July 17 2014 Volume-VI Issue-13
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The first thing fans, players, coaches & parents want to know after the big game is always,
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2014 FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Show your support for the Shore Conference football programs with an ad in our special 2014 Football Preview issue coming out 9/4/14. This special issue includes in-depth team previews, feature stories, top 10 rankings and directions to all the fields, making it the perfect keepsake. This issue has been a huge success in the past years with support from coaches, players, parents and local businesses throughout the Shore Conference. The preview will also be distributed to all 46 high schools as well as local businesses throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties
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2014 ALL SHORE GAME COMMITTEE & PARTICIPANTS COMMITTEES
HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN
Shore Sports Network
Executive Game Director
& Chief Orthopedic Advisor Daniel E. Fox , M.D. Medical Advisors – All Shore Game
Kevin Williams, Steven Meyer, Scott Stump, Matt Harmon, Ed Sarluca & Bob Badders
Chains:
Charity
Frank Matteace, M.D. Ted Ende, D.O. Amador Hormillo, M.D.
John Horan, Bob Hishon, Kevin McCafferty
Challenger Sports League
Team Orthopedic Physicians
Clock Operator:
Monmouth County: Bruce Stamos, M.D., Jason Nitche, M.D. Ocean County: Karl Blum, M.D., W. Francis Kennard, M.D
Rich Holt
Sports Care Institute, Inc. Official Provider Of Athletic Trainers & Physical Therapy
Watson Heilala
Trustee - Lou Vircillo
Site Game Affairs Trustee - Joe Martucci Trustee- Cory Davies
Game Social Director Trustee- Chuck Donohue Sr.
Officials & Rules Trustee- Mark Costantino
Officials Liaison Mike Kilmurray
General Managers Ocean Rep - Gerard O'Donnell Monmouth Rep - Frank Papalia
Team Formation (7 on 7) Ocean Rep - Rob Davis Monmouth Rep - Derek Reichenbecher
Ticket Sales Ocean Rep - Gerard O’Donnell Monmouth Rep - Dom Lepore
Ron Lombardi, CEO
Official Team Chiropractors Monmouth County: Dr. Peter Lew Ocean County: Dr. Barry Rizzo
US ARMY Liaison
n Largest margin of victory: Mon. - 36 pts (1994) n Longest winning streak: Mon. - 3 yrs (1998-00, ’03-’05) n Most points scored: Mon. - 36 (1994) n Most points in a quarter: Mon. - 23 (Second quarter, 2009) n Most points in a half: Mon. - 29 (First half, 1994) n Most first downs: Mon. - 21 (1994) n Most rushing yards: Mon. - 250 (1994) n Most rushing attempts: Mon. - 48 (1986) n Most passing yards: Mon. - 240 (2005) n Most completions: Mon. - 20 (2005)
Winning Coaches by Year 1978: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1979: Gary Chapman (Manasquan) 1980: Al Saner (Point Boro) 1981: George Conti (Asbury Park) 1982: Ron Emmert (Southern) 1983: John Amabile (Wall) 1984: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1985: Leroy Hayes (Asbury Park) 1986: Lou Montanaro (Red Bank Catholic) 1987: George Bessette (Lakewood) 1988: Jim Roe (Manalapan)
Brian Brennan Stand Alone Foundation
Anthony Petruzzi - Raritan Chuck Donohue Jr. - Southern Dominick Lepore - Manalapan Frank Papalia - Holmdel Mark Costantino - Shore Reg Jim Portela - RBC Gerard O' Donnell - Manchester
Monmouth County: Lee Emery, A.T.C, Mike Eberhardt, A.T.C., Rebecca DiFrancesco, A.T.C. Ocean County: Sue Penrod, A.T.C. & Jim Barber, A.T.C. n n n n
Dennis Filippone- Brick Committeeman
Scholar Program Committee
Athletic Trainers
Te a m R e c o r d s
Joe DiPietro- Southern League Commissioner
Officials Referee: Bill Surdovel Umpire: Terry Barlow Linesman: Keith Smicklo Line J: Bill Ditchkus
Most attempts: Ocean - 40 (1995) Most return yards: Ocean - 194 (1998) Most penalties: Mon. - 12 for 110 yards (2007) Most yards of total offense: Mon. - 455 (1994)
Individual Records
n Rushing: 161 yds, Joe Henderson (Freehold), 1986
n Passing: 240 yards, Maurice Turpin (Long Branch), 2005
Back J: Art Warner Side J: Matt Champion Side J: James Slylke Clock: Terry Barlow
n Longest field goal: 52 yards, Kurt Weiboldt (Brick), 1990; and Gil Gutierrez (St. John Vianney), 1989 n Most field goals: 3, Kurt Weiboldt (Brick), 1990 n Most touchdown passes: 3, Alex Zarrillo (Toms River East), 1993
n Most rushing touchdowns: 3, Eric McCoo (Red Bank), 1998
n Receiving: 141 yards, Mike Mercier, 1990
n Longest interception return for a touchdown: 98 yards, Shawn Murray (Brick Memorial), 1998
n Longest scoring run: 63 yards, Joe Henderson (Freehold), 1986; and Billy Gee (Lakewood), 1987
n Longest fumble return for a touchdown: 80 yards, Mike Bland (Long Branch), 2004
n Longest scoring pass: 80 yards, Adam Burtnieks (Lakewood) to Pat Connolly (Point Beach), 1991
1989: Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 1990: Jim Calabro (Brick Memorial) 1991: Vic Kubu (Manasquan) 1992: Bob Generelli (Middletown South) 1993: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1994: George Conti (Ocean Twp.) 1995: Larry Zdilla (Marlboro) 1996: Bob Nani (TR North) 1997: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1998: Mark Costantino (Shore) 1999: Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport) 2000: Craig Cicardo (Mater Dei) 2001: John Gardi (Central)
n Longest punt return for a touchdown: 70 yards, Kurt Loftus (Brick), 2008
2002: Warren Wolf (Brick) 2003: Chris Barnes (Wall) 2004: Steve Antonucci (Midd. South) 2005: Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport) 2006: Game ended in a tie 2007: Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 2008: Chip LaBarca Jr. (TR North) 2009: Mark Ciccotelli (Freehold) 2010: Joe Martucci (Matawan) 2011: Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 2012: Ed Gurrieri (Manalapan) 2013: Greg LaCava (Colts Neck) Monmouth leads all time, 20-15-1
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Head Coach - R o b D a h l , Brick Township
In his third season as head coach at his alma mater, Dahl helped put Brick back among the elite, leading the Green Dragons to their first NJSIAA sectional title since 1994 when they defeated Colts Neck, 26-15, to capture the 2013 Central Jersey Group IV championship. Brick finished the season 9-3 for its most wins since 2003 and won its seventh NJSIAA sectional title in its illustrious history, which ranks third among all Shore Conference teams. The Green Dragons also finished ranked No. 4 in the final Shore Sports Network Top 10.
Dahl has a record of 18-14 at Brick since ascending to his first head coaching job in 2011. He previously was the offensive coordinator at Jackson Memorial from 2009-10 after having served as an assistant at Brick under the Shore Conference’s all-time wins leader, Hall of Famer Warren Wolf, from 2005-08. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator at Lakewood from 2003-04.
Dahl played wide receiver and defensive back for the Green Dragons under Wolf from 1987-90 and was part of the 1989 team that won Class A South and South Jersey Group IV titles. He spent six years as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve before attending Ocean County College and then graduating from Georgian Court University in 1998.
OCEAN COUNTY COACHING STAFF Gerard O’Donnell Chip LaBarca Jr. Brian McNamara Jon Power Dean Helstowski Kevin Stockhoff Chris Blackburn Kurt Wieboldt Scott Davis Vinnie Marra Tim Bray Scott Lloyd
N/A Brick Brick Brick
General Manager Offensive coordinator Defensive coordinator Offensive line
St. Peter's Prep Running backs Brick Quarterbacks Brick Defensive line Brick Kickers Brick Outside linebackers Brick Inside linebackers Brick Tight ends Brick Strength and conditioning
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No. 2
Player Name
Mon Don
32
Shaquille Benjamin
WR/DB
Manchester
TE/LB
Brick
41
Jake Lombardo
LB
Brick Mem.
Mike Randolph
WR/DB
Lakewood
50
Bailey Bellissimo
OL/LB
Southern
Vinny Celidonio
LB
Jackson Mem.
52
Greg Moran
LB/DE
Barnegat
DB
Barnegat
54
Mason Fazekas
Mon Don
56
Matt Post
Darrius Hart
WR/DB
5
Javon Hardy
RB/DB
7
Marcus Ademilola
6
8
9
10
Drew Scott
Mike Muratore Bennie Bivins
11
Tom Kelly
13
12
14
15
20
Brick
WR/DB
Lacey
Logan Sheehan
QB/DB
Southern
Jerry Caporale
Kenny Bradley
Ryan Ulrich
28
Jackson Mem.
Christian Tutela
Zach Skesavage
23
25
WR/DB
Central
Lacey
Billy Kosh
24
TE
TRS
QB
21
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QB/DB
School
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Vinny Grasso
Pos.
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Dom Spaletta
DB
DB
LB
LB
DE
55
57
Sam Mistretta
Manchester
76
Joe Bick
TRN
81
Southern
Brick
Ben Watson
77
DL
Jackson Mem.
OL/DL
74
75
OL
TRS
Matthew Ulufanua
TRE
72
OL
Brick
Manchester
Tom Alber
TRS
P
Brick
OL/LB
60
59
K
Nick Ientile
Jackson Mem.
Manchester
WR/DB
53
Brendan Kelly
Sean Struncius
WR/DB
Evan Sirota
Amani Richardson
51
Steve Ferlisi
58
Barnegat
QB/WR/DB
48
Anthony Starego
TRE
WR/DB/K
KaShaun Barnes
40
School
Matt Gliddon
Zach Andrews
Matt McGovern
Robert Dietlmeier
Mike Yak
LB
OL/DL
Mon Don
Pt. Beach
OL/DL
Pt. Boro
OL
Barnegat
OL/DL
OL/DL OL OL
OL/DL LB
Jackson Liberty
Lakewood
Lacey
Manchester TRN
Pinelands
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Head Coach - Don Klein, Ocean Township
Klein led Ocean to a 10-1 season that included a Class B North title and a trip to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinals in 2013 during his seventh season as head coach. The Spartans’ 10 wins were their most since going 11-1 in 2000, and they went unbeaten against Shore Conference competition.
Ocean was led by a rugged defense featuring senior linebacker Dan Loizos that limited opponents to 11.8 points per game, including 8.8 points per game against Shore Conference opponents. The Spartans won their first division title since 2006.
Klein has a 43-29-1 record during his tenure at Ocean, which also includes Central Jersey Group III semifinal berths in 2008 and 2009 in a pair of eight-win seasons. Prior to getting the head job at Ocean, Klein was an assistant with the Spartans from 2004-06, which included the 2005 team that won the Central Jersey Group III title under Sal Spampanato. Klein is a 1997 graduate of Shore Regional, where he starred at quarterback under longtime coach Mark Costantino, earning All-Group I honors from the Newark Star-Ledger as a senior. He went on to play two seasons at Franklin and Marshall College, where he also played four years of baseball as an outfielder. Klein began his coaching career as an assistant for a year under Costantino at Shore before moving on to Ocean.
MONMOUTH COUNTY COACHING STAFF Frank Papalia Marc Tomo John Della Pesca Jim Simonelli Pat O’Neill Erik Mammano Mike Lambusta Rich Mosca Mark Costantino Mike Whitacre Tom Gallahue
N/A Ocean Ocean Ocean Ocean N/A N/A Monmouth Reg. Shore Shore N/A
General Manager Defensive Coordinator Offensive Coordinator Linebackers Quarterbacks Defensive Backs Defensive Line Linebackers Running Backs Offensive Line Wide Receivers
VOLUME-VI
No.
Player Name
1
Tyler Leonetti
3
2 4 5 6 7 9
10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25
Pos.
School
RB
Manalapan
Julanee Prince
WR
SJV
Nick Volpe
LB
Chris Cruz
Chris Noesges
Shakeem Richardson
DB LB
DB
Manalapan Manalapan Colts Neck Neptune
Kason Preston
DB
Keansburg
Joe Fittin
WR
Manasquan
Billy DeMato
QB
SJV
Nick Tomkins
Mark Scherzer Christian Wagar Tyler Jones
Deon Williams
DL
WR DB LB
LB
Matawan
Holmdel RBC
No.
Chris Quinlan
30
RJ Krause
31 32 33 34 36 44 52 53 54
DB
Long Branch
65
Frank Olmo
LB
RBC
RB
Manasquan
DB
Joey Schultz
WR
Joe Murphy
Jake Betkowski
WR
Asbury Park
LB
Rumson
Mater Dei
RBC
LB
Ocean
Tim Littlefield
OL
Rumson
Ryan Schoer
LB
RBC
OL
Holmdel
Anthony Gargiulo
RB
Shawn McCord
DL
Dan Loizos
Doug Weber
Howell
Midd North
Kevin Brady Dylan DeVita
70
Matt Proto
74 77 99
Freehold Twp.
Manasquan
59
71
Manalapan
LB
DL
OL
56
Wall
WR
TE/DL
John Walsh
Long Branch
Myson Pennington
Craig Levine
Blaine Birch
School
Ocean
OL
58
LB
Dan Weissman
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Chris Veary
Howell
Sam Miles
Daquane Bland-Bennett
WR
55
QB DL
Mike Halawani
Pos.
Raritan
Connor McGlynn Kevin Clayton
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Matawan
Matawan Ocean
RBR
DL
Shore
OL
Rumson
OL
OL
Nick Douglas
OL
Mike Creamer
RBC
TE/DE
Ryan Wetzel Pete Righi
Colts Neck
K
Freehold Boro
Colts Neck Manalapan Matawan
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SFCF 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees
ob Generelli
The most successful coach in Raritan High School history, “The General” amassed a career record of 110-49-2 and led his teams to a total of nine championships in 15 years combined between stints at Raritan and Middletown South.
Generelli produced three undefeated teams, including the only 12-0 squad in Raritan history. The Rockets won the program’s only NJSIAA sectional title in history in 2004 when they beat Carteret in Central Jersey Group II behind firstteam All-State quarterback Andrew Mandeville. Generelli also had two undefeated seasons at Middletown South in 1990 and 1992, which included finishing ranked No. 1 in the state by the Associated Press in 1992.
Generelli is part an illustrious group that includes SFCF Hall of Famers like Vic Kubu, John Amabile, George Conti and Chip LaBarca Sr., who led multiple Shore Conference teams to undefeated seasons. He also coached a pair of future NFL linemen at Middletown South, brothers Christian and Jason Peter, and coached Raritan’s Bennett Jackson, a cornerback who became a captain at Notre Dame and was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants this year. In addition to winning three state titles, Generelli’s teams also reached four other
sectional championship games, fashioning an 18-9 record overall in 12 appearances in the state playoffs. He won a combined six division titles, three at Raritan (2004, 2005, 2008) and three straight Class A North crowns with the Eagles from 1990-92. Generelli also coached Monmouth County to victory in the 1992 edition of the Gridiron Classic, which was then known as the All-Shore Classic.
In 2008, he was inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was inducted into the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Generelli starred as an offensive lineman under Kubu, the late legend whose 10 NJSIAA titles are a Shore Conference record, from 1979-81 at Middletown North. He then went on to play at Montclair State, earning All-New Jersey Athletic Conference honors as an offensive guard in 1985. In 1995, he was inducted into the Middletown North Lion Hall of Fame.
He also coached a combined four years at the collegiate level – two years under current University of Texas coach Mack Brown at the University of North Carolina, and two years under longtime Monmouth University coach Kevin Callahan. He cites the influence of Brown, Kubu, the late Rich Veth, Fred Hill and Rick Giancola as mentors.
VOLUME-VI Generelli stepped down as coach following the 2009 season to take a vice principal position at Raritan. He lives in Red Bank with his wife of 13 years, Jill, and his children, Robert, 10, and twin daughters Ana and Ava, 8.
B
ob Nani
Toms River North was a force in the Shore Conference and statewide from 1989-2004 under the direction of Nani, whose teams won three of the five NJSIAA titles in the Mariners’ program history.
Known for explosive offenses and punishing defense, Nani’s teams went 105-55 during his tenure, which also including winning Shore Conference division titles in 1991, 1994, 1995 and 2002. In 1991, the Mariners also won the South Jersey Group IV title, the program’s first state championship since 1979. Nani then led them to a second South Jersey Group IV title in 1994 behind star tailback Aamir Dew to cap a 10-1 season. He entered the rarefied air of Shore Conference coaches with three NJSIAA titles when the Mariners again took home the South Jersey Group IV crown in 1997. Nani was voted the Shore Conference Coach of the Year three times by local media. Of the 14 state playoff appearances in Toms River North history, nine of them came under Nani, who has been a physical education and health teacher in the Toms River regional schools since 1979. Twice he has served as the head coach for Ocean County in the Gridiron Classic, including a win over Monmouth County in 1996. Nani starred at Admiral Farragut Academy, a private military school in Toms River that closed in 1994, from 1970-73, serving as a team captain in 1973. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Admiral Farragut, which currently maintains a campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1997. He went on to play at Bethany College in West Virginia from 1973-77, serving as a captain and earning all-conference honors in 1976 and 1977. He began his coaching career as an assistant football coach and the head wrestling coach at Admiral Farragut in 1977, then served as the head wrestling coach and football assistant at Bethany College in 1978. In 1979, he joined the staff as an assistant at Toms River North, which included being a part of the program’s first NJSIAA sectional title in history that same year. From 1983-88, he served as the Mariners’ defensive coordinator before taking over as head coach. Bob lives in Lanoka Harbor with his wife, Rene, and has two children, Ryan, 26, and Rachel, 24. Ryan played for Bob, starring as a defensive lineman at Toms River North in the early 2000s before going on to play at the University of Maine from 2006-10.
E
d Sarluca
A fixture in Shore Conference football for 46 years, Sarluca is one of two inductees from the media because of his contributions to football in this area. “The Coach” has been a radio broadcaster, sideline reporter and host for the Shore Sports Network since 1997, covering
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countless championship games and other memorable Shore Conference showdowns. He also has served as the public address announcer numerous times for the state championship games played at Rutgers University.
Sarluca is the regular sideline reporter for the Shore Sports Network’s weekly radio broadcasts of Shore Conference football games on Friday nights during the fall, and he also is one of the hosts of the weekly Thursday Night Football Show. From 1990 to 1996, he worked for the Adelphia Cable Network broadcasting local wrestling, baseball, basketball and football.
Prior to his career in broadcasting, Sarluca was a long-time coach in the Shore Conference. An Irvington High School graduate, he began his career as the defensive coordinator at Keyport, from 1968-73. He then came down to Ocean County, where he was the defensive coordinator at Toms River North from 1974-78 before going across town and serving the same position on the staff at Toms River East from 1979-88. He finished his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at Brick Memorial from 1989-95.
While Sarluca is known as a football guy, he also was the first head baseball coach in Toms River East history from 1979-85. In addition, he has been selected for induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame at his college alma mater, the University of Charleston in West Virginia, for his four-year baseball career there. He was named to the Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Decade Team for the 1960s.
Sarluca lives in Brick with his wife of 41 years, Laura, and is a father of two and a grandfather of four. His son, Ed Sarluca Jr., is a teacher at Brick Memorial who has been the Mustangs’ head boys basketball coach for eight seasons and also has been an assistant on the football staff. His daughter, Maria, is also a physical education and
health teacher at Brick Memorial.
J
oe Adelizzi
A fixture on the local football media landscape for nearly 40 years, Adelizzi chronicled some of the legendary players and teams in Shore Conference history as an award-winning reporter and sports editor for both the Ocean County Observer and the Asbury Park Press from 1969 to 2008. He also helped spearhead the creation of the inaugural Gridiron Classic, then known as the All-Shore Classic, in 1978 with former Asbury Park Press sports editor Dick Brinster. The annual game is now the oldest continuous high school football all-star game in New Jersey.
He began working as a reporter for the Ocean County Observer in December of 1969 and became the sports editor only two years later before being elevated to managing editor of the newspaper in 1973. In 1976, he joined the Asbury Park Press as an assistant sports editor and then became the head sports editor in 1978.
During Adelizzi’s tenure as sports editor from 1978 through 1992, the Asbury Park Press sports section won 11 consecutive awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors as a top 10 section in the nation for newspapers with its circulation. Adelizzi served as a regional chairman for the APSE for three years and also was a speaker at the American Press Institute.
In addition to serving as editor, he also wrote weekly columns and was one of the regular Shore Conference football prognosticators who predicted scores on a weekly basis. He was twice named the New Jersey Sportswriter of the Year and twice won writing awards from the APSE and New Jersey Press Association. In 1992, he went from editor to columnist and eventually became part of the news team at the Asbury Park Press.
Adelizzi graduated from the original Toms River High School, what is now Toms River South, and went on to attend Ocean County College and then St. John’s University before embarking on his journalism career. Some of Adelizzi’s favorite memories of Shore Conference football include Brick beating
Hall of Fame Continued on page 16
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Hall of Fame Continued from page 15 Camden 21-20 in Atlantic City to win the South Jersey Group IV title in the first year of the newly-created state playoffs in 1974, and coaches Ron Signorino Sr. and Bob Fiocco squaring off in the old “Civil War” showdowns between Toms River North and Toms River South. Adelizzi also relished watching the late Joe Boyd draw plays in the dirt at Central Regoinal, interviewing the late Vic Kubu as he sat on his couch in the coaches’ room at Manasquan, and watching the late John Amabile prowl the sidelines at Wall as he chased the band off the field. Adelizzi is now retired and lives with his wife, Lee, in
7/17/14 Toms River. His children, Jacqueline, 31, and Joe Jr., 29, are both Toms River South graduates, and Joe Jr. is a former wrestler for the Indians who is now an assistant coach for the wrestling program.
Previous Hall of Fame Inductees: 2008: Warren Wolf (Brick).
2009: Al Saner (Point Boro); William “Butch’’ Bruno (Asbury Park);
2010: Russ Wright; Arnie Truex; Ron Signorino Sr.; John Amabile;
2011: Vic Kubu; Harold “Hal” Schank; George Conti Jr.; Chip LaBarca Sr.;
2012: Lou Vircillo; Mike Ciccotelli; Kevin Williams
2013: Chuck Donohue Sr.; Joe Martucci;
Ron Emmert; Bob Strangia; George Jeck; Ken Turp
Amedeo “Army’’ Ippolito (Long Branch); Barry Rizzo (Matawan).
All – Time Series: 1978: Ocean 21, Monmouth 7 1979: Monmouth 7, Ocean 6 1980: Ocean 15, Monmouth 10 1981: Monmouth 22, Ocean 16 1982: Ocean 17, Monmouth 16 1983: Monmouth 19, Ocean 0 1984: Ocean 7, Monmouth 0 1985: Monmouth 14, Ocean 12 1986: Monmouth 22, Ocean 9 1987: Ocean 22, Monmouth 20
1988: Monmouth 28, Ocean 1989: Ocean 23, Monmouth 1990: Ocean 22, Monmouth 1991: Monmouth 15, Ocean 1992: Monmouth 20, Ocean 1993: Ocean 20, Monmouth 1994: Monmouth 36, Ocean 1995: Monmouth 16, Ocean 1996: Ocean 10, Monmouth 1997: Ocean 15, Monmouth
Asbury Park - Bill Hill Barnegat HS - Rob Davis Brick Memorial HS - Walt Currie Brick Twp. HS - Rob Dahl Central HS - Willie Jacobs Colts Neck HS - Peter Shaw Freehold Boro HS - Dave Ellis Freehold Twp. HS - Mike D'Antonio Holmdel HS - Jay Graham Howell HS - Luke Sinkhorn Jackson Liberty HS - Jim Sharples
Jackson Memorial HS - Walt Krystopik Keansburg HS - Chris Damian Keyport HS - John Paczkowski Lacey Twp. HS - Lou Vircillo Lakewood HS - L.J. Clark Long Branch HS - Dan George Manalapan HS - Ed Gurrieri Manasquan HS - Jay Price Manchester HS - Bill Furlong Marlboro HS - Jason Dagato Matawan HS - John Kaye
Shore Foundation Football Member Schools
Most games played by field/stadium: Toms River North – 9 Brick – 9 Wall – 6 Toms River East – 5 Ocean Township – 4
Stadiums/fields played by year 1978: Wall 1979: Wall 1980: Toms 1981: Toms 1982: Wall 1983: Toms 1984: Wall 1985: Toms 1986: Wall 1987: Toms
River North River North River East River East River East
7 18 21 14 0 18 0 9 3 13
1998: Monmouth 27, Ocean 13 1999: Monmouth 21, Ocean 20 2000: Monmouth 23, Ocean 0 2001: Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 2002: Ocean 10, Monmouth 7 (OT) 2003: Monmouth 8, Ocean 2 ( Game ended at halftime due to lightning) 2004: Monmouth 28, Ocean 21 2005: Monmouth 19, Ocean 14 2006: Ocean 7, Monmouth 7
2007: Ocean 11, Monmouth 10 2008: Ocean 27, Monmouth 20 2009: Monmouth 30, Ocean 13 2010: Monmouth 12, Ocean 10 2011: Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 2012: Monmouth 28, Ocean 7 2013: Monmouth 19, Ocean 7 Monmouth leads all time, 20-15-1
(No OT, game ended in tie)
Mater Dei HS - Steve Sciarappa Middletown North HS - Steve Bush Middletown South HS - Steve Antonucci Monmouth Reg. HS - Rich Mosca Monsignor Donovan HS - Dan Duddy Neptune HS - Rodney Taylor Ocean HS - Don Klein Pinelands HS - Brian Wilkinson Point Pleasant Beach HS - John Wagner Point Pleasant Boro HS - Sean Henry Raritan HS - Anthony Petruzzi
Red Bank Catholic HS - Jim Portela Red Bank Reg. HS - Nick Giglio Rumson-Fair Haven HS - Bryan Batchler St. John Vianney HS - Mark Ciccotelli Shore Reg. HS - Mark Costantino Southern Reg. HS - Chuck Donohue Sr. Toms River East HS - Charlie Diskin Toms River North HS - Dave Oizerowitz Toms River South HS - Ron Signorino Jr. Wall HS - Dan Curcione
All-Time Record Attendances:
All-Time Winningest Coaches
1. 8,112 (1978) 2. 6,500 (1994) 3. 6,135 (2006) 4. 5,000 (2004), 2005) 5. 4,700 (2002) 6. 4,300 (1980)
1. Warren Wolf (Brick) 5 wins 2. Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 3 wins 3. (tie) George Conti (Ocean, Asbury Park); Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport) 2 wins.
1988: Wall 1989: Toms River East 1990: Ocean Township 1991: Toms River North 1992: Ocean Township 1993: Brick 1994: Ocean Township 1995: Brick 1996: Toms River North 1997: Brick
7. 4,200 (1979) 8. 4,000 (1993) 9. 3,800 (2007) 10. 3,500 (1981) (1984) (1989) (2011)
1998: Ocean Township 1999: Toms River North 2000: Toms River North 2001: Toms River East 2002: Toms River North 2003: Raritan 2004: Brick 2005: Brick 2006: Middletown South 2007: Brick
2008: Brick 2009: Brick 2010: Matawan 2011: Toms River North 2012: Holmdel 2013: Toms River North 2014: Brick
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All Shore Game Summaries 1978 - Ocean 21, Monmouth 7 Highlights: Toms River South’s George Scribellito picked off an errant lateral in the fourth quarter to seal the inaugural All Shore Classic. 1979 - Monmouth 7, Ocean 6 Highlights: Neptune’s Bob Lubischer hit Howell’s Vinnie Zambetti with a 35-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, and Monmouth held on as Ocean scored with 15 seconds left in the game but failed on a two-point conversion attempt. 1980 - Ocean 15, Monmouth 10 Highlights: Southern’s Cliff Walters scored on a 2-yard run and threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Toms River North’s Cal Cassidy to put Ocean back in control of the series, 2-1. 1981 - Monmouth 22, Ocean 16 Highlights: Monmouth wiped out a 9-0 deficit behind 147 yards rushing on 21 carries by Asbury Park’s Doug Johnson, including a 25-yard touchdown run. Howell’s Randy Radecki threw a 45-yard scoring pass to Manasquan’s Tony Fleming near the end of the first half. 1982 - Ocean 17, Monmouth 16 Highlights: Toms River South’s Tom Forrester threw touchdown passes to teammate Brian Bienkowski and Point Boro’s Carlo Colombino, and Toms River South’s Jeff Lawton booted a 35-yard field goal to help Ocean hold off Monmouth. In the loss, Manasquan’s Everett Morgan nailed a 35-yard field goal and was just short on a potentially game-winning 45-yard attempt as time expired. 1983 - Monmouth 19, Ocean 0 Highlights: Middletown North running back Chris Barnes scored two touchdowns, Wall’s Art Petracco ran for 120 yards and a touchdown, and Long Branch defensive lineman Keith Farrow led a Monmouth defense that earned the first shutout in Classic history by limiting Ocean to just 37 yards rushing. 1984 - Ocean 7, Monmouth 0 Highlights: Monsignor Donovan’s Rob Gould scored on a 3-yard run with 6:10 left in the game as Ocean earned its first shutout victory in the series. 1985 - Monmouth 14, Ocean 12 Highlights: Monmouth built a 14-0 lead and held on for the win on the strength of the running of Matawan’s Terry Underwood and the passing of Rumson-Fair Haven’s Pete Graham. Southern’s Mike Grant threw for 225 yards in the loss for Ocean. 1986 - Monmouth 22, Ocean 9 Highlights: Behind a Classic-record 161 yards rushing by Freehold’s Joe “The Jet’’ Henderson that included touchdown runs of 44 and 63 yards, Monmouth took a 5-4 lead in the series and became the first team to win back-to-back games. 1987 - Ocean 22, Monmouth 20 Highlights: The Jackson Memorial combination of quarterback Tom Tarver and tight end Steve Carr clicked on a 10-yard scoring pass with three seconds left in regulation for the game-winning touchdown to even series at five apiece. 1988 - Monmouth 28, Ocean 7 Highlights: Freehold Township quarterback Brian Gilbert triggered a 21-point third quarter with a fiveyard touchdown run that was followed by an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown by Matawan’s Eric Bellamy to help Monmouth roll to the win. 1989 - Ocean 23, Monmouth 18 Highlights: Brick’s Todd Durkin threw touchdown passes to Lacey’s Carl Tarricone and Toms River South’s Chip LaBarca Jr. to help even the series at six. LaBarca finished with six catches for 119 yards in the win, and St. John Vianney’s Gil Gutierrez kicked a Classic-record 52-yard field goal. 1990 - Ocean 22, Monmouth 21 Highlights: Brick kicker Kurt Weiboldt tied Gutierrez’s record with a 52-yard field goal and kicked a Classic-record three field goals in the win, including the game-winner from 28 yards with no time remaining to give Ocean its first two-game winning streak in the series. Lacey running back Keith Elias added 147 yards rushing and a touchdown catch. 1991 - Monmouth 15, Ocean 14 Highlights: A 10-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter from Neptune’s Bruce Pugh and a two-point conversion run by Ocean Township’s Doug Rossback put Monmouth over the top.
1992 - Monmouth 20, Ocean 0 Highlights: Middletown North quarterback Mike Hallard ran for an 11-yard touchdown and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to James Stanton to help Monmouth roll to the win. Monmouth defensive tackle Ty Watkins and end Choppy Taylor led a defense that limited Ocean to a Classic-record minus20 yards rushing. 1993 - Ocean 20, Monmouth 18 Highlights: Toms River South’s Chris Pagano blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt by Monmouth on the final play of the game as Ocean evened the series at eight apiece. Toms River East quarterback Alex Zarrillo had three second-half touchdown passes, two to Mike Citta. 1994 - Monmouth 36, Ocean 0 Highlights: Ocean Township’s Eddie Conti fired touchdown passes to Middletown South’s Matt Cuccia and Holmdel’s Brian Carpenito during a 29-point first half in the most lop-sided win in Classic history. Cuccia finished with six catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. 1995 - Monmouth 16, Ocean 9 Highlights: Matawan’s Charlie Rogers ran for 117 yards and a touchdown, Middletown South’s Jeff Martin added a touchdown and Raritan’s Frank Aresta kicked a 46-yard field goal as Monmouth opened up a 16-0 lead in the fourth quarter. 1996 - Ocean 10, Monmouth 3 Highlights: Toms River North quarterback Ron Sermarini threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Point Beach’s Dan Frangione in the first quarter en route to breaking Monmouth’s two-game winning streak. Interceptions by Lakewood’s Greg Porzio and Toms River North’s Doc Rose helped stop Monmouth’s attack. 1997 - Ocean 15, Monmouth 13 Highlights: Second-half touchdowns by Brick’s Will Bell and Demetrius Dunn overcame a 7-0 halftime deficit to help Ocean tie the series at 10-10. 1998 - Monmouth 27, Ocean 13 Highlights: Red Bank running back Eric McCoo rushed for 105 yards and scored a Classic-record three touchdowns, one on a 60-yard punt return, to lift Monmouth to an 11-10 advantage in the series. Brick Memorial’s Shawn Murray had a Classic-record 98-yard interception return for a touchdown in the loss for Ocean. 1999 - Monmouth 21, Ocean 20 Highlights: Marlboro defensive lineman Dan Klecko blocked an extra-point attempt with 27 seconds left in the game to give Monmouth the win after Ocean had scored on a touchdown pass by Toms River South’s Bill Rankin to teammate Torey Morris. 2000 - Monmouth 23, Ocean 0 Highlights: Long Branch’s David Rodriguez threw for touchdowns of 24 and 30 yards, and Raritan’s Glenn Nicholl threw for 100 yards in the first half as Monmouth put together the first three-game winning streak in the history of the game. 2001 - Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 Highlights: Toms River East’s Colin Gaynor booted field goals of 29 and 18 yards and Lakewood defensive end Thomas Carroll helped stop the Monmouth attack as Ocean stopped Monmouth’s threegame winning streak. 2002 - Ocean 10, Monmouth 7 (OT) Highlights: The first overtime game in the history of the series was decided when Lacey’s Carl Pennauchi kicked a 35-yard field goal on Ocean’s first overtime possession after a quarterback sneak by Middletown South’s Brendan Kennedy had tied the game in the fourth quarter. 2003 2003 - Monmouth 8 - Ocean 2, (Game ended at halftime due to inclement weather) Highlights: With five seconds left in the first half, Matawan running back Tom Corley scored on a one-yard run and then Manalapan quarterback Mike Gaeta hit Raritan’s Mike Fabozzi for the two-point conversion to give Monmouth an 8-2 lead before the game abruptly ended. 2004 - Monmouth 28, Ocean 21 Highlights: Long Branch defensive end Mike Bland returned a fumble for an 80-yard touchdown and Keyport running back Ken Cattouse ran for a pair of touchdowns to give Monmouth the win. 2005 - Monmouth 19, Ocean 14 Highlights: Long Branch quarterback Maurice Turpin threw for a Classic-record 240 yards and one touchdown while also running for a touchdown to give Monmouth its third straight win.
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All Shore Game Summaries 2006 - Ocean 7, Monmouth 7 (No OT, game ended in a tie) Highlights: Now known as the Shore 44 game, the first tie in the history of the series occurred when Manalapan’s Anthony Mujica scored to give Monmouth the lead and then Southern’s Josh Midili helped tie the game with a two-yard run in the fourth quarter. Both teams missed potentially game-winning field goals in the final minutes of regulation and the game ended in a tie. 2007 - Ocean 11, Monmouth 10 Highlights: Toms River East quarterback Jared Morris scored from four yards out on fourth down in the fourth quarter to help end Monmouth’s four-game unbeaten streak in the 30th game of the series. 2008 - Ocean 27, Monmouth 20 Highlights: Ocean won its second straight game as Brick wide receiver Kurt Loftus had a Classic-record 70-yard punt return for a touchdown for a 27-13 lead in the third quarter. Lacey quarterback Warren Smith ran for a 4-yard touchdown and also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Toms River North’s Adam Carey. Rumson wide receiver Ryan Kirchner had a pair of touchdown catches in the loss for Monmouth. 2009 - Monmouth 30, Ocean 13 Highlights: Manalapan running back Jimmy Gilburn ran for touchdowns of one yard and 49 yards, and Asbury Park defensive back Will Johnson had a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown as Monmouth ended a three-game winless streak against Ocean with a convincing victory at Brick. Freehold quarterback Nick Tyson threw for a game-high 116 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Freehold teammate Brandon Brown, who had six catches for 78 yards. Middletown North's Dylan Maresca added a 25-yard field goal for Monmouth. Chris Castronuova, the first Jackson Liberty player to ever participate in the Classic, had a 20-yard touchdown catch in the loss for Ocean. Lacey's Justin Pandorf also had a 6-yard touchdown run for Ocean. 2010 - Monmouth 12, Ocean 10 Highlights: A 42-yard touchdown pass from St. John Vianney’s Joe Carlucci to Long Branch wide receiver Ezra Kelly midway through the fourth quarter gave Monmouth County a comeback victory. Howell wideout Phil Adamo added a 14-yard touchdown catch from teammate Jimmy Ryan in the first quarter that was set up by a forced fumble by Middletown South defensive end Nick Bricker. Toms River South’s Rob Whitfield had an 83-yard kickoff return that set up a touchdown run by Toms River East’s Nico Steriti in the loss. Lacey defensive lineman Mike Stuppiello added three tackles for a loss and a sack for Ocean.
(cont’d)
2011 - Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 Highlights: A 22-yard field goal by Lacey’s Jarrod Molzon snapped a 3-3 tie with 7:39 left in the game to send Ocean County to victory in the lowest-scoring Gridiron Classic since 2001. Lacey head coach Lou Vircillo picked up his third win as a head coach in the Gridiron Classic, second behind only fellow Hall of Famer Warren Wolf. Ocean’s defense held Monmouth to 105 total yards, and Lacey linebacker Brian Mykoliw had an interception that set up Molzon’s winning field goal. Toms River East punter Joey Clarizio was named Ocean’s defensive MVP, while Lacey quarterback Craig Cicardo earned offensive MVP honors. Keyport defensive tackle Greg Velasco won the defensive MVP for Monmouth, and Rumson-Fair Haven quarterback Mike Villapiano was named offensive MVP. 2012 - Monmouth 28, Ocean 7 Highlights: St. John Vianney quarterback Anthony Carlucci went 5-for-6 for 91 yards and threw two touchdown passes to earn offensive MVP honors in Monmouth’s victory. Manalapan running back John Sieczkowski ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the win, and Red Bank’s Tyheem Crawford and St. John Vianney’s Anthony Pante each had touchdown catches. Manasquan linebacker Kodie McNamara was the defensive MVP for Monmouth, which held Ocean to 111 total yards. Lacey defensive end Jordan Powell was Ocean’s defensive MVP with three sacks, and Brick quarterback Brandon Kieslor, who ran for a 2-yard touchdown, was Ocean’s offensive MVP. 2013 - Monmouth 19, Ocean 7 Highlights: Monmouth won its second straight Classic behind Colts Neck wide receiver Tim Vangelas, who earned offensive MVP honors with 6 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. Neptune quarterback Ajee Patterson went 6-for-9 passing for 65 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 45 yards on four carries. Colts Neck quarterback Mike Campbell finished 8-for-15 for a game-high 120 yards passing and threw a touchdown pass to Vangelas. Neptune defensive end David Calderon earned defensive MVP honors for Monmouth with four sacks to lead an effort that limited Ocean County to 125 total yards. Brick Memorial quarterback Ryan Cieplenski earned offensive MVP honors for Ocean by throwing for 44 yards and the team's only touchdown, a 29-yard strike to Point Beach's Andre Cochran. Brick defensive end Dan Watson was Ocean's defensive MVP with a pair of sacks.
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Fri 9/12
Jackson Memorial at
Jackson Liberty
(7pm)
Sat 9/13
Lacey
Toms River North
(7pm)
Fri 9/19 Fri 9/26 or
Toms River East Lacey Toms River North
at at at at
Toms River South Brick Memorial Toms River South
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Fri 10/17 or
Lacey Barnegat
at at
Brick Point Boro
(7pm) (7pm)
Fri 10/24
Jackson Mem.
at
Toms River South
(7pm)
Fri 10/31 or
Toms River South Lakewood
at at
Brick Memorial Barnegat
(7pm) (7pm)
Fri 11/7 or
Toms River South Brick Memorial
at at
Brick Southern
(7pm) (7pm)
Thr 11/27
Wall
at
Manasquan
(7pm) (7pm) (7pm)
Fri 10/3 or
Brick at Red Bank Catholic at
Jackson Mem. Wall
(7pm) (7pm)
Fri 10/10 or
Manasquan Wall
Barnegat Brick
(7pm) (7pm)
at at
/
All games to be broadcast on News Talk Radio
NJSIAA Playoffs
(11am) TBD
and streamed live at www.shoresportsnetwork.com
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More Than Measurables:
Msgr. Donovan’s Vinny Grasso
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By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer
inny Grasso was just a seventhgrader participating in the Shore’s Best Football Camp when he proved to his future coach, Monsignor Donovan’s Dan Duddy, he had some special characteristics.
“He was probably about 5-foot-5 at the time and asked me to move up to the high school camp,” Duddy recalled. “I was reluctant, but I couldn’t deny the kid’s confidence. He called out a senior in one-on-one drills and everybody is going crazy, and he broke both this kid’s ankles. Here’s a seventhgrader getting 15 yards behind a scholarship winner and catching the football.” After two years as Monsignor Donovan’s starting quarterback in its Navy option offense, Grasso will represent the Griffins in the 2014 U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Brick Township’s Keller Memorial Field. He won’t be playing quarterback, however, and he’ll likely never line up under center again.
Grasso will play slot receiver for Ocean County, the position he was recruited to play by Monmouth University, with whom he signed his national letter of intent on a partial scholarship in January. The drying ink of his signature cemented what he always believed: he has the talent to play Division I college football.
“The mere fact that a team put the ball in his hands every snap says something about the kid,” Duddy said. “And it doesn’t take long to see he has the sweetest feet of anyone on the field. We knew he wasn’t going to be an option quarterback at the next level, but his film and highlights told the fact that he can fly around the field with anybody.”
Grasso knew his collegiate future wasn’t as a quarterback, and at just 5-foot-8 there weren’t college coaches lining up with scholarship offers. Grasso and Duddy surmised slot receiver would be the best fit for him at the next level, and that’s what he went to camps labeled as last offseason trying to get his name out there. Grasso and his father drove far and wide to every camp they could find, and it wasn’t long before coaches began taking notice. “(Colleges) saw the speed, obviously, but being able to play slot and be an outside guy as well, and even to line up in the
backfield to take some carries, they liked that I was a versatile athlete more than anything,” Grasso said.
Grasso’s height unfortunately meant he was immediately scratched off the list as a potential recruit by several colleges, but those that looked past his measurements and at his skills as a whole saw an impact player that could line up as an inside receiver. Grasso’s 40-time is listed at 4.48, which would have been a top-25 time by a receiver at this year’s NFL combine. His agility and hands also proved to potential college suitors he could be an effective playmaker. Despite not playing receiver nearly at all during his entire football career, the more Grasso played in the slot the more he looked like a natural. “It was definitely a battle,” Grasso said. “I had to work twice as hard and sacrifice a lot. I definitely had a lot of people say I was too small.”
VOLUME-VI “Vinny was our quarterback because he was our best athlete,” Duddy said. “He’s going to be special as a slot receiver. This is where he belongs. He had to work himself into space as our quarterback, but when he gets in space he’s great in the alleys. As a slot, you get him the ball quick and he’s going to be devastating.” Monmouth ended up being the ideal fit for Grasso because of its approach during the recruiting process along with the fact it was close to home and a Division I-AA program. Boston College was in the mix but never got seriously involved, and it came down to New Hampshire and Monmouth. New Hampshire wanted him as a preferred walk-on while Monmouth offered him a scholarship. It was an easy choice.
“Monmouth was one of the schools I really liked,” Grasso said. “They knew my height, but it wasn’t the only thing they considered. They looked at me on the field and thought it was more important to be able to make plays and be a football player. They didn’t close the door on me because I’m 5-foot-8.” Grasso looks like he’ll get plenty of chances to give fans a glimpse of what he can be at Monmouth University when Thursday’s game kicks off. Whereas in past season’s Ocean County was built for a power running offense with a stable of running backs and grinding offensive
lineman, this year’s all-star squad has a collection of explosive athletes in the passing game. With Grasso and Manchester’s KaShaun Barnes listed as quarterbacks but playing receiver, Lacey’s Tom Kelly, the program’s all-time passing leader, could play the entire game. A receiving corps that includes Grasso and teammate Kyle Carrington along with Barnes, 6-foot-5 Jackson Memorial tight end Marcus Ademilola and Lacey’s 1,000-yard receiver Christian Tutela should get many opportunities to make plays. “I’ve never been able to play slot in any game, really,” Grasso said. “After going to all these camps and being recruited as a slot, now I get to show what I can do on the field.”
For Duddy, remembering the undersized seventh-grader who wasn’t intimidated by high school players and seeing what he has accomplished six years later makes him a proud coach. The confidence and tenacity Grasso showed him that day has never wavered.
“Those short guys have an edge to them and want to prove themselves,” Duddy said. “I’m going to miss Vinny Grasso. I haven’t coached too many like him. I’m glad he’s only going down the road.”
File Photo by:
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
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Opposing Forces: Jackson Memorial’s
Ken Bradley and Ocean’s Dan Loizos
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By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer
wo of the Shore Conference’s top linebackers over the last four seasons will be joining forces this fall, but before they head off to college, the future roommates will play for one final bit of hometown bragging rights.
ackson Memorial’s Ken Bradley and Ocean’s Dan Loizos, both first-team Shore Sports Network All-Shore selections at linebacker and the conference’s top two leading tacklers, each committed to Ithaca College during the offseason. The two knew each other as standouts on the football field and as wrestlers for
two of the top programs in the Shore, but otherwise had no previous relationship. They exchanged numbers and began talking once both had committed, and one thing led to another before they decided to room together.
“We got each other’s numbers and would text every once in a while, and figured since we’re from the same area and do know each other we might as well be roommates,” Bradley said. “It’s a good way to start freshman year and get ready to do big things at the next level.”
“I knew of Ken more from wrestling, actually, with us both being good as little kids,” Loizos said. “He got in touch when he found out we were both going to Ithaca, and since we’re both linebackers and Shore guys we figured we should stick together.”
Loizos led the Shore Conference with 159 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss while adding 5.5 sacks for a Spartans team that finished 10-1, losing only to eventual NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III champion Hopewell Valley. Loizos, a four-year starter, helped Ocean win the Class B North division title and was selected as the B North Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches. He made a career-high 22 tackles in a playoff win over Warren Hills in the first round of the Central Jersey Group III tournament.
Bradley was picked as the Class A South Defensive Player of the Year. He led a hard-hitting defense that propelled the Jaguars to an 8-3 record and the A South division title, as well as the program’s first state playoff victory in seven years. Bradley’s 140 tackles were tied for second in the conference, and he also had 10 tackles for a loss, 7 pass breakups and 5 sacks. He finished with double-
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VOLUME-VI digit tackles in every game, including a seasonbest 17 stops in a 9-7 win over Central Jersey Group IV champion Brick and 12 against South Jersey Group V champs Cherokee in the sectional semifinals.
While Bradley and Loizos won’t be squaring off directly on July 17 at Brick in the U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic, there will be competition nonetheless.
future teammates at Ithaca, that notion was reinforced.
“We have a group chat with some of the players and we’re talking about the (Gridiron Classic), and a lot of them don’t have all-star games like this,” Bradley said. “There’s a lot of rich tradition and history in this game. Most of these players I’ve been playing against since I was five or six years old from Pop Warner to high school. You have fun, but you take it seriously as well.”
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outside.
In several weeks the pair of tackling machines will head to upstate New York to begin their college careers. At 7 p.m. on Thursday at Brick Township’s Keller Memorial Field, they’ll lock in one final high school memory. “It’s great coming out here with your teammates for this game and one last week of practice,” Bradley said. “You meet some new people and make some new friends, and it’s one last time together before people break off and go their separate ways.”
“We’ve been talking about the game a little bit,” Bradley said. “We’re going to go out and compete. “We’re all definitely We’re not going to be fortunate to have this butting heads, but it’s game because a lot of definitely going to be a other places don’t have competition within itself. “I remember growing anything like it,” Loizos Two years in a row he was Jackson Memorial’s Ken Bradley had 140 tackles to finish up and always wanting Ocean’s Dan Loizos led the Shore Conference with 159 tackles said. “We get pumped for one of the guys that tied for second in the Shore Conference to play in this game,” it. You want to show your finished with more tackles Loizos said. “Pretty county is the best.” than me in the Shore, so I definitely want to go out there and put up big much all my coaches are coaching this game, so it’s definitely a good way to numbers.” end my career.” Ithaca runs a 3-4 defense, which means Loizos and Bradley will have some adjustments to make in coming from 4-3 schemes at Ocean and Jackson. “Ken is a hard-hitting linebacker, but I’ve had my fair share of hits, too,” Bradley was the Jaguars’ middle linebacker, and will remain on the inside with Loizos jabbed. “I feel we’ll both play pretty well, but I might have to talk some the Bombers. Loizos said he hasn’t been told specifically where he’ll play, but trash.” File Photo by: in starting at weakside linebacker as a freshman and sophomore before playing Bill Normile What both Loizos and Bradley agreed separately was that being selected to middle linebacker as a junior and senior, he has the versatility to play inside or www.billnormile.zenfolio.com play in the Gridiron Classic is a unique opportunity. In talking to some of their
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Special Thanks to the photographers who supplied the photos seen throughout this issue Cliff Lavelle: www.clearedge.zenfolio.com Bill Normile: www.billnormile.zenfolio.com David Thorne: www.davethorne.smugmug.com Doug Bostwick w w w . s p o r t s h o t s w l b . c o m
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