasked with protecting Prato and opening holes for seniors Joey Armooh and Conner Valiant. Armooh started the first five games last season when Joey Carchio was injured.

Brick will be successful if…

tackles. Junior Declan Decoursey and DeTata are at middle linebacker with sophomore Riley Bell (5-8, 160), senior Dan Scheri (5-7, 160) and Valiant in the mix at outside linebacker. The secondary has Grigorian and senior C.J. Lavarin, who transferred from Brick Memorial, as the cornerbacks with Prato as the free safety and sophomore Tyler Weisnick and junior Joaquin Ragland working at strong safety.

Team Photo by :

Paula Lopez www.palimages.com Action Photo by:

Its first-year starters can step in and make an immediate impact, especially on defense where just three starters return. The defensive line in Brick’s 4-3 alignment has Costanza, Gellner and Newcomb as defensive ends with Zdanowicz, senior Jared Keefe (5-8, 180) and senior Hao Tang (6-0, 210) as defensive

Proving

Ground

By: Matt manley senior staff writter

Feach season in which he has been a member of the Colonials program. In each of the past two years,

reehold Boro senior Jaylin Canada is used to the narrative that seems to surround his team heading into

Head Coach:

Dave Ellis, 9th season Career Record: 40-42

Freehold Boro has graduated a do-it-all quarterback while the schedule gets harder and harder.

Assist ant Coaches: Mike D’Antonio (Receivers/LB) Jason Blum (Off. Line) Zac Cooper (Def. Line) Jeremy Mercer (Tight Ends/Linebackers) Matt Whalen (Running Back/Def. Backs) John Kinzel (Off/Def. Line) Mike Stoia, Nick Rice, Jim Lee (Freshman) Mike Stehle (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 5-4 (3-2 in Colonial

O ffense:

Fri Sat Sat Fri Sat Fri Sat Fri Fri

Division)

( L - R ) S H A 'K I M S H U L E R (4), J A K E L A R S E N (52), J A S O N L E E (16), M A R -Z H O N B R I N S O N (1) A N D J A Y L I N C A N A D A (6) Spread

D efense:

3-3 Stack _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jason Lee (Sr., QB)

Last year, no one in the Shore Conference had bigger shoes to fill than Matt Krauss, who took over as a dual threat quarterback replacing one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in Shore Conference history as far as production goes. All-in-all, Krauss did the job, posting 715 yards and three touchdowns through the air with a 54 percent completion percentage while also motoring for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground on the way to a Shore Sports Network All-Shore selection. This year, it will be Lee who has to replace the playmaking signal-caller, although his approach to doing so will be much different than that of Krauss and Worthy.

X -FACTOR: Offensive Line

How well Freehold Boro’s offensive line plays is likely to hold the key to its season. If the young front line plays to its experience level, it could be a long year for the Colonials, especially for a team with such a trying schedule. What Ellis is ultimately hoping for is for Larsen to be at his best while the four new starters – senior Frank Tilton, senior Tommy Hulse, senior Max Murphy and junior Nick Hall – pick up the fundamentals of the system quick enough to be competitive with some of the dynamic fronts the Colonials will be facing. The line is unlikely to be a strong point of the team but just holding its own would open up a lot of possibilities for Freehold’s playmakers.

iMPACT NEWCOMERs: Yahsin Calhoun and Ka’more Gill (So., RB/WR) During Ellis’s time as the head coach at Freehold Boro, the Colonials have consistently produced playmakers and those playmakers typically make themselves known during their sophomore seasons. This time around, it will be Calhoun and Gill who join Shuler and Brinson as the big-play threats on the offense, with fellow sophomore Ochojski also jumping into the starting lineup as a playmaking tight end.

“All four of my years it’s been the same thing,” Canada said. “People put Freehold Boro at the bottom of the division, we win five, six, seven games, make the playoffs every year and a new year comes and it’s the same thing all over again. It is what it is. I’m out to prove something this year. I’m not taking it lightly. I don’t care who is on our schedule. The schedule is as hard as it has ever been, with the Colonials moving into the Shore Conference Colonial Division with five other power programs in Mater Dei Prep, St. John Vianney, Jackson Memorial, Brick and Wall. Couple that with the fact that Freehold Boro is in the process of replacing four offensive lineman and dual-threat, All-Shore quarterback Matt Krauss and it’s not hard to figure out why Canada and his teammates have encountered some skepticism. “Our conference is even harder this year,” 10th-year coach Dave Ellis said. “There is no way to sugarcoat it. We are playing programs this year. These teams are established football programs that have been good for a long time. They didn’t just get good last year and I have been trying to relay that to our players.” As Canada eluded to, Freehold has made a habit of fighting through a tough schedule and coming out a playoff team under Ellis. First, they heard about how they were a one-man team under the direction of record-setting quarterback Ashante Worthy and proceeded to come within a point of winning an NJSIAA sectional championship. When Worthy graduated, instead of cratering without their one-man highlight show, Freehold Boro passed the ball to Krauss and went 5-4 with another Central Jersey Group III Playoff appearance last year.

Sept. 14 vs. Freehold Township

“I think we overachieved last year to some extent because if you look at Freehold Boro, no one expects much of us,” Canada said. “We came off a year with Ashante Worthy and they think we’re not going to do anything at all. It’s the same thing this year. People are putting us at the bottom of the division, so it’s motivation and it also means the pressure is on everybody else and not us.”

In the second game of the season, Freehold Boro will likely either be playing for a 2-0 start or fighting for their postseason lives. After a challenging opener vs. Red Bank, the Colonials will play their home-opener against the rival Patriots. Not only are town bragging rights on the line but if Freehold Boro were to lose its first two games, it would be looking at back-to-back games against Mater Dei Prep and Wall to try and dig out of the hole.

The song remains the same in 2019 and even with one of the most imposing schedules in the Shore Conference, the Colonials are adamant they will be able to ﬁnd a way back to the postseason once again as one of the most battle-tested teams in the ﬁeld.

On top of being offensive threats, the sophomore trio of Calhoun, Gill and Ochojski will serve as key defensive stoppers for the next three seasons.

PIVOTAL GAME:

Player to Watch: Sha’Kim Shuler (Jr., RB/WR, 5-6, 150) The quarterback position at Freehold Boro was up in the air heading into camp ahead of 2018 but the Colonials had no shortage of athletes from which to choose. Krauss ended up taking over the position but Shuler proved a valuable piece with his ability to take the direct snap, a handoff or spread out wide as a receiver. “Nobody really knew who I was so they didn’t think I was going to be that good,” Shuler said. “They just saw me as a little kid. Now teams are going to be ready for me.” Shuler’s versatility will be a central part of the offense once again and now that Freehold Boro has a deﬁned starter under center in Jason Lee, Shuler will be a threat as a receiver and running back exclusively. “This offense is fun because you are doing everything,” Shuler said. “You’re running, passing, catching the ball. And if they try to stop me, there are other guys who can beat them.”

Player Under the Radar: Jake Larsen (Sr., OL/LB, 5-9, 185) Now heading into his third year as a starter, Larsen is both the elder statesmen within Freehold Boro’s least experienced unit and one of several standouts in arguably its most complete unit. On offense, Larsen is the lone returner to the line and will again handle the center position. “Jake is another coach on the field,” Ellis said. “He has been that way since he was a sophomore. He is a smart kid – he is going to (Monmouth County Acadmey of Allied Health and Science) to be a doctor. It’s always nice to have a kid like that at a key offensive position and at the center of your defense. “Me and Jake are at the level now where there isn’t a whole lot of teaching. We just talk about what’s going on out there. Jake can fix problems a lot of times before I can fix them.” On the other side of the ball, Larsen will team with Canada, junior Mike Murphy and sophomore Tyler Ochojski as the linebackers in Freehold’s 3-5 stack formation, lining up at one of the inside linebacker spots.

9/6 9/14 9/21 9/27 10/5 10/11 10/19 10/25 11/1

@Red Bank 7pm Freehold Twp. 1pm @Mater Dei Prep 1pm @Wall 7pm Brick 2pm @SJV 7pm Jackson Mem. 1pm @Howell 6:30pm @Holmdel 7pm

With a key role to play on either side of the ball, Larsen’s most important position on Freehold’s young team is that of senior captain. “It’s been hard with so many new guys,” Larsen said. “Stepping up is definitely a challenge, but I’m up to the challenge and I just want to do what’s best for the team. Anything the team needs me to do, I’m ready to do it.”

Top Unit: Secondary Freehold’s athleticism on offense will carry over to the defensive secondary, with Shuler, Lee, senior Mar-Zhon Brinson and sophomores Ka’more Gill and Yahsin Calhoun all playing both ways. Brinson is slated to be one of the Colonials top wideouts and will play opposite Shuler as one of the two cornerbacks on defense. Lee and Calhoun could see mixed time a free safety and Gill is lined up to take over the strong safety position. With a athletic crop of secondary players and a mix of experience and young talent at linebacker, Freehold Boro has the makings of a solid defense that has the flexibility to cover its inexperience up front.

Freehold will be successful if… The defense steps up. Ellis has been pleased by how comfortable some of his sophomore playmakers like Gill, Calhoun and Ochojski have looked making plays during the preseason and is confident his new quarterback will make the right play more times than not. The wild card is the offensive line – the group is so young that to pin the success of the team on the line might be overly optimistic. Instead, Ellis will try to scheme around that inexperience and try to rely on an experience, athletic defense that will need to be more of a factor now that Freehold Boro has some questions in an offense that was so hard to stop over the past three seasons. The defensive unit was always an overlooked aspect of Freehold’s teams when they were throwing up 35to-50 points every game so the potential is there for a shift to a more defensive identity. “If our defense can get us three-and-outs, that will get our offense more opportunities,” Ellis said. “So if our defense can keep us in the game, it should give us some extra possessions. If we are a little bit inconsistent or we misfire, it doesn’t cost you as much when you have a defense you can back you up.

Ready

Rise

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Yhard days work in the grass stains of their pants with the flash of playmakers firing out of their shoes? ou like a team with a little bit of an edge to it? One that mixes the grit of a

Head Coach:

Vin Mistretta, 3rd season Career Record: 12-9 Assist ant Coaches: Chris Rash (SL/Special Teams Coordinator) Mike McCarthy (DL), Arnell Cozart (LB), Ken Bradley (LB), TJ Tkac (DB) Walt Krystopik (DB), Eric Rado (WR), Keith Anderson (Off. Coordinator) Jeff Brown (OL), Pat Kilmurray (OL/TE),

Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri

Khani Glover (RB), Brandon Vega (WR), Nicolle Figaro (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 6-4 (5-0 in Constitution Division)

O ffense:

Mult iple I

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Lonnie Cebulski (Sr. QB) A first-year starter under center, Cebulski has taken to the Multiple I offense. The Jaguars hope he can command the position with peak operating efficiency.

X -FACTOR:

Limiting Turnovers

The Jaguars’ offense offers a great deal of talent that can break a big play on any snap. In order to improve on the modest 16.6 points per game it averaged in ‘18, stopping drives with turnovers is deemed a costly transgression and a scoring opportunity squandered. iMPACT NEWCOMER: Jaden Persichelli (Jr. TE/DT) Jackson Memorial is high on Persichilli. One of the program’s top athletes, his reliable hands as a threat over the middle in the passing game are complemented by how well he gets off blocks to stuff the run up the middle. pIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 14 at Mater Dei Prep A Week 2 encounter with the Seraphs, who bowed to Red Bank Catholic in the Non-Public, Group 3 championship last season, should give Jackson Memorial a pretty good idea where it stacks up with some of the best the Shore Conference has to offer.

( L - R ) S E A N L A V E R T Y (59), B R I A N Z A P A T A (14), J A K E M C K O W N (9), L O N N I E C E B U L S K I (8) A N D C O L L I N M C C A R T H Y (50) Then, be sure to pay attention to Jackson Memorial. The Jaguars are a football buffet, offering a bit of everything and their faithful should enjoy every morsel they serve. A defense that was among the very best in the Shore Conference returns practically intact and the Multiple I offense is under a new guidance at quarterback but he's surrounded by potential big-play makers. And, can't overlook Collin McCarthy, a 6-7, 240 defensive end with a Division 1 commitment made and the engine of a runaway train destined to derail an offense. The Jaguars are ready for big things. Players to Watch: Collin McCarthy (Sr. DE 6-7, 240) If McCarthy stood still in a park, pigeons would make him a permanent landing spot. This dude is chiseled like a granite statue but there’s nothing remotely stationary about his rate of activity on the gridiron. McCarthy finished the ‘18 season at 6-6, 205 pounds but checks in for his senior year at 6-7, 240 and with a commitment to

UConn in the back pocket. Strong and imposing off the edge, it’s crazy to think but he is more than capable of exceding the impact he made a year ago when he counted a whopping 43 tackles for loss and a Shore Conference-leading 11 sacks among his 83 stops, earning First Team All-Shore for the production.. “He impresses me more and more everyday. UConn got a really good treasure,” said Jackson Memorial head coach Vin Mistretta. “He does everything right. If we blow a gap responsibility, he’s still taking up three gaps. He’s the cornerstone of the defense.” Will Towns (Jr. RB 5-11, 195) Good luck getting your hands around this elusive gamebreaker. Towns plays with an internal joystick that springs unthinkable moves good enough to shake a defender out of his cleats and a burst of acceleration clearing a hole that consumes daylight. He will be the feature back and an explosive force waiting to be lit. “Will is going to open some eyes,” Mistretta said. “He’s going to make things easier on our offense, he’s going to score and one guy never brings him down. He’s got so many moves. If he does what we expect him to

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@Brick Mem. @Mater Dei Prep Wall @Brick SJV Jackson Lib. @Freehold RFH

7pm 1pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 1pm 7pm

do, colleges will continue knocking on our door looking for him.” Towns and senior Steve Rodriguez give Jackson Memorial one of the top ground attacks in the Shore. Player Under the Radar: Zack Novak (Sr. WR 6-0, 170) Catch him if you can. Against single cover, Novak is a flyer capable up putting distance between himself and press coverage. He is a model student in the classroom, which should come as no surprise based on his smart routes, film study and attention to details. “He worked his butt off and got stronger in the weight room,” Mistretta noted. “Now, he’s running by people. From 7-on-7s to scrimmages, I haven’t found anyone that can cover him. He runs by people and catches the football.” Novak will be an integral part to a receiving corps that will utilize senior Jake McKown and juniors Wally Doman and Jabari Lofton. Area of Strength: Defense This crew plays with a passion and a wealth of experience. Nine starters return from defense that allowed 10.1 points per game. Collin McCarthy and senior Sean Laverty (6-3, 235) line up at the defensive ends with junior Jaden Persichilli (6-3, 270) and senior Antonio Farias (5-8, 255) digging

in at the tackles. Ball-hawking senior inside linebacker Nic Ford, who finished seventh in Shore Conference with 119 tackles as a junior, teams with senior Brian Zapata (73 tackles) and junior Tyron Blackwell at the second level and senior Christian Pellone (85 tackles) and junior Wally Doman (79 tackles) are back as the safeties. Will Towns and junior Qua-suan Basden will be the cornerbacks. “We’re very fortunate to have nine guys with varsity experience coming back,” said Mistretta. “We got guys looks and playoff reps. This unit was really good last year. They come and battle you.” Jackson Memorial will be successful if… Actions speak louder than words. Mistretta tells his kids all the time that talk is cheap, time wasted when measured against honing steely concentration. This ensemble has all the trimmings to harbor visions of winning a Colonial Division and South Jersey, Group 4 title. Talent resides at virtually every position with ample depth in waiting. Cherishing and capitalizing on possessions while avoiding a rash of turnovers and a pile of trash talk are selling points Mistretta is driving home. “We have to get better every single day and stay focused,” Mistretta shared. “We’ve all been to the Promised Land and won championships as coaches. The kids have not, but we have the talent to get there. They just have to stay the course and keep their eyes on the job.” Key to the ignition Senior Lonnie Cebulski (5-8, 165) takes over at quarterback to run the Multiple I. Athletic and shrewd, Cebulski has thrived in the pre-season, making smart reads instinctually and supplying leadership in the huddle. He’ll also add some run dimensions from the position. Although the

offense may lack the pool of experience that resides on the defensive side, rest assured there are playmakers Cebulski can introduce with a toss downfield, including Jaden Persichilli, a tight end the Jags are pumped about. Line Dancing The Jaguars have put together an offensive line that can move detours and cast a shadow doing so. Collin McCarthy (6-7, 240) and Antonio Farias (5-8, 255) will be the tackles working alongside Sean Laverty (6-3, 235) and junior guard Sebastian Marc (6-2, 235) with 6-1, 235-pound junior Drew Trust anchoring the group at center. Seeking Revenge For a decade, Jackson Memorial made it clear where football supremacy resided in town. It routinely toppled neighboring Jackson Liberty, often by lopsided margins. That recurring script got flipped upside down last year, courtesy of the 14-0 shutout the Lions pitched that snapped a 10-game losing skid at the hands of Memorial and landed Liberty the program's first victory in the series. Memorial hasn’t forgotten. Mistretta can insist all he wants about how the most important game is the next one on the schedule, but somewhere, Oct. 11 has been highlighted on a calendar, marking the date Liberty will make the five-minute trek to pay an anxiously-awaited visit.

S R . DE C O L L I N M C C A R T H Y

Still

Mission

Ochampionship game, and it was not hard to figure out why Red Bank Catholic was ne look at the stat sheet following last year’s NJSIAA Non-Public Group III

Head Coach:

Dino Mangiero, 4th season Career Record: 20-4 Assist ant Coaches:

celebrating a state sectional championship and Mater Dei Prep left MetLife Stadium feeling like it let one slip away.

Mark Ciccotelli (Off. Coordinator/QB) Jake Pew (Def. Coordinator/DB) Shannon Hoadley (Def. Line) Jesse Ascolese (Running Backs) Ryan Daly (Linebackers) Nick Tyson (Wide Receivers) Taylor Groh (Off. Line) Robert Dell’anno (Special Teams) Naji Johnson (JV Head Coach) Gary Lindor (JV Def. Coordinator) Dan DeShong (Athletic Trainer)

Fri 9/6 Brick Sat 9/14 Jackson Mem. Sat 9/21 @Freehold Fri 9/27 @SJV Sat 10/5 Wall Fri 10/11 @RFH Sat 10/19 St. Thomas More (CT) Fri 10/25 @Midd. North Sat 11/2 Manalapan

2018 Record: 10-2 (5-0 in Patriot Division)

O ffense:

Spread 4-4 _______________________________

D efense:

BIG SHOES TO FILL:

( L - R ) K HURRAM S IMPSON (5), M ALIK I NGRAM (22), I SAIAH N OGUERA (1), C LARENCE L EWIS (3)

The Linebackers The loss of Sillah and Ferrisi will be the hardest losses to overcome, in part because both made such a major impact at their respective positions – Ferrisi on the inside and Sillah on the outside – and also because the group replacing them is fairly inexperienced. Junior Jahqual Talmadge leads the linebacking corps, which will be stocked with juniors. Senior Isaiah Walton will be part of the rotation as well, with juniors Khalal Elamin, Latrell Couchman and Piscataway transfer Isaiah Williams also lined up for snaps at the second level of the defense. Ingram could also provide a boost to the group of linebackers if he does play any snaps on the defensive side.

X -FACTOR:

Khurram Simpson (Sr., DL) Although Mater Dei lost its most menacing edge-rusher in Sillah, it does return an experienced defensive player in Simpson who has a chance to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. The James Madison commit has taken on a leadership role on the defense and with a quality group of lineman working in with him up front, Mater Dei should again be able to contain both quarterbacks and running backs alike at the line and in the backﬁeld – a major asset for a team without a lot of experience at linebacker.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Alex Brown (So., QB) After spending his ﬁrst year of high school on the St. Peter’s Prep freshman team, Brown headed south for the Shore Conference and Mater Dei Prep, which had an opening at quarterback with the graduation of Rob McCoy. Brown is a well-regarded young prospect with budding FBS interest from the likes of Boston College and Rutgers, so the potential is there for him to step in and make an impact, especially with a lot of options at receiver and an established running game.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 27 at St. John Vianney Last year’s Non-Public Group III final marked Mater Dei’s first chance to show what it could do against another of the Shore’s power programs and while the Seraphs did not get the result they wanted, they proved they indeed belong in the conversation as one of the Shore’s top programs. After getting their first shot at RBC last year, this year offers a chance for the Seraphs to take on St. John Vianney, which is just two years removed from being the dominant team in the Shore Conference over a four-year period.

By: Matt manley senior staff writter

The Seraphs outgained the Caseys by a significant margin but turnovers and crucial thirdand-fourth-down conversions by RBC proved the difference in a 14-10 classic between the two local non-public powers that had yet to meet during their recent runs of success. “It was definitely heartbreaking,” senior wide receiver and Notre Dame commit Clarence Lewis said. “We know we could have won that game. It seemed like the turnovers were a big factor. We just have to come out this year ready to play better.” With a new season ready to begin, Mater Dei is focused on getting back in position to win a second sectional championship in four years after coming up just short last year. The Seraphs graduated a number of standout players like linebackers Shitta Sillah and Russell Ferrisi, defensive lineman Izaiah Henderson, receiver Isaiah Alston and quarterback Rob McCoy from that team and are trying to get the replacements up to speed. “We have just been taking it day-by-day, practice-by-practice,” senior running back Malik

Ingram said. “We know what happened last year, we put it behind us and we’re just focused on correcting our mistakes and sharpening up everything and just playing together as a team.” One new dimension to this year’s team is the change in offensive coordinator. After Lance Bennett accepted a position on the Miami Dolphins staff, veteran coach Mark Ciccotelli joined head coach Dino Mangiero’s staff as the new play-caller on offense. Ciccotelli has had successful headcoaching stints at Freehold Boro, Neptune and St. John Vianney and his most recent position was as head coach at Scoth Plains-Fanwood. Ciccotelli has earned a reputation as an offensive mastermind and he will have plenty of weapons at his disposal on his new team.

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Freehold Boro. This year’s schedule will also include a trip to play defending Central Jersey Group III champion Rumson and a regular-season finale against perennial Group V contender Manalapan. Throw in a match-up against St. Thomas More of Connecticut and the scheduled, nine regular-season battles should prepare Mater Dei for the postseason. “It’s taken time, we had to prove ourselves, but we’re starting to play better and better teams,” Lewis said. “We know the competition this year is going to be even better so we’re preparing ourselves, working hard every day.”

Player to Watch: Malik Ingram (Sr., RB, 5-8, 220)

“He has a different way of coaching than Coach Bennett,” Lewis said. “We are focusing more on attention to detail and being more disciplined. We want everything perfect.”

If not for a monster 2,000-yard season by Long Branch’s Jermaine Corbett, Ingram would have led the Shore Conference in rushing as a junior with his 1,912 yards and would be the top returner back in the area by that number. The bruising back became the workhorse in the dynamic Seraphs' offense and will be even more central to Mater Dei’s success this season with a sophomore quarterback taking the reins.

Mater Dei is also gearing up to face a much tougher schedule now that it is part of the Shore Conference Colonial Division that includes St. John Vianney, Wall, Brick, Jackson Memorial and

“I’m a senior now so if I see a couple young guys slacking, I gotta get out of the young player's mindset and step up and be a leader,” Ingram said. “Everything on the field is the same. Just go out and play hard.”

Player Under the Radar: Isaiah Noguera (Sr., WR/DB) Every great team needs players who can play several roles well and that has been Noguera’s calling card over the last two seasons. He was the team’s second-leading receiver two years ago as a sophomore and a key cog in last year’s defense that allowed 11 points per game. Noguera is now a senior leader as a safety on that defense, a reliable option for new quarterback Alex Brown and potential impact returner on special teams.

Top Unit: Receivers and the Line Despite a few noteworthy losses in each unit, Mater Dei remains strong up front and explosive on the outside on offense. At receiver, the Seraphs bring back Lewis to lead a deep roster at the position. Last year, Lewis caught 21 passes for 411 yards and six touchdowns as the team’s second-leading receiver. Lewis will also play in the secondary as both a corner and a safety alongside Noguera, with senior Tahaj Parland and junior Elijah Johnston also getting time at corner. On the line, the Seraphs bring back seniors Amir Coleman and Tajay Passmore at the two guard spots and will play juniors Rakim Cooper and Dom Giudice at the two tackle positions. Sophomore Vin Ciulla takes over at center after impressing Mangiero and his staff during the summer. Coleman, Passmore and Cooper will be in the defensive line rotation as well on the inside, while Giudice will work in at defensive end.

Mater Dei will be successful if... They can rise to the occasion against a much tougher regular-season schedule. Like most high school teams, the Seraphs have some holes to fill as a result of graduation, particularly at linebacker and quarterback. With that being said, Mater Dei still has a lot of talent left over from last year and some promising up-and-coming players as well to combine on what should be another successful season during this recent surge by the program. In three years, Mater Dei has won a sectional championship, beat a powerhouse program on the road to reach another sectional final and come through in some exceedingly clutch situations. As a program, the Seraphs have proven they can perform on the big stage, but this year will test how well they can handle the grind of a season-long schedule worthy of their talent.

Action Photo by:

S R . WR I S A I A H N O G U E R A

Skills

Galore

By: Matt manley senior staff writter

Oteam and yet all those new starters – plus new head coach Joe Martucci – carried the burden

nly three of St. John Vianney’s starters on opening night of 2018 started on the previous year’s

Head Coach:

Joe Martucci, 2nd season (30th overall) Career Record: 202-96-1

of extending a winning streak against Shore Conference competition that spanned four seasons.

Assist ant Coaches: Jay Bellamy (Def. coord./DB/special teams), Sam Turner (asst. head coach/OL), Mike Albreque (QB, pass game coord.), Danny Fierro (WR), Bill Hill (LB/DB), Ed Hernandez (LB/strength& conditioning), Mike Warnock (DL), Brian Lucas & Tony Abarno (freshmen), Lou Liberator (volunteer), Joe Galamb (volunteer), Peter Pezzullo (volunteer), Jamil Sims (volunteer), Matt Luzio (volunteer), Ruthann Rutledge (athletic trainer), Maya Kantor (athletic trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri

2018 Record: 5-5 (2-3 in Colonial Division)

Spread D efense: Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL: Of all of Vianney’s losses to graduation, Hanson and fellow lineman Liseno were the biggest – literally and ﬁguratively speaking. Mollemann will ﬁll one of the open spots on the line, which he might have done last year were his season not lost to injury. McCaffery appears to have won the remaining open spot, occupying the left guard position while senior Jack McCutcheon kicks out from guard to left tackle in an attempt to secure Duell’s blind side.

X -FACTOR:

Offensive Line

Staying with the offensive line, the Lancers will go as far as the skill positions can take them and the skill players will need a capable line in order to reach their potential. Playing with most of the top Shore Conference programs should be well within the realm of expectations for a group that does have some playing experience from a year ago, as well as some size. On top of McCutcheon and Mollemen, senior center John DeFelice and senior right tackle Dan Forella are also back from last year. The question for St. John Vianney is can this line hold its own against Mater Dei Prep in September and, more importantly, against a grueling Non-Public Group III ﬁeld in November?

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Corey Pitts (So., LB) With middle linebacker Mike Noble graduating, Pitts will step in and play as a sophomore on the inside next to junior Blake Clayton and sandwiched between Young and senior Anthony Brett as the outside linebackers. Last year, Brett emerged as one of the team’s top tacklers and Pitts has a chance to do the same as only a sophomore.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 27 vs. Mater Dei Prep St. John Vianney’s ﬁrst two games of the season are no cakewalks, with Middletown South awaiting in the opener, followed by Brick. With St. John Vianney’s all-around talent, both those should be considered must-win games for the Lancers, especially considering the opponent that will be invading St. John Vianney in game No. 3. One way or another, the showdown with Mater Dei Prep on the last Friday of September will be a monumental game for both Monmouth County NonPublic programs. From the St. John Vianney perspective, it will be a chance to regain some of the luster that wore off with last year’s 5-5 season and could catapult them back into the upper echelon of the Shore Conference.

Midd. South @Brick Mater Dei Prep @Jackson Mem. Freehold @Wall Southern @Long Branch

7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7PM

Player to Watch: Kavon Chambers (Sr., RB)

O ffense:

Dom McCaffery (Jr., OL/DL)

9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/11

( L - R ) D A N F O R E L L A (51), J A C K M C C U T C H E O N (56), A N T H O N Y B R E T T (5), J O H N D E F E L I C E (69) A N D G A G E M O L L E M A N N (52) It didn’t help that the opening game was against a Red Bank Catholic team that went on to go 10-0, win the NJSIAA Non-Public Group III title and finish ranked among the top five teams in N.J., according to NJ.com. Humbling losses to Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven in the first two games of the season as well as the absence of starting quarterback C.J. Duell due to NJSIAA transfer rules contributed to a rocky start to 2018 for St. John Vianney but the Lancers collected themselves by winning three of their final four games and finishing 5-5 with a team filled with new players that had not played together all that much prior to last August. “We had three starters back from the previous team that had that streak,” Martucci said. “So everybody was gunning for that and it didn’t take

long because Red Bank Catholic kicked our butts. And then we went to Rumson and got our butts kicked there and then we started to settle in. We let a few slip away that we should have won and in the playoffs we kind of gave it away with the turnovers. I thought we got better as the year went on and that’s all we can ask for from our kids.” The respectable finish to the season has provided a springboard into 2019, when Martucci and his St. John Vianney squad hope to return to the top tier of the Shore Conference. “We are going to be very experienced and it brings a lot of depth to our offense,” senior running back Kavon Chambers said. “We are going to be flying around a lot more. We know a lot more than we did last year because last year it was a new group, a lot of people weren’t really ready and I feel like this year, everybody is more ready.”

Chambers burst onto the Shore Conference scene as a sophomore at Central Regional and transferred to St. John Vianney ahead of last season, when the Lancers had nearly every skill position on the depth chart open as a result of graduations from the prior year. For the second straight year, Chambers eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing but came up 400 yards shy of his sophomore-year total and found the endzone six times – a modest total based on the standards set the prior year. He also carried the ball only 140 times for an average of 7.2 yards per rush in an offense that did not seek to rely on him as much as Central did, so the downturn in production had a lot to do with a lightened workload. “I learned to humble myself,” Chambers said of last season. “You have to take it one game at a time and just try to go 1-0 every week. You can’t overlook anybody because everybody is a good opponent.” With Duell at quarterback from the start of the season and a bevy of weapons surrounding him on offense, Chambers again won’t be asked to

shoulder too much of the load but his track record suggests he can handle whatever task the Lancers need from him. “Kavon is one of the better running backs in the Shore, if not the state,” Martucci said. “It’s just a matter of getting his feet wet again and getting him used to what’s going on.”

Player Under the Radar: Josh East (Sr., WR/DB) Martucci tested the boundaries of East’s versatility last year when he used him at quarterback to open the season while Duell was ineligible. Over the course of the season, East threw for 463 yards on 39-for-62 passing with six touchdowns and no picks. This year, East will settle into a slightly more conventional role as a wide receiver and defensive back on either side of the ball, but he will certainly be a threat to throw the ball when he is on the field. He is also one of St. John Vianney’s army of dangerous receivers, with East specializing lining up in the slot. On the other side of the ball, he will play opposite standout sophomore Jayden Bellamy at one of the cornerback spots. Bellamy already made an impact as a freshman by leading the team in receiving and interceptions and East will be one of the many complementar y players around the talented sophomore.

Junior Julian Young has the inside track at tight end when the Lancers choose to employ one and will play outside linebacker on defense. Sophomore Isaac Montalve, meanwhile, is slated for the safety rotation with Stephens and Alston. “On the outside, Bellamy and Stephens, East and Griffith are all skilled athletes who if you get it to them in space, things are going to happen,” Martucci said. “But you have to be able to protect. You’ve got to be able to keep the quarterback standing upright so that’s where it all starts.”

St. John Vianney will be successful if… The offensive line can get in sync with Duell and Chambers. Even with current Rutgers freshman C.J. Hanson in leading the offensive line last year, the Lancers offense never quite gelled as it was expected to. This year, the line has no FBS behemoths, but it does return three starters plus senior Gage Mollemann, who missed his junior year due to injury. Going toe-to-toe with the giants of Non-Public Group III will be a tall order for St. John Vianney’s offensive and defensive fronts, but within the Shore Conference, solid line play could be more than enough to free up Duell and the offense to pick opposing defenses apart. “Offensively we just have to put things together,” Martucci said. “We’ve got some good skill kids, we just have to get better up front. That’s going to be the key.”

Top Unit: Receivers/Secondary Bellamy and East are just two of the many two-way standouts St. John Vianney will have at receiver and defensive back. Seniors Zarrin Stephens, Warren Griffith and Naron Alston will all be among Duell’s weapons as well, with Stephens and Alston doubling up as safeties and Griffith working in at cornerback.

SR. JOHN DEFELICE

On the Mend, On the Rise he Wall-vs.-Manasquan Thanksgiving Day game carries with it plenty of meaning, so a

Head Coach:

Tony Grandinetti, 3rd season Career Record: 11-9 Assist ant Coaches: Jeremy Balina, Mike Cerminaro, Bob Grace, Fred Sprengel, Brian Duffy, Tim Heaney, James Cadigan, Kyle Watson, Joe La Ferlita, Victor Rivera, Dan Shine, Matt McDonough, Brendan McDermott (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 6-3 (4-1 in Constitution Division)

O ffense:

Multiple 3-4 _______________________________

D efense:

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Logan Peters (Jr., QB/DB) Peters already showed he could handle a pressure situation at quarterback but with his new position as the starting signal caller comes added responsibility. Factor in his duties as the strong safety on defense and Peters will be taking on a much larger role than he did when he was a wide receiver for most of his sophomore year. Richey made the same receiver-to-quarterback transition last year that Peters is making this year, so Grandinetti and his staff have experience in building up a quarterback. In this case, Peters has plenty of experience at the position and last year was his first foray into playing wide receiver.

X -FACTOR: Ian Ackerman (Sr., OL/DL)

With Ackerman back in the fold, Wall expects to have an offensive line brimming with toughness, technique and long on depth. Ackerman and Puharic are the proven leaders as guards on offense and defensive ends in Wall’s 3-4 defense, while senior Jack Wolter will see an increased role as the starting left tackle, as well as the nose guard on defense. Junior center Kyle Pettit and sophomore tackle Brian Byrne round out the starting offensive line along with senior tight end Dean Terry – a supporting cast that should ﬂourish with Ackerman healthy. In last year’s win over Manasquan, Ackerman showed what kind of x-factor he can be and the Crimson Knights are hoping to have that kind of impact over the course of a full season.

T21-6 victory over their rivals from Manasquan was a significant moment in the Crimson Knights’ 2018 season.

It was also a significant moment in their 2019 season. Wall played just about the entire year without senior two-way lineman Ian Ackerman and his return – albeit a limited one – from a dislocated elbow for the final game of the season changed the mood on the Wall team. It reminded the Crimson Knights players coming back for 2019 what they lost in 2018 and, more importantly, what they would be getting back the following season. “After you win that last game, it makes you want to get right back in the weight room the next week and that’s what a lot of guys did,” Ackerman said. That season has arrived and Wall is set to welcome Ackerman and senior teammate Matt DeSarno back into the lineup after injuries robbed both of their junior seasons. Ackerman hurt his elbow on the first series of the first game of the season while DeSarno made it three games before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee. “That changes the locker room,” third-year Wall coach Tony Grandinetti said of getting Ackerman back in the lineup. “That changes the chemistry. The Manasquan game is the perfect example because it was a different feel. It was a different offense with him.” Despite those injuries, Wall still battled to a 6-3 record and reached the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III Playoffs. In their lone playoff game, the Crimson Knights lost senior quarterback Dylan Richey to injury. Then-sophomore Logan Peters came on and threw three second-half touchdown passes and nearly rallied his team to a win – ultimately coming up short in a 33-28 loss to Timber Creek.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Colin Riley (So., LB)

Kamaal Cofer was an impact edge-rusher in the 3-4 scheme last year and with his graduation, the Crimson Knights will turn to a mix of youth and experience in the linebacking corps. Riley will occupy one of the outside spots in his ﬁrst varsity season and he will look to have the same kind of success that classmate Charlie Sasso had last year. As a freshman, Sasso racked up 68 tackles and established himself as a sophomore to watch among Shore Conference players. DeSarno will reclaim his spot as the other outside linebacker now that he is healthy again and Terry will join Sasso on the inside to compete the starting quartet.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 13 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven

Like any team playing in either the American or Colonial divisions of the Shore Conference this season, there will be no let-up in Wall’s schedule. That doesn’t change the fact that the Crimson Knights want to compete for a second NJSIAA sectional championship in four years, as well as a spot among the Shore’s top teams. A home showdown with Rumson in the second game of the season should give Wall an idea what their young skill players are made of and how their deep, skilled offensive line matches up with a program that consistently plays into December.

By: Matt manley senior staff writter

S R . QB L O G A N P E T E R S

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9/6 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/5 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/28

@Midd. North 7pm RFH 7pm @Jackson Mem. 7pm Freehold 7pm @Mater Dei Prep 1pm @Brick Mem. 7pm SJV 7pm @Brick 7pm Manasquan 11am

“We were pretty successful last year too and we are just getting me and Ackerman back,” DeSarno said. “We’re just going to build off of what we did last year and in scrimmages and practices this year. We are building toward the goal of winning a championship at the end of the year. First, we are building toward that first game (at Middletown North).” With full seasons from Ackerman and DeSarno and Peters ready to take the reins of the offense full time, Wall has the infrastructure in place to play with the Shore’s best in 2019.

Player to Watch: Casey Larkin (Jr., RB/DB, 5-11, 175) While the seniors returning from injury and the new quarterback enter the season with something to prove, Larkin returns having already showed what he can do over a full season. As a sophomore, Larkin played both ways, rushing for 783 yards and five touchdowns as a running back and intercepting three passes as a safety.

“There aren’t many guys like Casey in my eyes,” Peters said. “He is one of the best there is. A lot people key on him and that opens up the field for our other guys, who are also very good players.” DeSarno will be back to share carries at running back with Larkin, which should take some pressure off of the junior tailback who emerged as the featured weapon of Wall’s offense last year.

Player Under the Radar: Grant Puharic (Jr., OL/DL, 6-2, 225) With Ackerman out for most of last year, Puharic was among the group up from that picked up the slack. Only a sophomore at the time, Puharic showed he could be a leader on the line and validated his head coach’s confidence in him.

“We just watched our film from (the Donovan Catholic) scrimmage and Ackerman and Grant Puharic, they are very, very good,” Grandinetti said. “We can do a lot of things with those two guys clearing the way on the inside.”

backfields, where Wall is as strong as ever. On the offensive side, Larkin, DeSarno and Peters will form a three-headed monster rushing the ball while Peters also distributes the ball to his many offensive weapons.

Top Unit: The Backfields

On the other side of the ball, Peters and Larkin will also fill the two safety spots while anchoring a secondary that has progressed from a liability two years ago to a major asset in 2019. Throw in cornerbacks Dale McNaley and Gus Setteducato and the Crimson Knights have a defensive backfield that will be hard for opposing quarterbacks to solve.

In this case, the backfields refer to both the offensive and defensive

“Two years ago, we struggled giving up big plays, not getting off the field on third down,” Grandinetti said. “Last year, we got better with it and most of the guys out there were juniors. This year, we have juniors and seniors in the defensive backfield who know the system and are very athletic. Our defense is our strongest unit and that defensive backfield is really stepping up.”

Wall will be successful if…

(L-R) MIKE GALOS (17), IAN ACKERMAN (53), LOGAN PETERS (1), CASEY LARKIN (23), CHARLIE SASSO (5)

AND

MATT DESARNO (24)

The injury bug stays in 2018. Every team is going to deal with injuries and Wall is unlikely to be sheltered from them this year, but the key injuries last season – particularly to Ackerman – limited Wall’s ceiling. (23)Keeping Peters, Larkin, Ackerman and Puharic would give the Crimson Knights a chance to reach their potential in 2019, which the players feel is almost unlimited. On the other hand, Grandinetti is confident enough in his team’s depth, as well as its experience overcoming injuries last year, that he expects his team to be better equipped to handle the bumps and bruises that pop up along the way. “Injuries just aren’t fair sometimes, but you have to go through them,” DeSarno said. “I am just try to get back and try to build off the momentum I had going last year before I got hurt.”

Horsepower Head Coach:

Walt Currie, 13th season Career Record: 79-56

LMustangs have failed to reach five wins just four times, and in three of those

osing seasons don’t happen often at Brick Memorial. In Walt Currie’s 12 seasons at the helm, the

years, Brick Memorial was only one game below 500.

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

Assist ant Coaches: Rob Brown (def. coord./DB), Mike McArthur (OL), Bill Brunner (OL/special teams), Bob Merola (DT/TE), Keith Farr (WR/special teams), James Mahoney (QB), Nick Moschella (LB), Brady Watson (DB), Pete Walski (DB), Jimmy Bright, Ryan Graham & Mike Kiley (freshmen), Sue Penrod (athletic trainer).

Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri

2018 Record: 4-6 2-3 in Coloniall Division)

Offense: Defense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Anthony Albanese, Sr., QB

X -FACTOR:

Offensive Line Depth Brick Memorial’s offensive line has two starters back, so a lot hinges on the new starters and how the entire unit comes together. “I think the make-or-break spot for us is the offensive line,” Currie said. “If we can find a starting five and two or three adequate backups and they can gel quickly that could really propel us to a really good season.”

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Nick DeCicco, Sr., RT/DE A program player who spent two years as a backup, DeCicco used a strong offseason and training camp to earn starting spots on both sides of the ball.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 14 at Brick After opening the season against old Class A South rival Jackson Memorial, the Mustangs will head across town to face their fiercest rival in the annual clash with Brick. The Dragons won last season’s meeting, 30-7, and have won six in a row dating back to 2012. Is this the year Brick Memorial gets back in the win column? This will also be a crucial game for both teams coming off tough opponents (Jackson for Brick Memorial, Mater Dei for Brick) in Week 0.

Jackson Mem. @Brick @Freehold Twp. Southern Midd. North Wall @Marlboro Howell

7pm 12pm 6:30pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 12pm 7pm

Player to Watch: Anthony Albanese, Sr., QB/SS

Multiple option

Albanese played two games last season at quarterback in addition to starting in the secondary, but now it’s his show to run under center. He takes over for Tyler Sindel, who ran for 1,500 yards and scored 19 touchdowns in two years as a starter.

9/6 9/14 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/19 11/1

( L - R ) R YAN M C C OMBS (24), A NTHONY A LBANESE (7) Fielding a consistent contender has been the norm under Currie, and after going 4-6 last season against one of the most difficult schedules in the Shore Conference, the Mustangs are eager to get back to their winning ways and challenge for the Constitution Division title. A total of 14 starters are back for Brick Memorial, including six in their option-based attack and eight in their usually stingy 4-3 defense. Senior Anthony Albanese takes over under center after essentially starting two games last season, junior T.J. McArthur and senior Mekhi Irving return in the backfield, seniors Mike Spanola and Larry Fonville III are back to anchor the offensive line, and senior Ryan McCombs flanks them at tight end. Many of the same names are back on the defensive

AND

M IKE S PANOLA (62)

side where the Mustangs will be breaking in just three new starters. McCombs, Spanola, and senior Jeremy Campbell return along the defensive line with McArthur and Fonville returning as starting linebackers and Albanese, Irving and senior Sal Lepore comprising an experienced secondary. The schedule has also softened a bit in comparison to last season. Gone from their division is Central Jersey Group 3 champion Rumson-Fair Haven along with Freehold and St. John Vianney. Moving from the Colonial Division to the Constitution Division, Brick Memorial will now face Freehold Township, Howell, Marlboro, Middletown North and Southern in division contests. The Mustangs still have their annual clash with Brick, which is now a nondivisional game, plus tough games against Jackson Memorial and Wall in nondivisional games.

Albanese will take over under center in Brick Memorial’s option offense, succeeding two-year starter Tyler Sindel. Albanese played two full games last season when Sindel was injured and rushed for 319 yard and three touchdowns and threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns. His ability to throw the ball as well as be a dangerous option on the ground has Brick Memorial excited for what the offense can become. “The biggest thing for Anthony is being a leader on the team, not just playing the position of quarterback,” Currie said. “That’s a tough transition for a senior firstyear starter. The faster he can develop leadership skills and bring the team together the better we’ll be.” “Also, his responsibility is not just focusing on his job, but knowing everyone else’s job on the field and really seeing the forest for the trees, seeing the big picture on the field.

Player Under the Radar: Ryan McCombs, Sr., TE/DE/K McCombs (6-3, 215) is back as a starter on offense, defense, and special teams after a very good junior campaign in which he led the Mustangs in sacks (6.5) and quarterback hurries (7) while recording two fumble recoveries. As Brick Memorial’s kicker, he converted 28 extra points and one field goal.

The way Brick Memorial asked him to play the position within its scheme last season wasn’t always with him getting to the quarterback as the end goal. There were a lot of stunts and such designed to free up other players or funnel plays a certain direction. That McCombs still ended up with the most sacks on the team speaks to his ability. Now, the Mustangs want him to wreak havoc. “We’re expecting him to go from being a role player on defense to being a gamechanger on defense,” Currie said. “His offseason was phenomenal. He increased his weight in a healthy way and threw up great numbers in the weight room.”

Best Unit: Secondary With three returning senior starters and a promising junior stepping into a starting role, Brick Memorial’s secondary leads the way in its 4-3 defense. Albanese (5-10, 180) returns at strong safety and Lepore (6-0, 150) is back as the free safety. Mekhi Irving (6-3, 170) returns as one starting cornerback and will be joined by junior Akhi Barksdale (6-2, 175). Albanese was the leading tackler in the secondary last year with 34 stops plus two sacks and two tackles for loss.

opened up more areas of the field for the Mustangs’ offense. With an entire offseason under his belt and a clear plan for improvement and refinement, Brick Memorial’s offense is hoping to pick up right where it left off after averaging 24 points per game last season.

Ready to break out Starting as a sophomore at positions as physically demanding as triple-option ‘A’ back and linebacker are no easy task, yet T.J. McArthur was everything the Mustangs could have hoped for during his 10th-grade season. McArthur ran for 309 yards and three touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry, but it was on defense where he really made his mark in recording 80 tackles, a team-high 9.5 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. The expectation is that he continues his development to become one of the more impactful two-way players in the Shore Conference. “I think he is going to break out and I think he has even higher expectations of himself than I have, and I have high ones,” Currie said. “He’s that kind of kid. He has things he wants to accomplish as an individual and for the team.”

The Mustangs know what they’re getting from their three returners and are excited about what Barksdale could add to an already strong position group. “He’s a player who is super athletic and very fast,” Currie said. “He’s a guy that, because of his physical attributes, we hoped would be that guy to step up and he’s done a really good job.”

A little something different Brick Memorial isn’t suddenly going to trot out in a spread formation with Albanese in the shotgun, but the offense will have some different looks this season as opposed to the traditional flexbone formation the Mustangs have been known for.

Brick Memorial is also solid along the defensive line with three of four starters back and at the skill positions where it can rotate several players through the slotback and wide receiver positions.

Brick Memorial will be successful if…

“We’ve always viewed ourselves as a multipleoption team, we’ve just been in the flexbone mostly because of personnel, but personnel changes,” Currie said. “We’ll always be option-based but we’re going to try to take advantage of the personnel we have and get the ball to our guys a little differently.”

…The offensive line gels and Albanese builds off his small but encouraging sample size from last season. Two starters are back along the offensive line with Spanola (5-10, 255) at center and Fonville (5-10, 205) at right guard. Senior Jeremy Campbell brings great size to the position at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds and is slated to start at left guard. Senior Nick DeCicco (6-3, 215) has emerged at right tackle while a competition between Tom Bremmer, Kyle Kohlman, and Colin Mullahey is ongoing for the starting left tackle spot. Albanese started a regular-season game against Freehold and nearly led the Mustangs to a comeback victory and also played most of a game against Long Branch after Sindel suffered an injury early in the game. While he didn’t run the option as well as Sindel, his athleticism allowed him to make plays and his throwing ability

SR. QB ANTHONY ALBANESE

Galvanized

for

Success

Ncelebration. The Patriots endured rough times, annually licking the wounds

ot that long ago, a 5-5 record at Freehold Township would be cause for

Head Coach: Cory Davies, 6 season (26th overall) th

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

inflicted by a streak of 11 consecutive losing seasons.

Career Record: 114-132 Assist ant Coaches: Derek Reichenbecher (Def. Coordinator/LB) Bill Dague (OL), Ryan Davies (QB/WR),

Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Thur

Matt Hardison (Special Teams/DL), Todd Bitsko (DB), Gene Blanco (JV), Mike Verrochi (OL/DL), Ed Von Nessen (Def. Asst), Jesse Heubel (Freshmen), Vince Tesi (Freshmen), Rebekah Bernard (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 5-5 (3-2 in American Division)

( L - R ) J AKE M OLLICA (52), L ORENZO C HIRICHELLA (9), N IC N ASSO (25) O ffense:

Air Raid

Lorenzo Chirichella (Jr. QB)

Times have changed dramatically for the Patriots. A breakthrough in 2016 marked by a 7-3 showing and a berth in the state playoffs snapped the string of disappointment, harkened a football renaissance and was the prelude to an even-more impressive performance a year later, when they stamped an 8-3 mark with a run to the Central Jersey, Group 5 semiﬁnals.

To say the quarterback is instrumental in the Air Raid is the epitome of an understatement. Despite being the understudy to Nick Reardon last year, Chirichella managed to get acclimated to the role with a good amount of playing time as a reserve, giving him a head start in assuming the lead role of the offense.

Thus, that .500 record last fall - though more than respectable considering it ﬁnished 3-2 in the rough-and-tumble American Division - was a refreshingly poignant revelation to those in and around the program that mediocrity is no longer the striving point, replaced with becoming a recurring guest in the playoff party.

X -FACTOR:

Only eight returning starters are in the fold this season, but forget about that. Instead, take note of a hungry group of eager upperclassmen galvanized to steer Township back into the thick of the November title hunt.

D efense:

Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Scoring

Nothing intricate here. Head coach Cory Davies insists the most important factor is finishing with one more point than the opposition. Sounds simple enough, but it will take a combination of staunch defense against a rigorous schedule and sharp, consistent offensive execution to accomplish the job.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Jayson Nami (Sr. WR/RB) Nami returns to where his football career began. After his freshman year with Township, he spent the next two at Jackson Liberty but is back in the ranks of the Patriots. His diversity adds depth as well as a hint of mystery to the Air Raid.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 14 at Freehold The annual battle for The Duke, the coveted trophy bestowed upon the winner, brings out the best in these neighbors. Freehold Township has been the proud processor for the last three years and has no designs on relinquishing its grip.

Player to Watch: Lorenzo Chirichella (Jr. QB 6-2, 190) The Patriots did the future a favor by getting Chirichella game action last season as a sophomore. And, it wasn’t against slouches either. He got to stand behind center, looking down the barrel of fierce defenses like Manalapan and Toms River North...and didn’t flinch. The backup to ‘19 grad Nick Reardon, Chirichella completed 33 of 48 attempts for 319 yards and two TDs. More importantly, the time logged against formidable opponents planted verifiable evidence he’s ready to assume the gear shift on the Air Raid in promising fashion. “To have him get in there last year for a little bit of playing time was huge for him and huge for us,” said Davies. “He got some confidence seeing he could do what we needed from him. He did very well and has that ability.” He’ll have plenty of attractive options to explore. Seniors Jake Cancela (5-11, 165), Brendan Doel (5-11, 170) and Jayson Nami (510, 160) headline a promising receiving and corps as well as...

Player to Watch, Part II: Nic Nasso (Sr. RB 5-9, 185) The leading rusher for the Patriots in each of the last two seasons, Nasso accumulated 805 yards and eight touchdowns

AND

B RENDAN D OEL (19)

during that span and there’s plenty more to come. An alert back who follows blocks, squares his pads and makes the most of holes, his hash mark consumption isn’t limited to running lanes. Freehold Twp. is exceptional disguising his look out of the gun, capitalizing on his chip blocks against rush (his pass protection is easily overlooked) before leaking Sasso out of the backfield on the delay screen.

Player to Watch, Part III: Jarrid Markowitz (Sr. RG/DT 6-1, 225) The Patriots have an abundance of senior leadership working both sides of the ball at the line of scrimmage and Markowitz is a proud member of that collection. At defensive tackle, he’ll congest the middle and leads the welcoming party for backs as they seek daylight shrowd by his shadow. He piled up 53 tackles and a sack as a junior. Markowitz will be just as instrumental on the offensive line.

Players Under the Radar: Jake Mollica (Sr. LT/DE 6-3, 220) and Zach Rodriguez (Sr. RT/DE/OLB 6-1, 215) For Freehold Twp. to run its offense at maximum efﬁciency, a lot depends on the guys up front and these two are proven veterans ready to set the example. Mollica and Rodriguez are bookends on the tackles who fend off the edge rush to form the pocket and blow open holes to lure runners to seek gains off their hips. What they deny on the offensive line is exactly what they seek as the defensive ends on front four and their intellect for trench warfare is an asset for the Patriots within their double duty.

Area of Strength: Running game Any good Air Raid needs reliable ground support and the Patriots are excited about what they can accomplish within their running attack. Nasso boasts a proven track record and senior backﬁeld partner Matt Levine (5-11, 175) is a complementary rusher who can ease some of the load as he anticipates his to increase. While their avenues for exploitation may hinge between the tackles, each can pop a run outside. Township also has other means to stretch to the periphery, notably utilizing wide receivers Jayson Nami and Brendan Doel on jet sweeps. “We like our ability to run the ball with Nasso, which is a little different from what we’ve done in the past,” said Davies. “We’re trying to blend that in with our passing game."

9/6 9/14 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/19 10/25 11/1

Colts Neck @Freehold Brick Mem. Midd. North @Howell Marlboro @Southern Manalapan @RBC

6:30pm 1pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 1pm 6:30pm 7pm

Freehold Twp. will be successful if… The defense rises to the challenge. There are only two returning starters within the unit but 10 of them are seniors who’ve patiently waited to show their grit and know what’s expected. The Patriots conceded 22.4 points per game in ‘18. More pointedly, they yielded 16.2 in their ﬁve victories. Closing the gap against the better teams on the schedule will revolve around how stingy the defense develops into. Senior inside linebacker Duke Young (5-11, 195), who recorded 50 tackles, 1 ½ sacks, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble, could be the compass guiding his crew in the proper direction. Mollica, Rodriguez, Markowitz and senior defensive tackle Frank Figueroa (5-10, 310) will headline the rotation across the front with Young ﬂanked by senior Connor Petrula (6-0, 240) and lone junior Matt Arway (5-10, 175) at outside linebackers. Doel and Rob Laguerre anchor the corners with Nami and Francesco Amato (61, 180) stationed at safeties.

Swiss Army Knife Count on Brendan Doel doing just about everything asked of the 5-11, 170-pounder senior. Versatility might be his ﬁnest quality and enough to entice Davies to get exoctic with his schemes to maximize his well-rounded game. “He’s a jack of all trades,” said Davies. “He’s going to play some receiver, he plays quarterback and defensive back. He returns kicks and punts. The guy is pretty athletic.”

Snappy attire required Perhaps a red carpet would be the best way for the Patriots to enter the ﬁeld this fall. Their new uniforms certainly warrant such fanfare. Navy blue home jerseys are accentuated with piping in the upper sleeve represented by the traditional school colors of Columbia blue and gold. Players lobbied for new uniforms and their request was granted.

Change of Scenery Freehold Twp. moves out of the American Division and into Constitution. It will maintain some familiar rivalries against district schools Howell and Marlboro while having to deal with Brick Memorial, Southern and Middletown North.

Reversal

Fortune

TCentral was the ideal result for a squad providing the encore to the cast that

hings got off to a flying start for Howell in 2018. A season-opening win against

Head Coach:

Luke Sinkhorn, 6 season (11 overall) Career Record: 47-58 th

powered the Rebels to a 9-2 showing in ‘17.

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Bob Mussari (Ass. Head Coach/OL/LB) Joe Santopietro (Off. Coordinator/QB/C) John Hoehn (Def. Coordinator/RB/S) Nick Farrar (WR/LB) Dylan Hroncich (OL/DL) Amy Ghione (Athletic Trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 1-9 (1-4 in American Division)

O ffense:

Spread

D efense:

3-3 Stack _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Jason Caston (Sr. QB) Oddly, the shoes are his own considering he was the starting QB a year ago. Yet, Caston has the tools to put a different design on them. With a season running the system on his internal hard drive, Caston anxiously awaits to reveal a far different and more productive look from the offense.

X -FACTOR:

The Culture Head coach Luke Sinkhorn has repeatedly implored his players about the means to reinstitute winning ways for the Rebels after a 1-9 showing in 2018. He wants all to share in his belief that an immediate turnaround is attainable if everyone rallies behind each other.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Nick Cerulli (Jr. RB/LB) Cerulli got acclimated to varsity as a sophomore, playing some linebacker. This fall, he’s rooted as the starting Mike backer in a new 3-3 Stack scheme as well as someone to keep an eye on the rotation of running backs.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 6 vs. Toms River East The season opener a year ago was a 21-12 victory over Central. However, the good vibes of a great start were doused by the pain of nine straight ensuing losses. The Rebels yearn to end that bitter streak.

S E A N M U R P H Y (28), J U S T I N W R I G H T (72), E L I G U Z M A N (23), J A S O N C A S T O N (20), J O N A T H A N V U O S O (16) A N D J O E B E R E N G E R (56) However, what unfolded thereafter was a painful introduction in how quickly the tides can turn and how difficult it is to get out of a tailspin. Howell suffered nine consecutive losses, leaving a bitter taste the ‘19 installment is anxious to rinse clean.

particularly from moving out of the American Division and into the Constitution.

How do the Rebels plan to stem the tide and construct a turnaround?

Anticipate a far more polished version of Caston directing the spread. He endured some lumps as a junior, ones associated with first-year starters, but has learned from his miscues, devoted to converting past negatives into present positives. His reads off a defense are vastly improved and his quick feet make him a threat to be on the move. “We’re relying on him with a year of experience under his belt,” said Sinkhorn. “He’s going to be better at taking the care of the ball because he’s smart with those reads.” Caston also serves as a hard-hitting safety who tends to forget his offensive role when it comes to physical well being. Those who venture across his face must be prepared to feel his wrath. Howell will be particularly careful exposing Caston in too many precarious defensive spots to preserve his existence engineering the offense. “It’s kind of a chess match with him,” added Sinkhorn. “If we run him a lot on offense, we don’t want to overextend him for defense and we have to pick our spots using him defensively as well. He responds real well on both sides." If Caston needs a breather, senior Jonathan Vuoso waits in reserve as quarterback.

“Rise as one,” proclaimed Howell head coach Luke Sinkhorn. “We can’t do it with one or two guys. If everyone comes together, then they can get it done.” Not a bad way to go for it will take a unified effort and a strong belief in themselves for the Rebels to start ascending upward. The good news is that veteran pieces are in place to begin the revival, guys that are out to prove last year was unacceptable and that higher standards are in place and adhered to accordingly. “We have a lot of younger guys who got experience last year,” noted Sinkhorn. “Now it becomes how much did you learn and how far have you progressed from last year. This senior class is an interesting crew. Two years ago, when we had success, they benefited from that. They gave a good look as scout players. Last year, left a real bad taste in their mouth. They’re ready, they’re hungry and they have to rediscover how to win again.” Plan on the Rebels overcoming the adversity endured, being better for it and finding more of a groove,

Players to Watch: Jason Caston (Sr. QB/S 6-0, 185)

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TR East @Manalapan Southern @Marlboro Freehold Twp. Brick @Midd. North Freehold @Brick Mem.

6:30pm 7pm 6:30pm 12pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7pm 6:30pm 7pm

Brandon Regins (Sr. LG/DE 5-10, 200) Regins ﬁres off the snap with an explosiveness that plays well on both sides of scrimmage. Quick to put whoever lines up across from him instantly on his heels, Regins' style is exactly what the Rebels want to see the rest of linemen emulate.

Players Under the Radar: Joe Berenger (Sr. RT/DE 6-3, 255) A shot up in size, backed with increased confidence in his dual role, should launch the two-way lineman into brighter light. Berenger will be a sturdy pillar fending off the edge rush while hoping to overpower tackles when he sinks his fingers into the turf at defensive end.

Mike Cincotta (Sr. WR/WS 5-6, 170) One of the perks of running the spread is stretching a defense thin in terms of accounting for all threats. Cincotta can take advantage of any team willing to overlook him as the slot receiver, a trait he shares with senior Sean Murphy. His routes are sharp and he can sit under coverage as an outlet or turn upfield in an open seam.

Area of Strength: Offense There may not be a rash of explosive playmakers capable of huge gains in the blink of an eye. However, the Rebels do have the means to deliver death by a thousand cuts to a defense that doesn’t pay them respect. Senior running back Vaughn Meehan doesn’t mind grinding out gains between the tackles or cutting to the outside and Caston has wide receivers Craig Iandoli, Murphy, Jake Davis and Cincotta along with tight

end Hunter Lino to find open space to exploit. Regins, Berenger and fellow senior Justin Wright (6-2, 265) are stalwarts on a good offensive line that will include junior Cole Iandoli (5-11, 190) and sophomore Matt Ioannides (6-1, 190).

Bloodhound Junior inside linebacker Nick Cerulli is another defender with a keen scent for ﬁnding the football. Teamed with Meehan and Cole Iandoli at the second level, Cerulli and company give Howell a sturdy backbone in the heart of the defense. All three close to the ball in a hurry.

Expect to see Howell move the ball far more briskly than a year ago.

Turn the tables

Howell will be successful if…

Howell paid the consequences for turnovers a year ago, but it can flip the script through its honed defense. Regins, Wright and Berenger can bring down some heat at the front of the 3-3, the linebackers are fierce and a secondary comprised of senior cornerbacks Kyle Tash and Trevor Curnal, senior strong safety Eli Guzman and junior Craig Iandoli at free safety is intent on making an opposing passing attack find an alternate route to move downfield

The returning players have short memories. What happened in ‘18 happened in '18...period. It’s time to turn the page with the understanding that despite a 1-9 showing, lessons were learned and now is the time for them to be implemented, telling signs of a team coming of age. It must eliminate excessive turnovers that hindered its cause while beginning to induce opponents into some of their own more frequently.

New Look

Pump the brakes

Sinkhorn as long been a disciple of the 4-3 but Howell will go to a 3-3 Stack under new defensive coordinator John Hoehn, who comes in from South Brunswick.

The season-opener on Sept. 6, when the Rebels entertain Toms River East, can’t get here fast enough. Howell is chomping at the bit to end a nine-game losing streak that came on the heels of kicking off ‘18 by toppling Central, 21-12 .

Glue Guy Not only will Vaughn Meehan be the primary resource to the running game, the 5-9, 185-pound senior is a vital cog in the Rebels’ defense. His active work rate at outside linebacker thrusts him into the heart of the action continuously and he has the motor to stay in fifth gear at all times. Sinkhorn can’t find enough adjectives to describe his value. “He’s a tough, hard-nosed, old-school, throwback football player,” Sinkhorn detailed. “He got some time as a sophomore and got hurt in the middle of last season. We’re looking for him to do some things.”

S R . RT J O E B E R E N G E R

S R . QB J A S O N C A S T O N

Going – And

Growing

Mthe gradual climb toward respectability the Mustangs have tirelessly put forth.

easuring the rate of growth for Marlboro based strictly on wins and losses masks

Head Coach:

Jason Dagato, 7 season Career Record: 13-37 th

Assist ant Coaches: Reid Stapp (Def. Coordinator/RB/LB) Jim Papalia (Special Teams/RB/DL) Mike Seber (QB/DB) Tom Caporale (WR/DB) Bill Cook (OL/DL) Anais Mixson (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 4-6 (1-4 in Constitution Division)

O ffense:

Multiple Pro

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Vinny Spitalieri (Sr. RB) Marlboro needs to replace the 1,279 yards and 12 TDs that ‘19 graduate Dontrell Alston delivered. Spitalieri doesn’t have to supply all of it but don’t be surprised if he and a deeper backfield combine to do some significant damage.

X -FACTOR: Quarterback As of late August, Marlboro had yet to settle on a starter under center, still evaluating the qualities of juniors Nick Wright and Caden Lawless as well as sophomore Dante Barone. Whoever emerges to earn the role will find transitioning to the head of the offense made easier by the skill guys who surround him.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Nick Siniscalchi (Sr. FB/ILB) Siniscalchi has impressed during summer workouts with instinctual reads and authoratative tackles to the point he could be starting as one of two inside linebackers in the 3-4. He won’t have to look far for an example to emulate, teammed with another rugged enforcer in senior Steven Cassidy.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 7 at Trenton A fast start would go a long way toward setting a positive tone for the Mustangs. Facing the Tornadoes, who;ve qualiﬁed for the playoffs in each of the last two years, should give a Marlboro a good idea of where it stands opposite a team that’s recently been to where it aspires to reach.

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Yes, they haven’t had a winning season since going 6-4 in 1999, but that 4-6 showing of a year ago marked the most wins in a season 2012. And, they picked up three victories in each of the previous two campaigns. Small, steady gains reside under the surface of overall records and continue to manifest into bigger dreams at Marlboro. The Mustangs are anything but pushovers. Instead, head coach Jason Dagato has instilled a blue-collar work code which has given way to a mounting toughness and grit that spills into this fall. A sense of pride permeates through a program no longer to be taken lightly.

Sat Sat Fri Sat Fri Sat Sat Sat Fri

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@Trenton Central 1pm Colts Neck 12pm @Midd. North 7pm Howell 12pm @Southern 7pm @Freehold Twp. 6:30pm Brick Mem. 12pm Central 2pm @Ocean 7pm

“There’s a difference between excellence and success,” said Dagato. “We are striving toward excellence and success takes care of itself. There’s no glory without struggle. We’re becoming more and more competitive and have to keep doing what we’ve been doing.”

Headiness mixed with simplicity...the head coach not only orates in such manner, he’s groomed a squad that encompasses both. The Mustangs boast smart-minded players who’ve grown into competitors who spill their buckets with an unwillingness to settle for old sterotypes stamped on Marlboro by outsiders. So, if this season happens to be the one where Marlboro clears a couple more hurdles, like posting a winning season or qualifying for the playoffs, the roots of such accomplishments can be traced back to guys picking each other up from the seats of their pants, dusting themselves off from defeat and getting right back into the fray with resiliency and one notable, invisible force - hope.

S R RB V INNY S PITALIERI

Players to Watch: Vinny Spitalieri (Sr. RB/CB 5-10, 175) The understudy to Dontrell Alston, who rumbled for 1,279 yards and 12 TDs last year, Spitalieri gets full-time status as the tailback in the Pro Set. Don’t underestimate this guy. Even though he got limited touches as a junior, Spitalieri made the most of them, finding the end zone on multiple occasions. He’s quick through a hole, tough to track down and one ankle-breaking juke from breaking off a big gain.

Steven Cassidy (Sr. FB/OLB 6-0, 185) Cassidy epitomizes the change of culture around the program. He plays likes a snarling bulldog at linebacker, sticking his nose into tackles and cover tremendous ground to the point opponents begin to think there’s more than one of him. And, he makes the sacrifice at fullback, clearing paths with bone-crushing blocks that spring long runs and energize his team. “He’s a fantastic leader, a lunch-pail type of player,” said Dagato. “He sets a good example for everyone around him and does a good job of being inclusive when it comes to the younger players.”

Player Under the Radar: Zach Mendes (So. RB/LB 5-9, 165) Another sign of a program in the making is Mendes. Only a sophomore, he’s peaked the curiosity of the coaching staff in the pre-season to the point he could possibly get notable reps in the backfield and/or linebacker. “We’ve been impressed with where he’s at,” confirmed Dagato.

Area of Strength: Running Back

Who’s the QB?

And, for good reason. Spitalieri and Cassidy aren’t strangers to playing time and have run against some stout defenses in the past. But, there is also some depth in the backfield, courtesy of newcomers. Mendes, senior Nick Siniscalchi and senior Rocco Brooks give Marlboro some numbers to develop a rotation when needed.

Probably going to have to wait until the season opener against Trenton to find out. As for now, there is a healthy competition for the position brewing between juniors Nick Wright and Caden Lawless and sophomore Dante Barone.

Seniors Adam Mirza (6-3, 300), Dylan Cherichello (5-9, 215), Allen Volant (6-0, 260), Paul Damato (6-2, 240) and junior Mike Ryan (5-10, 240) along with senior tight end Dom Palumbo (6-2, 220) offer good size and muscle along the offensive line to blaze the way for those charging up their heels.

Marlboro will be successful if... The Mustangs continue to abide by the principles that have gotten them to this point. All that Dagato has ever asked over his previous six years is to play hard and never leave any doubt that everything a player had to offer was left on the field. The formula is working and those following the steps are seeing the progression. Stay the course. “The kids have bought in,” Dagato said. “They know you just don’t walk in and win football games. There’s no instant gratification. They enjoy putting in the work. A winning season would be validation of the hard work, everything the coaching staff has put out and all the families have sacrificed. They’ve put their faith in us.”

Who’s the kicker? Same answer as above. Senior Max Kornhauser and junior Zac Schneider are getting a kick out of vying for the role.

New role Junior Andrew Spinello shifts from running back to wide receiver in an effort to get him more touches in space. The move should be seamless. He played a little bit of both as a sophomore and has a sense of what’s needed. He and senior Anthony Carcaldi will be downfield targets in the passing game.

Where’s the D? Marlboro is hoping right in an opponent’s face. The Mustangs bring back seven returning starters. Palumbo, Damato and Mirza will pull two-way duty as defensive linemen with Cassidy, Siniscalchi, Brooks and Carcaldi filling out the box at linebackers. Spitalieri, Wright, Spinello and Lawless comprise an athletic defensive secondary full of potential playmakers.

( L - R ) V INNY S PITALIERI (26), S TEVEN C ASSIDY (22), D OM P ALUMBO (27), P AUL D AMATO (55), A LLEN V OLANT (58)

AND

A NTHONY C ARCALDI (1)

Fresh Head Coach:

Steve Bush, 7th season (13th overall)

Faces

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

IMiddletown North was probably the best 2-8 team in New Jersey last fall. t surely isn’t any consolation to the players and coaches, but

Career Record: 108-74-1 Assist ant Coaches: Geoff Massimini (def. coord./LB/TE), Justin Bloss (OL/DL), Randy Kalman (special teams/WR/DB), Justin McGhee (RB/OLB), Larry McKnight (OL/DL), Danielle Kanski (athletic trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Thur

2018 Record: 2-8 (0-5 in Coloniall Division)

(L-R) ROB KELLY (71), ANDREW KANSKI (59), KADEN LETUAL (58), MATT SPENCER (21) AND A NTHONY S OTO (5) O ffense:

Spread

D efense:

3-3 stack _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Nick Ferreira, Sr., QB After sitting behind Sean Glenn for the last two seasons, Ferreira gets his shot at quarterbacking Middletown North’s spread offense. Glenn led the Shore Conference with 1,734 yards passing while tossing 14 touchdown passes this season.

X -FACTOR:

Defense

Middletown North’s defense was near the bottom of the Shore allowing 27.7 points per game last season. Injuries forced them to switch from a 4-2-5 to a 3-3 stack midway through last season, and the scheme worked well enough with their returning personnel that the Lions decided to stick with it for this season. They are strong up the middle with senior Andrew Kanski at defensive tackle, seniors Travis Thompson and Eddie Farrell at linebacker, and seniors Anthony Soto and Matt Spencer at safety.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Nico Cerbo, Jr., OL/DE Cerbo, who is a standout on Middletown North’s wrestling team, joins the football squad this year and is slated to be a two-way starter at left tackle and defensive end.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 27 at Freehold Township Middletown North opens the season with two tough nondivisional games against Long Branch and Wall before beginning its Constitution Division schedule. The Patriots have been a playoff team the last few seasons and figure to be a contender for the division title, so this Week 4 game should tell a lot about both teams.

The Lions faced eight teams that qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs last season, including Non-Public Group 3 champion Red Bank Catholic, Central Jersey Group 4 champion Long Branch and Central Jersey Group 3 champion Rumson-Fair Haven. They had a two-point loss to Freehold, a one-touchdown loss to Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Brick, nearly stunned RBC late in the season and fell to rival Middletown South by a just field goal on Thanksgiving. Gone are key players like quarterback Sean Glenn, receiver Aidan Campbell, running backs Connor Robbins and Rob Higgins and defensive stalwarts Steven Holler, Alec Zenker, Stephen Barry and Patrick Connelly. Six starters return on offense, however, led by three offensive lineman and versatile running back/wide receiver Anthony Soto. Defensively, senior linebackers Eddie Farrell and Travis Thompson along with Soto and senior Matt Spencer at the safety spots will anchor that side of the ball.

Player to Watch: Anthony Soto, Sr., RB Soto played wide receiver for the Lions over the past two years, ﬁnishing last season with team-high 38 receptions for 470 yards and two touchdowns. His 38 receptions were the fourth-most in the conference. With some voids to ﬁll and depth at wide receiver, Middletown North has moved Soto to running back where they feel his athleticism combined with his alreadyproven receiving talents will give them a multi-dimensional back to balance their spread offense. “He’s probably our best athlete and we want to get him the ball as much as we can,” Bush said. “He carried the ball some on jet sweeps last year and did a good job with that. He can make people miss as a runner. We know he’s good coming out of the backfield or we can go with some empty sets and put him out as a receiver. He’s much stronger this year, as well, so I think once he settles into the position he’ll do a really good job.”

“We are young and learning,” said Middletown North head coach Steve Bush. “We have some good ones but they don’t have a lot of game experience yet.”

Player Under the Radar: Travis Thompson, Sr., LB/TE

That, it appears, will be the hill the Lions need to climb early in the season. The quicker the unproven players get up the speed, the quicker the Lions can find out if they are contenders for the Constitution Division title.

An integral player on both sides of the ball, Thompson is back as a two-way starter at tight end and middle linebacker. He is the Lions’ leading returning tackler after making 90 stops along with two sacks last season.

After playing in the Colonial Division last year with Rumson-Fair Haven, Brick, Brick Memorial, St. John Vianney, and Freehold, Middletown North will now tangle with Brick Memorial, Freehold Township, Howell, Marlboro, and Southern in the new-look Constitution Division. The Lions also have a very tough nondivisional schedule with games against Long Branch, Mater Dei Prep, Wall and the annual showdown with Middletown South.

Top Unit: Offensive line

“It’s always a challenge (in the Shore Conference),” Bush said. “Last year was really tough playing the best of the best every week but I think the division we’re in now is still strong. We have to be ready to compete every week.”

Middletown North brings back three starters along the offensive line with senior Rob Kelly (6-0, 297) at left guard, senior Andrew Kanski (5-8, 230) at center, and senior Kaden LeTual (6-2, 215) at right tackle. Junior Nico Cerbo (5-11, 210), who is a standout wrestler for the Lions, joins the fold at left tackle along with junior Adam Ibraimovic (5-11, 260) at right guard. Thompson is also back at tight end along with junior Logan Halloran (6-3, 225). “They have a pretty good understanding of what we’re trying to do and they’re physically able,” Bush said. “It’s unusual we have three returning starters there just because it’s usually

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Wall 7pm @Long Branch 7pm Marlboro 7pm @Freehold Twp. 6:30pm Brick Mem. 7pm @Southern 7pm Howell 7pm Mater Dei Prep 7pm @Midd. South 10:30am

made up of seniors because of the size and strength that’s needed. Having those three guys started the whole season last year and adding the new guys who are doing a good job; we like to be as balanced as we can and they give us that ability.”

Middletown North will be successful if… …It wins the turnover battle, avoids major injuries and gets key contributions from some of the first-year starters. These are not issues specific to Middletown North, but they apply to the Lions, nonetheless. Middletown North was minus-4 in turnover margin last season, so whether it be by protecting the ball better on offense or taking it away more frequently on defense, it’s a statistic the Lions will want to shift into plus territory. Staying healthy speaks for itself. Very few teams can sustain a significant injury to a key player or nagging injuries to many players and still achieve their goals. As for the new starters, the spotlight will shine brighter on some, which brings us to…

New arm For the ﬁrst time in the last seven seasons, someone with a last name other than Glenn will quarterback Middletown North’s spread offense. After four record-setting years of Donald Glenn followed by Sean Glenn piloting the team for the last two years, senior Nick Ferreira takes over at the most important position on the ﬁeld. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder brings more of a dualthreat element to the position whereas the Glenn brothers were more traditional pocket passers. “He’s an athletic kid and a competitor,” Bush said. “He’s done a good job learning the offense and has played well so far in scrimmages. We’ll probably let him run a little bit more than we have with our quarterbacks in the past.” Senior Matt Spencer will serve as the backup quarterback.

In good hands If the offensive line is the Lions’ best unit, the wide receiver group is not far behind. That’s particularly impressive considering Soto, last year’s leading receiver, moved from receiver to running back and standout Aidan Campbell graduated. Spencer (6-1, 150) enters the season as the No. 1 receiver with junior Quentin Soler (5-10, 140) and sophomore Brian Haddow (5-9, 150) rounding out the starting unit. “I think we can throw to any of those guys and be confident,” Bush said. “They all have good hands and can run after the catch, too.”

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

Breaking Free from Mediocrity

Irecord, finishing 9-3 and reaching the South Jersey Group 5 sectional final. Since then, Southern has been stuck in

t was 2012 when, led by future Penn State star and Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki, Southern last had a winning

Head Coach: Chuck Donohue Sr., 22nd season (46th overall)

purgatory. The Rams have finished either directly at .500 or one game below in five of the last six seasons.

Career Record: 252-184-4 Assist ant Coaches: Matt Abbato (def. coord.), Eric Fierro (QB), Dylan Larson (OL/DL), Eric Sharkey (WR/DB), C.J. Tomelden (OLB/RB), Andrew Becket (head freshmen), Joe Fleck & David Smith, Nick Herring, John Linsella & Zack Mentesana (asst. freshmen); John Kaszuba (Director of Football Operations), Evan Osborne (Asst. DFO), Nick Scaramazza (athletic trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri

2018 Record: 4-5 (2-3 in Constitution Division)

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Nottingham 7pm TR North 7pm @Howell 6:30pm @Brick Mem. 7pm Marlboro 7pm Midd. North 7pm Freehold Twp. 1pm @SJV 7pm @Central 7pm

Best Unit: Secondary

Offense: Multiple

I, Spread

D efense:

4-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

( L - R ) C O L E R O B I N S O N (12), C O L B Y S A X T O N (73), C H R I S T I A N T O R R E S (23), S E B A S T I A N C E R V E T T O (51) A N D JT C O R N E L I U S (18)

Southern’s most stable position group right now is its defensive backfield with Robinson returning as the starting free safety and juniors J.P. Ricciardi and Xavier Hendricks as the starting cornerbacks. The coaching staff is also high on sophomore Nick Devane, who will rotate in at cornerback.

Steve Langton, Jr., LB Langton will start at inside linebacker, stepping into a role where Joe Guglielmo led the team in tackles last year and was an All-Division selection.

X-FACTOR: Quarterback Play Southern has not had a 1,000-yard passer since 2014 and has not had an All-Division standout at the position since Dan Higgins in 2012. Robinson will try to change that as he takes the reins of the offense as a senior. He served as the backup to Carmen Deo last season and saw limited action.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Will Devane, Sr., WR/OLB Brown and Committee are two newcomers already mentioned who will be starters, so we’ll go elsewhere here. A point guard on the basketball team and a standout defensive midfielder on the lacrosse team, Devane decided to come out for the football team as a senior. He’s been a pleasant surprise and has played his way into a starting spot at outside linebacker and into the wide receiver rotation.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 6 at Nottingham Southern hasn’t started 1-0 since 2014, and with a young and inexperienced team, the Rams are stressing the importance of getting off to a good start before beginning their division schedule in Week 2 (Sept. 20). The Northstars were 7-3 and a playoff team last year in Central Jersey Group 3, but have a new head coach in Milo Maguire, who takes over for longtime coach Jon Adams.

Will this be the season the victories pile up once more? Southern sure hopes so, but for that to materialize the veterans will need to raise their level of play and the promising underclassmen will need to play up to their potential. Five total starters return on offense with senior Cole Robinson getting the nod at quarterback after serving as the backup and seeing a fair amount of playing time. Senior J.T. Cornelius (6-5, 215) is back as the starting tight end while seniors Sebastian Cervetto (5-9, 215) and Colby Saxton (6-1, 210) anchor the offensive line. Southern got a huge reinforcement over the summer when sophomore Jaiden Brown moved into the district. Brown was Jackson Liberty’s starting running back as a freshman. Defensively, the Rams also return five starters from a unit that allowed 17.8 points per game. The strength is up front with Cornelius, Saxton, and Cervetto all returning in Southern’s 4-4 scheme. Christian Torres is a three-year returning starter at linebacker and Robinson returns to anchor the secondary at free safety. Southern remained in the Constitution Division after realignment, but only one other team – Marlboro – remains. Southern’s new division rivals are Brick Memorial, Freehold Township, Howell, and Middletown North. The Rams also have nondivisional games against Toms River North, St. John Vianney and Central, plus a season-opening nonconference battle with Nottingham.

Players to Watch: Sebastian Cervetto, Sr., OL/DT, and Colby Saxton, Sr., OL/DT Cervetto and Saxton are the heart and soul of this Rams team and vital players on both sides of the ball. Saxton had a team-high five sacks last season along with 34 tackles and six tackles for loss. Cervetto had 25 tackles, five tackles for loss and one sack. Both will be at defensive tackle. On the offensive side, Cervetto is the returning starter at center while Saxton will move between guard and tackle as needed. “So much is expected of those guys, more than anybody else on the field,” said Southern head coach Chuck Donohue Sr. “While rest of the guys are developing they give us toughness and are respected by other players for how hard they practice and play. They are really key. We cannot afford to lose either one of them.”

Players Under the Radar: Nate Committee, So., DE/RB, and Jay Silva, Jr., TE Committee (6-1, 195) jumps up to the varsity squad after an impressive freshman campaign and will start at defensive end and serve as a fullback. “He’s really a guy who could develop and be a very good player for us,” Donohue said. “He’s a good athlete and a tough kid.” Silva (6-4, 180) was Southern’s second tight end as a sophomore last season when the Rams deployed a twotight-end set. He is also a basketball and volleyball player, and Southern is hoping those skills begin to translate to the football field this year.

Southern will be successful if… …The offensive and defensive lines become the strength of the team whereas they are currently a question mark because of depth and experience. Southern has two returning starters on the offensive line in Cervetto and Saxton and three on the defensive line with Cornelius, Cervetto, and Saxton. The offensive line will also feature junior Pat Fulgineti (63, 265) and sophomore Logan Doherty working at tackle and junior Conor Clineman (5-9, 200) and senior Nick Velardi (5-8, 155) working at guard. Committee joins the defensive line at defensive end with sophomore Sean Roland (6-2, 210) also expected to see time at all four positions.

A Welcome Addition Southern graduated its top seven rushers from last season, leaving quarterback Cole Robinson as the team’s leading returner in rushing yards with three yards on nine carries. Finding another tailback was going to be a tall order, but the Rams received a welcome addition in the offseason when Jaiden Brown’s family moved into the school district. Brown (6-1, 215) was the starting running back for Jackson Liberty as a freshman and ran for 929 yards and a touchdown. He’ll step right in as the Rams’ starting running back, giving them a young and experienced skill player.

THE SPORT OF FOOTBALL HAS UNDERGONE DRAMATIC TRAN HAVE LARGELY STAYED THE SAME. YOU NEED SOMEONE TO TO RUN IT, A GROUP OF LARGE DUDES TO BLOCK AND A SL OF THAT FROM HAPPENING. SOME POSITIONS, Throughout the sport’s history, from the professional level down to the youth game, the running back position has been king. Rewind 20 years ago at the high school level and almost every team was using a run-first offense whether it be out of the I formation, pro-style, Delaware Wing-T or triple option schemes. You either had a running back or you didn’t. And if you didn’t, well, good luck. Your team probably wasn’t going to be very good. But then, things began to change. The spread offense started to become more and more popular at the college level, and as schemes and ideals tend to do, that trend trickled down to the high school ranks. The quarterback was being asked to do more, in many cases leading the team in both rushing and passing by the time the season was over. Finding a dual-threat quarterback was now a must and they started to pop up everywhere. The Shore Conference has had its share - Toms River North’s Mike Husni, St. John Vianney’s Anthony Brown, Toms River North/Brick’s Carmen Sclafani, Mater Dei Prep’s Christian Palmer, Red Bank Catholic’s Eddie Hahn, Toms River South’s Tymere Berry, and Lakewood’s Zyhier Jones, to name a few. The running backs still mattered, but they were no longer driving the bus. The value of the running back at the professional level is now a polarizing topic. In the NFL, it’s all about the quarterback and the passing game. The one-dimensional running back is becoming extinct. Possessing only power or only speed don’t cut it anymore. A player has to do both and also be able to factor into the passing game. The position has been asked to evolve. Look around at the young stars in the NFL and college football and it’s obvious today’s crop of running backs have done exactly that. The same has happened in the Shore

Conference. After a handful of years where the elite quarterbacks far outnumbered high-end running backs, the premiere position is once again five yards behind the line of scrimmage. A Shore Conference player has led New Jersey in rushing in each of the last two seasons, including last season when Long Branch’s Jermaine Corbett won the state rushing title. Corbett is back, as is Mater Dei Prep’s Malik Ingram, St. John Vianney’s Kavon Chambers and several more backs who could eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau. The 2019 season is shaping up to be the year of the running back.

Bring Reinforcements

Mater Dei Prep sr. Malik Ingram If you’ve seen

take a handoff and break into the second level of a defense, you know things aren’t going to end well for whoever is on the other end. Asked to describe his running style, he painted the perfect picture.

“I would say it’s definitely going to take more than one person to bring me down,” Ingram said. “That’s just how it’s been since I was 7-years old. One thing my dad always told me was not to let the first man bring you down. That will stay with me as long as I’m playing football.” At 5-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Ingram is certainly a load to handle, and any opposing player who wasn’t prepared for this fact found out the hard way last season. After a great sophomore season in which he ran for 1,251 yards and 15 touchdowns on an average of 6.9 yards per carry, Ingram reached another level entirely in 2018, rushing for 1,914 yards and 22 touchdowns on an absurd 11.6 yards per carry, which was tops in the Shore.

NSFORMATIONS OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE MAIN ASPECTS THROW THE BALL, A BUNCH OF GUYS TO CATCH IT, A FEW EW OF GUYS ON THE OTHER SIDE TRYING TO PREVENT ALL , HOWEVER, ARE MORE VALUED THAN OTHERS. Of Mater Dei’s 12 games, Ingram played a full game only a few times because Seraphs blew out most of their opponents. On a lesser team, his numbers could have been even gaudier. One of the games he played from start to finish was the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 final against Red Bank Catholic. The Seraphs fell, 14-10, but Ingram was unstoppable with 250 yards rushing and the team’s only touchdowns. He also ran for 170 yards and three touchdowns in a lopsided win over Central Jersey Group 2 finalist Manasquan. He was major reason why the Seraphs led the Shore in scoring at 36.8 points per game. Ingram, who has scholarship offers from Army, Navy, Colgate and Central Connecticut State University, according to recruiting website Rivals.com, went through the offseason with the goal of adding to his arsenal. Ingram was plenty fast enough last season, but increasing his overall speed was his tops on his list of things to do over the last eight months. “I just worked on improving my speed in general,” Ingram said. “Lateral movement, playing sideline to sideline. It’s definitely going to help me and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do.” Another big motivator for Ingram has been he and his teammates getting so close to winning a state championship only to lose in the championship game. Mater Dei has been to three straight Non-Public state finals, but after going 12-0 in 2016, have fallen to St. Joseph (Hammonton) and RBC the last two years. “We were so close to winning that final game (last year), we were just a couple yards short of scoring,” Ingram said. “I always have that in the back of my mind.” Since starting as a freshman at Neptune to his consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at Mater Dei, Ingram has developed into one of the best running backs in New Jersey. He hopes his best is yet to come. “It feels like it was just yesterday I was walking into Neptune High School as a freshman,” Ingram said. “The four years really did go by quick, so I’m cherishing every moment and not taking anything for granted.”

The

Champ

He’s fast, he’s elusive, he’s stronger than he looks, and he’s a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He’s

Long Branche’s senior

Jermaine corbrtt ,

the reigning state rushing champion, and he’s out to bring a couple more titles to Long Branch in his final season with the Green Wave. Like Ingram, Corbett has been a star since earning the starting job as a sophomore. In two years, Corbett has rushed for 3,400 yards and 40 touchdowns, and in the process has helped Long Branch win consecutive NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 titles. Last season, Corbett followed up the 1,422 yards and 14

See

Running page 54 53

Running from page 53 touchdowns he recorded as a sophomore by exploding for a state-leading 2,021 yards and 26 touchdowns en route to being selected as the Shore Sports Network Offensive Player of the Year. He currently holds scholarship offers from Rutgers and Monmouth, according to recruiting website 247sports.com. “He’s absolutely one of the best I’ve ever coached, from (former Red Bank and Penn State star) Eric McCoo to Jermaine’s brother, Dahmiere Willis,” said Long Branch head coach Dan George. “He is in the same sentence as those players.” Corbett’s running style can be dazzling and downright breathtaking. His quickness in tight quarters makes him incredibly hard to tackle one-on-one, and he can kick it into gear if he needs to win a straight-line footrace. If you’re going to stop him, you better do it close to the line of scrimmage, because once he gets past the first level he’s going to make some people look silly. He’s also a dangerous receiver out the backfield whether it be on screen passes, out in the flat or over the middle.

“The speed of his feet and his hands are just a different level than everyone else and therefore his body is able to do things that only a few do,” George said. Size has always been the missing ingredient for Corbett. He’s on the smaller side at 5-foot-7, so the challenge has been to get into the weight room and maximize the strength and power his frame can provide. He’s put on 20 pounds over the last two years while maintaining the speed and quickness that defines his game. “That’s been critical,” George said. “There’s a fine line between players getting stronger and just gaining weight. They need to be more powerful or stronger and that could be as simple as putting on five, six, seven pounds of pure power on their body as opposed to 15 pounds of weight. One of the things coaching track has taught me is that there’s a point where bigger starts to decline the speed as opposed to being stronger and powerful so you’re maximizing the top-end speed.” Another challenge for Corbett this year will be playing behind an offensive line with less experience than he enjoyed the last two seasons. Gone is First Team All-Shore standout Kevin Cerruti, who is now at the University of Rhode Island, along with Hunter Metzler and Raul Rivera. Senior center Tracey Taylor will anchor a unit that hopes to gel quickly and open holes for their gifted running back. “The motto from the Patriots is ‘do your job’, and that’s all we need the line to do,” George said. “Whether you tell them every day or net, they realize the amount of pressure they’re under to do things for Jermaine Corbett. They don’t have to do a lot, but they have to do enough. That’s the piece that’s most important and the piece his brother Dahmiere mastered. Everybody wanted to do their job to let him take care of the rest. Whether it’s the blocking or completing short passes or going down the field, we have to get defenses to look elsewhere and be off-balance.” The biggest area George would like to see Corbett improve is just as important as the yards he gains or the touchdowns he scores. In graduating Marc Dennis, Luke Arnold, and Cerruti, the Green Wave lost a lot of leadership. Leaders have different methods in which to do so and Corbett needs to find his. “I think he’s been blessed the last couple years being around great leaders so he was able to just play ball and not necessarily have to worry about leading,” George said. “This year as a football player he’s the guy but he’s also a leader. We’re challenging him to be that guy who makes everybody else around him better

the way Kevin Cerruti did, the way Marc Dennis did. That special characteristic separates the really good players from the great players.” Bouncing

Back

Black

Rushing for over 1,000 yards with six touchdowns on an average of over seven yards per carry is a season a lot of high school running backs would instantly sign up for. But for

St. John Vianney’s sr.

Kavon Chambers,

his junior year was less than he hoped it would be. After finishing fifth in the Shore Conference in rushing as a sophomore at Central Regional with 1,438 yards and 11 touchdowns, Chambers ran for 300 yards less, albeit on 113 fewer carries. His yards per carry did go up nearly a full two yards, however. It was an adjustment Chambers struggled with at first. “I think when he came to us he was a guy used to carrying it 20-25 times a game, that was (Central’s) game plan,” said St. John Vianney head coach Joe Martucci. “We had some other athletes on the field to help us move the ball and we were still pretty young as far as the offensive line. He had it about 10-12 times per game and we tried to get him plays where he got the ball in space. He’s matured more and understands a little more about the spread offense now. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s a better football player today.” What Chambers offers the Lancers’ offense is a running back who can do it all. At 5-foot11 and 195 pounds, Chambers can run between the tackles and on the edge, has plenty of speed to break away from

defenders, can make tacklers miss in the open field and is a threat out of the backfield in the passing game.

“As a player, I would compare him to some of the better backs I had at Matawan,” Martucci said. “He’s a big, strong kid who can catch and run; just a great all-around athlete. He’s not a scat back but he has the ability to make you miss in the open field but can also run you over and move the pile.” Just as Chambers, who was a Second Team All-Shore selection last season, hopes to bounce back and conclude his high school career with a huge season, the Lancers are also focused on redemption. They entered last season with a 38-game Shore Conference winning streak, but the roster was breaking in several new starters and wasn’t at full strength until halfway through the season. They were blown out by Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven in their first two games but regrouped over the second half of the season to win three of their last four games, including a 9-0 shutout of Middletown South, and finish 5-5. SJV’s division will once again be very strong with Mater Dei Prep, Jackson Memorial, Wall, Brick and Freehold on the schedule, plus nondivisional games against Middletown South, Southern, and Long Branch. Seven of those teams made the playoffs last season. If they are to improve on their win total from a season ago Chambers will have to play a major role.

The

List

Goes

Ingram, Corbett, and Chambers may be the biggest names among the Shore Conference’s running backs, but the list goes well beyond them. At Red Bank Catholic, sr. Billy Guidetti ran for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior and could certainly crack the 1,000-yard mark this year.

to earn First Team All-Shore status. Volker will be running behind an entirely new offensive line this season, but he has the power and speed to have a monster season. At Wall, jr. Casey Larkin ran for 783 yards and five touchdowns on an average of 6.2 yards per carry in an impressive sophomore debut. Wall returns a young but experienced core and Larkin is right in the middle of one of the more intriguing teams in the Shore Conference. Like Volker and Larkin,

Jackson Memorial’s Will Towns is a promising junior ready to take on a bigger role after a solid sophomore season. Don’t be surprised to see him join the long list of 1,000-yard running backs to light up Jack Munley Field.

Freehold jr. Sha’Kim Shuler

played quarterback, running back and receiver for the Colonials last season, totaling 1,353 yards and 11 touchdowns, including 593 yards rushing and six touchdowns. He’ll move to running back full time this season and could settle in as a major weapon in the backfield.

Southern soph. Jaiden Brown

Toms River North’s Trevor Pruitt was also close to reaching 1,000 yards, finishing with 945 yards and 13 touchdowns. He’ll be a major part of what could be an explosive Mariners offense.

ran for 929 yards as a freshman at Jackson Liberty last season and has great potential with three years still ahead of him.

Manalapan’s Nico Santorelli was second to Ingram in yards per carry last season, rushing for 909 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 88 carries.

Neptune’s Junior Haughton is another player with a new jersey this season. He’ll suit up for the Scarlet Fliers after rushing for 909 yards and six touchdowns last season at Asbury Park.

Ocean’s Trebor Pena is more of a utility weapon for the Spartans lining up at running back, wide receiver, and defensive back while also returning kicks and punts. The Temple University recruit accounted for 916 yards and 10 touchdowns on 8.6 yards per touch as both the Spartans’ leading rusher and receiver last season, rushing for 488 yards and six touchdowns on an average of 6.3 yards per carry and catching 29 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll be Ocean’s tailback this season and should have another great all-around year.

If not for missing time with an injury, Colts Neck’s Romeo Thomas surely would have gone over the 1,000-yard mark last season. Instead, he finished with 960 yards and eight touchdowns. Look for a big year out of him for an improving Cougars squad. Opposing teams should expect a heavy dose of power from

Holmdel’s Cameron LaMountain and Toms River East’s Frankie Giannetti, both of whom should see an increase in carries this year. LaMountain was the third option in the Hornets’ split-back veer offense but still ran for 708 yards and six touchdowns on 8.5 yards per carry. Giannetti ran for 700 yards and eight touchdowns on seven yards per carry and was a Third Team AllShore selection at linebacker. One player who would have been high on the list is Red Bank sr. Makai Mickens, who was a Second Team All-Shore selection last year. Mickens

At Rumson-Fair Haven, jr. John Volker

ran for 1,206 yards and 13 touchdowns on 7.2 yards per carry last season and figured to be among the Shore’s best this year but suffered a torn ACL in June and is out for the season.

will take over the starting role and has huge potential. He ran behind Alex Maldjian last season when Maldjian rumbled for 1,702 yards and 23 touchdowns

Those are just the names we know about. There’s always a handful of players who come out of nowhere to become stars and this year should be no different.

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ON HI-RES COLOR PRINTS OF ANY PAGES & IMAGES IN ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS CONTACT: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 55

Building

Blocks

Tprogram after going 12-38 from the 2014 season thru the end of last season.

he Colts Neck Cougars are a team looking to roar their way back into a winning

Head Coach:

Matt Ahearn, 2nd season Career Record: 3-7

By:

Vin Ebenau

ssn contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Jim Portela (Def. Coordinator), Jeff Papcun (RB/LB),

Fri Sat Fri Sat Fri Sat Sat Sat Sat

Ryan Byrne (OL/DL), Bill Hill (WR/DB), Mike Negron (QB/DB), Doug Zockoll (TE/DL), Tom Bonham (RB/DB), Ryan Kroeger (OL/DL), Joe Cognahan (Freshmen), Adam Mintz (Freshmen), Dan Drashinsky (Freshmen), Eric Nussbaum (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 3-7 (1-4 in the Liberty Division)

O ffense:

Multiple Pro

( L - R ) T HOMAS L IDONDICI (72), A IDAN H ORAN (2), R OMEO T HOMAS (21), I BRAHIM D IALLO (1) AND J ACKSON S PARACIO (68)

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Dan Volpe (So. LG 6-5, 260) The 2018 freshmen Cougars went 8-1 and players like current sophomore Dan Volpe are among the those who made that happen. On a line filled with seniors and juniors, Volpe is the only underclassmen who will have to use his height and size to lay down some pancakes and boost the offense for the Cougars.

X -FACTOR:

Defense

Colts Neck was outscored 248-149 during the 2018 season with the only close loss being a 20-14 defeat at the hands of Neptune Township in Week Three. For the Cougars to make some noise this season, their defense, led by players like senior defensive tackle Tom Lidondici, junior outside linebacker Joe Barsky and senior cornerback Rahim Diallo will need to bear down and make some big plays.

iMPACT NEWCOMERs: Delano Marcelus (Jr. DE 6-2, 210) & Rahim Diallo (Sr. CB 5-11, 185) There are two transfers coming to the Cougars this season from Maryland and Washington state. Delano Marcelus and Rahim Diallo have impressed in training camp and could help the Cougars in a big way this season. "They've really stepped it up for us and shown what they can do and how they can buy into our program," Ahearn said.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 14 at Marlboro It's a tough task to play your first three games of the season and five of the first six on the road but that's what's facing the Cougars. The Week Two matchup against Marlboro is pivotal because it will set the tone for the season on whether there's signs of moving forward toward a winning atmosphere, staying the same or taking a step backwards.

It won't be easy turning the program in a positive direction as head coach Matt Ahearn enters year number two in Colts Neck, and is looking to his players to give their best efforts at practice heading into and during the regular season. "We have to come prepared to practice everyday and learn how to practice fast," Ahearn said. "We are looking to build from the lower levels. Building from the ground up is important for us. Last year, our freshmen team was 8-1 and this year we're hoping for similar results." Ahearn is counting on players like senior left tackle Tom Lidondici and senior right tackle Jackson Sparacio on the line as well as senior running back Romeo Thomas, junior outside linebacker Joe Barsky and junior tight end/defensive end Chris Montefusco to help bring along the younger players such as starting sophomore outside linebacker Joe Manos and sophomore quarterback Tommy Fallon, who started seven games last season.

The goals for the Cougars aren't a division title or the playoffs but to take things one play, one series at a time and, if they play well, things will start to turnaround. "If we take care of the small things, the big things will take care of themselves," Ahearn said.

Player to Watch: Romeo Thomas (Sr. RB 5-8, 185) Thomas came out of nowhere to have a very solid season out of the backfield for the Cougars in 2018. He rushed for 960 yards on 137 carries and you can expect him to see a bulk of the carries this year, a workload that will be a big boost for him to get over 1,000 yards and surpass his eight touchdowns from a year ago.

9/6 9/14 9/20 9/28 10/4 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2

@Freehold Twp. @Marlboro @Matawan TR East @TR South @Lakewood Pinelands Neptune Jackson Lib.

6pm 12pm 7pm 12pm 7pm 1pm 12pm 12pm 12pm

Player Under the Radar: Tommy Fallon (So. QB 6-2, 205) As a freshman, Fallon had a baptism by fire by playing seven games on the varsity level. The experience of coming in as a freshman and playing against some tough teams built up valuable experience for the incoming sophomore.

Top Unit: The Running Backs It's a long road back to becoming a winning program again in Colts Neck but there are a couple of positives for the Cougars moving forward and that's their youth with large sophomore and junior classes and then with their running backs. The running game, led by Senior Romeo Thomas who could be a 1,000 yard rusher this season, is built for short term and long term success.

Colts Neck will be successful ifâ&#x20AC;Ś

On The Road Again...and Again: The Cougars have a daunting first half of the season on the schedule and what complicates matters is that the first three contests - and five of their first six overall - are on the road with the only home game in that span against Toms River East. "We have a young team and a lot of young players that are cutting their teeth this year so that's our challenge right away...to catch them up to speed because we have a tough one with Freehold Township right away and then Marlboro and Matawan," Ahearn said.

The Great Unknown There's some mystery to who the Cougars will become this season and in the years ahead. But, there's also hope that things will turnaround soon before long. They're searching for their identity and we could find out very early in the season who they are or it could be something we find out in the second half of the season.

The offense comes together and finds ways to score. Thomas is their lead running back and Fallon could be the quarterback the Cougars have been dreaming of for the last few seasons. The Cougars offensive line is their most wholesome strength and needs to make holes for Thomas and Jake Lupo.

Photos by:

SR. RB ROMEO THOMAS

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 57

Exploring Its Option R desired, Jackson Liberty has taken to one that might catch a few opponents

unning out of options to create the type of scoring and offensive rhythm

Head Coach:

by surprise, fittingly a vital element to its scheme.

Jim Sharples, 7th season

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Career Record: 20-40 Assist ant Coaches: Jeff Schmidt (Def. Coordinator/LB), Dan Gorzynski (Off. Coordinator/QB), Matt Schmidt (OL), Gerard O’Donnell (DB), Jimmy Lopez (DL), Matt Spader (WR), Steve Santos & Matt Fergusen (Freshmen), Chris Grande (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 3-7 (1-4 in Patriot Division) (L-R) JIMMY CELENTANO (24), JAKE BOSCO (12), GARRET BLASI (60

Offense: Pistol

Option

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Jake Bosco (Sr. QB) Bosco is no stranger when it comes to starting for the Lions. Where there is a sense of unfamiliarity rests with his new position. He embarks on his first season at quarterback and it won’t be easy. Bosco has to digest the nuances of a new offense installed but his athleticism, poise and elusiveness should make the transition a smooth ride.

X -FACTOR: Operating New Offense Jackson Liberty has installed the triple option under new offensive coordinator Dan Gorzynski, who comes in from South Brunswick, one of the premier football powerhouses in the Greater Middlesex Conference. The switch has stirred excitement around the Lions.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Jaden Lowe (Sr. LB) Lowe returns to the gridiron at Jackson Liberty after spending his freshman and sophomore years at St. John Vianney and not playing as a junior. An accomplished wrestler, Lowe will be a pleasant addition at the linebacker spot.

The Lions have scrapped their pro-style look in favor of the triple option, a move designed to inject some juice, spring runners loose and spin the scoreboard a bit more frequently. “There was a lack of production,” Jackson Liberty coach Jim Sharples said in regards to the change, one meant to dramatically increase the 9.1 points per game the Lions averaged a year ago when they went 3-7. “It wasn’t a bad offense. We just weren’t getting it done. We have a new offensive coordinator (Dan Gorzynski, who comes in from South Brunswick) and he’s a kid’s coach. He brings a lot of energy. He’s out there chest bumping kids and they are buying in.” Chest bumping could lead to some chests pumped a bit more proudly. Not only is the offense new, the guy who will run it is also a fresh face, at least in terms of the quarterback position. Senior Jake Bosco, a slot receiver and sticky defensive back last fall, steps into the pistol, determined to instill a positive vibe to balance a grinding defense that stamped those three wins last fall by recording a shutout in each. Players to Watch: Jake Bosco (Sr. QB 5-7, 160), Jimmy Celentano (Sr. RB) & Jaden Lowe (Sr. LB ) At ﬁrst glance, the Lions appear to have the right guy in place to make the triple option tick. Bosco has a low center of gravity, elusive moves and the art of deception pivotal to the offense down pat. The 57, 160-pound senior bounces off initial contact and conceals the football on the backﬁeld exchange to sell misdirection essential to putting a defense in a pure guessing mode. Bosco is an athlete with starting experience, having played receiver and defensive back in the past. His in-game experience, composure and slick moves should invigorate the offense. But, don’t forget his contributions on defense. Bosco is a wiley safety who makes smart reads and quick plays in the secondary. Celentano is reliable, pounding style is perfectly suited to gradually wear out a defennse with the threat of a long burst unfolding on any

AND L OGAN

GRIBIN (66)

Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat

9/13 9/20 9/28 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/2

Central 7pm TR East 7pm @Neptune 7pm Lakewood 7pm @Jackson Mem. 7pm Matawan 7pm @TR South 7pm @Colts Neck 12pm

touch. At full strength, Celentano (6-1, 210) is a priceless asset ready to give the option a signiﬁcant jolt. A defense that limited teams to a respectable 15.8 points a contest and has six returning starters in place gets some added muscle in the form of Lowe, an accomplished wrestler whose balance and willingness to engage contact will be a welcomed addition. “He’s a big, 220-pound guy who gets after people,” said Sharples. “We’re excited about him. He’s physical and strong. He might play a little A-back in the triple for us as well.” Opposing linebackers beware. This is not exactly the guy you want to see leading the way through a hole.

Jackson Liberty will be successful if…

Players Under the Radar: Logan Gribin (Sr. LG/DT) and Garret Blasi (Sr. RG/DT)

Bragging Rights

Gribin (6-0, 280) and Blasi (5-11, 265) are two of the four senior captains entrusted to set the terms for the Lions. Both embody the kind of tireless work ethic Sharples wants to become contagious staple throughout his cast. Their work on the interior of the offensive line is expected to graded some enticing running lanes teamed with a deep rotation that included tackles Massimo Bottino, Jon Recio, Sal Galina and Sal Pierro as well as centers Matt White and Jack Duke. Blasi and Gribin will join forces with Galina and fellow senior Mike Schone at the front of a 4-3 defense which is anticipated to be rather stout.

Area of Strength: Defense Sharples likes what he’s seen in the pre-season from a unified bunch that gets multiple hats to the ball and concedes very little for its effort. Junior outside linebackers Gian Labassi and Jon Recio will flank Celentano at the Mike with Lowe another force to be reckoned with. Seniors Davon Wabst and Cam Jones will make locking down the corners a priority with junior Javon Vilus and sophomore Aven Sanders adding quality depth. Bosco will pull double duty as the free safety and senior Jimmy Harley lurks at quality strong safety.

It can run the option effectively from the outset of the season. The offense is intricate, predicated on adequately disguising ball carriers, timing and synchronization from all 11 parts. Only a few years ago as a member of the B South, Liberty unfortunately got to see what the triple-option looks like when run at its maximum efﬁciency courtesy of Point Pleasant Boro. Now, the Lions would like nothing more to get a taste of the possible success that can reaped from it when operated properly. “We have to pick up this new offense and play good inside the tackle box,” Sharples said.”

After 10 painful years of bowing to crosstown rival Jackson Memorial in their annual showdown, the Lions ended the prolonged skid, stunning the Jaguars, 14-0, last season to pocket their ﬁrst win in the grudgematch series. Liberty will have the unique perspective of being the hunted when the two collide on Oct. 11.

Kicking legacy Sophomore Cooper Yorke has drawn attention in pre-season camp. A diverse game could land him playing time on both sides of the ball, responsibilities to join his primary role as the kicker. He follows in the footsteps of his brother Braden, who booted a number of game-winning ﬁeld goals in 2015 and Cooper has the makings of being equally clutch.

Passing Lane One of the subtle advantages to the option is how it subconciously lures defenders inside in anticipation of stopping the run. In turn, Liberty could ﬁnd the occasional deep ball a worthy element of surprise. Senior wide receivers Cam Jones and Davon Wabst are a pair of downﬁeld threats not to be slept on.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 13 vs. Central The Lions haven’t won a season opener since topping Wall, 21-6, in 2012. To say they’re anxious to break that trend would be an understatement and they get the opportunity to do so against the Golden Eagles at home.

Reboot Toward Glory

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Nof his primary principles and a pillar he’s cemented into his program. Forget excuses. No one wants to o one is a harsher critic of LJ Clark than the Lakewood coach himself. Accountability has long been one

Head Coach:

LJ Clark, 9th season Career Record: 39-43

hear them no matter how valid some may be. They’re a waste of time if they take up any that can be better spent devising answers to rectify problems.

Assist ant Coaches: Evan Baubles (Asst. Head Coach/Off. Coordinator/DL) Lewis Peccarelli (LB/RB), Bob Terrigno (FB/OLB), Ben Pivetz (WR/DB), Sam Iacobone (OL/DL), Tim Brown (Assistant Coach), Steve Forsyth (Assistant Coach)

2018 Record: 4-5 (3-3 in National Division)

( L - R ) Y AHMAL J OHNSON (3), H AAZIQ B ARKSDALE (2), E RIC T ORRES (8), TJ P ATURZO (6) AND F RANCISCO S ANTILLAN (1)

Andre Peace (So. SB/DB)

He takes last season’s 1-9 showing quite personal. You don’t even have to ask him about causes for a downfall, one that ended a string of three straight winning seasons. He freely laments how painful it was to endure as the overseer of his alma mater, how it hurt to watch his players to continue to work hard without fruits for their labor, because buried within the hardship was an impetus for a reboot. “I was embarrassed,” Clark conﬁded. “I felt like I let the kids down... a lot of poor leadership on my part. I’m driven to get them better prepared. I’m 100 percent behind my kids.” To be fair, it was a perfect storm that played a huge part in a fall from grace that snapped a string of three straight winning seasons. The Piners’ previous success earned them a jump in class, up to Constitution Division where it had to contend with bigger schools like Jackson Memorial, Southern, Lacey, Wall and Marlboro with far smaller numbers and few holdovers from the previously successful campaigns. The collection of playmakers Lakewood had at its disposal prior to ‘18 was vastly diminished, replaced with inexperience that got exposed despite a tireless effort to make due. While it was overwhelmed on some occasions, Lakewood held its own in others, falling to Lacey, 21-20, and Marlboro, 2214. The game action gained against stiff competition should serve it well as it joins the Freedom Division and prepares to clash with more comparable competition. The change in scenery coincides with a team that’s made progressive strides and returns 10 players with time logged as varsity starters. The combination could signal a swift turnaround back in the right direction for the Piners. “I keep telling them that they have a storybook ending if they want to write it,” shared Clark. “They can be the group that brings Lakewood back to the playoffs.”

Peace got a small taste of varsity time as a freshman. His work ethic, coupled with blistering speed, should make him an enticing target in the slot as well as an adhesive cover man in the defensive secondary.

Players to Watch: TJ Paturzo (Sr. QB 5-9, 190) Haaziq Barksdale (Jr. RB/DB 5-7, 170)

O ffense:

Multiple

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Yahmal Johnson (Sr. RB/LB) Man, does Johnson have a tough act to follow. He’ll be leaned upon to assume the double duties handled a year ago by standout Dante Morris. The 6-2, 200-pounder is geared for the responsibilities. Johnson will instill the physicality, speed and conditioning to haul the heavy burden of working two ways.

X -FACTOR:

Eric Torres (Sr. SB/SS) Torres is one of the few leftovers from 2017 cast that rebounded from a 1-4 start to carve a 6-5 mark and qualify for the South Jersey, Group 3 playoffs. His versatility, commitment to the program are values Lakewood hopes become infectious.

iMPACT NEWCOMER:

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 13 at Barnegat Once rivals in the B South, these two will renew acquaintances in a non-divisional matchup in Week 1. Lakewood holds the recent upper hand, winning the last three meetings by an average margin of 21.3 points. However, Barnegat comes off a 7-3 showing a year ago with plenty to be wary of from the Piners’ perspective. The effort - and not so much the result - could go a long way toward defining Lakewood.

With a full season of snaps under his belt engineering the offense as a junior, Paturzo is ready for a breakthrough senior year. He is more streamlined and comfortable working either under center or out of the pistol and has a ﬁrmer grasp of the concepts involved in running the offense. “People are going to be shocked at how athletic he is,” noted Clark. “He ﬁts our mold and has a chip on his shoulder. To compare Barksdale to his older brother, former Piner star Amir Tyler, is unfair and misses the point. Tyler boasted speed and power in a larger frame, while his younger sibling brings far different strengths to the equation. More of a scatback, Barksdale is elusive, slick at denying defenders ideal tackling angles. His fearless run style, decisiveness in open space and heady thinking should make him an attractive and often-sought piece of the offense puzzle.

“Amir wore a size 11 ½ while Haaziq is a 10 ½. So, he might not literally ﬁll those shoes but he has done everything possible to get better,” said Clark. “He’s a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, track) and he hasn’t missed a practice in any sport over the last two years. He and (sophomore) Andre Peace push each other and we need that.”

Players Under the Radar: Raymond Torres (Jr. OL/DL 6-0, 185), Francisco Santillan (Sr. RB/LB 6-1, 205), Yahmal Johnson (Sr. RB/LB 6-2, 200) Lakewood should be amply stocked on both sides of the line of scrimmage and Torres is a quiet reason why. Hard-nosed and willing to lock down whoever lines up across from him at right guard, he will be a driving force in what the offense looks to accomplish. His length and technique should also provide the Piners with some depth along the defensive front three. Santillan is ready to draw some serious attention. A tackling machine who covers ground in a hurry, Santillan will be the compass pointing his defensive cohorts straight to the football. He should also be a pivotal lead blocker at fullback. The Piners are excited about Johnson, who has the makings of being a two-way force. Fast and physical, Johnson plays with power and purpose in his dual assignments.

Top Unit: Offensive Line This crew is itching to overpower some folks up front. Senior left tackle Kevin Rybakowski (6-2, 295) and senior left guard Jadyin Overton (5-10, 295) can probably anticipate plenty of action unfolding behind them due to their lifting rituals. A couple of weight room warriors, each has deadlifted and back squatted over 500 pounds while enticing their pals on the line to pump iron as well. Torres, sophomore centers Jalen London (5-10, 225) and Lamir Clark (5-9, 225), the son of head coach LJ Clark, and junior right tackle Javon McDaniels (6-2, 250) will let opponents know where the beef resides for the Piners by striving to dictate the interior terms. Rybakowski, Overton and McDaniels are all returning starters, continuing a recent trend at Lakewood of molding uniﬁed offensive lines.

Lakewood will be successful if… If the team abides by the principles installed by Clark since he’s been at the helm. Certainly, winning is a desired outcome, something Lakewood grew accustomed to until a hiccup last fall. The 1-9 showing in ‘18 ended a run of three consecutive winning season and five in a stretch of six years. “We have good kids who work hard,” Clark said. “They weathered the storm last year and have a chip on their shoulder. I reminded them everyday that we were 1-9. I want to burn it into them. But, more importantly, if they do the right things off the field, it will happen on the field. I want to help make them good sons, good brothers and, someday, good fathers and good husbands.”

Fri 9/13 @Barnegat Fri 10/20 @Neptune Sat 9/28 Matawan Fri 10/4 @Jackson Lib. Sat 0/12 Colts Neck Fri 10/18 @Tr East Sat 11/2 Donovan Cath. Thur 11/28 Tr South

7pm 7pm 1pm 7pm 1pm 7pm 1pm 11am

Tracking the Piners Clark is a ﬁrm believer in the virtues of being well-rounded athletes, stressing to his players to pursue other sports beyond the gridiron. One of those alternatives is track, where Evan Baubles and Lew Peccarelli, assistants for football, oversee the indoor and outdoor programs. Guys like Yahmal Johnson, Andre Peace and Haaziq Barksdale utilize the opportunity to condition and compete away from football and return in the fall chiseled and ready for action in top form.

Air-Traffic Controllers Don’t overlook what the Piners have in the defensive secondary. Playmakers abound with Barksdale and Peace on the corners and Torres teammed with senior Rodney Wall (6-2, 175) at the safeties. All four can cover like a blanket and won’t balk at the chance to jump a route and take an interception the other way.

Sound nucleus Lakewood returns ﬁve starters on both sides of the ball and the numbers in the program aren’t bad, meaning it can operate with the luxury of subtle depth. Clark has tried to avoid employing too many key assets as two-way workers, designing rotations at spots like wide receiver, to keep the position fresh. Rodney Wall and fellow seniors Tymir Bergstrom (6-3, 175) and Sean Antoine (6-2, 200) plan to make the most of their height against smaller defenders on the perimeter. Junior newcomer Sykeer Powell (5-9, 155) should also challenge for time at both wide receiver and defensive back and could add some options besides Torres in the slot.

Rugged in the box Senior Camilo Reneteria (6-2, 260) and juniors Gustavo Saaverda (5-10, 195) and Angel Gonzalez (6-1,225) will comprise the odd front of the 3-4 with underrated senior Francisco Santillan (6-1, 205), Johnson and Bergstrom supplying linebacker support. As a whole, the group can quickly spill into gaps to deny inside pursuits while its collective quickness has designs on yielding little off the edges. They’ll leave their calling cards with a fast, bruising style..

A Century of Tradition In an era where traditional Thanksgiving Day games have gradually disappeared from the schedule, one has carried on and will celebrate a milestone. Lakewood hosts Toms River South in the 100th installment of their storied rivalry on Nov. 28 with the Piners attempting to chip away at the Indians’ 56-39-4 edge in the annual Turkey Day series.

Under New Management Head Coach:

Jay Graber, 1 season (10th overall) Career Record: 61-34 st

Fon a season under new management.

or only the third time in 36 years, Matawan will embark

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Mohammad El Sherbini (Def. Coordinator/LB/RB) Joe Goerge (OL/DB) Bob Wietecha (WR/DB) Scott Messler (DL/OL) Nick Christathakis (TE/FB/Freshmen) Zach Flaherty (Freshman/Varsity Assistant) Robert Cordasco (Varsity Assistant) Matt Goetz (Athletic Trainer)

Fri Fri Sat Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 1-8 (0-5 in the Patriot l Division)

(L-R) ZIARE WILLIAMS (11), BRANDON RODRGIUEZ (33), MARCANDREW GAGNERON (23) AND V INCE G UARINO (8) O ffense:

Multiple Pistol

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Dennis Buonagura (Sr. QB) Wanted: A well-rounded individual with the poise and athleticism to handle a no-huddle offense with only four returning starters involved. Found: Buonagura, who will meet the rigors of the role and could exceed expectations.

X -FACTOR:

Retention

A new coaching staff that is installing new formations can get overwhelming at times. A jailbreak blitz or empty backfield offense can have the same effect during a game. The Huskies can ease concerns by sticking to two more emphasized elements in the pre-season: discipline and consistency.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Head Coach Jay Graber After nine years at Allentown, where he crafted a 61-34 mark, posted seven winning seasons and steered the Redbirds to their first sectional title, Graber becomes only the third head coach at Matawan over the last 36 years,

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 6 vs. Raritan Matawan begins with back-to-back home games, the first against the Rockets, an always well-prepared outfit that pinned the Huskies with a 49-6 loss last season. The matchup should offer instant insight to how far Matawan has come.

Jay Graber, who crafted an impressive resume lifting Allentown from mediocrity to a sectional championship during his nine-year reign, assumes the the head coaching role. He replaces John Kaye, who followed the fruitful 28-year run of Joe Martucci that included five sectional titles, with seven seasons of his own, marked by a Central Jersey, Group 3 crown in 2014.

Dennis Buonagura (So. QB 5-10, 170)

Graber inherits one of the Shore’s crowned jewels that is rich in hallowed history, but seeks to bounce back from a 1-8 performance in '18. He has a playbook of wisdom to bestow with aims at adding new chapters to those Matawan annals. But, for the time being, getting acclimated to his new surroundings, new players and a new conference are priorities.

Brandon Rodriguez (Sr. OLB/FB 5-10, 190) and Vince Guarino (Sr. LB/TE 6-0, 210)

“This was a great opportunity to get into the Shore Conference and be a part of a tradition-laden program,” Graber said of his new home. “It’s been successful in the past and the kids have been great. They want to get better and it’s been a great experience so far.” Acquaintances made, Graber is already hard at work, setting an example for the Huskies to follow. He’s installed an uptempo pistol set on offense that, when it finds a rhythm, could give opponents fits as well as shortness of breath trying to keep pace. A 4-3 is the base of the defense that will illuminate how good Matawan is, especially at linebacker, where it’s fully stocked. PLayers to Watch: Ziare Williams (Sr. WR/CB 6-3, 200) The leading receiver for the Huskies as a junior (26 receptions for 290 yards, one TD), Williams is a natural playmaker. At 6-3, 200 pounds, he won’t be inﬂuenced off his routes by the simple jam of an undersized cornerback. Long and quick, his attributes will entice Matawan to look for him downﬁeld.

Perhaps no one in the program has worked more directly with Graber than Buonagura. He saw a handful of playing time as a freshman (7 of 14 passing for 94 yards in three appearances), yet that limited action gave him a taste of varsity. This year, he will be entrusted to digest all the intricacies of running multiple formations out of the pistol.

Guarino (64 tackles) and Rodriguez (42) were the top two tacklers for Matawan as juniors, a testament to their keen ball awareness and finishing upon arrival. They are two of the reasons why you could see a dramatic swing in how stingy the Huskies are on defense.

Player Under the Radar: Marcandrew Gagneron (Sr. RB/DB 5-9, 190) Gagneron is double casted and gets juicy parts on each side of the stage. His speed will serve him well in both regards. Once through a hole, he's a catch-me-if-you-can back who can accelerate and put distance between pursuers. Defensively, that quickness is equally useful in getting up toward the line of scrimmage in a hurry on run support. It also makes what appears to be open passes to opposing quarterbacks into nothng more than a mirage due to how rapidly he can close on a receiver. A difference maker.

Making an Impact Matawan will be asking for plenty of that from juniors Baldemar Rojas (6-1, 220) and Nick Glende (6-2, 240). Baldemar, the center, and Glende, who's spaced to his right at guard, are a pair of returning linemen who will guide their buddies up front on the proper way to practice and execute. Senior left tackle Lucas Gokson (6-2, 210) and junior left guard Matt Bauer (6-1, 220) will join them with seniors Theodore Conrad (6-2, 230) and Sam Onuoha (6-4, 250) competing with junior Suhaib Chaudhry (6-1, 190) at right tackle.

9/6 9/20 9/28 11/4 10/12 10/18 10/25 11/1

Raritan Colts Neck @Lakewood @Tr East Tr South @Jackson Lib. Shore @Neptune

7pm 7pm 1pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

Gap Stuffer The Huskies have to be excited about senior Vince Guarino (60, 210). When he's at inside linebacker don't blink because it's how quickly he stuffs a gap off the snap. His instincts are perfectly suited to the position, directing traffic in the center of the defense. He's relentless, productive and will get time at tight end on offense, most likely to spend a good deal of it delivering some crushing blocks.

Area of Strength: Linebackers At this point, it should go without saying. Guarino and Rodriguez are tackling machines who set the on-field standard for the speed and authority Matawan wants to play with on defense. But, don't let their work overshadow promising sophomore David Onuoha. The 6-2, 220-pounder is explosive coming off the edge and hunts from the weakside with the acceleration to catch running backs through his ceaseless backside pursuit.

Matawan will be successful if… It's patient. Graber's accomplishments at Allentown speak for themselves. Over nine years, he compiled a 61-34 record piloting the Redbirds. Not too shabby when measured against the grand total of 11 wins Allentown recorded over the previous seven years combined before his arrival. He teaches, inspires and elevates those around him.

Kicking Game The Huskies will count on the foot of junior Andrew Myerson. A year ago, he converted 13 of 15 PATs and booted a 37-yard field goal. He will also handle punts.

Crunching the Numbers Of the 43 teams in the Shore Conference, Matawan finished 39th in points scored (12.0 ppg.) and 41st in points allowed (35.1 ppg.), a toxic combination. A sign of strides made this fall will be raise the former and shrink the latter.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 61

Back to Its Roots

By: Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Tafter the job opened up without a lot of time before the start of the 2017 season. As a result, Holman found wo years ago, Tarig Holman took over a Neptune football program that was in desperate need of stability

Head Coach:

Tarig Holman, 3rd season Career Record: 31-29 Assist ant Coaches:

Justin Cella (QB/Off. Coordinator) Noel Kavanaugh (DB/Def. Coordinator) Jarrett Sanderson (Special Teams) Derrick Eatman (Assistant), Shane Bigelow (Assistant), Brandon Settles (Assistant), Dennis Hubbard (Assistant)

himself doing just about everything as far as coaching duties – calling plays on offense and defense, teaching fundamentals and trying to keep the players in the program engaged through a difficult season. Last year marked a step in the right direction for Neptune, which reached the .500 mark by winning its final three games of the season against Toms River South, Freehold Township and Asbury Park. The improvement was not enough to land the Scarlet Fliers in the NJSIAA Playoffs, which gives this year’s team a defined goal that should be both within reach and would signify a big step for the program.

2018 Record: 5-5 (3-3 in Liberty Division)

“It’s baby steps when you are trying to build a program but you can see the changing of the mentality and changing of the football culture,” Holman said. “It’s good to see. We have a revamped coaching staff too so I can focus on some other things. My first year here, I was calling the offense, the defense and the special teams and now I can sit back, I can see more things and get a different perspective.”

O ffense:

This year’s schedule should be conducive to adding some wins for Neptune at which point it will just be a matter of piling enough power points to qualify for the Central Group IV bracket. By the same token, The Fliers is trying to replace an entire defense, as well as a crop of playmakers on offense.

Mysonn Ledet (Assistant), Netanis Bean (Assistant) Ron Puryear (Scout) , William Gizzi (Equipment Manager)

Spread

D efense:

3-3 Stack _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Junior Haughton (Jr., RB/LB) Haughton transferred from Asbury Park and has impressed Holman and his staff early with his hard-nosed nature, both running the ball between the tackles and hunting the ball on the defensive side. He will have to keep up that energy as Neptune attempts to replace an entire defense, which was led by All-Shore linebacker Najiere Hutchinson. Although Haughton doesn’t have the size that jumps out on film like Hutchinson did at the high school level, he is exactly the kind of tough-minded player that any coach would want running the ball or stopping the ball.

Holman is confident there is enough talent in place to keep the program heading in the right direction. No longer is he calling every play in the game and with new offensive (Justin Cella) and defensive (Noel Kavanaugh) coordinators leading a revamped coaching staff, Neptune will attempt to further establish its identity in 2019.

Player to Watch: Jalin Butler (So., QB/DB, 6-2, 190)

X -FACTOR: Inexperience

Although he has not played a varsity snap, Butler is a standout player on the ﬁeld. He is pushing returning quarterback Nino Bua for time as signal-caller and, one way or another, will occupy one of the starting safety spots.

The wide receivers will be a particularly interesting group if two or three playmakers can emerge from the bunch. Gross, a senior who has not played football since his freshman year, has been a popular target for Butler and Bua during the preseason and could emerge as a standout with some consistency.

Butler is only a sophomore but he is showing his coaching staff he has the instincts and work ethic to be a leader on a Neptune team that has a good amount of seniors and juniors but still lacks a considerable amount of varsity experience.

Neptune has very little varsity game experience on its roster and yet, there is very little talk of this being a rebuilding year. Holman expects his players to learn the system under new coordinators Justin Cella (offense) and Noel Kavanaugh (defense) and with the overall team speed Neptune possesses, good things could very well happen.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: William Harris (Sr., LB/RB) Harris is a Neptune native who has lived in Maryland for the first three years of his high-school career. The six-foot, 220-pound senior returns to his roots this year as a bruising middle linebacker and running back who will make an instant impact on the Scarlet Fliers when he becomes eligible after sitting the required 30 days.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 7 at Long Branch

For a team with a lot of new starters, Neptune did not get any favors from the schedule-makers. The Scarlet Fliers open their season with defending Central Jersey Group IV Long Branch on the road, but it does let up considerably after that. A road showdown at Ocean the following week will not be easy but starting with that game against the Spartans, Neptune finishes its regular-season schedule with eight straight games against teams that finished with a losing record last year.

Player Under the Radar: Justin Bennett (Sr., OL/DL, 6-2, 255) On a team lacking experience, Bennett and junior teammate Isaiah Leeks are the lone three-year starters – Bennett at center, Leeks at running back. Of the two, Bennett has the more thankless job, but it will be as important a job as any within Neptune’s offense this season. The senior can also provide some depth on the defensive line as well, where the Scarlet Fliers should also be solid.

Top Unit: The line With Bennett and senior left tackle Jeremy VanMeter (6-2, 345) back, the offensive line has two bruisers to clear the way for its deep stable of backs and give time to Bua and Butler to find the open man. Junior Isaias Thomas-Palafox brings size and athleticism to the right guard position at 6-3, 255 pounds. Seniors Jaheim Copeland and Henry Watkins round out the starting line – Copeland at left guard and Watkins at right tackle. “I think it always starts up front and that’s when I’m most excited about,” Holman said. “We’ve got Justin coming back. Justin is going to his third year as a starter at center. Jeremy VanMeter started last year too so I’m excited what we can do up front.”

Neptune will be successful if… The defense gels. Holman and his staff did a fine job crafting a defense last season and this year will present and even greater challenge based on the lack of experience on that side of the ball. There is considerable speed and ability on the roster to put together another strong defensive showing.

Sat Fri Fri Sat Sat Fri Sat Fri Thur

9/7 9/13 9/20 9/28 10/12 10/18 10/26 11/1 11/28

The Fliers have lots of options at running back and receiver and that depth should manifest itself by spilling into the defensive depth chart. Willie Gross, Khalil Garrett-Dogan, Zahier Carter and Kelly Beaubrun are all set to contribute on both sides of the ball as receivers and cornerbacks while Junior Haughton and transfer William Harris will double as running backs and linebackers. Sophomores Rasun Banks and Malik Fields are also promising prospects at both defensive end and tight end, with Fields bringing noteworthy size (6-6, 220) to both spots. “We have a lot of young guys on defense so we really have to focus on the defense and coming together as a unit because we lost a lot of guys over there,” Holman said.

“He is a different kind of kid,” Holman said. “He wants to be on the field at all times, he doesn’t care what his job is. He works on and off the field. He is first one out here and the last one to leave. He wants to put it all on his shoulders and that’s what is good to see out of him. His future is pretty bright.”

( L - R ) K H A L I L G A R R E T T -D O G A N (8), W I L L I E G R O S S (9), W I L L I A M H A R R I S (1), J E R E M Y V A N M E T E R (51)

1pm @Long Branch 7pm @Ocean 7pm Lakewood 7pm Jackson Lib. 1pm Tr East 7pm @Tr South 12pm @Colts Neck 7pm Matawan @Asbury Park 10:30am

AND

J U S T I N B E N N E T T (56)

Being

The

Underdogs

TSandberg enters his fourth season as head coach at Toms River East, he's encouraged by the

he rebuilding process for any team takes a long time to turn things around and as Kyle

Head Coach:

Kyle Sandberg, 4th season Career Record: 5-24

progress he has seen on the field and is expecting more out of his players in 2019.

By: Vin Ebenau ssn contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Joe Arminio Jr. Vinnie Arminio Dan Cicala Tony Durkin Frank Giannetti Matt Madeo Jake McCartney (Athletic Trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 3-6

Offense: 2

Back Pistol

Defense: Multiple

_______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Vinny Cresho (Sr. DL 6-3, 295) The senior lineman has some of the most size on the team and gives the Raiders muscle, timely considering they bid farewell to Liam Meakem, who played in the Shore Sports Network All-Shore Gridiron Classic. Cresho will have to be a leader on the D-Line in order for the Raiders defense to receive a boost in an area where they've struggled the last few seasons.

X -FACTOR:

The Skill Players

These players will have to fuel the Raiders on their backs in order for the team to be successful and win more games this season. This is one of the premier strengths and will be leaned upon as a key for East to succeed. "We have a lot of experience in the skill positions and we're pretty excited about that heading into this season," Sandberg said.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Justin Tucker (Sr. OL/DL 6'4, 240) While the Raiders return a lot of their players from last season, there are still holes to fill by guys counted on to open some. The line has been a point of emphasis with the intent to elevate the presence in the trenches. Tucker is a newcomer who could have a big impact on both sides of the ball for a maturing line.

PIVOTAL GAME: October 4 vs. Matawan The Raiders are poised to make a run inside the Freedom Division and are buying into the underdog perception of their squad. The Matawan game falls in the mid-point of the season after divisional matchups against Toms River South, Jackson Liberty and Colts Neck. If they start off as well as projected, this game may play a determining factor in the hunt for a division title.

( L - R ) Y U S U F A H M E D (4), F R A N K I E G I A N N E T T I (44), M I K E G O O D A L L (7), A N T H O N Y K O N T O G I A N N I S (43) A N D A L E X S M I T H (24) "We want to compete and I think we've done that in the past three seasons and now we're trying to improve on what we did last year. We've gotten better every year and this year we want to finish and get more wins," Sandberg said. "We have to be more physical and I think it's a culture thing and I think we're building on that." The Shore Conference Executive Committee's realignment in the offseason to move 25 of the 43 teams into new divisions is now bulletin board material for the struggling Raiders, who haven't been able to finish games. "We've been building. We're trying to get it done this year and make a statement to the Shore Conference," Sandberg said. "I think that if our kids want to get back to those divisions like Class A South where we're playing teams like Brick, my message to them is to win. We have to do better and we have to be respected more. If you want to be in those big divisions then you have to win more games."

Player to Watch: Frankie Giannetti (Sr. FB/MLB 5'10, 200) This senior has been one of the heart and soul members of the Raiders the last few seasons because of his work ethic, the way he carries himself and the smash 'emcrash 'em style of play. He's one of the Raiders lead running backs and will have to have a gaudy season to guide East to a winning one. "He's been an anchor for us the last couple of years and had a great junior season for us but now we need him to take it to another level," Sandberg said.

Player Under the Radar: Yusuf Ahmed (Jr. RB/DB 6'0, 195) The Raiders are a team with speed and quickness and while they've struggled to put enough points on the board, the strength of their offense is in the running game. Ahmed joined the team during his

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@Howell 6:30pm Tr South 7pm @Jackson Lib. 7pm @Colts Neck 12pm Matawan 7pm @Neptune 1pm Lakewood 7pm @Tr North 7pm Lacey 7pm

sophomore season, playing primarily defense, but in 2019, he's playing both ways. "He's really panned out, he's worked very hard in the offseason and we're excited about him," Sandberg said.

Area of Strength: Running Backs The running game has been historically strong for East, which has featured premier players like Kevin Davis and Nico Steriti. Over the last couple seasons, the Raiders have found the most success in the running game with players like Giannetti and fellow senior Alex Smith. There's speed and quickness in the backfield and it's a big reason the Raiders are able to put points on the scoreboard.

Toms River East will be successful ifâ&#x20AC;Ś The skill players exceed expectations. The Raiders lack size on both sides of the line and are bolstered by their skill players. If the Raiders are truly ready to rip

off the underdog label and enhance the perception of their team, they must run the ball well, catch the ball well and limit any opposing player from getting by their secondary, which needs to increase speed and improve reads, especially late in games.

Being The Underdog The Raiders shift to the Freedom Division eager to change other's views. There's a chip firmly on the shoulder of every coach and player, chomping to put together a campaign that would vault them upwards. All that's necessary is confirm their improvement against the schedule. And, a strong showing against non-division opponents like Howell in Week 1 wouldn't hurt the cause.

Tap Experience East has plenty of it. There are nine returning starters back on each side of the ball.

Weather the seas The Raiders have been sailing through troubling waters for the last several years battling the Kraken (the top tier Shore Conference teams), which has put a crimp in finding consistent winning tides. They toiled to turn that around, yet the Kraken remains stronger. For the Raiders to be attain what they desire, they need to lift more, read better on defense and focus on the game at hand. If the product improves, the victories will come and the Kraken will be a threat no more.

SR. FB FRANKIE GIANNETTI

Will

Youth

Served?

Iwould have to go back to 2013 when, led by current Monmouth University

t’s been a while since Toms River South experienced a winning season. You

Head Coach:

Ron Signorino Jr., 9 season Career Record: 32-50 th

Assist ant Coaches:

By:

Kevin Williams SSN director

standout Tymere Berry, the Indians went 8-3 and came close to playing for an NJSIAA sectional title. A pair of 5-5 seasons followed, but over the last three years, one of the Shore’s legendary programs has won just seven of 31 games.

Matt Martin (Def. coord. /DB), Kyle Austin (OL), Joe Kelly (LB), Bill Malast (OL) , Jim Drackowitz (DL) ,

Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Thur

RJ D’Anton (DB), Brian Elias (WR), Ricky Maldonado (RB), Dennis Tobin (Special Teams/SB), Ron Signorino, Sr. (RB), Dave Fanslau (freshmen) Brett Hardie (freshmen), Trevor Signorino (freshmen), Joey Meyers (freshmen), Dan Crashewsky (athletic trainer).

2018 Record: 3-8 (0-5 in Freedom Division)

O ffense: D efense:

Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

The A-Back is a featured position in the flexbone and Rose will have to fill the void left by the graduated Sam Akinlolu, who was a tough, hard-nosed performer. Described as a fire plug who always goes 100 miles per hour, he will need to find running room in the middle to open things up for Huber and the rest of the offense.

X -FACTOR:

Rob Marro, Sr. WR/CB Up to this point, Marro’s contributions to the Indians have come on the basketball court but that could all change this fall. At 6-2 his jumping ability and athleticism could be a big boost to the passing game while on the other side of the ball he will challenge opposing wide receivers.

iMPACT NEWCOMERs: Jeremy Rose, Sr., RB, Rob Marro, Sr., WR/CB, and Devin Porsch, RB/LB As previously referenced, all three players will step into starting roles and be counted on to be difference-makers

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 13 vs. Toms River East You don’t want to make too much of a season-opener but this could be the key game for both teams. The Indians have not won an opener since 2015, and in the rival Raiders find a team very similar to them. East had lost six straight crosstown meetings until last season when they beat South 35-24 in Week 3. While this is the opener for Toms River South it will be the second game for Toms River East, and the winner will likely feel like better times are coming. An Indians victory could be the spark they need to turn things around.

@Tr East Manchester Colts Neck @Matawan Neptune Jackson Lib. @Tr North @Lakewood

7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 11am

ones they should be able to compete in while allowing their young players to gain experience, especially on defense where nine seniors graduated from a group that gave up 30 points per game.

Flexbone

Jeremy Rose, Sr., RB

9/13 9/20 10/4 10/12 10/18 10/25 11/1 11/28

( L - R ) T R A V I S S Q U I R E (5), J O S H U A O D E B O D E (35), J A C K H U B E R (7), T Y L E R M A D E O (2) A N D S H A N E W A T K I N S (67) Ninth-year head coach Ron Signorino, Jr. hopes the experience many young players picked up last season combined with a more friendly schedule will result in the more frequent ringing of the Detweiler Victory Bell at South home games. South will still be young again this season with the majority of its 70-man roster made up of juniors and sophomore who were part of two straight strong freshman teams. Despite being smaller in numbers, the senior class has picked up a trio of players who had not played football before and overall the feeling is this will be the most athletic squad the Indians have fielded in years.

However, what pleases Signorino most is the approach the group has taken to the upcoming season. “This team has been phenomenal with their attendance and their effort,” Signorino said. “I really like this team. They compete in practice ever y day and are giving great effort.” The Indians were at times overmatched in the Freedom Division last season but gone are state champions Red Bank Catholic and Long Branch along with Ocean and Red Bank Regional. They’ve been replaced by Colts Neck, Jackson Liberty, Matawan, and Neptune and the non-division games are

Player to Watch: Jack Huber, Jr., QB The Indians had high hopes that Huber (6-foot3, 175), who played as a freshman, would have a breakout sophomore season but he was lost to a shoulder injury in Week 6. Even before that, he spent way too much time licking his wounds from hits while running the flexbone attack. He will be counted on to both run and pass while also providing leadership, something the honor roll student has picked up quite nicely heading into his junior season. Signorino has total confidence that Huber is the ideal player to take control of an offense that was shut out three times in 2018 and averaged only 7.5 points per game before scoring 59 in a Thanksgiving Day win over Lakewood. “He’s had a great camp and in our offense, the quarterback is 50% of what you need,” Signorino said. “He’s the right guy to run it.”

Player Under the Radar: Travis Squire, Jr. RB/FS

New Faces on the Defense

Following a solid sophomore season, it would be hard to say that Squire is a virtual unknown, but if Signorino has his way every opponent will be well aware of his talents this fall. On offense, he will line up as the slot back and certainly get his share of touches. On defense he will be the free safety and likely be all over the field, making tackles at the line of scrimmage and breaking up passes in the secondary. Don’t be surprised if Squire is the team leader in multiple categories on both sides of the ball.

Squire and junior linebacker Gerry Ferrigno (6-foot-, 205) are the only starters who return and the group that starts the season opener will be young and inexperienced. Rose and Porsch, who are running backs on offense, will likely line up as defensive ends with sophomore Isaiah McGelrath (6-foot, 255) in the middle of the line. Senior Josh Odebode, junior Aaron Height and sophomore Wyatt Sterberg all figure to contribute at linebacker with junior Anthony Jonin and sophomore Devin Raevis joining Marro and Squire in the secondary.

Top Unit:Offensive skill players

Will Detweiler Rock This Fall?

Huber and Squire will have plenty of help when it comes to playmakers on offense. In the flexbone, the A-Back is an important position and the coaching staff is high on senior Jeremy Rose (5-foot-10, 190) who is one of the three upperclassmen who did not play football last year. Another newcomer is slot back Devin Porsch (6-foot, 220) and the third is Rob Marro (6foot-2, 190) who should help at both wide receiver and cornerback. Seniors Tyler Madeo (6foot-1) and Julian Sorrell (5-foot-10) will join Marro as the primary wide receivers.

In any discussion of the best home-field atmospheres, Toms River South’s venerable Detweiler Stadium deser ves to be in the argument. Even when the Indians struggle on the field they shine in the stands thanks to a student body that buys into the tradition, alumni who still know the words to Old Indian Tom, and those who love to talk about the days when Toms River had only one high school. The complex will even look better this season thanks to the addition of a badly needed new turf surface which was installed over the summer at not only South but the other two high schools in the district. In addition, the stadium features the biggest and best press box of any school in the Shore Conference, one that more closely resembles a college than a high school.

Toms River South will be successful if… The offensive line gels sooner than later. It was a brand-new group a year ago that struggled and there will be plenty of new faces this season, as well. Shane Watkins, a 6-foot-1, 240pound junior and Jordan McCormack, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound senior are back and will likely be joined by two other seniors who saw considerable action in Matt Salmons (6-foot-1, 235) and Ben Scrudato (6-foot-1, 215). Sophomore Josue Tecalero (5-foot-11, 200) could also earn a starting spot on a unit that needs to come together quickly.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 67

By: Kevin Ssn director

Williams

Looking

Fly

High

WFumando said going into the 2018 season he was not considering it to be a rebuilding one as the hile they lost considerable talent from consecutive seven-win teams Central Regional head coach Justin

Head Coach:

Justin Fumando, 4th season Career Record: 17-12

foundation for success on a yearly basis had been built.

Assist ant Coaches: Jarrett Pidgeon (Def. Coordinator, ILB) James Plummer (OLB), Terrance Hardy (Special Teams, DB) Will Wowkanyn (DL), Tommy Koenig (WR), Nico Steriti (RB), Gary Beddoe (OL), Frank Papalia (TE), Pat Reilly (Director of Operations) Walter Karasiewicz (Head Freshman) Frank Backle (Asst. Freshman)

Fri 9/13 @Jackson Lib. 7pm Fri 9/20 @Lacey 6:30pm Fri 9/27 Donovan Cath. 7pm Sat 10/5 @Manasquan 2pm Fri 10/11 Holmdel 7pm Fri 10/18 Red Bank 7pm Sat 10/26 @Marlboro 2pm Fri 11/1 Southern 7pm

2018 Record: 3-7 (0-5 in American Division)

O ffense:

Pro- I

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Jared Harris (Sr., WR, 5-11, 165) Those shoes belong to the aforementioned Darius Martorano, who caught 42 passes for 670 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Harris, who did not play as a junior, could be the addition to the receiving corps that helps make up for that loss. He has big-play ability and will be someone that Whelan looks for when that big play is needed.

X -FACTOR:

Young Guys Developing Central’s senior class is by far the smallest group of varsity players so how quickly the underclassmen develop will likely be the key to the season. This is especially true on defense where they could start as many as nine juniors and sophomores.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Anthony Musso (So., FB/DL, 6-1, 210) There are so many young players it’s hard to cite just one but Musso is a player who might help on both sides of the ball. Look for him to line up in the backﬁeld as a fullback and add depth to the defensive line.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 at Lacey These two former Thanksgiving Day rivals have not played since 2011 and for years Lacey dominated the series. Now they are back in the same division (Liberty) and this one should have a lot of juice to it, especially because this is the ﬁrst season with lights on the Lions’ ﬁeld. With matchups against Donovan Catholic and Manasquan to follow getting a win here could be a must if Central is to have a successful season

However, a pair of close early-season losses sent the Golden Eagles on a spiral downward, and after an 0-6 start, it was fair to wonder if they would even win a game. They did. As a matter of fact, Central closed with a flourish winning three of their last four games and hopefully building momentum heading into this season. There will be plenty of new faces at Joseph J. Boyd Memorial Field and the future looks bright for a program that has added numbers in recent years. Of the 70 to 75 or so varsity players only about a dozen are seniors. Large sophomore and junior classes should pay dividends, hopefully starting this season. Throw in 30-plus freshmen and Fumando said they have added about 35 players to the program since he arrived in Bayville. In looking back at last season’s tough times the always-optimistic coach found a silver lining. “Maybe we took it on the chin last year but we lettered 20 sophomores and now we have

20 juniors with varsity experience,” Fumando said. Fumando is an old-school coach when it comes to his philosophy on both sides of the ball. He’ll be calling the offense this year for the first time and will stick with what he knows best and that is running the ball. Central will line up in a Pro-I and is very deep in options when it comes to who will carr y the ball. Senior Landon Richardson (5-9, 185) has plenty of experience at the tailback position and Fumando said he has had a great preseason. He led the ground attack in 2018 with 394 yards but averaged just 3.5 yards per carr y with no touchdowns. Richardson will be joined in the backfield by the versatile Danny Taris (Jr, 5-11, 205) and Nick Sura (Jr, 6-0, 180). Keep an eye on sophomore fullback Anthony Musso (6-1, 210), as well. That backfield depth should take pressure off senior quarterback Gavin Whelan (5-8, 170) who had an up-and-down junior season but has emerged as a dependable leader and will be counted on heavily.

While the switch to the Liberty Division means teams like Toms River North, Middletown South and Manalapan are off the schedule, Fumando says the new alignment still offers a challenging division slate with opponents like Donovan Catholic and Manasquan. Old rival Lacey is also back on the schedule for the first time since 2011. However, he points to just one game and that’s their season opener on September 13 when Central visits Jackson Liberty in a game that could set the tone for both teams.

Players to Watch: Gavin Whelan (Sr., QB) and Danny Taris (Jr., RB/FB/TE/DL) These two are selected for very different reasons. Whelan is a senior leader on what is generally a young team. He has been part of the program since Fumando took over as head coach and he needs to be that guy on the field who can keep things together. While Central will rely on the running game, Whelan also needs to be a consistent passer who can make the big throw. Most of his passing stats last year (1,090 yards, 12 TDs) came as a result of All-Shore wide

receiver Darius Martorano, who has since graduated. Taris has been a varsity player since his freshman year when he started out primarily as a tight end. He will now contribute at multiple positions and will be counted on to contribute on both sides of the ball.

Player Under the Radar: Imeer Johnson (Jr., OLB, 6-3, 205) Johnson is a key part of what might be Central’s best position group. He will line up on the outside and is fast enough to keep runners from turning the corner and big enough to fight off blockers and get to the quarterback. He could make a big impact on a defense that gave up 40 points or more four times last season.

290) will be counted on to provide stability and leadership to the unit this fall. If they can run the ball consistently Central could be a much-improved team in 2019.

Golden Eagle Notebook How do you replace the graduated Darius Martorano, who was among the Shore’s best receivers and defensive backs? You don’t, but on offense, the coaching staff is expecting a collective effort from Michael Prasad (Jr., 6-2, 180), Shane Sajewicz (So., 5-10, 170) and tight end Conor Sheppard (Jr., 6-2, 220). On defense look for Colin Steimle (So., 5-10, 160) and Giovanni LiBassi (Jr., 6-0, 170) to hold down the corner spots with Sura and sophomore Danny Morris (5-10, 155) at safety. Fumando went out of his way to sing the praises of Sura, Nemeth, and Rahtjen for not only being standouts on the field but in the classroom. All three sport a 4.0 GPA and their academic talents will certainly help when it comes to college options.

Best Unit: Linebackers Fumando and defensive coordinator Jarrett Pidgeon have set a high bar for this group to anchor the defense. In addition to Johnson there are seniors Gunnar Nemeth (63, 205) and Nick Caruti (5-10, 190) along with junior Vinni Dallicardillo (5-10, 185) forming a solid foursome. Sophomore Evan Horgan (5-10, 170) could provide some depth in the middle.

Central’s coaching staff this year includes a pair of newcomers who made their mark as players during their high school days in Ocean County. Nico Steriti (running backs) was a standout at Toms River East before rushing for nearly 3,000 yards and 34 touchdowns at the University of New Hampshire. Will Wowkanyn (defensive line) terrorized players as a defensive end at Brick Memorial and was named Shore Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He went to play at Santa Rosa Junior College before finishing at Lamar University.

Central will be successful if… Last season the Golden Eagles broke in a relatively new group of offensive lineman and it led to struggles early as Central averaged just 7.5 points per game in their first six games. Things got better after that and senior center Hunter Dasti (6-3, 230) and tackle Pete Rahtjen (6-4,

The 37-year old Fumando is a coach who has embraced the positive aspects of social media. He uses it to communicate with his players and his Twitter account keeps college coaches informed as to the progress of players which he says has helped with recruitment.

S R . QB G A V I N W H E L A N

The

Fruits

Labor

Ecoordinator Chip LaBarca Jr. to guide a young and talented roster, the question has been ver since head coach Dan Curcione arrived at Donovan Catholic along with offensive

Head Coach:

Dan Curcione, 3 season (6th overall) Career Record: 28-24 rd

By:

when, not if, the Griffins would become a top-flight team in the Shore Conference.

Bob Badders managing editor

Assist ant Coaches: Chip LaBarca Jr. (off. coord.), Jack Nascimento (QB), Dean Helstowski (RB), Jon Power (OL/DL), Sean McPherson (DB), Ryan Wells (OLB), Dean Helstowski Jr. (volunteer asst.), Mike Heilala, Eric Bruno (freshmen), Mark Deppen (strength & conditioning), Bob DeStefano (athletic trainer)

Fri 9/6 Linden Fri 9/13 Point Boro Fri 9/20 @Holmdel Fri 9/27 @Central Fri 10/4 @Red Bank Fri 10/11 Manasquan Fri 10/18 Lacey Fri 10/25 RBC Sat 11/2 @Lakewood

2018 Record: 7-3 (5-1 in National Division)

(L-R) TOM BUXTON (71), ELIO SIRAGUSA (55), NASIR CALHOUN (6), RYAN CLARK (2), JARED HELSTOWSKI (21) AND CHRIS ALDRICH (33) O ffense:

Spread

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Nico Ippolito, So., DT Considering Donovan only graduated two senior starters there aren’t many shoes to fill. Nick Kenmure was an AllDivision defensive lineman last season and Ippolito and his 6-foot-3, 335-pound frame will jump into the group up front.

X -FACTOR: Andre Laney, Sr., WR/DB Laney had a breakout year as a sophomore when he was third in the conference in receiving yards. He played in just four games last year and recorded just 10 catches for 190 yards and one touchdown. If he is back playing at the level he did two years ago, he and Clark will be among the most dynamic quarterback-receiver duos in the Shore.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Caron McNair, So., OL/DL The younger McNair is only slightly smaller than his brother, checking in at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds. He’ll start along the offensive and add some heft to a group that was already imposing.

PIVOTAL GAME: Oct. 25 vs. Red Bank Catholic When the reigning Non-Public Group 3 champion Caseys come to Toms River in Week 7 there won’t be any kind of championship on the line, but for a team eager to prove itself, RBC will be the measuring stick. It’s not hyperbole to suggest this could be the biggest game in program history.

At first, the gains were both modest and significant as Donovan rose from the ashes of an 0-10 season in 2016 to go 4-6 in Curcione’s first year. Then last year with almost the entire team returning, Donovan went 73 and came within one game of a division title. In 2019 the Griffins will have the most returning starters of any team in the Shore – 10 on both offense and defense – as they aim to take another major step up the Shore Conference hierarchy. Donovan’s spread offense is led by one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Shore in senior Ryan Clark, who was a Third Team All-Shore selection last season. Seniors Nasir Calhoun and Damian Johnson and junior Jahdir Loftland all return in the backfield after seeing varying levels of playing time last season. Senior Andre Laney was one of the leading receivers in the Shore as a sophomore and is back after playing in only a few games last season. Speedster James Bivins also returns at wide receiver with junior Ethan Capone and sophomore Levi Wilkins at tight end. Four starters return on the offensive line with FBS recruit Cam McNair (Jr., 6-5, 320) at left tackle, senior Elio Siragusa (5-11, 220) at center, sophomore Dominick Brogna (6-1, 265) at right guard and senior Tom Buxton (6-3, 305), a Third Team All-Shore pick last fall, at right tackle. The newcomer is sophomore Caron McNair (6-3, 265) at left guard. The Griffins’ 3-4 defense has McNair and giant sophomore Nico Ippolito (6-3, 335) at defensive tackle with Brogna and senior Chris Aldrich (6-3, 205) as defensive ends. A great linebacking corps features juniors Quamire Green (5-11, 215) and Dominick Nocero (5-11, 215) at inside linebacker and Loftland and senior Xavier Ellis (6-3, 235) at outside linebacker. In the secondary, Bivins and Laney are the cornerbacks with senior Jared Helstowski as the strong safety and junior John Schlendorf as the free safety. Senior Keaon Torres returns as the kicker after converting 32 of 37 extra points and kicking two field goals last season. Clearly the ingredients are there for Donovan to have one of the best seasons in program history. The schedule is also more challenging for the Griffins this season, which has been something they’ve been looking forward

to. After playing in the small-school National Division last season, Donovan will jump up to the Liberty Division. Instead of playing the likes of Point Beach, Keansburg, Keyport, and Asbury Park, they’ll now face Central Regional, Holmdel, Lacey, Manasquan and Red Bank in division contests. Outside of the division, the Griffins will face Linden, Point Boro, Lakewood, and top-ranked Red Bank Catholic. “We play a much more challenging schedule than last year and we are looking forward to it,” Curcione said. “To be considered one of the best you have to beat the best programs.”

Players to Watch: Ryan Clark, Sr., QB When Donovan Catholic takes the field against Linden on Sept. 6, Clark will begin his fourth year as the Griffins’ starting quarterback, a rare feat at any program. Last season, Clark threw for 1,013 yards and nine touchdowns and ran for 653 yards and 14 touchdowns en route to earning Third Team All-Shore status. Clark has offers from UMass and Monmouth and interest from several other FCS programs.

Cam McNair, Jr., OL/DL McNair is a massive individual at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds who will be a load to handle on both sides of the ball. He has the ability to dominate in the trenches on the offensive line and wreck an opponents’ running game from his spot at defensive tackle. McNair already has scholarship offers from West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Rutgers, and only figures to get more interest as he improves over the next two years.

Players Under the Radar: Xavier Ellis, Sr., OLB Ellis had a very good junior year with 63 tackles, a team-high 15 tackles for loss and a team-best five sacks for a defense that allowed 13.5 points per game, which was a dramatic improvement over the prior season. At 6-foot-3 and 235 points, Ellis has the potential to terrorize opposing offenses as one of the best edge rushers in the Shore.

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James Bivins, Jr., WR/DB If his track numbers are any indicator, Bivins (5-9, 175) may very well be the fastest football player in the Shore Conference. After catching 10 passes for 107 yard and three touchdowns and rushing for 218 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore, Bivins had a monster outdoor track season by winning county and state sectional 100-meter titles and finishing third at the Meet of Champions. If Bivins gets a step on a defender, he’s gone, and with several other talented skill players that opposing defenses need to worry about, Bivins should get his share of chances at making big plays.

Best Unit: Offensive line You could really take your pick here and make an argument for any position group. We’ll highlight the offensive line, which has four of five starters back and boasts some serious size across the board. With Cam McNair at left tackle, Caron McNair at left guard, Siragusa at center, Brogna at right guard, Buxton at right tackle, Donovan Catholic averages 6-foot-2 and 275 pounds along the offensive line. Add in Capone (6-1, 215) and Wilkins (6-3, 215) at tight end and you have a group that has the potential to dominate the trenches on a weekly basis.

Top Unit Part 2: Linebackers All four linebackers return for the Griffins with Green and Nocero on the inside and Ellis and Loftland on the outside. Nocero led the Griffins with 97 tackles last season while Green made 91 stops. Ellis led the team in tackles for loss (15) and sacks (5) while Loftland had 49 tackles and one sack.

Donovan Catholic will be successful if… …It plays to its potential and raises its level of play against its best opponents. The Griffins are talented and experienced with a great balance of seniors, juniors and sophomores who should all contribute in some capacity. The upperclassmen began to lay the foundation for success two years ago and are now in a position to see tangible results in the form of championships. All that’s left to do is execute on game day.

Steady the Course

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

THolmdel into the Liberty Division alongside the likes of Manasquan, Red Bank and Donovan Catholic. he schedule is daunting, a move up in class predicated on the accomplishments of a year ago thrusts

Head Coach:

Jeff Rainess, 4th season Career Record: 16-14

Inexperience is prevalent, the fallout of 20 seniors graduating in June.

Assist ant Coaches: John Principe (Def. Coordinator) Mike Dorsi (DL) John Gazerwitz (DB) Drew Piscatelli (WR) John Kaye (RB, QB) Colin Hart (Freshmen) Jay Graham (Freshmen)

Fri 9/13 @Shore Fri 9/20 Donovan Cath. Fri 9/27 @Red Bank Fri 0/4 Lacey Fri 10/11 @Central Sat 10/19 @Manasquan Fri 10/25 Raritan Fri 11/1 Freehold

2018 Record: 8-2 (6-0 in National Division)

( L - R ) J O H N T O M A S U L O (85), E V A N J E N N I N G S (31). J O E D'A C U N T O (34), C A M E R O N L A M O U N T A I N (1), A N D R Y A N J E N N I N G S (23) Offense: Triple

Option

D efense:

Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

John Tomasulo (Sr. QB/FS)

Shoes to fill? Try two significant pairs, one on each side of the ball. Tomasulo takes over the reins of the triple-option, following in the footsteps of Jeff DeCicco, while on defense, he has the unenviable task of replacing Mac Byrne, the National Division Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team SSN All-Shore selection, at free safety.

X -FACTOR: Chip on the Shoulder Pads Holmdel graduated 20 seniors integral to its 8-2 showing, that included a 6-0 march in the National Division and run to the semifinals of Central Jersey, Group 3 last fall. However, there are five returning starters on offense, six on defense and a bunch of guys fed up with hearing about how the program will suffer a drop off thanks to the heavy departures. The Hornets still pack a sting and can’t wait to administer it upon doubters.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Christian Donnelly (Jr. WR/SS) Donnelly embodies everything the Hornets look for in regards to his dual roles. Rugged and physical, he’ll disengage contact at the outset of a route while being determined to deny counterparts the same luxury coming across the middle as the nickel back. Senior RB Tommy Ammirati and senior CB Ryan Jennings also will have big roles and warrant monitoring.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 vs. Donovan Catholic Arguably the Hornets’ signature win of 2018, a 21-11 victory over the Griffins signaled their rise to prominence. It also went a long way toward Holmdel securing the National Division title. This fall, both move up to the Liberty Division and renew acquaintances in Week 2.

Sound like built-in excuses for the Hornets? To the contrary, these are merely the hurdles that must be cleared by a group that’s already heard the overtures cast by outsiders suggesting a potential fall from grace. As for the doubters, continue to lob the skepticism their way. A close-knit group considers them insults, collecting the jabs like firewood used to fan an intense flame of incentive.

imagine what he’s capable of doing in a feature role. He thrives within the deception of the triple-option, hits a hole with purpose and finishes runs with authority. The running game is a staple for the Hornets and LaMountain is equipped to shoulder the assignment.

Before making the mistake of writing off Holmdel, be sure to understand things have changed dramatically. Jeff Rainess, the Shore Sports Network Coach of the Year in ’18, has altered the culture and established stability, evidence by an 8-2 performance last fall that ended with a semifinal loss to Somerville in the Central Jersey, Group 3 playoffs. Prior to his arrival, the headcoaching position was a brief turnstile, with two different regimes in successive years before Rainess steadied the course in 2016.

Execution of the triple-option has to be perfect but holes still have to be manufactured up front. These two big fellas, along with junior left tackle Gary Alaimo (6-1, 290), junior left guard Nick Iulo (5-9, 240), junior center Joe Hammer (5-9, 200) and senior tight ends Quinn Pavlinetz (6-1, 225) and Bob Eknoian (6-0, 170) will be amongst the pavers smoothing paths for those who dart out from behind them.

Now, on the eve of his fourth season at the helm, his principles and expectations are firmly rooted and adhered to, the footing on which a level of sustainability has been built, something the cast is determined to prove. So, think twice before casting those shadows of doubt. “The culture was broken,” Rainess said. “But, those kids (from the Class of ’19) laid the foundation. Now, this group knows how to practice and give great effort. They understand Friday nights are won and lost long before you take the field. They hold themselves accountable. It’s a lunch-pail type of group and that’s becoming more and more a part of our DNA. They’ve bought into being workman like. ”

Players to Watch: Cam LaMountain (Sr. RB 5-10, 185) Joe Mancino (Jr. RT 6-2, 290) and Matt Reddington (Sr. RG 6-2, 230) LaMountain ripped off 708 rushing yards on 84 hauls and scored six times a year ago…as the secondary option behind lead back Dean Gallo in the option. Just

“He had a great off season,” Rainess said. “He worked in the weight room and speed training. He understands what we do so well from a technical standpoint.

Players Under the Radar: Quinn Pavlinetz (Sr. TE/DE 6-1, 225) Joe D’Acunto (Sr. OLB 5-11, 185) Good size and an ability to make a seamless transition across the line of scrimmage speaks to how invaluable Pavlinetz will be in the plans. His endurance and relentless style is exactly why he’ll be a two-way starter. Playing in the shadow of MLB Brandon Saghafi last year, D’Acunto is ready to cast some shade of his own on opponents. He sticks his nose in fearlessly to a tackle and his quick reads and reactions will point fellow defenders straight to the ball.

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coordinator John Principe plenty to work with. “Our overall speed is pretty good and they have a good grasp of Principe’s system,” noted Rainess. “They don’t want to take a step backwards.” This corps has a tough act to follow. Last fall, Holmdel topped the Shore Conference, yielding a paltry 7.9 points a contest.

Holmdel will be successful if… The Hornets can set a definitive tone from the outset. Rainess can’t stress enough how imperative early wins will be for the Hornets. “This team is already sick of hearing how they can’t win because all the seniors graduated,” he said. “They are determined to not fall back to old Holmdel standards. We have to go out and compete and do our thing. I expect our kids to battle in every game against a schedule that’s much harder than last year.” And, that schedule does Holmdel no favors out of the gate. It opens on the road at Shore before hosting Donovan Catholic in a Week 3 showdown and traveling to Red Bank on Sept. 27.

Notable Addition A familiar face joins the coaching staff at Holmdel. John Kaye, who stepped down at Matawan at the end of 2018 after seven years guiding the Huskies, including a 63-51-1 mark and a Central Jersey, Group 3 sectional crown in 2014, hops aboard as an assistant overseeing running backs and quarterbacks. “He’s a great guy,” said Rainess. “I knew offensively, having a guy with 35 years of experience was a huge win for us. He’s never coached option football, but he notices little details that will help us out.”

Don’t be surprised if…. Top Unit: Defense Rainess likes what he sees from his defense, which boasts collective quickness both afoot and in deciphering what is unfolding in front of it. Pavlinetz, Eknoian and Iulo team with junior defensive tackle Karim Tehlikian (5-11, 2-5) across an even front with senior Nick Bauman (5-9, 185) and D’Acunto flanking sophomore inside linebacker Tom Sardo in the second level. The secondary offers senior Ryan Jennings (5-8, 155) and junior Myles Day (6-2, 165) at the corners and junior Christian Donnelly (6-0, 180), senior Evan Jennings (5-8, 165) and Tomasulo looming at the safeties, giving revered defensive

The offensive line gels quickly. Graduation may have taken its biggest toll along the line of scrimmage, where the Hornets lost four out of the seven players who comprised its heavy formation and were key components in a ground game that chewed up yards and controlled the clock. However, there is plenty of size as well as potential residing within the new bunch. How fast they mesh together and develop the unity necessary to dominate the point of contact could be a determining factor in how effective Holmdel is at its signature route of attack – running the football.

When Cubs Become Lions

Tand younger players who need to develop quickly for the team to battle a tough schedule.

he key for the Lacey Lions to shine on the field this season will be from a collective mix of seniors

Head Coach:

Lou Vircillo (39 season) Career Record: 287-144 th

By: Vin Ebenau ssn contributorr

Assist ant Coaches: Warren Smith (QB) Mike Stuppiello (DE) Chris DiMicco (LB) Bob Nani (DT) Matt Kiefer (OL) Shane Allen (DB) Shawn McAndrew (WR) Lee Emery (Athletic Trainer)

Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 5-5 (3-2 in the Constitution Division)

O ffense: D efense:

Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Bobby Evans (Sr. RB/SS 5-9, 165)

X -FACTOR: The Youth Movement Coach Vircillo's Lions have lost a lot of very talented players to graduation the last two seasons and while there are many seniors who will help lead the way, it'll be up to the development of several sophomores with high ceilings to develop on the fly and make an immediate impact for the team to be successful.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Noah Brunatti (So. QB 5-9, 170) While the Lions have been more historically known for having a solid running game, they've had quarterbacks over the years who have been able to manage the game overall and display good arms. While only a sophomore, Brunatti has shown some potential in training camp and certainly has the arm to make things challenging on opposing secondary's.

PIVOTAL GAME: September 27 vs. Manasquan The Lions have a favorable schedule to begin the season but run into a big time challenge when the Warriors come out to play in Week Four. This Liberty Division matchup is a big one for Lacey if it wants to challenge for a divisional crown and begins a tough three-week stretch with a trip to Holmdel looming in Week Five and Red Bank in Week Six.

@Steinert Monmouth Central Manasquan @Holmdel Red Bank @Donovan Cath. @Point Boro @Tr East

12pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 7pm 7pm

regard over the years and this year's crop has to lead the offense with long drives and reaching the end zone often. Gorski and Evans are likely to see a bulk of the carries and be key parts to the Lions bid for a divisional title and playoff run.

I/Spread

Eric Green was injured prior to the 2018 season but went on to have a good year, especially defensively at strong safety, for the Lions. With Green having graduated, it'll be up to players like senior Evans to be the last line of defense and keep opponents out of the end zone.

9/7 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25 11/1

(L-R) DONOVAN BACCHETTA (13), NOAH BRUNATTI (8) "We have some young kids and are bringing along some sophomores and that takes a while," head coach Lou Vircillo, who enters this 39th season, said. "We also have some juniors who didn't play last year. It's a slow process but we're getting there and we hope that we can stay healthy and get competitive." There are several upperclassmen looking to make their mark in 2019 having played enough minutes on the field last season to show what they can do and Vircillo has higher expectations for the returning players to perform at an elevated level this fall. "We're hoping that they do a great job in their senior year," Vircillo said. "Our line is coming along as a mobile line, both on defense and offense, and we're a bit undersized but they have motor and they'll run and that's always good."

AND

CHASE GRANIT (28)

Players to Watch: Justin Gorski (Sr. RB/SS 5'11, 155) and Bobby Evans (Sr. RB/SS 5'9, 165) Gorski took more carries out of the backfield in 2018 and accounted for 277 yards from scrimmage. In the preseason, he's continued his development in hopes of an even better year, as does Evans, who anticpates more carries and lining up fewer times at receiver where he collected 289 yards as a junior.

Player Under the Radar: Chase Granit (Jr. RB 5'9, 190) Granit was well on his way to a 1,000-yard rushing season in '18, compiling 400 through the first three games of the season. He then had a battle with injuries that took him off the field. He's not healthy just yet but if he is able to return to the field at tailback, he could propel the Lions into the postseason with a welcomed boost.

Area of Strength Unit: Running Backs The running game is the Lions' strong suit again. They've had a long line of accomplishment in that

Lacey will be successful ifâ&#x20AC;Ś The Lions develop their sophomores quickly and the offensive and defensive lines put together size with speed. Lacey is a young team and it needs to make sure the sophomores and juniors new to the program understand weekly contributions are crucial. The lines need to find a way to protect, block and tackle at a recurring rate. Lights, Camera, Action For the first time in school history, the football field will have lights and home games can be played on Friday nights. Vircillo said it was the wish of the community that came true. "I like Saturday afternoon games but the community, my parents really like Friday night games and I said if you can raise the money, you can have the lights and they did," Vircillo said. "I'll just have to go to bed a little bit later." New Division, Same Lions The Shore Conference Executive Committee approved a significant realignment in the offseason by moving 25 of the 43 teams into different divisions. The Lions have a battle ahead of them in the Liberty Division. "In terms of the ability of the teams, we're facing some real good competition," Vircillo said. "Manasquan is always a bear and then you have Holmdel and Red Bank coming off of banner years and we're going to face Central, who is a long time rival but we haven't played them in a long time."

Mixing Age with Inexperience Head Coach:

Jay Price, 9th season Career Record: 53-33

W it comes with a vast catalog of historical background.

hen Jay Price says something profound in regards to Manasquan football,

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Lou Certo (Off. Coordinator/WR), Brian Lee (QB/DB), Bill Bertsha (OL), Darrell Falkinburg (RB), Matt Voskian (DL), Alex Iachetta (DL), Eric Howard (LB), John Morris (LB), Jay Price, Sr. (DB), Rich Griffith (Freshmen), Ed Kapalko (Freshmen), Mike Johansen (Strength and Conditioning). Kevin Hyland (Athletic Trainer)

Sat 9/14 Fri 9/20 Fri 9/27 Sat 10/5 Fri 10/11 Sat 10/19 Sat 10/26 Thur 11/28

2018 Record: 4-5 (3-3 in National Division)

( L - R ) J O H N F O R E M A N (85), G A R R E T T T E R L I Z Z I (71) O ffense:

Mult iple I

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Matt McCann (Sr. RB)

The tailback is the key that carries tremendous weight in determining what Manasquan seeks to accomplish on offense. McCann is the latest in an endless line of feature backs ready to shoulder the load.

X -FACTOR:

Youth Coming of Age

With over 20 sophomores on the roster, it would be easy to suggest Manasquan is a year or two away from being a force. Don’t be silly. The Warriors have a track record of coaching young kids up in a hurry. As long as ‘Squan can keep miscues to a minimum, they will be in the heart of the mix for a Liberty Division title. iMPACT NEWCOMER: Robert Pendergist (So. CB)

Technically, Pendergist shouldn’t qualify for this considering he was so good as a freshman that he got some reps a year ago on varsity. His talents on the corner are sharp enough that he’ll be entrusted with the assignment and is polished to meet its demands. PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 14 vs. Red Bank Catholic

Talk about your baptism under fire....Manasquan kicks off 2019 by hosting a heavyweight in the defending Non-Public, Group 3 champion. Regardless of the outcome, the Warriors can move forward knowing they may not encounter another team the rest of the way remotely as good as the Caseys.

Price bleeds Big Blue, a link to the past. He was a rugged, dependable fullback and linebacker for the iconic Vic Kubu before graduating from ‘Squan in 1988. And, for the last nine years, he’s overseen the program, following in his mentor’s footsteps and adding to the program’s deep lore. So, when he mentions an element to a team that he’s never witnessed before, take note. “As a coach, I haven’t seen this much excitement from coaches or players in a pre-season camp,” Price said. “There is a palpable eagerness to be coached and play. If we can instill some fundamentals to match their youthful exuberance, It’s going to be a lot of fun watching these young kids grow and help the seniors in their efforts to ﬁnd success.” Price and his staff have plenty of attentive ears ready to absorb their wisdom. Over 20 sophomores are competing for time. How quickly they mesh, digest the playbook, come of age and apply it all on game day will be the impetus for a bright future that could arrive well ahead of schedule. “We are a work in progress and a little young,” said Price. “These kids are sponges and it makes it fun to go to work.” Manasquan is aiming to squeeze as much as it can from its young collection and has a nucleus of veterans to show them the ropes.

Players to Watch: Charlie Sawitsky (Sr. LG/DE 6-0, 190) The two-way lineman is an instrumental player in what could develop into Manasquan’s best area of the ﬁeld. Excavating holes to create interior lanes for the Warriors’ vaunted sledgehammer ground game is one of the primary requests. Sawitsky will also be counted on to bring some thunder off the corner at defensive end.

Shayne Leddy (Jr. OLB 5-9, 175) Leddy got some game reps as a sophomore that should translate nicely into a more meaty assignment. Fast and forceful to the ball, he’ll set a strong edge to contain the perimeter and funnel runners back to the pack inside.

Players Under the Radar: Ryan Burns (So. FB/OLB 5-11, 175) How good is Burns? He emerged from off the radar to log some time as a freshman. A year older and bigger, his zest for the physical aspect of the game are ideal as a lead blocker at fullback and feisty presence at outside linebacker.

AND

C H A R L I E S A W I T S K Y (56)

Garrett Terlizzi (Sr. LT/DT 6-3, 275) How does a guy 6-3, 275 manage to be under anything? Terlizzi is an interior workhorse and another reason why Manasquan is ﬁred up about how well it expects to handle hand-to-hand combat at the line of scrimmage. “He cleans 350 with strong hands and he improved his footwork through yoga,” noted Price. “If he puts the whole thing together, look out.”

Area of Strength: Line of Scrimmage Terlizzi and and Sawitsky are not only veterans with game experience in hand, the duo will be leaders through example and results. Both are tireless and have no choice to be otherwise, pulling double duty working alongside each other on the left side of the offensive line, which could make them the primary avenue running backs drive down. Their muscle and hustle will be the formula to put defensive linemen on their backs and spring those darting behind, something neither is willing to concede from their defensive posts. Manasquan has depth on both sides of the trench. Center Jay Hilla (5-8, 200), right guard Dylan Aloi (5-9, 205) and right tackle Aidan Byrne (5-11, 220) complete a senior-laden offensive line with Dom Razzino, Trevor Wells, John Forseca, Joe Cavanaugh and Robert Marks itching in reserve. Senior John Foreman (6-0, 190) and sophomore Dyland LeBlanc (5-9, 175) are the tight ends, adding more size up front. Sawitsky, Terlizzi, Aloi and Foreman are anticipated to make up the even front of the 4-3, backed up by Razzino, Cavanaugh and Marks as well as sophomores Joe Franklin and Max Pauwels. Needless to say, Manasquan is exceptionally deep at the point of contact.

Manasquan will be successful if: Youth ripens quickly. With tender age comes the occasional hiccup and the Warriors recognize that and can live it, as long as they are limited. Yet, it doesn’t take long for anyone, regardless of age, to understand the tradition and expectations associated with such a revered football powerhouses. Excuses? Manasquan doesn’t know the deﬁnition. Leadership? That’s engrained in everyone from the outset. Upperclassmen will be entrusted to lend guidance and support, the thread woven into the fabric of the prestige. So, don’t make the mistake of overlooking the Big Blue based on the ubiquity of underclassmen. Instead, expect them to be honed for action from the jump.

Mr. Inspiration The mere fact that senior John Foreman is in the mix is reason to rejoice. A sinus infection that leaked into his skull required brain surgery and post-op time in intensive care, a frightening experience

RBC 12pm @Red Bank 7pm @Lacey 6:30pm Central 2pm @Donovan Cath. 6:30pm Holmdel 1pm Pinelands 1pm @WAll 11am

that put football in its proper perspective. His full recovery and vault back into the fray is an inspiring tale and a reason to root for the 6-0, 190-pound tight end/defensive regardless of your team allegiance.

Heady back Manasquan has had a long line of running backs who thrived in the time-tested system. Next up is Matt McCann, a 5-9, 175-pound senior who’s bided his time and is primed to shine. McCann already does that in the classroom, an exemplary student-athlete who applies his study habits with the books when dissecting game ﬁlm and analyzing the nuances of an opponent’s weak spots. He’ll headline a backﬁeld that's robust in its numbers, including Shayne Leddy, Dom Williams, Christian Masonius and Jack Burns.

True to tradition It’s the mantra of the Big Blue defense, one that gave up 17.6 points a game in ‘18. The defensive line is formidable and has plenty of support behind it. Rice, Leddy and Shaughnessy lead a pack of ball-hunting linebackers, promising Christian Masonius and Robert Pendergist are entrusted to handle business on the corners and Tyler Callahan and Jack Collins anxiously await to greet receivers over the middle at the safeties.

Unconceding It’s the mantra of the Big Blue defense, one that gave up 17.6 points a game in ‘18. The defensive line is formidable and has plenty of support behind it. Rice, Leddy and Shaughnessy lead a pack of ball-hunting linebackers, promising Christian Masonius and Robert Pendergist are entrusted to handle business on the corners and Tyler Callahan and Jack Collins anxiously await to greet receivers over the middle at the safeties.

Dual threat Summer camp has offered a healthy competition at quarterback. Senior Cam Teza and sophomore Col Kozlowski are vying for the spot and both have displayed the capacity to handle the position. Don’t be surprised if the talented duo share the workload during the course of the season.

Hands On Synonymous with the run, Manasquan can connect through the skies as well. Patrick Bilello, Jack Collins, Tyler Callahan, Robert Pendergist and Luke Butkus make up a group of receivers ready to sting the unsuspecting with their receiving virtues. Tight ends Dylan LeBlanc and John Foreman will also command pass coverage underneath.

Man

By: Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

ASchool was pure convenience. He and his wife had bought a home in Red Bank a little more than a year earlier and while

t first glance, the thing that drew Dave Schuman to the opening for a head football coach at Red Bank Regional High

Head Coach:

David Schuman, 1st season Career Record: 39-58

he was not necessarily looking to leave his post as head coach at Indian Hills, the idea of reducing his commute by more than an hour made it worth the shot.

Assist ant Coaches: Matt Norman (Def. Coordinator/Running Backs/Def. Backs), Jeff Mass (Off/Def Lines), Derek Depascale (Asst. Head Coach/ Receivers/Def. Backs/Special Teams), Dimitrious Smith (Off/Def Lines), Chris Leroy (Receivers/Def. Backs/Freshman) Adam Bobertz (Off/Def Lines/Freshman)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Thur

2018 Record: 7-3 (3-2 in Freedom Division)

O ffense:

Multiple D efense: Multiple _______________________________

(BACK ROW L-R) IJUSTICE TUCKER (77), RONALD ROTONDELLA (55), DERK LEVENDUSKY (65), (FRONT ROW L-R) BERNIE COMEY (52), GERARDO PELAEZ (64) & FRANK SAUTNERN (53)

Jakir Johnson (Jr., DL)

Upon closer inspection, though, Schuman said he found the program to be so much more than the school just happened to be around the proverbial corner.

all-around player as well. Ferrogine spent his sophomore season racking up 72 tackles while playing on the edge and was also a target in the passing game on offense.

Ka’Shaun Turner was one of the top defensive linemen in the Shore Conference last season, totaling 10 sacks and 80 tackles during his senior campaign. Red Bank returns senior defensive end Tyquan Crawford coming off a ﬁve-sack junior season and Johnson will line up on the inside in both three-man and fourman fronts.

At first glance, losing a player the caliber of Makai Mickens to a torn ACL – an injury the senior running back suffered in June that is expected to knock him out for the entirety of his senior year – would doom a team hoping to get back to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III final for the second time in five years.

This year, he will have an even broader role, particularly after the injury to Mickens. Ferrogine is looking at first-team reps as the Bucs tailback but if Red Bank’s deep roster of options serves the team well, Ferrogine could still find himself lining up out wide as a go-to option for Chamberlain in the passing game.

X -FACTOR:

Just as Schuman found out during his hiring process, there is more to this Red Bank team than the stats Mickens posted last season (1,207 yards, 13 touchdowns) and the Bucs are hoping to prove to the rest of the Shore that even without their star and with a new head coach, they roll deep.

“(Tailback) is a little new to me,” Ferrogine said. “I played it a little my freshman year. I have been playing all over the place since I got here so my mindset is wherever the team needs me, I’m going to be there to help the team win.”

“Same goals, nothing changes,” Schuman said. “Obviously, we would love to have him. He is a great player. He has accomplished amazing things, but our outlook doesn’t change at all.

On defense, Ferrogine will again try to be the same type of force on the edge that he was last season. Red Bank graduated a pair of defensive standouts in Ka’Shaun Turner and Colin Chatto but Ferogine’s return to the fold and some emerging depth should help the Bucs avoid missing a beat.

BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Depth

The number of quality players and athletes in the Red Bank program caught Schuman’s attention when he started surveying the cupboard upon his arrival. His predecessor, Nick Giglio, built up the Bucs into the respectable program, one that could do damage when a quality class of players came through. That depth would have been a strength to begin with and with the injury to Mickens it becomes even more crucial. Beyond just ﬁnding players to assume touches on offense, Schuman can work cycle his nine offensive and defensive lineman to keep them all fresh and give some of the skill players on either side of the ball a break here and there as well.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Owen Laughlin (Jr., RB/LB) Laughlin is a name that Schuman and several of his teammates threw out as a player who has made his mark during the preseason, both running hard on offense and solidifying a starting linebacker spot along with seniors Kyle Weisman and Will Del Pra.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 vs. Manasquan Although the schedule could provide some surprises, it appears the Liberty Division championship will come down to home games against Manasquan and Donovan Catholic. The ﬁrst of those two will be against Manasquan and if the Bucs can get by Freehold Boro and Raritan to open the season, they could be welcoming the Warriors to their home ﬁeld with a chance to secure a 3-0 start. Both Manasquan and Donovan Catholic are new to Red Bank’s schedule thanks to the latest Shore Conference realignment.

“What was really great to see was when he went down, the kids were really caring towards him and really considerate. Guys have been helping him go to therapy and all those kinds of things. At the same time, they have reframed their mindset that we all have to step up and they have done a tremendous job at that.” Coming off a 7-3 season in which its only losses were to Red Bank Catholic, Long Branch and Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank will resume its unwavering chase for the program’s first sectional championship since 1975. That chase ended with a hard-fought, 14-9 loss at Rumson-Fair Haven last season and will officially begin again with a home game vs. Freehold Boro on Sept. 6. “I have been playing with Makai since I was a kid, so not having him on the field is a change,” senior quarterback Jack Chamberlain said. “But it’s a next-man-up mentality around here.”

Player to Watch: Nick Ferrogine (Jr., RB/WR/LB/DE, 6-0, 190) Red Bank’s most versatile player is arguably its best

Player Under the Radar: Jack Chamberlain (Sr., QB/DB, 6-2, 195) The quarterback rarely flies under the radar but in Chamberlain was a background player in Red Bank’s runheavy offense last year. When he did throw, however, Chamberlain was efficient, completing 41-of-64 attempts (64 percent) for 550 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. This year, the offense is slated to revolve more around Chamberlain’s full skillset, particularly after he impressed his new coaching staff during the summer in 7-on-7 camps. “He looks really good. Last year, he was mostly just handing the ball off to Mickens and then if you need to throw the ball, then he would throw it,” Schuman said. “What he has really improved on and worked hard on in the offseason is throwing the ball. He has been really accurate.”

9/6 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/18 11/2 11/28

Freehold 7pm @Raritan 7pm Manasquan 7pm Holmdel 7pm Donovan Cath. 7pm @Lacey 6:30pm @Central 7pm @Monmouth 2pm Long Branch 10:30am

captain the defense from the free safety spot, leading a secondary that includes three new starters – seniors Tucker Cochorane and David Hicks at the corners and junior Jack Dengler at other safety.

Top Unit: Offensive Line With four returning linemen who started for at least part of the year, Red Bank appears to be stable at a positional corps that is crucial toward the overall stability of the offense. Senior Zach Peterson leads the stable of returnees and at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, he is an ideal left tackle to protect Chamberlain. Junior Brian Navitsky and senior Vincent DeLorenzi are back at the two guard spots and senior Sam Wasserman will reprise his role as the team’s center. “We have a lot of returners, we have a lot of new guys, we have a lot of subs: I think we’re going to be strong on the o-line this year,” Petersen said. The new starter on the line is right tackle Vincent Carpenter, a 6-6 275 sophomore who has opened eyes during camp. On top of the strong starting five, the Bucs can go nine deep on the line according to Schuman, and that does not include tight ends Gorden Ogden, Kevin Screen and Kyle Weisman.

Red Bank will be successful if… Chamberlain finishes off his transformation from game-manager to playmaker. The offensive line remains largely intact, there are capable options at running back and receiver despite the loss of Mickens and the defense has some experience back at every level. Chamberlain is part of that solid returning foundation, but with the Bucs losing nearly 1,900 rushing yards between Mickens and graduated back Nigel Mitchell (690 yards), they will ask Chamberlain to carry more of the load. “Last year, I felt like I was more of a game-manager – making sure we got the ball to our best guys,” Chamberlain said. “Now I feel like I need to take more of a role in the offense and be more of a leader. On those third-and-three’s, I need to put my shoulder down and get a first down and whatever else the offense needs me to do. I need to be more involved.”

On top of leading the offense, Chamberlain will help

Learning Curve

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

B been one of the most consistent.

arnegat is one of the newest Shore Conference football programs, but in a short amount of time has also

Head Coach:

Rob Davis, 14th season Career Record: 72 - 62 Assist ant Coaches:

Paul Covine (def. coord.), Mike DeTroia (OL/DL), Mike Burke (DL/TE), Andrew Villiez (WR/DB), Brenden McCarthy (RB/LB), Andrew Petruzzi (QB/DB), Ken MacIver (volunteer), Zach Brebner (head freshmen), Mike Leone (asst. freshmen), Mario Steriti (asst. freshmen), Lauren Tribley (athletic trainer).

2018 Record: 7-3 (4-1 in Patriot Division)

Since debuting in 2006, Barnegat has authored only one season of fewer than four wins, including winning at least five games in eight of the last nine seasons and winning four division titles. Barnegat has been able to remain competitive despite graduation, injuries and the usual landmines that threaten to knock a program off its axis. To continue that trend 2019, head coach Rob Davis and his staff will need to do some of their best work. After going 7-3 last season with a senior-laden roster, Barnegat heads into this season with just two returning

starters on offense and three on defense as it looks to contend in the new-look Patriot Division. The Bengals will begin the season with only one returning starter in its spread offense, but it’s one of the top offensive linemen in the Shore Conference in senior Griffin Jackstadt. The Bengals will be eager to welcome back senior wide receiver Caleb Schafer, who is still working his way back from an injury suffered late last season. They’ll also have to wait until Week 4 to use

D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL: Porcelli will start the season at middle linebacker and is hoping to play his way into a permanent role even when DiLeo becomes eligible in Week 4. Barnegat had a very good linebacking corps last season that was led by middle linebacker Brian Ewan, who was a Third Team All-Shore selection and finished as the Bengals’ all-time leader in tackles.

X -FACTOR:

The Bengals' colors may be orange and black, but they are as green as ever. How quickly the young, inexperienced players can get their feet wet and how many develop into impact playmakers will tell the story.

Barnegat remains in the Patriot Division this season and will play a balanced schedule thanks to juggernaut Mater Dei Prep moving all the way up the Colonial Division. The Bengals’ division opponents this season are Point Boro, Ocean, Monmouth Regional, Raritan and Shore Regional. They will play Lakewood, Asbury Park and Pinelands in nondivisional games.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Nik DiLeo, Jr., RB/LB

Oct. 4 vs. Raritan

7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 12pm 7pm 7pm

With a young team light on varsity experience, a finite resource – time – is the one thing Barnegat needs most. It’s easy to envision the Bengals coming of age in the second half of the season when the new starters are acclimated, Schafer is likely back from injury and DiLeo has sat out the required four games. The question is, how will the Bengals fare in September?

Inexperience

By the time the Rockets come to town in early October, the Bengals rookies will have four games under their belts and the team should be at full strength with both DiLeo and Schafer back. A stiff test against a Rockets team that is always physical and well-coached will answer the question as to whether the Bengals can make a run in the second half of the season.

@Point Boro Lakewood Shore @Ocean Raritan @Monmouth Asbury Park @Pinelands

The situation is the same on the defensive side of the ball. Junior Robert Armstrong (6-2, 210) started at defensive end as a sophomore and will shift to outside linebacker this season. Senior Matt Verneri started at strong safety in the second half of the season and is back, but this time at outside linebacker. Senior Matt Scott was the starting free safety to begin last season but was lost to a season-ending injury in Week 2. He returns to give Barnegat some much-needed experience in the defensive backfield. DiLeo will play linebacker upon his return just as he did for Pinelands last season.

John Porcelli, Jr., MLB

PIVOTAL GAME:

9/6 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/19 10/25 11/1

the services of junior running back Nik DiLeo, who transferred from Pinelands and must sit out the first four games.

O ffense: No-huddle spread

DiLeo (6-0, 220) ran for 543 yards and five touchdowns last year as Pinelands’ No. 2 running back. He also made 23 tackles with two tackles for loss at linebacker. He has to sit out Barnegat’s first four games but will deliver a big boost upon his return.

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri

(L-R) ROBERT ARMSTRONG (52), MATT VERNERI (1)

AND

GRIFFIN JACKSTADT (64)

Player to Watch: Griffin Jackstadt, Sr., OT/NG Barnegat’s starting left tackle checks in at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds and will be heading to the Ivy League at the University of Pennsylvania next year. It was a tremendous all-around junior year for Jackstadt, who played his way into scholarship offers from Central Michigan, UMass, Old Dominion, Fordham, Yale, and UPenn before committing to the Quakers. He was also a district champion wrestler. Jackstadt returns as the starting left tackle and will also play nose guard in Barnegat’s 3-4 defense. He is unquestionably the cornerstone of the team.

Player Under the Radar: Robert Armstrong, Jr., OG/OLB After starting at defensive end last season where he made 26 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, 10 quarterback pressures and recovered a fumble, Armstrong will move to outside linebacker this year and also take on a role at guard on the offensive line. Barnegat was set at linebacker last season but now has to replace all four starters. Armstrong has a chance to be an impact playmaker off the edge thanks to his size (6-2, 210) and speed (4.65 40).

Top Unit: Linebackers Although only one player started at the position last season (DiLeo), this is the most experienced unit on the team in terms of varsity playing time. Armstrong will play strongside linebacker after starting at defensive end as a sophomore while Matt Verneri will shift to weakside linebacker after starting at strong safety in the second half of the season. DiLeo was a linebacker at Pinelands as a sophomore and will be at middle linebacker when he is eligible after sitting out the first four games. Junior John Porcelli will start the season at middle linebacker and senior Dominic Aneses will start at the ‘Buck’ linebacker position.

Barnegat will be successful if… …Its new starters get up to speed quickly and a few players have breakout seasons. Years like this where only a handful of starters return provide opportunities for many players to step forward and showcase what kind of depth a program has. Any team that has a senior-heavy squad is going to face a significant challenge replacing those players the following season. How quickly the growing pains dissipate is what separates the top programs from the middling ones.

Meet the Bengals With so many new starters set to take the field, here’s a brief rundown of what Barnegat will look like in Week 0 at Point Boro. Matt Verneri takes over at quarterback with junior T.J. Crudup at tailback and sophomore Jared Schworn at fullback. Freshman Joe Bivens has impressed in the preseason and could also see time at running back. Sophomore Paul Keean (6-2, 210) is the tight end and the wide receivers are junior Chris Dorsey (5-11, 175) and seniors Logan Malia (6-2, 175) and Matt Scott (5-8, 147). Schafer, who had 12 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in eight games last season, will be a starter once he’s fully recovered. Joining Jackstadt on the offensive line will be junior TJ Stokes (64, 240) at right tackle, junior Anthony Bucca (6-2, 185) at center, sophomore Kenny Minor (6-2, 292) at right guard and Armstrong at left guard. Defensively, Jackstadt will be the nose guard and be flanked by Stokes and senior Mike DiPianta at the defensive end spots. Porcelli, Verneri, Armstrong, and Aneses are the aforementioned linebackers with DiLeo joining the mix in the fifth game. Dorsey and junior Kris Pollack are the cornerbacks and Scott and junior Andrew Verneri are the safeties. Junior Matt Xiques will be the kicker and punter, Armstrong is the long snapper, Matt Verneri is the holder and Scott will return punts and kicks.

S R . QB M A T T V E R N E R I

Strength in Numbers Thead coach Dan Wendel. Instilling the right core values to a program that’s

he Monmouth Regional football team is entering a rebuild in 2019 under new

Head Coach:

Dan Wendel, 1 season Career Record: 0-0 st

replenished their numbers and unveiled a new turf field for the season, Wendel is hopeful his Falcons squad can show progress this season thanks to a multiple offense with dynamic playmakers on the outside.

By:

sean martin ssn contributorr

Assist ant Coaches: Jason McQuay (DC), Billy Williams (RB/DB) Jeff Sfraga (OL/DL/ST), Tye Coleman (WR/LB)

Fri 9/13 @Lacey 6:30pm Sat 9/21 Ocean 1pm Fri 9/27 @Raritan 7pm Sat 10/5 Point Boro 2pm Fri 10/11 @Shore 7pm Sat 10/19 Barnegat 12pm Sat 10/26 @Keansburg 1pm Sat 11/2 Red Bank 2pm

Tom Darby (OL/DL), Anthony Guarino (Freshmen) Rob Micheliche (Freshmen), Domenic Miraglia (Freshmen) Leeann Pearce (Athletic Trainer)

2018 Record: 4-5 (1-4 in Liberty Division)

O ffense:

Player to Watch: Aidan Convery (Sr., RB/OLB, 6-0, 180)

Spread

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

(L-R) AIDAN CONVERY (1), ERIC PIETZ (4), JACK HUISMAN (6)

AND

JOHN DEMARZO (3)

Keontae Wiggins (Jr., RB/CB, 5-11, 180) It didn’t take long for Monmouth to realize which athletes need their share of the touches this offseason, with newcomer Keontae Wiggins projected to start at running back and corner. Just how much the Falcons will use Wiggins as a traditional back remains to be seen, but he’s a gadget type player that’s surrounded by enough talent to create space on the ground. The Falcons will likely look to Yadlon or Convery when in need of a tough yard, but Wiggins expects ample opportunities to come out of the backfield and catch passes. Also providing the Monmouth secondary with their spark, Wiggins is a vital component to this year’s team. Rather than facing a steep learning curve on both sides of the ball, the Falcons need Wiggins to simply play fast and lead by example while flying all over the field to make plays.

X -FACTOR: Juian Jones (Fr., RB)

The wealth of talent for Monmouth Regional at the skill positions is not limited to upperclassmen. With more experienced players stacked ahead of him, freshman running back Julian Jones has caught the eye of his coaches and quarterback. Even if Jones spends most of the season following around the likes of Wiggins, Convery, and Moore to gain valuable experience, this is a player Wendel may find touches for as the season progresses. Jones is a home run threat out of the backfield that excels at making something out of nothing.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Matt Fleschner (Jr., TE/DE, 6-5, 230) The Braithwaite brothers plan to make signiﬁcant impacts within their respective units. Mikal, a transfer from Monmouth Regional, will bolster an already-stocked secondary, manning one of the corners, while Gabe, who arrives at the ‘Burg from Asbury Park, will cast an imposing 6-3, 275-pound shadow at right tackle. Expect both to make immediate impacts.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 21 vs. Ocean Each game on the schedule is of utmost importance to Monmouth Regional through this rebuild, but with excitement growing in the community, their home opener on a new field versus their former Thanksgiving Day rival is an early-season litmus test for the Falcons.

Junior quarterback Brian Yadlon is the beneficiary of Monmouth returning receivers like John DeMarzo, Sheldon Lariviere and Aidan Convery along with All-Division wideout Yassin Moore transferring from Donovan Catholic. The Falcons want to spread teams out and create mismatches out wide, while also trusting Yadlon to pull the football and run for needed yards at times. The entire Monmouth offensive line is made up of first-year football players, adding impotence to these experienced pass catchers’ need to get open quickly. Wendel recognized that the versatility of his receiving corps should allow the offensive line time to develop. Aidan Convery expects to be a major target of Yadlon’s in the passing game, with the senior prepared to help the team in any way possible. Convery is an explosive athlete that gets on defenders quickly with his length, boxing out

smaller cornerbacks and making contested catches over the middle with ease. Many of the Falcons receivers will also help form a skilled secondary for Jason McQuay’s defense, which is breaking in a mostly new front seven. If this team can defend the run with regularity, their secondary is not one to be tested, with junior Keontae Wiggin making strides as a shutdown cornerback this offseason. Wiggins will also serve as an elusive running back this season, with Moore and Convery expected to carry the rock as well. Building from the inside out and prioritizing the trenches before developing skill position players, might be the textbook way to start a football team. Working without this luxury hasn’t fazed a Falcons team that knows their new coaches are putting them in position to make plays with regularity, with game-breaking players projected to touch the ball on offense each week for Monmouth.

Wendel described Convery as the Falcons’ “glue guy” for this year. Where other skill positions players may be primed for more highlight-reel catches and flashy plays, it’s Convery that will keep this offense on the move as a jack of all trades. Convery admitted it’s been difficult to learn a new offense but said the Falcons “know what to do now,” ahead of their season opener at Lacey. Shifting smoothly through the gears as a hybrid of a runner, Convery can get up the field in a hurry as both a ballcarrier and receiver. Wendel didn’t rule out the possibility of Convery also taking snaps for Monmouth this season, giving the Falcons yet another look from a player they should trust to consistently make the right decisions. On defense, Convery applies his frenetic style of play to the linebacker position, shooting gaps with speed and balance that’s hard to disrupt for opposing blockers. Once in the backfield, Convery will chase plays for a loss. He is expected to be a focal point for a very young Falcons defense this year.

Player Under the Radar: Brian Yadlon (Jr., QB, 6-0, 185) Yadlon takes over at quarterback for Monmouth Regional this season. Wendel’s been impressed with the leadership he’s shown this summer, “getting the reads better,” in the passing game as the offensive install takes place.

With each stop this youthful defense generates, it’s another touch for their field general Yadlon and his cast of playmakers.

Monmouth Regional will be successful if…

Yadlon looks the part of a quarterback that won’t be fazed by the ups and downs of his new offense coming together in 2019. A composed pocket passer that takes what a defense gives him, Yadlon displays impressive vision and isn’t afraid to climb the pocket to deliver big throws downfield.

The offensive and defensive lines come together quicker than expected. For the offense, Wendel says his starting five up front are a tightknit group that’s already adopted a herd mentality that should bode well for development. The Falcons passing game has the potential to be a serious problem in the Patriot division but being able to gain positive yards on the ground will still prove important.

Once opposing secondaries key on Yadlon’s arm, the potential for him as a tough runner should open more dynamic plays on the ground for the likes of Convery, Wiggins, or Moore.

Though undersized, the Falcons line may be at an advantage when on the move and playing in space, something that fits the style of their ballcarriers nicely.

The Falcons scheme will handle getting the ball to the right players in space this season, with Yadlon needing to focus on keeping his composure and developing further as a leader – playing behind a completely inexperienced offensive line.

On defense, McQuay is a trusted member of Wendel’s staff, keeping the game simple for his starters. McQuay preaches the ability to diagnose plays quickly and stay unblocked to his front seven, which returns just one starter. The Falcons defensive line must at least hold their own this season if a game plan predicated on balancing short passes with quarterback runs is going to produce results for Monmouth.

Top Unit: Wide Receivers/Secondary Keontae Wiggins, Sheldon Lariviere, John DeMarzo, and Yassin Moore are all two-way players for Monmouth, compromising an exciting receiving corps and secondary. Wendel named his secondary as the strength of the defense, sharpening their skills by practicing against a variety of spread looks. Wiggins is a sticky cornerback that can blanket any type of receiver with his 5-foot-11, 180-pound frame. Across from him at cornerback, Lariviere is a technically-sound player that breaks on the football well. Both corners are looking to fly to the ball and create turnovers for Monmouth this season. They’ll be joined by DeMarzo and Moore at safety. Together, their sideline-to-sideline speed at safety should allow the Falcons cornerbacks to play aggressively and get off the field.

Coach Jeff Sfraga will also have a big say in the development of these crucial position groups, coaching both the offensive and defensive lines. Sfraga is the Falcons’ special teams coordinator as well, where Adam Varella is a serious weapon to split the uprights from distance.

school, helping to create a buzz around this new-look program that’s driven roster numbers up. Just two years removed from a 7-4 season, nuances like this have Wendel quickly laying the foundation for Monmouth Regional to add cornerstone players in the years to come. Their inexperience in the trenches is a significant obstacle to overcome in the short term, but there’s emerging leaders on both sides of the ball for this year’s Falcons that expect to keep the team competitive.

Winning the Close Ones Last season, the Falcons opened their season with an 8-7 loss at Colts Neck, the first of four straight losses before earning a win at home against Matawan. Not only are they hoping the experience in close games can help them in 2019, but they have results from the end of last year that prove the Falcons are heading in the right direction. After Monmouth got their offense on track to score at least 30 points in wins over Matawan and Neptune, the team was shut out at Red Bank Regional. Showing some resilience, they earned a one-point win against Asbury Park before ending their season with a 15-10 triumph at Ewing. Focusing one week at a time typically isn’t a problem for young rosters, and that’s exactly the mentality that Monmouth Regional needs to gut out close games again this fall.

Leading by Example One thing that Coach Wendel should be proud of entering his first season at his alma mater is the respectability of his coaching staff within the Monmouth school system. All but two of the Falcons coaches come from inside the expansive high

Putting It All Together Head Coach:

Don Klein, 13th season Career Record: 68-56-1

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

cean has been treading water for the last few years, hovering at or below .500 since it made a run to the 2015 Central Jersey Group 3 semifinals behind current University of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett. Injuries, ineffectiveness and a difficult schedule have combined to keep the Spartans from contending for championships.

Assist ant Coaches: R.J. Read (off. coord./QB/DB), John Denuto (def. coord./LB/WR), Rich Read (OL/DL), Sam Kiningahm (OL/DL), Cornell Key (RB/DL), Jim Simonelli (RB/DB), Phil Greene (WR/DB), Dean Athans (freshmen), Jimmy Nottingham (freshmen), Kaitlin Zimmerman (athletic trainer).

Fri 9/13 Sat 9/21 Fri 9/27 Fri 10/4 Fri 10/11 Fri 0/18 Fri 10/25 Fri 11/1

2018 Record: 4-6 (2-3 in Freedom Division)

O ffense:

Spread

D efense:

Multiple 40 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

(L-R) TREBOR PENA (2), ROBBIE NUNGESSER (4), BRIAN FISHER (55)

AND

MIKE GAVAKIS (1)

Ruan Faria, Sr., LB Ocean’s linebacking corps will feature three new starters, including Faria at inside linebacker. He’ll step into a spot that was occupied by Ryan Moran last season. Moran had a team-high 98 tackles, including a school-record 25 in one game, plus 7.5 tackles for loss and one interception and was an All-Shore selection.

X -FACTOR: Robbie Nungesser, Sr., QB If Nungesser is healthy and a consistent playmaker from the quarterback position it will give Ocean’s offense a major boost. The Spartans are counting on him staying on the field and meeting expectations.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Tyler Douglas, Fr., K/P Douglas will be both the kicker and punter for the Spartans as a freshman and will hopefully give them stability on special teams for the next four years.

PIVOTAL GAME: Oct. 4 at Shore Regional The Blue Devils are a strong program that is used to competing for championships, and even though they are usually a Group 1 team, they have proven they can win games against bigger schools. There’s a strong possibility this could be the game that decides the Patriot Division championship.

Ocean has every reason to believe the 2019 season will be different, however. The Spartans bring back several starters and have experienced players up and down the lineup. All that’s left to do is to execute on Friday nights. In their spread offense, the Spartans return six starters, including one of the Shore Conference’s top playmakers in senior Trebor Pena. The Temple University recruit has been a weapon at wide receiver, running back, defensive back and on special teams, and gives Ocean a player opposing teams have to account for on every snap. Senior quarterback Robbie Nungesser is set to begin his third year as the starter and hopes to finally put together a complete season. Seniors Mike Gavakis and Tye Brookins return as starting wide receivers and seniors Ray Nguyen and Brian Fisher anchor the offensive line. With all seven of its returning defensive starters being from the defensive line and secondary, Ocean is hoping to control the trenches and put the clamps down on

opposing aerial attacks. Seniors I-Shyne Woodward and Brian Fisher and juniors Joe Teresi and Alex Gavakis all return as starters up front. The secondary features Mike Gavakis and Pena at the safety spots and senior Tyrell Wigfell as a returning starter at cornerback. Brookins will be the other cornerback, giving the Spartans an active and athletic defensive backfield. The new-look Patriot Division shoud be competitive from top to bottom but it does offer Ocean a bit of a break with juggernauts Red Bank Catholic and Long Branch no longer on the schedule. The Spartans’ new divisional opponents are Barnegat, Point Boro, Raritan, Shore Regional and familiar foe Monmouth Regional. Ocean’s nondivisional opponents are Neptune, Manchester, and Marlboro.

Player to Watch: Trebor Pena, Sr., RB/FS Pena totaled 916 yards and 10 touchdowns on 8.6 yards per touch as both the Spartans’ leading rusher and

Neptune @Monmouth Barnegat @Shore @Raritan Point Boro @Manchester Marlboro

7pm 1pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

receiver last season. His recruiting gained momentum following the season and he picked up an offer from Temple and soon after offered a verbal commitment. Pena ran for 488 yards and six touchdowns on an average of 6.3 yards per carry, caught 29 passes for 428 yards and three touchdowns and also had a kickoff return for a touchdown. He added one interception on defense and also kicked five extra points. “He’s very versatile,” said Ocean head coach Don Klein. “Some schools wanted to recruit him as a tailback, some at slot, some liked him on defense. Number one, he’s a great kid. Number two, he’s a phenomenal athlete and number three, his work this offseason was really good. When you have a player like Treb he’s so versatile that he’s just as effective running an inside zone or a bubble screen or a vertical route on the outside. He’s a security blanket for a quarterback because they know they can get him the ball in space and he’ll be productive.” “If he’s not the No. 1 playmaker in the Shore he’s in the conversation.”

Player Under the Radar: Tye Brookins, Sr., WR/CB Brookings played last season but did not deliver in the manner Ocean was hoping for. This year, it’s like he’s a completely different person. Brookins’ change in approach has him starting on both sides of the ball at wide receiver and cornerback and is a player Klein sees having a breakout year.

“He is hands down the most improved kid in the program, he has improved 150 times over,” Klein said. “Last year he didn’t have a sense of urgency. The mindset and confidence weren’t there. He put on 20 pounds in the offseason, rank track in the spring and committed himself to being a team guy and leading by example. He has a ton of athletic potential.”

Top Unit: Secondary Three of four starters return in Ocean’s defensive backfield and will be joined by Brookins to form a unit that should be effective against both the pass and in defending the run game. Brookins and Wigfell are the cornerbacks and Gavakis and Pena are the safeties. “We have guys who have experience and are physical and will cover well,” Klein said. “They’ve been doing a really good job of staring to be vocal and taking charge of the defense.”

Ocean will be successful if… …It can stay healthy and play to its potential. Ocean lost several man-games to injury last season, including Nungesser for half the season. On paper, the Spartans look like a team that can make a significant jump in the win column, but that can’t happen if its top players are hurt or if the roster is spread thin. Pena is at the top of that list because of what he means to the offense, but the notion applies to the entire team.

work with quarterback guru Tony Racioppi, as well, and has seen improvements in arm strength and accuracy. “He had some work to do to make sure his durability is where it needs to be,” Klein said. “No. 1 was getting his body right and he is a kid who really committed to our offseason program. He’s cleaned up his mechanics, has a powerful arm and has done a really good job developing his footwork in the pocket. He’s also a good enough athlete to hurt you with his feet.”

Coaching Additions Ocean has a pair of notable coaching additions this season with John Denuto as the new defensive coordinator and Cornell Key as the school’s strength and conditioning coordinator who will also coach running backs and the defense line. Key was recently the strength and conditioning coordinator at Monmouth University. Denuto is a veteran defensive coach who last season was the defensive coordinator at the Peddie School in Hightstown. He has also coached at Seton Hall Prep, Sayreville, Middletown North and Monroe.

Untapped Potential Nungesser had massive shoes to fill when he took over as Ocean’s starting quarterback as a sophomore, replacing one of the program’s all-time greats in Kenny Pickett. Nungesser’s development was hampered during that 2017 season when an injury forced him to miss five games. It happened again last season when he was injured in the first quarter of the first game of the year. He has never been able to truly get into a groove. First on his list of things to do was get his body in order to able to withstand the rigors of the season. He continued his offseason

S R . QB R O B B I E N U N G E S S E R

A Brotherhood Beginning

Twas below their standards, a message that’s been made clear from second-

he Point Pleasant Boro football team knows their 3-6 season of a year ago

Head Coach:

Brian Staub, 2 season Career Record: 3-6 nd

By:

year head coach Brian Staub.

sean martin ssn contributorr

Assist ant Coaches: Shane O’Connor (Def. coord.) Tom Orrok (Special teams) Ryan Canary (OL) Dave Drew (LB) Dave Johnson (WR/K) Ty Hughes (FB) Eddie Kendall (DL) Kyle Ryan (OL)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 3-6 (2-3 in Liberty Division)

(L-R) COLBY BIGGS (2), JAKE MAGLEY (3), NICK TUZZOLINO (12), DAN MECCIA (52) AND C HRIS B OYD (55) O ffense:

Flexbone Triple Option D efense: 3-3-5 Stack

_______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL: Nick Tuzzolino (Jr. QB)

While trying to build on what he put in place a year ago, Staub faces the challenge of replacing eight starters in his Flexbone offense. Yet another starting quarterback will be under center for the former Brick Memorial signal-caller, with junior Nick Tuzzolino earning the job out of camp.

The triple-option offense takes timing and nuance to develop, something the Panthers haven’t had the luxury of working into their QBs since Fara’s rise to leading one of the Shore’s best attacks. Point Boro is excited to put a junior under center again with Tuzzolino trying to pick up where senior Garrett Romer did a year ago.

“In our offense, the quarterback needs to get the ball to the right guy at the right time, take care of the ball, and show great leadership,” remarked Staub – whose team gave away too many possessions through growing pains on offense a year ago.

Bringing down Tuzzolino in the backﬁeld is no easy task, allowing Boro to execute their offense with a full array of backs this season. There isn’t much of a standard for passing stats from the position lately at Boro, but Tuzzolino’s mastery of the ground game paired with his ability to hit receivers accurately leave him with big shoes to ﬁll as the center point of this team.

Changing their fortunes in close games is the most obvious way for Boro to turn their record around but doing so may take some new play-calling trends. Although the Panthers offensive line features two of its three returning starters, center Dan Meccia and left tackle Chris Boud, it’s a pair of newcomers at wide receiver that has Staub prepared to open up the attack.

X -FACTOR:

Sam Young (Sr. WR/SS 6-5 218) The taller bookend of the Young twins, Sam is a receiver expecting to put his name on the map with pads on this fall. Translating his basketball and baseball skills to the field well, Young escapes cornerbacks with ease and can win on in-breaking routes with impressive body control. Giving Young a chance to make a play “above the rim” will never be a bad idea for the Panthers offense, and if Sam is making contested catches with any regularity, a true dual threat look will turn some heads around Point this season.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Cody Sullivan (Sr. LG/DE 6-0 235) One more senior that’s also new to the Boro program is left guard Cody Sullivan. Tasked with clearing holes for his backs, Sullivan is a strong run blocker that’s often-seen driving defenders well out of a play. The anchor between the two returners on the Panthers’ line, Sullivan can solidify the left side of this Boro front and offer enough to keep the chains moving. Also playing as a versatile pass rusher up and down the Boro defensive line, Sullivan may not have his name called a ton this season but will always be in the thick of things helping his teammates grind out games in a fashion that’s proven for Point Boro.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 at Raritan The Panthers’ four-game losing streak started with a battle in Neptune last year but continued with a one-point home loss to Raritan. Point Boro won’t face off against Neptune this season but will see Raritan again at a critical point in the season.

Twin brothers Sam and Cole Young have been staples of the Point Boro basketball and baseball programs. As seniors, they’ve decided to bring their athletic talents and natural size to the football team for the first time. Both will start at receiver and are equally difficult for opposing defenders to corral in open space. The Panthers backfield will still be the engine to the offense, lining up seniors Colby Biggs and Jake Magley with Tuzzolino. Staub was quick to compare Magley to dynamic “L-backs” of the past for Boro such as Brandon Cipriano and Kyle Komanitsky. Reliable options in both the running and passing game are exactly what the Panthers are looking for in 2019, with a more experienced staff preparing to guide Boro back into postseason contention. On defense, Boro returns only two starters but is known for a hardnosed style on that side of the ball. The Panthers have put an emphasis on creating negative plays and turnovers under second-year defensive coordinator Shane O’Connor.

Player to Watch: Colby Biggs (Sr. RB/LB 5-11 185) Biggs is expected to be a workhorse for the Panthers at running back this season. Staub listed the transitions of Tuzzolino and Biggs as key factors for his team’s success. The Panthers open the season at home against Barnegat followed by a tough road trip to Donovan Catholic. Both games were losses on the schedule for Boro a year ago.

Getting off to a better start may be as simple as relying on a senior back like Biggs. Nimble enough to work through arm tackles at the line while finishing runs with power, Biggs can set the tone for this developing Boro offense. Projected in a starting linebacker role as well, Point Boro is expecting their defensive line to create penetration and flow to the ball, allowing Biggs to be in on plenty of tackles.

Player Under the Radar: Jake Magley (Sr. RB/CB) Building a more dynamic offense won’t come easy for Boro, but there’s reason for excitement every time Magley touches the ball. A patient runner with great vision, Magley has the trust of his coaches as the change-of-pace back for the Panthers. Staub himself was hesitant to name Magley as the Panthers’ under the radar player, due to the importance of their entire rushing attack, but described his position as a “main spot”. Point Boro’s secondary also has a strong chance to be one of their most improved units, adding Magley at cornerback to play underneath the Young brothers at safety. With so much athleticism in the back seven, the Panthers secondary must be prepared to come down and play the run.

Top Unit: Offensive Line Up front, the Boro offensive line will be breaking in three new starters in 2019. Their experience comes at the right spots, with returning players at center and left tackle. Inconsistent line play hurt the Panthers a year ago, and while there will be room for improvement throughout this season, the development of this group should solidify the offense. Offensive line coach Ryan Canary is a longtime and passionate member of the Boro coaching staff. The Panthers added former standout lineman Kyle Ryan as an assistant this season, as well. Like Canary, Ryan brings infectious energy onto the field and motivates his players to improve technically – bringing collegiate experience as a former starter at Albright.

Point Boro will be successful if… In the words of their head coach, the Panthers need to maximize their possessions and keep the ball off the ground

9/6 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/5 10/18 10/25 11/1

Barnegat 7pm @Donovan Cath. 6:30pm @Raritan 7pm Shore 7pm @Monmouth 2pm @Ocean 7pm Lacey 7pm Manchester 7pm

to be successful this season. Making the transition away from James Fara was a tall order for Boro last season, the current Monmouth University Hawk who led the Panthers to the 2017 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 final. Learning from that experience, Staub and his staff have a committed quarterback in Tuzzolino. If his line offers the support the Panthers need to gain positive yards on the ground, this team will be in a very similar position to last year – contesting games in the fourth quarter. From there, it will be up to the Boro defense to limit backbreaking plays and penalties in an effort to close out games that slipped away in 2018.

Fourth and Goal Mentality Point Boro isn’t exactly senior-laden, but they are in the mindset of expecting better results this season. A four-game stretch last season saw Boro lose by a combined 13 points, instilling the importance of every down on a young roster. Staub’s been impressed with the sharpness of his defense this offseason, allowing the offense to develop against real competition. The Panthers’ brotherhood mentality is primed to produce a better win output in 2019. For a team that’s often had some of the more visible players in the Shore, there’s a quieter, humbled demeanor to this year’s Boro squad. With a roster full of players waiting to break out, Boro is focused on the win column in 2019 – allowing the accolades to follow suit.

‘Young’ but Seasoned At a smaller school like Point Boro, it’s not uncommon to see athletes play multiple sports. Sam and Cole Young were already basketball and baseball starters, adding football to the workload as seniors. Staub is excited about the opportunity to coach the Young brothers this fall, allowing them to play to their strengths as options for Tuzzolino in the passing game. Make no mistake, the Panthers aren’t going to be lighting up scoreboards through the air this season. Sam and Cole have bought into Staub’s vision for them and are both matchup problems that warrant a big piece of the game plan each week for Boro. Look for them to stay involved on defense as well, diagnosing plays quickly and with range from the ‘snake’ and ‘cobra’ safety positions on that side of the ball.

Ready for Takeoff

By: Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

AAnthony Petruzzi decided it was time to shake things up. He installed a new offense heavy on the triplefter his team suffered through its first losing season in four years back in 2017, Raritan head football coach

Head Coach:

Anthony Petruzzi, 10th season Career Record: 40-51

option and with some underclass talent at the skill positions, he was prepared to make it a two-year project.

Assist ant Coaches: Chris Damian (Off. Coordinator) Jeff Struble (Off. Coordinator) Matthew Dempsey (Off. Line) David Ernst (Skill Positions) Jerome Dean (Linebackers) Joseph Schillaci (Def. Line) Joseph Schroeck (Def. Banks) Keith Rescorl (Special Teams) Mike Nunes (Freshman) Nicholas Buzzo (Assistant) Nicholas Sparacello (Assistant) Michael DeSocio (Athletic Trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 5-4 (4-1 in Libertyl Division)

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D efense:

3-4 _______________________________ (L-R) DAN MCCORMACK (15), STEVE COPONI (7), KEVIN LIND (54), DANNY FIORE (26)

Dan McCormack (Sr., LB/TE) Raritan graduated two linebackers from last year in Justin Acevedo and Tom Dorsey, so that level of the defense is where inexperience could play a factor early in the year. McCormack is a returnee at the position and will be needed to step into a leadership role among the linebacking corps. Senior Jason Lind, junior Angel Marquez and senior Anthony Bailey will step into starting spots at linebacker and their acclimation will be a key factor in the success of the defense as a whole.

X -FACTOR:

Jaylen Smith (Sr., WR/DB) In a run-heavy offense, Smith won’t get a as many targets as the top threats in a more conventional attack, but he will be a constant threat for defenses to consider. At 6-4, Smith has big play ability down the field and he can turn a short catch into a big gain. For Raritan to maximize its potential, the Rockets will have to be able to hit the big play in the passing game and Smith is its top big-play threat heading into the season.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Luke O’Hea (Jr., WR/DB) With senior Mike Fiore sliding from slot to tailback this season with the graduation of P.J. Buccine, with O’Hea ﬁlling in the opening left by the positional shift. O’Hea should see some touches on offense along with Mike and Dan Fiore and will also contribute on defense as a starting cornerback.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 20 vs. Point Boro Last year was a retooling year for Point Boro, but beating the Panthers on the road, 21-20, was still a huge win for Raritan. This year, Point Boro will visit Raritan expecting to be an improved team and pay the Rockets back for last year. The showdown marks one of several games that will determine the Patriot Division championship, which looks up for grabs in a seemingly balanced division that also includes Shore, Ocean, Barnegat and Monmouth.

@Matawan Red Bank Point Boro Monmouth @Barnegat Ocean @Shore @Holmdel

7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

good chunk of those players will make up the secondary on the other side of the ball. Senior Danny Fiore will be the captain of the secondary as a safety alongside classmate Kevin Haug, with both players doubling up as slot backs on the offensive side of the ball.

(Triple-Option)

BIG SHOES TO FILL:

9/6 9/13 9/20 9/27 10/4 10/11 10/18 10/25

While there were growing pains, the Rockets also improved, going from 4-6 in 2017 to 5-4 last year with a quarterback and a collection of slots and receivers comprised largely of returning players. Now with more familiarity with the spread triple-option offense, Petruzzi and his players are hoping they can really take off this coming season. “In our second year in the triple, we look for it to pay dividends because last year we were learning on the fly,” Petruzzi said Coaches were being coached up on it, kids were being coached up on it. Now, it’s our identity, where as last year we were introducing it. Now it’s who we are.”

encouraging. He threw for 578 yards on 77 attempts with six touchdowns and six interceptions while running for 647 and five touchdowns. Now a senior with a full season running the offense, Coponi has a full handle on his job as well as the responsibilities of everyone in the offense. “For me, every read is a lot cleaner this year, a lot faster – more natural process every play,” Coponi said. “I’m not trying to learn it anymore. So this year it’s been pretty clean, we look good running the ball.”

Player Under the Radar: Kevin Lind (Sr., OL/DL)

In each of the past two seasons, Raritan lost to the No. 1 seed in the Central Jersey Group III Playoffs – both times in the first round as the No. 8 seed. With a better handle on the offense and some depth throughout the defense, the Rockets are optimistic that they can set themselves up for a more favorable first-round matchup and, in turn, a better outcome in the postseason.

Lind is one of three returning starters on the offensive line along with Paul DeFalco and Anthony Casiano and is its leader at center. The new offense was a challenge for the lineman as well, with Lind returning this year with a complete handle on the calls at the line and what the unit is trying to accomplish each play. He is also set to be a leader on the defense as well, playing defensive tackle and end in Raritan’s base 3-4 defense.

“We are the toughest team out there and everybody knows when you play Raritan, it’s not going to be easy,” senior Danny Fiore said. “It’s going to be a tough battle. We are hard-nosed, blue-collar individuals who go out and work every single play, every single down.

“Kevin Lind is making all the calls and the checks up front now,” Petruzzi said. “Paul DeFalco is able to recognize a three-down and a four-down structure, so the little nuances are getting covered this year better than they were last year. They are becoming like coaches on the field.”

“We have high expectations every year. We are confident in what we are able to do. We have the guys to get stuff done and that’s what we are going to do.”

“We have some lineman who didn’t get a chance to show what they could do last year who are ready to step up,” Lind said. “We have some players up front still and we have some guys to get the job done.”

Player to Watch: Steven Coponi (Sr., QB, 5-11, 175) As a first-year starter running a new system, Coponi had a lot to take in last year and all told, the results were

Jaylen Smith, Luke O’Hea and Chris Carton will be the primary cornerbacks and all three will also be key cogs on offense. O’Hea is the lone junior of the bunch and will get snaps at slot back while Smith and Carton are the receivers on the outside. “The secondary has the ability to make a lot of plays,” Petruzzi said. “We have got some smart guys out there, we have guys who can do some stuff. We’re trying to maximize their talent and their physical capabilities so they can kind of run around and hit and make plays.”

Raritan will be successful if… The players are catching onto the offense as well as they and Petruzzi believe they are. Raritan doesn’t have standout size on the line or overwhelming speed, but the Rockets have a technically-sound, hard-nosed group that is confident it can frustrate defenses with its tripleoption look. On top of that, Coponi has shown the ability to air it out and has some big-play potential on the outside with Smith and Carton. In that regard, Raritan could be a multi-layered offense that makes opposing defenses pick their poison. Practicing against the option is also helping the defense. “The option has helped us become more physical during practice and I think that has allowed us to play our responsibilities on defense better because I think it’s the hardest thing to stop,” Petruzzi said. “Since we’re seeing it all the time, it allows the guys to play with that reckless abandon you need.”

Top Unit: Secondary Petruzzi sees his stable of backs, slot backs and receivers as his most versatile group of players and a

Welcoming the Challenge

Aexited the doors of Shore Regional in June, and for a program that has Group 1 great senior class that included seven Shore Conference all-division players

Head Coach:

Mark Costantino, 27 season th

By:

numbers most every year, the challenge to recoup those assets a few months later can be daunting if not impossible.

Bob Badders managing editor

Career Record: 184-94 Assist ant Coaches: Jon Remedios (OL/DL), Mike Whitacre (OL/DL), Pete Vincelli (RB/DB), Joe Rankin (QB/MLB), Joe Amicucci (athletic trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 7-3 (3-2 in Patriot Division)

O ffense:

Barnegat 7pm @Donovan Cath. 6:30pm @Raritan 7pm Shore 7pm @Monmouth 2pm @Ocean 7pm Lacey 7pm Manchester 7pm

( L - R ) D ANNY K ELLY (7), S HANE M C L AUGHLIN (27), J AKE S HIRLEY (49) AND T ERRY C ARLSTROM (2)

Wing T

D efense:

4-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Mike McGhee, Jr., QB/ILB A standout on Shore’s wrestling team, McGhee hopes to have the same impact on the gridiron as a two-way starter this fall. He’ll take over for two-year starter Gil Goldsmith at quarterback after Goldsmith was a Third Team All-Shore selection last season. When he steps onto the field at linebacker he’ll be filling one of the spots left vacant by Jack McCrae, who was another multi-year starter.

X -FACTOR:

Injuries

Depth is not one of Shore’s strengths, so staying injury free is going to be paramount, especially since the schedule is filled with Group 2 and Group 3 schools. An injury to a top player or losing more than a couple role players could wreck the entire season.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Jamie Mazzacco, So., RB/LB A standout on the freshman team last season, Mazzacco is a promising young player who Shore will look to on both sides of the ball as a running back and a linebacker. After standout varsity seasons on the wrestling and lacrosse teams, Mazzacco has the look of a three-sport star waiting to break out.

PIVOTAL GAME: Oct. 4 vs. Ocean Shore and Ocean are rivals by proximity in some sports, but in football they’ve rarely played each other. This year, however, their Week 4 matchup at Feeney Field could very well be for the Patriot Division title.

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There’s a reason the Blue Devils have won seven NJSIAA state sectional championships and over a dozen Shore Conference division titles, however. Despite being one of the smaller schools in the conference, Shore has a strong program with deep roots and has shown an ability to rebuild on the fly and remain in contention. The names and faces may change, but the goals do not. Just two starters return in Shore’s run-heavy Delaware Wing-T offense, but they are two of the top playmakers in the division in junior running back Shane McLaughlin and senior wide receiver Terry Carlstrom. The Blue Devils will have a new quarterback with junior Mike McGhee taking over under center in addition to a completely new offensive line. Shore’s 4-4 defense is in better shape with five starters back, including Carlstrom and McLaughlin in the secondary and seniors Danny Kelly and Jake Shirley at linebacker. Adding to the challenge of replacing several key players is the fact that Shore has jumped into a division with Group 2 and Group 3 schools and is now classified as a Group 2 program. After playing previously in Class B Central with longtime Group 1 rivals Asbury Park, Point Beach, Keansburg and Keyport, the Blue Devils faced Pinelands, Mater Dei Prep, Matawan, Jackson Liberty and Barnegat last season. They remain in the Patriot Division for

2019 but will now face a division that includes Barnegat, Monmouth Regional, Ocean, Point Boro, and Raritan. They will face Asbury Park, Holmdel, and Matawan in nondivisional contests.

Player to Watch: Shane M c Laughlin, Jr., RB/FS McLaughlin was Shore’s third option in the backfield last season and ran for 449 yards and six touchdowns on an average of 7.4 yards per carry. He had a team-high 11 total touchdown as he added a receiving touchdown, three return touchdowns, and a defensive touchdown. Shore will add Kelly and Shirley, juniors Dylan Drahos, Trevor Crochet, and Sean O’Brien and promising sophomore Jamie Mazzacco to the backfield rotation, but McLaughlin looks to be the No. 1 back.

Player Under the Radar: Terry Carlstrom, SR., WR/DB

J R . RB S HANE M C L AUGHLIN

Shore didn’t throw the ball often last year, but when it did it was likely heading Carlstrom’s way. As a sophomore, Carlstrom was a big-play machine for the Blue Devils in averaging 22.3 yards per catch with nine receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 143 yards on 24 carries.

Top Unit: Secondary and running backs Carlstrom is a retur ning starter at cor nerback and will be joined by Crochet. McLaughlin is back as the starting free safety with O’Brien also in the mix. While McLaughlin is the only returning in the backfield, it’s a promising group that gives the Blue Devils depth. Mazzacco (5-9, 175) was highly regarded as a freshman last season and is already a two-sport standout in wrestling and lacrosse. He is certainly a candidate to have a breakout season.

Shore will be successful if… …It receives solid and consistent perfor mances from its offensive line. Shore will have several new players at the skill positions, including junior quarterback M i ke M c G h e e, b u t t h e B l u e D e v i l s h av e n e v e r h a d t r o u b l e f i l l i n g t h o s e s p o t s , especially at running back. If the offensive line group of seniors Sam Weber (6-3, 300), Joe Graci (6-1, 275) and Namir Jones (5-10, 275) at tackle, junior Alex Tyler (6-0, 175), senior Matt Ippolitto (6-0, 250) and junior Cade Torres (6-0, 225) at guard, and juniors Nick Soyer (6-0, 220) and Evan Thompson (5-9, 160) at center can mesh quickly the offense will be in good shape. Photo by:

Blue Wrecking Crew

Tdecade-plus and a lot of that success is associated with some of the standout running he Asbury Park football team has enjoyed its fair share of success over the last

Head Coach:

Tim Fosque, 5 season Career Record: 24-18 th

By: Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

banks and receivers the Blue Bishops have deployed over the years.

Assist ant Coaches: Rob Ward (Def. Coordinator/OL/DL) Lamar Davenport (Off. Coordinator/WR/DB) Nick Ciambrone (WR/DB) Matt Ardizzone (QB/ILB) Gary Salerno (OL/DL) Keith Killea (RB/OLB)

Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Thur

2018 Record: 4-6 (3-3 in National Division)

O ffense:

Mult iple

D efense:

4-4 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

( L - R ) J ARRED C HATHUANT (53), A NTHONY S WEARINE (58), N AJIER M ASSIE (2), K NAJEE A LSTON (3), H ALEEM S TEPHENS (12) AND D ONTE M OORE (59)

Knajee Alston (Jr., RB/LB) Asbury Park lost four players to transfers, most notably leading rusher Junior Haughton, who moved over to Neptune. In his absence, Alston shifts from slot back to tailback to try to pick up some of the production on the ground. Alston will also contribute in the rotation of linebacker-safety hybrid roles that Asbury Park will employ in its new-look defense. “He has really been doing a great job working hard to make that transition to tailback,” Fosque said of Alston. “He has some big shoes to fill, but he has been doing a great job.”

X -FACTOR:

Jashawn Carter (Fr., RB/DB) Despite only being a freshman, Carter is ready to help right away and Fosque and his coaching staff will look to find ways to get the dynamic rookie involved from a few different spots on the field. He has the ability to work at tailback, out of the slot or out wide and will be part of the rotation of defensive backs.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Jai’Sun Brown (Fr., QB/LB) Asbury Park is going on its third quarterback in three years and while Brown’s immediate action under center as a freshman comes partly out of necessity, it is also no fluke if you ask his head coach.

PIVOTAL GAME: Oct. 4 vs. Keansburg If last year is any indication, every game on Asbury Park’s schedule will be a battle and with the way the Group I teams of the Shore Conference being so close last year, every game in the National Division race will be a pivotal one. Last year, Keansburg picked off Asbury Park, 14-6, in the ﬁrst game of the season, so there is a payback dimension to their October showdown. With that being said – the ﬁrst three weeks will also present a challenge, with Asbury Park opening with Shore, followed by trips to Ocean County to play Pinelands and Point Pleasant Beach.

The offensive and defensive lines, meanwhile, have been somewhat overlooked during that span but it will be hard to overlook what Asbury Park will line up in the trenches on either side of the ball in 2019, especially if the season ends with the Blue Bishops hoisting championship hardware. “Our line is our strong point,” fifth-year Asbury Park coach Tim Fosque said. “Four of those guys are returning starters and each of those guys has three years of playing experience so on the offensive and defensive side, that’s our strong point. Typically with us, you figure we would have no problem with our skill positions but that’s where we find our youth to be this year.” Behind an experienced offensive line and a crop of exciting young skill players, the Blue Bishops are hoping to build on a solid showing in the NJSIAA Group I Playoffs that followed an up-and-down regular season.

9/6 9/13 9/27 10/4 10/12 10/18 10/25 11/28

Shore 6pm @Pinelands 7pm @Point Beach 7pm Keansburg 6pm @Keyport 12pm Manchester 7pm @Barnegat 7pm Neptune 10:30am

“That confidence we got from making it to that point gave them a belief that they were good enough to win,” Fosque said. “A lot of kids are back so I’m hoping they remember how last year played itself out.”

Player to Watch: Mikai Jones (Jr., WR/DB, 5-11, 185) In his first two seasons, Jones has been a big-play threat for the Blue Bishops and will be looking to take the next step as one of the consistent, top targets in the Shore Conference. Playing with a third quarterback in three years will be a challenge but Asbury Park won’t shy away from throwing it, especially with weapons like Jones roaming the field. The junior will also be a key defensive player as the free safety in Asbury Park’s new base eight-man front.

Player Under the Radar: Anthony Swearine (Jr., OL/DL, 5-11, 245) Senior tackle Donte Moore is Asbury Park’s big lineman who will draw most of the attention in the film room but he is not the only big man up front who will drive the Blue Bishops. Swearine is another experienced lineman who will contribute on both sides of the ball as only a junior.

JR. RB NAJIER MASSIE

Top Unit: Offensive Line Surprise, surprise. Moore, Swearine, Jarred Chathuant, Haleem Stevens and Nahieem Crooms make up an experience offensive line that is comprised of four juniors, with Stevens the lone senior. The group will have a lot on their plate playing both ways over the course of the season, but will get help on the defensive side from Matthew Tomaini and a solid group of linebackers. “We are big,” Moore said. “We are going to keep getting bigger and the more plays we execute at 100 percent, the better that makes us.”

Asbury Park will be successful if… The young guns grow up quickly. As mentioned several times already in this space, the line will be a strong suit on both sides of the ball so the challenge the Blue Bishops will face is finding the right mix of backs and receivers to keep opposing defenses honest. With a pair of freshmen figuring to play large roles, it may just be a matter of reps before everything falls into place around the front five. “The previous two years, all the receivers were tall,” Moore said. “This year, you have receivers of all sizes. We just have to get used to them, hold our blocks longer and hope they do what they gotta do to score touchdowns. “If those young guys think we’re big, they haven’t seen big. My freshman year, I remember playing Shore and Mater Dei – I was scared. But I toughed it and I hope they can do that too.”

CONTINUED Head Coach:

John Bird, 5th season Career Record: 12-27

ASCENT

Tall

wo points. Two measly power points – one in each of the last two years - are that separated Keansburg from qualifying for the postseason. Heartbreaking? You bet, but also telling, signs of an ascent to respectability.

By:

Gregg Lerner SSN Contributor

Assist ant Coaches: Jim Reid (Off. Coordinator, QB) Ryan Burgess (OL) Jason Wombough (DL) Nic Vloyanetes (WR) Nick Varanelli (LB) Uriel Morfin (RB) Brian Kmak (Volunteer) Kelli Hudson (Athletic Trainer)

Fri 9/13 @Point Beach Sat 9/21 Keyport Sat 9/28 Manchester Fri 10/4 @Asbury Park Fri 10/11 @Pinelands Sat 10/19 Pt Beach Sat 10/26 Monmouth Sat 11/2 @Keyport

2018 Record: 4-5 (3-3 in National Division)

(L-R) JAKE QUIGLEY (2), WYATT RIECKS (44), MATT GILLEN (3), O ffense:

Spread

D efense:

Multiple _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Louis Chalmers (Jr. QB) Keansburg has enjoyed stability under center for the last four seasons, first with Danny Vital and last fall under the guidance of Liam Riecks. Chalmers aims to follow suit in his first campaign, playing the role in a more traditional style. He’ll balance the running game with air strikes off play action while his intellect and off-season work to hone mechanics should prove beneficial.

X -FACTOR:

Nasir Williams (Sr. WR) Williams in creating quite a buzz around town with his combination of size (6-0, 170), speed and dependability. He sharpened the edges during off-season 7-on-7 events and bloomed into a special asset for the passing game.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Mikal (So. DB) & Gabe Braithwaite (Jr. OL/DL) The Braithwaite brothers plan to make signiﬁcant impacts within their respective units. Mikal, a transfer from Monmouth Regional, will bolster an already-stocked secondary, manning one of the corners, while Gabe, who arrives at the ‘Burg from Asbury Park, will cast an imposing 6-3, 275-pound shadow at right tackle. Expect both to make immediate impacts.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 21 vs. Keyport This is a lively border war between neighboring towns with a healthy respect that fuels a ﬁery rivalry and generates passion as well as great theatre. A year ago, Keyport pinned the Titans with a bitter 20-18 loss in Week 5, so revenge will deﬁnitely be in play. But here’s the best part…the two sides will square off again on Nov. 2 at Keyport, a caveat that comes with only four Group 1 schools in the Shore Conference.

The Titans have earned that, especially among their peers. Over the past two campaigns, they’ve gone 6-2 against Group 1 competition, bowing only to South River in 2017 and rival Keyport a year later, yet came up painfully short in bids to test their mettle under playoff circumstances. The climate has taken a notable uptick during John Bird’s reign, a combined 9-10 overall record for the last two seasons on the heels of a nineyear aggregate of 18-61-1, and it’s one he’s not planning on coming back down to earth any time soon. “The culture has completely changed,” said Bird, about to embark on his ﬁfth season as head coach. “There’s a great, positive atmosphere around the program. I’m hoping between this year and next, it becomes a winning program. We talk about the town being one square mile. There is an intimacy to that. These kids have known each other for a long time, they want to be around each other and play for each other.” A hint of mystery surrounds Keansburg. The Titans have a small nucleus of proven commodities familiar with what is demanded and their leadership will be put to the test considering the assortment of newcomers eager to get acclimated and involved. Exemplary work ethics will be a point of emphasis as Keansburg aims to surpass the .500 mark for the ﬁrst time since going 10-2 in 2007. With only one returning starter on offense and two on the defensive side, competition for positions is virtually wide open, which should invigorate those challenging for meaty roles with a hearty zest and the incentive that could yield a fortuitous autumn for the Titans. Player to Watch: Wyatt Riecks (Sr. OLB 6-1, 185) Those new to the Titans would be wise to pay close attention to how Riecks conducts business. He explodes off the edge with an undeniable scent for the ball carrier. His engine in pursuit is ceaseless and the impact he delivers on contact is capable of jarring the ball loose at any time. This dude only knows one speed and plays on acute instincts, among the many reasons why he is drawing college interest. Opposing quarterbacks would be wise to know his whereabouts on every snap, otherwise he’ll be happy to alert them once he blitzes from the outside. He falls back into pass coverage without a glitch and gets off blocks to wrap at the line of scrimmage. “He gets it,” praised Keansburg coach John Bird. “He’s such a good defense player that, because of what he can do, it allows other to do less.”

AND

NASIR WILLIAMS (10)

A linebacking ensemble that will include senior catalyst Matt Gillen (6-0, 185) along with juniors Desmond Lawson (5-10, 175) and Hassan Champion (6-1, 175) has all the earmarks of a quartet that can inflict damage. Player Under the Radar: Nasir Williams (Sr. WR 6-0, 170) Williams has bided his time in the receiving corps, a secondary option a year ago now primed to assume the lead and stretch a defense in regard to pursuits downfield. “His numbers haven’t been gaudy,” Bird confirmed, quickly adding, “But he has turned into something special.” His game-breaking potential seems to lead Bird in the direction of stationing Williams back on kick and punt returns and could also be tapped in the secondary. He might not be the first guy opposing coaches will key on during game week preparations, but that could change in a hurry. Top Unit: Offensive Line Arguably the greatest strength for Keansburg will reside in the trenches. The offensive line is massive by Group 1 standards. Anchoring the group is 5-11, 200-pound junior center Waylon Manoes, who most likely will be flanked by 5-11, 250-pound junior Tino Valverde and 6-0, 290-pound sophomore Keyshaun Coppinger-Ward at the guard posts. A pair of transfers, 6-2, 310pound sophomore Ajaron Hodges and 6-3, 275-pound junior Gabe Braithwaite will man the tackles, giving the Titans a beefy crew up front anxious to dominate the point the contact, open gaping holes for the running attack and create a comfortable pocket to utilize efficiently. Keansburg will be successful if… The wealth of unproven candidates embraces the varsity experience and grasp the nuances of the system quickly. The Titans are lean on tested assets, returning just one starter on offense and two on the defensive side. Yet, Bird likes what he’s seen during the off season from the incoming newbies. There are playmakers at the skill positions and physical, blue-collar participants throughout the defense. Rest assured, they will all be inspired to continue to push the program upward. Iron Sharpens Iron Considering the size and physicality of the offensive line, their counterparts will be reaping the benefits during daily workouts leading into the season. Justin Hicks, a 6-1, 215-pound senior

7pm 1pm 1pm 6pm 7pm 1pm 1pm 2pm

defensive end, 5-10, 275-pound senior nose Jorge Ramos and sophomore Mike Morro, a 6-1, 180-pounder set at the defensive end, have been clashing and engaging size throughout the off season and can expect plenty of company with a number of the offensive linemen pulling two-way duty to increase the depth. Furthermore, they will work under the tutelage of defensive line coach Jason Wombough, who has a proven track record of grooming studs at the position, something he accomplished regularly during his previous stint at St. John Vianney. Air Traffic Control Those who are interested in trying their luck downfield should accept this as fair warning: Keansburg houses some playmakers lurking in the defensive secondary. Patrick Beltran is not only most likely to be the feature back on offense, but the 5-10, 160-pound junior will be at strong safety, working alongside senior free safety Jacob Quigley (5-10, 165). Senior Ian Phillips (5-9, 165), Mikal Braithwaite and Nasir Williams headline the corners and each has the type of speed and savvy to bait a throw, jump a route and take an interception the other way, all within the blink of an eye. So Nice, They’ll Play ‘Em Twice Some of the smaller schools in the Shore found filling out their schedules a tough task. Thus, Keansburg will engage in a homeand-away series with National Division foes Point Beach and Keyport. This situation could bode well for the Titans, who defeated both last fall…and, let’s be honest, the chance for Keansburg and neighboring rival Keyport to butt heads twice in a season isn’t a bad thing. The atmosphere when the two collide is always heightened and creates intense theatre. Depth charged The numbers are robust by Keansburg’s standards with nearly 50 players competing for varsity time. There’s not only depth in areas but pools of untapped talent set to be utilized. While running the football might be a priority for the offense with junior Patrick Beltran leading the ground movement, first-year quarterback Louis Chalmers is not one to sleep on. When he puts the ball in the air, Nasir Williams, juniors Connor Graf (5-7, 155), Jesse Berecsky (511, 165) and Brendan Flanzbaum will be in the mix to get on the other end of a throw. New Kicks The kicking game has haunted Keansburg from time to time. It looks like it will entrust promising freshman Joe Sautner to reverse that trend.

Steadying

the

Ship

IGlezman worked under two head coaches and after Andy Carlstrom stepped down after

n his three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Keyport football team, Jason

Head Coach:

Jason Glezman, 1st season Career Record: 0-0

just one season following the 2018 campaign, it looked like it would be three in four years.

By: Matt Manley Senior Staff Writer

Assist ant Coaches: Angelo Marocco (Off. Coordinator) Steve Brower (Special Teams/WR/DB) Jimmy Maguire (Runnings Backs/Linebackers) Pete Miller (Quarterbacks/Linebackers) Tyler Alvarez (Off/Def Line) Jerry Hourihan (Off/Def Line) Kelly O’Donnell (Athletic Trainer)

Sat 9/7 @Metuchen Fri 9/13 @Manchester Sat 9/21 @Keansburg Sat 9/28 Pinelands Sat 10/5 Point Beach Sat 10/12 Asbury Park Fri 10/25 @Point Beach Sat 11/2 Keansburg

2018 Record: 3-6 (3-3 in National Division)

(L-R) DEVON MEZA (53), MICHAEL ABBATTE (51), ANTHONY GONZALEZ (59) AND TROY ALVAREZ (7) O ffense:

Shotgun Spread

D efense:

4-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Sean Lachky (Jr., RB/LB) & Matt Russo (Sr., RB/LB) Wollner racked up 873 rushing yards and six touchdowns as a senior last season and while Keyport is going to try to lean more on its passing game to make up for it, the Red Raiders will still need to establish a ground attack. Lachky and Russo will be the leading candidates to roll up yards on the ground and with an experienced offensive line paving the way, the one who wins the lion’s share of the carries will have every opportunity to have a productive season on offense.

X -FACTOR:

Troy Alvarez (Jr., QB/DB) The coaching staff is ready to fully turn the offense over to Alvarez after he got acclimated as a sophomore first-year starter at quarterback last year. The junior has a strong arm and mobility and if he can get the ball to his weapons – Thomson, Lachky, Russo, Chris Johnson, Zach Connallon, Jake Ferrara and John Lachky – Keyport should take a big step forward.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Chris Johnson (Sr., WR/DB) With more passing plays in Keyport’s plans, the Red Raiders will need a second receiving option to go with Thomson. Johnson joins the fray as a senior this year and has carved out a spot at wideout. Given that he is the senior in the group, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see him become a go-to target for Alvarez.

PIVOTAL GAME: Nov. 2 vs. Keansburg The second meeting between the neighboring rivals will be the one that counts toward the division standings, so if all goes well for Keyport, there could be something riding on the regular-season ﬁnale for both teams. Even if there is not, one of these two teams will be going for a rare season-sweep of the other while the other tries to salvage a split – both of which are the kind of incentive that makes a rivalry game even more intense.

Instead, Glezman got the head-coaching job and now his big change for the program is cut back on all the change. Just three years removed from a 10-2 season and a trip to the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group I championship game, the Red Raiders are looking not only to put backto-back losing seasons behind them but also to start a sustained run of success under a head coach who plans on establishing stability at the top. “I’m not going anywhere,” Glezman said. “I call Keyport a home now. We just want to bring consistency, that’s what these kids need. They need to know we are going to be here, this is what we are going to be doing, and if we stay true to what we want to do, then the success will come.” Keyport and Glezman have a great opportunity to get off on the right foot this season with an experienced group of two-way linemen and a young-butexperienced crop of talent in the passing game and secondary. A more forgiving schedule that includes two games each against Keansburg and Point Pleasant Beach will also give Keyport a much better chance to finish with a winning record. “We are just focusing on the task,” Glezman said. “We are a small team in a small group and we’ve got small goals. Those small goals hopefully lead to something big.” Player to Watch: Devon Meza (Sr., OL/DL, 6-4, 265) Every now and again, a Group I school gets a player that has the ability to overwhelm the competition and Meza is that kind of force for the Red Raiders. The senior tackle is heading into his fourth year starting and enters the season with offers from top FCS programs, as well as interest from Rutgers. “He is as noticeable a lineman as you will see in the

Shore, whether Group I or Group V,” Glezman said. “He works his butt off, his motor is non-stop. It’s fun to watch him play and he is not a big vocal guy, but the kids see what he does on film and what he does in practice and they want to follow that. They want to be what Meza is. He’s just awesome. I can’t say enough about him. He is an absolute stud.” Meza is the lone player on this year’s Keyport squad who was a freshman starter on the 10-2 team that lost to Asbury Park in the 2016 CJ I championship game and is hoping to bookend his career with another serious championship push. Player Under the Radar: D.J. Thomson (So., WR/DB, 6-3, 160) With the Red Raiders looking to open up the playbook for quarterback Troy Alvarez and put the ball in the air more often, its athletic group of receivers should do some more damage over the course of the schedule this year. Thomson is a sophomore with size and athleticism whose older brother, Alex, was a standout at Keyport and played quarterback at Marshall. Glezman and his staff are hoping for a similar impact from the younger Thomson over the next three years after making his presence known as a freshman. Top Unit: Offensive line Not only does Keyport have Meza to lead the way – it has two other standout senior starters in Michael Abbatte and Anthony Gonzalez who have both started on the line in each of the past two seasons. New starter Nick Wroblewski is also a senior with some size (6-0, 250) and junior Dylan Burns and senior Vinny Zhou will see time at the last spot on the line. “These other guys, Anthony Gonzalez, Michael Abbatte – these guys have been starting on the line

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since they were sophomores, so they know what it takes,” Glezman said. “I didn’t have to do anything other than say, ‘This is what we need to do.’ Those guys – Meza, Gonzalez and Abatte – they took charge.” The experienced line group will be challenged by having to play two ways and by doing a lot more passblocking. The first challenge is not a new one for the Red Raiders but the second one could take some adjusting after three years of a run-heavy offense. “We’re used to the run game – just smashmouth football where we are driving it down their throat,” Meza said. “Passing with our quarterback opens up a lot. We can be more of a 50-50 team now and that will really keep the defense on their toes.” Keyport will be successful if… They stablish an offensive identity. The strength of the line and athleticism of the skill players should make the Red Raiders a capable defensive unit. On the other side of the ball, the tools are there to be an effective offense as well but it will require some things to go right. Keyport is replacing a steady tailback in Devin Wollner while also moving to a more balanced run-pass attack. That means not only will Keyport need to replace tailback production but it will need Alvarez to take the passing game to the next level. “Some people might say we are inexperienced but we’ve got guys on the perimeter that can do some things - four or ﬁve guys that, if they get the ball, they can do some big things,” Glezman said. “We don’t have that one guy, but we have a lot of dudes.”

Hawk

By: Vin Ebenau ssn contributor

Ilast couple seasons despite losing some top talent in quarterback Jerry Ward and running back Jalen Glenn t's the chemistry and secondary leading the way for a Manchester Hawks team that has not fallen over the

Head Coach:

Bill Furlong, 6th season Career Record: 115-127

to graduation in 2018 and 2019 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Gridiron Classic Ocean County Defensive MVP Eric Cowan to graduation.

Assist ant Coaches: Brian Wilkinson (defensive coordinator/LB); Charlie Diskin (special teams/DB), Paul Findlow (DL), Karl Schafer (OL), Tony Toto (RB), Mark Mernone (Head freshmen), Anthony Speziale (assistant freshmen), Tiffany Whelan (athletic trainer)

Fri Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri

2018 Record: 5-5 (31-5 in National Division)

Offense: Multiple

Wing-T

D efense:

Multiple 3-3 Stack _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL: Chris Pasos, So., DL The Hawks lost one of the best defensive players in Ocean County to graduation in Eric Cowan so Pasos, who had a stellar finish to his freshman year, is worth keeping an eye on this season as someone most of the Shore may not know much about but is someone Manchester will rely on to stop the run.

X -FACTOR:

The Running Game The Secondary could do big things this season for the Hawks but it'll be on the legs of James Bennett, Romello Bush, Josh Glenn, Xavier Williams and Devin Zamot to put points on the board and win meaningful games, especially inside the National Division.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: D'Maari Brown, So., RB/DB Brown is going to be one of the featured backs rotating in this season and is part of a large sophomore class that will help the Hawks for the next couple years. Brown makes up for his size with his quickness and if he's able to continue developing his game, the Hawks will chew up big yards on the ground.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 28 at Keansburg This Week 3 matchup between the new National Division rivals will be an important game for both teams but it means much more to a Hawks team that has remained around .500 the last few seasons but hasn't been able to finish and earn a winning record. A win on the road in Keansburg will keep their division crown and playoff hopes alive and well.

(L-R) JOHN MAYER (54), JAKE VAN WAGNER (20), JIMMY JOHNS (5), XAVIER WILLIAMS (6) AND S HANE S MITH (73) Head Coach Bill Furlong, now entering his sixth season at Manchester, has been able to successfully ﬁnd the 'next Hawk up' in previous seasons by continuing to develop young talent on the roster. "What we're trying to do as a staff is just develop all of the players," Furlong said. "It's really up to the players to determine whose going to rise as our leaders and stars." Senior Jimmy Johns is returning to play quarterback for the Hawks this season while Furlong also points to other players who are expected to make an impact like junior running back Josh Glenn as an All-Division player back for 2019, senior running back Devin Zamot, who has battled several injuries but is a healthy start for this year, senior running back Xavier Williams and wide receiver Jake Van Wagner are projected to do big things for Manchester while senior John Mayer will play a vital role at left guard and defensive end. Manchester is looking ahead to a battle in the National Division this season alongside Asbury Park, Keansburg, Keyport, Pinelands and Point Beach. "I think the division is strong and our goal is to win that division but there's a lot of things that have to happen," Furlong said. "We just have to get better each week." Player to Watch: Devin Zamot, Sr., RB/DB/P The running game has been a big part of how the Hawks succeed on offense and Devin Zamot is a great

inside runner and someone who will likely see a bulk of carries. On defense, he'll be asked to play a crucial role in a secondary that will have to keep the Hawks in games this season. Zamot slides from linebacker to defensive back for 2019. Player Under the Radar: John Mayer, Sr., LG/DE As the offensive line goes so does the running game for the Hawks and John Mayer has been a part of some success Manchester has found in recent seasons by opening up lanes for past players like Jalen Glenn and currently James Bennett, Romello Bush, Josh Glenn, Xavier Williams and Devin Zamot. Top Unit: The secondary The combination of Devin Zamot, Josh Glenn, Xavier Williams, Julius Barriteau, Sean Snead and D'Maari Brown will haunt quarterbacks and wide receivers in the National Division in 2019 if they stay healthy and fly to the ball as they have in the preseason.

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Robbinsville Keyport @Tr South @Keansurg Pinelands Point Beach @Asbury Park Ocean @Point Boro

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Flight Plan Who wants turnover juice?! It's the rallying cry of the Manchester Hawks defensive backﬁeld this preseason whenever a member of the Hawks secondary picks up an interception. Defensive back's Coach Charlie Diskin will leap up in one direction while the DB who made the play will leap in the other direction. That player then gets tossed turnover juice, AKA, a bottle of Gatorade as a token for a job well done. The secondary is a critical part of the Hawks plan of attack this year and they'll need good chemistry to stay motivated. Wing Stamina Manchester will have to rely on their players to play on both sides of the ball and have little to no breaks on the sideline to catch a breath. "We have some returning starters that we have high expectations for but most of those guys probably aren't coming off of the ﬁeld so we need players to work in," Furlong said. The conditioning they do in the preseason could make or break their season.

Manchester will be successful if… The defense plays their tails off. The defensive backs and linebackers are leading the way with speed and aggression while the defensive line is still much of a mystery. If the defensive and offensive line players step up and play well, the Hawks will put some points on the board and take some away. Their running game has seen some talented backs over the last few seasons but they need blocking and holes.

Getting Defensive PBurton rushing for over 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. The issue for the Wildcats has inelands has had some solid offenses over the past 10 years, most recently with Evan

Head Coach:

Matt Fuller, 3 season Career Record: 6-13 rd

been on the defensive side, but they are optimistic this is the year that changes.

By:

Bob Badders managing editor

Assist ant Coaches: Anthony Allocca (off. coord.), Joe Adelizzi (def. coord), Scott Peterka (OL), Todd Kaiser (QB), Gennaro Balleta (WR), Albert Rowland (DB), Dom LaFragola (DL), Brooke Mackie (athletic trainer).

Fri Fri Sat Fri Fri Sat Sat Fri

2018 Record: 4-5 (2-3 in Patriot Division)

O ffense:

wing

(L-R) AARON HARRIS (3), ANDREW BARTLETT (7), SHAYNE MICHOT (1), ANDREW JENKINS (4) AND CONNOR HARRIS (6)

D efense:

3-5-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL:

Kendrick Johnson, Sr., CB Johnson will start at cornerback and fill a spot where Garrett Brown played last year and led the team in interceptions en route to being an all-division selection.

X -FACTOR:

Starting strong

The Wildcats begin the season with two straight home games and will play their entire division schedule in the first five weeks of the season. If they are going to make a run at five wins and a playoff spot, they’ll have to start fast out of the gate.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Nunes Bukula, So., RB A promising prospect throughout his youth days, Bukula will make his varsity debut after starring on the freshman team last year. Evan Burton ran for more than 2,000 yards over the last two seasons so Pinelands is hoping he can step in as a sophomore and help replace that production.

PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 13 vs. Asbury Park Finally, a home game. Pinelands last home game came on Nov. 9, 2017, when it hosted Oakcrest in an NJSIAA regional crossover game. Last season, the Wildcats were road warriors, playing all but one game - their senior night was played down the road at the Little Egg Harbor Sports Complex - on the road. The players and community will be fired up for another game under the lights, and it also happens to be an important division game against the Blue Bishops.

After going 4-5 last year largely thanks to the ground game with Burton and Nik DiLeo and complementary play from quarterback Garrett Brown – all of whom are gone – Pinelands will look to its defense to lead the way as it searches for its first winning season since 2004. After undergoing several scheme changes, Pinelands settled on a 3-5-3 alignment four years ago and also installed it at the middle school level where current defensive coordinator Joe Adelizzi was the head coach. Of the seven returning starters Pinelands has on the defensive size, five are juniors who have run the same system for the last four years. Senior John Moin is back as the nose guard and junior Jack Lawrie returns as the starting free safety. In between, all five of Pinelands’ linebackers are returning starters with senior Andrew Bartlett and juniors Andrew Jenkins and Shayne Michot at inside linebacker and the Harris twins, Connor and Aaron, at outside linebacker. The only returning starters in Pinelands’ run-heavy double-wing offense are Jenkins at tight end and Bartlett, who played nearly every position. Burton and DiLeo accounted for 94 percent of the Wildcats’ rushing yards last season, and with Burton having graduated and DiLeo transferring to Barnegat, there’s a huge void to fill. Promising sophomore Nunes Bukula leads the new-look backfield with Bartlett and Aaron Harris also expected to get carries. The offensive line is entirely new, however, so that is a major question mark entering the season. Division realignment has Pinelands moving from the Patriot Division where it played Mater Dei Prep,

Shore, Jackson Liberty, Matawan, and Barnegat, to the National Division where it will tangle with Manchester, Asbury Park, Keyport, Keansburg, and Point Beach. The Wildcats will play Colts Neck, Manasquan and Barnegat in nondivisional games. Pinelands will also get to play a true home game for the first time since 2017. The Wildcats played eight road games and had one ‘home’ game at the Little Egg Harbor Sports Complex last year while their school and field were undergoing construction and renovation. Player to Watch: Connor Harris, Jr., OLB Harris (6-1, 180) was second on the team in tackles last season and added one sack and four tackles for a loss. He’ll be back at outside linebacker and is also competing to start at quarterback. If he doesn’t play quarterback he’ll play somewhere on offense whether it be in the backfield, at tight end, wide receiver or along the offensive line. Player Under the Radar: Joe Vitello, Sr., QB/DB A key newcomer as a senior, Vitello has a chance to start both ways as he’s currently competing for the starting quarterback position and is slated to start in the defensive backfield at cornerback. Top Unit: Linebackers The strength of Pinelands’ team is certainly on the defensive side, and the strongest position group there is unquestionably the linebackers with all five starters

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Asbury Park Point Beach @Keyport @Manchester Keansburg @Colts Neck @Manasquan Barnegat

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returning, four of which are juniors. Michot led the Wildcats in tackles last year and returns at inside linebacker with Jenkins and Bartlett. The outside linebackers, who also serve as hybrid strong safeties, are Connor Harris and Aaron Harris. Pinelands will be successful if… …The offensive line comes together. Pinelands is going to run the ball. A lot. The Wildcats feel good about their new skill players but that won’t mean anything if the offensive line is shaky. Junior Tommy McNiel is at center with Morin backing him up. The left tackle is sophomore Dan McNemer and the right tackle is junior Matt Prez. Michot is at left guard and juniors Andrew Staub and Abdulah Elsayed are battling for the starting spot at right guard. Home Sweet Home After playing without a home field, a locker room or a weight room last season, Pinelands is eager to return back home. Construction at the high school threw the district into disarray with the high school students moving across the street to the junior high school. At the same time, the district was re-sodding the football field, leaving the team without a field to play its home games. The football team was able to salvage a bench press and some weights from the weight room at the high school, but everything else was off-limits while the renovations were being done. It was a tough year that will make the season-opener against Asbury Park a special night.

Rejoining the Flock

By:

sean martin ssn contributor

Oradar as a team picked to make noise in the Shore Conference this season. That is until you meet first-year head coach Joe Zaccone, n paper, the Point Pleasant Beach football team is coming off a winless 2018 season, and with a new head coach is flying under the

Head Coach:

who is greeted at his new small-school home by a wave of seniors who weren’t with the football program a year ago.

Joe Zaccone, 1st season Career Record: 0-0 Assist ant Coaches: Paul Barna (Off. Coordinator/QB/DB), Jeff Bower (Def. Coordinator/DB/RB), Mike Pellicane (Special teams/WR/LB), Brandon Gross (OL/DL), Jake Van Brunt (RB/LB)

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2018 Record: 0-9 (0-6 in National Division)

O ffense:

Spread D efense: 5-3 _______________________________ BIG SHOES TO FILL: Will Baranello, Sr., WR/DB Yet another one of the newcomers that’s also a senior for Point Beach, the vision for this team’s passing attack under Akins will rely heavily on the 6-foot-2 shoulders of Baranello. A true spread offense isn’t dependent on any one receiver, but at the high school level, it’s imperative to have someone like Baranello to count on. The Beach staff is putting their trust in Baranello to run crisp routes on the outside and also be able to stretch defenses vertically. He will also be tasked with keeping the Gulls secondary in order at cornerback.

X -FACTOR:

Matt Vinsko, Sr., LT/DE Regardless of the scheme, there are few ways for a team to end up behind the chains on offense more reliably than poor offensive line play. Point Beach will face some athletic and challenging defenses this season and returning left tackle Matt Vinkso should be up to the challenge. Vinsko is a technically sound blocker, moving well for his size and keeping rushers at an arm’s length. If he can take yet another stride forward, and the rest of the Beach line follows in his footsteps, they’ll have a basis to sustain drives. When it comes to ending opponent drives, the Beach defense will also be looking to Vinkso, who is a projected starter at defensive end.

iMPACT NEWCOMER: Jack Akins, Sr., QB Akins is embracing being a newfound leader for Point Beach at quarterback this season. “He’s great at throwing the ball downfield and knows what he’s doing,” Baranello said Ending their practice with conditioning, Point Beach lets its quarterbacks echo the play calls before the team can sprint to their next spot. A false start from anyone on the line forces the whole team back. Under Akins, the Gulls flew smoothly down the field as one unit, something they can only hope is a sign of things to come for their dual-threat starter in 2019.

PIVOTAL GAME: Oct. 5 at Keyport

Just the second road test through ﬁve games for Point Beach, the Gulls will have a basis for how their rebuild is going following the ﬁrst of two showdowns against Keyport. With this game in reach for the Gulls a year ago, they’ll be as motivated as ever to start a three-game road swing with a victory. If they pull it off, Beach can see a Week 7 rematch with Keyport as another opportunity to earn a win prior to ending the regular season on the road again at nonconference opponent Pennington.

( L - R ) A IDAN C ONWAY (36), B RANDON C ASTRONOVA (25), J ASON S HERLOCK (2), L IAM B UDAY (5), N OAH R AMOS (56) AND M ATT V INSKO (42) Not only are the upperclassmen eager to bring a winning culture back to Point Beach, but they’re collectively being put in position to succeed under Zaccone – debuting a spread attack on offense. Senior Jack Akins will get the opportunity to quarterback this new offense for Beach, which features an established offensive line and a multitude of receiving options that rival the flocks of seagulls on the nearby ocean. Coach Zaccone is particularly excited about the playmaking ability on the outside of Will Baranello, a 6-foot-2 target who is new to the Gulls program. “We push each other to have fun every day at practice,” said Akins, who understands the importance of leaving a lasting mark on the underclassmen Beach welcomes to a revitalized program. Akins is a mobile passer with precision to all points on the field and is quick to use his legs for positive yards. He’ll be able to lean on returning senior running back Liam Buday (6-0, 215), who can expect to carry a big load for Beach once again. “The offense is going to run through Liam,” Zaccone said. With confidence, Zaccone named Buday as one of the emerging leaders of the team, along with seniors Matt Vinsko and Jason Sherlock. On defense, the Gulls’ bruising style of play has given the offense trouble this summer. With plenty of size in the front seven, an emphasis on the pass rush has Beach looking for eleven helmets to the football on every play. Being shut out in five of their nine losses a year ago, the Beach defense is hoping to show they can make just the slightest support from Akins’ offense stand up in the National Division.

Player to Watch: Liam Buday, Sr., RB/LB, A reliable running game is so important for any high school football team, especially one expecting to pull off the sweeping personnel, coaching, and philosophy changes that Point Beach is this season. Liam Buday will get the call at running back for the Gulls, a rare returning face to the Beach lineup in both the backfield and linebacking corps. Buday is embracing the versatility of the Beach offense, knowing his power style will be most effective when the Gulls can soften the box with the pass. A reliable pass catcher himself, Buday understands how to give his new quarterback a quick target out of the backfield and can beat linebackers up the field for explosive plays. Buday will be joined by Brandon Castronovo in the backfield for Beach this season.

Player Under the Radar: Jack Akins, Sr., QB Zaccone will turn to senior Jack Akins as his quarterback for the 2019 season, and while he’s hoping to not stay under the radar for long, Akins is an unknown commodity at the position this season. Sure, Akins hasn’t been groomed by upperclassmen and molded into a typical senior quarterback, but he’s the ideal face for a Beach team that hopes to make an entire cast of new faces into household names around Point this season. An energetic spirit on the practice ﬁeld, Akins keeps his teammates engaged and calls plays with a seasoned demeanor. Looking to enjoy every second of his last football season at the Shore, Akins will get plenty of opportunities to air the ball out. Consistently giving his receivers a chance with decisiveness through his reads, Akins is among the top reasons why Point Beach can complete a serious turnaround in 2019.

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Manville Keansburg @Pinelands Asbury Park @Keyport @Manchester @Keansburg Keyport @Pennington

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to ﬁnd on teams rebounding from a winless season. Building from the ground up, there are worse places for a team to start than the senior pairing of Akins and Buday.

Senior Sense of Urgency Last season, Point Beach rostered only three seniors, failing to provide a class that saw playoff berths in 2016 and 2017 a final victory. This year, a sense of urgency rings through a 12th-grade class that takes the field with a unique perspective. Led by Akins, who will get his only chance to start at quarterback, this class hasn’t had a poetic four-year journey like some class of 2019 players. What they do have is an almost youthful excitement to them, paired with the realization they’re leaving their lasting mark on Beach football this Fall. Zaccone is not only leaning on his seniors to build the foundation for his new program, but they’re entrusting him with the optimism their efforts will be enough to fill the stands and create a buzz around Gulls football very soon.

Top Unit: Defensive line

Fly Like A Gull

Jeff Bower is at the helm for a Beach defense that wants to take one simple concept from the offense – speed – and apply it across the entire unit. With so much time and effort going into an offensive install this offseason, the Beach defense has been able to sit back, react, and fly to the football as an experienced and talented group. With a head coach that emphasizes strength and conditioning, the Beach defense should hold up well throughout games whether the offense is firing on all cylinders or sputtering through growing pains. Matt Vinkso, Jack Shamy, Noah Ramos, Josh Ramos, and Jason Sherlock make up the defensive front for the Gulls. Sherlock and Vinsko coming off the edge give Point Beach a pair of lanky pass rushers that can hunt the quarterback from anywhere in the front seven. Collectively, this defensive line understands how to get off blocks, working hard on their finishing ability this offseason. Add an enforcer like Liam Buday at linebacker and the Beach defense is formidable in the trenches.

Point Beach is leaving no doubt in their ambitions to run a spread offense this season, dawning the red and white of Washington State with an attack that Mike Leach would approve of. A staple of any depth chart for an air raid team is the listing of outside receivers and slot receivers separately. For a program with down numbers a year ago, Beach now features nine players between both receiver positions. Almost certainly, most of these players will be asked to chip in elsewhere, primarily on defense, but it’s as exciting a look the Gulls have had on paper in a long time. Will Baranello, Harrison Rudd, Matt Van Brunt, Lance White, and Kieran Nagle are all on the Beach roster at wide receiver, joined by Jason Sherlock, Aidan Conway, Mike Grauso, and Aidan Jones in the slot.

Point Beach will be successful if… The seniors remain committed to their new coach’s plan of attack. The truth is, Zaccone has a lot of work ahead of him to make Point Beach a competitor. Like any new coach, he’s fully embracing the daily routine of this challenge, but will the Beach upperclassmen remain this enthusiastic throughout the season? If the offense comes together for the Gulls, there will be no true star of the show each week, relying on an unselﬁshness that’s hard

Taking it to the Beach Making football fun again has been a mission for the Beach players and staff, something they’ve achieved with infectious results this summer. Starting their offseason program by working with MMA and kickboxing trainers on the beach in the early morning, plenty of Gulls players have convinced their friends to rejoin the team in time for this season. Using this unique training as an introduction to where he hopes to bring the conditioning program at Beach, Zaccone said his players now ask him, “we’re going to lift more, right coach?”, as opposed to shrugging off the grittier side of the game that goes a long way in determining wins and losses.

A SBURY PARK

MANALAPAN

NEPTUNE

FIELD ADDRESS: 1003 Sunset Avenue, Asbury Park DIRECTIONS: From south - Parkway exit 100A. Take Route 66 east to

FIELD ADDRESS: 30 Church Lane, Manalapan DIRECTIONS: Route 9 to Route 522 west. Turn right on Tennent Road,

FIELD ADDRESS: Memorial Field, Summerﬁeld School, Neptune DIRECTIONS: From south - Parkway Exit 100. Take Route 33 east a few

trafﬁc circle. Follow Route 35 north to Sunset Avenue. Turn right; school is about two miles on left. From north - Parkway exit 102 to Asbury Avenue east. Asbury Avenue runs into Route 66 and then same as above.

then left on Church lane. School is a half mile on right.

miles to Green Grove Road. Turn left onto Green Grove Road, school is just ahead on the left. From north - Parkway exit 100B. Follow rest of directions from above.

COLTS NECK

FIELD ADDRESS: 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck DIRECTIONS: Route 34 to Route 537 west toward Freehold. School is two to three miles ahead on the left.

FREEHOLD BORO

FIELD ADDRESS: 2 Robertsville Road, Freehold DIRECTIONS: Take Route 18 to Route 79 south. Turn left onto Robertsville Road. Filed is one block ahead on left.

FREEHOLD T OWNSHIP

FIELD ADDRESS: 281 Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township DIRECTIONS: From south - Parkway exit 100A. Take Route 66 east to trafﬁc circle. Follow Route 35 north to Sunset Avenue. Turn right; school is about two miles on left. From north - Parkway exit 102 to Asbury Avenue east. Asbury Avenue runs into Route 66 and then same as above.

HOWELL

FIELD ADDRESS: 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell DIRECTIONS: Route I-195 west to Lakewood-Farmingdale exit for Route 547 west (toward Farmingdale). Go about 200 yards to SquankumYellowbrook Road, turn left. School is about two miles on left.

HOLMDEL

FIELD ADDRESS: 36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 114. Go west on Red Hill Raod. At ﬁrst intersection, turn right onto Crawfords Corner Road. School is one and a half miles ahead on the right.

KEANSBURG

FIELD ADDRESS: 140 Port Monmouth Road, Keansburg DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 114. Turn right off ramp onto Red Hill Road. At ﬁrst light, turn left onto VanShoik Road. VanSchoik becomes Laurel Avenue. Take Laurel across Route 35 to Route 36. Turn right on Route 36 and take to jughandle left turn for Main Street. At ﬁrst light, turn right onto Port Monmouth Road. School is down on the right.

KEYPORT

FIELD ADDRESS: Jackson Street, Keyport DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 117. Take Route 35 south and bear left onto Route 36 south. Take jughandle left onto Atlantic Street. Turn right on Jackson Street and go two blocks. Field is at the end of the street.

L ONG BRANCH

FIELD ADDRESS: Indiana Avenue, Long Branch DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 105. Take Route 36 east, bear onto route 71 past Monmouth University and turn left on Westwood Avenue. Make a right onto Bath Avenue and then a right onto Indiana Avenue. School is ahead on right.

MANASQUAN

FIELD ADDRESS: 159 Broad Street, Manasquan DIRECTIONS: From north - Parkway exit 98. Take Route 34 south two miles to Manasquan/Sea Girt Exit. Go under Route 34 and follow Atlantic Avenue through circle. School is about one mile ahead on left. From south - Parkway exit 98. Take route 138 west to route 34 south, follow rest of above directions.

OCEAN T OWNSHIP

FIELD ADDRESS: 550 West Park Avenue, Ocean Township DIRECTIONS: Route 35 to West Park Avenue. Go east on West Park Avenue, school is a half mile on the right.

RARITAN

MARLBORO

FIELD ADDRESS: 419 Middle Road, Hazlet DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 114. Make a left off the exit onto Red Hill Road,

ahead on left.

which turns into Laurel Avenue. Follow Laurel north across Route 35 to Middle Road. Turn left, school is on the right. From south - Parkway Exit 114. Turn right onto Red Hill Road, which turns into Laurel Avenue. Follow Laurel north across Route 35 to Middle Road. Turn left, school is on the right.

FIELD ADDRESS: 95 Route 79, Marlboro DIRECTIONS: Route 18 north to Route 79 north. School is a few miles

MATAWAN

FIELD ADDRESS: 450 Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 117. Bear left off exit (passing northbound tollbooths) and get in left lane of Route 35 south. Turn left onto Route 35 north and follow sign back to the Parkway. Before toll booth, turn right on Clark Street. At light, turn left on Lloyd Road. At next light, turn right on Church Street. At next light, turn right on Atlantic. School is just ahead on the right.

MATER DEI PREP

FIELD ADDRESS: 538 Church Street, Middletown DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 114. Turn right on Red Hill Road, follow to end. Turn left onto Kings Highway, and right on Harmony Road, Take Harmony Road across Route 35 and turn right on Cherry Tree Farm Road. School is one and a half miles ahead on left.

MIDDLETOWN NORTH

FIELD ADDRESS: 63 Tindall Road, Middletown DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 114. Turn right onto Red Hill Road and follow to end. Turn right onto Kings Highway. Make a right and follow to Route 35 south to the jughandle for Tindall Road. Take the jughandle and then make a right to Tindall Road. The school will be a half mile on right.

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

FIELD ADDRESS: 501 Nutswamp Road, Middletown DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 114. Go east on Red Hill Road to light for Dwight Road. Turn right on Dwight Road to Middletown-Lincroft Road. Cross Middletown-Lincroft Road to Nutswamp. School is a half mile on the right.

MONMOUTH REGIONAL

FIELD ADDRESS: 1 Normal J. Field Way, Tinton Falls DIRECTIONS: Parkway to exit 105. Take jughandle at ﬁrst trafﬁc light to Hope Road and go north to Tinton Avenue. Turn left on Tinton Avenue and go about half a mile to school entrance on the right, just before Parkway overpass.

RED BANK REGIONAL

FIELD ADDRESS: 101 Ridge Road, Little Silver DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 109. Take Newman Springs Road east to end to Route 35 (Broad Street), turn left. At the second light, turn right on Harding Road. School is one and a half miles on right.

RED BANK CATHOLIC

FIELD ADDRESS: Count Basie Field, Henry Street, Red Bank DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 109. Take Newman Springs Road east to Henry Street - Red Bank Volvo is n the corner. Turn left, ﬁeld entrance is just ahead on the left.

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN

FIELD ADDRESS: 74 Ridge Road, Rumson DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 109. Take Newman Springs Road east to Route 35 (Broad Street), turn left. At the second light, turn right on Harding Road. After about three miles, Harding becomes Ridge Road. Pass Red Bank Regional High School and go about three more miles. Rumson-Fair Haven will be on the left.

ST. JOHN VIANNEY

FIELD ADDRESS: 540 Road, Holmdel DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 117. Bear left off exit (passing northbound tollbooths) and get in left lane of Route 35 south. Turn left onto Route 35 north and follow sign back to the parkway. Before tollbooth, turn right onto Clark Street. At light, turn left on Lloyd Road. At ﬁrst light, turn left onto Church Street. At next light, turn right onto Line road. School is on left.

SHORE REGIONAL

FIELD ADDRESS: Route 36 east, West Long Branch DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 105. Take route 36 a few miles, cross route 71. School is just ahead on the right.

WALL

FIELD ADDRESS: 18th Avenue and New Bedford Road, Wall DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 98. Take Route 138 east about two miles to second light, turn right onto New Bedford Road. Follow to school entrance on left.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO PROVIDED THE PHOTOS USED THROUGHOUT THIS PROGRAM

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BARNEGAT

JACKSON LIBERTY

FIELD ADDRESS: 180 Bengal Boulevard, Barnegat

FIELD ADDRESS: 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson

DIRECTIONS: From the north - Parkway to exit 67 (Barnegat). Make a

DIRECTIONS: From south- Route 9 north to Cox Cro Road Road in

left at the end of the exit ramp onto Bay Avenue. At second light make a left onto Barnegat Boulevard North. Go approximately one mile and make a left onto Bengal Boulevard. School is on the left. From the SouthParkway to Exit 63. Follow route 72 east to route 9 north. Make a left onto Bay Avenue. Make a right onto Barnegat Boulevard North and follow above direction.

Toms River. Make a left onto Cox Cro and follow about two miles to 527 (Whitesville Road). Make a left onto 527 and follow for about 4-5 miles. Make a right onto South Hope Chapel Road/CR-547. School is just ahead on the left. From north - Parkway exit 98. Take I-195 west to Exit 21. Bear left and turn onto Route 527 South. Follow for 6-7 miles and turn left onto South Hope Chapel Road (just after 527 becomes 528 at Whitesville Road). School is about a half mile on the right.

BRICK

FIELD ADDRESS: 346 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick

J ACKSON MEMORIAL

DIRECTIONS: From north - Parkway exit 91. Stay right off exit. Go

FIELD ADDRESS: Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson

straight at light, follow to Route 88. Cross Route 88, go under Parkway overpass and school is just ahead on right. From south- Parkway exit 90. School is short distance on right from off-ramp.

DIRECTIONS: From south - Route 9 north to Route 571. Go about 10-

BRICK MEMORIAL

FIELD ADDRESS: 2001 Lanes Mill Road, Brick DIRECTIONS: From South - Parkway exit 90. Ramp will put you on Chambers Bridge Road. Take ﬁrst jughandle U-turn and go west on Chambers Bridge Road. Cross Route 88 and follow to second light, where there is a convenience store on the left and a gas station on the right. The right and go over the Parkway. Pass the 7-Eleven and take the jughandle left turn for Lanes Mill Road. Go straight across, bear right just pass Lanes Mill Elementary School. High school is on right. From north - Parkway exit 91. Bear left after the toll. Follow jughandle around, turn right at light at gas station. Follow directions above after going over the Parkway.

CENTRAL REGIONAL FIELD ADDRESS: Forest Hills Parkway, Berkeley DIRECTIONS: From north - Parkway exit 77. Turn left off exit onto Double Trouble Road, follow it to trafﬁc light. Turn left on Forest Hills Parkway. School is just ahead on right. Parking entrance is at far end of school or at middle school lot. From south - Parkway exit 77. Turn right on Forest Hills Parkway. School is just ahead on right. Parking entrance is at far end of school or at middle school lot.

DONOVAN CATHOLIC FIELD ADDRESS: 711 Hooper Avenue, Toms River DIRECTIONS: Parkway to Exit 82. Take Route 37 east and turn right on Hooper Avenue. Go south on Hooper about a half mile and turn left at the ﬁrst light. School is on the right.

12 miles west to Route 528 intersection. Turn right on Route 528. Continue on Don Connor Boulevard and make a right. School is a quarter mile on the left. From north - Parkway exit 98. Take I-195 west to exit 21. Bear left and turn onto Route 527 South. At second light turn right onto Route 528. Continue to Don Connor Boulevard and make a left. Follow directions above.

L ACEY FIELD ADDRESS: Haines Street, Lacey DIRECTIONS: Parkway Exit 74. Turn right on Lacey Road. Follow less than two miles, take jughandle left turn for Manchester Avenue. Go to the ﬁrst light, turn right on Haines Street. School is on the right.

L AKEWOOD FIELD ADDRESS: 855 Somerset Ave, Lakewood DIRECTIONS: From south - Parkway exit 90. Take immediate jughandle U-turn to go west on Chambers Bridge Road. Turn left onto Route 88, follow to New Hampshire Avenue and turn right. Take New Hampshire to end, turn left onto Ridge. Go about 1 ½ miles to school on right. From north - Parkway exit 91. Stay right off exit. Go straight at light, follow road to Route 88 intersection. Turn right on Route 88 and follow rest of directions above.

MANCHESTER FIELD ADDRESS: 101 Colonial Drive, Manchester DIRECTIONS: Parkway to Exit 82A. Take Route 37 west about ﬁve miles to jughandle for Colonial Drive. Cross 37 and follow back to school parking lot.

PINELANDS REGIONAL

FIELD ADDRESS: Nugentown Road, Little Egg Harbor DIRECTIONS: Parkway Exit 58. Take Route 539 east about three miles. Turn right on Nugentown Road. School is three miles on the right.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH

FIELD ADDRESS: St. Louis and Chicago Avenues, Pt. Pleasant Beach DIRECTIONS: From north - Route 35 south. After crossing Manasquan River, follow signs for Broadway/Beach and make U-turn onto route 35 North. Make a quick right onto Broadway. Make a right onto St. Louis Avenue and follow until you see the ﬁeld. From south - Route 35 north. Make a right onto Broadway and continue with above listed directions.

POINT PLEASANT BORO

FIELD ADDRESS: Laura Herbert Drive, Point Pleasant DIRECTIONS: From north - Parkway Exit 91. Stay left off exit and take jughandle around to light at gas station. Turn right and follow Burnt Tavern Road to Route 70. Turn left on Route 70 and at next intersection turn right onto Herbertsville Road. Stay on Herbertsville Road to intersection with Route 88. Go straight through light to school less than a mile on the right. From south - Route 88 east to Beaver Dam Road and make a right. School entrance is ahead on right.

SOUTHERN REGIONAL

FIELD ADDRESS: 600 North Main St. (Route 9), Stafford DIRECTIONS: Parkway exit 63. Take Route 72 east about two miles and bear right onto Route 9 north. Take Route 9 about three miles and school is on the left.

TOMS RIVER EAST

FIELD ADDRESS: Raider Way, Toms River DIRECTIONS: Parkway Exit 82, Take Route 37 east to Coolidge Avenue jughandle. Go north on Coolidge one mile to Raider Way. Turn left, school entrance is on the left.

TOMS RIVER NORTH

FIELD ADDRESS: Old Freehold Road, Toms River DIRECTIONS: Parkway Exit 82. Take Route 37 East. At ﬁrst light take a jughandle left onto Route 166 north. Bear right at next trafﬁc light onto Old Freehold Road. School is about three miles ahead on right.

TOMS RIVER SOUTH

FIELD ADDRESS: 101 Hyers Street, Toms River DIRECTIONS: Directions: Parkway exit 82. Take Route 37 east. Turn right onto Hooper Avenue. The ﬁeld is a half mile down on the right behind the Ocean County Courthouse

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WHO PROVIDED THE TEAM & ACTION PHOTOS USED THROUGHOUT THIS PROGRAM

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2019 Week - by - Week Shore Conference Football Schedule WEEK

S ATURDAY , S EPT . 21

F RIDAY , S EPT . 6 American Division Manalapan @ Middletown South 7 p.m. Rumson-Fair Haven @ Red Bank Catholic 7 p.m. Colonial Division Brick @ Mater Dei Prep 4 p.m. Patriot Division Barnegat @ Point Boro 7 p.m. Nondivisional Shore @ Asbury Park 6 p.m. Toms River East @ Howell 6:30 p.m. Colts Neck @ Freehold Township 6:30 p.m. Jackson Memorial @ Brick Memorial 7 p.m. Freehold @ Red Bank 7 p.m. Raritan @ Matawan 7 p.m. Wall @ Middletown North 7 p.m. Nonconference Toms River North @ Cherry Hill West 6 p.m. Linden @ Donovan Catholic 6:30 p.m. Robbinsville @ Manchester 7 p.m. Nottingham @ Southern 7 p.m. Manville @ Point Beach 7 p.m.

S ATURDAY , S EPT . 7 Nondivisional Neptune @ Long Branch Nonconference Marlboro @ Trenton Central Keyport @ Metuchen, Lacey @ Hamilton East, WEEK 1 F RIDAY , S EPT , 13 Freedom Division Toms River South @ Toms River East National Division Keansburg @ Point Beach Asbury Park @ Pinelands Keyport @ Manchester Nondivisional Point Boro @ Donovan Catholic Monmouth @ Lacey Toms River North @ Southern Neptune @ Ocean, Red Bank @ Raritan Howell @ Manalapan Middletown North @ Long Branch Central @ Jackson Liberty Middletown South @ St. John Vianney Lakewood @ Barnegat Holmdel @ Shore Rumson-Fair Haven @ Wall

1 p.m. TBD 1 p.m. 12 p.m.

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 6:30 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

1 p.m. 12 12 12 1

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

WEEK 2

F RIDAY , S EPT , 20 American Division Long Branch @ Rumson-Fair Haven 7 p.m. Middletown South @ Red Bank Catholic 7 p.m. Manalapan @ Toms River North 7 p.m. Colonial Division St. John Vianney @ Brick 7 p.m. Wall @ Jackson Memorial 7 p.m. Constitution Division Southern @ Howell 6:30 p.m. Brick Memorial @ Freehold Twp. 6:30 p.m. Marlboro @ Middletown North 7 p.m. Freedom Division Toms River East @ Jackson Liberty 7 p.m. Lakewood @ Neptune 7 p.m. Colts Neck @ Matawan 7 p.m. Liberty Division Central @ Lacey 6:30 p.m. Manasquan @ Red Bank 7 p.m. Donovan Catholic @ Holmdel 7 p.m. Patriot Division Point Boro @ Raritan 7 p.m. Shore @ Barnegat 7 p.m. National Division Point Beach @ Pinelands 7 p.m. Nondivisional Manchester @ Toms River South 7 p.m.

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1 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.

WEEK 3

F RIDAY , S EPT , 27 American Division Long Branch @ Red Bank Catholic 7 p.m. Toms River North @ Rumson-Fair Haven 7 p.m. Colonial Division Jackson Memorial @ Brick 7 p.m. Freehold @ Wall 7 p.m. Mater Dei Prep @ St. John Vianney 7 p.m. Constitution Division Middletown North @ Freehold Twp. 6:30 p.m. Southern @ Brick Memorial 7 p.m. Liberty Division Manasquan @ Lacey 6:30 p.m. Holmdel @ Red Bank 7 p.m. Donovan Catholic @ Central 7 p.m. Patriot Division Barnegat @ Ocean 7 p.m. Monmouth @ Raritan 7 p.m. Shore @ Point Boro 7 p.m. National Division Asbury Park @ Point Beach 7 p.m.

S ATURDAY , S EPT . 28

S ATURDAY , S EPT . 14 Colonial Division Jackson Memorial @ Mater Dei Prep Nondivisional Brick Memorial @ Brick Colts Neck @ Marlboro Red Bank Catholic @ Manasquan Freehold Township @ Freehold

Colonial Division Mater Dei Prep @ Freehold Patriot Division Ocean @ Monmouth National Division Keyport @ Keansburg

Constitution Division Howell @ Marlboro Freedom Division Toms River East @ Colts Neck Matawan @ Lakewood Jackson Liberty @ Neptune National Division Pinelands @ Keyport Manchester @ Keansbur

12 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m.

WEEK 4

F RIDAY , O CT . 4 American Division Middletown South @ Long Branch Rumson-Fair Haven @ Manalapan Red Bank Catholic @ Toms River North Colonial Division St. John Vianney @ Jackson Memorial Constitution Division Freehold Township @ Howell Marlboro @ Southern Brick Memorial @ Middletown North Freedom Division Colts Neck @ Toms River South Matawan @ Toms River East Lakewood @ Jackson Liberty Liberty Division Donovan Catholic @ Red Bank Lacey @ Holmdel Patriot Division Ocean @ Shore Raritan @ Barnegat National Division Keansburg @ Asbury Park Pinelands @ Manchester

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m.

Liberty Division Central @ Manasquan National Division Point Beach @ Keyport Patriot Division Point Boro @ Monmouth

1 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m. 12 p.m. 2 p.m.

WEEK 5

F RIDAY , O CTOBER 11 American Division Long Branch @ Manalapan Toms River North @ Middletown South Colonial Division Freehold @ St. John Vianney

Liberty Division Red Bank @ Lacey Manasquan @ Donovan Catholic Holmdel @ Central Patriot Division Monmouth @ Shore Ocean @ Raritan National Division Point Beach @ Manchester Keansburg @ Pinelands Nondivisional Brick @ Howell Wall @ Brick Memorial Jackson Liberty @ Jackson Memorial Mater Dei Prep @ Rumson-Fair Haven

6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 12 Freedom Division Colts Neck @ Lakewood Toms River East @ Neptune Toms River South @ Matawan National Division Asbury Park @ Keyport

1 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 12 p.m.

WEEK 6 American Division Red Bank Catholic @ Manalapan Middletown South @ Rumson-Fair Haven Colonial Division St. John Vianney @ Wall Constitution Division Howell @ Middletown North Freedom Division Neptune @ Toms River South Lakewood @ Toms River East Matawan @ Jackson Liberty Liberty Division Lacey at Donovan Catholic Red Bank @ Central Patriot Division Raritan @ Shore Point Boro @ Ocean National Division Manchester @ Asbury Park

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

Freehold @ Howell

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

1 p.m. 1 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m. 12 p.m. 12 p.m. 1 p.m. 1 p.m.

1 p.m. 1 p.m. 2 p.m.

F RIDAY , N OVEMBER 1 Constitution Division Howell @ Brick Memorial, 7 p.m. Freedom Division Matawan @ Neptune Nondivisional Marlboro @ Ocean St. John Vianney @ Long Branch Southern @ Central Brick @ Middletown South Manchester @ Point Boro Freehold Township @ Red Bank Catholic Toms River South @ Toms River North Lacey @ Toms River East Rumson-Fair Haven @ Jackson Memorial Barnegat @ Pinelands Freehold @ Holmdel Point Beach @ Pennington

Freedom Division Jackson Liberty @ Colts Neck Nondivisional Manalapan @ Mater Dei Prep Donovan Catholic @ Lakewood Red Bank @ Monmouth Keansburg @ Keyport

7 p.m. 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

12 p.m. 1 1 2 2

p.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.

WEEK 9 Thursday, Nov.7 Friday, Nov. 8

WEEK 10 Friday, Nov. 15

Saturday, Nov. 16

(NJSIAA Regional Crossover games) (NJSIAA public school sectional qrt. finals) (NJSIAA non-public first-round games) (NJSIAA public school sectional qrt. finals) (NJSIAA non-public first-round games)

(NJSIAA public school sec. semifinals) (NJSIAA non-public quarterfinals) (NJSIAA public school sec. semifinals) (NJSIAA non-public qrt. finals)

WEEK 11

Friday, Nov. 22 (NJSIAA public school sec. championship games) (NJSIAA non-public sectional semifinals) Saturday, Nov. 23 (NJSIAA public school sec. championship games) (NJSIAA non-public semifinals)

WEEK 12 T HURSDAY , N OV . 28 REGULAR SEASON Freedom Division Toms River South @ Lakewood Nondivisional Long Branch @ Red Bank Middletown North @ Middletown South Neptune @ Asbury Park Manasquan @ Wall

F RIDAY , N OVEMBER 29 NJSIAA public school bowl games NJSIAA non-public championship games

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

Red Bank Catholic @ Donovan Catholic 6:30 p.m. Southern @ St. John Vianney 7 p.m. Ocean @ Manchester 7 p.m. Shore @ Matawan Toms River East @ Toms River North Raritan @ Holmdel

7 p.m.

Lacey @ Point Boro Asbury Park @ Barnegat

7 p.m.

Mater Dei Prep @ Middletown North Keyport @ Point Beach

12 p.m.

WEEK 8

Saturday, Nov. 9 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m.

WEEK 7 Colonial Division Wall @ Brick Freedom Division Jackson Liberty @ Toms River South Nondivisional Manalapan @ Freehold Township

Freedom Division Neptune @ Colts Neck Nondivisional Monmouth @ Keansburg Pinelands @ Manasquan Central @ Marlboro

7 p.m.

S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 19 American Division Toms River North @ Long Branch Colonial Division Jackson Memorial @ Freehold Constitution Division rick Memorial @ Marlboro Freehold Township @ Southern Liberty Division Holmdel @ Manasquan Patriot Division Barnegat @ Monmouth Nondivisional Pinelands @ Colts Neck Point Beach @ Keansburg Nonconference St. Thomas Moore (Conn.) @ Mater Dei Pre

S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 26

S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 2

F RIDAY , O CTOBER 18

F RIDAY , O CTOBER 25

S ATURDAY , O CTOBER 5 Colonial Division Wall @ Mater Dei Brick @ Freehold

Constitution Division Marlboro @ Freehold Township Middletown North @ Southern

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

S ATURDAY , N OVEMBER 30 NJSIAA public school bowl games NJSIAA nonpublic championship games.

WEEK 13 F RIDAY , D ECEMBER 6 NJSIAA public school bowl games NJSIAA non-public championship games

S ATURDAY , D ECEMBER 7 NJSIAA public school bowl games NJSIAA non-public championship games

11 a.m. 10:30 10:30 10:30 11

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

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104