December 3, 2012 Volume-IV Issue-20
Army Team
3 of the Week Review Back to the
4 Show for Neptune Get RYPT: 6 Performance Nutrition
8-9
The Shore Conference Five Still Standing
Two Out of Three
10 Ain't Bad for Shore
A Reason
1 2 to Believe Great Season for Holmdel 1 4 Soccer Ends in Group II Final
16
BlueClaws Baseball Academy Starts This Month
The first thing fans, players, coaches and parents want to know after the big game is always,
December 3, 2012 Vo l u m e - I V I I s s u e - 2 0
"Is this going to be on All Shore Media?"
All Shore Media has established itself as a leader in scholastic sports coverage in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing more video highlight clips, in-depth reporting, feature stories and regular updates than ANY OTHER OUTLET in the area.
All Shore Media Web Site Features n Get Video Highlights of all the important games that Shore Conference fans will be talking about. n Catch up on the action you might have missed
n Watch video clips of everything from the action early in the event to the big finish as well as video interviews with various athletes.
n www.allshoremedia.com is the most visited sports site in the shore conference during the scholastic year
n Follow us on Twitter (over 4,100 followers) and Facebook, we keep fans posted on the latest scores and news n Established leading portal for local high school coverage.
StevenMeyer Director/CEO/Marketing sm ey er @a l ls h o re me d i a. c om 732-233-4460
ScottStump Director/Managing Editor stump@allshoremedia.com
Senior C ontent Providers Ma tt M an le y / / M ma nl ey 21 @g ma i l. c o m
All Shore Media is published by: All Shore Media, LLC 26 Oxford Drive Wayside NJ, 07712 Copyright 2012 All Shore Media LLC All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of All Shore Media is prohibited
www.allshoremedia.com
ASM / 3
Congratulations to This Year's Recipients US Army In conjunction with All Shore Media honored one team a week that showed the character, perseverance and hard work emblematic of The U.S. Army during its performance this season. An Army Strong Game Ball was presented to each team in honor of a great showing.
W
Week-1
Rumson
Week-2
Week-6
Marlboro
Red Bank Reg.
Week-3
Week-7
Toms River North
Brick Township
Week-4
Week-8
Manalapan
Red Bank Catholic
Week-5
Week-9
Brick Memorial
Manasquan
Volume-IV
4 / ASM
/
Issue-20
/
12/3/12
Back to the Show
N
By Art Gordon - All Shore Media Contributor
eptune is going back to The Show.
The fourth-seeded Scarlet Fliers will get a shot to defend their NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III title after going on the road and pulling out a 28-21 thriller over top-seeded Allentown (9-2) on Friday night for their second win over the Redbirds in the playoffs in the last two years. The two teams combined for over 1,000 yards of total offense, with most of the yardage coming through the air, but Neptune found a way to get it done and will play the winner of Saturday's Nottingham-Long Branch game next weekend in the championship game. Senior quarterback Ajee Patterson threw for four touchdowns and 340 yards and was dialed in during the first half, going 15-for-16 for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
"Big players make big plays in big games,'' said Patterson, who is in his first and only season as the starting quarterback.
The combination of Patterson and senior wide receiver Geoff Fairbanks was the key in the first half as the Scarlet Fliers (9-2) took a 13-7 lead. Fairbanks had seven receptions for 123 yards in the half and finished with eight for 197 yards in the win. His only reception in the second half was a huge one, as he caught a 75-yard bomb on a fade route in the third quarter that snapped a 21-21 tie. "In the first half they were coming down on us and allowed us to go deep,'' Fairbanks said. "When we saw that, we just went with it and it started us rolling."
The game started out with both teams thinking that it was going to be a repeat of last year's playoff meeting, which Neptune won 40-33 in overtime. The Scarlet Fliers took the opening kickoff and went 80 yards in only four plays to take a 6-0 lead when Patterson found Fairbanks on a 5-yard touchdown pass. Allentown matched that with a 5-play, 80-yard drive that was finished off by a 59-yard swing pass from senior quarterback Nick Palladino to senior running back Norman Williams for a 7-6 lead. The score remained that way for the next nine minutes until Neptune regained the lead. Patterson
completed five straight passes for 74 yards on the drive and Fairbanks had his second of three touchdown receptions, a 46-yard grab, to put Neptune up 13-7.
The Redbirds wasted no time retaking the lead to start the second half. On Neptune's first possession, senior Mark Duffy stepped in front of a Patterson pass Senior wideout Geoff Fairbanks at the 38-yard line and returned it to Neptune's 15. Patterson hooked up with Fairbanks again on the One play later, Palladino first play after the score to give Neptune the lead rolled right and Duffy for good at 28-21 late in the third quarter. dragged across the middle Senior center Peter Askew of the field and caught a A quote in a local Trenton paper served as a 15-yard touchdown pass in big motivational tool for Fairbanks when it the left corner of the end zone. Senior Colin Markus' second mentioned that he was a "possession receiver." of three extra points gave Allentown a 14-13 lead. "I felt disrespected by that quote,'' Fairbanks said. "I take Once again, Neptune answered the challenge. The Scarlet exception to this misconception. I work hard to be an allFliers went 74 yards in eight plays, scoring on fourth-and-goal around football player. I came in with a chip on my shoulder." when Patterson found senior wide receiver Sekou Harris in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown pass. A two-point Allentown tried to answer and drove to the Neptune 16-yard conversion pass from Patterson to senior Myles Martin gave line in the beginning of the fourth quarter, but was flagged for Neptune a 21-14 lead in the middle of the third quarter. holding on third-and-1 play, and then Palladino was sacked by senior David Calderon on fourth down to end the drive. Neptune was held to negative rushing yards in the first half Calderon had two sacks for the night and constantly was after a bad snap caused it to lose 14 yards on the last play of pressuring Palladino. the half. The Scarlet Fliers came out in the second half and ran the ball on 19 of 27 plays, racking up 66 yards on the one The Redbirds got the ball back with 47 seconds left to play scoring drive alone that ended with the touchdown catch by on their own 5-yard line and moved to Hail Mary distance at Harris. midfield with one second left in the game. Palladino's pass was intercepted by Harris in the end zone to seal the victoy. "We took what they gave us,'' said Neptune head coach Mark Ciccotelli. "In the first half, they came down on us and "Our goal coming into the season was not to make it back to in the second they dropped into coverage." the show, but to win it again,'' Patterson said. The seesaw game continued when Allentown went 70 yards in 8 plays, with Williams taking an outside zone play 40 yards to the 2-yard line and then scoring on the next play to tie the game at 21. Before the cheering had even stopped for Allentown,
File Photo by:
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
www.allshoremedia.com
ASM / 5
6 / ASM
Performance Nutrition: It’s What Makes the Good Become Better & the Better Become the Best Volume-IV
/
Issue-20
/
12/3/12
By Adam Feit - Director of Sports Performance (RYPT) Part 5 of 6
n the previous four articles of our In-Season Training series, we’ve discussed the proper programming components of successful athletic based training program. Whether we are parents, coaches or athletes, we must be able to see the big picture and understand that there is more to “getting better” than lifting weights and running sprints. An often overlooked, and highly underestimated area in training is the aspect of nutrition and its effect on training, game time performance and recovery.
I
What’s the Big Deal?
We have to visualize the body as a high performance racecar. A racecar must be taken care of and accounted for at all times. It needs regular maintenance and tune-ups (training), practice runs around the course (practice) and high quality fuel (food) to keep its engine clean, efficient and
operating at optimal levels. If a low-quality fuel is used, the engine’s (body) performance is compromised. Maximum velocity (speed) can’t be reached; parts start to fail or malfunction (injury) and the car is unable to finish the race strong (game time performance). Despite participation in a great training program and engaging in excellent practice, if the proper fuel is not used, performance is compromised.
Sure. Athletes will spend hours in the gym getting stronger and countless sessions on the turf fine-tuning their sport skills. They’ll invest in monthly memberships to the gym, sign-up for clinics and seminars and even hire a personal coach if needed. Coaches will suggest that some athletes need to “bulk up” or “trim up” and should eat more or less, depending on the specific goal. But besides those general tips, athletes are left bewildered by the fact that they can’t get strong, fast or in shape quick enough because they have no knowledge of how to fuel their body.
Now What?
What goes into the body at specific times throughout the training process can make or break an athlete’s performance. We recommend our athletes follow these Eight Essential Healthy Habits for maximum performance, regardless of sport or season. Habit #1: Eat every 2-3 hours
Athletes respond best to smaller, frequent meals. Larger meals tend to slow digestion and prevent nutrients from being used for the repair and recovery process. Also, athletes who tend to overload their bodies with 1-2 large meals per day often eat an excessive amount, which can contribute to extra, unwanted pounds. We recommend three square meals with 24 snacks spread throughout the day to keep the body fueled and ready to go! Habit #2: Eat adequate amounts of lean protein
Anytime a muscle is trained in the gym it is being broken down. Athletes do not get stronger while working out; they get stronger AFTER, during the recovery and rebuilding process. We encourage every athlete to strive to get about 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight throughout the day. Every meal should have a source of protein, which may include sources such as beef, chicken, fish, pork, soy, certain dairy products or supplements. Servings sizes vary from 2040 grams, the size of 1-2 deck of cards. Habit #3: Eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal
The easiest way to reduce inflammation, improve recovery and feel energized is eating fruits and vegetables. Most fruits supply the body with slow-digesting sugars, optimal for those who need a steady supply of energy. Vegetables supply carbohydrates that do not spike blood sugar levels and leave us with the aftereffects of a sugar high. To gain weight, eat more fruits than vegetables. To lose weight, eat more vegetables than fruit. Habit #4: Time up your carbohydrates
Athletes need carbohydrates, but some need less than others. Carbohydrates are the preferred source of fuel for the body. Sticking with sources such as fruits/vegetables (fibrous) and starches (whole grain pastas/breads and beans) instead of sugars such as candies and fruit juices will do wonders for your body composition and performance. To lose weight, keep your starches within 1 hour around workout/practices only. To gain weight, add more starches and fibrous sources to your daily diet for extra healthy calories. Habit #5: Eat healthy fats
Fat does not make you fat. It’s the excessive combinations of highly-refined sugars, fatty foods and lack of activity that do. Fat is necessary to reduce inflammation, absorb vitamins and minerals and lubricate joints. Focus on sources such as mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and pistachios are best), avocadoes and olive/coconut oils throughout the day. Try to keep meals around workouts and practices low-fat to maximize digestion. Habit #6: Drink healthy beverages
Sport drinks are great. Too many are bad. Drink Gatorade and related beverages when you need it most, not when you’re sitting on the couch. The focus of any athlete’s beverage selection should be water. Try to drink a minimum of half of your bodyweight in ounces per day. E.g. 200lb athlete would drink ~100 ounces per day (about ¾ of a gallon). Keep urine colors clear or pale yellow at all times. Habit #7: Plan and prepare
Bad food choices are made because they’re often a last resort. Take time throughout the week and plan out a menu, pack extra snacks or have an idea of what you’re going to eat at a special occasion before reaching for that extra slice of pizza or cake. Little snack bags, water bottles and an occasional Tupperware go a long way. Habit #8: Do 90% of the work and get 100% results
If you can follow the previous seven habits consistently throughout the week, then you can save room for some fun. The difference between 100% compliance and 90% compliance is next to nothing. If you can train and eat like a champion 90% of the time, then it’s ok to indulge on something with friends and family once in awhile.
Nutrition does not have to be rocket science, but it does have to be a priority in athletes’ training programs. Failure to fuel the body appropriately can leave the body fatigued, weak and injured, regardless of talent level. With proper nutrition comes proper recovery and in our last installment, we will explore simple recovery methods that will keep athletes fresh, energized and ready to go.
www.allshoremedia.com
ASM / 7
Lacey’s Tom Kelly Makes Speedy Recovery Thanks to Dr. Daniel Fox
W
By Scott Stump - Managing Editor hen Lacey junior quarterback Tom Kelly went crashing to the ground in the first half of an eventual 45-28 win over Jackson Memorial on Oct. 20, it looked like his brilliant season had come to an end for the undefeated Lions.
Kelly shattered his right collarbone, and the initial diagnosis was that he was out for the season. However, he made an incredible return to the field in only three weeks thanks to the work of Dr. Daniel E. Fox of the Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Toms River. Fox, who has worked with athletes at the University of Florida and numerous professional athletes in his career, had Kelly back on the practice field within two weeks of his surgery.
Kelly played in Lacey’s final two games, seeing time in a first-round playoff win over Toms River South and starting in a 42-28 loss to Kingsway on Dec. 1 in the South Jersey Group IV semifinals that ended the Lions’ previously unbeaten season.
“When I first saw the X-rays, I told him he was out for the rest of the season,’’ Fox said. “It looked gloomy because if you don’t do surgery, it takes three months to heal, and his was in such a bad position that he definitely needed surgery. I didn’t think he would be getting back to the season, and he was pretty upset.” “That was real tough to hear because we were having such a great season and I wanted to be there for my team,’’ Kelly said.
Five days after suffering the injury, Kelly had surgery. Fox performed a “double plate reinforcement,” where he put in two plates instead of the usual one and used 11 screws to stabilize the collarbone. Kelly had already thrown for over 1,000 yards in six games and was having one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the Shore Conference, so Fox
was eager to see him return for a Lacey team that he has worked with for years. “I wanted to see if I could get a rock solid fixation so that I could get him back sooner,’’ Fox said. “
Fox, who has had a private practice for 24 years and performing these surgeries for 30 years, said
he usually keeps athletes out 12 weeks to be safe after surgery, but that is only when he inserts one plate instead of two. Following the surgery, Fox gave Kelly a bone stimulator to help speed up the recovery process, and the season being pushed back a week because of the damage wrought by Hurricane Sandy also helped. “He was very fortunate to return to football in three weeks, but givin that Hurricane Sandy delayed everything for a week, Tom probably would not have had the opportunity to play if he hadn’t gotten the extra time to heal,’’ Fox said.
“He responded tremendously after the surgery. He had no pain, and he was moving his arm well after a week.”
Fox also made Kelly a special pad brace for the collarbone that fit with his football equipment. “That way if someone hit him with a helmet right on his collarbone, he would be protected from a direct hit,’’ Fox said.
“I would have never been able to do this without Dr. Fox,’’ Kelly said. “He did a great job, and it was so good to be able to make it back by the playoffs.’’
Fox gave Kelly the green light to return in the Toms River South game if the Lions needed him. He played a handful of snaps in the first half, with sophomore Conor Davies playing the bulk of the time. However, Kelly ended up being inserted in the fourth quarter of a tie game and threw two long passes that helped set up touchdowns in Lacey’s 45-31 win that moved the Lions to 10-0. “It was unbelievable,’’ Fox said. “It was like you couldn’t script it any better.”
On Kelly’s first play in the fourth quarter, he scrambled and was tackled from behind right in front of where Fox was standing on the Lacey sideline.
“My heart went through my chest because he fell directly on his shoulder,’’ Fox said. “I ran up and said, ‘How is the collarbone?’ He says, ‘It’s great, no problem.’’’ While Fox had told Kelly’s parents there was a chance he could play in the Toms River South game, he didn’t tell Kelly until a day before. After Kelly helped lead the surge to victory, he hugged Fox on the sideline. Instead of having to go to New York or Philadelphia for the treatment that got him back on the field so quickly, he only had to go right up the road to Toms River to get world-class treatment.
“He did such a great job,’’ Kelly said. “It felt so good to be back.’’
Photo by:
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
Volume-IV
8 / ASM
/
Issue-20
/ 12/3/12
By Scott Stump - Managing Editor
ive Shore Conference football teams are one win away from being able to call themselves state champions in 2012.
Manalapan (Central Jersey Group V); Middletown South (Central Jersey Group IV); Neptune (Central Jersey Group III); Shore Regional (Central Jersey Group I); and Southern (South Jersey Group V) will all be in action on the weekend of Dec. 7-8 at various sites around the state. In the case of Manalapan and Southern, both teams will be trying to win their first state titles in school history.
Here is a look at the five big games: Central Jersey Group V
Manalapan (11-0) vs. South Brunswick (9-2), 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Rutgers Stadium
The topseeded Braves have already set a school record for wins in a season, but they will not be satisfied until they close out their first state championship in school history. From the preseason, they have been predicted to reach this spot, and now they look to finish the job.
They are playing a South Brunswick team that is also hungry to win its first state title as well. This is the first time the second-seeded
Junior RB Tyler Leonetti
Vikings have ever reached the championship game, whereas Manalapan was in a final last year, losing 23-11 to
Sayreville in the Central Jersey Group IV championship. This is the first season of the newly-created Central Jersey Group V bracket after the latest expansion of the playoffs by the NJSIAA.
Manalapan’s explosive offense has garnered a majority of the headlines this season, but its defense showed its importance in a hard-fought, 17-7 win over fourth-seeded Hunterdon Central in the semifinals. Senior defensive lineman John Appice is one of the Shore Conference’s best and junior linebacker Chris Noesges anchors a standout group. Their job will be to stop South Brunswick’s physical running attack, led by 240pound senior Dahrae Ford, who has 290 yards rushing and three touchdowns in two playoff games. Quarterback T.J. Perkowski also is a threat who gives the offense balance with his passing ability.
The running game, always a staple of Manalapan’s offenses, also helped lead the way in the win over Hunterdon Central as junior tailback Tyler Leonetti rumbled for 193 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in the win. Leonetti has 1,285 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns this season and will be going up against a South Brunswick front seven led by Kyle Tortorelli, Matt Golden, Ken Drost and Rashaan Baker.
The Braves’ offense also features senior quarterback Mike Isabella, who has thrown for 1,832 yards and 21 touchdowns, and the fearsome wide receiver tandem of senior Anthony Firkser and junior Saeed Blacknall. Firkser, who has verbally committed to Harvard for football and basketball, has 38 catches for 883 yards and has scored nine total touchdowns. Blacknall, who already has multiple FBS offers, has 35 catches for 657 yards and 15 total touchdowns.
Manalapan's Mike Isabella
Central Jersey Group IV Middletown South (8-3) vs. Sayreville (110), 4 p.m. on Dec. 8 at Rutgers
Stadium
This is familiar territory for Middletown South, which is playing in its 10th sectional final in the last 12 years. The Eagles have won nine sectional titles in their illustrious history, second only to Manasquan’s 11 among Shore Conference Middletown South's Eli Smith teams. They will be trying to take home their first title since 2006, and face a formidable opponent in unbeaten Sayreville, which has won the last two Central Jersey Group IV titles. The Eagles have plenty of momentum after avenging a regularSenior LB season loss to Colts Neck Ryan Patterson with a 45-35 win in the semifinals in which they exploded for 588 yards of total offense.
Junior quarterback Kyle Brey, senior fullback Jake Ripnick, senior running back/wideout Eli Smith, and wideouts Anthony Citarella and Andrew Wisialko lead an offense that has been unstoppable in the state playoffs, scoring 85 points in two games. Brey threw for a career-high 301 yards and four touchdowns in the win over Colts Neck, while Smith exploded for a career-high 238 yards rushing. Citarella also had a career day with 8 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
They will need the offense to stay hot against a tough Sayreville team with great speed that is seeking
www.allshoremedia.com its first undefeated season since 1949. The Bombers are coming off their own impressive victory in the semifinals, routing Colonia 42-0. They ran for 253 yards,
including 119 by Zeke Perkinson and 91 by Myles Hartfield. Quarterback Isaiah Cureton is another weapon who has plenty of big-game experience from the past two years.
Defensive linemen Conner Spreen and Taylor Hendrickson lead the Middletown South defense, which matches up pretty well with Sayreville considering it will mainly be focusing on stopping the run.
Central Jersey Group III
Neptune (9-2) vs. Nottingham (10-1), 1 p.m. on Dec. 8 at The College of New Jersey
Neptune is the defending Central Jersey Group III champion and will try to repeat as champs for the first time since 1997-98 and win the program’s fifth overall state title since the creation of the playoff system in 1974. The fourth-seeded Scarlet Fliers have proven to be a versatile team, grinding out a 14-7 win over Lakewood with defense and special teams in the first round, and then taking down top-seeded Allentown with an explosive offense in a 28-21 win in the semifinals. Senior quarterback Ajee Patterson has been brilliant in his one and only season at the helm after succeeding 2011 Shore Conference Offensive Player of the Year Jaheem Woods. Patterson has thrown for a Shore Conference-high 2,462 yards and 24 touchdowns and has run for 440 yards and 10 touchdowns, and
ASM / 9 he has done it in 10 games because one of Neptune’s wins was a forfeit by Ocean. He has five talented targets in the passing game in wideouts Geoff Fairbanks, Keith Kirkwood and Keyshawn Rice and Sekou Harris, and running back Myles Martin. Fairbanks erupted for 197 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the win over Allentown.
That talented group will try to solve the Nottingham defense, as the Northstars have not allowed a point in their last six quarters of postseason play. They also have already beaten two Shore Conference teams, as they shut out Manasquan for the second half in a 2114 comeback win in the first round and then posted an impressive 7-0 victory over Long Branch in the semifinals. The Neptune defense, led by senior linebackers Jose Caraballo and David Calderon along with defensive lineman Shaquille Gittens and defensive backs Kyle Lewis and Shakeem Richardson, will look to keep Nottingham under wraps. The Northstars rotate quarterbacks Luke Westerberg and Stephen Adams, who have combined for over 1,400 yards passing and 18 touchdowns.
Central Jersey Group I
Shore (9-2) vs. Florence (10-1), 10 a.m. on Dec. 8 at The College of New Jersey
Shore is back in the Central Jersey Group I final for the second time in three years after winning it in 2010, and it faces another perennial playoff threat in Florence. The Flashes have won five sectional titles in their history and upset undefeated Point Beach, which beat Shore on Thanksgiving, with a 17-14 win in the semifinals.
pound teams on the ground. They are a traditional Wing-T team, but they have gone to the I-formation with success in the playoffs thanks to the punishing tandem of Rich Myers and Curtis Thompson. Myers is also a standout linebacker and Thompson a physical defensive end on the other side of the ball for a team that bottled up Point Beach’s potent ground attack.
South Jersey Group V
Southern (9-2) vs. Williamstown (11-0), 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Rowan University
Both teams are seeking their first state sectional titles in program history, and Southern is playing in its first state final since 2008 and just the second one in school history.
The Rams’ Southern's QB Dan Higgins offense has been impressive in their ride to the final as a No. 6 seed. They upended Washington Township, 33-32, in the first round, and then took out secondseeded Eastern, 3027, in the semifinals.
Senior Abe Gonzalez had 159 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns in the semifinal win, and he has already set the single-season rushing record for the Rams. Gonzalez also has the single-season school record for points with 121. Senior quarterback Dan Higgins also has been playing well, and his 32 touchdown passes are a career record at Southern. He threw the game-winning touchdown to Gonzalez with 22 seconds left to stun Eastern. Junior wideout Mike Gesicki, who has set the single-season school record for catches with 43, is another weapon.
Shore features an offense with several threats, including senior halfback Mark Costantino, the son of the head coach, who They will need the offense to Shore Regional's Mark Costantino ran for 126 yards and continue to be prolific against an four touchdowns in a explosive Williamstown team 31-7 win over Asbury Park in the semifinals. considered to be one of the top public While he is Shore’s big-play threat, the Blue school squads in the state. Defensive back Luke Devils also feature punishing fullback Jack Kelly, Sheehan and linebacker Nick Munafo lead a Southern versatile backs Kevin Masica and Brian Miller, defense that will have to deal with speedy quarterback Matt Muh and wideout Tyler Vivian. Williamstown threat Marques Little as well as John Chamberlin and Kali Boyce on a team that will The Blue Devils also have a physical defense look to overpower Southern with its running game. led by Matt Proto, Chris Vaccaro, Luis Bernardes and many of the same names who man the skill positions on the offensive side. The secondary also has been a strength with Photos by: Bill Normile Costantino and senior Connor Rogers www.billnormile.zenf olio.com leading that unit. It will be all about run defense against Florence, as the Flashes try to
Neptune's QB Ajee Patterson
Cliff Lavelle
www.cleared ge.zenfolio.com
Sport Shots WLB
ww w .sportshotswlb.smugmu g.com
Volume-IV
10 / ASM
/
Issue-20
/
12/3/12
Two Out of Three Ain't Bad
S
By Ed Morlock - All Shore Media contributor
hore Regional is back in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I final for the second time in three seasons after beating Asbury Park 317 Friday night behind 126 yards on the ground and four touchdowns from senior halfback Mark Costantino. I feel great," Costantino said. "It's my last time on this field and I could not ask for anything better. Everyone played so great and it's just a great feeling."
"As a dad, I'm very proud of him," head coach Mark Costantino said. "He's an explosive player, and he fought through some nagging injuries all year. He had a knee, he had a shoulder, he had a hamstring. He just kept playing through it. He's tough."
many good athletes. So we wanted to put a little pressure on them and we were able to. We stopped them on defense and then we got that touchdown. That was huge. It makes things easier."
Costantino's fourth and final score came halfway through the fourth quarter. On a 10-play drive where the Blue Devils picked up four first downs, the senior found paydirt from three yards out to balloon the lead to 31-7. Shore will now prepare to face a Florence team that just knocked a Point Beach squad that beat Shore 19-7 on Thanksgiving. "It's a special week," the elder Costantino said. "Every day is special. Things are going to be different now."
Photo by: Sport Shots WLB www.sportshotswlb.smugmug.com
Senior halfback Mark Costantino
The top-seeded Blue Devils (9-2) will face third-seeded Florence, which stunned previously unbeaten Point Beach, in the sectional final next weekemd at a neutral site to be announced. Shore is seeking its second CJ I title in three years and its sixth in school history after beating the defending CJ Group I champion Blue Bishops (6-4) for the second time this season. On the third play from scrimmage, Costantino took the handoff and raced 59 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead that Shore would never relinquish.
"We ran the jet reverse and our tackle pulled and made a good block, and I saw that it was open and I cut it back," Costantino said. "So we knew there was going to be a cutback since there were so many guys in the box. Once you got through that layer it was really just open field. So I saw the cut back and that's what did it. There was really no one there after that." Asbury Park fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Blue Devils took over at the Blue Bishops' 21-yard line. A few plays later, Shore settled for a 25-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Jake Monteiro to take a 10-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.
The Blue Bishops responded with a long, time-consuming drive to tighten the game. They balanced a Robert Barksdale passing attack with a solid ground game to get in the end zone on a 15-play, 80-yard drive. Jaquele Goodman found space on second-and-goal from the six-yard line and put his team on the board to cut the lead to 10-7. Shore started its next drive at the 20-yard line after a touchback. On third-and-six from the 24, junior quarterback Matthew Muh found senior Kevin Masica for a 46-yard gain and set the Blue Devils up at Asbury Park's 30-yard line. Four plays later, Costantino scored from four yards away to give Shore a 17-7 lead that it took into halftime. Shore's defense set the tone for the second half, forcing a three-and-out and then getting a turnover when senior Jack Kelly intercepted a pass and returned it 15 yards. Asbury Park picked up its only first down of the second half on its next possession, but the drive ended three plays later with a punt. Shore held the Blue Bishops to nine total yards the rest of the way.
"We made a few little adjustments in coverage because they were hitting some passes," the elder Costantino said. "We're just a tough defense. We were playing team defense. We flowed to the ball, and we covered kids." Shore took full advantage and put the game away on its first drive of the second half. On the sixth play of the drive, Costantino ran through defenders, found daylight and scored from the 24-yard line. Monteiro's extra point put Shore ahead 24-7. "That was huge," the younger Costantino said. "We wanted to come out in the second half, and we wanted to stop them and go and get points on the board. Dig them deeper into a hole and control the pace of the game."
"That was important," the elder Costantino said. "We wanted to get a little cushion because 17-7 against them is not a lot of points. They are a dangerous team. They have so
Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460
F O R
A D V E R T I S I N G
smeyer@allshoremedia.com
I N F O R M A T I O N
www.allshoremedia.com
ASM / 11
12 / ASM
T
Volume-IV
/
Issue-20
/
12/3/12
A Reason to Believe
By Bob Badders - Staff Writer
he ball left Mike Gesicki's right hand just as a defender barreled into him and hung in the air, wobbling, slowly falling toward an empty area of turf.
As Southern's season and the careers of a promising senior class floated through the December night it was as if time stopped. Southern, trailing by four to second-seeded Eastern in the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group V playoffs with 1:27 left in the game, had just reached deep into its bag of tricks. Gesicki took a handoff on a jet sweep, rolled to his right, pulled up and threw all the way back across his body. No one except quarterback Dan Higgins was within 15 yards of the ball. Higgins hauled in the 24-yard pass and plunged forward inside the Eastern 20 as the Southern stands exploded. On the next play Higgins found Nick Hem for 16 yards down to the three. Southern, which had reached only one sectional final in its history entering Friday's game, was three yards away from another historic moment. On second down Higgins rolled to his right and found Abe Gonzalez for a touchdown with 21 seconds left, completing a sensational comeback for a 30-27 win at Eastern's McAleer Stadium. "This is awesome," said an elated Higgins after leading Southern's game-winning drive. "We felt we had a play with the throwback and I was telling coach it was wide open. It was a great ball by Mike. I'm just thinking I better make the catch."
"When I pulled up I saw the defender coming at me and I knew I had to get rid of it," Gesicki said. "He hit me pretty hard and the ball came out like a duck but Danny was waiting right under it and it's history from there."
As Southern head coach Chuck Donohue Sr. noted, nothing comes easy for Southern. After opening up a 14-point lead in the first half Eastern (7-4) stormed back to tie the game at 14, then again at 21, before taking a six-point lead with 8:30 left in the game. Vikings junior quarterback Tom Flacco was every bit as good as his last name (his brother Joe is the quarterback of the Baltimore Ravens) suggested, and his big, fast and physical receivers were making plays all over the field. But Southern didn't back down. Its offensive line was stout early and late, paving the way for 159 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Gonzalez. Gesicki went toe-to-toe with cornerback Eli Woodard, one of the top recruits in the nation who is headed to Ohio State. Southern's defensive line sacked Flacco five times and held the Vikings to seven rushing yards. "It's kids that want to win, that desperately want to win," Donohue said. "These kids don't give up. They fought all the way."
Flacco threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns in the loss and Keshawn Segers caught four passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. Gesicki caught three passes for 95 yards against Woodard and Higgins finished with 163 yards and a touchdown through the air for Southern (9-2). The Rams will play undefeated Williamstown in the title game 7 p.m. next Friday at Rowan University in Glassboro. Williamstown, which will be making its first ever sectional final appearance, defeated Atlantic City 20-12 in the other semifinal.
After Eastern tied the score at 14 midway through the third quarter on a 32-yard touchdown from Flacco to Woodard, Southern went right back the other way to re-take the lead, 21-14. Higgins hit Gesicki for a big 30-yard gain on third-and-four to move the ball to the
Eastern 33. Three plays later Gonzalez found daylight around the left side for a 23-yard touchdown run, his third of the game. Eastern's passing game was on fire at this point, however, and it took the Vikings just two plays to respond. Flacco hit Segers for a 39-yard gain when Segers leapt over two Southern defensive backs on a jump ball. On the next play Flacco connected with Devon Nikolis for a 23-yard score and Ed Kehoe's extra point tied the score at 21 with 1:11 left in the third quarter.
On its next possession Southern went three and out, and it started to look like the Rams were running out of steam. Getting the ball to start the fourth quarter, Eastern marched 78 yards in nine plays to take a 27-21 lead on Flacco's fourth touchdown pass, a five-yarder to Segers with 8:30 to play. The extra point was blocked by Nick Munafo, however, which would prove monumental later in the game. On the ensuing possession Southern drove all the way to the Eastern 14-yard line, converting on fourth down from the
Vikings' 27, only to have the drive halted on a fourth down interception by David Wilcox. Eastern now had the ball at its own eight with 3:08 to play.
And this is where the circumstances ending up benefitting Southern. If Southern scores a touchdown on that drive and hits the extra point to take a onepoint lead, Eastern would have had plenty of time to drive for the go-ahead score. Instead the Vikings were deep in their own territory trying to run out the clock. Two short runs brought up third-and-five and Zach Amirr came up with a huge sack of Flacco on third down to force Eastern to punt. Rather than risk the punt being blocked in the end zone, Eastern had its punter run out of the end zone for a safety. Southern now trailed 27-23 and got the ball back at the Eastern 45 after kickoff. Then a trick play sent Southern on its way to the sectional final.
"They have a great team over there," Higgins said. "Flacco brought his team back with some great throws. We've had to fight all year and we just had to keep
www.allshoremedia.com fighting."
"Honestly, this is probably the hardest and best game I've played in my entire life, hands down," said senior lineman Ryan Boyle. "We knew if we didn't score it's over, no finals, no victory, that's the end of the road. Most of us are seniors and we threw everything out there. That last drive showed guts for everybody on the team."
ASM / 13 14-0. Geskicki made a great catch against tight coverage by Woodard on third-and-10 to keep the drive alive at the 27 before Gonzelez's touchdown. With 2:18 left in the half, Eastern put the ball in Flacco's hands and the star quarterback did the rest in leading the Vikings 57 yards for their first touchdown. A 29-yard pass to Segers was the key play on the drive, and also a controversial one. Flacco heaved the ball down the field and it looked to be going well out of bounds along the visiting sideline. Segers somehow got his hands on the ball and the officials ruled he came down in bounds amid furious protests from Southern's coaches. Two plays later Flacco hit Ryan Delaney in the corner of the end zone for a 14-yard score that made it 14-7 at halftime.
Southern grabbed an early 70 lead when Gonzalez ripped off a 55-yard touchdown on the Rams' third offensive play and held that lead through the first quarter thanks to a defense that sacked Flacco three times and bottled up the ground game led by Anthony Gardner. The Rams nearly extended the lead to 14-0 in the second quarter but a goal line stand by Eastern kept it a What Southern showed more one-possession game. After a than anything on Friday night sack by Bailey Bellissimo was guts, and it came from forced a fumble that both the players and the Southern's Frank Thissen coaches. The Rams made the recovered, Higgins hit Gesicki Senior quarterrback Dan Higgins plays a team needs to make to for 53 yards on a flea-flicker win this time of year. They down to the Eastern six. The faced adversity and came out on the winning end. The Vikings stiffened, though, and stopped Southern on coaches weren't afraid to call aggressive plays, as fourth-and-goal from the three. Southern's defense evident by the flea-flicker and throw-back pass. once again did its job to retain field position by Gesicki also had a huge game against one of the forcing Eastern to go three-and-out. The Rams got the nation's best corners. Woodard is ranked sixth overall ball back at the Vikings' 39 and scored on a two-yard among ESPN's top 150 recruits and is ranked top-five run by Gonzalez to cap a nine-play drive and make it
positionally by Rivals. Gesicki, a Division-I recruit himself, was matched up with Woodard all game and caught three passes for 95 yards. Southern's coaches and Higgins didn't shy away from arguably the best cornerback in the country and Gesicki rewarded them for their trust.
"He's going to Ohio State so he's a hell of a corner," Gesicki said. "I've been looking forward to an opportunity like this. Colleges think I'm a tight end, that I'm not fast enough, I can't run routes, don't have the footwork to play receiver. He did a great job guarding me but I got him a few times. I think I proved a little bit tonight." As did Southern. The seed for this victory was planted in 2008 when current Penn State linebacker Glenn Carson led the Rams to a dramatic victory over Cherokee and into the program's first ever sectional final.
"What I told (the 2008 team) after the season is that they've changed things for the program," Donohue said. "The 2008 team made it possible for the kids that follow them to believe they can get here." Now, four years later, the Rams have done it again. This year's players watched that game as Pop Warner players, dreaming of celebrating on the field just as the Rams did that memorable night. "It's a great class and we knew we just had to keep working hard," Higgins said. "We've been saying it since eighth grade that we want that ring and next week we're going to get a chance to get it."
"Before the game coach told us to make a memory," Gesicki said. "I'm never going to forget this game."
File Photo by:
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
Volume-IV
14 / ASM
/
Issue-20
/
12/3/12
Great Season for Holmdel Soccer Ends in Group II Final
A
Written by Matt Manley - Staff Writer
n early one-goal deficit is normally a killer for opponents of the Holmdel boys soccer team, which had only allowed 10 goals in 23 games entering its NJSIAA Group II match against Newton Saturday at the College of New Jersey. Instead, an early Holmdel goal only served to ignite an offensive outburst not seen against the Hornets this season.
Newton answered an early Holmdel goal with three firsthalf tallies and held on to beat the Hornets 3-1 to capture its first ever state championship in its first ever appearance.
for the equalizer in the fourth minute.
Cespedes scored the winner for the Braves in the 36th minute off a corner kick by senior midfielder and Rutgers University recruit Andy Weber. Junior Chris Guth flicked a header from the middle of the box to the far left post and Cespedes headed in the finish to the far right post.
(Newton) because they were a good team. We just didn't come to play today, especially defensively, and that hurt us." Saturday's loss was the second Group II championship defeat suffered by Holmdel in as many years. The Hornets could not score in last year's 1-0 loss to Bernards and could not protect its net in the first half Saturday after scoring its goal early.
"Something we've done "We always feel like we so well this year is can come back if we have Holmdel allowed three goals just once this season and it marking our defensive to. We were down 1-0 in third and we were very came in an overtime loss to Shore Regional in September. 2010 and came back and Senior defender #13 Nick King strong defensively Newton posted its three goals in a span of 32 minutes (beat Chatham in the overall," Holmdel coach from the fourth minute and 32nd to turn a 1-0 deficit into Group III final)," Bond John Nacarlo said. "We made some mistakes defensively a 3-1 lead. said. "Yeah, we lost last year, but it's not like we haven't today and they capitalized." "We didn't do the things we've done all year that have made come back. That third goal was big though and it definitely Newton added a back-breaking third goal 4:43 before us such a tough defensive team," Holmdel senior goalkeeper made it an uphill climb." halftime to bury Holmdel in a two-goal hole. Junior Leo Mitch Walier said. "Championship games come down to Although he allowed three goals, Walier did his best to Recalde headed a pass from Frank Heter toward the right side execution and when we gave them opportunities, they keep Holmdel in the game as the Braves bombarded the of the 18-yard box and junior forward Ryan Cronin oneexecuted and unfortunately, Hornets in the first half. He made a diving save on a shot by timed a shot to the left side we weren't able to." Cespedes to the near left post and later smothered a shot from netting for his team-high It took only 2:13 for right in front of the goal by Guth. In all, Walier made five 19th goal of the season. Holmdel to jump on top of saves in his high school finale. Holmdel dominated Newton with a goal by Walier converted from a field player to goalkeeper during possession in the second junior Jack Flanagan. Junior his freshman season and turned it into an opportunity to play half and ended up with a 12forward Jason Kyriacou at Rutgers along with Weber next year. 11 advantage in shots beat a defender on the right "Making the switch to goalkeeper is one of the best things despite being outshot 8-1 in side and slid the ball to I've ever done," Walier said. "To get here twice is crazy but I the first half. A second senior forward Zach Bond. can't say that we made it here because I became a goalkeeper. yellow card on Guth in the Bond played the ball from We made it here because we became a team. I'm blessed to 59th minute helped swing the right post to the middle have played in two of these games in a row with and been the play in Holmdel's favor, of the 18-yard box, where here three times in a row with these great teams. as the Hornets outshot the Flanagan struck a shot to Braves 8-0 while playing the left of goalkeeper Kyle "It stinks we didn't get the win and that I won't be able to with a man advantage. Morel and in. put that on my list of accomplishments but getting here is Newton, however, played important. Hopefully, if I get a chance like this again, I'll be "Our defense has been conservative in the back and able to capitalize." phenomenal all year so we continue to shutdown thought scoring first was Bond capped his record-setting career at Holmdel with an Holmdel in the final third of going to be huge," Bond said. assist to bring his final season totals to 25 goals and 13 the field, which the Braves "It sucks that we gave up assists. In his three-year varsity career, Bond finished with 58 did without incident after three goals in the first half goals and 34 assists, the most goals of any player in school allowing the goal 2:13 into because it's not like us. It history. His 25 goals this season were also a single-season the match. might have been some preschool record. Bond will continue his career at the University "There was plenty of time game nerves, but I thought of Rhode Island next year. left to get back in the game, we were ready to play and we "It's sad that it has to end, especially this way," Bond said. I just thought we didn't do a put a goal in right away." "I'll always be proud of what I accomplished here and what good job of keeping our Holmdel's lead lasted little we accomplished here as a team while I was here. The last composure. We were more than a minute when three years have been really special but I just wish it would shooting from too far out Newton junior Matt have ended differently.� and not finding feet. We Cespedes' cross from the have games where we don't right side carried across the communicate on the field edge of the six-yard box and and as a coach, I'll never to the feet of Ryan Brewster. understand why these guys Walier saved Brewster's aren't talking to each other Photos & Game Video initial shot, but the ball all the time on the field. It's Highlights by: bounced right back to a shame. I don't mean to Matt manley Brewster's feet and he take anything away from w w w . allshoremedia.com slammed a shot past Walier Coach John Nacarlo and Zach Bond
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION
Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460
smeyer@allshoremedia.com
www.allshoremedia.com
ASM / 15
BlueClaws Baseball Academy Starts This Month B
By Matt Manley - Staff Writer
rookdale Community College baseball coach Johnny Johnson understands the duality of coaching players who strive to compete at the next level. As coach of the Jersey Blues, Johnson has guided his teams to three junior college district championships while also preparing his players to move on to Division I programs and, in the case of former Red Bank Catholic standout J.C. Menna, to a Major League organization.
According to Johnson, it doesn’t matter that his players are often looking to move on to another level and that it is his job to both meet those expectations while still continuing the winning tradition he has established. Everyone wins when the focus is on fundamentals.
“I always tell any kid who wants to play baseball to listen and learn something from every coach you meet and try to apply it in some way,” Johnson said. Johnson will be one of a several college coaches providing words of wisdom at the Lakewood BlueClaws Baseball Academy, a series of instructional sessions that begin on Dec. 15. While most amateur players with a measure of ambition look to get themselves noticed by talent evaluators – qualified or otherwise – Johnson and one of his former players are looking simply to teach the game to those who want to learn it.
Joe Agnello, a former player for Howell High School, the Jersey Blues and Wagner College, and now the executive director of the BlueClaws Baseball Academy, has assembled a collection of college coaches that includes Johnson, Wagner head coach Jim Carone and Rutgers assistant Joe Litterio to work the camp. “The guys we have working with the academy are guys I know well just from coaching over the years,” Agnello said. “They’re guys I’ve worked with and learned from and
I know they have a lot to offer. Johnny is always one of the first guys I call because he’s just a baseball guy who knows the game inside and out and knows how to coach it.”
While Agnello said the academy gives players a chance to interact with college coaches and perhaps turn them on to their talent, the coaches in attendance are showing up to work for more than the chance to recruit. In Johnson’s case, he would like to send a message to young players about the importance of learning the fundamentals.
“Kids in the high school game are falling farther and farther behind in terms of fundamentals and college coaches are all noticing it,” Johnson said. “The travel teams and the showcases are only worried about getting kids seen and not on developing fundamentals, and it’s made the high school game suffer. Something like this is a chance to give my time and try to help kids who want to get better and really prepare themselves to play the game the right way.” Agnello was part of Johnson’s second recruiting class at Brookdale and 13 years later, Johnson’s former player has followed his mentor into the coaching ranks. “Joe is one of my players and he’s definitely a guy that younger players can learn from,” Johnson said. “He’s passionate about the game, and he has a passion for teaching it. It’s something he’s shown since I’ve known him.”
The BlueClaws will host the Academy clinics at their facilities at FirstEnergy Park, which includes access to the clubhouse and the indoor batting cage. Rather than ask the players to showcase their skills, Agnello and his academy staff want to showcase the ballpark amenities while offering the players a chance to improve their fundamentals rather than show them off.
“A lot of kids are focused on the showcases because they are thinking about college, but that’s not really what we’re going for,” Agnello said. “Our focus is on teaching the game and giving players the information and the tools to improve and have a base of fundamentals so that they can perform better when they do get in front of college coaches. The coaches giving them instruction are all college guys
and they all know what colleges are looking for, so these are the people you want to learn from.”
Before he began running the BlueClaws Academy, Agnello spent his post-college career as an assistant at Neumann College, The College of New Jersey, Wagner, Brookdale and Temple University, which was his last college stop. He spent four months in China working in Major League Baseball’s development academy teaching basic fundamentals to young players in a country that is just learning the game.
“It was basically like extended spring training over there in that you’re just developing skills in a country that hasn’t been exposed to the sport,” Agnello said of the daily routine in China. “Some of these kids are holding a glove for the second or third time in their entire lives and the focus has to be on teaching all the time. That’s kind of the element we’re going for, only we’re working with more advanced players.” Agnello will supplement his experience teaching fundamentals with his collection of college coaches and will also employ the help of older brother Jim, the former St. Rose baseball coach who led the Purple Roses to two NJSIAA Non-Public B championships in his only two seasons at the helm. According to Agnello, his stable of coaches will offer specialized instruction for players looking to focus on specific skills or positions.
The end product, according to Agnello, will be a more intimate setting with smaller numbers so that there will be fewer players per coach. Unlike the BlueClaws summer camps, Agnello said the smaller numbers are geared toward the more serious player who is looking for more advanced instruction. “There is definitely a demand out there for high-level coaching and that’s what we’re offering,” Agnello said. “Because we have our own facilities and have some unique resources at our disposal, we’re able to offer quality instruction at a cost that is much lower than what you’ll find out there.”
16 / ASM / www.allshoremedia.com
Volume-IV
/
Issue-20
/ 12/3/12