By: Bob Badders SSN Managing Editor
WILL THE SKILL THRILL?
T
Head Coach: th
Walt Currie, 15 season Career Record: 78-67
Assistant Coaches: Rob Brown (Defensive Coordinator); James Mahoney (Offensive Coordinator); Bill Brunner (OL); Paul Walski (OL); Bob Merola (TE); Keith Farr (WR); Pete Walski (WR/CB); William Brunner Sr. (DT); Mike Mahoney (DE); Nick Moschella (LB); Brady Watson (Safeties); Jimmy Bright & Ryan Graham (Freshmen); Sue Penrod (Athletic Trainer).
Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 3-5 2019: 3-6 2018: 4-6 2017: 74 2016: 2-8
Offense: Spread Option Defense: 4-2-5 ___________________________________________________
o rebound from a string of three straight losing seasons – a first under head coach Walt Currie and the first for the program in over 20 years – Brick Memorial will be leaning on a veteran group of linemen while hoping its skill players can develop quickly.
To be fair, it’s not like Brick Memorial has been a bottom-feeder over the last few seasons. The Mustangs were 4-6 in 2018, 3-6 in 2019 and 3-5 last season. They’ll try to get back on the winning side of things and return to their usual spot of competing for division and state championships, but in order to do so, the Mustangs will need some unproven newcomers to make their presence felt. Brick Memorial has veered away from its classic flexbone triple-option offense over the past couple of seasons but the option concepts remain in the Mustangs’ spread option offense. The strength is clearly in the trenches with five senior linemen returning as starters along with a senior tight end. The veteran group
Player To Watch: Mike Angrosina, Sr., TE/ILB
Thur. 9/2 @Howell 6:30pm Fri. 9/17 @TR South 7pm Sat. 9/25 Brick 1pm Fri. 10/1 @Midd. North 7pm Fri. 10/8 Lacey 7pm Fri. 10/15 Marlboro 7pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD
includes Evan Gillen (5-foot-10, 245) at left tackle, PJ Mazzeo (6-foot-1, 235) at left guard, Colin Mullahey (5-foot-11, 215) at center, Sam Azzoretti (5-foot-10, 230) at right guard and Brett Baxter (6foot-3, 250) at right tackle. Senior Mike Angrosina, a returning starter, is at tight end along with sizeable junior Ben Wooley (6-foot-3, 225).
SR. TE M IKE A NGROSINA
At the skill positions, senior wide receiver Jake Gallo is the lone returning starter. Senior Damien DiLuccio is the other wide receiver and senior Jake LaRocca steps in as the starting running back.
Brick Mem
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Angrosina is one of several two-way returning starters for Brick Memorial. He’ll look to lead the defense as the middle linebacker and at tight end will be called upon to contribute on the ground and through the air.
P LAYER U NDER
THE
R ADAR :
Jake Gallo, Sr., WR/OLB Gallo is the lone returning skill player with starting experience and enters as the No. 1 target for new quarterback Connor Deitz. After starting in the secondary last season he will slide down to outside linebacker.
I MPACT N EWCOMER : Connor Dietz, So., QB The quarterback position is important in any offense and even more so in an option offense given the post-snap reads and responsibilities. Deitz’s development this season will be something to watch as the Mustangs try to return to contention.
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S AM A ZZORETTI (60), C OLIN M ULLAHEY (73), M IKE A NGROSINA (45), J AKE G ALLO (4), E VAN G ILLEN (57), J AKE L A R OCCA (22), D AMIEN D I L UCCIO (9)
T OP P OSITION G ROUP : Offensive and Defensive Line
Big Shoes to Fill:
X-Factor:
Skill Positions
Development of New Starters
The entire offensive line is back and three of four defensive linemen are also returning starters. Those guys will have to lead the way and set the tone early in the season while the skill players find their way.
Brick Memorial’s offense was mostly a two-man show last season with quarterback TJ McArthur and running back/wide receiver Akhi Barksdale producing the bulk of the yards and touchdowns. With both having graduated it will be up to a new cast to of characters to take the reins.
If the first-year starters can perform like seasoned veterans sooner than later, Brick Memorial should be able to contend for a division title and make some noise in the state playoffs. If not, it will be an uphill battle to get to a .500 record.
