All Shore Media High School Sports 9-6-12 Issue - 15 - Volume IV

September 6, 2012 I Issue-1 5

Feature Leading The Way Feature In Good Hands Class A North Previews Class A Central Previews Class A South Previews Class B North Previews Class B Central Previews Class B South Previews ELITE/ASM Top Recruits Stumpy's Top 10

Cover Illustration by: Philip Sloan

2 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

The first thing fans, players, coaches and parents want to know after the big game is always,

September 6, 2012 Vo l u m e - I V I I s s u e - 1 5

"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 Website 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.

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S c ot t S t u m p

Director/Managing Editor stump@allshoremedia.com

A l l S h o r e M e d i a is published by: All Shore Media, LLC 2 6 Ox fo rd Dr i v e Wa y si d e N J , 07 7 1 2 Copyright 2012 All Shore Media All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of All Shore Media is prohibited

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Volume-III Issue-16

9/6/11

6 Brick Memorial

Table of Contents

.

Just like Lacey, the Mustangs struggled to a 4-6 mark last year, but have a strong group of returners looking to restore them to their usual spot among the Shore’s elite. Losing senior fullback/linebacker Anthony Miller to a seasonending injury hurt, but the Mustangs still return senior quarterback Ryan Cieplinski, junior running back/defensive back Mike Basile and three starters on the offensive line to make a run.

ELITE/ASM Future Top Recruits ...............................................................Page 4 Class A North....................................Pages 6 thru 13

7 Rumson-Fair Haven

Class A Central...............................Pages 14 thru 22

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Class A South................................Pages 24 thru 36

1 Red Bank Catholic .

The Caseys ended last season No. 1 and they start this year in the top spot with seven starters returning on defense, including Rutgers recruit Josh Klecko at defensive tackle. The offensive line is 260 pounds across and the backfield is loaded with talented tailbacks like junior Larry Redaelli and sophomore Mike Cordova. This team is geared up for a run at its fifth division title in the last six years and a deep trip in the Non-Public Group III playoffs. The Caseys look to go two straight years without losing to a Shore Conference opponent.

Feature Stories

Leading the Way .........................................Pages 34 In Good Hands..............................................Pages 35

Class B North..........................Pages 38 thru 47

2 Neptune

Class B Central.................Pages 48 thru 54

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The defending Central Jersey Group III champions have reloaded to defend their crown while also making a run at the Class B North title. Senior wideout Geoff Fairbanks, senior linebacker David Calderon and senior running back Myles Martin are several key returners on a team with plenty of talented newcomers. Senior Ajee Patterson takes over at quarterback to help Neptune repeat as state champs for the first time since 1997-98.

Class B South.....................Pages 55 thru 64 Week-by-week Shore Conf.

Schedule ................................. Page 65

Ocean County Field Directions.....................Pages 66 Monmouth County Field Directions..................Pages 67

ASM 2011 Football Preview ASM / 3/ 3

3 Manalapan .

The two-time defending Class A North champions aim to get back to a state sectional final and win the school’s first state championship, and they have the ingredients to do it.

Anthony Firkser and Saeed Blacknall, a pair of Division I prospects at wide receiver, are back along with quarterback Mike Isabella, standout two-way lineman John Appice, talented linebacker Chris Noesges and plenty more talent. They look to be the inaugural champions in the newly-created Central Jersey Group V.

4

. Southern

The defending Class A South champs are looking to become the first Rams team to ever win consecutive division titles and look to make a deep state playoff run in the newly-created South Jersey Group V. The Rams have a senior-dominated team that includes quarterback Dan Higgins, a group of solid linemen and game-breaking junior wide receiver Mike Gesicki. The goal is to make it to a state final for only the second time in school history and bring home their first state title ever.

5 Lacey .

The Lions suffered through an uncharacteristic 4-6 season last year after graduation losses, but with a majority of the lineup returning and passing game architect Cory Davies added to the coaching staff, Lacey looks to roar back this fall. Senior Kyle Spatz, a 1,000-yard rusher last year, returns along with quarterback Tom Kelly and a host of other weapons, including Christian Tutela and Brandon Boos. Linebacker Casey Sirotniak leads a tough defense for a team that will play a more difficult schedule after moving from Class B South to Class A South.

The Bulldogs have reached two straight Central Jersey Group II finals and have the goods to make it three in a row this season after losing to Matawan last year. Senior quarterback Danny Roberto, senior running back/linebacker Travis Clark and senior running back/defensive back Conor Walsh form the core of a team that should keep the wins coming while trying to defend its Class A Central crown.

8 Matawan .

It’s a new era for the Huskies under new coach John Kaye, but with three straight trips to a state final, they have earned the benefit of the doubt despite losing several talented players to graduation. Junior quarterback Kashaun Barnes, senior running back/safety Glenn Cross and senior running back/linebacker Dan Incle will lead the defending Central Jersey Group II champions, who are now in the North II, Group III bracket.

9 Middletown South .

The Eagles finished out of the top 10 for the first time in more than a decade last year, so they look to break back into the Shore’s elite.

Senior fullback/linebacker Ryan Patterson, standout kicker Connor Ryan, junior defensive tackle/tight end Taylor Hendrickson, a veteran backfield and dynamic senior newcomer Eli Smith hope to get Middletown South back on the championship track.

10

. Barnegat

The Bengals will try to repeat as Class B South champions with a team that will only get better as the season progresses. Sophomore Cinjun Erskine is a star in waiting at quarterback, and has to sit out the first four games after transferring from Holy Spirit. Versatile senior star Pat Moran will hold the fort in front of a massive offensive line headlined by junior Zach Andrews as the Bengals look to reach a state sectional final for the first time in school history.

Other teams to watch:

TR North, Jackson Mem., Howell, Long Branch, Red Bank, Manasquan, Asbury Park, Point Beach, Shore, Point Boro.

4 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

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Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Future ”

Top Recruits to keep an eye on

CLASS OF 2013

Analysis on the Shore Conference Classes of 2013, 2014 & 2015

By Chris Melvin - Eliterecruits.Com /All Shore Media *For analysis on every player, go to the full list at www.allshoremedia.com

G ARRETT S ICKELS – R ED B ANK R EGIONAL – 6-4/240 *DE/TE (COMMITTED TO PENN STATE):

One of the nation’s top players and one New Jersey’s top defensive ends for the Class of 2013 …

Held offers from just about every conference including schools like Rutgers, Florida, Georgia, Central Florida, Tennessee, Stanford, Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami, West Virginia, Boston College among others before committing to Penn State. Big, fast, tough and agile as defender and has soft and reliable hands as a tight end … Committed to play in the Army All-American game in San Antonio in January of 2013 … I project him to be a stand-out defensive end at the collegiate level. Has run the 40 in sub 4.7 and has great athletic ability, which allows him to play in various schemes. REMINDS ME OF JUSTIN TRATTOU, a former Don Bosco Prep, University of Florida and current New York Giants defensive end.

B RAD H ENSON J R . – M ONSIGNOR D ONOVAN – 6-5/295 C/OG/OT (COMMITTED TO VIRGINIA)

Dwight Clark – Long Branch – 5-9/185 RB Ishmael Hyman – St. John Vianney – 6-1/175 WR/DB/Ret Tyrice Beverette – Lakewood – 6-2/185 Athlete (FS/QB/WR) Josh Klecko – Red Bank Catholic – 6-2/255 DL Geoff Fairbanks – Neptune – 6-1/170 *WR/DB/Returner Chris Gulla – Toms River North – 6-2/180 P/PK Damien Singleton – Toms River North – 6-0/170 *WR/DB Manny Maragoto – Freehold Township – 6-5/240 DE/TE Shaquille Gittens – Neptune – 6-3/240 DE Ryan Kasten – Freehold Boro - 6-6/285 OL Connor Ryan - Middletown South – PK Anthony Firkser – Manalapan – 6-3/215 WR/TE Kyle McGarry – Point Pleasant Boro - 6-3/205 *WR/DB Isaac Coates Jr. - Red Bank Regional 5-11.5/275 – DT/NG Glenn Cross – Matawan – 6-0/195 LB/*SS David Calderon – Neptune – 6-1.5/210 DE/*OLB Chris Oliphant – Point Pleasant Boro – 5-11.5/190 DB/Athlete John Quinlan – Howell – 6-4/195 QB Kyle Spatz – Lacey Township – 5-9/180 *RB/DB Gerard Grimes – Pinelands – 6-0.5/180 Athlete Kevin Barreau – Southern Regional – 5-11/180 *CB/WR John Appice – Manalapan – 6-3/270 – DT/OG/*C Damiun Moore – Manchester Twp. - 5-10/190 – WR/DB/Ret. Anthony Cook – Lakewood – 6-3/190 WR/DE (transfer from Manchester Township) Travis Clark – Rumson Fair Haven – 6-0.5/220 LB Jeff Farrah – Monmouth Regional – 6-0/175 QB Avry Griffin – Long Branch – 5-11.5/185 QB Danny Roberto – Rumson Fair Haven – 5-11.5/195 QB Tyron Wimberly – Lakewood – 6-0/180 CB Pat Moran – Barnegat – 5-9.5/178 WR/K Johnny Gaboff – Jackson Memorial – 6-3/215 DE Matt Hicks – Ocean Township – 6-3/330 OG Jahimere Hinton – Red Bank Regional 5-10/190 Athlete (RB/DB Doug Cuccinello – Brick Township – 5-9/170 RB Tajhi Tomaino – Red Bank Regional – 6-foot/170 Athlete (WR/Ret./DB Lucas Jordy – Point Pleasant Beach – 6-3/235 DE Dylan Hroncich – Red Bank Catholic 6-1/210 MLB/OLB Joscil Jackson – Long Branch 5-11/190 LB/SS

Todd Bitsko – Freehold Twp. 5-11/215 MLB: Kenneth Bozarth - Pinelands 6-5/280 - OT/DL Jesse Flaherty – Red Bank Catholic 6-0/185 DB/TB Matt Parke – Freehold Boro – 6-4.5/300 OL Brett Roach – Long Branch – 5-8/170 DB Connor Grogan – Manasquan – 5-9/175 WR Tory Robinson –Howell - 6-2/240 – TE

Matt Golden – Red Bank Catholic 6-2/220 TE/LB Kevin Dougherty – Toms River North 5-8/155 PK Marcus Ademilola - Jackson Memorial 6-2/200 – TE

CLASS OF 2015

CLASS OF 2014

Cinjun Erskine - Barnegat - 6-2/205 *QB/DB: A lefty who has displayed great talent and promise at events and is ready to put it on display in the Shore Conference this fall and in years to come. A strong-armed, skilled and poised passer and leader.

Mike Gesicki – Southern Regional – 6-6/210 TE

Datrell Reed – Lakewood – 6-3/230 DE/TE/OLB

A multi-sport athlete who has great size and athleticism…As a receiver he has super-soft hands and creates separation from defenders with his speed and route-running…He projects to becoming one of the nation’s top tight ends…Has an offer from Rutgers and interest from Penn State, Delaware so far…Resembles former Southern and Rutgers tight end and current Bengals long-snapper Clark Harris, but with more athleticism and upside.

Royal Moore – Ocean Township – 6-1/165 ATHLETE

Saeed Blacknall - Manalapan 6-3/195 WR/KR/DB

Valdez Santiago – Toms River North 6-2/185 DB

Quenton Nelson – Red Bank Catholic – 6-5/290 DT/*OL

Ben Watson – Lakewood 6-5/310 OL/DL

Joey Fields II – Toms River North – 5-9/160 WR/*RB/DB/Returner

Sam Madden – Barnegat 6-6/305 OL/DL

Alex Thomson – Keyport – 6-5/190 QB Taylor Hendrickson – Middletown South 6-2/228 TE/DE Matt Muh – Shore Regional – 6-4/215 QB (Transfer from Holmdel) Donald Bedell - Rumson Fair Haven 6-4/230 - DE Anthony Gargiulo – Colts Neck – 6-2/220 (OLB/DE/FB/TB) Kashaun Barnes – Matawan – 6-1/180 Athlete (QB/DB) Chris Okupski – Shore Regional – 6-5/300 DT/OT Kyle Carrington – Toms River North – 6-2/165 *WR/DB/Returner

Adam Kakar - Toms River North – 6-3/300 *DT/OG Clay Kemp - St. John Vianney – 5-10/280 DT/NG (Transfer from St. Peter’s Prep): Frank Condito – Holmdel – 5-11.5/215 FB/*LB Manny Bowen – Central Regional 6-2/190 WR/LB Jamie Gordinier – Red Bank Catholic 6-3/230 TE/LB Charlie Labana – Jackson Memorial - 5-9/175 QB

Ryan Kroeger – Red Bank Catholic 6-1/255 OG/DT Shaquille Benjamin – Manchester 5-9/150 DB/WR Nick Lubischer – Red Bank Catholic 5-8/160 Athlete Mike Caggiano – Manalapan 5-9/150 PK Hunter Baillie – Long Branch 5-11/180 LB Mike Cordova – Red Bank Catholic 5-7/155 RB Aamir Ledet – Toms River North 6-3/260 OG/DT Joe Phillips – Brick Township 5-11/175 QB

Toran Mitchell – Howell – 6-0/180 Athlete Kenneth Bradley – Jackson Memorial – 5-10/210 *LB/FB Zach Andrews – Barnegat – 6-3/290 *OG/DT

CLASS OF 2016 *

Justin Gille – St. John Vianney 6-5/230 DE/TE

Check out www.allshoremedia.com for the complete list.

Robert Barksdale – Asbury Park – 6-1/190 QB

This list was compiled by Chris Melvin, a HS Football Recruiting analyst for www.EliteRecruits.com. Melvin has been scouting the region for the past decade beginning with his CMRecruitingsource site before becoming the talent evaluator for the Elite College Combine, the BigTime Football Showcase, the NJ-NY Governors Bowl, and the NJ-Northeast All Star Classic. Melvin is currently affiliated with the Shore’s Best Football Camp (NJFootballCamp.com), the Junior Rank Proving Grounds Combines and the Under Armour Combine Circuit. To be considered for evaluation for Melvin’s list please contact him on EliteRecruits.com or by send an email to Cmelvin@EliteRecruits.com or C28Melvin@Gmail.com.

Shabazz Shuler – Long Branch – 5-11/165 DB/WR Mike Creamer – Matawan – Kicker Cadell Kennedy – Wall Township – 5-9/180 *DB/WR/Returner Amani Richardson – Manchester – 5-10/170 – *RB/DB Matt Proto – Shore Regional – 6-0.5/255 – DL Mike Isabella Jr. – Manalapan – 5-11/180 QB Matt Forst - Manasquan 6-3.5/270 – OL

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ASM / 5

6 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-03-12 11-22-12

@ Brick Township Howell Manalapan Manasquan Freehold Twp. @ Marlboro Red Bank Cath. @ Colts Neck @ Middletown North

Head Coach: Steve Antonucci, 14th Season Career Record: 136-25

Assistant Coaches: Al Bigos (asst. head coach/def. coord.); Joe O'Connor (off. coord.); Steve Roberts (LB/RB/spec. teams); Rich Read (OL); RJ Read (WR); Andy Nicholes (spec. teams/video coord./quality control); Joe Mirault (def. asst.); Tom Grier (off. asst.); Rob Wells (def. asst.); George Barnett (kickers); Rod Murchie, Tom Nicholes, Frank Illiano, Rick Taylor (freshman); Stacy White (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 7-3 (4-1)

C O N N O R R YA N ( S R . , K / P ) T AY L O R H E N D R I C K S O N ( J R . , T E / D L ) R YA N P AT T E R S O N (S R . , R B/ L B) J A K E R I P N I C K ( S R . , R B)

R ANDOM FACT: Steve Antonucci's five state sectional titles are tied for the third-most of any coach in Shore Conference history. The late Vic Kubu has the record with 11.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Ryan Patterson, Sr., FB/LB. IMPACT NEWCOMER: Eli Smith, Sr., RB/WR/QB/DB P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 28 at home vs. Manalapan

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Reclaiming Their Place

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

hile Middletown South has remained a perennial state playoff contender, it has not been able to find a way to solve the faster and more explosive teams it has faced in the postseason in recent years.

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Teams like Freehold and defending champion Neptune have become the new standard-bearers in Central Jersey Group III, which was Middletown South's playground for most of the last decade. The Eagles aim to reclaim their place this season with a solid group of returners and an important new addition after being stunned by Northern Burlington for their earliest state playoff exit in 11 years.

"We've got to be able to play with a skilled team like Neptune,'' said head coach Steve Antonucci. "They've got talented kids.

Our problem has been we can't finish the job. We can't throw the haymaker. We've lost a little bit of that edge, maybe. You're still going to have to play hard to beat us, but we just can't seem to get that big play when we need it.''

Many of the issues against playoff-caliber teams have stemmed from an offense that has had to grind out drives with very few plays of 20 yards or more. Under new offensive coordinator Joe O'Connor, who has returned for his second stint as an Eagles assistant after coaching at Kean University the past two seasons, Middletown South has made changes. The Eagles are now running a pistol offense rather than the flexbone option.

"The stack defenses and some of the other stuff that's out there right now have been giving us a hard time with what we've been doing,'' Antonucci said about the reason for the change.

The revamped offense also means a change to a zone blocking scheme. New offensive line coach Rich Read, a longtime assistant at one of the Shore Conference's other storied programs, Manasquan, is helping the linemen make the transition.

"We're still trying to grasp it a little bit, but I think it's definitely going to help out once we grasp it,'' said senior fullback Ryan

Patterson. "We just got to play together.''

Junior Kyle Brey steps in for his graduated older brother, Howie, at quarterback. Senior Jake Ripnick is a returning starter at tailback, and junior Jeremy Concepcion, who also started last year in the flexbone backfield, will see carries there as well. Junior Andrew Wisialko is a returning starter among a group of wide receivers that also includes senior Anthony Citarella and sophomores Joe Timmins and Nolan Peerless.

The X-factor in the whole success of the offense is senior Eli Smith, a transfer from St. John Vianney with breakaway speed and the ability to play tailback, quarterback and slot receiver. Smith is also a dangerous return man on special teams, so he may be able to affect field position simply by teams punting or kicking away from him.

"He gives us that guy that we've been missing the past few years,'' Antonucci said.

"He gets out in the open field, and he's gone.

Against the teams on our schedule, he is going to be a lot to handle.''

"He's a very explosive player,'' Patterson said. "He's going to help us.''

Junior Taylor Hendrickson, a three-year varsity player, returns at tight end, and the offensive line brings back three starters.

Seniors Dylan McCabe and Mike Roibal return at guard, and senior Keith Wiley is back at tackle. Junior Jon Low is a newcomer who will start at center, and the other tackle spot is being contested between senior Luke Lawson and promising sophomore James Wilson.

The Eagles also return a major weapon on special teams in senior kicker Connor Ryan, an ASM first-team All-Shore selection and four-year varsity player who has range out past 50 yards. Ryan also will handle the punting duties this year after only doing the place-kicking last season.

Defensively, the Eagles should have one of their better front lines in recent years in

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS

GO TO

Senior kicker Connor Ryan their aggressive 4-4 scheme. Hendrickson, who has received interest from Patriot League schools, moves over to defensive tackle from defensive end. Senior Derek Noah is a returning starter at defensive tackle, and junior Conner Spreen should also see time in the tackle rotation.

"I think we're going to have one of the Shore's best defenses,'' Hendrickson said.

"I think we're better up front than we've been in some time,'' Antonucci said. "We can protect our linebackers a little bit.''

Roibal and Wiley give the Eagles two experienced players at defensive end, where senior Eric Maynes could also see some time. Patterson is a returning starter at inside linebacker at a program known for routinely producing All-Shore-caliber linebackers.

Senior Justin Chenoweth is at the other inside linebacker spot. Concepcion and senior Rob Martini are the projected starters at outside linebacker, with senior Vinnie D'Agati also pushing for time there.

Smith, Misialko, Timmins and junior Drew O'Connell are all in the mix for the two cornerback spots, and Citarella is the starting safety.

The goal is the same as it always is at a program that is second in Shore Conference history with nine state sectional titles - state finals or bust.

"There's always pressure to get to the championship game,'' Hendrickson said.

"That's what you play for at South, so it's on us to help get back there.''

Photo by Cliff Lavelle www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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8 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

@ Toms River North Marlboro @ Middletown South @ Toms River East St. Joseph (Met.) Freehold Twp. Middletown North @ Manalapan Colts Neck

Head Coach: Derek Reichenbecher, 1st season Career Record: 0-0

Assistant Coaches: Dennis Bruck (def. coord./LB); Mike Sinisi (WR/DB, spec. teams); Kyle Bukowiec (DB/WR); Ryan Klusewicz (RB); Pat Mahan (OL/DL); Joe Santopietro, John Baum (freshman); Amy Ghione (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (2-3)

T ORY R OBINSON (S R ., WR/LB) T ORAN M ITCHELL (S R ., WR/DB) D AVE J IMERSON (S R ., WR/DB) W ALTER D E C ANIO (S R ., WR)

R ANDOM FACT: The last three Howell quarterbacks (Ryan Davies, Jimmy Ryan, Tim Lamirande) have led the Shore Conference in passing yards during their senior seasons.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: John Quinlan, Sr., QB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : John Quinlan, Sr., QB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 21 at Middletown South.

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Balancing Act

By Scott Stump - Managing Editor

hile Howell is known for lighting up scoreboards, there has been a renewed emphasis on defense under new head coach Derek Reichenbecher in a bid to help the Rebels get back into the postseason.

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Reichenbecher was a veteran assistant under former coach Cory Davies before ascending to the top spot when Davies stepped down after 21 seasons. He looks to achieve more balance on a team that led the Shore Conference in offense but also gave up some record-setting rushing totals to opponents last year.

"We're trying to change some things in terms of the way we practice,'' Reichenbecher said. "We're making it about the whole team, and trying to change the personality of that (defensive) unit. It wasn't good enough last year.''

The Rebels averaged 27 points per game but gave up 26 in finishing 4-6 last season, and much of the success of this season will depend on how quickly the young newcomers on both sides of the line can make an impact.

As always, the offense returns plenty of talent at the skill positions in the no-huddle spread passing attack that has produced record-setting numbers over the past six years. First-year starter John Quinlan, a 6foot-5 senior, takes over for Ryan Davies, who set the Shore Conference record with 3,060 yards passing last year and led the Shore with 32 touchdown passes.

"Of course I feel pressure because the past four or five quarterbacks were all studs, but I'm excited to have my chance to finally be the starter,'' Quinlan said. "This season we have the mentality that we'll do whatever we need to do to win, so if that means running 75 percent of the time in one game, we'll do it, and if it means passing 75 percent of the time, we'll do it.''

Quinlan will have four seniors as his primary wideouts, led by returning standout Tory Robinson and flanker Toran Mitchell.

Senior Dave Jimerson steps in at slot receiver after seeing time last year, and senior Walter DeCanio will be the X receiver. Juniors Tyler Smalls and Joey Schultz add depth to the receiver group.

"We've had guys like Mike Clark and Brandon Yaegel, and now we're just filling their shoes,'' Jimerson said. "Now it's our turn. Last year was a real disappointment.

I've been going to Howell football games for a while, and I remember only one losing season like that, so we're looking to be much better this year.''

"The offense is as good or better than it has been,'' DeCanio said. "We're really distributing the ball to everyone. Tory is just a monster, and Toran is one of the fastest kids I know of."

Senior Nick Carelli will start at tailback, where senior Jermaine Flournoy should also see some carries. Senior Cody Hubbs is a returning starter at kicker and punter.

The main question mark is the offensive line, which graduated all five starters. Junior Connor Bradley will start at center, with sophomore Jeremy Subjinski at left tackle and junior Rob Hering at left guard. Senior Joe Sportiello will be the right guard, and senior Evan Fleischman will be the right tackle.

"The new group is doing well,'' Quinlan said. "They are really starting to jell together.''

"They are starting to get the hang of protection and blocking schemes, getting a feel for each other, and improving their fundamentals,'' Reichenbecher said. "It is a group that I expect to continue to improve and get stronger as the year goes on.''

A defense that was shredded for a Shore Conference single-game record 425 yards rushing by Manalapan's John Sieczkowski and gave up more than 500 yards rushing in a loss to Middletown South last year looks to make a marked improvement. The Rebels

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS

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Senior quarterback John Quinlan have a new defensive coordinator, former Colts Neck assistant Dennis Bruck.

"There's been a bigger emphasis on our defense,'' said Jimerson, who also will start at outside linebacker. "I feel like our defense is going to be tough this year. We definitely changed our mentality.''

The Rebels will employ a 4-4 scheme and are young and inexperienced up front, but have good size. Sophomores Anthony Ujhazy and George Hidalgo and 330-pound senior Kameron DiDonato make up the defensive tackle rotation, while juniors Jimmy Leefe and Kevin MacWilliams along with sophomore Liam Baldwin will be the defensive ends.

That group looks to tie up blockers in front of junior inside linebacker Steve Bontimino, who saw some time last season, and fellow junior Nate Litowsky. Robinson will be at one outside linebacker spot, while Jimerson will play a hybrid safety/linebacker spot. Schultz, who saw time on defense last season, will be the other safety, and Mitchell and Smalls will be the cornerbacks.

After stumbling last season, the Rebels hope that defense can help ensure that they will have the commensurate number of wins to go with all of their gaudy offensive stats.

"People have us sitting at the bottom of the charts, but they are going to have to watch out for Howell football,'' DeCanio said.

Photo by Cliff Lavelle www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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www.allshoremedia.com

J.P. Stevens @ Howell @ Colts Neck @ Freehold Twp. @ Middletown North Middletown South Perth Amboy @ Edison Manalapan

09-08-12 09-14-12 09-22-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

Head Coach: Derek Sininsky, 5th Season (9th overall) Career Record: 25-55

Assistant Coaches: Jason Dagato (def. coord.) Matt Wisniewski (WR/DB); Kirk Wagner (RB/DL); Jack Nascimento (QB); Brian Moore (RB/LB); Nick Scalzo, Cory Varrial (freshman); Jonathan Phillips (video coord.); Mark Bramble (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 0-10 (0-5)

P A R K E R H O C H ( S R ., Q B) T O M M Y V E T R A N O ( S R . , R B /L B ) J AY S O N K A P L I N ( S R . , W R / DB ) C H R I S C O Y L E ( J R . , WR / D B)

R ANDOM FACT: Sophomore running back Dewann McCallister is a relative of former Matawan star and NFL running back/kick returner Charlie Rogers.

BIG SHOES None

TO

FILL:

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Dewann McCallister, So., RB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 8 at home vs. J.P. Stevens

ASM / 9

Out of the Ashes

Written by Scott Stump - Managing Editor

fter the bottom fell out last year following the graduation of Marlboro’s most successful senior class in a more than a decade, the Mustangs are trying to build back up to competitiveness out of the ashes of a winless season.

A

With a majority of their lineup returning on both sides of the ball, the Mustangs have made a major change on offense and look to be more physical on defense after giving up 37 points per game last year. Early indications in the preseason are that the defense will lead the way as long as it can get healthy, as four starters have dealt with injuries early on.

“We’re extremely confident,’’ said senior quarterback Parker Hoch. “We are looking for redemption.’’

“One of our main challenges is depth,’’ said head coach Derek Sininsky. “Our starting lineup can be very competitive with anyone, but when guys start getting hurt it can be hard to fill spots.’’

The Mustangs return their entire defensive line in their 4-3 scheme, with seniors Dennis Pang and Mario Vitale back at defensive tackle, and seniors Matt Vogel and Justin Menasse returning at defensive end. Senior Tommy Vetrano is a returning starter at middle linebacker, and he will be flanked by sophomore newcomer Josh Zemlock, a transfer from Red Bank Catholic, at strongside linebacker. Seniors Ryan Alves and Carl Morehead will see time at weakside linebacker.

Senior Jayson Kaplin, a three-year varsity player, will be at cornerback, with junior Brian Prestigiacomo at the other cornerback spot. The safeties will be returners Dustin Jensen and Chris Coyle, a pair of juniors.

“We’re the same kids, just bigger, stronger and faster than last year,’’ Kaplan said.

Offensively, the Mustangs have gone from

the triple option to a pass-based, no-huddle spread in Parker’s second year as the starting quarterback.

Conditioning has been a priority as the Mustangs look to tire out opposing defenses by getting back to the line of scrimmage and running plays as fast as possible.

“We changed it because of the personnel,’’ Sininsky said. “There are those thick-headed coaches that can’t be flexible, but I listened to our staff about what kind of players we had back and felt this took advantage of our strengths.’’

Senior quarterback Parker Hoch

Hoch will go from barely having put the ball in the air last year to throwing it 20 or more times a game every time out this year.

“It’s hard to adjust because I wasn’t really a passer last year,’’ Hoch said. “We threw like 10 times a game and now we’re throwing like 30 times a game, but I like it.’’

Morehead will be at tailback, where Prestigiacomo and Zemlock could also see time. The most intriguing prospect is sophomore Dewann McCallister, a 6-foot, 200-pound back with game-breaking speed who has already drawn a few calls to Sininsky from Football Bowl Subdivision programs. He saw some time as a freshman toward the end of last season and could make a much bigger impact this year.

The Mustangs will often be going four and five wide, and that group of receivers will include Coyle and Kaplin, a pair of returning starters, along with Jensen and seniors Kevin Manu and Nick Decollibus.

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The offensive line returns plenty of experience with Alves at center, Menasse at left tackle, and senior Joe Fern at right tackle. Vetrano, who played fullback last year, has moved to right guard, and Vitale will be at left guard. The Mustangs are still searching for a placekicker, and Vogel, who also may see some time on the offensive line, will be the punter.

The last time Marlboro went 0-10 was in 2008, and it played a large group of young players who became the senior class that led the Mustangs to a 4-6 record in 2010, their best mark since 1999. The current seniors don’t have another year to wait, so the urgency is there to get back to being a competitive squad in Class A North this season.

“We knew how it felt as sophomores, so now hopefully the team will come together, and we can have another strong season like we did that year,’’ Hoch said.

Ph ot o s by: Bill N ormile b illno rmile. ze nf o lio. co m

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10 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-14-12 09-21-12 09-29-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

Brick Memorial Manalapan @ Colts Neck @ Old Bridge Marlboro South Brunswick @ Howell @ Freehold Twp. Middletown South

Head Coach: Joe Trezza, 7th Season

Career Record: 19-41

Assistant Coaches: Nick Trezza (DL); Travis Boff (def. coord.); Mike D'Allessio (DB/spec. teams); Brian Kroeper (OL); Dan Terracciano (OLB); Dana Webster (WR); Matt O'Connor (DL); Jay Pino (freshman); Danielle Kanski (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4 - 6 ( 3 - 2 )

C O D Y T H O M P S O N ( S R . , Q B) R O B S P I N E L L I ( S R . , WR / L B) D O M P E D O N E (S R . , L B) M I K E G A L L U C C I O (S R . , DL )

R ANDOM FACT: Former Middletown North star Shilique Calhoun is expected to see significant time at defensive end as a redshirt freshman at Michigan State this year.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jared Mosier, Sr., RB.

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Dan Napolitano, Jr., LB. PI V O TAL G AM E : Oct. 26 at Howell

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Food for the Lions

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor ith some experienced playmakers on offense as well as a defense that returns veterans in key spots, Middletown North is out to secure the state playoff berth that was just beyond its grasp last season.

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"It was disappointing last year,'' senior linebacker Dom Pedone said. "We're going to get after it this year, and last year definitely gave us motivation.''

The Lions were in the hunt for a postseason spot until the cutoff, when a loss to Class A South champion Southern doomed them to a consolation game.

Competing in the always-tough Class A North, the Lions look to get back into the playoffs for the first time since making consecutive appearances in 2008-09.

Much of Middletown North's success will come down to whether the offense can take a jump forward after averaging 14.9 points per game in the first year of running the spread option. Senior quarterback Cody Thompson, also a standout guard on the basketball team, returns for his second year at the helm and has looked much more comfortable in the preseason with a year of experience.

"Last year I felt like I was a step slower than what I should've been and now I feel like I'm up to speed,'' Thompson said. "I played quarterback my whole life but there was never really reads, there was just always a set receiver. The whole read thing I had to get used to, and I think I'm used to it now.''

The one wrinkle that has been added is that Thompson operates more out of a pistol look than the shotgun.

"I felt like we were very predictable with

the way we shaded our back,'' said head coach Joe Trezza.

"It's the same scheme, but we just put (the tailback) directly behind the quarterback to try to balance us out so we don't play our hand out.''

Senior Jared Mosier steps in at tailback for graduated Senior quarterback Cody Thompson standout Joey Racioppi after Mosier saw some time when The Lions should be strong up the middle Racioppi was injured last season. Thompson in their multiple 3-4 scheme, as they return also will have a comfort level with his wide several All-Division talents from last year. receivers as seniors Rob Spinelli and Nick Senior Mike Galluccio, should again be one Welsh are both returning starters. Juniors of the top defensive linemen in Class A Brandon Piccini and Jake Betkowski are North at noseguard, and he will be flanked also back at receiver after seeing time last at defensive end by seniors Tom Bacci and year.

Kyle Gebhardt the latter of whom played "We have plenty of weapons, and Jared linebacker last year. can get the job done,'' Thompson said.

"Our line is definitely stepping it up this The offensive line returns a pair of year and getting a better pass rush on the starters, senior right tackle Tom Klemm and quarterback,'' Pedone said. senior right guard Anthony Migliaccio, to Pedone, an All-Division inside linebacker, lead the way. Senior Nick Corrado and returns along with Spinelli, who will be at junior John Quinn are battling for the outside linebacker. Junior Dan Napolitano starting spot at center, senior James Corr will be at the other inside linebacker spot, will be the left guard, and senior Pat and there is a competition at the other Anderson and junior Doug Bornhoeft are outside linebacker position between senior competing for the left tackle spot.

Nick Wallace and sophomore Troy Sophomore Nick Banta returns as the kicker Thompson. Welsh is a returning starter at and punter. safety, and junior Ryan McMahon will start "I think we are very capable of being at the other safety spot. The cornerbacks are successful,'' Trezza said. "It's going to hinge Piccini and Betkowski, who started multiple on what we have up front. I think if we games at safety last year. continue to improve, we can make the "I think we're very good inside and very playoffs.'' good up the middle,'' Trezza said. "Galluccio "The offensive line is better than they is very hard to block up front, and our two were last year,'' Thompson said. "I have a lot middle 'backers are very good.'' more time in the pocket to throw.''

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09-07-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

@ Jackson Freehold Twp. @ Middletown North @ Middletown South East Brunswick @ Colts Neck Toms River North Howell @ Marlboro

Head Coach: Ed Gurrieri, 6 th season

Career Record: 37-17

Assistant Coaches: Steve Vella (off. coord.); Joe Tetley (OL); Tim Fleming (WR); Bill Smith Sr. (LB); Andy Sliwoski (football operations); Justin Fumando (def. asst.); Cody High (asst.); Bill Smith Jr., Corey DeCastro, Bobby Schreck, Jon Harrison (freshman); Shannon Tomasula (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 1 0 - 2 ( 5 - 0 )

A NTHONY F IRKSER (S R ., WR) S AEED B LACKNALL (J R ., WR/DB) C HRIS N OESGES (J R ., RB/LB) J OHN A PPICE (S R ., OL/DL)

R ANDOM FACT: Manalapan has never won three straight division titles.

B IG S HOES TO F ILL : Tyler Leonetti, Jr., RB.

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Dennis Girolamo, Sr., WR.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 28 at Middletown South.

ASM / 11

The Final Step

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ith two division titles, a trip to a state final, a pair of 2,000-yard rushers and a schoolrecord for wins in the past two seasons, Manalapan has accomplished everything possible except for one major piece of school history.

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"We want to go back to Rutgers, and our goal is to win a state championship,'' said head coach Ed Gurrieri. "We've taken all the steps necessary.

Now we've got to take the big one.''

The Braves reached their second Central Jersey Group IV final in school history last season but came up short of winning their first championship with a 23-11 loss to defending champion Sayreville. It concluded a season in which the Braves won a school-record 10 games and captured their second straight outright Class A North title. With an offense loaded with dynamic skill players and the bulk of the defense returning, the Braves are armed to finish the job this year by making a run at a title in the newly created Central Jersey Group V.

"We're definitely working as hard as we can to get back there and win the championship this year,'' said senior wide receiver Anthony Firkser, who was an ASM first-team All-Shore selection as a junior.

Manalapan has become known for its punishing ground attack, having produced a 1,000-yard rusher every year since 2003. The Braves made Shore Conference history by having back-to-back 2,000-yard rushers after current Monmouth University freshman John Sieczkowski ran for a school-record 2,207 yards to lead the Shore in 2011. However, this year's unit looks to be a little different because of the type of personnel returning from a unit that averaged 28 points per game last year.

The Braves have two standout wide receivers in Firkser, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound playmaker, and junior Saeed Blacknall, a 6-foot-3 target with game-breaking speed. Firkser, who is also a basketball star, boasts offers from Buffalo, Harvard, Monmouth University and Colgate.

Blacknall already has offers from Rutgers and Boston College and interest from a host of FBS schools. With senior quarterback Mike Isabella returning for his second year as the starter after throwing for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns, the Braves plan to put the ball in the air a little more in

their multiple-I attack.

"A leopard can't change its spots,'' Gurrieri said. "We're going to run the ball, but I'd have to be a moron not to throw the ball to those guys. (Isabella) has got the keys to the car. If we run the ball, it's going to make the play action that much better. We would be crazy if we didn't throw the ball more.

"In all these 7-on-7s, no matter who we played, there was nobody who could cover Firkser, and Saeed ran by everybody. We have a dynamic vertical stretch receiver and a big target, so we have to figure out how to take advantage of it.''

"(Isabella's) improvement has been amazing and that makes us almost unguardable,'' said Firkser, who had 45 catches for 646 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. "They can't double either of us, and if they do that, then we have the run game.''

The Braves' feature tailback isn't a physical punisher in the mold of Sieczkowski and former 2,000-yard rusher Josh Firkser, but has gamebreaking speed. Junior Tyler Leonetti, who ran for 432 yards on 8.2 yards per carry in limited duty behind Sieczkowski last year, slides into the starting role.

"(Leonetti) is a lot smaller, but his speed is ridiculous,'' said senior two-way lineman John Appice. "If he gets in the open field, he'll score and break it, but he won't be able to wear down defenses.''

Senior David Debner and junior Jake McCourt are two others who should get some carries at tailback. Junior Chris Noesges, a standout linebacker, will also play fullback, with senior Nelson Rivera spelling him at that spot. In addition to Firkser and Blacknall, the Braves also have 6foot-4 senior Dennis Girolamo as yet another weapon at wide receiver. Junior R.J. Krause is also a returning starter at tight end.

Manalapan has become known for highlyproductive offensive lines, and it returns Appice at left tackle along with senior Derek Brooks at right guard. Senior center Alex Salzman also returns after starting the final five games last season.

Senior Jason Forkowitz steps in at left guard, and the right tackle spot is being contested between senior Christian Pierre-Louis, who is 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, and junior Shane Peles.

The Braves also return a weapon on special

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Senior quarterback Mike Isabella teams in sophomore Mike Caggiano, one of the best young kicker/punter combos in the Shore Conference.

Defensively, Appice looks to be one of the Shore's best at defensive end in his third year as a starter in Manalapan's 3-4 scheme. Matt Colella and Nick Douglas will both see time at the other defensive end spot, and a combination of Forkowitz and junior Andy Lizama will man the middle up front.

Noesges returns at inside linebacker after making All-Class A North as a sophomore. Rivera moves from noseguard to the other inside linebacker spot. The outside linebackers will be juniors Will Meany and Mike D'Angelo.

Blacknall will play safety, with the other spot being contested between junior Anthony Barone and senior Brendan Higgins. Junior Chris Cruz, who started multiple games last season, is back at cornerback, and Leonetti will most likely play at the other cornerback spot depending on the status of senior returning starter Sam Mahon, who is currently injured.

"I think Johnny Appice is going to be dominant up front, Chris Noesges is very good in the middle, and Saeed is going to be a very good player,'' Gurrieri said. "We have somebody at all three levels. The defense will be better than last year's defense.''

"Our run defense will definitely be a strength, and our pass defense has gotten a lot better from last year,'' Appice said.

Manalapan is the clear favorite to make it three straight Class A North titles, and it has no problem being the hunted.

"I don't shy away from it,'' Gurrieri said. "I like the fact that we're on the map. We have 106 kids on the varsity, and football is starting to become important in the town of Manalapan."

"You've just got to go into every practice knowing you're the guys to beat and work hard to win,'' Appice said.

Photo by Cliff Lavelle www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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09-07-12 09-14-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

Southern @ Manalapan Marlboro Sayreville @ Middletown South @ Howell Colts Neck Middletown North Freehold Boro

Head Coach: Mike D'Antonio, 3 rd season Career Record: 4-16

Assistant Coaches: Mike D'Ambrosio (off. coord.); Dan Cooper (OL); Gene Blanco (def. coord./LB); Dan Shine (DL); Mike Gaeta (DB); Mike Stoia (RB); Mark Migliori, Brian Glick, Gerard England (freshman); Cindy Carter (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 2-8 (1-4)

M ANNY M ARAGOTO (S R ., OL/DL) D AN B LOODGOOD (S R ., QB/DB) S HANE M C G HEE (S R ., RB/DB) T ODD B ITSKO (S R ., LB)

RANDOM FACT: Former Freehold Township defensive lineman Matt Hardison was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Delaware this summer.

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Jimmy Purcell, So., OL. PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 14 at Manalapan

Volume-IV

Written by Scott Stump - Managing Editor

A

The Patriots have a whopping 35 seniors, many of whom are three-year varsity players. It's now or never for a program that has only made one playoff appearance in its history, and that was 11 years ago. It will take a dramatic improvement coming off a 28 season, but the Patriots feel they have the experience and ingredients to open some eyes.

Pine and returning starter Drew Intile headline a deep group of slotbacks that also includes seniors Justin Albarin and Hayden Shapiro along with sophomore Billy Sasso.

Senior J.T. Blanco is a returning starter at wide receiver, where junior Jake Dirienzo

"We've only been to the playoffs once before here, so we're looking to be that second team,'' said senior defensive end Manny Maragoto.

"We're expecting the offense to step it up,'' D'Antonio said. "We're putting a lot of pressure on those guys, especially up front.

We expect to turn the corner offensively.''

Senior Dan Bloodgood takes over at quarterback after playing wide receiver last year, and senior Taylor Pine gives the Patriots a capable back-up. Senior fullback Shane McGhee is a three-year starter, and sophomore Collin Bitsko could also see some carries at that spot.

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9/6/12

The Patriots have had one of the Shore's more underrated defenses in recent years.

This unit promises to be equally stingy, particularly if they can get more rest if an improved offense can chew up the clock.

The front line of their 3-4 scheme should be tough with senior noseguard Hunter Gellman returning as a starter, where he will be flanked by Maragoto and senior Brandon Wong. Maragoto had 10 sacks as a junior and has gotten interest from Rutgers, UConn, Old Dominion and Monmouth University, according to D'Antonio. Zach Wolfe and Mike Ryslik add depth at noseguard and defensive end.

Freehold Township also returns AllDivision talent Todd Bitsko, a senior inside linebacker who had 100 tackles last year. The other inside linebacker spot is still being contested. Senior Matt Alimena is a returning starter at outside linebacker, and Shapiro and senior Sean Koubek give the Patriots depth at the other outside spot.

"Clearly, the expectation level rises,'' D'Antonio said.

The unit that will have to ratchet up its production for that to happen is an offense that averaged only 8.5 points per game last year. This is now the third year of the triple option under D'Antonio, so there are no more excuses about grasping the system.

Issue-15

offense from last year,'' Maragoto said. "We should be much better on that side of the ball.''

Now or Never process that started in head coach Mike D'Antonio's first year in 2010 is hopefully coming to a satisfying culmination this year for Freehold Township.

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Senior fullback Shane McGhee and senior Nick Boutote are also expected to make an impact.

The offensive line returns junior Josh Rosario at guard and senior Matt Kucziemski at tackle while also moving the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Maragoto to tackle after he started on defense last year. Senior Mark Colatrella and junior Alex Mattina will work for minutes at center, and talented sophomore Jimmy Purcell steps in at the other guard spot. The Patriots have recruited senior Justin Miller, a former soccer player, to be the placekicker, and Bloodgood will handle the punting.

"I've seen a lot of improvement on the

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"It's our third year in the system, so we know what's expected of us,'' Bitsko said. "We always play tough defense, and the goal is to start putting wins under our belt.''

Blanco and Intile are both returning starters at cornerback, and Bloodgood and McGhee give Freehold Township one of the top safety tandems in Class A North.

Sophomore Matt Pine can play corner or safety and adds depth to the secondary.

"Defensively, we continue to play the way we play, and with the offense, we look to put it together,'' D'Antonio said.

P hot o s b y: Bill N ormile billno rmile. ze nf o lio. co m

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09-08-12 09-14-12 09-22-12 09-29-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-03-12 11-21-12

Toms River East @ North Brunswick Marlboro Middletown North @ St. John Vianney Manalapan @ Freehold Twp. Middletown South @ Howell

Head Coach: Greg LaCa va, 4 th Season (9th overall) Career Record: 25-56

Assistant Coaches: Tom Letson (def. coord./DL); Greg Hope (DB); Sam Kinningham (OL); Chris Cuccia (LB); K.C. Keenan (WR); John Andl (QB); Dennis Cotter (DL); Robert Kilmurray (OL); Vince Tesi, Larry Nikola, Kevin Gaul (freshman); Eric Nussbaum (athletic trainer).

2 0 1 1 R e c or d: 6-4 (4-2)

T IM VANGELAS (S R ., WR) A NTHONY G ARGIULO (J R ., RB/LB) G IO Z EFFERINO (S R ., RB/LB) F RANK L EFKOWITZ (S R ., OL/LB)

R ANDOM FACT: Junior lineman Ryan Wetzel is a first cousin of former San Francisco 49ers standout tight end Eric Johnson, who is currently engaged to singer Jessica Simpson.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Anthony Gargiulo, Jr., RB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Ryan Wetzel, Jr., OL/DL.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Oct. 20 at home vs. Manalapan.

ASM / 13

Getting up to Speed

Written by Scott Stump - Managing Editor

f Colts Neck is going to grab the playoff spot that was just out of its reach last season, it will take a host of newcomers meshing quickly with a handful of talented returners.

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The Cougars graduated all but two starters on defense and all but one lineman on offense, along with recordsetting running back Victor Scalici and starting quarterback Dylan Cottrell. That does not mean there isn't talent remaining, but Colts Neck will have to patch a lot of the holes it as it moves from Class B North to Class A North this season.

"Our guys need to carry over from the success that team had,'' said head coach Greg LaCava. "Our biggest goal is getting our inexperienced players to perform at that level.''

Senior Mike Campbell makes the move from wide receiver to replace Cottrell at quarterback in Colts Neck's multiple pro offense. Filling the considerable shoes of Scalici, who ran for a school-record 1,693 yards and 20 touchdowns last year, is another talented back, junior battering ram Anthony Gargiulo. Junior Jake Mullaney also could see some carries at tailback. "(Gargiulo) is going to be very successful,'' LaCava said. "He's a different type runner than Vic was. He is a bruising, physical runner that does have some speed.''

Senior Gio Zefferino will be at fullback, where he will be spelled by senior Nick Nespoli.

Campbell has a deep and talented group of receivers led by senior Tim Vangelas, who has offers from Colgate, Lafayette and Bucknell and interest from several other FCS schools.

Seniors Nick LoSordo and Lucien

Dellaferra also return after seeing time last season, and junior Craig Russo gives the unit some depth. Senior tight end Connor Canonico, a lacrosse star, is another big target.

"We need to find another receiver to get the ball to so Timmy will have some opportunities,'' LaCava said. "Our quarterback can't have tunnel vision throwing to one receiver.''

"With those other guys it will be hard for teams to focus on sticking me,'' Vangelas said.

An inexperienced unit that will need to get up to speed in a hurry is the offensive line. Senior right guard Frank Lefkowitz is the only returning starter. Senior Phil Olson steps in at center, senior Mike Kapnick is at left guard and 6foot-3, 265pound junior Ryan Wetzel is the new left tackle. Juniors Ryan McGowan and Martin Hooper are competing for the right tackle spot.

inexperienced.''

That is also a theme on defense, where Zefferino and Gargiulo are the only returning starters. However, many other players did see time last year, as the Cougars had a rotation of 17 to 19 players on defense in most games.

Senior Ray Garcia and Wetzel will be at defensive tackle in Colts Neck's 4-4 scheme, with Hooper and Canonico as the defensive ends. Zefferino anchors the middle at inside linebacker, where Lefkowitz, senior Mike Monda and junior Mike Veverka should all be in the rotation.

Gargiulo, who was an impact player at defensive end as a sophomore, moves to outside linebacker. Junior Nick Volpe will be at the other outside linebacker spot.

Junior Dylan Campbell and Nespoli are the cornerbacks, and senior Tom Miller will be the safety.

"We changed from a 50 front to a fourman front because we have more athletictype linebacker kids than D-linemen right now,'' LaCava said. "We're a smaller Group IV school playing four or five Group V schools this year, and we're moving from a speed type division to more physical, big kids, so we have to worry about how we execute.''

Senior wideout Tim Vangelas

"It's a brand new scheme and a brand new attitude,'' Zefferino said. "We are just forgetting about the past and starting fresh. Of course you want to win a championship, but as far as now we're just focusing on our first game.''

"Our offensive line is our main issue for us,'' LaCava said. "Right now we're very

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09-07-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

@ Msgr. Donovan Rumson @ Red Bank Cath.

Manasquan Colts Neck @ Monmouth Holmdel @ Raritan Matawan

Head Coach: Andy Carlstrom, 2nd Season (5th overall) Career Record: 21-20

Assistant Coaches: John Bird (asst. head coach/def. coord.); Jim Reid (off. coord./QB); Greg Altmajer (OL); Ed Hernandez (RB); Jeff Papcun (WR); Jim Papcun (DB); Ricky Vesce (DL); Rich Lamberson (ILB); Garrett Marron (OLB); Ruthanne Rutledge (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 5-5 (2-3)

I SHMAEL H YMAN (S R ., WR) C HRIS C OLAPINTO (S R ., RB/LB) J USTIN G ILLE (J R ., DL) C HRIS G REEN (S R ., DL)

R ANDOM FACT: St. John Vianney has not won a division title since winning Class B North in 1982.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: B i l l y D e M a t o , J r. , Q B .

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Clay Kemp, So., DL.

P I V O TA L G A M E : Sept. 14 at home vs. Rumson-FH.

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Playoff Push

By Art Gordon - All Shore Media Contributor

n his first season last year, St. John Vianney head coach Andy Carlstrom said the key to building a successful program was changing the culture.

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He wanted the players to expect to win every time they stepped on the field. The message was not fully understood at first, but after finishing the season with a 5-5 record and four straight wins, the goals became a lot clearer.

That late-season surge, which included a Thanksgiving win over Central Jersey Group II champion Matawan, set the tone for the program.

"In those last four games, the offense put up big numbers, and the defense started shutting people down,'' Carlstrom said. "The staff set up a high level of expectations. We told them we were there to help them get better and reach these goals. They slowly developed a trust and started to believe us, and we started to get better. The kids now expect big things and are working hard to attain these goals.''

"Winning those last four games really helped us out for this year,'' said senior wide receiver Ishmael Hyman. "We feel confident coming into this season. Our senior class went 8-1 freshman year, and we're trying to have that kind of success at this level.''

The offense, which averaged 29.4 points per game last season, must find a way to replace quarterback Anthony Carlucci, who threw for a school-record 2,405 yards and 24 touchdowns to earn ASM third-team AllShore honors.

This year offensive coordinator Jim Reid is hoping that they can become more balanced.

Taking snaps at this time is Bishop Ahr transfer Billy DeMato, a junior who was a two-year starter for the Trojans. Also getting work is freshman quarterback Anthony Brown, a highly-touted prospect who was a star in Matawan's Pop Warner system.

"Billy has been doing a really good job,'' Hyman said. "We have a young offensive line,

but if they give him time, he can throw any ball.''

The running game is in good hands with junior Matt Falco and senior Chris Colapinto, the latter of whom will also start at outside Senior wide receiver Ishmael Hyman linebacker. The offensive line returns two starters in seniors Logan Seniors Tom Turi and Eric Gomez both Pasquale (6-foot, 250 pounds) and Drew return at inside linebacker, and the other Diakos (6-4, 240), who will lead a group that linebacker will be sophomore Carlos Teixiera, has impressive size. Senior Kevin Steurer (5a 6-foot, 220-pound transfer from Manalapan 11, 245), junior Brandon Furrer (6-2, 300) and who should make an impact. Falco should sophomore Kyle Gibson (6-4, 310) form the also be part of the linebacker rotation. rest of an imposing line.

The main target in the Lancers' spread offense will be Hyman, one of the top wide receivers in the state. Hyman, who has double-digit scholarship offers between FBS and FCS schools, had 29 catches for 951 yards (32.7 ypc) and 10 touchdowns last year while also returning two kickoffs for scores.

The main challenge will be finding productive receivers to make teams pay for doubleteaming him.

Last season, senior Anthony Pante had 40 catches for a school-record 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns playing on the other side from Hyman. This year it will be seniors Nick Anzevino, Steve Callari, Tom Wagner and 6foot-4 target Garrett Clifton rounding out the receiving group along with senior Steve Rosso, a converted quarterback.

"I have three other good receivers in the starting lineup, so if they double team me, they will make them pay,'' Hyman said. "It will be dumb for a team to double team me.''

In defensive coordinator John Bird's new 3-4 scheme, the Lancers return eight players who saw plenty of action last year, led by Colapinto at outside linebacker, as they try to improve on a unit that gave up nearly 27 points per game. Justin Gille, a 6-foot-5, 245pound junior, is a prospect to watch who will start at defensive end along with senior Chris Green. St. John Vianney also has a promising prospect at nosetackle in 6-foot-2, 290-pound sophomore Clay Kemp, a Keyport resident who transferred from North Jersey power St. Peter's Prep.

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The defensive backfield is deep with returners in Callari, Wagner, Rosso and senior John Sullivan plus sophomore newcomer Liam Casey.

The Lancers will compete in the newly aligned Class A Central division, where they will have to bang heads against rival Red Bank Catholic and defending division champion Rumson-Fair Haven. They are looking to make a run at their first state playoff berth since 2006. The Lancers open the season with Monsignor Donovan, Rumson, Red Bank Catholic and Manasquan in succession, so they will know where they stand quickly.

"Those are four hard games right there,'' Hyman said. "We have to prove to everybody that we're up to the challenge and that we're a winning team that can make it to the playoffs.''

The staff and players are trying to build a program and feel they have a good chance to start the foundation this year. They realize that in order to build a program they have to develop a system where they simply replace graduating seniors with players who battled those seniors for positions and now it's their time to step in and continue to succeed.

"Last year we said, 'Can we?''' Colapinto said. "This year we are all saying, 'We can.''

P hot o s b y: Bill N ormile billno rmile. ze nf o lio. co m

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09-08-12 09-14-12 09-22-12 09-28-12 10-06-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

@ Neptune Carteret @ Manasquan Red Bank Cath. @ Monmouth @ Rumson Colonia St. John Vianney Holmdel

Head Coach: Anthony Petruzzi, 3 rd season Career Record: 10-10

Assistant Coachs: John Principe (def. coord.); John Oxley (DB); Keith Rescorl (DL); Mike Nunes (WR); A.J. Roque (QB); David Ernst (RB); George Gibson (OL); Jeff Struble (asst.); Kyle Thomas (asst.); Matt Dempsey, Joseph Schroeck, Chris Raitano, Nicholas Sparacello, Michael Thaner (freshman); Amanda Stump (athletic trainer) 2011 Record: 4-6 (2-3)

A NDREW S TENGER (S R ., DB) S TEVE W INETSKY (S R ., RB) T YLER J ONES (J R ., LB) PAT T OAL (J R ., OL/DL)

R ANDOM FACT: Raritan has never won a game on Manasquan's home field.

The Rockets travel to Vic Kubu Warrior Field this year.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Dom Guida, Sr., WR/RB. I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Jared Collins, Jr., WR. P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 22 at Manasquan

ASM / 15

A Return to Tradition

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ollowing a second straight season without a playoff berth, the Raritan players didn't have to go far to be reminded of the expectations in Hazlet.

F

"Even going out doing our fundraisers door to door, we hear it,'' said senior safety Andrew Stenger. "People are like, 'Are guys going to make the playoffs this year?''

players after averaging 17 points per game last year. Senior C.J. Pulcine, the catcher on the baseball team, takes over as the starting quarterback, with Winetsky at tailback. Two versatile players will be junior Jared Collins and senior Dom Guida, who will line up at wideout and also take handoffs out of certain formations.

The Rockets have been right in the hunt for berths the past two seasons, but several close losses have doomed them to NJSIAA consolation games. With a newlook offense and a defense reminiscent of some of the nasty Raritan units of the past, the Rockets look to make a run at a spot in their new state bracket, North II Group III, where they were realigned from Central Jersey Group II. They had reached the postseason in 11 of 13 years before missing out the last two years following the graduation of stars like Bennett Jackson and Jesse Raymond.

A healthy Winetsky would go a long way toward achieving that goal. He played all of last season with a broken left wrist, which hindered his ability to protect the ball because he is a natural lefty. He has missed some time in the preseason with turf toe, but is expected to be ready to go after showing great promise when he was healthy as a sophomore.

"I've worked hard in the offseason,'' he said.

"I've gotten my squat and bench up and just tried to prepare myself.''

The Rockets are going to more of a spread look to take advantage of some speedy skill

The Rockets will have some depth up front on defense in their 4-3 scheme, with a rotation of Toal, Beslanovitz, and seniors Christian Cruz and Kevin Noble at defensive tackle. Senior Rob Cowan, junior Connor Sheehan and senior Pete Burtone will be the defensive ends.

Talented junior Tyler Jones is a returning starter at middle linebacker and the vocal leader of the defense.

The two outside linebackers will be juniors Vinny Caporrino and Mike Porpora. Senior Nick Pasquenza is a returning starter at cornerback, and Guida and senior Eric Mojica will see time at the other cornerback spot.

Stenger, a senior captain, is at one safety spot, with junior Luke Werner and sophomore Colby Jones battling for the other starting safety position.

Raritan will find out where it stands early on with a brutal fourgame stretch to start the season. The Rockets open with defending Central Jersey Group III champion Neptune, then face perennial playoff team Carteret, followed by another perennial playoff team, Manasquan, and then Red Bank Catholic, which finished No. 1 in the Shore Conference last year.

"That's all we want to do is get back to the playoffs, and I think this year we have the best chance with the new offense that we're running,'' said senior running back Steve Winetsky.

"We want to get back to the playoffs,'' said head coach Anthony Petruzzi. "I think we're better than last year, and I'm confident the kids are going to compete.''

was kept on defense as a sophomore to keep him fresh. Pulcine will handle the kicking duties, and junior Francisco Cordiero will be the punter.

Junior linebacker Tyler Jones "We have all of our athletes moving around more than they have been,'' Winetsky said. "We have a lot of plays that no one has ever seen from Raritan.''

Senior Jordan Joaquin returns as Raritan's most productive receiver from last year. Two other wideouts expected to see time are senior Ryan O'Connor and junior James Wines.

The offensive line returns four starters, with 315-pound senior Matt Kolbert at center, junior Erik Friedman and senior Pat Thorpe at the guard spots, and senior Matt Beslanovitz at tackle. Pat Toal, a 275-pound junior, will man the other tackle spot. He is the Rockets' best offensive lineman, according to Petruzzi, but

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"We're going to go into every game as the underdog and people are going to underestimate us, but we'll be ready,'' Stenger said.

"We are really excited for the challenge,'' Tyler Jones said. "You want to face the best.''

The hope is to still be playing meaningful games in November for the first time since 2009 and avoid becoming the first Raritan team to miss the playoffs for three straight seasons since 1994-96.

"I don't necessarily feel pressure for that,'' Petruzzi said. "We've been doing the little things and building a strong foundation that will hopefully pay dividends sooner rather than later.''

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Barnegat @ Middlesex @ Rumson Monmouth Shore Red Bank Cath.

Manasquan @ St. John Vianney @ Raritan

Head Coach: Frank Papalia, 4th Season Career Record: 7-23

Assistant Coaches: Rick Haupt (asst. head coach/off. coord.); Bill Beining (assoc. head coach/QB); Joe Zaccone (spec. teams/strength & conditioning/WR/DB); Scott Cannon (spec. teams/DL); Ken Kapler (DB/WR); Gary Foulks, Colin Hart (freshman); Mark Haupt (video coord.); Makenzie Atherton, Shannon Davis (athletic trainers).

2011 Record: 1-9 (0-5)

R OB C ANTELLI (S R ., QB/DB) B RETT L AMBERT (S R ., OL/LB) F RANK C ONDITO (S O ., RB/LB) M ARK S CHERZER (J R ., RB/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: Holmdel's only appearance in a state final came in 1991, when the Hornets lost 28-13 to Manasquan in the Central Jersey Group II championship.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jack Wheeler, Sr., OL. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Jeff Harris, So., WR.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Oct. 5 at home vs. Shore Regional

Volume-IV

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Starting Fresh

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

handle the punting.

ow that a turbulent and disappointing 2011 season is in the rearview mirror, Holmdel is hoping that a fresh start means a run at a state playoff berth against a challenging schedule this fall.

N

Only days before Holmdel's Thanksgiving game against Raritan last year, starting quarterback Matt Muh, a sophomore, transferred to Shore Regional. The Hornets had built their entire spread offense around him as their quarterback of the future. This was after sophomore lineman Quenton Nelson, a major FBS prospect, transferred to Red Bank Catholic in the preseason. It was all part of a frustrating 1-9 season.

"Last year we had some suspensions, we had (Muh) leaving, Quenton (Nelson) leaving, but this offseason we've been a tight-knit team,'' said senior quarterback Robbie Cantelli.

"There's been no drama.''

"We've grown a lot as a team,'' said senior linebacker Brett Lambert. "When (Muh) left, we barely talked about it and just moved on.

We had a great offseason, and we're looking to have a great year and make the playoffs.''

The Hornets have scrapped the spread offense and gone back to the Navy-style triple option attack that they employed in 2010 when Cantelli's older brother, Mike, was the quarterback. In similar fashion, head coach Frank Papalia has moved Robbie Cantelli from running back to the quarterback spot in an offense that takes advantage of his running ability.

"It's my first time ever doing it so I have to get used to my reads and what to look for in the defense, but it's coming along,'' Cantelli said.

"We feel we have an offense that fits our defense, because we look to kill the clock and put the ball in our two best kids' hands,'' Papalia said.

The other player Papalia is referring to is

Lambert looks to be one of the Shore Conference's best at his middle linebacker spot in Holmdel's 4-3 defense. Condito will be at outside linebacker after starting as a freshman, and senior John Dascione is at the other outside linebacker spot. Trying to keep blockers off that group will be the front line of Brady and junior Sam Avellino at defensive tackle and DeLucia and senior newcomer Ryan Maddox at defensive end.

Senior quarterback Rob Cantelli sophomore fullback Frank Condito, a punishing 200-pounder who was one of the top freshman players in the Shore Conference last year.

"We expect Frankie to be an impact player on both sides of the ball,'' Papalia said. "He and Cantelli are real humble kids. They are the two hardest-working kids on our team. Both of them can make plays, so we're hoping the two of them can raise the level of everyone around them.''

Joining Condito in the backfield will be junior slotbacks Matt Dixon and Mark Scherzer, who both saw time last year. The wide receivers will be a pair of newcomers, sophomore Jeff Harris and senior Josh Gayner.

"We turned the ball over a tremendous amount of times last year,'' Papalia said. "One thing we've really stressed this year is protecting the football.''

On the offensive line, senior tackle Frank DeLucia leads the way as a returning starter.

Junior Kevin Brady will start at center, and senior Kyle Kameika, who saw time last year, is at the other tackle spot. Senior Jack "Root Beer'' Wheeler will start at one guard spot, with Lambert and senior Brandon Gross working in at the other guard spot. The Hornets are still searching for a placekicker, and Condito will

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"Defense is what we preach here at Holmdel,'' Lambert said. "My goal is to lead the Shore in defense, and I think we can do that with a good and experienced group of guys.''

The secondary returns two starters, Cantelli at cornerback and Scherzer at safety. Dixon will be the other safety, while senior Evan Wong will man the other cornerback spot.

Just like last season, depth is a concern with several players going both ways. The Hornets' record was somewhat deceiving because they were in dogfights with several top teams before fading in the second half of games last year.

"I think last year it came down to us having a lack of numbers sometimes,'' Cantelli said. "We would be in the game for the first half, up 1412 or down 7-6 or something like that, and we would lose steam because a lot of guys went both ways. This year we have more experience, and we have more players stepping up.''

Six of the nine teams on Holmdel's schedule made the playoffs last year, so a trip to the postseason will require a big leap forward from last season.

"That's how it's supposed to be,'' Cantelli said. "You're supposed to beat the best teams if you want to be the best. We like the challenge.''

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09-08-12 09-15-12 09-28-12 10-06-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

Pt. Pleasant Boro @ Long Branch @ Holmdel Raritan @ Manasquan St. John Vianney Rumson @ Red Bank Cath. @ Ocean Twp.

ASM / 17

Building a Foundation

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

he good news for Monmouth Regional in the wake of a 1-9 season is that the overall participation numbers are up and the Falcons return a talented player at one of the most important positions on the field.

T

Head Coach: Jason Morrell, 2 ND season

Senior quarterback Jeff Farrah is back to run the spread offense out of the shotgun for the Falcons, and his presence alone is enough to give them a chance to take a step forward this year. Moving from Class B North to A Central this year, they will need a dramatic increase in offensive production after averaging 8.5 points per game last year.

Assistant Coaches: Rich Mosca (def. coord.); Jason McQuay (TE/LB); Dave Fleming (QB); Dan Wendel (spec. teams/WR/DL); Rick Farrah (QB/LB); Joe Nappi, Joe Yglesias (freshman); Lee-ann Pearce (athletic trainer).

"I feel stronger, I feel faster, I feel smarter,'' Farrah said. "I just feel more comfortable.''

Career Record: 1-9

2011 Record: 1 - 9 ( 0 - 5 )

J EFF FARRAH (S R ., QB) S HELDON M C C UE (S R ., TE/DL/K) D YLAN B ROWN (J R ., RB/DB) J OSE S UAREZ (S R ., WR/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: New assistant coach Jason McQuay is a former Monmouth star who played linebacker at UTEP. BIG SHOES TO FILL: Joe Pietz, Jr., OL.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Liam Kennedy, So., DL.

P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 8 at home vs. Point Boro.

Senior center Alec Guarino is the lone returning starter on the offensive line, and juniors Joe Pietz and Abe Alsoub will take over at the tackle spots. Junior Jalen Ramsey is a newcomer at one guard spot, and the other one is still being contested.

excited, and we're starting to build some depth.''

"Last year was a hard season,'' Farrah said.

"Brand new program, brand new head coach.

We were just catching a groove at the end and hopefully that will carry over to this year.''

Defensively, the Falcons have returners at all three levels of their 43 scheme. McCue and senior Lydell Wilson are returning starters at defensive end. Guarino, Pietz and sophomores Mike Thomas and Liam Kennedy make up the rotation at defensive tackle.

"The quarterback position is set with Jeff, who is probably one of the best that ever came through the school,'' said second-year head coach Jason Morrell. "Plus our skill guys are talented. He's got more weapons, and everybody overall is more comfortable in the second year.''

Senior Nigel Fitzgerald is a returning starter at outside linebacker, which is the only one of the three linebacker spots that is set right now. Brown is a returning starter at strong safety, and junior Kalil Thomas will be at the other safety spot. Suarez will be one of the cornerbacks, and the other spot is still up for grabs.

Junior Mike Reardon takes over as the starting tailback after seeing time last season, and junior Azavia Gibson will also see some carries out of that spot. Junior Dylan Brown is a returning starter at fullback.

"We're not the team we were last year,'' Farrah said. "We're definitely a more developed program.''

Farrah's most experienced target is senior returner Jose Suarez at wide receiver, and he will be joined by seniors Sean Sanderson and De'von Lockley. Another playmaker in the passing game is returning starter Sheldon McCue at tight end. He will also handle the placekicking and punting.

"Sheldon looks great,'' Farrah said. "He broke the school squat record and has gotten himself ready for a big season.''

Now in Class A Central, Monmouth will have to deal with Red Bank Catholic, Manasquan, Rumson-Fair Haven and others, but it is used to having a difficult schedule.

Senior quarterback Jeff Farrah The offense started to come on at the end of last season, scoring 33 points in a win over Ewing in an NJSIAA consolation game and then 26 in a hard-fought loss to Ocean on Thanksgiving.

"We came into the offseason with a lot of confidence,'' Morrell said. "Our numbers are back up in the 50s, and it's been a very productive and busy offseason. The kids are

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"I don't think we're in any position coming off a 1-9 season to be saying, 'Let's get to the playoffs and make a state title run,''' Morrell said. "Let's win Game One and go from there.''

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09-07-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-27-12 11-03-12 11-21-12

Shore @ St. John Vianney Holmdel @ Red Bank Raritan Msgr. Donovan @ Monmouth @ Manasquan Red Bank Cath.

Head Coach: Shane Fallon, 15th Season Career Record: 99-48

Assistant Coaches: John Corneliusen

(off. coord./QB); Jerry Schulte (def. coord./LB); Jeremy Schulte (DL); Bryan Batchler (DB/spec. teams); Bill Lagrotteria (DL); Joe Murphy (OL); Rob Orrok (RB); Joe Passo (WR); Jerry Gagliano, Jason Lippart, Chris Quinn, John Bellevance (freshman); Alex Stein (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 10-2 (5-0)

DANNY ROBERTO (SR., QB) TRAVIS CLARK (SR., RB/LB) CONOR WALSH (SR., RB/DB) ANDREW BRUNETTO (SR., OL/DL)

RANDOM FACT: Head coach Shane Fallon could potentially get his 100th career victory in the season opener against Shore Regional, the same team he beat for his first win back in 1998.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Conor Walsh, Sr., RB.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Thomas Martello, Jr., OLB. PIVOTAL GAME: At Manasquan, Nov. 3.

Volume-IV

Road to Redemption

By John Gibney - All Shore Media Contributor

A

t the conclusion of last season, RumsonFair Haven got a bitter taste of its own medicine.

The Bulldogs entered the Central Jersey Group II championship game as the heavy favorites, but were upset, 3-0, by the same Matawan team that they shocked the year before to win the school's first sectional title.

Not only are they trying to redeem themselves after being shut out in their final two games, they must also weather the loss of the program's best senior class in recent memory that helped set a school record with 10 wins.

"We know what it's like to be on both ends of the spectrum, having won (the state final) in

2010 and then coming up short last year," said head coach Shane Fallon, who enters the upcoming campaign one win shy of 100 in his career. "I really felt bad

offseason," said senior linebacker Travis Clark, who led the team in tackles with 124 as a junior last fall, good enough for ASM third-team AllShore honors.

Clark has been getting heavy interest from Monmouth University and Wagner out of the Northeast Conference, as well as Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and Bucknell.

Defensively, the Bulldogs' 4-3 set has to fill a huge void left by all four members of a monster defensive line that included Class A Central Defensive Player of the Year Jack Eisenstadt, now at Monmouth. Seniors Danny Wojciehowski and Andrew Brunetto, after spending most of last season solely on the offensive line, may see time on the defensive line.

Six-foot-four junior Donald Bedell got some experience as a backup defensive end as a sophomore and will add size to the front line, and senior John Greeley will be a starter at defensive tackle. Junior Connor Phillips has shown promise at defensive end, and junior Kevin Clayton is another who should see time in the rotation at defensive end.

Clark, a three-year starter, should be one of the Shore's best at middle linebacker, and junior J.T. Jennings is a returning starter at outside linebacker. Those two each had a team-high eight tackles in the title game loss. Junior Thomas Martello will step in as the other outside linebacker.

The secondary also graduated four starters, but returns a solid, senior-laden group. Addison Nitto and senior Michael Clarke will occupy the cornerback positions. Davis Nitto, Addison's brother, started most of last season at linebacker before a bout of mononucleosis kept him out of the postseason. He'll be making the switch to safety and will start alongside junior Chris Hubler. Walsh will rotate in at cornerback and safety.

for our seniors because they won a lot of football games for us, and it was a tough way for them to go out."

"I think we've been looking good," Clark said about the defense.

"We've still got some things to work on, but it's early."

"It helped fire everyone up during the course of the

"I'm excited - it's going to be a great year," said Jennings about his bigger role this time around.

"We're going to bring a lot of energy."

Senior quarterback Danny Roberto will lead a spread

Senior QB Danny Roberto

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offense after he accounted for 1,594 passing yards and nine touchdowns while also being named to the ASM third team a year ago. He's been getting strong interest from the University of New Hampshire, where his older brother Mike played, as well as a handful of NEC programs. His confidence is even higher after his first season as the starting signal-caller.

"The whole game just slows down," Roberto said. "We've only had one scrimmage, but when everyone matures, the mentality of the whole team changes."

Roberto plans to go from taking snaps out of the shotgun to playing under center a lot more. He will have a strong 1-2 punch at tailback in Clark and Walsh. The offensive line, while forced to replace standout tackle Matt Jewett, returns Wojciehowski and Brunetto as the starting guards. Seniors Gunnar Tilly and Henry Rosenberg are back at center and tight end, respectively.

The coaching staff has been encouraging competition in the preseason, especially at wide receiver, where senior John Ryan will provide leadership for a young group of wideouts. Jake D'Amelio, a junior, will handle the kicking and punting duties.

"I've just been putting the ball where it needs to be so we'll see how it all works out," Roberto said.

"A lot of guys have been stepping up."

Despite losing over half of its starters, "rebuilding" is not in Rumson's vocabulary. The sideline will once again be fairly crowded, as the Bulldogs roster is a whopping 81 names long, something very unusual for a Group II school.

"It's huge," Fallon said about the advantage that comes with the participation numbers. "The Pop Warner (now American Youth Football) program has been a great pipeline of talent for us."

Despite its recent success, Rumson's staff does not force a system on the players, but evaluates the personnel and molds a system around them.

"Every group that we have is special," Fallon said. "We're used to making our system fit the talents of our players rather than make our players fit the system. Most of (our coaches) are teachers, and they're used to doing the same thing with students in the classroom.

"With that being said, we now expect to make it to that final weekend year-in and year-out because that's the standard we've set for ourselves and that's what's expected of us."

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ASM / 19

20 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

@ Red Bank Manasquan St. John Vianney @ Raritan Freehold Boro @ Holmdel @ Middletown South Monmouth @ Rumson

Head Coach: Jim Portela, 4th Season Career Record: 24-7

Assistant Coaches: Matt Ahearn (off. coord.); Nick Varanelli (RB/DE); Harry Flaherty (TE/LB); Joe Lanza (OL/DL); Keith Hugger (spec. teams/DB); Mike Rosenfeld (QB/DB); Joe McAuliffe (strength and conditioning); Tony Flego, Joe Gallagher, Matt Bijas (freshman); Mike DeSocio (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 10-1 (6-0)

J OSH K LECKO (S R ., OL/DL) J AMES TAYLOR (S R ., WR/DB) D YLAN H RONCICH (S R ., RB/LB) R ICHIE C URRAN (S R ., OL/DL)

RANDOM FACT: Josh Klecko's older brother, Dan, was a standout defensive lineman at Marlboro in the late 1990s who went on to star at Temple and win three Super Bowl rings while on the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.

B IG S HOES TO FILL : Quenton Nelson, Jr., OL/DL. I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Mike Cordova, So., RB. P I V O TA L G A M E : Oct. 26 at Middletown South

Volume-IV

Great Expectations

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

A

s the participation numbers swell and the talent pipeline gushes, Red Bank Catholic has set its sights on more than just Shore Conference dominance.

"We're not looking for just No. 1 in the Shore Conference anymore,'' said senior defensive end Richie Curran. "We want more than that. We want to be one of the top teams in the state.''

In finishing No. 1 in the All Shore Media Top 10 last year, the Caseys also showed they can rumble with some of the North Jersey powers in Non-Public Group III, beating perennial playoff team Pope John XXIII and then taking Delbarton to double overtime before falling in the semifinals. St. Joseph-Montvale still lurks as the 800-pound gorilla in the bracket, but being able to compete on that level is something the Caseys have been working diligently toward.

"We're no different than anybody else,'' said head coach Jim Portela. "We want to win a state championship just like any other team. It was great to win a playoff game last year and great to get close (to the final), but that's not our goal. Our goal is to finish the whole deal. It's easier said than done, but we're working at it.''

"Last year was really disappointing at the end,'' said senior two-way lineman Josh Klecko. "I've never felt like that before in my life. I've never been hungrier in my life to come back and win states.''

The Caseys finished ranked No. 1 in the Shore for the second time in five years and won their fourth division title in five seasons on their way to a school-record 10 wins last season. While they lost some of the Shore Conference's top talent to graduation, reinforcements are on the way to help them attempt to improve on last year's recordsetting season as they move from Class B North to Class A Central. RBC is still in search of its first berth in a state final since 1980 and its first state title since 1976.

"To be that close (to a state championship) and not get it makes you want it that much more,'' said senior wide receiver/defensive back James Taylor. "We learned a lot from

Junior RB Larr y Redaelli

last year's seniors, so we have a good idea of what it takes to get it there.''

RBC has become known for a physical offensive line and a punishing running game that has produced a 1,000-yard rusher for nine straight years, and this season should be no different after averaging 33 points per game last year. Junior Larry Redaelli, who ran for more than 200 yards in two games after filling in for injured starter John DiStefano at the end of last season, returns at tailback. Explosive sophomore Mike Cordova gives the Caseys a home run threat at running back, and senior Jesse Flaherty is yet another option now that he has returned after missing last season with a back injury.

Redaelli could also see some time at fullback, where senior Dylan Hroncich will be the starter.

Juniors Frank Olmo, Andrew Porzio and Bruno Lins are all pushing for time at that spot as well. RBC has to replace two-year starter Ryan Spahr at quarterback, and stepping in will be senior Mike Corcione, who started at safety last year. Junior Pat Toomey, who returns as the placekicker and punter, is a capable quarterback as well.

"What helps Mike (Corcione) is he played at the varsity level, so he's not new to the speed of the game,'' Portela said.

"He runs very well. We ran a Wildcat package with him last year, and I think he's a kid who can hurt you running the ball as well as throwing. The last quarterback we had who ran like him was Lou Bianchini (in 2007).''

Corcione will have some veteran targets in the passing game as Taylor and senior Chris Whitlock return at wide receiver. Juniors Connor Smith, Anthony Demian and James Sheridan along with senior Brian Vaughan give that unit depth. The tight end spots are being contested between juniors Matt Golden and Shawn McCord and 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore Jamie Gordinier.

That group of skill players will be behind a mammoth offensive line that is inexperienced but averages 260 pounds across. Curran and Klecko, who has verbally committed to Rutgers, are at the

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guard spots, where 6-foot-2, 260-pound sophomore Ryan Kroeger and senior John Flannelly will also be in the rotation. Senior Nick Corey, who is 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds, will be at center, where 6-foot-2, 260-pound junior Liam Coffey could also see time.

Tim O'Hara, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior, will be at one tackle spot, with seniors Ron Robinson and Andrew Higgins also seeing time there.

"We're not as athletic as we used to be on the line, but we're really physical,'' Klecko said. "We can definitely dominate a lot of lines.''

The most promising of all is 6-foot-5, 295-pound junior tackle Quenton Nelson, who already has offers from Rutgers, Boston College and Old Dominion and the likes of Oregon and Ohio State contacting Portela regularly.

A physical front seven in its 4-3 alignment has been RBC's calling card on defense, where it allowed 9.5 points per game last year. The Caseys return seven starters on that side of the ball and could have as many as nine seniors playing regularly this season.

Just like last season, the Caseys look to have one of the best defensive lines in the Shore despite having to replace ASM Defensive Player of the Year Joe Coscarelli at defensive tackle. Klecko, one of the top defensive linemen in the state, returns at tackle, where Nelson will also see time. Higgins, Kroeger, Corey and Flannelly allow RBC to cycle in fresh linemen at that spot all game.

"I'm going to miss Joe a lot,'' Klecko said. "Joe was probably the best kid I've seen play the game. Q is getting better, and he's been working with me and my dad (former New York Jets All-Pro lineman Joe Klecko) in the offseason on everything, and the quickness is coming. I think we'll be better than last year at D-line.''

Robinson and Curran are both returning starters at defensive end, where McCord and senior Tyler Leonard will also see time. RBC has to replace two All-Shore linebackers in Chris Donald and Doug Whitlock, but does return Hroncich to anchor the middle. The remaining two spots are being fought over by Porzio, Gordinier, Golden, junior Ryan Schoer, and seniors Pat Drum and Bryce Leonard.

Whitlock is a returning starter at one cornerback spot, and Flaherty will be the starter at the other one.

Sophomore Mike Demonte and junior Craig Levine add some depth at cornerback. Taylor and Corcione return as the starting safeties, with Cordova and Redaelli available to give them rest.

With all that firepower, it's no surprise the Caseys will start the season ranked No. 1 again. They look forward to having the target on their back.

"We love that,'' Taylor said. "A lot of us feed off being the team everyone wants to bring down.''

"I love it,'' Klecko said. "Every team, this is the game they circle on their calendar. That just gets me more motivated to play.''

P ho t os by: Da vid Tho rne www. da vet ho rne ph ot o gra phy. co m

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Long Branch @ Red Bank Cath.

Raritan @ St. John Vianney @ Middletown South Monmouth @ Holmdel Rumson Wall

Head Coach: Jay Price, 2 nd season Career Record: 9-2

Assistant Coaches: Lou Certo (off. coord./WR); P.J. Gibbs (def. coord/DB); Don Klein (OL); Brian Lee (QB); Andy Manser (RB); Jay Price Sr. (LB); Dave Hallion (DL); Alex Vasilenko (DL); Billy Bertsche (OL); Rich Griffith, Matt Voskian, Andy Sefalo, Eric Howland (freshman); Kevin Hyland (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 9-2 (4-1)

C O N N O R G R O G A N (S R . , WR / DB ) J O E F I T T I N ( J R . , R B/ DB ) J O E M U R P H Y (J R . , R B /L B ) M AT T F O R S T ( J R . , O L / DL )

R A N D O M F A C T: M a n a s q u a n h a s not gone more than two years without playing in a state final since 1987-89.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Joe Murphy, Jr., RB/LB.

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Tucker Caccavale, Jr., QB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 14 at Red Bank Catholic

Volume-IV

Up for the Challenge

F

For Manasquan, which has a Shore Conference-record 11 state sectional titles in its history, it means that the Warriors didn't achieve their ultimate objective.

After falling to eventual champion Matawan in last year's Central Jersey Group II semifinals and ending with a loss to Wall on Thanksgiving, Manasquan returns with a much more difficult regularseason schedule but the same mission as always play 12 games.

"We look at it like Manasquan gets a chance to prove it can play with the big dogs,'' Grogan said.

"It's a lot better for us,'' said junior running back Joe Fittin. "We're going to have to go out playing our best every game, and it will get us more prepared for playoff time.''

After relying heavily on quarterback Tyler Saito and the passing game last season, the Warriors look to have more balance this year and get their traditional punishing running attack back in gear.

They have the ingredients with Fittin and fellow junior Joe Murphy returning in the backfield.

Junior Jack Bianco will be at fullback, where Murphy also will line up in certain sets.

"Going 9-2 was good, but we're working really hard to get to that 12th game,'' said senior wide receiver Connor Grogan. "We put pressure on "Murphy was a Senior WR Connor Grogan ourselves because good, energetic we expect to be jolt in some there and want to be there in the end.'' games,'' said head coach Jay Price. "He's small, but he's tough.''

The Warriors have moved from the nowdefunct Class C Central to Class A Central in Junior Tucker Caccavale takes over for the the latest Shore Conference realignment. They graduated Saito at quarterback in will have to deal with Red Bank Catholic, Manasquan's multiple-I attack and has a Rumson-Fair Haven, Raritan and others in the prime target in Grogan, who had 44 catches division, and also have tough nondivisional for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns last year to games against Middletown South and Long earn ASM third-team All-Shore honors.

Branch. It won't get any easier if they make it Junior Kieran Preston and senior Mark to the playoffs because they are now in Schatzman are the other wideouts, and senior Central Jersey Group III, where defending Grant Castellanos will be the tight end. champion Neptune lurks along with "We definitely are going back to more Middletown South, Long Branch and others. running, but we've got a good arm in Tucker,''

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Fittin said. "We feel confident he'll get the job done in the air.''

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

or most programs, consecutive 9-2 seasons would mean high-fives all around.

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The offensive line features one returning starter, senior tackle Jake Edick. Seniors Scott Thermann and Tom Hassel are competing for the starting center spot, and juniors Matt Forst and Monte Sinisi will be the guards. Harry Warner and juniors Jerry Taylor and Dakota Jones add depth at the tackle spot. Junior Raul Perez will be the new kicker, and either Murphy or Bianco will handle the punting.

Defensively, Forst returns to anchor the front line at defensive tackle and senior Dom Vigliante is a returning starter at defensive end in Manasquan's 4-3 alignment. Warner will be the other defensive tackle, and Castellanos will line up as the other defensive end.

The linebacking corps is a work in progress as the Warriors have to replace Class C Central Defensive Player of the Year Kodie McNamara and three-year varsity player Zack Vasilenko. Murphy or senior Zack Campbell will be at middle linebacker, and junior Brian Gianforte will be the strongside linebacker.

The weakside linebacker spot is being contested between junior Blaine Birch and sophomore Tanner Cowley. Preston and Schatzman are the cornerbacks, and senior Chris Miller and Grogan are the safeties, with Fittin giving that position some depth.

"I'm hoping our front four are going to be the strength of the defense,'' Price said. "We also have some kids in the secondary with experience.''

After starting last season 9-0, the Warriors will have a much bigger challenge this time around. They hope it will all be a prelude to playing on that first weekend in December, which is seemingly an annual rite of fall in Manasquan.

"There's going to be added pressure with our schedule and the whole Manasquan tradition, but we can't pay attention to it too much,'' Fittin said. "We need to just play like us and not worry about playing like the teams of the past. We just need to win the way we know how and get to that state championship game.''

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Howell @ Lacey @ Southern Jackson Brick Memorial @ Brick Township @ Manalapan @ Toms River South Toms River East

Head Coach: Chip LaBarca Jr, 7th Season (8th overall) Career Record: 51-30

Assistant Coaches: Dan Curcione (def. coord./ILB); Gabe Roonan (spec. teams/OLB); Mike Clemente (DB); Jon Power (DL); Dean Helstowski (OL); Mike Oizerwitz (WR); Anthony Penna (QB); Vincent Spadavecchia (RB); Bill Dowd, Dave Oizerwitz (freshman); Dan Czarniewski (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (1-4)

J OEY F IELDS (J R ., WR) G ARRETT K ROEGER (S R ., DL) C HRIS G ULLA (S R ., K/P) D AMIAN S INGLETON (S R ., WR)

R ANDOM FACT: Manchester transfer Jalen Hunter, who will start at cornerback, is the cousin of junior wideout Joey Fields.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Carmen Sclafani or Mark Neglio.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Trevon Bass, Jr., RB. PIVOTAL GAME: Sept. 15 at Lacey.

Volume-IV

Back in the Hunt

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ith a diverse group of offensive talent and improved depth, Toms River North is looking to return to its regular spot as a division title contender and state playoff team on the heels of its first losing season in six years.

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For the past two seasons, the Mariners' offense has relied primarily on the quarterback, with Demetri Davis as the centerpiece in 2010 and Scott Buxbaum running the show last year. This preseason there is a still a competition for the starting spot between sophomore Carmen Sclafani and junior Mark Neglio, but whomever wins the job will have plenty of weapons at his disposal.

times a game. He's an explosive guy.''

"Joey can turn any play into a touchdown, so we're definitely excited about the offense,'' said senior kicker/punter Chris Gulla.

What should also help is a fresher group of linemen with Toms River North going back to

"Offensively, we have more guys who can make plays, so we're not just depending on one or two guys,'' LaBarca said. "We will depend on four or five guys, and the quarterback will be one of those guys instead of the main guy.''

"It's going to help our quarterback,'' Fields said.

"If you look to the left you got me. If you look to the right you have Damian and Kyle, so you won't know who to stop.''

Fields, in particular, is a player who should see plenty of touches after showing game-breaking ability as a sophomore with his speed. He will line up wide, in the slot and in the backfield this year.

"We're certainly expecting some big things from him,'' LaBarca said. "He's a guy who you're going to have to get the ball in his hands at least 15-20

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in the state. Gulla has received steady interest from Rutgers, South Carolina, Penn State and UMass.

He makes Toms River North a threat to score nearly every time it crosses midfield while also being able to dramatically change field position with his punting ability.

Defensively, the strength in Toms River North's 3-4 alignment under new coordinator Dan Curcione looks to be up front. Sophomore Adam Kakar, who is 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds and saw extensive time as a freshman, returns to anchor the middle. Flanking him will be returning starter Garrett Kroeger, a senior who played both ways last season but will play exclusively on defense.

Senior Nick DiGiacomo, another three-year varsity player like Kroeger, will be at the other defensive end spot.

"I think the defensive line will be solid,'' LaBarca said. "Adam Kakar has some experience now, and athletically and physically he could be a guy that can give opposing teams problems and be a good force in the middle for us. Also, Kroeger had to play center and on defense last year and wasn't as effective on both sides of the ball, so now I think he can be much tougher because he can focus just on defense.''

A deep wide receiving corps headlined by junior returners Joey Fields and Kyle Carrington along with senior Damian Singleton should lead the way. Senior Rameer Myers, a 6-4 receiver who has come over from the basketball team, should give that unit depth along with senior Alex Majewski.

Mariners' head coach Chip LaBarca Jr., who also is the offensive coordinator, is hoping for more balance this season thanks to a more explosive running game. Junior Trevon Bass steps in at tailback, and senior Matt Lamonica returns at fullback for when the Mariners go to a two-back set in their shotgun spread offense. Senior Brandon Kennedy, who saw time on defense last season, will line up at H-back and tight end as another threat.

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"(The two-platoon system) is huge,'' Kroeger said. "Everyone will have fresh legs all game. I'm going to get a lot more of a break and be more effective late in the game."

Junio r wide ou t Jo e y F ie lds more of a two-platoon system after not having that luxury the last two seasons. The Mariners ran out of gas last year, losing their last five games, including a Thanksgiving upset at the hands of a Toms River East team that had one victory entering the game.

"The biggest change we've made this year is two-platooning,'' LaBarca said. "If there's one single thing that has changed to really make us better, I think it's that. We'll go out there fresh, and it really helps in practice as well."

Senior tackles Billy Besnecker and Tyler Brochu and senior guard Matt Sudol are all returning starters who will lead the offensive line.

Junior center Nick Silva returns after seeing some time last year, and the final guard spot is being contested between senior Joe Salas and promising sophomore Aamir LeDet. The Mariners also have a major weapon on special teams in Gulla, a first-team ASM AllShore selection as a junior who is one of the best

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At inside linebacker, junior Mark Barroso and seniors Jonathan Newnom and Tom Cangialosi are battling it out for the two starting spots. Senior Pat Corrigan returns after seeing some time at outside linebacker last year, and junior Dean Wilk and senior Tom Pizzola are competing for the other outside linebacker spot.

In the secondary, junior R.J. Bromell is a returning starter at cornerback and will be joined at the other cornerback spot by senior Jalen Hunter, a transfer from Manchester. One safety will be junior Jacob Forlenza, while the other spot is being contested between junior Evan Sirota and promising sophomore Valdez Santiago.

Competing in a deep Class A South that has added Lacey and Brick in the latest realignment, the Mariners, who have tough nondivisional games against Howell and Manalapan, have their work cut out for them to return to prominence.

"I'm looking forward to it,'' Kroeger said. "I think after starting out 2-0 last year we got a little cocky and ahead of ourselves. We're not going to let that happen this year."

"Our seniors are a lot closer this year,'' Gulla said. "We have more of a winning attitude, and we've worked really hard in the offseason. That taste from the East game to end last year definitely stayed in our mouth, and we're out to have a big season.''

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2012 FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Fri Fri FRI FRI Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat Sat Thr

9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/14 10/19 10/26 11/2 11/9 11/16 11/22

(Games to be broadcast on 105.7FM and 1160/1310AM) Brick at Brick Memorial (7pm) Toms River South at Southern (7pm) TOMS RIVER NORTH SOUTHERN (7PM) AT JACKSON MEMORIAL TOMS RIVER NORTH (7PM) AT Neptune at Brick Memorial (7pm) Barnegat at Central (7pm) Toms River South at Toms River East (7pm) TO BE DETERMINED Lacey at Brick Memorial (7pm) NJSIAA Playoff Games NJSIAA Playoff Games Wall at Manaquan (11am)

11/30-12-2 NJSIAA Championship Weekend BROADCAST CREW Matt Harmon, Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca Visit www.shoresportsnetwork for details

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@ Freehold Twp. Toms River South Toms River North @ Brick Township Lacey @ Brick Memorial @ Jackson Toms River East @ Central

Head Coach: Chuck Donohue Sr, 15 th Season (38th overall) Career Record: 217-148-4

Assistant Coaches: Matt Abbato (Def. coord.): Andrew Beckett (DL); Chuck Donohue Jr. (OL/DL); Eric Fierro (QB); Dennis Pidgeon (RB/DE/special teams); C.J. Tomeldon (DB); Dylan Larson; Joe Fleck, Dan Roy (freshman); Roy Labrizzi (statistician); Joe Caucino (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 8-2 (5-0)

D A N H I G G I N S (S R . , Q B) M I K E G E S I C K I (J R . , W R /D B) R YA N B O Y L E (S R . , O L / DL ) F R A N K T H I S S E N (S R . , O L /D L )

R ANDOM FACT: Dan Higgins is Southern's first two-year starting quarterback since Todd Kaiser in 2007.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Abe Gonzalez, Sr., RB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Ryan Jensen, Jr., WR.

PI V O TAL G AM E : September 21 at home vs. Toms River North

Volume-IV

Target on their Backs

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

outhern chased a division title for 39 seasons, and last year, the Rams finally brought it home.

S

And perhaps it was a little ahead of schedule. When Southern's current senior class were sophomores, the staff pointed to 2012 as the year it should all click. They certainly aren't complaining the group was ahead of the curve, finishing 8-2 and a perfect 5-0 in Class A South in 2011. With the success they've already enjoyed, the task now turns to defending their title. For once, Southern is the hunted.

"Things worked out for us last year in that we won some close games and had tough opponents at home, but the kids haven't even mentioned last year," said Rams head coach Chuck Donohue Sr. "They still have a lot to prove because expectations are higher. It's time to produce."

The Rams won't be able to sneak up on anybody this season, but fortunately they have a solid core of returning talent that includes 25 seniors. Southern has six returning starters in its spread offense, with four of them coming along the offensive line.

The only newcomer is senior left tackle Tom Pasquale, with senior Steve Tarricone also working in at left tackle.

Senior Ryan Boyle is the left guard and junior Bailey Bellissimo is the center after starting as a sophomore. Senior Frank Thissen is the right guard and senior Nick Jinks is the right tackle. Senior Mark Heslin is a utility lineman, as is senior Nick Munafo, whom Donohue pegged as the team's most versatile lineman.

Mike Gesicki. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound wideout gives Higgins a threat few teams enjoy. With good speed, great height and fantastic leaping ability, Gesicki is a matchup nightmare, especially in the red zone.

"It's awesome," Higgins said. "If he's covered one-on-one I'm throwing him the ball. He draws coverage away from the other receivers and down by the goal line he's a goto target. Even if he has a couple guys on him I can throw it up, and he'll go up and get it."

The offense suffered a significant blow when it lost senior wide receiver Kevin Barreau, most likely for the season, with a knee injury. Barreau was the speed guy and another weapon at Southern's disposal. The rest of the receivers will need to fill his void.

Senior Nick Hem will line up opposite Gesicki and junior Vinnie Colecchia will work in the slot. Donohue is high on junior Ryan Jensen, who has the size and speed to make an impact but still needs to live up to his potential.

"Michael has to approach the game very maturely because he's either going to get doubleteamed or he's going to get the opponent's best athlete covering him," Donohue said.

"He has to work extremely hard on route running and separation.

He

can't just be a guy that relies on his size.

He's going to draw a lot of attention this year and he still

Returning at quarterback is senior Dan Higgins, whose development last season as a junior was a major reason Southern won a title. As the season went on, Higgins' confidence grew, and he enters this season in full command of the offense.

"As a junior I was just handing it off and trying to get used to the offense and not make too many mistakes," Higgins said.

"Now I'm running the offense."

Leading the cast of wide receivers Higgins will target is one of the most imposing offensive weapons in the Shore, junior

has tremendous upside. There's going to be guys open because he's out there."

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season as T.J. Bellissimo was the A South Offensive Player of the Year and a secondteam all-conference selection. Taking his place in the backfield will be senior Abe Gonzalez along with junior Rob Yaiser. Senior Oliver Bissey may also see time at running back. The fullback will be either junior Jesse Bauta or junior Josh Throckmorton. At tight end there is a competition between senior Zach Amirr and junior Cody Schmutz.

"We have the pieces to do different things," Gesicki said. "We can throw and run. We used to be a team that ran it all the time. Last year it was about 50-50 and this year it could be 6040. Having different weapons and throwing the ball more, teams don't really know how to defend us."

Southern's defense was stout again last season, allowing just 14 points per game.

Several starters graduated from last year's unit, however, so the new starters will need to rise to the challenge. In the Rams' 5-2 alignment, Boyle is the nose guard with senior Mike Manganiello, sophomore Patrick Ferraro, senior Anthony Speziale and Thissen as the tackles and ends. Speziale is Southern's biggest player at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds but won't be ready until the third or fourth game as he recovers from an injury suffered at the end of last season.

The linebackers are Munafo and Amirr with Gonzalez, sophomore Dylan Jinks, senior Al Manzo and senior John Edwards rotating in.

In the secondary the corners are Bissey and Colecchia with Hem also seeing time. The safeties are Gesicki along with either junior Logan Sheehan or senior Jimmy Ayers.

"Defensively we'll fight, we're a sound defense," Donohue said. "We don't generally give up a lot of points and we expect the same thing."

Yaiser will be the kicker and Gesicki will handle the punting duties.

Class A South was tough last season and it will be even tougher this year with Brick and Lacey joining the fray. Southern knows it's going to get the best from every team on its schedule and that it won't fly under the radar.

That's exactly the way the Rams want it.

"We're all competitors on this team," Gesicki said. "Having that extra motivation certainly isn't going to hurt."

"It feels good to have teams gunning for us," Higgins said. "We want that. We want to repeat and go farther in the playoffs. I played a bad game against Triton and I have a chip on my shoulder because of that. I'm ready."

Running back was a major position of strength last Senior QB Dan Higgins

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Central Reg. @ Southern Brick Township @ Lacey @ Jackson @ Toms River East Brick Memorial Toms River North Lakewood

Head Coach: Ron Signorino Jr., 2 nd season Career Record: 3-7

Assistant Coaches: Matt Martin (Off. coord./QB); Rich Malek (def. coord/DB); Tom Malek (def. coord./LB); Ron Signorino Sr., (slot backs); Kyle Austin (OL); Brett Hardle (WR); Bill Rankin Jr. (OL); Joe Osborn (LB); Joe Kelly (RB); Dan Peterson (DL); Ray Guzzi (RB); Jim Drakowitz DL); Debbie Morante (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 3-7 (0-5)

D A R I U S H A R T ( J R . , R B/D B ) T R E V O R S I G N O R I N O ( S R . , Q B/D B ) S E A N C O N W AY ( S R . , O L ) O T I S K E A R N E Y (J R . , R B/ D B)

Volume-IV

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Robert Hailey, Sr., RB/LB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Jordan Hayes, Sr., OL/DL

PI V O TAL G AM E : September 22 at home vs. Brick

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The South Will Rise Again

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

hen Ron Signorino Jr. took over at Toms River South last season, there were so many things he and his staff had to implement in order to get the Indians back on track that winning games almost became secondary.

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"Last year we didn't have expectations so much as we had a vision," Signorino Jr. said.

"This year we have expectations. We're so far ahead of where we were last year."

The Indians went from zero wins in 2010 to a 3-7 season last year. Their record didn't register much more than blip on the radar around the Shore Conference, but to the returning players and coaches it meant everything.

"It made a big difference," said junior Darius Hart. "You can tell the players care a lot more. Everyone is buying into what the coaches are saying, and we really believe we can do great things."

"The practices are more enthusiastic and the kids are starting to enjoy themselves," said senior quarterback Trevor Signorino. "We expect to win games this year and be a contender."

You can't win games on excitement alone, and this year the Indians have a slew of playmakers they feel can turn their flexbone scheme into a high-powered unit. Signorino returns as the starting quarterback after a solid junior season. He'll have plenty of options under center as Toms River South sports speed and athleticism at the skill positions. Junior Otis Kearney is the fullback with junior Russell Messler and sophomore Khaleel Greene also set to see action. The slot backs, both returning starters, are Hart and senior Robert Hailey, with junior Billy Kosh also in the rotation. Kearney, whose father played for Ron Signorino Sr. at South, is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. Hart is 6-foot-2, 205. Both can run, as can the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Hailey.

At receiver the Indians have a pair of returning starters in senior Tommy Venter and junior Brian Morrison. Junior Isaiah Akers and junior Jared Eagan, who started on defense last year, are also in the rotation.

"Usually it's just one, maybe two positions you can lean on offensively, but we have weapons at slot, A-back and receiver, and that eases the pressure on a lot of kids," Trevor Signorino said.

"I feel real good about our skill guys," Signorino Jr. said. "We're athletic, there's no question. There are guys that can make plays with the ball in their hands. We feel it's just a matter of time before it all happens with our offense."

The Indians have three returning starters on the offensive line with 6-foot-3, 220-pound Scott Stueber at left tackle, 215-pound junior Sergio Hernandez at right tackle and threeyear starter Sean Conway (6-foot-3, 265) at right guard. The staff is high on center Jordan Hayes (6-foot-1, 255), who has blossomed in his senior year. The left guard spot is between sophomore Jimmy Allen (6-foot-2, 235) and junior Brandon Kelly (6-foot-1, 245).

Sophomore Mike Rutter has played his way into a role as the first backup, mostly working at left tackle.

While the coaches are confident the offense will come around and be solid, they feel the defense has the potential to be great with the amount of athletes it has in the back eight.

The down linemen, all new starters, will play a big role as to how good the Indians' defense can be. Senior Lundyn Corbin will be the nose tackle and he'll be plenty tough to move at 6foot-3 and 335 pounds. At defensive end South has a pair of seniors in 6-foot-3, 265-pound Qualic Williams and 6-foot-2, 275-pound Alex Brennan. Hayes and Allen will also see time in the defensive line rotation, giving the Indians a massive, physical unit.

"Everyone wants to have a great defense and our staff believes we're very athletic

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS R ANDOM FACT: Toms River South's last playoff appearance came in 2006, its 16th since the playoffs were created in 1974.

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Senior QB Trevor Signorino there," Signorino Jr. said. "Last year our weakness was in the front three and this year we're bigger and stronger. If the front three can come together and really keep the back eight freed up, we can be a really good defense."

Senior Giovann Achurra returns as a starter at inside linebacker and will be joined by both Hailey and Messler, who played outside linebacker last season. Sophomore Quintin DeCarlo will also see time at inside linebacker.

Kosh is a returning starter at outside linebacker with senior Matt Maroukis playing on the other side. Ventor is also on the depth chart as the next man in.

All four starters return in the secondary and do so with great speed and athleticism. Egan and senior Mainor Puerto are the cornerbacks with Signorino also in the rotation. The safeties are Hart and Kearney with junior Justin Schumann serving as the primary backup.

On special teams, Messler will be the kicker and Signorino will be the punter.

The process is still ongoing for Signorino Jr. and his staff to change the culture and get South back to its winning ways. There was progress in year one and there should be even more in 2012.

"Coming in last year, things were bad," Signorino Jr. said. "It was not the South I grew up in and played in, but it's slowly coming back. The staff really feels good about this team. That doesn't translate into wins, but at this point compared to last year we are way ahead."

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Manalapan @ Toms River East Brick Memorial @ Toms River North Toms River South @ Lacey Southern @ Jackson Liberty Brick Township

Head Coach: Walt Krystopik, 2 nd season Career Record: 8-2

Assistant Coaches: Tom Bradley (def. coord.); Keith Anderson (RB); Chris Rash (DL); Rob Schultz (LB); Mark Bergery, Kevin McQuade (freshman); Nicole Figaro (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 8-2 (4-1)

K EN B RADLEY (J R ., RB/LB) J OHN G ABOFF (S R ., OL/DL) B EN C OLLINS (S R ., OL) C HRIS S IMS (S R ., DB)

R ANDOM FACT: Junior linebacker Ken Bradley went 25-5 and won a District 24 title in wrestling last winter.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Justin Gullo, Jr., RB.

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Brad Greenway, So., DT.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Oct. 26 at home vs. Southern

ASM / 29

Here to Stay

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ackson Memorial emphatically announced its return to the upper echelon of the Shore Conference landscape last season with an 8-2 campaign.

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Now we'll see if the Jaguars are staying.

Jackson Memorial graduated all but two starters on defense, and also lost two-time, 1,000-yard rusher Brandon Winston along with quarterback Jimmy Celidonio and top wideout Johntel Thomas, so it will be up to a host of newcomers to prove last season was no blip on the radar. The Jaguars ended a three-year playoff drought that followed a nine-year streak of playoff appearances, and they are intent on becoming playoff regulars again.

"I expect us to come back and pick up where we left off,'' said junior Ken Bradley, one of the top returning linebackers in the Shore. "A lot of the young guys did what they needed to do in the offseason.''

between senior Pat Duggan and a pair of sophomores, Joe Demaio and Charlie Lombana. Juniors Justin Gullo and Khani Glover will try to fill Winston's production at tailback. Bradley will be at fullback after seeing some time on offense last season.

"We have the same expectations,'' Krystopik said. "Every year in Jackson, you're expected to have a 1,000-yard running back, no matter what offense you're running. Justin and Khani are expected to carry that production. Celidonio is the big void we're trying to fill at quarterback. You don't have to win the game at that spot, just manage the game well enough and not make too many mistakes.''

When

The main question mark is a defense that only returns Bradley and senior safety Chris Sims from last year's rugged unit, which allowed only 10.1 points per game.

"I think the overall team speed is good on defense, but trying to fill in nine spots, we have a lot of inexperience right now,'' Krystopik said.

A pair of sophomores, Brad Greenway and Brody Graham, will start at defensive tackle in the Jaguars' 4-3 scheme, with Lovacco, Gaboff and Ademilola seeing time at defensive end. Bradley, a second-team ASM All-Shore pick last year and the son of defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, returns at middle linebacker after leading the team in tackles as a sophomore. Celidonio will be at strongside linebacker, and senior Nick Quattrock is a newcomer at weakside linebacker.

"This year I'm really more vocal and leading by example,'' Bradley said.

"Last year I let the seniors do the talking, but this year I've taken that job myself.''

The unit that will be leaned on to start the season as the newcomers get up to speed is the offensive line, which returns four starters to pave the way for the Jaguars' shotgun spread offense. Senior center Ben Collins, senior right guard Max Mondello, senior right tackle John Gaboff and senior left tackle Nick Trent are all back. The left guard spot is being contested between seniors Nick Patterson and Anthony Lovacco and junior Sam Mistretta.

Glover isn't lined up in the backfield, he also will be at receiver.

The two split ends in the spread are junior Marcus Ademilola and senior Kyle McGrath. Junior Vinny Celidonio will be the placekicker,

"We're going to be relying heavily on our offensive line to carry the team, especially early on, because they are the most experienced,'' said head coach Walt Krystopik.

"Last year I thought they were one of the better lines in our division, and I think they will be again,'' Bradley said. "They'll be pushing guys down the field.''

There is a three-way competition to replace Celidonio at quarterback Jun ior line ba cke r Ke n Brad ley

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and Gullo is the punter.

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Glover will be at one cornerback spot, and the other spot will be manned by a platoon of senior twins Nick and Mike Specht. The two are lacrosse stars and basketball players who played football as freshmen and then decided to come back out for the team as seniors. The safeties will be junior Mike Petrizzo and senior Corey Chadwick.

It adds up to a group that is looking to return Jackson Memorial to the glory days of the last decade. Several members of the coaching staff were either players or coaches on the last Jaguars' team to win a state title in an undefeated 2005 season.

"They were the team we looked up to as kids,'' Bradley said. "We are trying to be that next team to bring back Jackson to where it was. We're all about driving teams down the field, strong defense, and constantly being in the playoffs.''

Photo by Cliff Lavelle www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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30 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

@ Colts Neck Jackson Lacey @ Brick Memorial Howell @ Brick Township Toms River South @ Southern @ Toms River North

Head Coach: Charlie Diskin, 7th Season (8th overall) Career Record: 42-30

Assistant Coaches: Brian Wilkinson (def. coord.); Jim Dempsey (off. coord./TE); Pete Gudzak (DL); Kevin Kanarkowski (WR); Kyle Sandberg (DB); Matt Maddeo (RB); Mike Nemeth (OL); Derrick Egan (DE); Anthony Allocca, Joe Arminio Jr., Rob Cordasco (freshman); Mike Bronstein (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 2-8 (2-3)

M ATT G UDZAK (J R ., RB/DB) PAT G ALLAGHER (S R ., RB/LB) Z ACH R OSENGRANT (J R ., WR/DB) J ERRY C APORALE (J R ., QB/DB/K)

R ANDOM FACT: This is the first time since 2000 that Toms River East does not have a Steriti brother on its roster now that all four have graduated.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: DeVante Rodriguez, Jr., DL. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : John Laird, Jr., OL/DL.,

PI V O TAL G AM E : At Brick Memorial, Sept. 23

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9/6/12

The Young and the Hungry

By Scott Stump - Managing Editor

wo years removed from a school-record 10 wins, Toms River East endured its first losing campaign in 10 years last season while having to throw a host of young players into the varsity fire.

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The Raiders are hoping that year of adversity translates to the win column this season as they return a majority of their impact players. With a defense that seventhyear head coach Charlie Diskin called the fastest in his successful tenure and an offense that includes rising star Matt Gudzak at running back, the Raiders look to hold their own in the highly-competitive Class A South.

Providing some momentum into 2012 was an upset victory over rival Toms River North on Thanksgiving to end last season that halted an eight-game losing streak.

"I definitely feel like we've gotten a lot better, and we've grown up,'' said senior linebacker/running back Pat Gallagher.

"Hearing about last year got real old real fast, so we're looking for a big season.''

"I don't want to jinx anything,'' Gudzak said, "but I feel like we have playoffs coming.''

The Raiders' last playoff appearance came during a 10-1 season in 2009. They hope that a swarming defense and an improved offense will get them back there despite still being a relatively young team anchored by the junior class. Toms River East has always been known for its speed in its 4-3 defense, which will feature an experienced back seven and a promising front four.

Seniors Armando Leonore and Froilan Hernandez both started multiple games last season, and they will be joined in the defensive tackle rotation by 250-pound junior John Laird, a Toms River North transfer, along with 315-pound junior DeVante Rodriguez. The defensive end rotation will include juniors Dominick Spalletta and Dante Avignone and seniors Bobby Murawski and Connor Mees.

Gallagher, a returning starter and team captain, will be at middle linebacker, and senior Ryan Galligan is a returning starter at outside linebacker. The other outside linebacker spot is being contested between senior Robert Spadaro and promising sophomore Jeff Wood.

Junior Zach Rosengrant, who started at cornerback last season, will move over to safety this year, with the other safety spot being contested between senior Johnny Villarini and junior Frank Serritella. Junior Jerry Caporale is a returning starter at cornerback, and the other cornerback spot will be manned by a rotation of Gudzak, junior Hector Torres and senior Robert Wasilick.

"This is one of the fastest defenses we've ever had,'' Diskin said. "We've got kids who can run, so now we just have to find out how well we tackle.''

The offense was a sore spot last year, averaging only 10 points per game and being shut out twice. The 29 points the Raiders scored in the Thanksgiving win over Toms River North were 11 more than they scored in any other game all season.

In Toms River East's multiple attack, the key is always the running game and the offensive line. Gudzak has the potential to ascend to the upper echelon of Shore Conference running backs after rushing for 674 yards, the most of any sophomore in program history, in seven games. He was one of only two sophomores to be named to the All-Class A South team by the coaches.

"We changed the formations around a little bit (from last year), but I really understand them now,'' Gudzak said. "I think they're better for our team. I just need to work hard, and do what I do best. This is going to be a big year for me.''

"Gudzak is a special kid as far as his skills running the ball,'' Diskin said. "He's so fast, and so smooth.''

Gallagher also will get some carries out of the backfield along with Spadaro, Torres and

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS

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Junior RB Matt Gudzak Wasilick. The Raiders will also break in a new quarterback, with Caporale and junior Paul Aliseo competing for that spot. They hope to be more effective in the passing game with the return of Rosengrant, a playmaker at wide receiver, along with junior Ryan Connelly, who saw some time last year. Six-foot-three junior Randy Warnock is another option at wideout.

"We can throw the ball,'' Rosengrant said.

"We've just got to get a balanced offense together this year.''

Paving the way will be an offensive line with some imposing size at the tackle spots.

Rodriguez is a returning starter at one tackle position, with Laird and mountainous senior Nico DeJesus (6-6, 325) seeing time at the other tackle spot. Murawski and senior Brandon Goodwin are competing to start at center. Junior Ron Waters is a returning starter at guard, and Galligan and senior Gianni Menagos are fighting for minutes at the other guard spot. Villarini and Avignone are the tight ends.

"This is one of our biggest lines,'' Diskin said. "Waters is recovering from a broken hand, but they are coming along. They are still mainly juniors, so there is room for improvement.''

Caporale is also returning starter at placekicker, giving the Raiders a solid weapon on special teams. He also is in the mix to be the punter along with Gudzak and Serritella.

"The North win at the end of the year was big for us going into the offseason, and the kids' attitude has been great, so we're excited,'' Diskin said. "Last year was the first losing season here (under this coaching staff), but our kids never quit. Hopefully that effort will carry over to this season.''

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@ Brick Memorial Middletown South @ Toms River South Southern @ Wall Toms River East Toms River North Lacey @ Jackson

Head Coach: Rob Dahl, 2nd season

Career Record: 6-4

Assistant Coaches: Tony Compitello (Off. coord.); Brian McNamara (Def. coord./DB); Chris Blackburn (RB); Scott Davis (WR); Scott Lloyd (WR/TE); Kurt Weiboldt (K/ST); Jared Kight (OL/DL); Don Marino, Jason Groschel, Mike Mecklin (freshmen); Jim Barber (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 6-4 (3-2)

D OUG C UCCINELLO (S R ., RB/LB) S TEVE F ERLISI (J R ., K/P) J OHN F UINO (S R ., WR/DB) D AN W ATSON (S R ., DL)

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Rebuilding Tradition

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

n Rob Dahl's first year as Brick's head coach the Green Dragons found themselves playing for both a division title and a spot in the playoffs over the final two weeks of the regular season.

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An overtime loss to Barnegat and a threepoint defeat to Middletown South kept Brick from attaining either, but just being in that position let Dahl know his task of lifting the Dragons program back to championship status was right on course.

"In year one to have a chance to play for the division title and take it to overtime made it exciting for the kids and showed the program is moving in the right direction," Dahl said. "It came down to four or five plays last year, and this year we're looking to make those four or five plays."

The quarterback position is where things get interesting as replacing Kieslor will be sophomore Joe Phillips. Kieslor was a solid dual threat and also a great leader, so the Dragons aren't expecting Phillips to replace everything he brought to the table. Phillips’ biggest attribute is his raw playmaking ability.

He has excellent speed and was timed at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard sprint by the coaching staff.

"We're going to depend on Cuccinello a lot, but last year teams loaded the box so Kieslor ended up rushing for around 600 yards," Dahl said. "If that happens again we think Phillips can get between six- and eight-hundred. I feel confident with the ball in his hands because I don't know if anyone can catch

Before last season Brick had put together just one winning campaign since 2003, so a 6-4 mark in a new coach's first year is certainly encouraging. Taking the next step won't be easy, though. The Dragons return only a handful of starters in a year they move into the Shore Conference's Class A South division.

"We're going to need 11 guys doing their job on both sides of the ball to win," Dahl said.

"Last year we had some spectacular individual performances from (Tom) Winters and (Brandon) Kieslor and it's tough to replace guys like that."

What the Dragons do have is a three-year starter and 1,000-yard rusher in senior Doug Cuccinello, a 14-sack defensive end in senior Dan Watson and an all-division receiver in senior John Fuino to lead the charge. Add in a promising sophomore class that was undefeated at the freshman level and you have a program that hasn't tempered its expectations despite losses to graduation.

In the Dragons' spread offense Cuccinello is the featured back after going over the 1,000yard mark last season and being selected as an All-B South running back. Watson is the tight end and the receivers are Fuino, senior Brendan Darcy and sophomore Ray Fattaruso.

BI G SH O ES T O FI LL : Joe Phillips, So., QB.

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Ray Fattaruso, So., WR/LB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : September 7 at Brick Memorial

The most consistent part of the team over the past few seasons has been the defense.

Defensive coordinator Brian McNamara's unit was solid again in 2011, allowing 17.5 points per game. Again the Dragons will need to replace some key cogs to stay in that range as they face more prolific offenses in A South.

In Brick's 4-2-5 scheme, Cruz and Ulufanua are the defensive tackles and Watson will start at defensive end. The other defensive end spot is between seniors Bryan Ruffus and Jason Mallon. Cuccinello returns as the middle linebacker and will be flanked by Applegate at outside linebacker. The other outside linebacker spot is between Fattaruso and junior Drew Scott. The secondary returns Darcy and Fuino as the starting safeties and will break in two new cornerbacks in sophomore Tommy Leach and junior Mike Muratore. Regardless of the personnel, Brick's defensive identity will continue to be physical, hard-hitting and tough against the run.

"That's what Brick's been all about for 50 years," Cuccinello said.

"That's how we're going to play.

That's what we're made of."

All-Division pick Steve Ferlisi, a junior, returns as the kicker and punter. The Dragons also have 6foot-4 senior Mike Nezgota, a soccer convert, in the fold at kicker. Nezgota has range at 50 yards and would be the kickoff and longrange specialist.

him."

With Phillips' speed and Cuccinello's bruising style, Brick could have quite the tandem in its backfield.

"It's a good 1-2 punch, his speed and my downhill running," Cuccinello said.

"It's what we need."

The A-South schedule will be a grind and nondivisional opponents Wall and Middletown South only add to their strong slate, but the Dragons still feel there's few reasons not to be competitive.

The x-factor for putting it all together appears to be the offensive line, which returns just

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS R ANDOM FACT: Brick returns to the Class A South division for the first time since 2002.

one starter in senior right tackle Andrew Cruz.

The line is senior-laden, however, with Brad Applegate at left guard, Mark Salerno at center and Jason Schnorrbusch at right guard. Junior Matthew Ulufanua is the left tackle. The unit has good size, averaging 225 pounds.

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"Moving into a tough division just means we have to work harder," Cuccinello said. "Every game is a tough matchup. We just have to play it like it's the last."

Senior RB Doug Cuccinello

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Brick Township @ Middletown North @ Jackson Toms River East Neptune @ Toms River North Southern @ Toms River South Lacey

Head Coach: Walt Currie, 6th Season

Career Record: 33-23

Assistant Coaches: Pete Brennan (Def. coord./MLB); Mike Cintron (Special teams/QB); Anthony Argondizza (DL); Ed Sarluca (DB); Garry Cittadino (DB); James Bright (OLB); Keith Bruno (SS); Ryan Graham (DL); Chris James (WR); Rob Merola (OL); Tim Brennan, Keith Farr, James Mahoney (freshmen); Vinnie Russo (administrative asst.); Sue Penrod (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (3-2)

RYAN C IEPLINSKI (S R ., QB/DB/K/P) M IKE B ASILE (J R ., RB/DB) RICHIE K UHN (S R ., OL/DL) A NTHONY M ILLER (S R ., RB/LB)

R ANDOM FACT: Since the rivalry shifted from Thanksgiving Day, Brick Memorial has won both opening week matchups with Brick Township.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jake Lombardo, Jr., LB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Karl Kumm, So., WR.

PI V O TAL G AM E : October 12 at Toms River North

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9/6/12

Closer's Mentality

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

ould Brick Memorial like to score more points than the 19 it averaged per game last year? Definitely. Would the Mustangs enjoy an even stingier defense than the one that allowed 16.5 per contest? Certainly.

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But when Brick Memorial talks about the biggest change it needs to make in 2012, it boils down to its play in the fourth quarter.

"The No. 1 thing for us is finishing games," said head coach Walt Currie.

"We lost a lot of games late or in overtime by less than a touchdown, so the emphasis so far has been on that."

In a division filled with as many solid teams as A South, the margin for error is slim. Five of the Mustangs' six losses came by seven points or less, so it's clear that a few plays here or there could have changed their season dramatically.

Brick Memorial will try to bounce back from a 46 season and will do so with seven returning starters on offense and five on defense. Senior quarterback Ryan Cieplinski returns at quarterback in Brick Memorial's flexbone offense after a solid yet sometimes inconsistent junior season. During Currie's tenure at Brick Memorial his quarterbacks - Brian Staub and Mike Diguilmi - have improved in their second season and led the Mustangs to a sectional final. Currie would obviously love for that trend to continue.

"Ryan has certainly gotten better and he picked up this year ahead of where he left off last year," Currie said. "He's developing into the type of kid that can be one of the top quarterbacks in the Shore. He expects and demands that of himself, and we hope his improvement continues down that path."

The fullback was slated to be senior Anthony Miller before he injured his knee in a scrimmage and was likely lost for the season. His replacement has yet to be determined. The slot Senior quarterback Ryan Cieplinski

backs are senior Cody Pinho and junior Mike Basile, who both saw time last season. Basile is a star waiting for his chance to shine. He started last year as a sophomore in the secondary and is universally raved about among the Mustangs coaching staff. He took plenty of reps last season as a backup and now gets his shot on offense.

"I really like that position," Basile said. "I was behind (Justin) Hockaday last year but I got plenty of reps so I know the position."

"He is a stud," Currie said emphatically.

"In the preseason he's been our best player and he's going to make a tremendous impact. Defensively he's as big an impact player as Troy Polamalu is for the Steelers, he's that kind of kid. On offense he can do anything. If we ask him to play right guard he can do it. If we ask him to play quarterback he can throw it farther than our quarterback.

He's just an allaround awesome kid and just as good a football player."

In their effort to put more points on the board in 2012, efficiency in the passing game will be key for the Mustangs. Currie's flexbone has always included a big-play passing element and this season, for the first time in a while, Brick Memorial has length and athleticism at the wide receiver position.

Sophomores Joe Hans and Karl Kumm, who stand 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3, respectively, join senior Kenny Covolus (6foot-2) to form a receiving corps that will provide big targets for Cieplinski down the field. Hans already has a year under his

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belt after getting the rare opportunity to play significant snaps as a freshman.

"The length we have out there is going to help us tremendously," Currie said. "We have some players that can run, too, so we're really hoping those guys will allow the offense to be more efficient�.

The offensive line could be the strongest part of the offense with all three interior linemen returning. Senior Tom Sindel is the center, senior Richie Kuhn is the right guard and senior John Devaney is the left guard. Matt and Nick Merola, and junior Jake Lombardo are in the mix for the starting tackle spots.

"Our interior three is very strong," Sindel said.

"Kuhn and Devaney have been starting since they were sophomores and I got in a little as a sophomore, too. Any one of us can take someone one-on-one."

"Those guys up front, to me the most important thing is that they are experienced working with each other," Currie said. "These guys are starting to anticipate things before they happen, and they're always on the same page. It's exciting because the line is the driving force behind any offense."

There are several two-way starters that will also be counted upon in Brick Memorial's 5-3 defense. Sindel is the nose guard and Devaney and Kuhn, a returning starter, are the defensive ends. The outside linebackers are Lombardo and senior Cody Pinho, and the middle linebacker is junior Nick Costa, a returning starter. Miller was slated to be the strong safety but his injury will give senior Gio Murgolo a chance at a starting spot. Basile returns as the free safety with Cieplinski and Hans as the cornerbacks.

"So far we've been playing aggressively and tackling very well," Currie said. "And when you can stop the run and tackle, you can play defense no matter how you line up."

Cieplinski will be the punter and also the kicker, but Kumm will also kick to give Cieplinski a rest as needed.

The schedule for Brick Memorial is one of the toughest in the Shore Conference with Jackson Memorial, Southern, Toms River North, Lacey and Neptune among its opponents. Along with the difficulty comes great opportunity for Brick Memorial to emerge as a top team in the Shore and set itself up for another deep playoff run.

"The schedule in A South is a grind but I kind of like it, it's more fun," Currie said. "I think our kids enjoy it and they thrive in that kind of scenario. When you throw a hard schedule at our kids and add some adversity, they react pretty well."

Photo by Cliff Lavelle www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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2012 FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE (Games to be broadcast on 105.7FM and 1160/1310AM) 9/7 BRICK BRICK MEMORIAL AT 9/14 Toms River South at Southern 9/21 Toms River North at Southern 9/28 Jackson Memorial at Toms River North 10/5 Neptune at Brick Memorial 10/14 Barnegat at Central 10/19 Toms River South at Toms River East 10/26 TO BE DETERMINED 11/2 Lacey at Brick Memorial

FRI Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Fri Sat 11/9 NJSIAA Playoff Games Sat 11/16 NJSIAA Playoff Games Thr 11/22 Wall

at

Manaquan

11/30-12-2 NJSIAA Championship Weekend BROADCAST CREW Matt Harmon, Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca Visit www.shoresportsnetwork for details

(7PM) (7pm) (7pm) (7pm) (7pm) (7pm) (7pm)

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34 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

They are from much different backgrounds, but they have chosen a similar path.

When taking the easy way out has presented itself, Red Bank Regional senior defensive end Garrett Sickels and Lakewood senior quarterback/safety Tyrice Beverette have chosen to chart their own course instead of being followers. Their conviction and vision has led them to success at programs that were at the bottom of the Shore Conference only a few short years ago and made them stand for something beyond success on a football field.

Setting the Example

When Beverette was a star at the youth level, it was as a member of Asbury Park Pop Warner, which went to the national championships in Florida twice with him playing running back. By the time he was in high school, he was living in Lakewood, which was in the midst of a dismal stretch of football with a program hanging by a thread.

In Beverette’s freshman year in 2009, the starting quarterback on the varsity team was removed from the team for disciplinary reasons, so he volunteered to step in at the position even though he had never played there.

The Piners went winless that season, which was the culmination of a stretch in which they were a combined 5-65 from 2003-2009.

Meanwhile, Asbury Park won its third straight Central Jersey Group I championship in 2009, but was graduating quarterback Jamar

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coming here and asking, ‘Can I have permission to talk to Tyrell Smith?’’

Small and did not have an obvious successor in line. Beverette began to hear from many of those around him that he should dump a Lakewood program going nowhere and climb aboard the juggernaut in Asbury Park. A year earlier, promising Lakewood lineman Tyrell Smith had left and gone to Lacey.

Smith was eventually a key part of a Lions team that went 120 in 2010 and earned a scholarship to UMass last year.

With all of that swirling around him, Beverette waved away the entreaties and stayed at Lakewood, which was in the midst of a losing streak that would stretch to 33 games by 2010.

“I was like, ‘I’m here, and I’m sticking with my team,’’’ Beverette said. “I like the challenge. It makes you look like a better person when you don’t take the easy way out.’’

“Every day he was getting calls from people,’’ said Lakewood head coach L.J. Clark, who was an assistant at that time. “The last couple years, it’s been like Penn State right now around here, where it’s almost like people from other schools

As a sophomore, Beverette began to embrace the quarterback position and helped the Piners end their losing streak and win three games in their one season under legendary former Brick coach Warren Wolf. Last season, he exploded for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns passing and ran for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns in Lakewood’s shotgun spread offense. He also made 103 tackles and had four interceptions as a safety to earn ASM first-team All-Shore honors.

The Piners only finished 2-8, but it still meant that they had a combined five wins in the past two seasons to equal their total from the previous seven seasons combined. However, it’s beyond the standings where Beverette’s effect has been felt the most.

A program that had 15 players at one practice two years ago now has more than 50 on its roster. A town whose educational system has been torn apart in the media has a quarterback with a 3.8 grade-point average who is ranked No. 1 in his class. A school that has had numerous Division I prospects disappear after graduation because they had no grades to play in college has a star with scholarship offers from

Bucknell, Navy and Monmouth University and a sparkling transcript.

“As a Lakewood person, we do need Tyrice,’’ said Clark, who played at Lakewood in the 1990s. “We get so much bad publicity, and rightfully so in many instances, that someone like him is just so good for this town.’’

Beverette, who is also a star guard on the basketball team, also is leaving a legacy in other ways. Lakewood has another talented quarterback in freshman Aamir Tyler, whom Beverette has taken under his wing.

See

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By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

A

rusher at tailback.

s Calvin Johnson smiles from NFL magazine covers and the USC wide receiver tandem of Marqise Lee and Robert Woods get ready to make a run at a national title, the trickle-down effects are starting to be felt all the way down at the Shore Conference level.

While the rise of big wideouts and slot receivers in the NFL and collegiate levels has been going on for several years now as the passing game dominates offenses, it is starting to be seen all the way down at the grassroots level in a conference long known mainly for its star running backs.

With more and more teams moving to shotgun spread offenses, the depth at wide receiver in the Shore Conference has dramatically increased. It wasn’t too long ago that superstar tailbacks like Knowshon Moreno and Donnie Brown were the poster children for the Shore, and now tailbacks are starting to become an afterthought in many offenses.

Take a look around the Shore Conference and you might see the long shadows of 6-foot-4, 220-pound Manalapan senior Anthony Firkser or 6foot-6, 220pound Southern junior Mike Gesicki. They are the local prototype for the tall, overpowering receivers who are nightmares to defend, particularly in the red zone. Firkser is coming off a season in which he earned ASM first-team All-Shore honors with 45 catches for 646 yards and eight touchdowns, and that was with a 2,000-yard

scratched the surface of what he could do as a sophomore on a run-oriented team.

Gesicki, who already has an offer from Rutgers, only

“If he's covered oneon-one I'm throwing him the ball,’’ said Southern senior quarterback Dan Higgins. “Even if he has a couple guys on him I can throw it up, and he'll go up and get it."

Southern's Mike Gesicki

Howell, the team that jumpstarted much of the local spread offense rage when it installed a nohuddle, shotgun passing attack in 2005, has its own big receiver in 6foot-3, 220-pound senior Tory Robinson.

Even traditional running teams like Southern and Manalapan have added a whole new dimension because of their big receivers. They also help in the run game because players with size like Firkser and Gesicki can bury cornerbacks with blocks on run plays to the perimeter.

Manalapan's Anthony Firkser

Manalapan has the best of all worlds because it also has a traditional receiver with blazing speed in junior Saeed Blacknall, who already has offers from

Boston College, Rutgers and Old Dominion.

“We still are going to run the ball, but we would be stupid not to take shots with those guys at receiver,’’ said Manalapan coach Ed Gurrieri. “It forces defenses to make a decision. If you double both of them, that leaves a 7-man box, and in Manalapan football, teams have to put eight or nine guys in the box to stop us.’’

It used to be that teams like Southern and Manalapan ran the ball to set up the deep play-action pass, but now teams worried about getting hit for a long touchdown bomb might give the running game more room to operate. The same goes for traditional running offenses like Point Boro’s triple option and Colts Neck’s multiple pro offense.

Walk the safety up to the line against Point Boro, and you risk 6-foot-3 senior Kyle McGarry overpowering your cornerback one-on-one for a huge gain. Stack the box against punishing Colts Neck runner Anthony Gargiulo and senior Tim Vangelas might burn you on a post for a touchdown.

McGarry has interest from several FCS schools, while Vangelas already has offers from Colgate, Lafayette and Bucknell.

It’s easy to figure out where coaches are starting to find all of these big receivers. Firkser, who has offers from Buffalo, Harvard, Monmouth, and Colgate, also is a star guard on the basketball team with hoops offers from Dartmouth, Monmouth and New Hampshire. Gesicki also has Division I interest in basketball and volleyball for his size and explosive leaping ability. McGarry and Vangelas are both forwards on their respective basketball teams.

Even small schools like Group I Keansburg are searching for their miniCalvin Johnson. Head coach Brian Kmak recruited 6-foot-4 jumping jack Danny Markulin off the basketball team, where he was one of the leading rebounders in the Shore last year.

“Now that he’s out for the team as a senior, he’s loving

St. John Vianney's Ishmael Hyman it,’’ Kmak said. “He said he should’ve played all along.’’

Defending Central Jersey Group III champion Neptune went out and did the same thing. Senior basketball star Keith Kirkwood, who has offers from St. Peter's, Monmouth, LIU and others, has decided to play football as a senior. To illustrate the hunger at the next level for the tall, athletic playmaker at wideout, Kirkwood hasn’t even played a down of high school football yet already has interest from Rutgers and some FCS schools simply from a 7-on-7 tournament he played in with Neptune over the summer.

At 6-foot-4 with long arms and great leaping ability, he will be a downfield weapon for strong-armed senior quarterback Ajee Patterson this year.

More importantly, he will be a complement to the other type of receiver that has popped up everywhere as shotgun spread offenses proliferate.

Neptune senior Geoff Fairbanks is one of the most dangerous slot receivers in the area.

He had 39 catches for 791 yards and nine touchdowns last season in a veer offense based on running the ball. Fairbanks has an innate ability to find space in the defense and can Neptune's Geoff Fairbanks

See

Good Hand page 37

36 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-07-12 09-15-12 09-21-12 09-29-12 10-06-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-02-12

@ Pinelands Toms River North @ Toms River East Toms River South Manchester Twp. @ Southern Jackson @ Brick Township @ Brick Memorial

Head Coach: Lou Vircillo, 32nd Season (36th overall) Career Record: 248-112-3

Assistant Coaches: Joe Tobin (WR/DB); Al Hagofsky (RB/LB); Shane Allen (DL/ST); Cory Davies (QB/pass coordinator); John Tierney (OL); Sam Iacabone (LB); Danny Fornoff, Tom Falkner, Watson Heilala (freshman); Lee Emery (athletic trainer).(Athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (3-2)

K YLE S PATZ (S R ., RB/DB) C ASEY S IROTNIAK (S R ., LB) T OM K ELLY (J R ., QB) C HRISTIAN T UTELA (J R ., WR/DB/P)

R A N D O M F A C T : Head coach Lou Vircillo needs two wins to reach 250 for his career.

He would be just the third Shore Conference coach to reach that number, joining the late Vic Kubu and Warren Wolf.

B IG S HOES TO FILL : Defensive line

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Jose Ortiz, Sr., LB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : October 13 at Southern

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

The Whole Package

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

o matter how consistent the program, sometimes the numbers game simply catches up. After a perfect 2010 season, Lacey returned just two starters, and the result was an uncharacteristic 4-6 season.

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A closer look at the statistics shows the Lions had a 1,200-yard rusher in Kyle Spatz and a stingy defense that allowed just 15 points per game. The problem was the passing game, or the lack of one, to be exact. Sophomore Tommy Kelly, who was a linebacker up until eighth grade, was thrown right into the fire. Lacey went from a team that could beat you with multiple players to a one-dimensional offense without the ability to stretch a defense.

"Our passing game was so suspect it made it difficult to run the ball," said Lacey head coach Lou Vircillo. "Teams like Barnegat and Brick screwed their safeties down on us. Last year we had to be able to keep people honest with our passing game, and if we could have done that we beat those teams and win a (division) championship."

Lacey's 3-4 defense last season the Lions features senior Tim will return to a shotgun, Grochowski at nose spread scheme in 2012. guard with Sullivan Expect a true multiple Junior QB Tommy Kelly and Bruchell as the offense from Lacey with defensive ends.

Davies' quick-hitting, Freshman Tarique underneath passing Smith has also been seeing time along the game, a play-action game and traditional defensive line. At inside linebacker will be Lacey power running. Kelly is the senior Casey Sirotniak, who led the team in quarterback while Spatz, a senior, returns as tackles last season, and senior Liam Dolly, a the starting running back. The fullback is returning starter. The outside linebackers are sophomore Issiah Brown with highlyseniors Jose Ortiz and Kevin Leahy, with regarded freshman Jacob Post a possibility sophomore Lucas Sirotniak also working in. to see time as the season progresses.

The secondary returns three of four starters The receiving corps features senior with Spatz being the lone newcomer after Brandon Boos, a playing strictly on offense last season. He'll versatile player who be one of the cornerbacks along with junior can also line up at tight Chris Jensen. Tutela is the strong safety and end or H-back, junior Boos is the free safety.

Christian Tutela, senior R.J. Kurtz and senior Billy Belford. The staff and players alike are excited by the return of Belford, who missed the last two seasons after injuring his spleen as a sophomore.

Belford could be the best pure pass catcher on the roster.

"Our receiver group is the best I've ever played with," Tutela said. "Getting Belford back was big. He's a good player, and he was able to come in and start right away."

Senior RB Kyle Spatz There looks to be plenty of solutions to the problems of last Senior Ryan Sullivan year. Kelly is a year more experienced, the will be the tight end. receiving corps is deep and former Howell head coach Cory Davies is now the passing The offensive line returns two starters in coordinator. Add in a returning 1,000-yard center Tyler Walsh and Elefante at tackle. rusher and a shutdown defense and Lacey Junior Chris D'Addario saw time last year could be right back among the elite teams in and will be the other tackle. Junior Matt the Shore Conference.

McGovern and senior Frank Cimirro step into starting roles as the guards. Junior "Here at Lacey anything short of a David Bruchell is also in the mix as a player winning season isn't good enough," said who could see time along the offensive line. senior offensive lineman Joe Elefante.

"That's what the bar always is. We have to "We won the Shore Conference 7-on-7 so live up to our tradition after that down year, we know the skill guys can do it," Elefante and we're ready to come back." said. "It's all about the line. We have to step up and carry the team."

After going back to a multiple-I offense

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The kicker is Dolly and the punter is Tutela, who looks to be one of the top punters in the Shore this season. Tutela, who only began punting last season, has honed his craft to the point where he goes to punting camps and leaves as the No. 1 player. Add his leg to the list of Lacey's weapons.

"Last year was my first time punting and I saw myself getting better and better and it kept going from there," Tutela said. "Now I practice a few times a week and here with the team every morning. It can definitely be a game-changer."

The Lions still have quite a few juniors in the mix, but that is welcome since they are an experienced bunch. It certainly looks like Lacey is ready to jump back into the upper reaches of the top 10. Time will tell, and they now have to contend with a tougher schedule in Class A South, but it's rare to see two down seasons in a row from Lacey.

"We were a young team last year, that's what killed us," Spatz said. "But this year we have a lot of returners plus a little more, and hopefully that's going to be the difference."

"We played on the 2010 team so we saw what it was like to win," Boos said. "We want that feeling."

P hot o s b y: Bill N ormile w w w. b i l l n o r m i l e . z e n f o l i o . c o m

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good hands

Continued from page 35 turn a quick five-yard pass into a 50-yard gain.

"Going into the season, I figured I was going to have to go through double coverages, and I was ready for that,'' Fairbanks said. "Now that we have Keith on the other side, they can't bracket me or slide to one side because they have to worry about him going over the top.''

Barnegat has a similar dynamo in senior Pat Moran, a three-year starter who had 40 catches for 769 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. Toms River North junior Joey Fields is perhaps the most dynamic of all the slot receivers because of his game-breaking speed after the catch and running ability on handoffs out of certain sets.

Manasquan's Connor Grogan, who had 44 catches for 856 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, is another receiver who is dangerous after the catch.

While the tall receivers and the Wes Welker-types in the slot are plentiful in the Shore, there is one old-fashioned speed-burner who can leave cornerbacks eating dust – St. John Vianney senior Ishmael Hyman. At 6 feet, 170 pounds, he runs a 4.4 40 and compiled 951 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns on only 29 catches to lead the Shore at 32.7

ASM / 37 Kevin Cruz put up 1,135 yards and Howell’s Phil Adamo registered 1,024 yards. Since then, Howell has had two more receivers break 1,000 yards, including a conference-record 1,255

by Brandon Yaegel last year.

Hyman’s former St. John Vianney teammate, Anthony Pante, set a school record with 1,027 yards receiving last season.

yards per catch last year. The Manalapan resident, who is best friends with Blacknall, already has double-digit FBS and FCS offers, including Rutgers, Boston College, Kansas, Purdue and Syracuse. He also keeps an eye on the other local members of the wide receiver fraternity.

“I’m on All Shore Media every Saturday and Sunday seeing how everyone else did, and also checking to see how guys around the state did,’’ Hyman said. “The Shore Conference has some great receivers, but I feel like people are always looking up at the teams up north. We are underrated down here.’’

Barnegat's Pat Moran

As the talent has migrated to receiver and the passing game plays a bigger role in offenses, the numbers have mushroomed. The Shore was believed to have never had a 1,000-yard receiver in history until 2009, when Manalapan’s

Colts Neck's Tim Vangelas

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“I think you’re only going to see more of it,’’ Kmak said. “More and better athletes are playing that position, so we’re only going to expect more out of them.’’

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38 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-07-12 09-14-12 09-22-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-27-12 11-03-12 11-22-12

@ Jackson Liberty Red Bank @ Freehold Boro Long Branch Brick Township @ Matawan Ocean Twp. @ Neptune @ Manasquan

Head Coach: Nick Gregorio, 1st season (3rd overall) Career Record: 11-9

Assistant Coaches: John Legere (def. coord.); Tim Heaney (spec. teams/LB); Mike Galos (OL); Bob Grace (RB); Larry McKnight (DL); Bill Pietsch (DL); Mike Cerminaro (QB); Sean McPherson (DB); Jim Rochford, Bill Carasia, Cody Smith (freshman); Mike Hackett (athletic trainer) 2011 Record: 8 - 2 ( 5 - 0 )

E VAN S WEENEY (S R ., OL/DL) R USSELL L ORUSSO (S R ., RB/DL) C ADELL K ENNEDY (J R ., WR) K EVIN W ATERS (S R ., TE/DL)

R ANDOM FACT: New head coach Nick Gregorio played his high school ball at New Providence before starring at Montclair State, where he also was an All-American shot-putter B IG S HOES TO F ILL : Jack Gifford or Jack Cluley, Jrs., QB. IMPACT NEWCOMER: Evan Sweeney, Sr., OL/DL.

P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 14 at home vs. Red Bank

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

The Great Unknown

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ith a new head coach and an almost entirely new starting lineup, Wall is beginning this season as one of the bigger unknowns in the Shore Conference.

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The Crimson Knights graduated a huge senior class that comprised the majority of the starters who led Wall to a title last year in the now-defunct Class C Central. Wall has now been moved to a highly-competitive Class B North division and has a new coach in former Kean University assistant Nick Gregorio. He takes over for Chris Barnes, who stepped down after finishing 90-38 with five division titles and a state sectional title in his 12 seasons at the helm.

"It's been a smooth transition,'' said senior fullback/defensive end Russell Lorusso. "(Gregorio) has stepped right in, and we've gotten used to him quickly.''

Wall returns zero starters on offense and only three players who saw significant time on defense.

"We're not using that as an excuse,'' Gregorio said. "We have a new crew of guys ready to step up and carry on the Wall tradition.''

"It's still football,'' Lorusso said. "Yes, there's new personnel, but you just go out there and smack people in the mouth. That doesn't change.''

The Crimson Knights will have a new look on offense under Gregorio. They are going to a spread, I-formation hybrid that is similar to what Gregorio's teams ran at A.L. Johnson, where they reached the state playoffs in 2009.

Juniors Jack Gifford and Jack Cluley are vying to replace Cluley's older brother, Steve Cluley, a three-year starter who set multiple school records and was the Class C Central Offensive Player of the Year last season.

Junior Pete Miceli steps in at tailback for 1,000-yard rusher Jim Guiliano, and senior John Louro will also play some tailback in addition to fullback. Lorusso also will see plenty of snaps at fullback.

Junior Cadell Kennedy is expected to be a playmaker as part of a deep wide receiving corps that also includes seniors Shane Dingley and Shaquille Edmund, and juniors Chris Quinlan and Kyle McDonough.

All of them should see a good amount of time in an offense that features numerous three- and four-wide receiver sets. Senior Kevin Waters will be the tight end.

"Offensively, it's a little different,'' Gregorio said. "It's a new style and a new tempo on offense here.''

The new offensive line will be senior center Stephen Graves, junior left guard Brandon Brady, senior right guard Ryan Sullivan, sophomore tackle Jim Onulak and 6-foot-5, 275-pound senior tackle Evan Sweeney, who has received Patriot League and Ivy League interest. Junior Geoff Horwitz, who is 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, also could see time at tackle. Senior Austin Ridoux and junior Phil Shields are vying for the placekicker spot.

"A lot of people think because we really don't have any returning starters that we're not going to be a good team,'' Sweeney said. "We have a great coaching staff, and all of us just need to fine-tune our skills.''

Defensively, the Crimson Knights will continue to employ the 4-3 scheme they ran under Barnes. Sweeney and Horwitz will be the defensive tackles, with Waters, Lorusso and senior Connor Birch at defensive end.

Waters and Lorusso are two of the most experienced returners after seeing time at linebacker last year.

"Right now, our defense is a little ahead,'' Gregorio said. "It's not a new scheme, so the kids are used to it.''

The linebacking group will consist of Louro, senior Tyler Ossenfort, juniors Joe Onulak and Massamillo and sophomore Rich

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Senior tackle Evan Sweeney (in red) Eknoian. Kennedy returns with experience at safety, with Dingley manning the other safety spot. McDonough and senior Luke Malone add depth to the safety position, and seniors Mike Cusack and Scott VanGlahn will be the cornerbacks.

The preseason has been more crucial for the Crimson Knights than most teams with so many inexperienced players in addition to a new head coach and offensive system.

"Our preseason was tough, but we needed it,'' Sweeney said. "Coming off such a dominant senior class last year, we have to get up to speed, so the preseason has been tremendously important. Everyone on the team is really physical. It's just the mental part of picking up the new plays.'

With more heralded teams like Neptune, Red Bank, Matawan and Long Branch garnering the preseason headlines in Class B North, Wall will enter under the radar as an unknown underdog.

"We like to be underestimated right now because we're going to come out and play hard-nosed football and shock the Shore,'' Lorusso said.

Photo by: C l i f f L a v e l l e www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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40 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-07-12 09-15-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-06-12 10-19-12 10-27-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

@ Manchester Twp. Neptune Matawan JFK (Iselin) @ Red Bank @ Long Branch @ Wall Freehold Boro Monmouth

Head Coach: Don Klein, 6th Season

Career Record: 28-24

Assistant Coaches: Val Barnaby (def. coord.); John Della Pesca (WR/DL), Jon Molinelli (RB/LB), Pat O’Neill (QB/DB), Marc Tomo (OL/DL), James Symonelli (LB), Joey Falco (RB), Joe Barnicle (DB); Doug Covert (asst.); John Bosmans, Joe Siciliano (freshman), John DeSemmi (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (2-4)

A NDREW M EHR (S R ., QB/DB) D AN L OIZOS (J R ., RB/LB) M ATT H ICKS (S R ., OL/DL) M ARK D IEDRICHSEN (S R ., WR/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: Ocean sophomore Royal Moore is the nephew of former Red Bank Regional star running back Timmy Johnson.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Royal Moore, So., RB/DB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Tyler Thompson, Fr., RB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : At Long Branch on Oct. 19.

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Restoring Order

By Scott Stump - Managing Editor

A

decision-making and accuracy in the intermediate passing game as well as his ability to make plays with his legs.

However, that turned out to be the peak of the excitement for the Spartans, who stumbled to six straight losses, four by seven points or less, as injuries and frustration mounted in a 46 season. It marked the second straight year out of the state playoffs for a program accustomed to being part of the postseason. The challenges of a tough schedule and questionable depth will be the same in 2012, but Ocean feels it has the ability to overcome those obstacles and return to playing meaningful games in November.

"It's a lot of quick passes, which is something I'm always good at,'' Mehr said. "I'm getting the reads down really quick and just being athletic.''

fter the first two weeks of last season, Ocean was one of the early stories of the Shore Conference with thrilling victories over Middletown South and Long Branch.

"One thing I've really stressed with them is getting back in the playoffs,'' head coach Don Klein said. "We had success in the postseason a couple years ago, but you have to be invited to the dance to have a shot.''

With a 45-man roster and a rugged Class B North schedule ahead, there is a premium on staying healthy.

"We're shortening our practices a little bit, we're going in uppers, and we're just trying to stay fresh for the season,'' said junior linebacker Danny Loizos.

"We're making sure we're efficient and taking care of the kids we have,'' Klein said. "Depth could be the difference in winning or losing that close fourth quarter or overtime game.''

"The change came because the formula that we've used in the past to be successful, we don't have that type of kid right now,'' Klein said. "We're fast but undersized in certain spots.

Andrew is very bright, very accurate and very fast. We're going to try to put him in space to make plays.''

Juniors Cody Cooper and Mike Halawani will see time at tailback along with Tyler Thompson, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound freshman with explosive speed. Sophomore Royal Moore is another versatile threat who can line up in the backfield or in the slot.

Loizos is a returning starter at fullback, where junior John Malke could also see some time. The deep group of wide receivers is made up of seniors Mark Diedrichsen and Tommy Lyster, junior Cole Mehr, Andrew's younger brother, and juniors Jair Bernier and Zach Godfrey.

A sore spot for the Spartans was offense, as they averaged 16.5 points and had four games of seven or less points, including two shutout losses. With senior quarterback Andrew Mehr returning for his third season as the starter, Klein has installed a pro-style offense with some spread option looks. That's a departure from the Spartans' usual ground-based, power running game. Rather than try to run downhill to set up deep shots downfield in play Senior QB Andrew Mehr action, Ocean is banking on Mehr's

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The offensive line returns only one starter, senior Matt Hicks, a 6foot-3, 330pound prospect who has gotten interest from

Monmouth University, Stony Brook and Delaware, according to Klein. Senior Steve Butch will be at center and also has worked in at tackle. Junior Yanni Kostadakis and senior Mike Mazza add some depth at guard and center, while junior John Walsh is penciled in as the other guard opposite Hicks. Juniors Jack Morris and Jason Lawhon are the tackles.

Diedrichsen is a returning starter as the placekicker and will also be the punter.

"It's almost the same exact offense as last year so I'm just helping my fellow linemen pick it up,'' Hicks said.

Ocean is undersized on defense but will try to counteract that disadvantage with its speed and by disguising fronts and moving around its front four. There is depth at defensive tackle with Morris and Hicks projected as the starters and Walsh, Lawhon, Mazza and Kostadakis all likely seeing time there. Butch is a returning starter at defensive end, and Godfrey, Lyster and senior Jesse Strivelli should see time at the other defensive end spot.

Loizos is a three-year starter who will anchor the middle at linebacker, with Cooper and Halawani at the outside linebacker spots.

Diedrichsen is a returning starter at safety, with Moore and Bernier expected to play at the other safety spot. The Mehr brothers will start at the cornerback spots, where Gabe JeanCharles could also see time.

"We're not too big, but we're tough, and we have heart,'' Loizos said.

"We run very well, our secondary has depth, and I really like our three junior linebackers,'' Klein said. "I think Danny Loizos will be one of the best linebackers in the Shore this year.''

Staying in shape and finishing games strong have been points of emphasis as the Spartans try to restore the program to its usual winning ways.

"It's conditioning and execution,'' Mehr said.

"When it comes to the third and fourth quarter, we've got to make the same type of plays we make early in the game.''

W W W. A L L S H O R E M E D I A . C O M Photos by: David Thorne

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42 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-15-12 09-22-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-13-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-22-12

@ Manasquan Monmouth @ Neptune @ Wall Pinelands @ Freehold Boro Ocean Twp. Matawan Red Bank

Head Coach: Dan George, 14th season (16th overall) Career Record: 89-50 (105-56 overall)

Assistant Coaches: Nick Tranchina (def. coord./LB); Chad King (DB); Greg Penta (QB); Terry King (WR); Dennis O'Keefe (OL); Brev Creech (DL); Frank Pannullo, Derrell Sapp, Mike Dennis (freshman); Chris Grande (athletic trainer).

2 0 1 1 R ec o rd : 5-5 (2-4)

D WIGHT C LARK (S R ., RB/DB) J OSCIL J ACKSON (S R ., RB/LB) AVERY G RIFFIN (S R ., QB) S HABAZZ S HULER (J R ., WR/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: L o n g B r a n c h ' s f i v e game winning streak is the secondlongest active winning streak in the Shore Conference after Neptune's 10-game streak.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Anthony Howard, Sr., OL.

IMPACT NEWCOMER: Hunter Baillie, So., DE. P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 22 at Neptune.

Volume-IV

Forging Ahead

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In a scrimmage against Southern on Aug. 25, star tailback Dwight Clark was tackled awkwardly and said he broke a bone in his left ankle. Clark, who was an ASM first-team AllShore selection as a junior, said he is expected to be out at least four to five weeks with the injury. That removes a two-time, 1,000-yard rusher and one of the Shore Conference's top running backs from the lineup until possibly October. It's also disappointing because Clark has several FCS and some FBS schools interested but no offers, so getting film out from his first few games was a priority.

"I put my head down at first after it happened, but now I have to focus on working hard to get back,'' Clark said.

Clark's absence means that senior fullback Joscil Jackson, who formed a productive tandem with Clark last season in running for more than 500 yards, will have to carry more of the load. It also marked the second major injury to a key player, as senior Dom Mincieli, a three-year starter at tight end and linebacker, tore his ACL while running routes in the spring and is not expected back until the fourth or fifth game of the season.

"Joscil is going to have to do more on offense, and other guys will have to step up,'' Clark said.

"Other people are going to have to make plays in order for us to be successful, whether it's two or three or 10 plays,'' head coach Dan George said. "It's got to be someone other than Dwight.''

There are still playmakers in Long Branch's multiple-I attack, including senior quarterback Avery Griffin, who returns for his second year as the starter. Long Branch averaged 22 points per game in his first season at the helm, including 35 points per game in the final five games of the season after an 0-5 start.

Issue-15

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9/6/12

already made a name for himself on the national combine circuit.

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

Long Branch team that enters this season with the momentum of a five-game winning streak has been dealt a difficult blow in the preseason but is determined to still have a strong year.

/

"It starts and ends with your quarterback,'' George said.

"We're going to be in third-andlong at times, and we're going to have to complete them or use our feet to get them.

We're trying to be balanced.''

Jackson returns as a three-year starter at middle linebacker, with Williams at strongside linebacker and senior Nick Pappayliou, Chris's brother and another standout wrestler, at weakside linebacker. Senior Jordan Rogers is also fighting for minutes at linebacker.

Seniors Curtis Gunther and Trey Smith and junior Shabazz Shuler all return at wide receiver, where senior Corey "If (Jackson) is Morris should not the best also see some linebacker in the time. The other Shore, I'll be Senior RB Dwight Clark good news is that shocked,'' George four out of five said. "This kid is starters return on a senior-laden offensive line. the real deal.''

Spencer Frantz is the center, Vinnie Roselli is Shuler returns at cornerback, with Morris at one guard spot, and the tackles are Johnny and senior Brett Roach as the safeties. Clark Augustine and Anthony Howard. Seniors Joe was penciled in to start at cornerback after Guidetti and Jeff Lopez are vying for the other moving from safety, so the Green Wave may guard spot. Senior Chris Pappayliou, a transfer patch that hole with talented sophomore from Ocean who is also a standout wrestler, Dahmeire Willis. will be the tight end.

Sophomore Dave Colbert returns at kicker after going 10-for-10 on extra points when he was inserted into the lineup late last year.

Junior Deion Williams will be the placekicker on long field goal attempts.

With Clark out of the lineup, it will be up to the defense to take some pressure off the offense, and the Green Wave have the ingredients to do just that in their 4-3 scheme.

Augustine, Howard, Frantz and junior Arturo Rios give them some experience up front at defensive tackle. Sophomore Hunter Baillie and Pappayliou will be the defensive ends. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds with excellent burst off the line, Baillie should dramatically help the pass rush and is a potential star who has

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"I think our M.O. last year was we played great defense, but we gave up big plays,'' George said. "Colts Neck had three first downs and beat us, and Neptune had five and beat us because they scored all on big plays. We have the people to prevent those big plays this year, so we need to get it done.

"The expectation for this senior group is to win. We've been through a lot, but we know we have to get out to a fast start. There's not a lot of room for error on our schedule.''

Ph ot o s by: Dou g Bo st wick sportshotswlb.smugm ug.com

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Leading

Continued from page 34 “When he leaves, I want to follow in his footsteps,’’ Tyler said.

“We’ve needed somebody to step up and change the name of Lakewood, and that’s what he’s doing. Tyrice is going to go to a good college, and then everybody is going to start thinking they can do it, too.’’

Up for the Challenge

“I want to show people what can be done here,’’ Beverette said.

Garrett Sickels can certainly sympathize with Beverette when it comes to the decision of choosing the nearby powerhouses over your hometown school. Just like Beverette, he also knows what the rewards can be for that choice.

When Sickels was in eighth grade in 2008, Red Bank bottomed out at 0-10 to complete a 3-27 stretch over three years. Meanwhile, Red Bank Catholic had just finished 9-1 and ranked No. 1 in the Shore Conference, while right up Ridge Road, Rumson-Fair Haven was only one year removed

ASM / 43 from playing in the Central Jersey Group II championship game.

“We all felt that it meant a lot more to have a winning season at Penn State than to win a bowl game,’’ Sickels said.

“I think it means a lot more to have a team stick together and do better than everyone thought.’’

Sickels had two older sisters graduate from Red Bank and his father had also played there, but he had played Pop Warner with many of the Rumson players and also knew several RBC players. It would have been easy to become a key cog in an already-built machine, but he decided to go to play for the Bucs under newly-hired head coach Nick Giglio.

“I thought that I have a great opportunity here to help rebuild a program rather than just hop into the swing of things,’’ Sickels said.

“I think it means a lot more to help rebuild something than to just join in.’’

Red Bank’s freshman team went undefeated in 2009, followed by a three-win season on varsity in 2010 and then the program’s first trip to the state playoffs since 2004 last year.

During that time, Sickels blossomed into one of the top defensive end recruits in the Northeast. He verbally committed to a scholarship at Penn State under new coach Bill O’Brien even after the Sandusky scandal and the death of legendary coach Joe Paterno had rocked the university.

On July 24, the NCAA hit Penn State with unprecedented sanctions in the wake of the scandal, including a reduction in scholarships and a four-year bowl ban. Just like when he was an eighth-grader, there were plenty of other tantalizing choices out there for Sickels, considering he had offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and many more. Instead, he has formed a unified front with fellow high-level Penn State recruits Christian Hackenberg and Adam Breneman that is determined not to abandon the Nittany Lions when the common wisdom was that the recruiting class would be blown apart.

his mind.

Sickels has always has strong convictions. He can clearly remember his sister leaving for college when he was 11 years old and telling his parents they would not have to pay for his college education because he would get a full football scholarship. When the recruits and their parents gathered privately at Penn State shortly after the sanctions were announced, Sickels stood up in front of the room and spoke

“I said I’m proud of all the reasons I chose this school and that all of the reasons we chose to come here are still here,’’ he said. “We’re not just another recruiting class or another number or another player to a program like Florida or Alabama or Georgia.

“We have an opportunity to be much more than that at Penn State. I expressed that to the parents and the other recruits, and they agreed. It was just second nature to me. It just came out.’’

Just like Beverette, Sickels wants to leave knowing that he did not shy away from the challenge and that his time at a school was meaningful. He might as well have been talking about Penn State when he described his wish for his final season at Red Bank.

“When I’m done, I want people to be able to say, ‘That class did it,’’’ he said.

“They went to RBR when all the chips were down and things weren’t looking good, and they brought this program back. That’s the main goal.’’

44 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-14-12 09-28-12 10-06-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

Red Bank Cath. @ Wall Rumson Ocean Twp. Neptune Matawan @ Freehold Boro @ Barnegat @ Long Branch

Head Coach: Nick Giglio, 4th Season (11 th overall) Career Record: 37-73

Assistant Coaches: Steve Turner (DL); Jeff Mauro (OL); Brad Olsen (LB); Dean Athens (QB); Cory Giddings (DB); Steve Kirshner, Ron Puryear, Paul Campanella, Keith Savage (freshman); Joel Gray (asst.); Darnell Lewis (asst.); Milton Gray (video coord.); Christina Emrich (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 5-5 (4-1)

G A R R E T T S I CK E LS (S R ., TE/DL) I S A A C C O AT E S (S R ., DL) D IL LO N S TA MB A UG H (S R ., O L/LB) TA J HI T OM A IN O (S R ., RB/CB)

R ANDOM FACT: Dillon Stambaugh is also a standout wrestler. He went 23-5 and placed fifth at the Region VI tournament last winter at 160 pounds.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: R o s s G i s o n d i / A l e x F o x , S r. , Q B .

I MPACT N EWCOMER : G a r y J o h n s o n , J r. , L B .

P I V O TA L G A M E : Sept. 28 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Keeping the Momentum

By John Gibney - All Shore Media Contributor

here once was a time not too long ago when the calendar flipping to September meant that Red Bank Regional was in for a frustrating three months on the football field.

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That all started to change last year.

After making it to the Central Jersey Group II playoffs last season, their first postseason appearance since 2004, the Buccaneers are optimistic that they can improve on that success in 2012.

"We were happy with making the playoffs - it was the first time in a while,'' said senior defensive end Garrett Sickels, one of the top defensive end recruits in the Northeast. "But going 4-6 the year before to just 5-5 last year wasn't something we were too proud of.''

Sickels verbally committed to Penn State in March after receiving offers from powerhouse programs such as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Miami, Rutgers, Tennessee, West Virginia, Stanford, and national champion Alabama. The second team ASM AllShore selection racked up 72 tackles, with nine sacks, seven tackles for a loss and three fumble recoveries to go along with seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end as a junior last fall. He's also been selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this January in San Antonio.

"We just want to build off of (last year's success) and keep the momentum going," he said.

"The past three years we've taken gradual steps and done things the right way," said fourth-year head coach Nick Giglio, who's helped the program's win total increase every year during his tenure after he inherited a team that went winless in 2008 prior to his arrival.

In his first year, the current seniors

were part of an undefeated freshman team in 2009 and were able to shortly jump right into the varsity action.

"A lot of our two- and threeyear starters were thrown into the mix as sophomores,'' Giglio said. "Now, coming back as seniors, they're a lot more polished, and they're giving us leadership out here. Our younger guys now have a nice example to look up to."

After running a split-back veer last season, Red Bank's wing-T offense will be led by the winner of a quarterback battle between seniors Ross Gisondi and Alex Fox. Senior Tajhi Tomaino, who saw time at receiver last season, and Jahimere Hinton return at running back. Red Bank is looking to have a more balanced offense this time around now that most of their athletic receivers have graduated.

Sickels, at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, is also a target at tight end.

The offensive line features returners in senior two-way starter Dillon Stambaugh, an all Class A-Central selection at center last year, and senior tackle Wylie Bogden.

A potential lack of size in the trenches will be something to keep an eye on.

The Bucs defense excelled last year and allowed just 13.5 points per game, among the best in the Shore Conference. The 4-3 formation includes Sickels up front at one end spot, and the defensive line also brings back senior tackle Isaac Coates.

Stambaugh is the squad's top linebacker, and juniors Gary Johnson and Ryan Seely have also been impressive in training camp. Stambaugh is currently working through a knee injury he suffered in a scrimmage, so his status for the start of the season is up in the air.

The secondary is experienced for the most part, with Hinton at strong safety and Tomaino as a solid cover cornerback.

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Senior TE/DE Garrett Sickels Gisondi is also a ball-hawk at the safety position and sophomore Brian Lynch should be in the rotation at defensive back with junior Mario Williams.

There will certainly be plenty of power points available for Red Bank, which was realigned to the new-look Class B North from A Central as well as jumping up to Central Jersey Group III. The Bucs' nondivisional slate includes the seasonopener against the Shore's No. 1 team, Red Bank Catholic. In the middle of their B North schedule, they'll face two defending sectional champions, Neptune and Matawan, in back-to-back weeks in October. In total, six of their first eight opponents are playoff participants from last year.

"The schedule's definitely something different, but we're lucky to be in that conference," Sickels said of the realignment. "There're a lot of great teams we get to play against that are very wellcoached, and they have good players. We have great respect for them, so we just gotta go out there, play our best, and make the playoffs again."

"That's going to be the wear-and-tear for this year," Giglio said of the midseason opponents. "We hope that we can take the next step in terms of being that consistent playoff team, which is definitely our goal."

P hot o s b y: Bill N ormile billno rmile. ze nf o lio. co m

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09-07-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

@ Bishop Ahr Freehold Boro @ Ocean Twp. Neptune Wall @ Red Bank @ Long Branch New Brunswick @ St. John Vianney

Head Coach: John Kaye, 1st season (7th overall)

Career Record: 0-0 (30-15-1 overall)

Assistant Coaches: Jay Bellamy (def. coord./DB); Charlie Marsh (LB/RB); Kenny Mandeville (RB); Matt Walsh (QB); Dave Monro (OL); Nick Citro (DL); Sam Turner, Justin Bloss, Bob Wietecha (freshman), Matt Goetz (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 9-3 (2-3)

K ASHAUN B ARNES (J R ., QB/DB) D AN I NCLE (S R ., RB/LB) M IKE C REAMER (J R ., K/P) G LENN C ROSS (S R ., RB/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: New defensive coordinator Jay Bellamy starred at Matawan and Rutgers before playing 14 seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints from 1994-2007.

BI G SH O ES T O FI LL : Glenn Cross, Sr., RB/DB. I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : John Alston, Sr., RB/LB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 28 at home vs. Neptune

ASM / 45

Continuing the Tradition

By Scott Stump - Managing Editor

atawan has a new head coach for the first time in 29 years, but the Huskies are working to ensure the results stay the same.

M

After reaching three straight state finals and winning two of them, Matawan looks to make a smooth transition at the top while keeping the wins coming. Veteran assistant John Kaye takes over as head coach for Hall of Famer Joe Martucci, who is now as an assistant at Kean University after racking up 197 wins and five state sectional titles in his 28 seasons at the helm. Matawan may have been realigned from Central Jersey Group II to the unfamiliar North II, Group III this year, but the goal is the same be the last ones standing in December.

"It's a storied program, but I don't feel any pressure in any way because I'm not Joe Martucci,'' said Kaye, whose first head coaching job was at Hillside from 1989-94.

"I'm John Kaye and we're going to do it John Kaye's way. We're going to make the playoffs, and we're going to be a contender in the playoffs.''

The Huskies only have seven seniors and 41 total players, yet that doesn't change the expectations at a program accustomed to success in the state playoffs. Matawan has also been moved from Class A Central to Class B North in the latest Shore Conference realignment, and will face old rivals like Long Branch, Ocean, Red Bank and Neptune.

"We've been handling it well,'' said senior linebacker Dan Incle. "We've been practicing a lot harder because we know it's going to be harder than it's been the last three years when we had Jared Allison and (Larry) Alston and all those big players.''

The Huskies will build their team around their always-tough defense and special teams dynamo Mike Creamer. The junior placekicker/punter made the game-winning field goal in a stunning 3-0 victory over Rumson-Fair Haven in last year's Central Jersey Group II championship game at Rutgers Stadium.

"The one thing that's going to be important to us, and it will be crucial to how far we go, is that we're going to play great defense and we're going to play the hell out of the kicking game,'' Kaye said. "Mike tilts the field. If we're going to kick the ball off, and we're going to pin you inside the 15, then it's going to be a short field our way. He can punt the ball 40 to 45 yards regularly and he can score from the 30-yard line in, so he's a major factor in the way we'll play the game.''

The defense graduated numerous stars, led by Alston, an ASM first-team All-Shore selection

at safety. It also has a new coordinator in former Matawan star and veteran NFL defensive back Jay Bellamy, who takes over for veteran Sam Turner.

There still is plenty of talent in their 4-3 scheme, which will include 300-pound senior Stanley Hall and returning starter Doug Weber, a junior, at defensive tackle. Two others who could see time at that spot are juniors Chris Veary and Sultan Abdel-aziz.

Senior Samad Thomas is a returning starter at defensive end, and 6-foot-4, 250-pound senior Seamus Weldon will be at the other defensive end spot, with junior Nick Tompkins also seeing some action there.

Incle is a returning starter at middle linebacker and should be one of the Shore's best. When Tomkins doesn't slide up to defensive end, he will be the strongside linebacker, where he started last year. Senior newcomer John Alston will be at weakside linebacker.

"It's been kind of hard (building the defense), to be honest, because last year we had such a good linebacking corps,'' Incle said. "But we have a new player, John Alston, who has been stepping up, so we should be good.''

Senior Glenn Cross, who was a standout linebacker for last year's unit, will now play strong safety.

"It's harder because I'm playing against faster guys in pass coverage, but I like it because it gets me ready for college ball,'' Cross said about the position change.

The other safety spot will belong to either junior Juan Gonzalez or senior Olajuwon Thomas. Juniors Kashaun Barnes and Jordan Pisano will be at cornerback, where promising freshman Khalil Haskins could also see time.

Offensively, Kaye has added some Wing-T wrinkles to the Huskies' shotgun spread offense because he said he wants to take some of the extra verbiage out of calling plays and simplify things while also maximizing the talents of his personnel.

Barnes is a three-year varsity player and two-year starter at quarterback. With the power running of Larry Alston having moved on to Old Dominion, Barnes will be called upon to take an increased role in the offense this season. He threw for 728 yards and five touchdowns last season, and made several clutch throws to move the chains at crucial points in the state playoffs.

"He's a multi-dimensional quarterback,'' Kaye said. "He throws well on the run, and he can drop back. He's a loose spirit, and he likes

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Junior quarterback Kashaun Barnes to have fun out here. He's the key to our whole success.''

"(The new offense) has been different because I've been in shotgun and have had more of a spread look and now the formation is a little tighter, but I'm getting used to it now,'' Barnes said. "I have to step up and be a leader.''

Cross will start at 'A' back, with John Alston at one halfback spot and the tandem of Gonzalez and Incle seeing time at the other halfback position. The three main targets for Barnes in the passing game will be senior returning starter Shawn Johnson, Olajuwon Thomas and sophomore Chris Solomon.

Tomkins will start at tight end.

Whereas Alston was the centerpiece who carried the offense last season, the Huskies are striving for more diversity this year.

"If we have 35 run plays, we're looking at three guys getting 10 each, the quarterback getting a couple, and then we're going to throw it around a little bit,'' Kaye said.

"We're doing a lot more sweeps and end arounds this year because we have good speed,'' Incle said. "If we get to the corner, we should be good.''

The offensive line returns a pair of starters in Weldon at right tackle and Samad Thomas at left tackle. Veary, who started at left guard in the state final, will be at center, Weber steps in at right guard, and junior Brandon Murphy will be the left guard. Creamer returns as one of the Shore's best to anchor the special teams.

The Huskies know the question is whether they lost too much talent to make another run to a state final, and they are eager to prove the doubters wrong.

"We've got a lot of people coming after us since we won, and a lot of people hating,'' Cross said. "We're just working hard.''

"There's always going to be pressure," Barnes said, "but we're used to it, and we overcome it.''

Photo by: C l i f f L a v e l l e www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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46 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-15-12 09-22-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 11-03-12 11-22-12

Raritan @ Ocean Twp. Long Branch @ Matawan @ Brick Memorial @ Red Bank Freehold Boro Wall Asbury Park

he faces may be different, but Neptune is working hard to ensure the results are the same.

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Coming off their first NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III title since 1998, the Scarlet Fliers have graduated many of the headliners from last season's 11-1 team. The talent pool is far from drained, however, as Neptune is reloaded for a run at a repeat with another wave of talented players eager to prove themselves.

2011 Record: 11-1 (5-1)

The newcomer who may have the most daunting task is senior quarterback Ajee Patterson, who takes over for the graduated Jaheem Woods, the 2011 All Shore Media Offensive Player of the Year. Patterson is the latest talented quarterback to run Ciccotelli's veer offense, which has made stars out of its signal-callers for more than a decade at previous stints at Freehold and Middletown South. Whereas Woods was an electrifying runner, Patterson has a rocket arm.

G EOFF FAIRBANKS (S R ., WR/DB) M YLES M ARTIN (S R ., RB) D AVID C ALDERON (S R ., OL/LB) S HAQUILLE G ITTENS (S R ., OL/DL)

RANDOM FACT: Mark Ciccotelli is just the second coach to lead Neptune to a state sectional title. The Fliers won their three previous titles under the late John Amabile.

BIG SH OES TO FILL : Ajee Patterson, Sr., QB. I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Keith Kirkwood, Sr., WR.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 22 at home vs. Long Branch.

Issue-15

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9/6/12

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

Career Record: 11-1 (57-49 overall)

Assistant Coaches: Dom Lepore (def. coord.); Mike DeLucia (OL); Al Saner (OL); Sal Spampanato (off. asst./RB/LB); Frank Iachetta (OL); Noel Kavanagh (WR); Pete Christathakis (DL); Rodney Taylor, Mike Seber (freshman); Frank Viggiani (football operations); Frank Palumbo (video coord./quality control/scouting); Glen DePalo (athletic trainer).

/

Defending the Crown

"We're on top of the mountain,'' said head coach Mark Ciccotelli, who led the Fliers to glory in his first season at Neptune. "People are coming. People graduate all over the place. It doesn't seem to bother (Middletown) South and Manasquan and those places, so I think our young kids have to step in and pick up the slack. It's their turn to keep the program in good standing.''

Head Coach: Mark Ciccotelli, 2nd season (10th overall)

Volume-IV

"I'm excited for that because you want the best from everybody,'' said senior wideout Geoff Fairbanks. "Everyone wants the crown, and they've got to go through us first.''

"(Patterson) can throw it,'' Ciccotelli said.

"He's deceptively fast, and he's a bright kid.

He's got some big shoes to fill, and we're going to need him to carry us.''

"Everybody talks about Jaheem Woods and Ikie Calderon and all the seniors that are gone, and I just want to fill in (Woods's) spot,'' Patterson said. "I know I can do everything he did. I feel a lot of pressure, but I think I bring some different things to the table, like being able to open the field more.''

Patterson has plenty of capable targets, led

by Fairbanks, who is one of the top returning wide receivers in the Shore Conference. A second-team All-Shore selection as a junior after transferring from Colonia, Fairbanks had

39 catches for 791 yards and 9 touchdowns and also returned three punts for touchdowns. He already has several FCS offers, including Monmouth University and Liberty University.

Helping take some of the defensive attention away from Fairbanks will be a new addition, senior Keith Kirkwood. A basketball star, Kirkwood has decided to play football for the first time since he was eight years old in Pop Warner. A 6-foot-4 leaper with long arms, he immediately becomes a red zone threat. He said he has basketball scholarship offers from St. Peter's Monmouth, UNC-Charlotte, Jacksonville, LIU and New Hampshire and already has football interest from Rutgers, UMass, New Hampshire and James Madison from his performance at a 7-on-7 tournament at Rutgers this summer.

"I thought I was going to have some struggles here and there with the wideout routes, but I picked it up very quickly with help from (wide receivers coach Noel) Kavanagh and coach Cicc,'' Kirkwood said. "Corners are going to see that I play basketball, and they're going to try to take out my legs, but I'm ready for any challenge.''

"Going into the season, I figured I was going to have to go through double coverages, and I was ready for that,'' Fairbanks said. "Now that we have Keith on the other side, they can't bracket me or slide to one side because they have to worry about him going over the top.''

In the backfield, senior Myles Martin returns at tailback, where juniors Aaron Washington and Byron Campbell should also get some carries. Junior Shakeem Richardson and senior Sekou Harris will be the slotbacks, along with promising sophomore Cameron Calderon, the younger brother of graduated All-Shore talent Ikie Calderon, and senior Keyshawn Rice.

"This year we have a lot of versatility on offense,'' Martin said. "It's not like when teams could key on Jaheem last year. I think (Ciccotelli) is going to expect perfection like he did last year. Knowing his offense a little more has made us more comfortable.''

The offensive line looks to be a strength with three returning starters in senior center Pete Askew and senior tackles David Calderon and Shaquille Gittens. Seniors John Seidle and Jamere Henderson will start at the tackle spots.

Senior Eric Jackson, a former soccer player,

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Senior WR Geoff Fairbanks

will handle the kicking duties.

Neptune also had one of the Shore Conference's top defenses last year, but has to replace its entire group of stellar linebackers in its 3-3-5 stack alignment. Seidle will be in the middle up front, with Gittens and senior Jimmy Montgomery at defensive end.

David Calderon, who had 120 tackles and 5 sacks as a defensive end last year, moves to the middle linebacker spot after having played on the defensive line his entire career.

"Like everything else, you get the hang of it,'' Calderon said. "I'm getting more and more comfortable. I think it's easier because you're standing on two feet instead of having to push bigger guys out of the way on the D-line.''

Washington will be the strong side linebacker, with Campbell starting at weakside linebacker as they try to replace the All-Shore group of Ikie Calderon, Jazzmar Clax and David Gutzmore. Senior Jose Caraballo and sophomore Aaron Mora are two others who should see time at linebacker.

Richardson and returning starter Kyle Lewis, a senior, will be the starting cornerbacks, with Fairbanks patrolling the back as the safety.

It all adds up to a group eager for the challenge of remaining on top and trying to become the first Neptune teams since 1997-98 to repeat as state champions.

"Everybody's talking about wanting to play us,'' Patterson said. "We've got a bull's eye on our back. We've just got to come out here and practice hard.''

"It's great motivation to keep us going,'' Martin said. "We've just got to continue to try to get another ring."

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09-08-12 09-14-12 09-22-12 10-05-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

Lakewood @ Matawan Wall @ Red Bank Cath.

Long Branch @ Neptune Red Bank @ Ocean Twp. @ Freehold Twp.

Head Coach: Dave Ellis, 2nd season

Career Record: 3-7

Assistant Coaches: Geoff Massimini (def. coord./DB/RB); Jeremy Balina (LB/TE/WR); Dominic Pollifrone (DL); Andrew Mandeville (QB); Mike Burlew (OL/DL); Billy Kvalheim (WR/DB); Len Rivers (off. asst.); Sean Candiloro, Robert Keyes, Jason Blum (freshman); Mike Stehle (a thletic trainer).

2011 Record: 3-7 (2-4)

C E Q U A N S M I T H - R U S H ( S R . , R B/ L B) R YA N K A S T E N (S R . , O L ) J A S O N E R D M A N ( S R . , L B) R AY S H O N W E B B E R ( S R . , W R /D B)

RANDOM FACT: Freehold opens the season against Lakewood, the alma mater of head coach Dave Ellis. He and Lakewood head coach L.J. Clark were teammates on the Piners in the 1990s.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Daniel Martucci, Sr., DE.

IM PA C T N E W C O M E R : Imamu Mayfield , So., RB. P I V OTA L G A M E : Sept. 14 at Matawan

ASM / 47

Humble and Hungry

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

oming into last season fresh off winning its second Central Jersey Group III title in three seasons, Freehold figured the victories would keep coming despite heavy graduation losses and an adjustment to a new head coach.

C

The Colonials received a rude awakening with a 3-7 season in the rugged Class B North with a host of newcomers. A year older and wiser, the players now understand what it will take to get back to the rarefied air they enjoyed in 2010.

Jones saw some time last season and gives the Colonials a dual threat, which suits the offense. He also is working with new quarterback coach Andrew Mandeville, a former first-team All-State quarterback at Raritan who recently finished his career at Monmouth University.

"Brad is doing a great job of leading the team,'' Kasten said. "He's always first in sprints, always vocal in the huddle, and has shown real maturity.''

Smith-Rush is a returning starter at tailback, where two promising "It made the whole newcomers, team humble,'' said sophomores senior tailback Cequan Imamu Mayfield Smith-Rush. "Every and Josh Dixon, two years we've won a should also see state championship in some carries. recent years, so this Junior Tyrod year I'm hoping we can Smith-Rush and win one.'' senior Rayshon "We went through a Webber are both season of getting returning starters punched in the face all at wide receiver, year, so now we know and Smith has what to expect,'' said shown in the senior offensive preseason that he lineman Ryan Kasten. should make an impact in the A main point of passing game at emphasis has been tight end. Junior improving on offense, Senior RB Cequan Smith-Rush Nick Krause will where the Colonials also play at tight averaged only 9.6 end, and fellow junior Luke Tiefenthaler will points per game last year. They are going to handle the kicking and punting duties. more of a shotgun spread look in the second year under head coach Dave Ellis.

Boosting the offense even further is the fact that the entire offensive line has returned, led "The offense we ran last year was more by the 6-foot-6, 290-pound Kasten, who clock control, grind-it-out, and now I'm currently has an offer from Colgate. Junior looking to get the ball in our playmakers' John Bostick returns at center, Kasten will be hands,'' Ellis said. at left guard, and senior Brayden Donnelly is at left tackle. Senior right guard Matt Parke, An important area has been stabilizing the who is 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, returns after quarterback position, which Freehold feels it missing much of last season with a back has done in moving junior Bradley Jones into injury. Senior Cameron Moss, who is 6-foot-8 a starting role and shifting last year's and 355 pounds, is also pushing for time at quarterback, senior Kevin Smith, to tight end.

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right guard. Junior Darrin Shields, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL, is pushing returning senior Parker Stokes for time at right guard.

"We have some size up front and some experience,'' Ellis said. "We're just trying to get those guys to jell together right now.''

"I think it's just an overall strength issue,'' Kasten said. "We came in as juniors and we were a weak team, and that's why we got beat up a lot. Now with us as an improved, seniororiented team, everyone is a lot stronger and faster.''

Defensively, the Colonials have looked faster than last season in their stack defense. A group of Krause, Donnelly, seniors Michael Freno and Daniel Martucci and returning starter Chris Raschella make up the interchangeable group on the defensive line.

Senior Jason Erdman is a returning starter at middle linebacker, and junior Max Stein will be at one of the outside linebacker spots after starting five games last year. Mayfield and Smith will see time at the other outside linebacker spot. Cequan Smith-Rush and junior Dante Brown are returning starters at the hybrid safety/linebacker positions.

"We have better team speed on defense, so now it's getting the repetitions and going through the progressions of learning the different facets of the defense,'' Ellis said.

Dixon and Webber will be the safeties, with senior starter Ian Curry back at cornerback and junior Tahji Brinson returning at the other cornerback spot after starting multiple games last year.

The hope is that a year of experience and work in the weight room will be enough to make the Colonials a contender in the reconfigured Class B North and in Central Jersey Group IV, where they were realigned from Central Jersey Group III.

"We really worked hard in the offseason,'' Ellis said. "We weren't happy with finishing 3-7, so we tried to address things like strength and maturity. A lot of the kids that are seniors were there when we won a state championship in 2010, so the standards are still high. Winning a state title is one of our goals every year.''

Photo by: C l i f f L a v e l l e www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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48 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-29-12 10-06-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-03-12

Keansburg @ Card. McCarrick @ Dunellen Pt. Pleasant Beach Keyport @ Asbury Park @ Shore Metuchen @ Spotswood

Head Coach: Steve Sciarappa, 3 rd season Career Record: 4-16

Assistant Coaches: Shannon Hoadley (OL/DL, assoc. head coach); Bill Dickinson (WR/DB); Drew Elridge (RB/LB); Derrick McCallister (football operations); Mark Bilotta (quality control).

2011 Record: 1-9 (1-4)

S HANE S ULLIVAN (S R ., OL/DL) S AM M ILES (J R ., RB/LB) B RENDAN D ONNELLY (S R ., OL/DL) M IKE FARRELL (S R ., QB/WR/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: This will be the first season of a newly-launched middle school football team for grades 6-8 at St. Mary, which is the elementary school connected to Mater Dei Prep and its main feeder system.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: The starting quarterback

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Derrick Lopez, Jr., QB/RB/DB.

P I V O TA L G A M E : Sept. 8 at home vs. Keansburg

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Carrying Over

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ater Dei Prep may have only had one win last season, but the Seraphs are hoping it's one that can springboard them to more success this fall.

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"I would say the strength of the team right now is that everyone is really working at that same level, and what's good is that now we're starting to get

The Seraphs ended their season by beating rival Keansburg 35-29 on Thanksgiving for their lone victory after an injury-ravaged season on a team with little depth. With their entire line returning on both sides of the ball, they look to boost that win total as they continue to construct a competitive program.

"Winning that last game is always huge,'' said head coach Steve Sciarappa, who is also the school's principal.

"The best thing that Mater Dei Prep returns its entire offensive happened to our guys was that they went out and were finally able to depth,'' Sciarappa said. "We couldn't have put a game together. It was a good sense of traditional practices before, but now we 'we can do this.'' can get two platoons going. We're getting "The momentum carried to the offseason to look like a more traditional program.'' off that one win,'' said senior lineman The Seraphs will have to replace their Shane Sullivan. "Everybody worked a lot top offensive player, Jesse Meyer, at harder.'' quarterback, where there is currently a The other good news is that Mater Dei is three-way competition between sophomore starting to build some depth with a roster Christian Palmer, junior transfer Derrick of nearly 40 players after being in the midLopez from Rahway and senior Mike twenties in most recent seasons. With only Farrell. Junior Sam Miles is a returning 300 total students in a co-ed school, that starter at fullback in Mater Dei's triple means the Seraphs are getting nearly 25 option offense. Palmer and Lopez will see percent of the male population to come out time at halfback if they do not win the for football. quarterback spot, and sophomores Vincenzo Mezzacappa and Pat Donohue "We haven't had depth like this in a should also get carries out of those spots. while,'' Sullivan said.

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Sophomore Jay Mandile will be at wide receiver, where Farrell will also play if he is not at quarterback. The strength of the offense looks to be the line, which returns all five starters.

Sullivan, who was an All-Class B Central selection last year, is back at center, juniors Matt Eckert and Ron Perez return at the guard spots, and senior Brendan Donnelly and junior Sean Fraser are returning starters at tackle. The kicking and punting spots are still up in the air.

"We can actually can get a scout look now in practice, which helps the offense,'' Sullivan said.

Defensively, Donnelly and line Sullivan return at defensive end, with 5-foot-11, 315-pound senior Andrew Alexis in the middle up front. Miles is at inside linebacker, with the other linebacker spots still being contested. Farrell and Donohue are the cornerbacks, with Lopez, Palmer and Mezzacappa making up the rotation at the two safety spots.

This senior class hopes to build on the work done by the classes before them in generating enthusiasm and making the Seraphs more competitive.

"The last two classes did all they could, so we feel responsibility,'' Sullivan said.

"We know how hard those guys worked, and we have to work harder.''

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ASM / 49

50 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-07-12 09-15-12 09-22-12 09-28-12 10-05-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-03-12 11-22-12

@ Rumson Asbury Park @ Metuchen South River @ Holmdel Mater Dei Keansburg @ Keyport @ Pt. Pleasant Beach

Head Coach: Mark Costantino, 21st Season Career Record: 123-79-1

Assistant Coaches: Mike Whitacre (OL/DL); John Remedios (OL/DL); Pete Vincelli (RB/DB); Bob Biasi (WR/LB); Jack Levy (QB/DB); Martin Mullarney, Joe Rankin, John Vaccarelli (freshman); Nora McCormick (athletic trainer).

2 0 1 1 R ec o rd : 6 - 4 ( 3 - 2 )

J A C K K E L LY ( S R . , R B /L B ) C H R I S O K U P S K I (J R . , O L / DL ) M A R K C O S TA N T I N O J R . ( S R . , R B/ D B) T Y L E R V I V I A N (S R . , WR / D B)

RANDOM FACT: Shore has won five division titles under head coach Mark Costantino and 13 overall in its history.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jack Kelly, Sr., FB/LB. IMPACT NEWCOMER: Matt Muh, Jr., QB.

P IVOTAL G AME: Sept. 15 at home vs. Asbury Park

Volume-IV

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Plotting Their Return

By Chris Melvin - All Shore Media Contributor

hore Regional is hoping that a veteran cast of returners, some standouts coming back from injuries and a talented new addition can bring the Blue Devils back to the heights they enjoyed as state champions only two seasons ago.

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A key factor in whether that will come to fruition is whether the Blue Devils can stay healthy. Halfback/safety Mark Costantino Jr., a senior captain and the son of the head coach, is back to 100 percent after playing through injuries last season, and 300-pound junior lineman Chris Okupski also returns after being limited to three games last year because of injury. However, the Blue Devils haven't totally avoided the plague as senior defensive back Andrew Mahon has been lost for the year with a shoulder injury.

with Matt Muh coming in, plus our receivers and running backs,'' Costantino Jr. said.

"The offense hasn't really changed, but now we can throw the deep ball.''

Senior captain Jack Kelly steps in as the starting fullback after seeing time there last year, as the Blue Devils try to replace two quality backs in Nick Grigos and Stefanos Koursaris. Costantino, senior Kevin Masica and junior Brian Miller will see time at the two halfback spots. Muh's primary targets in the passing game will be returning starter

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9/6/12

at the guard spots. Seniors Luis Bernardes and Ed Garrigal are competing for the starting tight end spot.

Defensively, Proto and Okupski give Shore a pair of road blocks at defensive tackle in their multiple 4-4 scheme, and senior Rob Galligan will also see time at tackle. Bernardes will be at defensive end after seeing time there last season, and junior Dennis Vaccaro will start at the other defensive end spot.

Kelly is a returning starter at inside linebacker, where Chris Vaccaro and senior Dan Ballie make up the rest of the rotation.

Seniors Connor Rogers and Dennis O'Halloran and juniors Chris Francisco and James Murphy give the Blue Devils depth at outside linebacker.

Costantino Jr., who played at cornerback and safety last season, will be one of the starting safeties along with Miller. Vivian is a returning starter at cornerback, and Masica and Joyce will see time at the other cornerback spot.

Muh will handle the punting and sophomore Jake Monteiro, who has range out to 45 yards, will be the placekicker.

"Preseason is going well,'' head coach Mark Costantino said. "We are trying to stay healthy, and unfortunately we have already lost Andrew Mahon, but our staff is very happy with our overall improvements.''

An offense that averaged 20 points per game last season Junior offensive/defensive tackle Chris Okupski should be more potent this season with the addition of junior quarterback Matt Muh. He started in a spread offense for Holmdel Tyler Vivian, a senior, along with seniors as a sophomore before transferring to Shore Derek Joyce, Jeff Morse and Garrett shortly before the end of last season. His Wagner. addition allows the Blue Devils to stretch The Blue Devils look to have some size the field vertically in the passing game out up front in 6-foot-2, 255-pound junior tackle of their Wing-T running attack.

Matt Proto and Okupski, a 6-foot-5, 300"We will continue to run the same offense, pound prospect who will play the other but we are going to be doing things tackle spot. differently with Matt Muh and the spread "Proto and Okupski are improving every part of our attack,'' the elder Costantino said. day,'' Costantino Sr. said.

"He has settled into our offense and schemes.''

Senior Chris Vaccaro will be the center, with seniors Brendan Blair and Mike Lamb "We have so many weapons on offense

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Doug Bost

The Blue Devils are looking to duplicate their 2010 season, when they won the Class B Central crown and also took home the Central Jersey Group I title in finishing 111. To get there, they will have to knock off Asbury Park, the defending division and CJ I champion, as well as tough teams at Keyport and Point Beach, the latter of which beat Shore in their Thanksgiving game last year.

"I definitely feel like the division could be ours to win,'' Costantino Jr. said. "We're not overlooking anybody, but we definitely can take that (title). That senior class (in 2010) really showed us what it would take to win a division and win states, so we saw how hard you have to practice every day to prepare yourselves.''

P ho to s b y: sportshotswlb.com

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www.allshoremedia.com

09-08-12 09-15-12 09-29-12 10-06-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-03-12 11-22-12

Keyport @ Shore Pt. Pleasant Boro @ Pt. Pleasant Beach Mater Dei @ Metuchen Middlesex @ Keansburg @ Neptune

Head Coach: Matt Ardizzone, 4th season Career Record: 16-16

Assistant Coaches: Rob Ward (assoc. head coach/OL/DL); Tron Goldfarb (off. coord.); Tim Fosque (OL/DL); Syron Davis (RB/DB); Tyreek Small (WR/DB); John Grasso (asst.); Paul Zarella Sr. (asst.); Larry Hill, Leroy Hayes, Barry Baity (freshman); Nancy Abady (athletic trainer) 2011 Record: 10-2 (5-0)

R OBERT B ARKSDALE (J R ., QB/DB) N ICK FAMULARO (S R ., OL/LB) D OMINGO P EREZ (S R ., OL/DL) J AQUELE G OODMAN (S R ., RB/DB)

RANDOM FACT: Asbury Park's six NJSIAA sectional titles since the playoffs began in 1974 are tied for the third-most of any Shore Conference team behind Manasquan (11) and Middletown South (9) BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jaquele Goodman, Sr., RB/DB. IMPACT NEWCOMER: Tyleek Jones, Sr., TE/DL. P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 15 at Shore.

ASM / 51

High Standards

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ith four state sectional championships in the last five seasons, Asbury Park has become accustomed to winning titles no matter who graduates.

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This season may be the biggest test yet for the Blue Bishops to keep their run of high-level success going after graduating a terrific class loaded with dynamic skill players. It's reminiscent of the 2010 season, when Asbury Park was hit hard by graduation and went 55, missing the playoffs before rebounding last season to win another Central Jersey Group I title. This year's group is looking to avoid that fate.

"People are saying, 'They lost everybody, they don't have all the good skill players they had, so what's up with the skill players?''' said senior two-way lineman Domingo Perez.

"People are just going to have to step up.''

"I feel pressure every day working this job because they expect you to win and if you don't, you're going to get questioned,'' said head coach Matt Ardizzone. "The mindset of these players from when they've been little from Pop Warner to now is to win. It's all about winning state championships.

The division doesn't really matter. We just want to get in (the playoffs) and have a chance.''

Thus far in the preseason, the Blue Bishops' strength looks to be up front and on defense, which looks like it may be a backbone of the team despite graduating All-Shore talents like defensive tackle Ra'Zahn Howard, the Conover twins, linebacker Islam Joshua and the Hammary cousins from a ferocious, run-stuffing group.

Perez is a returning starter at defensive end in Asbury Park's attacking 4-4 scheme, and he also should see time at defensive tackle.

Riddley Duval, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior, also will be at defensive tackle along with 5-foot-10, 310-pound senior Naquan Reevey and 6-foot-2, 295pound senior Tyleek Jones, who was ineligible last season and looks to be a major addition. Senior Steven Nonez returns as a starter opposite Perez at

defensive end, where 275-pound junior Paul Bacon could also see time.

"We're catching on to our mistakes and the problems that we need to fix very fast,'' Perez said. "I think we can be a good team, just like all the other years.''

The Blue Bishops have to replace a stellar group of linebackers, so it will be up to several newcomers to match the production from last year. Senior Nick Famularo, a three year starter, will be at inside linebacker along with a rotation of senior Shaheim Tillman, sophomore Tyquis Davis, and junior Malcolm Saunders. Seniors Imere Stroman and Kedere Johnson will be the outside linebackers.

Senior Jaquele Goodman is a returning starter at cornerback, where senior Ian Eisdale will play opposite him. Junior Robert Barksdale and junior Daquane Bland-Bennett will both see time at the lone safety spot.

The main question marks are on offense, where the Blue Bishops detonated opponents for an average of 34 points per game last season. The only holdover in the spread offense is Barksdale, who returns for his second season at quarterback after a solid sophomore year that culminated with a pair of touchdown passes in a 42-18 win over Florence in the state final.

"With Rob back there, we've got some targets we haven't had in the past couple years,'' Ardizzone said. "I think we have a chance to throw it well.''

"It's been kind of difficult (adjusting to the new players),'' Barksdale said.

"Everybody is getting used to what they're doing. I feel more comfortable at the position now, and I've been working on my drops and reads all summer.''

Goodman, Bland-Bennett, Tillman and junior Malik King are all in the rotation to replace the Conovers and Joshua in the backfield. Jones will be a big target at tight end, while Johnson, Eisdale, freshman Jaedon Stephens and senior Imere Stroman will be Barksdale's primary targets at wide receiver.

While the skill players are almost all

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Junior QB Robert Barksdale new, the good news is that the offensive line returns three starters. Perez is back at tackle, and Famularo and Nonez return at the guard spots. The center position is being contested between senior Quran Harris and junior Damon Brown, with Reevey and Duval expected to see time at the other tackle spot. Perez or Tillman will handle the kicking duties for a team that almost exclusively went for two-point conversions after scoring last year.

"I think we have a chance to be decent up front,'' Ardizzone said. "We might have to get more of a power running game with the ability to run the ball outside.''

If the new skill players can fill in around Barksdale and the line is as advertised on both sides, Asbury Park should be right in the hunt again in Central Jersey Group I.

"Four (titles) out of the last five years, that's something you lean back on because you don't want to be remembered as one of the teams that didn't make it out of those six years,'' Perez said. "It's a little pressure, but it's in a good way.''

Ph ot o s by: Bill N ormile b illno rmile. ze nf o lio. co m

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52 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-15-12 09-22-12 09-29-12 10-06-12 10-13-12 10-20-12 10-27-12 11-03-12

@ Asbury Park Highland Park Card. McCarrick Middlesex @ Mater Dei @ South River @ Keansburg Pt. Pleasant Beach Shore

Head Coach: Mike Ciccotelli, 35th Season

Career Record: 220-122-3

Assistant Coaches: Jay Graham (def. coord.); Nick Christathakis (OL/DL); Brian Brady (OL/DL); Ezra Hill (DB/RB); Johnny Kemp (RB); Efrain Cabrera (asst.); Jimmy Maguire (QB); Kyle Keelen, Stephen Bauer (freshman).

2011 Record: 5-5 (2-3)

A LEX T HOMSON (J R ., QB/LB) C ONNOR T HOMSON (S R ., OL/DL) J OHNNY O LSEN (S R ., RB/LB) A NGELO M IRAGLIOTTA (S R ., RB/DB/K)

R ANDOM FACT: Keyport head coach Mike Ciccotelli was inducted into the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame this summer.

B IG S HOES TO FILL : Bryan Zakutansky, Sr., OL/DL.

I MPACT N EWCOMER : Alex Mezza, Jr., LB.

P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 8 at Asbury Park

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Restoring Glory

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ith talented junior quarterback Alex Thomson and a senior-laden team returning, Keyport is out to make a serious run at its first division title in nearly a decade.

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The last time the Red Raiders were on top was when they won the old National Division in 2003. They will have to climb over defending champion Asbury Park, perennial contender Shore and a resurgent Point Beach if they want to get back there.

A big reason for optimism is Thomson, a 6-foot-5 signal-caller who returns for his second season as the starter in Keyport's shotgun Wing-T offense. His improvement and a more effective running game helped fuel a three-game winning streak to end last year that has propelled the Red Raiders into this fall.

"When I stepped into the quarterback spot on varsity, my first thing was that I want to win the division,'' Thomson said.

"I see Asbury Park winning it and Shore winning it. Growing up, Keyport was usually the top team, and I want to get back to that.''

Senior Johnny Olsen moves into the fullback spot, where junior Mike O'Dwyer could also get some carries.

Senior Angelo Miragliotta, who started on defense last year, will be at one wingback spot, with senior Emanuel Martinez at the other wingback position. Senior Greg Armstrong is a returning starter at wide receiver in an offense where all of the backs are expected to be effective as receivers as well.

"I'm very comfortable,'' Thomson said.

"I have more pocket presence this year, and I'm more aware of the pass rush. I was scared at times last season and took

too many sacks.

Now I'm ready.''

"I think we finally settled into that gun Wing-T offense toward the end of the year,'' said head coach Mike Ciccotelli, now in his 35th season. "We've just got to fine-tune things now.''

Helping to keep Thomson upright against the rush is an offensive line Junior QB Alex Thomson that returns three starters plus senior scheme, and junior Drew Bright is a tight end Tyler Alvarez. Senior Connor returning starter at defensive end.

Thomson, who was an All-Division Zakutansky and senior Zack Juarez will lineman as a junior, and senior Rich see time at the other defensive end spot.

Shevlin are both returning starters at the tackle positions. Junior Danny Osteen is a Alex Thomson will play defense for the newcomer at center, and seniors Bryan first time at the varsity level, as he will be Zakutansky and Nick Smutz are at the an outside linebacker on the left side. guard spots after both saw time there last "The first couple practices it was weird year. Miragliotta is a returning starter at for me because freshman year was the last kicker and punter. time I was hitting, but I've gotten used to "They've looked very good this year,'' it,'' Thomson said.

Alex Thomson said about his line. "I have The left "stack 'backer'' is junior Alex a lot of time to throw now. Last year, they Mezza, and Shevlin is a returning starter were all new, but we're looking very good at middle linebacker. The "stack 'backer'' with a year of experience.'' on the right side is Smutz and Olsen, who "Being a senior group up front will be a was the team's leading tackler last year, is strength,'' Ciccotelli said. "We've just got at the right outside linebacker spot. to stay healthy. If we get one kid down on Armstrong and junior Ezra Hill are the either side of the ball, we're devastated cornerbacks, and Miragliotta is a because we don't have much depth.'' returning starter at safety.

As always in small-school football, many of the same names from offense will be on defense. Connor Thomson P ho to s b y: returns at noseguard in Keyport's 3-5 sportshotswlb.com

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09-08-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-29-12 10-06-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-27-12 11-22-12

Card. McCarrick @ Dunellen Spotswood @ Mater Dei Asbury Park Keansburg @ Highland Park @ Keyport Shore

Head Coach:

John Wagner, 2nd season (27th overall) Career Record: 158-95-2

Assistant Coaches: Jeff Bower (RB/DB); Rich LaDuca (OL/DL); Bill Evans (WR/DB); Brandon Neary (TE/DE); Paul Struncius (QB); Cali Whedon (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 8-3 (4-1)

Q UINN K USMA (S R ., OL/LB) K YLE S AMARITANO (S R ., RB/LB) A NDRE C OCHRAN (S R ., RB/DB) D ANNY T IGHE (S R ., RB/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: Point Beach is one of the Shore Conference's oldest programs, having captured the Central Jersey Group II title in 1927.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Jake Fioretti, So., QB.

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Nick Fiore, Sr., TE/DE.

P IV O TA L GA M E : October 6 at home vs. Asbury Park

ASM / 53

No Fluke

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

or a program that had not had a winning season since 1997, a playoff appearance since 2001 and a postseason victory since 1982, last season wasn't just good for Point Beach, it was unbelievable.

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The Garnet Gulls finished 8-3, made the playoffs and advanced to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion and Group I juggernaut Asbury Park. It was a banner year under new head coach John Wagner, the 2011 All Shore Media Coach of the Year. But if you wonder if the players are complacent, if they're satisfied, or if last season was a fluke, just listen to them talk.

"We had a great year but 54-6...," said senior offensive lineman Quinn Kusma about their playoff loss to Asbury Park. "I keep thinking about that. We had all those wins but that was just embarrassing to us.

You can't let that happen."

running styles, for sure, and gives the Gulls plenty of speed at running back.

"I do track to stay in shape for football and the speed just kind of came out of nowhere," Tighe said. "It's a nice gift. We have three great backs, and we'll mix it up."

Taking over at quarterback will be sophomore Jake Fioretti, who saw some time in the secondary last season. Fioretti is another speedy playmaker, and he'll have plenty of options to distribute the ball including a tall group of wide receivers.

Junior Noah Yates (6foot-3), 6-foot-3 senior Bobby Parlow and 6foot-4 senior Zach Yates

"We were all together last year and even though we have a new right tackle he's been playing very hard," Kusma said. "We know if we make holes our guys don't need them open for long, they're going to fly."

"Our whole line works their butts off for everything," Samaritano said. "You know you can trust them."

Point Beach will run a multiple 4-3 on defense with the defensive line comprising the same players as the offensive line in a rotation. Mike Crescitelli, a 6-foot-4, 255 pound senior, is also in the mix at defensive tackle. The ends will be Jordy and Fiore with Cochran also seeing time there as well as in the secondary. The middle linebacker is Kusma with Wegrzyniak backing him up, and the outside linebackers are Barry and Samaritano. Seniors Mike Allegretta and Pat Waldman will also see playing time at outside linebacker.

Fioretti and Tighe are the cornerbacks with Gombos working in, and rotating in as the safeties are Zach and Noah Yates and Parlow.

Zach Yates will handle both the punting and kicking duties.

"It's all hype," said senior Kyle Samaritano. "We had a great season last year but you see these teams that have great seasons and come back the next year flat even with great players. We have to realize everything last year came from hard work, and we have to do the same thing this year."

It's impossible not to notice the change in culture surrounding Point Beach's football team. The numbers are up, the attitude is lively and there are some legitimately big players on the roster for the first time in quite a while. The Gulls are hoping it all adds up to another winning campaign that has them in the hunt for a Class B Central title and a deep run in the playoffs.

Morris returns at left tackle and the lone newcomer is junior right tackle Tommy D'Amore. Seniors Jesus Ortiz and Josh Lang have also been working at right tackle.

comprise a unit that will be tough to cover. The tight end is junior Bill Barry with senior Nick Fiore also in the mix.

Because the Gulls accomplished so much last season with a very young team, expectations are high this year.

Their schedule is challenging with Asbury Park, Dunellen, Keyport, Highland Park and Shore as opponents, but they're determined to prove they are on the verge of developing into a solid program, year after year.

In Point Beach's Delaware Wing-T it will The offensive have a stable of five running backs who can line returns four of all be impact players. Half backs Samaritano five starters and is and Andre Cochran, both seniors, return as strong in the starters while Danny Tighe, who played middle with junior everywhere last season, is the fullback.

Sean Struncius at Sophomore Joe Wegrzyniak and junior center, Kusma at left Marshall Gombos will serve as backups at guard and 6-foot-3, 230fullback and halfback, respectively. Tighe pound senior Lucas Jordy came into football season with tremendous at right guard. Senior Tim speed after a successful track season.

Wagner has decided to stick him at fullback to replace the graduated Senior running back Kyle Samaritano Cody Coleman. It's a change in

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"We understand what we really have to do to win big games," Tighe said. "That Keyport win last year really showed us if we worked as a team good things would happen. You can't get too ahead of yourself. It's one game at a time, one win at a time."

Ph ot o s by: Bill N ormile w w w. b i l l n o r m i l e . z e n f o l i o . c o m

W W W. A L L S H O R E M E D I A . C O M

54 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-08-12 09-15-12 09-22-12 09-29-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-03-12

@ Mater Dei Spotswood @ South River Dunellen @ Highland Park @ Pt. Pleasant Beach Keyport @ Shore Asbury Park

Head Coach: Brian Kmak, 10th Season Career Record: 40-52

Assistant Coaches: George Kostas (off. coord.); Jason Ali (def. coord./LB); Tim O'Halloran (WR/DB); Jason Wombough (OL/DL); John Thornton (OL/DL); Steve Mangles (RB/LB); Kelli Hudson (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 1-9 (0-5)

RYAN K URTZ (S R ., QB/DB) B RAD B AKER (S R ., OL/DL) S EAN M C B RIDE (S R ., OL/DL) K EVIN S HEPHERD (S R ., WR/DB)

RANDOM FACT: Former Keansburg wideout Scott Pillar was a first-team All-Middle Atlantic Conference selection for Albright College last season who led the conference in receptions, yards and touchdown catches.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Kevin Shepherd, Sr., WR.

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Danny Markulin, Sr., WR/DB. P I V O TA L G A M E : Sept. 8 at Mater Dei Prep.

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Senior Moment

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

combined 1-19 record in the past two seasons has given a large senior class at Keansburg plenty of motivation to get the program back on solid ground this fall.

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"Last year is just more fuel to the fire,'' said senior quarterback Ryan Kurtz.

"Everybody is hungry this year. We just have to finish and never quit.''

The Titans had a strange season in going 1-9 last year. They gave tough games to Central Jersey Group I champion Asbury Park and a pair of playoff teams (Dunellen and Shore) yet were beaten by a winless Mater Dei Prep team on Thanksgiving and lost 31-0 to a .500 Keyport squad.

"We were in almost every game, so now we try to take the next step and start putting some wins on the board,'' said head coach Brian Kmak.

The ingredients are there with a lineup filled with seniors, most of whom have been starting for three years. Kurtz returns for his third season at the helm to lead the Titans' spread offense, which averaged 16.4 points per game last season.

"I believe our offense can be very explosive,'' Kurtz said. "We just have to utilize all of our weapons and keep consistent every single game.''

Senior Keith Malave is a returning starter at tailback, where juniors Terry Murray and Carlos Fontanez should also get some carries. Seniors Kevin Shepherd and Chris Figaro are returning starters at wide receiver. The Titans have also recruited a potentially game-changing newcomer in 6foot-4 senior Danny Markulin, a jumping jack who is a rebounding machine on the basketball team as well as one of the Titans' top baseball players.

"I think our skill positions are pretty good,'' Kmak said. "The addition of Markulin gives us a big target, and he jumps out of the building. He also has good hands.''

"He's definitely an added a dimension going vertically up the field with his long arms,'' Kurtz said.

Seniors Brad Baker and Sean McBride are the Titans' two top linemen and are back to start at the tackle spots.

Senior Brandon Nelan is a returning starter at center, and senior Ron Howard is a returning starter at guard. The only newcomer is senior guard John Manoes, a good athlete who went 2210 as a 195-pounder on the wrestling team last winter. Junior Kason Preston and Markulin are the likely candidates to be the kicker and punter.

"Baker and McBride have really put in the time,'' Kmak said. "The two of them are bookends. They went to lineman camp in the spring and didn't miss a weight room session. They definitely lead by example.''

"I think our offensive line has matured greatly with everyone getting stronger and just knowing their assignments so that they can be confident and fast-moving,'' Kurtz said.

On defense, the Titans have switched from a 3-4 to a 4-2-5 look based on personnel after giving up 25 points per game last season. McBride and Baker are returning starters at defensive tackle, and Baker looks to be one of the top defensive linemen in Class B Central.

Manoes and Howard will be the defensive ends, with sophomore newcomer Brandon Witkowski also seeing time there. Murray and Nelan will be at inside linebacker, where senior Ben Pezanetti will rotate in.

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Senior QB Ryan Kurtz The three hybrid outside linebacker/safeties are Shepherd, Figaro and Malave.

Fontanez, who has battled some injuries in the preseason, will be at cornerback when healthy, and senior newcomer Kevin Walker will be the other corner. Preston and sophomore Anthony Reyes give that position some depth. Junior Nick Vloyanetes and Kurtz are the safeties, and Markulin could see time at both safety and cornerback because of his athleticism.

The traditional Thanksgiving Day game against Mater Dei Prep has been moved to the season opener this year, so the Titans have a chance to immediately avenge last season's loss and start off on the right foot.

"That first game of the season is going to be really important to get that confidence,'' Kmak said.

"We want to make the state playoffs and hopefully make a splash, and everybody wants to win that game against Mater Dei,'' Kurtz said. "We've been looking forward to that game all offseason every time we were lifting and working out.''

P hot o s b y: Bill N ormile w w w. b i l l n o r m i l e . z e n f o l i o . c o m

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@ Toms River South Jackson Liberty Pt. Pleasant Boro @ Pinelands Barnegat @ Lakewood @ Msgr. Donovan Manchester Twp. Southern

Head Coach: Vincent Casale, 5th Season Career Record: 13-27

Assistant Coaches: Walt Ramsay (off. coord./QB); Willie Jacobs (def. coord.); Chris Loveland (LB); Mike Casale (RB); Tige Dillard (DB); Patrick Ramsay (WR); Charlie Monanian (OL); Darian Dillard, Angelo Muzzucca (freshman); Garrett Henshaw (athletic trainer) 2011 Record: : 5-5 (3-2)

More Than One Man

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ow that Central is coming off its first state playoff appearance in 10 years, the main question is how the Golden Eagles will fare in Year One A.K. - After Kalyph.

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"Our expectations are that we're going to do better than last year,'' said senior linebacker Blake Jambor. "Last year was a stepping stone for what's to come.''

Running back Kalyph Hardy has graduated after setting every school rushing record in the book, including a single-season record 2,050 yards and a Shore Conferenceleading 28 touchdowns last season. Without Hardy to lean on, the Golden Eagles will go from the I-formation to a pistol look on offense to take advantage of the throwing arm of 6-foot-3 junior quarterback Marcus Drumright.

"You can never replace a kid like Kalyph,'' said head coach Vinnie Casale. "A kid like that is once every 15 years if you're lucky.

Especially in the preseason we've been trying to be balanced. I think in order for us to be successful we're going to have to be able to throw and to catch the ball and run with it.

Besides the fact that we miss Kalyph, it's also the fact that we have to use Marcus's athletic ability.''

Central, which averaged 23 points per game last season, will now have a tailback by committee in Hardy's absence. Seniors Vinnie Davis and Rob Martinez and sophomore Manny Bowen, a Southern transfer, will all get carries along with sophomore Nick Leone. Jambor will be the fullback.

"The new offense makes it 10 times harder to defend us because we have three or four people who can run the ball plus a much better passing game,'' Jambor said. "You can't focus on just one guy like last year.''

B LAKE J AMBOR (S R ., RB/LB) E RNIE R OPAS (S R ., OL/LB)

Junior Javon Hardy, who played quarterback last season, moves to wide receiver, where he is a big-play threat. Senior Tom Clark is a returning starter at wideout who headlines a group that will also include seniors Marquise Overton and Ambrose Powell, and junior Tom Koenig. A pair of seniors, Troy Sigrist and Nick Imperiale, will be at tight end.

J AVON H ARDY (J R ., WR) T OM C LARK (S R ., WR/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: Central's only state playoff victory came in 1994

Senior Jeff Paton, who started at guard last year, moves over to center to anchor the offensive line. Sophomore Rudy Solomon will start at guard, and senior Ernie Ropas, who started at linebacker last year, will also play guard this season. Junior Jesse Brown, who started on defense last year, will be at one tackle spot, and senior Avery Jackson is a returning starter at tackle. Senior Austin DeRose returns as the placekicker, and Jambor will handle the punting.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Vinnie Davis, Jr., RB.

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Manny Bowen, So., RB/LB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Oct. 12 at home vs. Barnegat

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The Golden Eagles return several of their top players on defense and look to improve after giving up 22.5 points per game last season. Brown, who started three games last year, will be the noseguard in Central's 5-2 scheme, with seniors Steve Koppock and Brian Kelly along with junior Josh Foca alongside him on the defensive line.

"We really didn't lose that much from last year on defense,'' Jambor said. "Ernie moved inside, but our defense is pretty much the same. It's still strong.''

Davis and Bowen are the outside linebackers, with Jambor and Ropas giving Central a talented tandem in the middle at inside linebacker now that Ropas has moved from outside linebacker. Senior Arlen Fernandez and his sophomore brother, Alex, will be the cornerbacks, with Clark and Powell at the safety spots.

A resurgent season in 2011 injected confidence in a program that struggled for much of the 2000s, and now the Golden Eagles look to continue that momentum.

"We're hoping for a repeat of last year

Senior LB Blake Jambor getting to the playoffs, and maybe taking, B South this year,'' Jambor said. "Now we have the mindset that we are a good team, so hopefully we can back it up.''

Photos by: C l i f f L a v e l l e www.clearedge.zenfolio.com

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Ocean Twp. @ Barnegat Jackson Liberty @ Lakewood @ Lacey @ Pt. Pleasant Boro Pinelands @ Central Msgr. Donovan

Head Coach: Gerard O’Donnell, 7th Season Career Record: 26-32

Assistant Coaches: Steve Fence (off. coord./WR); Joe Taylor (OL); Dan Barker (LB); Bob Picton (DL); Scott Moore (asst.); John Portuese, Dave Beauchemin (freshman); Cathi Yayac (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (2-3)

D AMIUN M OORE (S R ., WR/DB) V INNIE D I PAOLA (S R ., OL) A NTOINE B ROWN (S R ., RB/DB) R OE M ELLO M ULDROW (S R ., LB)

R ANDOM FACT: Manchester has never won a state playoff game.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: D e v a n t e S h e p h e r d , J r. , R B .

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : John Sudol, Sr., QB.

P IVOTAL G AME : Sept. 14 at Barnegat.

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A New Beginning

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

it by the double-whammy of graduation and key players electing to transfer, Manchester will have almost an entirely new team this fall.

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"There are so many new faces,'' said head coach Gerard O'Donnell. "They were the backups to the kids last year, so let's see how hungry the new kids are.''

The Hawks graduated one of the best players in school history, current Monmouth University freshman defensive back Joe Johnson, along with two-year starter Tim Rogers at quarterback. Three of their top returning skill players are now at other schools. Senior wideout Jalen Hunter is now a cornerback at Toms River North, and brothers Anthony and Chapelle Cook, a talented wide receiver and tailback, respectively, are both at Lakewood.

"Losing (Anthony) Cook and Hunter really hurt us because those are kids who are quality kids and forced the defense to account for them,'' O'Donnell said. "We're still inexperienced up front, so we thought, 'Let's open it up and get the ball in the hands of the kids who make plays.'''

"It's a big loss, but we can recover from it,'' said senior offensive lineman Vinnie DiPaola.

Manchester will go more to a zone read offense out of the pistol to take advantage of the speed of its skill players. It has three players currently vying for the starting quarterback spot - senior John Sudol and juniors Devon Tomei and Ivan Marks.

Juniors Devante Shepherd, Amani Richardson and Shaquille Benjamin will try to fill the void left by Johnson at tailback.

Senior wide receiver Damiun Moore is the only returning starter among the skill position players and should be Manchester's best big-play threat. Senior Antoine Brown, who was Johnson's

backup at tailback, will also be at wide receiver along with a pair of senior newcomers, Josh Guzman and Evan Cardani. Sophomore Robert Planter also may play some tight end in certain sets.

DiPaola is the only returning starter on the offensive line, and he will be the center.

Junior Joe Bick is at left guard, junior Nick Ientile is at right guard, junior Brian Golad will be at left tackle and senior Keith Decher will be the right tackle.

Sudol and Golad are competing for the placekicker and punter spots.

"We lost most of our guys, and the only returning starter on the O-line is me, so I've S en ior wide o ut /de f en sive b ack D amiu n Moo re been looking at everyone's steps and With so many newcomers cracking the correcting them with the coaches if they're lineup, the Hawks are focused on getting doing something wrong,'' DiPaola said. "I everyone up to speed and identifying their think they're learning pretty well.'' strengths.

The Hawks return one starter in their 3-4 "The preseason is big for us because you defense, but will have plenty of seniors get to see who the best players are and among their front seven. Seniors Damon how they will react when the pressure is Marini, Chris Chillemi and Gage Warren put on them,'' DiPaola said. "There's no make up the defensive line, and Ientile and pressure on our team this year. It's on how Decher are the inside linebackers. badly we want to win.''

Shepherd and seniors RoeMello Muldrow and A.J. Marrero make up the rotation at "It's been a great preseason,'' O'Donnell outside linebacker. said. "The kids are buying in, and we have 51 kids on the roster. The sophomore and Brown is a returning starter at junior classes are the biggest classes, so cornerback, and Benjamin and Cardani we have a foundation for the future.'' will see time at the other cornerback spot.

Richardson and Tomei will be at safety, where Moore also should see time.

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Lacey @ Pt. Pleasant Boro Lakewood Central @ Long Branch Msgr. Donovan @ Jackson Liberty @ Manchester Twp. Barnegat

Head Coach: Sean DeRosa, 9th Season Career Record: 24-57

Assistant Coaches: Dan Abbato (Def. coord/RB/LB); Rob Sanzari (OL/LB); Justin Loomis (WR/DB); Matt Fuller; Stacey Ayles (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 0-10 (0-5)

D AN M AC P HEE (J R ., QB/DB) G ERARD G RIMES (S R ., RB/DB) M ATT M AC P HEE (RB/WR/DB) D AVE D EFEO (S O ., OL/DL)

R ANDOM FACT: Pinelands has one division title in its history, claiming a share of the Class C title in 1987.

BI G SH O ES T O FI LL : The Wildcats return basically everyone from last year, so replacing players isn't an issue.

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Dom Hernandez, Sr., WR.

PI V O TAL G AM E : September 21 at home vs. Lakewood

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One Way to Go

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

ast year Pinelands head coach Sean DeRosa knew he was running uphill.

He had zero returning starters, just two seniors and started several freshmen. The result was predictable. The Wildcats scored the fewest points in the conference, allowed the most and finished 0-10.

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Even with all the youth and inexperience, however, DeRosa saw potential. The problem at most positions was that the players just couldn't physically compete at the varsity level.

"We had kids that were so young that they would be in the right spot but they couldn't do it physically," DeRosa said. "We saw they had potential, but they were just too young. But throughout all of that they kept coming to practice. Nobody quit. Nobody gave up."

A year later the Wildcats are still a young team, but they return basically every player and are ready to bounce back in the Class B South division. Pinelands feels good about its skill players and has moved from a multiple-I offense to a spread pistol scheme.

"We have so many kids that are so much alike," DeRosa said. "In this system we can get them all on the field, and they're like interchangeable parts."

junior Greg McLaughlin at left tackle/ Tom McAndrew, the lone newcomer, is at right guard and 6-foot-5, 275-pound senior Kenny Bozarth is at right tackle. McLaughlin will also see time at right tackle.

"All those guys are a lot bigger and stronger and it's already showing," MacPhee said. "In our first scrimmage we were moving the ball on offense and that was a struggle last year."

Defensively the Wildcats will run a 5-2 with Paul Lombardi, 280-pound Joe Puggi and 6-foot-3, 330-pound Larry Oeser rotating at nose tackle. The defensive tackles are Schnepp, Defeo and McAndrew and the defensive ends are Carkhuff and McLaughlin with Jimmy Graham also working in.

The linebackers are Lagonegro and Bezak with promising sophomore Gurkan Yilmaz also in the mix. The starting cornerbacks are Hernandez and Dan MacPhee with Bonicky, Chris Banashefsky and Milanj Coursey also on the depth chart. Grimes and Matt McPhee are the safeties with brothers Paul

and Mike Suarez working for time as backups.

Jon Kubricki returns as the kicker and Matt MacPhee will be the punter.

"On defense we allowed too many big play last season," DeRosa said. "The bend but don't break philosophy is important. We don't have that track star that can catch somebody in the open field. We have to be a team in the strictest sense of the word."

Aside from getting better with Xs and Os, the Wildcats need a different mental attitude heading into this season. Learning from last season yet at the same time forgetting about it is a delicate balance.

"We have to clear out our minds and forget about it but at the same time have that taste in your mouth," Grimes said. "You need that feeling in the back of your mind pushing you but you have to keep moving forward."

Returning as the starting quarterback is junior Dan MacPhee. The fullback/H-back is Rusty Carkhuff with junior Matt MacPhee, senior Gerard Grimes and Ryan Bezak also possible to play fullback.

Grimes, who was an all-division defensive back last season, MacPhee and Bezak are also the running backs, with Grimes likely to see the majority of time.

MacPhee and Grimes will also play wide receiver along with junior Cody Bonicky and first-year player Dom Hernandez, who plays on the basketball team. The coaches are high on Hernandez as well as tight end Zach Schnepp, who adds a big, physical presence in the passing game.

"I'm a lot more comfortable," Dan MacPhee said. "I got used to the speed last year so another year of experience should definitely help. With the new offense we have a lot of different options so defenses can't just focus on one thing. We can run zone, triple option or throw the ball with athletic receivers on the outside."

The offensive line has four returning starters with senior Jash Sisombath at center, senior Justin Lagonegro and sophomore Dave Defeo at left guard, Dave Staton and

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09-07-12 09-15-12 09-21-12 10-05-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-16-12

St. John Vianney @ Lakewood @ Barnegat Pt. Pleasant Boro @ Pinelands @ Rumson Central Jackson Liberty @ Manchester Twp.

Head Coach: Dan Duddy, 6th Season

Career Record: 17-33

Assistant Coaches: Paul Barna (Off. Coord.); Jim Papalia, Chad Dougherty (Co-Def. Coord.); Kyle Watson (QB); Adam Sacco (DL); Dan Ciccala (WR); Greg Hyslop (LB); Bob DiStefano (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 6-4 (2-3)

B RAD H ENSON (S R ., OL/DL) G RANT K LIMEK (S R ., RB/DB) RYAN A ZZOLINI (S R ., OL/DL) V INCENT G RASSO (J R ., QB/DB)

Volume-IV

Belief in the System

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

ivision titles and playoff appearances are the goals of every football program.

Some years those goals are far more realistic than in others, and for Monsignor Donovan in 2012, continued success is certainly within reach.

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With a senior-laden squad that includes eight returning starters on defense, the Griffins are aiming at a return to the playoffs and a run at the Shore Conference Class B South division title.

Seniors Tom Farrell and Andy Ullmann will start on the left side at tackle and guard, respectively, while junior Brett Hogancamp will line up next to Henson at right tackle.

The center will be senior Ryan Azzolini, who started on defense last season. Senior Mike Dimaria is the versatile sixth lineman who can play multiple positions. For the first time in several years the Griffins have a reliable group of linemen that can control the line of scrimmage.

"Goals are always attainable but sometimes they are more possible in certain years," Griffins head coach Dan Duddy said. "This one's on us."

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Connor Hanson, Sr., QB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Kevin Ortiz, Sr., RB/DB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : September 21 at Barnegat.

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Senior Grant Klimek returns as the starting fullback in the Griffins' Navy option, and he'll be joined in the backfield by seniors Connor Hanifin and Kevin Ortiz as slot backs. Working in at quarterback so far in training camp has been senior Connor Hanson and junior Vincent Grasso. The wide receivers are juniors Ray Gant and Dante Pagano.

Defensively the Griffins will run a 4-3 scheme where they return all four linemen and their middle linebacker. Senior Steven Kenny and Azzolini are the defensive tackles with Dimaria and Ullman as the ends. Henson is also in the rotation but with depth at the position he can be conserved primarily for offense. Senior Francis Duddy is the middle linebacker and will be flanked

by Farrell and Ben Alexander.

Three of four starters return in the secondary. Grasso and Hanson are the cornerbacks while Klimek returns as the safety. Ortiz joins the group as a starting safety opposite Klimek.

Coming off a season where they went 6-4 and returned to "We're looking really good, the playoffs for the first time we're fast, and our line is a lot since 2004, the Griffins are bigger with returners," Klimek looking to continue the steady said. "We're senior-dominated rise they've enjoyed since and ready to go this year."

Duddy took over the program in 2006. Early in Duddy's Klimek will also serve as the Senior University of Virginia recruit Brad Henson tenure Monsignor Donovan kicker and punter. sprinted to the top of the The Griffins aren't the conference's rushing rankings "Sometimes you have maybe one guy that favorite in B South, but they certainly have with explosive players like Kevin Carter. can really put the team on his back but we to be accounted for and can be a threat to The Griffins still aim to be a top rushing feel we have a position group of very mature take the title if everything breaks right. offense, but this year, in a welcome change, guys that work hard and are the foundation, What pleases Duddy the most is that the they'll do so on the back of their offensive and that's our linemen on both sides of the team no is longer satisfied with simply line. ball," Duddy said. "We put the culture of the being over .500. They crave more. program on their backs this year and the Senior Brad Henson, a second-team allattitude of the team day-to-day on their "Two years ago when we were 6-4 our conference player as a junior, University of backs." team left relieved and satisfied," Duddy Virginia recruit and the Shore's top returning said. "Last year we left the season feeling offensive lineman, anchors a unit that has "I've been starting for four years and I we left four games out there, and that's a size and experience across the board. take a lot of pride in our offensive line," great way for them to look at it. That's the Henson played center last year to stabilize Henson said. "We have to make sure we get attitude we need." the line but will now move to right guard. the job done up front."

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS R ANDOM FACT: Monsignor Donovan, which qualified for the playoffs in 2011, hasn't reached the postseason in consecutive years since 1999-2000.

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@ Monmouth Pinelands @ Central @ Asbury Park @ Msgr. Donovan Manchester Twp. Barnegat Jackson Liberty @ Lakewood

Head Coach: Sean Henry, 3 rd season Career Record: 9-6

Assistant Coaches: Mike McArthur (Def. Coord./RB/LB), Dave Johnson (WR/DB/ST), Ryan Canary (OL/DL), Kevin Hynes (OL/DL), Rusty Miller (OL/DL), Mike Hurden (DL), Matt Cilento (QB/DB); Pat Brady, Dave Drew (Freshman), Tim Spenard (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 6-4 (2-3)

C HRIS O LIPHANT (S R ., QB/DB) RYAN P ROUT (S R ., RB/DL) K URT VAN B ENSCHOTEN (S R ., OL/LB) K YLE M C G ARRY (S R ., WR/DB)

R ANDOM FACT: Point Boro returned to the playoffs last season after missing the postseason for two straight years.

The Panthers have made the playoffs six of the last eight seasons.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Chris Oliphant, Sr., QB. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Dan Nobbs, So., RB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Oct. 19 at home vs. Barnegat

Volume-IV

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

B

The Panthers finished 6-4 and made the playoffs in South Jersey Group II, and averaged nearly 30 points per game in their flexbone offense. But at key moments their passing game went dry.

On the other side of the ball the Panthers would play stout defense for 80 percent of a game only to have a few big plays turn the tide against them. Changing those trends has been one of the biggest priorities for third-year head coach Sean Henry and his staff.

surgery due to a wrist injury suffered early in the summer. The decision was made to move him to the offensive line, which was where he played during the youth levels until the position outgrew him.

"In three or four games (the cast) should be

With a handful of returning starters on both sides of the ball the Panthers believe they are in position for an improvement that could catapult them into the division title race in the newlook Class B South and also further in the playoffs.

"So far it's been a seamless transition for him," Henry said. "He's a bright kid who's athletic, and he has that leadership ability.

Losing John hurts, but it's next man up and Chris has done everything to show he's ready for that challenge."

"Last year they were giving me a lot of reps and freshman year and before that I played quarterback," Oliphant said. "They've been grooming me so I"m ready for my chance."

Sophomore Jack Fitzsimmons is the backup quarterback.

Senior Ryan Prout, a bulldozing type runner, will start at fullback with junior Kevin Kelly also seeing time. The slot backs are seniors Ryan Connelly and Joe Fitzsimmons with senior Chris Falconetti and sophomore Dan Nobbs also in the mix. The offensive line returns three starters in senior left tackle Brian Cuthbert, junior right guard Matt Gliddon and senior right tackle Pat McGann. Senior Matt Hornish is the left guard and the center is senior Kurt Van Benschoten. A starting slot back last season, Van Benschoten required

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"We run the ball a lot and it opens up a chance to throw the ball," McGarry said. "Me and Oliphant have been working a lot in the offseason because we know one big play can change a game."

Joining McGarry at wide receiver are senior Andre Taylor, a newcomer from the basketball team, and senior Brian Lynch.

In 2011 the Panthers allowed close to 23 points a game, a number they know needs to significantly drop for them to achieve their goals. The big plays certainly hurt, and tended to undermine a great game by their offense. That was the case in a 35-31 playoff loss to Barnegat where the Bengals came from behind with a handful of big pass plays late in the game.

Point Boro's 4-3 defense starts with a defensive line that returns three of four starters. McGann is one of the defensive tackles while Prout and Cuthbert will line up at defensive end.

Prout was a Class C Central AllDivision defensive lineman as a junior.

Stepping into a starting role at the other defensive tackle spot is senior Ethan Schwartz. Junior Frank Liantonio will also see time at tackle. Van Benschoten returns for his third year as the team's middle linebacker. He'll be flanked by a group that includes junior Kevin Kelly, junior Tom Forsberg and Hornish.

"All year we would bend but not break and then all of the sudden we'd give up a huge play," Henry said. "Late last year we would go games where we struggled to complete a pass. That's an element we need to get back in our offense, that home run pass play."

Engineering Point Boro's flexbone option offense will be senior Chris Oliphant, who started in the secondary as a junior and also played offensively as a slot back. Oliphant replaces John Dunbar, who was a dynamic threat for the Panthers during his three years at the varsity level. Oliphant brings similar traits to the table as player who can beat a defense with his arm and his legs.

Issue-15

element of the home run play."

Plugging the Holes ig plays, whether allowing them on defense or failing to produce them on offense, impacted Point Boro's 2011 season in a major way.

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Senior quarterback Chris Oliphant off but because of it I couldn't carry the ball so I switched positions," Van Benschoten said.

"Throughout Pop Warner I played center but once I was undersized I moved to running back. It's a big change, but I feel comfortable there."

"In the year and a half I've been the head coach he's been our glue," Henry said of Van Benschoten. "As a sophomore he led the defense as our middle linebacker. He's the general, and it's nice having him at center because now he's the anchor on both sides of the ball. I always look to him to be our leader and he's done that in every way possible."

With a veteran offensive line blocking for Oliphant, Prout and company, Point Boro's run game should certainly be able to impose its will against most opponents. The key to making the offense truly dangerous will be getting the ball down the field to its wide receivers, namely senior Kyle McGarry. A three-year starter, McGarry has continued the Point Boro tradition of having tall, playmaking wide receivers to complement its rushing attack. Last season McGarry didn't get enough chances, and that's something that needs to change.

"We need the element he brings," Henry said. "Kyle is a kid that's going to take the top off a defense. We want to get back to that

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The secondary has experience, as well, with Oliphant and McGarry returning as safeties. Falconetti will also see time at safety. The cornerbacks are Connelly and senior Joe Fitzsimmons with junior Brendan O'Hara also in the rotation.

"We definitely have to stay away from giving up the big plays, even on special teams," Prout said. "That has hurt us a lot the last couple years."

"When we get into the fourth quarter and the other teams is throwing the ball we can't get beat," McGarry said. "We have to bear down and do the job late in the games."

"We need to make teams earn their points," Henry said. "If we do that I think you'll see a drastic change from our defense."

The Panthers once again return one of the top kickers in the Shore Conference in senior Brett Blank. He'll handle all the kicking duties as well as serving as the punter.

With the elimination of the Class C Central division, Point Boro moves into B South with Barnegat, Jackson Liberty, Monsignor Donovan, Central Regional, Manchester, Lakewood and Pinelands.

"I think it's a division with a lot of parity," Henry said. "There is no clear cut favorite, in my opinion. Our goal is to compete and put ourselves in position to win a championship. I think, with our kids, if we stay healthy we should be in the picture."

W W W. A L L S H O R E M E D I A . C O M

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09-08-12 09-15-12 09-21-12 09-29-12 10-12-12 10-20-12 10-26-12 11-03-12 11-22-12

@ Freehold Boro Msgr. Donovan @ Pinelands Manchester Twp. @ Jackson Liberty Central @ Barnegat Pt. Pleasant Boro @ Toms River South

L.J. Clark, 2nd season

Head Coach:

Career Record: 2-8

Assistant Coaches: Jamil Jackson (def. coord.); Kevin Friedman (DL/OL); Steve Schultz (OL); Keith Killea (WR/OLB); Al LaMura (QB/DB); Louis Peccilo, Tim Brown (freshman); Pat Halpin (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 2-8 (1-4)

T YRICE B EVERETTE (S R ., QB/DB) H ERBIE W HITE (S R ., LB) T YRON W IMBERLY (S R ., WR/RB/DB) S OLOMON C OBBS (J R ., LB)

R ANDOM FACT: New defensive coordinator Jamil Jackson is a former standout at Rutgers and Elizabeth High School.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Mike Randolph, Jr., WR. I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Datrell Reed, So., LB..

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 15 at home vs. Monsignor Donovan

ASM / 61

coordinator Jamil Jackson.

Another Step Forward

By Scott Stump - Managing Editor

akewood may have only had two wins last season, but the ongoing growth of its program after years in the abyss continues to be evidenced by more and more rising talent and increased participation numbers.

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Leading the way is senior Tyrice Beverette, a four-year starter at quarterback and ASM first-team All-Shore selection who threw for 1,579 yards and 10 touchdowns and ran for 1,003 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. One of the most electrifying players in the Shore Conference, Beverette leads an offense with several promising skill players and a line that is a work in progress but has good size. He currently has offers from Bucknell, Monmouth University and Navy, and interest from several FCS and some FBS programs.

newcomers to mesh in front of all that skill position talent. Senior Ari Aguilar will be at center, senior Rhyshawn Conover is at one guard spot, and 6-foot-3, 290-pound freshman Darius Moore will be at the other guard spot. Sophomores Keyshawn Conover and Henry Moore are competing for one of the tackle spots. Lakewood also recruited junior Ben Watson, who is 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, off the basketball team to play tackle. He played football at Jackson Liberty

"We're not going to settle for the losses we had last year,'' Beverette said. "We're going to push our team and surprise some people.''

The Piners averaged 19 points per game last season while competing in the now-defunct Class C Central, and they make the move to Class B South under the latest Shore Conference realignment. With Beverette running the show in their shotgun spread offense, the Piners have added two new weapons to go along with some solid returners.

Sophomore tailback Chapelle Cook, who is 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, has transferred from Manchester, where he was slated to be a centerpiece of the Hawks' offense. He gives the Piners another running threat in addition to Beverette. Senior Tyron Wimberly will also run the ball when he is not lined up at receiver, and the same goes for junior Mike Randolph.

Senior Anthony Cook, Chapelle's older brother, also transferred from Manchester after starting for the Hawks last year. He is another explosive wideout in addition to returning starter Marquise Oliver, a senior.

"(The Cook brothers) fit in well,'' Beverette said. "They've been making plays for us all during the preseason.''

The main concern right now for the Piners is getting an offensive line filled with

"Last year at times we got weak, and our defense faltered,'' Clark said. "It was 100 percent better than the year before, but we still need to improve. Coach Jackson has been a great addition and is helping to bring real intense, physical defense to stop the run.''

Watson and sophomore Devin Delaney give Lakewood some size at noseguard.

Junior Maurice Diowara, who is 6-3 and 235 pounds, is another recruit off the basketball team and will play defensive end opposite returning starter Isaiah Nicholson, a senior.

Senior Herbie White is a four-year varsity player who returns as a starter at inside linebacker, with Chapelle Cook manning the other inside linebacker spot. Junior Solomon Cobbs was a starter at outside linebacker last year before suffering a season-ending broken ankle. Perhaps the next major recruit to come out of Lakewood will be sophomore Datrell Reed, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound tackling machine who Clark likened to former Lakewood star Tommy Carroll, who went on to play defensive end at the University of Miami.

"We've got to get our offensive line to work harder and come together, but defensively, we're looking much better,'' White said.

"We want to get to a championship game this year.''

Senior quarterback Tyrice Beverette his freshman year and didn't play last year because he transferred to Lakewood in November.

"A lot of kids are buying in,'' said head coach L.J. Clark. "Coach Randy Holmes and Gene Drumright pushed baseball and basketball kids to come out. When you look at the recipe - Asbury and Neptune have had state championships in football and basketball using the same athletes. It goes hand in hand.''

Beverette will handle the punting, and senior Tyshawn Hamilton is the placekicker.

Last season, Lakewood was often undone by a porous run defense in allowing 25 points per game. It allowed opponents to drain the clock and keep the ball out of the hands of Beverette. In the preseason, that area looks to be much improved in the Piners' 3-4 scheme under new defensive

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Wimberley is a returning starter at cornerback, and senior Alex Martinez will be at the other cornerback spot. Junior Brandon Tinnery is at safety along with Beverette, who will anchor the defense after making 103 tackles and intercepting four passes as a junior.

The Piners have won a combined five games over the last two seasons after going 5-65 from 2003-2009, and they look to continue that upward trajectory after so many lean years at one of the Shore Conference's oldest programs. Their improvement can be seen just by their depth, as they only expect to play about four or five players both ways, which is a far cry from a few years ago when it was all hands on deck.

"They're just tired of the losing,'' Clark said. "The work ethic is different. It was just a couple years ago that we had 15 kids show up for practice. We have 50-plus kids on the team now. This is actually a program.''

W W W. A L L S H O R E M E D I A . C O M

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62 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-07-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-21-12

Wall @ Central @ Manchester Twp. Barnegat Lakewood Pinelands @ Pt. Pleasant Boro @ Msgr. Donovan Jackson

Head Coach: Tim Osborn, 6th Season

Career Record: 17-33

Assistant Coaches: Jim Sharples (def. coord.); Anthony Myers (off. coord./WR); Paul Zambito (QB); Frank Giannetti (DL); Ryan Hesnan (LB); Arin West (DB); Greg Elias (LB); Tristin Collins, Chris Pagliaro (freshman); Scott Royer (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 4-6 (1-4)

B OB D AVIES (S R ., QB) J EREMY S OUSA (S R ., TE/LB) C HRIS C RUZ (S R ., OL/DL) C OREY F OLTZER (S R ., OL/DL)

R ANDOM FACT: New assistant Arin West is a former Toms River North star who was a two-time, first-team All-Big South Conference safety at Stony Brook.

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Ahmed Foster, Sr., RB.

I MPA C T N E W CO M E R : Don Regina, So., RB/LB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : Sept. 28 at home vs. Barnegat

Volume-IV

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Issue-15

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9/6/12

Back to Basics

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

fter going with more of a spread formation on offense last season, Jackson Liberty head coach Tim Osborn took a look at this year's personnel and decided to get back to basics.

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With seemingly everyone else going to the spread, the Lions are returning to the pro-I offense with the quarterback under center and the goal of lining up and pounding teams with the running game to set up play-action. The Lions quietly had one of the best offenses in the Shore Conference at 29.5 points per game last year, but with the graduation of 1,000yard rusher Justin Billups at tailback, the returning personnel is more suited to a power approach.

season before being replaced by Tyler Wright when Wright came back from injury.

"The reality is, I got benched,'' Davies said. "If they thought I was the best player, I would've been out on the field. Every time you want to take a rep off or not work hard, that keeps pushing you in the back of your mind. Those games I started last year were absolutely invaluable, but the biggest thing I took from last year is motivation.''

"I think we have a good offensive line and two big backs,'' Osborn said. "I'm hoping that we can run the ball well. We have a backfield like I used to have (as an offensive coordinator) at Brick and Toms River North where we could really pound people.''

"I don't think there's much adjustment,'' said senior quarterback Bob Davies. "We're going back to our roots, trying to do what we've done here for most of my tenure. This year we wanted to get down to more of a traditional ground and pound and winning with defense, and we've been doing a great job so far.''

Senior Ahmed Foster, junior Bruce Almodovar and sophomore Don Regina will comprise the three-man group at tailback and fullback. Foster and Almodovar are more punishing runners who can alternate between the two spots, while Regina is quicker with good vision. Davies returns at quarterback after starting a handful of games last

FOR EXTENDED TEAM PREVIEWS

"Davies can throw, he's very smart, and he's good at quick throws to keep people honest,'' Osborn said.

He will be working with a new group of wideouts this season, which will include senior Mike Casado, who started on defense last year, and sophomore Matt Castronuova, who started in the secondary as a freshman.

Junior Dan Niblack and senior Jeremy Sousa, a returning starter at tight end, are two other targets.

"This year we have some bigger guys who can go up and get it downfield, so that

will add a different aspect to our offense,'' Davies said.

The right side of the offensive line looks to be a strength with senior Chris Cruz returning at right guard and senior Corey Foltzer back at right tackle. Senior Cory Smith will start at center, with senior Ryan Cullen at left guard. Juniors Mike McKenzie and Greg Basilotto are vying for the left tackle spot. Senior Mike Ostrowski returns as the starting placekicker and punter.

The Lions gave up 24 points per game on defense last season in their first year of running the 3-3-5 stack. They lost one of the Shore Conference's top defensive linemen, 310-pound Remy Martin, to graduation, so they have to fill that void up front.

McKenzie will be at noseguard, with Foltzer and Cruz at defensive end. Sousa is a returning starter at inside linebacker and one of the anchors of the defense.

Almodovar and senior Justin Goodman are the other inside linebackers.

Foster and Regina will play the hybrid safety/outside linebacker spots, and Casado and senior James Connell will be the cornerbacks. Castronuova is a returning starter at safety.

"We need to get better on defense,'' Osborn said. "We tackled poorly, and we've got to be better mentally. We've got no place to go but up.''

Now in their sixth season as a varsity program, the Lions are still searching for their first state playoff berth. They will try to make headway in Class B South after being realigned from the now-disbanded Class C Central division.

"This is Year Six,'' Osborn said. "We have no more excuses about being new. We've had our chances the last two years. We've found ways to lose at the end, so we've got to find a way to win those big games.''

"(The playoffs) is something that has been in the back of everybody's mind,'' Davies said. "But right now, the season opener against Wall is in the forefront.''

Senior LB/TE Jeremy Sousa

GO TO

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ASM / 63

64 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

09-07-12 09-14-12 09-21-12 09-28-12 10-12-12 10-19-12 10-26-12 11-02-12 11-22-12

@ Holmdel Manchester Twp. Msgr. Donovan @ Jackson Liberty @ Central @ Pt. Pleasant Boro Lakewood Red Bank @ Pinelands

Head Coach: Rob Davis, 7th Season

Career Record: 30-32

Assistant Coaches: Kevin Smith (Def. coord/DB); Dave Smith (WR/DB/special teams); Mike Burke (RB/LB); Mike Leone (OL); Greg Oravets (DL); Chris Clerico (TE); Wayne Jackson (DL); Paul Covine, Jared Burke, Andrew Villiez, Bob Fitzpatrick, Erik Smithman (freshman); Wayne Wedderman (athletic trainer).

2011 Record: 7-4 (4-1)

PAT M ORAN (S R ., WR/DB) Z ACH A NDREWS (J R ., OL/DL) M ATT L AUER (S R ., OL/DL) C HRIS S TOMA (S R ., LB)

RANDOM FACT: Barnegat won its first division title in program history last season and is aiming for its third straight trip to the playoffs.

BIG SH OES TO FILL : Greg Moran, Jr., OL/LB.

I M PA C T N E W C O M E R : Cinjun Erskine, So., QB.

PI V O TAL G AM E : October 19 at Point Boro.

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Volume-IV

/

Issue-15

/

9/6/12

Quality Reinforcements

By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer

aving quality skill players is nothing new for Barnegat. It's been that way since the program's first season in 2006 and it won't be any different this year.

The one inconsistent element has been the offensive and defensive lines. It has been either an experienced, yet undersized, group or a sizable but green unit. In 2012, for the first time ever, the Bengals finally have both.

"In the past we had to move some skill kids to the line, that's how thin we were," said Barnegat head coach Rob Davis. "This year we have some depth and good kids that want to be linemen.

We'll lean on them a lot."

Three returning starters highlight the offensive line, starting with 6-foot-3, 305-pound junior left tackle Zach Andrews. At left guard is 6-foot-2, 280-pound senior Matt Lauer and at right guard is junior Greg Moran. Junior Tom Kampo is the new center and senior Nick Anderson, a threeyear starter, is the right tackle. Sophomore Xavier Young is the tight end but can also play on the line. The biggest addition - literally - is Holy Spirit transfer Sam Madden. A massive human being, Madden is 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds. He won't be available until week five due to NJSIAA transfer rules, but once he does get back, the Bengals will have a big and experienced line.

"We've had scrimmages where we've been getting a really big push," said senior Pat Moran.

"It helps with our option reads, helps the running backs on their cut backs and gives the quarterbacks more time to read the defense."

"When I'm in the backfield I'm not worried about if a blitz is coming," said sophomore quarterback Cinjun Erskine. "I'm comfortable back there with those guys in front of me."

With quarterback Mark McCoy having graduated, Barnegat was going to have to move Moran to quarterback, taking away their top receiver. That was until Erskine, along with Madden, transferred to Barnegat from Holy Spirit. Erskine certainly has star potential and was nearly Holy Spirit's starter last year as a freshman before injuring his hand. He's 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, has a big arm and has a high football IQ. He also has to sit out 30 days and Moran will play quarterback until then. When Erskine returns in Week Five he'll provide a major lift.

"He has a cannon, good mechanics and he's a student of the game," Moran said. "He has so much potential."

"I just can't wait to play," Erskine said. "Even nine, 10 plays in a scrimmage, I'm just happy to be out there."

Erskine will be at the helm of the Bengals' spread offense when he returns and Moran will move back to wide receiver. Sophomore Ricky Gerena may also see time at quarterback during Erskine's absence.

"Anything I can do to help," said Moran of

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W W W. A L L S H O R E M E D I A . C O M

switching to quarterback. "I played quarterback before I was a receiver and every year I get reps as a backup, so it's nothing new."

"Moran may be the biggest playmaker we've had in our seven years," Davis said.

"He didn't come off the field as a Sophomore Quarterback Cinjun Erskine sophomore. He's a great, tough kid that thrives on competition." starters. Senior Ed Santiago is one of the starting The other wideouts are 6-foot-3 senior Matt cornerbacks and will be joined by either Ulrich Knierim, junior Ryan Ulrich and sophomore or Knierim. Moran returns as a starting safety Kenny Bass. Sophomore Tyler Podinker is with sophomore Mike Christensen and junior working in as the H-back in certain sets, as well.

Vinnie DeGirolamo in the mix for the other spot.

The running backs are juniors A.J. Opre and Mark Magoon.

The kicker will be Moran, a second-team allconference selection last season, or sophomore "With our line now we can open things up and Zach Flaherty. The punter will be Erskine, who keep teams guessing," Moran said. "We just was Holy Spirit's punter last season. have so many options and are so balanced this year."

The ingredients are certainly there for Barnegat will run a 4-3 defense with five Barnegat to defend its Class B South division returning starters. Senior Matt Frigon returns at title and advance deeper into the playoffs. The defensive tackle along with a rotation between Bengals have reached the South Jersey Group II Andrews and Lauer at the other spot. The semifinals each of the past two seasons. defensive ends are Anderson and senior Kieran Stewart. The middle linebacker is Greg Moran, "We're young but we have talent," Moran said. who started last year at nose guard, while the "We just have to guide them the right way. If we outside linebackers are Magoon and senior Chris can do that we'll win B South again."

Stoma. All three linebackers are returning

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ASM / 65

2012 Week By Week Shore Conference Football Schedule FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

SJ Vianney at Msgr. Donovan, Southern at Freehold Twp., Brick at Brick Mem., Manalapan at Jackson Mem., Central at TR South, Lacey at Pinelands, Raritan at Neptune, Barnegat at Holmdel, Shore at Rumson-FH, Wall at Jackson Liberty, Ocean at Manchester, Matawan at Bishop Ahr, Cardinal McCarrick at Point Beach,

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

Keyport at Asbury Park, Keansburg at Mater Dei Prep, Long Branch at Manasquan, TR East at Colts Neck, J.P. Stevens at Marlboro, RB Catholic at Red Bank, Point Boro at Monmouth, Lakewood at Freehold, Howell at TR North,

F R I D A Y , S E P T . 14

Marlboro at Howell, TR South at Southern, Brick Mem. at Midd. North, Jackson Mem. at TR East, Midd. South at Brick, Freehold Twp. at Manalapan, Colts Neck at North Brunswick, Carteret at Raritan, Manasquan at RB Catholic, Rumson-FH at SJ Vianney, Holmdel at Middlesex, Jackson Liberty at Central, Pinelands at Point Boro, Manchester at Barnegat, Freehold at Matawan, Red Bank at Wall, Asbury Park at Shore, Point Beach at Dunellen, Mater Dei Prep at Cardinal McCarrick,

S A T U R D A Y , S E P T . 15

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F R I D A Y , S E P T . 21

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TR North at Southern, Brick Mem. at Jackson Mem., Lacey at TR East, Howell at Midd. South, Manalapan at Midd. North, SJ Vianney at RB Catholic, Holmdel at Rumson-FH, Point Boro at Central, Jackson Liberty at Manchester, Lakewood at Pinelands, Msgr. Donovan at Barnegat, Matawan at Ocean, Spotswood at Point Beach, Mater Dei Prep at Dunellen,

S A T U R D A Y , S E P T . 22

Cardinal McCarrick at Keyport, Marlboro at Colts Neck, Raritan at Manasquan, Wall at Freehold, Long Branch at Neptune, Shore at Metuchen, Keansburg at South River, Brick at TR South,

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F R I D A Y , S E P T . 28

Jackson Mem. at TR North, Southern at Brick, TR East at Brick Mem., Manalapan at Midd. South, RB Catholic at Raritan, Monmouth at Holmdel, Manasquan at SJ Vianney, Rumson-FH at Red Bank, Central at Pinelands, Barnegat at Jackson Liberty, Long Branch at Wall, Neptune at Matawan, JFK-Iselin at Ocean, South River at Shore,

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S A T U R D A Y , S E P T . 29

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Point Boro at Asbury Park, Middlesex at Keyport, Point Beach at Mater Dei Prep, TR South at Lacey, Freehold Twp. at Marlboro, Midd. North at Colts Neck, Manchester at Lakewood, Dunellen at Keansburg,

FRIDAY, OCT. 5

Pinelands at Long Branch, Sayreville at Freehold Twp., Point Boro at Msgr. Donovan, Neptune at Brick Mem., Howell at TR East, Brick at Wall, Midd. North at Old Bridge, Manasquan at Midd. South, Freehold at RB Catholic, Shore at Holmdel, Keansburg at Highland Park,

SATURDAY, OCT. 6

Asbury Park at Point Beach, Ocean at Red Bank, Raritan at Monmouth, Manchester at Lacey, Keyport at Mater Dei Prep,

F R I D A Y , O C T . 12

Brick Mem. at TR North, TR South at Jackson Mem., TR East at Brick, St. Joseph-Metuchen at Howell, Freehold Twp. at Midd. South, East Brunswick at Manalapan, Marlboro at Midd. North, Colts Neck at SJ Vianney, Raritan at Rumson-FH, RB Catholic at Holmdel, Barnegat at Central, Lakewood at Jackson Liberty, Msgr. Donovan at Pinelands, Manchester at Point Boro, Keansburg at Point Beach,

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S A T U R D A Y , O C T . 13

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F R I D A Y , O C T . 19

Ocean at Long Branch, Freehold Twp. at Howell, TR North at Brick, Southern at Brick Mem., TR South at TR East, South Brunswick at Midd. North, Colonia at Raritan, Manasquan at Holmdel, Msgr. Donovan at Rumson-FH, Pinelands at Jackson Liberty, Barnegat at Point Boro, Mater Dei Prep at Shore, Point Beach at Highland Park,

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S A T U R D A Y , O C T . 20

Matawan at Red Bank, Asbury Park at Metuchen, Jackson Mem. at Lacey, Manalapan at Colts Neck, Midd. South at Marlboro, Central at Lakewood, Keyport at Keansburg, SJ Vianney at Monmouth, Freehold at Neptune,

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F R I D A Y , O C T . 26

Matawan at Long Branch, Midd. North at Howell, Colts Neck at Freehold Twp., Central at Msgr. Donovan, TR North at Manalapan, Southern at Jackson Mem., Brick Mem. at TR South, RB Catholic at Midd. South, Lacey at Brick, Holmdel at SJ Vianney, Jackson Liberty at Point Boro, Lakewood at Barnegat, Pinelands at Manchester, Keansburg at Shore,

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FRIDAY, NOV. 2

Midd. North at Freehold Twp., Jackson Liberty at Msgr. Donovan, TR North at TR South, TR East at Southern, Lacey at Brick Mem., Brick at Jackson Mem., Howell at Manalapan, Marlboro at Edison, SJ Vianney at Raritan, Monmouth at RB Catholic, Manchester at Central, Red Bank at Barnegat, Freehold at Ocean, Wall at Neptune, New Brunswick at Matawan,

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Rumson-FH at Manasquan, Midd. South at Colts Neck, Mater Dei Prep at Spotswood, Point Boro at Lakewood, Shore at Keyport, Asbury Park at Keansburg,

F R I D A Y , N O V . 16

Msgr. Donovan at Manchester,

W E D N E S D A Y , N O V . 21

Freehold at Freehold Twp., Manalapan at Marlboro, Matawan at SJ Vianney, Jackson Mem. at Jackson Liberty, Colts Neck at Howell, RB Catholic at Rumson-FH,

T H U R S D A Y , N O V . 22

Holmdel at Raritan, Barnegat at Pinelands, Red Bank at Long Branch, Asbury Park at Neptune, Monmouth at Ocean, Midd. South at Midd. North, Shore at Point Beach, Southern at Central, TR East at TR North, Lakewood at TR South, Wall at Manasquan,

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Volume-IV

Field Address: 180 Bengal Boulevard, Barnegat Directions: From the north - Parkway to exit 67

(Barnegat). Make a left at the end of the exit ramp onto Bay Avenue. At second light make a left onto Barnegat Boulevard North. Go approximately one mile and make a left onto Bengal Boulevard. School is on the left. From the SouthParkway to Exit 63. Follow route 72 east to route 9 north.

Make a left onto Bay Avenue. Make a right onto Barnegat Boulevard North and follow above direction.

Brick

Field Address: 346 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick Directions: From north - Parkway exit 91. Stay right off

exit. Go straight at light, follow to Route 88. Cross Route 88, go under Parkway overpass and school is just ahead on right.

From south- Parkway exit 90. School is short distance on right from off-ramp.

Brick Memorial

Field Address: 2001 Lanes Mill Road, Brick Directions: From South - Parkway exit 90. Ramp will put

you on Chambers Bridge Road. Take first jughandle U-turn and go west on Chambers Bridge Road. Cross Route 88 and follow to second light, where there is a convenience store on the left and a gas station on the right. The right and go over the Parkway. Pass the 7-Eleven and take the jughandle left turn for Lanes Mill Road. Go straight across, bear right just pass Lanes Mill Elementary School. High school is on right.

From north - Parkway exit 91. Bear left after the toll. Follow jughandle around, turn right at light at gas station. Follow directions above after going over the Parkway.

Central Regional

Field Address: Forest Hills Parkway, Berkeley Directions: From north - Parkway exit 77. Turn left off

exit onto Double Trouble Road, follow it to traffic light.

Turn left on Forest Hills Parkway. School is just ahead on right. Parking entrance is at far end of school or at middle school lot. From south - Parkway exit 77. Turn right on Forest Hills Parkway. School is just ahead on right. Parking entrance is at far end of school or at middle school lot.

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9/6/12

Jackson Liberty

Pinelands Regional

Road in Toms River. Make a left onto Cox Cro and follow about two miles to 527 (Whitesville Road). Make a left onto 527 and follow for about 4-5 miles. Make a right onto South Hope Chapel Road/CR-547. School is just ahead on the left.

From north - Parkway exit 98. Take I-195 west to Exit 21.

Bear left and turn onto Route 527 South. Follow for 6-7 miles and turn right onto South Hope Chapel Road (just after 527 becomes 528 at Whitesville Road). School is about a half mile on the right.

about three miles. Turn right on Nugentown Road. School is three miles on the right.

F ield Address: 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson Directions: From south- Route 9 north to Cox Cro Road

Barnegat

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Jackson Memorial

F ield Address: Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson Directions: From south - Route 9 north to Route 571. Go

about 10-12 miles west to Route 528 intersection. Turn right on Route 528. Continue on Don Connor Boulevard and make a right. School is a quarter mile on the left. From north Parkway exit 98. Take I-195 west to exit 21. Bear left and turn onto Route 527 South. At second light turn right onto Route 528. Continue to Don Connor Boulevard and make a left.

Follow directions above.

Lacey

F ield Address: Haines Street, Lacey Directions: Parkway Exit 74. Turn right on Lacey

Field Address: Nugentown Road, Little Egg Harbor Directions: Parkway Exit 58. Take Route 539 east

Point Pleasant Beach

Field Address: St. Louis and Chicago Avenues, Pt. Pleasant Beach Directions: From north - Route 35 south. After crossing Manasquan River, follow signs for Broadway/Beach and make U-turn onto route 35 North. Make a quick right onto Broadway. Make a right onto St. Louis Avenue and follow until you see the field. From south - Route 35 north. Make a right onto Broadway and continue with above listed directions.

Point Pleasant Boro

Field Address: Laura Herbert Drive, Point Pleasant Directions: From north - Parkway Exit 91. Stay left off

exit and take jughandle around to light at gas station. Turn right and follow Burnt Tavern Road to Route 70. Turn left on Route 70 and at next intersection turn right onto Herbertsville Road. Stay on Herbertsville Road to intersection with Route 88. Go straight through light to school less than a mile on the right. From south - Route 88 east to Beaver Dam Road and make a right. School entrance is ahead on right.

Road. Follow less than two miles, take jughandle left turn for Manchester Avenue. Go to the first light, turn right on Haines Street. School is on the right.

Southern Regional

Lakewood

two miles and bear right onto Route 9 north. Take Route 9 about three miles and school is on the left.

F ield Address: 855 Somerset Ave, Lakewood Directions: From south - Parkway exit 90. Take

immediate jughandle U-turn to go west on Chambers Bridge Road. Turn left onto Route 88, follow to New Hampshire Avenue and turn right. Take New Hampshire to end, turn left onto Ridge. Go about 1 ½ miles to school on right. From north - Parkway exit 91. Stay right off exit. Go straight at light, follow road to Route 88 intersection. Turn right on Route 88 and follow rest of directions above.

Manchester

F ield Address: 101 Colonial Drive, Manchester Directions: Parkway to Exit 82A. Take Route 37 west

about five miles to jughandle for Colonial Drive. Cross 37 and follow back to school parking lot.

Monsignor Donovan

F ield Address: 711 Hooper Avenue, Toms River Directions: Parkway to Exit 82. Take Route 37 east and

turn right on Hooper Avenue. Go south on Hooper about a half mile and turn left at the first light. School is on the right.

Field Address: 600 North Main St. (Route 9), Stafford Directions: Parkway exit 63. Take Route 72 east about

Toms River East

Field Address: Raider Way, Toms River Directions: Parkway Exit 82, Take Route 37 east to

Coolidge Avenue jughandle. Go north on Coolidge one mile to Raider Way. Turn left, school entrance is on the left.

Toms River North

Field Address: Old Freehold Road, Toms River Directions: Parkway Exit 82. Take Route 37 East. At

first light take a jughandle left onto Route 166 north. Bear right at next traffic light onto Old Freehold Road. School is about three miles ahead on right.

Toms River South

Field Address: 101 Hyers Street, Toms River Directions: Parkway exit 82. Take Route 37 east. Turn

right onto Hooper Avenue. The field is a half mile down on the right behind the Ocean County Courthouse.

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Long Branch

Field Address: Indiana Avenue, Long Branch Directions: Parkway exit 105. Take Route 36 east, bear onto route 71 past Monmouth University and turn left on Westwood Avenue. Make a right onto Bath Avenue and then a right onto Indiana Avenue. School is ahead on right.

Manalapan

Asbury Park

Field Address: 1003 Sunset Avenue, Asbury Park Directions: From south - Parkway exit 100A. Take Route 66 east to traffic circle. Follow Route 35 north to Sunset Avenue.

Turn right; school is about two miles on left. From north Parkway exit 102 to Asbury Avenue east. Asbury Avenue runs into Route 66 and then same as above.

Colts Neck

Field Address: 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck Directions: Route 34 to Route 537 west toward Freehold.

School is two to three miles ahead on the left.

Freehold Boro

Field Address: 2 Robertsville Road, Freehold Directions: Take Route 18 to Route 79 south. Turn left onto Robertsville Road. Filed is one block ahead on left.

Freehold Township

Field Address: 281 Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township Directions: Take Route 9 to Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524). Go west on Route 524. School is one mile ahead on left.

Howell

Field Address: 405 Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell Directions: Route I-195 west to Lakewood-Farmingdale exit for Route 547 west (toward Farmingdale). Go about 200 yards to Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, turn left. School is about two miles on left.

Holmdel

Field Address: 36 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel Directions: Parkway exit 114. Go west on Red Hill Raod.

At first intersection, turn right onto Crawfords Corner Road.

School is one and a half miles ahead on the right.

Keansburg

Field Address: 140 Port Monmouth Road, Keansburg Directions: Parkway exit 114. Turn right off ramp onto Red Hill Road. At first light, turn left onto VanShoik Road.

VanSchoik becomes Laurel Avenue. Take Laurel across Route 35 to Route 36. Turn right on Route 36 and take to jughandle left turn for Main Street. At first light, turn right onto Port Monmouth Road. School is down on the right.

Keyport

Field Address: Jackson Street, Keyport Directions: Parkway exit 117. Take Route 35 south and bear left onto Route 36 south. Take jughandle left onto Atlantic Street. Turn right on Jackson Street and go two blocks. Field is at the end of the street.

Field Address: 30 Church Lane, Manalapan Directions: Route 9 to Route 522 west. Turn right on Tennent Road, then left on Church lane. School is a half mile on right.

Manasquan

Field Address: 159 Broad Street, Manasquan Directions: From north - Parkway exit 98. Take Route 34 south two miles to Manasquan/Sea Girt Exit. Go under Route 34 and follow Atlantic Avenue through circle. School is about one mile ahead on left. From south - Parkway exit 98. Take route 138 west to route 34 south, follow rest of above directions.

Marlboro

Field Address: 95 Route 79, Marlboro Directions: Route 18 north to Route 79 north. School is a few miles ahead on left.

Matawan

Field Address: 450 Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen Directions: Parkway exit 117. Bear left off exit (passing northbound tollbooths) and get in left lane of Route 35 south.

Turn left onto Route 35 north and follow sign back to the Parkway. Before toll booth, turn right on Clark Street. At light, turn left on Lloyd Road. At next light, turn right on Church Street. At next light, turn right on Atlantic. School is just ahead on the right.

Neptune

Field Address: Memorial Field, Summerfield School, Neptune Directions: From south - Parkway Exit 100. Take Route 33 east a few miles to Green Grove Road. Turn left onto Green Grove Road, school is just ahead on the left. From north Parkway exit 100B. Follow rest of directions from above.

Ocean Township

Field Address: 550 West Park Avenue, Ocean Township Directions: Route 35 to West Park Avenue. Go east on West Park Avenue, school is a half mile on the right.

Raritan

Field Address: 419 Middle Road, Hazlet Directions: From north - Parkway exit 114. Make a left off the exit onto Red Hill Road, which turns into Laurel Avenue.

Follow Laurel north across Route 35 to Middle Road. Turn left, school is on the right. From south - Parkway Exit 114.

Turn right onto Red Hill Road, which turns into Laurel Avenue. Follow Laurel north across Route 35 to Middle Road.

Turn left, school is on the right.

Red Bank Regional

Field Address: 101 Ridge Road, Little Silver Directions: Parkway exit 109. Take Newman Springs Road east to end to Route 35 (Broad Street), turn left. At the second light, turn right on Harding Road. School is one and a half miles on right.

Red Bank Catholic

Field Address: Count Basie Field, Henry Street, Red Bank Directions: Parkway exit 109. Take Newman Springs Road east to Henry Street - Red Bank Volvo is n the corner. Turn left, field entrance is just ahead on the left.

Rumson-Fair Haven

Field Address: 538 Church Street, Middletown Directions: Parkway exit 114. Turn right on Red Hill Road, follow to end. Turn left onto Kings Highway, and right on Harmony Road, Take Harmony Road across Route 35 and turn right on Cherry Tree Farm Road. School is one and a half miles ahead on left.

Field Address: 74 Ridge Road, Rumson Directions: Parkway exit 109. Take Newman Springs Road east to Route 35 (Broad Street), turn left. At the second light, turn right on Harding Road. After about three miles, Harding becomes Ridge Road. Pass Red Bank Regional High School and go about three more miles. Rumson-Fair Haven will be on the left.

Middletown North

St. John Vianney

Mater Dei

Field Address: 63 Tindall Road, Middletown Directions: Parkway exit 114. Turn right onto Red Hill Road and follow to end. Turn right onto Kings Highway. Make a right and follow to Route 35 south to the jughandle for Tindall Road. Take the jughandle and then make a right to Tindall Road. The school will be a half mile on right.

Middletown South

Field Address: 540 Road, Holmdel Directions: Parkway exit 117. Bear left off exit (passing northbound tollbooths) and get in left lane of Route 35 south.

Turn left onto Route 35 north and follow sign back to the parkway. Before tollbooth, turn right onto Clark Street. At light, turn left on Lloyd Road. At first light, turn left onto Church Street. At next light, turn right onto Line road. School is on left.

Field Address: 501 Nutswamp Road, Middletown Directions: Parkway exit 114. Go east on Red Hill Road to light for Dwight Road. Turn right on Dwight Road to Middletown-Lincroft Road. Cross Middletown-Lincroft Road to Nutswamp. School is a half mile on the right.

Field Address: Route 36 east, West long Branch Directions: Parkway exit 105. Take route 36 a few miles, cross route 71. School is just ahead on the right.

Monmouth Regional

Wall

Field Address: 1 Normal J. Field Way, Tinton Falls Directions: Parkway to exit 105. Take jughandle at first traffic light to Hope Road and go north to Tinton Avenue. Turn left on Tinton Avenue and go about half a mile to school entrance on the right, just before Parkway overpass.

Shore Regional

Field Address: 18th Avenue and New Bedford Road, Wall Directions: Parkway exit 98. Take Route 138 east about two miles to second light, turn right onto New Bedford Road.

Follow to school entrance on left.

68 / ASM 2012 Football Preview

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Volume-IV / Issue-15 / 9/6/12