Patriot Division.................................................... Pages

By: Matt Manley

SSN Senior Editor

RISING SUN

Head Coach:

Nick Famularo, 2nd season Career Record: 4-2 Assistant Coaches:

Lamar Davenport (Off. Coordinator/CB), Chris Demarist (Def. Coordinator/RB), Ikie Calderon (Special Teams/RB/S), Matt Ardizzone (QB/ILB), Rob Ward (OL/DL), Keith Killea (WR/OLB), Nancy Saphow (Athletic Trainer) Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 4-2 2019: 5-4 2018: 4-6 2017: 6-4 2016: 8-4

Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4

Player To Watch: Jai’Sun Brown, Jr., QB Still only a junior, Brown is one of the top returning quarterbacks in the Shore Conference and it shows both on film and in the numbers. He is a dual threat who already has a good feel for the finer points of the position, which show in his 14 touchdowns against only four interceptions last season, as well as a 61 percent completion percentage. Brown’s 1,508 passing yards were good for fifth in the conference and those 14 passing touchdowns ranked No. 2 in the Shore Conference.

PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR Josh Handy, Sr., RT/DE The offensive and defensive lines will be where Asbury Park is the least experienced, but the return of Handy to both should help solidify both fronts as the new blood catches up. Junior Darren Bacoute will play both ways and classmate Shaki Ford is a returning starter on the defensive line, but it will be Handy holding it down on both sides in order for the offensive line to protect Brown and the defensive line to cause chaos.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Iquann Crawford, So., RB/MLB Although Asbury Park will have a young squad, the freshman class likely won’t have an instant-impact players to give the varsity lineup, at least not right away. The sophomore class, though, does have some potential impact, particularly with a pair of Y outh and inexperience may be a reason for some programs to temper

expectations within a given season, but that is not and has not been the case at Asbury Park in recent years.

Thur. 9/2 Red Bank 6pm Fri. 9/10 @Shore 7pm Fri. 9/17 Point Boro 6pm Fri. 9/24 Jackson Liberty 6pm Fri. 10/1 @Barnegat 7pm Sat. 10/9 @Manchester 1pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD Thur. 11/25 Neptune 10am

Whether or not the Blue Bishops have been loaded with seniors or breaking in a new core of underclassmen hasn’t necessarily made or buried their prospects in a given year.

It helps when the young players that emerge within the program can play like Asbury Park’s current quarterback, Jai’Sun Brown. A starter since his freshman year, Brown is at the center of what Asbury Park will try to do to opponents and the hope among second-year coach Nick Famularo and his staff is that the Brown’s presence will help ease the transition for Asbury Park’s many new starters.

( L- R ) J A ’M AOUR E LLIS (6), J AI ’ SUN B ROWN (1), L YDELL B ROWN (8) J ASHUA H ANDY (60) & E LIJAH D RAKE (56)

playmakers in Crawford and RaLee Stephens. Stephens played some last year and will be a key receiver and defensive back, but Crawford was extremely limited in his playing time as a freshman. This year, thought, Crawford has returned as one of the programs most improved players and could find himself with a significant number of carries on offense, not to mention his work at middle linebacker..

T OP P OSITION G ROUP : Secondary With Brown calling the signals, the quarterback position is probably Asbury Park’s best, but the secondary deserves some light shined upon it for its talent and experience. Lydell Brown, Jamour Ellis and Knasir Alston are all returning seniors within the group and Stephens is an impact newcomer at strong safety. Alston is also a key cog in the offense as the projected starter at tailback and Ellis will be among Brown’s options at receiver.

B IG S HOES TO F ILL : Lydell Brown, Sr., 3RS One of the reasons Brown could but up such gaudy numbers as a sophomore was because he had an AllShore senior receiver in Mikai Brown-Jones. With BrownJones gone, it will be up to the remaining receivers to step up and for Brown to develop a connection with them. Brown is the experienced senior in the group, so he will be the leading candidate to emerge as a dependable target, although Ellis, Stephens and tight end Tajere Burress are all capable of picking up the slack as well

X-Factor: Youth

Getting a host of underclassmen and under-experienced juniors up to speed will be a challenge for Famularo and his staff, but they have some things going for them. Brown at quarterback and a history of plugging young players in with a degree of success are two of them and another is that other small-school teams at the Shore are also undergoing something of a youth movement as well.

Head Coach:

Paul Covine, 1st season Career Record: 0-0 Assistant Coaches:

Kevin Smith (Off. Coordinator); Andrew Petruzzi (RB/Dir. of Football Operations); Mike Burke (Special Teams Coordinator/DL); Mike Leone (OL); Andrew Villiez (WR); Pat Moran (DB); Wayne Jackson (Varsity gameday coach); Zach Brebner (Freshmen HC); Zach Andrews (Freshmen asst.); Lauren Tribley (Athletic Trainer) Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 5-3 2019: 5-4 2018: 7-3 2017: 5-5 2016: 5-5

Offense: Multiple Spread Defense: 3-4

Player To Watch: Connor Darmstatter, Sr., OL/DL Darmstatter was a first-team all-division selection as an offensive lineman last season and returns as a two-way starter. The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder will anchor the trenches on both sides of the ball.

PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR JoJo Bivins, Jr., RB/FS Bivins flashed impressive playmaking ability in limited action as a sophomore. With a full year and first-team reps coming his way, he could be one of the breakout star of the 2021 season.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Jared Schworn, Sr., TE/LB An injury derailed Schworn’s junior season but he’s back and ready to go as a two-way starter at tight end and linebacker.

T OP P OSITION G ROUP : Offensive Line A lot of Shore Conference squads are experienced up front and Barnegat is among those teams with three returning starters along the offensive line. Connor Darmstatter, Bryan Ortiz and Kenneth Minor return as the linchpins of the line in front of new quarterback Kurt Bonin.

A NEW ERA

For the first time since the program’s first varsity season in 2006, someone

other than Rob Davis will be leading the Bengals onto the field to begin the season.

By: Bob Badders

SSN Managing Editor

Thur. 9/2 Allentown 6pm Fri. 9/10 Manchester 7pm Fri. 9/17 Jackson Liberty 7pm Fri. 9/24 @Shore 7pm Fri. 10/1 Asbury Park 7pm Fri. 10/8 @Point Boro 7pm Fri. 10/15 @Point Beach 7pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD

( L- R ) K EAN P AUL (88), C ONNOR D ARMSTATTER (64), K URT B ONIN (8), K ENNETH M INOR (74), J ARED S CHWORN (33)

Davis, who was the first and only head coach in Barnegat history prior to stepping down after the 2020 season, started the Bengals football program, guided the team for 15 seasons and compiled an 82-69 record with four division titles and one NJSIAA sectional final appearance.

Less than a month after Davis’ announced his resignation, Barnegat found its next head coach, and it didn’t have to look very far.

In December, longtime assistant Paul Covine, who was most recently the team’s defensive coordinator, was hired as Barnegat’s new head coach, kicking off a new era of Barnegat football. Covine is a Barnegat native who attended Barnegat schools and is a graduate of Southern Regional High School, which was where Barnegat residents went to high school before Barnegat HS opened in 2004. He coached with the program for 12 seasons, starting at the middle school before coaching at the freshmen level and then with the varsity team.

“I’m ecstatic, I really don’t have any words to describe it,” Covine told Shore Sports Network the day his hiring was made official. ‘I’m a Barnegat guy and just to get hired to coach football here 12 years ago was awesome. I coached in the middle school and then the freshmen and then was a varsity assistant and then the defensive coordinator, and now this. It’s a dream come true.”

Not only is Barnegat’s new head coach a longtime veteran of the program, most of the coaching staff also returned. Continuity and familiarity can often be an issue teams have to work through after a coaching change but the Bengals can hit the ground running in that regard.

“One of my selling points when I was going for the job is that nobody knows the kids better than me because I’ve been a part of what Coach Davis has built,” Covine said. “I think that’s so important for the kids, that it’s an easy transition for them.”

Now, Covine will try to continue Barnegat’s competitive ways while putting his own spin on the program. On the surface and in terms of scheme, Barnegat will look very similar to how it has in the past.

The Bengals’ multiple spread offense has six returning starters from a unit that averaged 17.9 points per game last season. Half of those returning starters are on the offensive line with senior all-division selection Connor Darmstatter (6-foot-3, 285) at left tackle, senior Bryan Ortiz (5-foot-8, 200) at right guard and senior Kenneth Minor (6-foot-2, 305) at right tackle. Junior Connor Armstrong, who was a starting linebacker as a sophomore last season, will start at left guard while senior Azreal Pearson is the center. The tight end is senior Jared Schworn, who was set to start on defense last year before an injury ended his season.

Senior Kurt Bonin takes over as the starting quarterback and in addition to an experienced offensive line will have some good playmakers around him. The Bengals have three wide receivers back who saw starting action last season with senior Keean Paul (6-foot-2, 225) and juniors Nasiem Lee and Shikieth Gordon.

Junior running back JoJo Bivins split time last season, rushing for 302 yards and three touchdowns to earn second-team all-division honors. He will be RB1 this season with junior Max Giaccone and freshman Johnnel Johnson backing him up.

Barnegat’s defense was very good last season, finishing tied for 10th in the Shore in points allowed at 15.5 per game. Just four starters return from that group, however, and the Bengals will have to find a way to replace some big-time stat producers at all three levels.

Darmstatter is the lone returning starter up front in the Bengals’ 3-4 alignment, returning at defensive end. The other defensive end will be Minor and Pearson will line up at nose tackle.

Armstrong had a very solid sophomore season with 49 tackles and returns as the starting middle linebacker. Schworn jumps back into a starting role as the weakside

B IG S HOES TO F ILL : Azreal Pearson, Sr., OL/DL He isn’t a direct replacement since the positions aren’t exactly the same, but Pearson becomes a two-way starter after the graduation of TJ Stokes, who was a starting offensive lineman and had a very good year along the defensive line with 41 tackles and three sacks. X-Factor: Re-Igniting the Offense Barnegat’s defense was pretty good last year but it’s offense was in the middle of the pack. A return to being a high-octane unit would certainly be a plus, especially in a division that should feature several very good offenses.

linebacker while Paul is the strongside linebacker and senior Amir Allan will be the ‘Buck’ linebacker.

In the secondary, Lee is a returning starter at cornerback with Gordon at the opposite cornerback spot. Lee made 40 tackles with five passes defensed and one forced fumble last season. Seniors Logan Kruedl and Justin Bye are at strong safety. Junior Kyle Eslinger is the free safety with Bivins No. 2 on the depth chart.

Barnegat will play in the Patriot Division this season, which includes several familiar rivals. They’ll take on Asbury Park, Jackson Liberty, Manchester, Point Boro and Shore Regional in division games and square off against Allentown and Point Beach in their first and final regular-season games, respectively.

Projected Offensive Starters:

(RS=returning starter, 3RS=3rd-year returning starter) Returning Starters: 6

QB: KURT BONIN, SR. RB: JOJO BIVENS, JR.; MAX GIACCONE, JR. WR: KEEAN PAUL, SR. RS; NASIEM LEE, JR., RS; SHIKIETH GORDON, JR., RS TE: JARED SCHWORN, SR. LT: CONNOR DARMSTATTER, SR., RS LG: CONNOR ARMSTRONG, JR. C: AZREAL PEARSON, SR. RG: BRYAN ORTIZ, SR., RS RT: KENNETH MINOR, SR., RS

Projected Defensive Starters:

Returning Starters: 4

WDE: KENNETH MINOR, SR. NT: AZREAL PEARSON, SR. SDE: CONNOR DARMSTATTER, SR., RS BUCK: AMIR ALLAN, SR. WLB: JARED SCHWORN, SR., RS MLB: CONNOR ARMSTRONG, JR., RS SLB: KEEAN PAUL, SR. CB: NASIEM LEE, JR., RS; DERRICK JARVIS, SO. CB: SHIKIETH GORDON, JR.; JAZMERE VIERA, SO. SS: LOGAN KRUEDL, SR. FS: KYLE ESLINGER, JR.

Projected Special Team Starters:

K: KYLE ESLINGER, JR. P: CONNOR DARMSTATTER, SR. LONG SNAPPER: CONNOR ARMSTRONG, JR. HOLDER: KURT BONIN, SR. KR: NASIEM LEE, JR., RS; JOJO BIVINS, JR. PR: NASIEM LEE, JR., RS

Head Coach:

Jim Sharples, 9th season Career Record: 23-51 Assistant Coaches:

Jeff Schmidt (Defensive Coordinator/S); Matt Schmidt (OL/DE/Special Teams Coordinator); Gerard O’Donnell (Offensive Coordinator/QB/CB); Jimmy Lopez (LB/JV Head Coach); Matt Spader (WR/Freshmen Head Coach); Matt Fergusen (LB/OL/Freshmen); Ryan Azzolini (DL/Freshmen); Chris Grande (Athletic Trainer). Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 1-4 2019: 2-7 2018: 3-7 2017: 3-7 2016: 1-9

Offense: Pro Style Defense: 4-3

Player To Watch: Cooper Yorke, TE, Sr., RS He is the Swiss Army Knife of the Jackson Liberty Lions being a key part of special teams as the kicker and punter and playing different roles in the offense. He has also played a key role at linebacker on the other side of the ball. Yorke will move from slot receiver over to tight end in 2021 and brings some size to the position as well, but more importantly good hands.

PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR Brandon Bittar LT/DT, Jr. It's hard to miss a player who stands at 6-foot5, but you'll want to look at the offensive and defensive line for this junior tackle. Bittar also slides over a couple of spots on offense after playing center last season.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Jack Duke C, Sr. Duke moves into the starting center position after Bittar slid over to tackle. Duke will have to play a key role in ensuring protection and opening holes for the retooled offensive backfield. RUN THROUGH THE JUNGLE

When you think of a jungle, what comes to mind?

( L- R ) D ALLAS W EISSE (2), C ONNOR G ALLAGHER (4), B RANDON B ITTAR (75), C OOPER Y ORKE (14), M ATT R OMERO (52), Z ACKARY C ORRADO (1)

Hot and humid. Lots of animals. Swampy areas. Some quicksand.

It can make things unpredictable in a sometimes fast-paced environment, but the way out of quicksand isn't to panic, it's to slow things down, trust in your training and keep calm.

And if you find help nearby, you call out as loud as you can in hopes of someone coming to rescue you before it's too late.

Pocket pressure in the backfield can often seem like quicksand and you could go down in a hurry -- being tackled, sacked, forced to fumble the rock.

Jackson Liberty has been trying to find their way offensively, searching for the right combination up front, trying to execute when holes open up for their skill players, and put more points on the board.

Their defense, in large part, has been able to keep them in most of their games.

But if you're not scoring, you're not winning.

In 2018, the Lions averaged just 9.1 points per game. In 2019, they scored 106 points for the season and in 2020 -- and yes it was a shortened season because of the pandemic -- they only scored 41 points in five games and that includes getting shut out in one of them by rival

By: Vin Ebenau

SSN Contributor

Thur. 9/2 Point Beach 7pm Fri. 9/10 Point Boro 7pm Fri. 9/17 @Barnegat 7pm Fri. 9/24 @Asbury Park 6pm Fri. 10/1 @Manchester 7pm Fri. 10/8 Shore 7pm Fri. 10/15 @Jackson Mem. 7pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD

T OP P OSITION G ROUP : Defensive Front Seven Even though they surrendered 163 points in 2020, the defense over the last few seasons has been a strong point for the Lions. It'll have to vastly improve in 2021 to return to prior success and perhaps it can with the front seven heading out there this season. They have size on the line led by Brandon Bittar and newcomer Jack Duke and then at linebacker with players like Connor Gallagher and Cooper Yorke.

B IG S HOES TO F ILL : Zach Corrado RB/SS, Jr. Gian Libassi was one of Jackson Liberty's best in 2020 and prior to, both at running back and linebacker. He was the Shore Sports Network Player of the Week in Week 1 of 2020 in the Lions' 16-14 win over Toms River East, recording 12 tackles and 2 sacks on defense and running for 70-yards on offense while scoring a touchdown in the process. Corrado will have to step up in 2021 as he'll be getting a bulk of the carries on offense. He's one of the players tasked with trying to spark a struggling offense.

X-Factor: Executing the New Offensive System If something isn't working the way you envision and you feel doing something else could improve the overall mission, perhaps it's time to pivot to that new option. In the quest to generate some offense and find offensive consistency, Sharples has made a change to the offense by going with a Pro-Style look for 2021.

Jackson Memorial.

Now, they turn the page, hoping to spark a renaissance of offensive production in 2021.

Gone is the flexbone triple-option offense from a season ago as the Lions now become engaged in a Pro Style offense that'll move a few players around, including Cooper Yorke sliding from slot receiver to tight end. "We are going to look to pound the ball with Zach Corrado and get it in the hands of Cooper Yorke with playaction and a quick passing game," said Jackson Liberty head coach Jim Sharples. "We have some experience at some positions but lack depth if we run into injuries."

Yorke, Corrado and Matt Romero are keying the returning players from last season and will look to help lead some newcomers to the team, including Dennis Caswell and Jack Duke.

They also may have a secret weapon heading into the season, that changes everything offensively -- senior Dallas Weisse. "He went to Donovan Catholic for his freshmen year. He was really promising in 8th grade and we were disappointed to see him leave but glad he's back," Sharples said.

The senior is also a guard for the school basketball team, good enough to earn All-Division honors.

Sharples made a continued effort to get Weisse to come out for the football team and suddenly all that work paid off. "Now he's come out for the team," Sharples said. "He's been playing quarterback and has been a pleasant, pleasant surprise. He still looks like he could get it done and what it allows me to do is to free up Connor Gallagher, who was the quarterback, and he could go back to his receiving role and help us a lot there."

A week and a half into training camp this summer, Weisse took over the starting quarterback job, impressing Sharples and the coaching staff along the way with his stellar arm. "He does throw the ball really well," Sharples said. "We were struggling in that department and with our offense, which is going to be a running offense, if the defenses know you can't throw it, they're going to pack the box and there's going to be nine guys in there and it's going to make things really tough on us. Now, his (Weisse) ability to throw the ball -- short range, medium range -- he's very accurate, has a strong arm and he's also athletic." "He could definitely run and run to buy himself some time in the pocket," Sharples said.

Projected Offensive Starters:

(RS=returning starter, 3RS=3rd-year returning starter)

QB: DALLAS WEISSE SR., 6'0, 200 RB: ZACH CORRADO JR., 5'8, 170, RS WR: CONNOR GALLAGHER, SR., 6'2, 190, RS WR: BRANDON GALLAGHER JR., 5'10, 155 WR: JOEY CELENTANO JR., 6'2, 155 WR: CONNOR HILLS JR., 5'10, 155 TE: COOPER YORKE SR., 6'1, 200, RS LT: BRANDON BITTAR JR., 6'5, 340, RS LG: MATT ROMERO SR., 5'8, 210, RS C: JACK DUKE SR., 5'10, 210 RG: ANTHONY GEORGIANO SO., 5'11, 230 RT: DAVID LIDZIEV JR., 5'11, 250

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE: JACK DUKE SR., 5'10, 210 DT: MATT ROMERO SR., 5'8, 210, RS DT: BRANDON BITTAR JR., 6'5, 340, RS DE: JOE BRADLEY SR., 5'10, 190 OLB: CONNOR GALLAGHER SR., 6'2, 190, RS ILB: COOPER YORKE, SR., 6'1, 200, RS OLB: DANTE ROBERTO SR., 5'9, 185, RS CB: WILLIAM BRADLEY SO., 5'7, 145 CB: CONNOR HILLS JR., 5'10, 155 SS: ZACH CORRADO JR., 5'8, 170, RS FS: BRANDON GALLAGHER JR., 5'10, 155

Projected Special Team Starters:

K/P: COOPER YORKE, SR., 6'1, 200, RS

Head Coach:

Brian Wilkinson, 2ND season (13th overall) Career Record: 49-70 Assistant Coaches:

Charlie Diskin (offensive coordinator/QB); Rich Stratton (OL); Amani Richardson (WR); Alex Lunn (RB); Paul Findlow (DL); Tom Malek (Secondary); Sam Ichabone & Erik Lang (Frosh). Tiffany Whalen (Athletic Trainer). Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 5-3 2019: 2-8 2018: 5-5 2017: 3-7 2016: 3-7

Offense: Spread Defense: 3-3/3-4

Player To Watch: Savon Myers, Sr., QB When you are a returning second-team AllShore selection who put up big numbers as a junior clearly the focus is on you. Myers has to get used to many new faces with receiver D’Maari Brown the only other skill position starter back. How he adjusts to those new players and handles knowing other teams will focus on stopping him will end up being a key for the Hawks to compile a second straight winning season.

PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR D’Maari Brown, Sr., WR/S The speedy Brown averaged 14 yards per reception last fall and if he gets the ball in open space then look out. Count on opposing teams looking to shut him down so he’ll have to find ways to get open. He’s a solid safety on defense and can do a little bit of everything.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Josh Love, So., RB/DB Watch out for this 5-foot-6 sophomore speedster who will be in the mix at both running back and defensive back.

CONTINUE THE CULTURE

Manchester Township High School has not had much success on the football

field during its program history. Going into last season they had not produced a winning season since 2010 and in the history of the school, the Hawks have qualified for the state playoffs just twice and have never won a playoff game.

By: Kevin Williams

SSN Director

Thur. 9/2 Monmouth 7pm Fri. 9/10 @Barnegat 7pm Fri. 9/17 Shore 7pm Fri. 9/24 @Point Boro 7pm Fri. 10/1 Jackson Liberty 7pm Sat. 10/9 Asbury Park 1pm Sat. 10/16 @Lakewood 1pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD

( L- R ) K INGBORN M ORRIS (28), D IONDRE J OHNSON (3), S AVON M YERS (9), E VAN W EINER (81), C HRISTOPHER P ASOS (54), D'M AARI B ROWN (4)

However, first-year head coach Brian Wilkinson was not afraid of the challenge, having helped Pinelands rise from the ashes in 2013 and previously having success at Toms River South. It did not take long for the Hawks to shock the Shore as they knocked off Lacey in Week 1 and, despite losing their final two games, finished 5-3 and gave the returning players a taste of what winning is all about.

While they return one of the Shore’s top quarterbacks there will be plenty of new faces on the field as the Hawks graduated a host of talented seniors, including third-team AllShore running back Josh Glenn, wide receiver Gavin Clark, offensive lineman Tom Smith and linebacker Nick Uberti, all of whom were selected for the canceled All-Shore Gridiron Classic. While Manchester returns only eight starters (four on offense and four on defense) the Hawks do boast a unique talent in 6-foot-5 senior quarterback Savon Myers, who was a second-team Shore Sports Network

X-Factor: Inexperience The Hawks are going to play a lot of young players as 28 of the 51 players on their varsity roster are sophomores. They may have caught some teams off guard early last season but don’t expect a repeat as everyone knows about Myers and Brown. Manchester moves up a bit in class playing in the Patriot Division and will need a couple of early wins to keep the momentum going from last season. DID YOU KNOW?

Since its first full varsity football season in 1977, Manchester has never posted consecutive winning seasons. The last time the Hawks had consecutive non-losing seasons was from 2008 to 2010 when Gerard O’Donnell led the team to final records of 5-5, 5-5 and 6-4, respectively.

senior quarterback Savon Myers, who was a secondteam Shore Sports Network All-Shore selection after throwing for 1,400 yards and 15 toucheowns with just four interceptions. Myers has a very strong arm and likes to throw the ball downfield, and while two of his top receivers have graduated he’ll have senior D’Maari Brown back as his favorite target. The 5-foot-7, 165-pound Brown is a three-year starter who caught 27 passes for 377 yards and 2 touchdowns last fall. Wilkinson calls him a “Swiss Army Knife” who can do just about anything on the football field.

With Glenn gone after accounting for more than 1,100 yards of offense in 2020, look for the running game to rest with senior Josh Irizarry and a trio of underclassmen in junior Eli Casalan and sophomores Jomar Velliard and Josh Love. Three of the five spots on the offensive line appear set with returning starters Christopher Pasos (6-foot-2, 265), David Larangeira (5-foot10, 180) and sophomore Gavin Herr (6-foot-1, 265). In the mix for the other spots are Jake Otten (So.), Domonic Terrero (Sr.), Tito Sobayo (Jr.) and Calvin Spicer (Jr.).

The strength of the defense appears to be up front with three-year starter Kingborn Morris at one end position while seniors Diondre Johnson (DE) and Pasos (DT) make up the rest of the threeman group. They will have to play well while a brand-new group of linebackers led by Casalan and senior Evan Tafrow gain some experience. Junior Landon Hinton is in the mix for a starting spot along with junior Christian Pasos and sophomores Gio Tripodi and Malik Bellamy. The secondary is young and will feature four new starters with Aidan Wheeler (Jr.) and Irizarry at cornerback and Love holding down the strong safety spot with juniors Dante Tyrone Benjamin and Danny Saggau looking for time as the weak side safety. The Hawks also bring back an outstanding kicker in junior Evan Weiner, a third-team All-Shore selection in 2020 after kicking three field goals, including a long of 37 yards.

One of the signs of progress in the program is the Hawks not only have 51 players on their varsity roster but nearly 30 freshmen. A little winning can sometimes go a long way.

Projected Offensive Starters:

(RS=returning starter, 3RS=3rd-year returning starter)

QB: SAVON MYERS, SR., RS RB: JOSH IRIZZARY, SR.; ELI CASALAN, JR.; JOMAR VELLIARD, SO.; JOSH LOVE, SO. WR: D’MAARI BROWN, SR., 3RS; TYRONE BENJAMIN, JR.; NA’ZIR MORRIS, JR.; AMARI PETTY, SR. OL: CHRISTOPHER PASOS, SR., RS OL: GAVIN HERR, SO. OL: DAVID LARANGEIRA, SR. OL: JAKE OTTEN, SO.; DOMONIC TERRERO, SR. OL: TITO SOBAYO, JR.; CALVIN SPICER, JR.

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE: KINGBORN MORRIS, SR., 3RS DT: CHRISTOPHER PASOS, SR,. RS DE: DIONDRE JOHNSON, SR., RS LB: ELI CASALAN, JR.; GIO TRIPODI, SO.; MALIK BELLAMY, SO. LB: EVAN TAFROW, SR. LB: LANDON HINTON, JR.; CHRISTIAN PASOS, JR. LB: JOSH LOVE, SO.; DAVID ESTRADA, SO. CB: AIDAN WHEELER, JR. CB: JOSH IRIZZARY, SR. S: DANTE TYRONE BENJAMIN, JR.; DANNY SAGGAU, JR. S: D’MAARI BROWN, SR.3RS

Projected Special Team Starters:

K/P: EVAN WEINER, JR., RS

SR. QB S AVON M YERS

Photos by:

Head Coach:

Brian Staub, 4th season Career Record: 8-16 Assistant Coaches:

Shane O’Connor (Defensive Coordinator); Dave Johnson (Special Teams Coordinator); John Mattos (Special Teams Coordinator); Ryan Canary (OL); Dan Drzymkowski (DL); Kyle Ryan (OL); Eddie Kendall (DL); Tom Orrok (Slotbacks); John McDonald (FB/LB); John Madden (Athletic Trainer). Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 2-4 2019: 3-6 2018: 3-6 2017: 11-1 2016: 8-2

Offense: Flexbone Defense: 3-3 stack

Player To Watch: Charlie Vitale, Sr., QB/DB Vitale will be entering his third year as the Panthers starting quarterback. A veteran running the triple option usually has a big year and that is the expectation for Point Boro.

PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR Jake Croce, So., RB/OLB Croce started both ways last year and had a very good freshman season at both running back and linebacker. He and Vitale should form a potent 1-2 punch.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Charles Davison, So., OL/DL The Panthers are excited about Davison at the varsity level and the 6-foot-2, 270-pounder will start on the offensive line and rotate in on defense. He could be a dominant player for the Panthers for the next three years.

T OP P OSITION G ROUP : The Offensive Backfield With Charlie Vitale, Jake Croce and Connor Cilento all returning plus the addition of Aidan Kirk, the Panthers have exactly the personnel they need to have an explosive rushing attack.

RELENTLESS PURSUIT

Brian Staub is fired up. And so is his team.

( L- R ) COLE SKINNER (72), CONNOR CILENTO (3), CHARLIE VITALE (5), CONNOR REYNOLDS (56), LUKE WILSON (76), MATT OLIPHANT (11), JAKE CROCE (40).

ince the 2020 season wrapped up last December, the entirety of Point Boro’s program has moved forward with a collective goal of getting the Panthers back to championship contention. Every weight room session, every hour of film study, every rep of practice has been executed with the singular objective of winning a championship.

With that hyper-focused approach combined with a roster that includes talented veterans and promising newcomers, Point Boro has a great chance to return to glory in 2021.

From 2015-2017, Point Boro went 27-5, won three Class B South division titles and reached the Central Jersey Group 2 title game in 2017. The Panthers believe they are about to embark on a similar run with this being the year they put it all together. It’s hard to argue that sentiment given what the Panthers will be working with on Friday nights.

Five starters return in Point Boro’s Flexbone triple-option offense, but it’s where those players are located that has the Panthers so excited. The top three ball carriers from a year ago are all back with senior quarterback Charlie Vitale, sophomore A-back Jake Croce and junior slotback Connor Cilento. Vitale ran for 386 yards and five touchdowns and threw for 250 yards and a touchdown in five games, Croce ran for 375 yards and a teamhigh seven touchdowns and Cilento ran for 325 yards and three touchdowns. Add in senior Aidan Kirk, a first-team All-Shore lacrosse player, to the mix as a slotback and the Panthers will have multiple weapons to attack opposing defenses with.

The offensive line has two returning starters with senior Luke Wilson (6-foot-2, 245) at left guard and senior Justin Tuzzolino (5-foot-9, 210) at center. The three newcomers all bring good size, especially on the right side of the line. Highly-touted sophomore Charles Davison (6-foot-2, 270) is the right guard and junior Cole Skinner (6-foot-5, 305) is the right tackle. Rounding out the line is senior Mike Meccia (6foot, 220) at left tackle with senior Jackson Fattell (6-foot-1, 200) also working in.

The one weak spot on the offensive side is at wide receiver where the Panthers do not have any players with a varsity reception. Seniors Thomas Welch and Dermott McLaughlin and juniors Brian Orio, Brandon Sloan (6-foot-3)

By: Bob Badders

SSN Managing Editor

Thur. 9/2 Shore 7pm Fri. 9/10 @Jackson Liberty 7pm Fri. 9/17 @Asbury Park 6pm Fri. 9/24 Manchester 7pm Fri. 10/8 Barnegat 7pm Sat. 10/16 @Monmouth 12pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD

B IG S HOES TO F ILL : The Wide Receivers There isn’t necessarily one player the wide receivers have to replace but given there isn’t a single varsity reception among the group, somebody is going to have to step up and become an option down the field. X-Factor: Staying Healthy Along the O-Line Even with all the skill Point Boro has, it will be hard to move the ball without the hogs up front. Many of the linemen are playing both ways so defensive coordinator Shane O’Connor will try to rotate them as much as possible to keep everybody fresh.

and Eric Analonis (6-foot-4) could all see time. Although the Panthers won’t throw much if things are going according to plan, they do need someone to step forward and give the Panthers the option to hit a big play when teams crowd the box more than usual.

Defense is an area the Panthers have to improve on from last year when they allowed 32.5 points per game. Losses to top-ranked Wall, returning sectional champion Ramsey and Manasquan when Point Boro was without Vitale certainly skewed those numbers in the wrong direction and Point Boro played much better in the second half of the year.

The Panthers will again run a 3-3 stack defense that utilizes speed and focuses on creating turnovers. With many of the linemen going both ways, Point Boro will use a rotation up front.

Junior Connor Reynolds returns as a starting defensive end and the Panthers expect big things out of him in the trenches. Wilson, Skinner and junior Michael Smith are the defensive tackles and Fattell and Davison are the defensive ends opposite Reynolds.

Croce returns as a starting outside linebacker, junior JJ Bennet is the middle linebacker and juniors Tyler Gordon and Aidan Ward have been working at the other outside linebacker spot. Working in at strong safety will be Welch, Muraglia, Criscuolo and McLaughlin. Vitale and senior Devin Morris are both returning starters at cornerback while Cilento is the returning starter at free safety where he had two interceptions last season.

Division realignment has Point Boro in the Patriot Division with Asbury Park, Barnegat, Jackson Liberty, Manchester and Shore Regional. Asbury Park has been a championship team recently, as has Shore Regional, while Manchester is coming off one of its best seasons and Barnegat always seems to be in the middle of the action.

Every week could present a challenge, but the Panthers expect to be ready for them. They’ve put in the time and they’re ready to put the gold and black back on the map.

Projected Offensive Starters:

(RS=returning starter, 3RS=3rd-year returning starter)

QB: CHARLIE VITALE, SR., 3RS; MATT OLIPHANT, SO. RB: JAKE CROCE, SO., RS; CONNOR CILENTO, JR., RS; AIDAN KIRK. SR.; SAM MURAGLIA, JR.; TYLER CRISCUOLO, JR. WR: THOMAS WELCH, SR.; BRIAN ORIO, JR.; DERMOTT MCLAUGHLIN, SR.; BRANDON SLOAN, JR.; ERIC ANALONIS, JR. LT: MIKE MECCIA, SR.; JACKSON FATTELL, SR. LG: LUKE WILSON, SR., RS C: JUSTIN TUZZOLINO, SR., RS RG: CHARLES DAVISON, SO. RT: COLE SKINNER, JR.

Projected Defensive Starters:

WDE: CONNOR REYNOLDS, JR., RS DT: MICHAEL SMITH, JR. DT: LUKE WILSON, SR.; COLE SKINNER, JR. DE: JACKSON FATTELL, SR.; CHARLES DAVISON, SO. OLB: JAKE CROCE, SO., RS MLB: JJ BENNET, JR. OLB: TYLER GORDON, JR.; AIDAN WARD, JR. CB: CHARLIE VITALE, SR., RS; AIDAN KIRK, SR. CB: DEVIN MORRIS, SR., RS; MATT OLIPHANT, SO. SS: THOMAS WELCH, SR.; SAM MURAGLIA, JR.; TYLER CRISCUOLO, JR.; DERMOTT MCLAUGHLIN, SR. FS: CONNOR CILENTO, JR., RS

Projected Special Team Starters:

K: ROBERT COOPER, JR. P: MATT OLIPHANT, SO.; BRIAN ORIO, JR.

Head Coach:

Marc Costantino, 30th season Career Record: 191-105-1 Assistant Coaches:

Jon Remedios (OL/DL); Pete Vincelli (RB/DB); Joe Rankin (QB/MLB); Mike Whitacre (OL/DL); Chris Riley (WR/LB); Tommy Farrell Jr. (Freshmen); Jon Vacarelli (Freshmen); Joe Amacucci (Athletic Trainer). Team Record Last Five Years: 2020: 4-2 2019: 4-6 2018: 7-3 2017: 4-6 2016: 7-4

Offense: Delaware Wing-T Defense: 4-4/3-4

Player To Watch: Jamie Mazzacco, Sr., QB/LB A talented three-sport athlete who also excels on the wrestling mat and the lacrosse field, Mazzacco was a third-team All-Shore linebacker last season after recording 56 tackles with six tackles for loss, an interception, 2 fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and blocked field goal. He will also take over at quarterback this year after playing running back the last two seasons.

PLAYER UNDER THE RADAR Andrew Decker, Sr., RB/LB Running backs are always the focal point of Shore’s Wing-T offense and Decker will get a chance to make a name for himself in the backfield.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Jackson Whitacre, So., TE/DE A very good all-around athlete, Whitacre checks in at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds and will look to emerge as a two-way playmaker for the Blue Devils.

T OP P OSITION G ROUP : Secondary The Blue Devils have an experienced defensive backfield with Rylan Fegan, Alex Kramer and Aidan Scaturro leading the way.

TRUE BLUE

Aprogram doesn’t win seven sectional titles at the Group 1 and

Group 2 level without being able to rebuild on the fly. There are years when many of the top players graduate and the task the next season is to integrate a host of new starters and continue to contend. Such is the task for Shore Regional this season.

By: Bob Badders

SSN Managing Editor

Thur. 9/2 @Point Boro 7pm Fri. 9/10 Asbury Park 7pm Fri. 9/17 @Manchester 7pm Fri. 9/24 Barnegat 7pm Fri. 10/8 @Jackson Liberty 7pm Fri. 10/15 Pinelands 7pm Fri/Sat 10/22-23 Shore Conference Pods TBD Fri/Sat 10/29-30 Shore Conference Pods TBD

( L- R ) A NDREW D ECKER (31), L IAM R OSA (56), J AMIE M AZZACCO (15), N AHMIR J ONES (68)

After going 4-2 last season, Shore said goodbye to standouts like running back Shane McLaughlin, quarterback Mike McGhee, defensive lineman/kicker Cade Torres, tight end Trevor

Crochet, defensive lineman Jack Martucci and others from a team that was third in the Shore Conference in both points per game and scoring defense.

Leading the returning starters is senior Jamie Mazzacco, a third-team All-Shore selection at

B IG S HOES TO F ILL : The Running Backs Not only are the running backs crucial to Shore’s success on offense, but they will also be replacing All-Shore standout Shane McLaughlin, a current Harvard freshman, who had two excellent seasons leading the Blue Devils’ offense. X-Factor: Offensive and Defensive Line Development As the offensive line goes, so does the team. Shore has some new players it is working in up front and if they can develop quickly the Blue Devils can contend for a division title.

is senior Jamie Mazzacco, a third-team All-Shore selection at linebacker last season. Mazzacco also played running back last season but will move to quarterback to pilot Shore’s Delaware Wing-T offense. He’ll be joined by senior running back Andrew Decker and junior running back Lucas Rosa in the backfield.

The offensive line features senior all-division selection Nahmir Jones at tackle, senior Liam Rosa at center and junior Aiden O’Brien at guard. Seniors Rylan Fegan, Alex Kramer

Shore’s 4-4 defense is led by Mazzacco at linebacker along with Decker, Lucas Rosa and O’Brien. The secondary is also experienced with Fegan, Kramer and Scaturro returning. Jones, junior Mike Furlong, and sophomore Connor Haney are some of the defensive linemen Shore will deploy.

Top Returners

JAMIE MAZZACCO, SR., QB/LB ANDREW DECKER, SR., RB/LB NAHMIR JONES, SR., OT/DT RYLAN FEGAN, SR., WR/DB ALEX KRAMER, SR., WR/DB LIAM ROSA, SR., C/LB AIDEN SCATURRO, SR., WR/DB LUCAS ROSA, JR., RB/LB AIDEN O’BRIEN, JR., G/LB

Key Newcomers

JACKSON WHITACRE, SO., TE/LB MIKE FURLONG, JR., TE/DE TY KOTCH, JR., QB/LB ALEX GEORGE, SO., RB/DB JAKE PAPERA, SO., G/LB CONNOR HANEY, SO., OT/DT JAKE WHITE, SO., RB/LB