Shore Sports Network Journal Putting Together the 2015 Football Preseason Puzzle

July 28, 2015 Volume-VII Issue-14

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

”Is this going to be on ?”

?”

Shore Sports Network 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.

Shore Sports Network Web Site Features

n Get Video Highlights of all the important games that Shore Conference fans will be talking about. n Catch up on the action you might have missed

n Watch video clips of everything from the action early in the event to the big finish as well as video interviews with various athletes. n www.shoresportsnetwork.com is the most visited sports site in the Shore Conference during the scholastic year

n Follow us on Twitter (over 16,000 followers) and Facebook, we keep fans posted on the latest scores and news

n Established leading portal for local high school coverage.

ADVERTISING

OPPORTUNITIES A V A I L A B L E For The

SteveMeyer

Director High School Division s t ev e. m e y er @t own s qu a re m ed i a. co m 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 4 6 0

ScottStump

Managing Editor

stump @a llshor emed ia.co m

Senior

Content

Providers

M a t t M a n l e y / / Mmanley21@gmail.com

Shore Sports Network is published by: T o w n s q u a r e M e d i a 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753 Copyright 2015 Townsquare Media All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Shore Sports Network is prohibited

2

2015 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Show your support for the Shore Conference football programs with an ad in our special 2015 Football Preview issue coming out 9/3/15.

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

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

2015 Gridiron Classic

W

Ocean 27, Monmouth 7 Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer

ith three of the top passers in the Shore Conference on the same roster with them, receivers Matt Castronuova of Jackson Memorial and Karl Kumm of Brick Memorial knew they or any other Ocean County receiver could have a big game on July 16 in the U.S. Army AllShore Gridiron Classic.

As it turned out, both had big games as Castronuova caught two touchdown passes and Kumm caught a touchdown, hit a 43yard field goal and a 25-yard field goal and was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points to lead Ocean County to a convincing 27-7 win over Monmouth County at Long Branch High School.

things he did and the life that he lived was just tremendous and to be awarded an award in his honor is the greatest honor.”

To cap his standout night, Kumm booted a career-long 43-yard field goal that capped the scoring with 3:08 left in the game.

Kumm was not even the kicker at Brick Memorial this year and with no other option at kicker on the roster, Kumm was the choice.

“Coach told me, 30 (yards) or in, we are going to go for it (the kick),” Kumm said “I read Scott Stump’s preview again and I was smiling because he said that Ocean doesn’t have a kicker. Clearly, the roles were reversed for me and I just had a good time out there. My holder, my snapper, the line – everybody did the job.”

After Kumm’s touchdown, Lacey quarterback Conor Davies then found Castronuova for a 42-yard touchdown strike to make it 24-0, with Davies starting the play in the slot and taking a toss from Brick Memorial running back Connor Owen, who had taken a handoff from Jackson Memorial quarterback Joe DeMaio, before hitting Castronuova in stride on a fly pattern.

“We have that “We practiced that mentality that no one a lot over the week can beat us and we and it worked every came out here and single time we ran made sure that it,” Davies said. “I everybody else was on was actually in at the same page,” quarterback when it Castronuova said, happened and they referring to the six Brick’s Carmen Sclafani, Lacey’s Conor Davies told me before the & Jackson Memorial’s Joe DeMaio players from Jackson series that we might Memorial’s state do it. They’d put championship team on DeMaio in and I was the roster and the coaching staff led by Jaguars head coach Walt Krystopik. going to go to the slot. I was surprised the defense “We had six guys from our team and we all clicked, and it was a great thing didn’t pick up on it and I’m glad they didn’t. to see happen in five days.”

Castronuova, with his speed, got wide open and I just Castronuova was named the Ocean County Offensive Most Valuable Player, while Toms River South defensive lineman Joe Odebode took home defensive Most Valuable Player honors with a sack and a tackle for a loss.

Kumm, meanwhile, was awarded the Sam Mills Award for leadership after the third quarter, shortly after he caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Jackson Memorial quarterback Joe DeMaio to give Ocean a 17-0 lead with 9:10 left in the 3rd quarter.

“I just heard (Mills’) story on the sideline and it’s a great honor to win this award,” said Kumm, who will play at Carnegie Mellon in the fall. “The

multiple positions, and it was awesome just seeing us click right from the start.”

Castronuova caught five passes for 63 yards and Davies went 4-for-5 for 89 yards and a touchdown. Brick quarterback Carmen Sclafani hit Castronuova for a one-yard touchdown pass to cap the opening drive of the game. Sclafani finished 6-for-10 with 27 yards and a touchdown, as well as 51 yards on 10 carries.

Ocean began the game with a 13-play, 74-yard drive that Sclafani capped when he rolled out to his left on second-and-goal from the one yard-line and flipped a shovel pass over a host of converging defenders, which Castronuova caught for the game’s first score. Kumm’s extra point capped the drive, which burned 7:09 off the clock before Monmouth even had a possession.

slung it out there to him.”

Davies and Castronuova also starred together in the Phil Simms’ North-South State All-Star Game at Kean University in late June and got a chance to shine on the same team one more time.

“I played with Conor in the all-state game last week and seeing what he can do with the type of skill level he has when he gets the blocking was impressive,” Castronuova said. “I didn’t break stride on that pass he threw to me. He’s a great kid, he can play

Rumson’s Charlie Volker

See

Kumm was on the receiving end of one of two completions

by Davies on a second-quarter drive that gave Ocean a 10-0 lead, ending with Kumm’s 25yard field goal from the right hash. Monmouth gave Ocean new life on the drive when a long snap sailed over the head of Davies – serving as the punter – and Monmouth was called for roughing the punter

Gridiron

page 4

FOR SSN ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com

3

gridiron

Continued from page 3

yards to the 20 late in the second quarter, with Ocean still leading 10-0.

on the play to give Ocean a first down after a fourth-and-6.

Odebode led the defensive charge by serving as disruptive force behind an effective defensive line. The unit held Long Branch standout and Shore Conference single-season-rushing record-holder Dahmiere Willis to 61 yards on 14 carries, including 14 yards on six touches in the second half.

DeMaio helped ignite the drive with 27 yards on four carries before Davies took over under center following the personal foul. Davies also hit Southern tight end Olufemi Palmer for a 14yard completion to set Ocean up at the four yardline before the drive stalled inside the 10.

DeMaio’s third-quarter touchdown pass to Kumm was his only pass attempt of the game and it came on a play-action fake that both DeMaio and Kumm sold to perfection. No player was within 20 yards of Kumm, who backpedalled into the end zone after catching the pass from DeMaio over the top of the defense.

“Our guys inside – (Adam) Kakar, Xavier Young, Brad Greenway – just kept pushing them outside and letting me eat, just do what I have to do,” Odebode said.

Odebode shined for Ocean despite not being named to the team until this past weekend, when he was bumped up from the

“Going out for that play, I knew the play was going towards me and I just had to fake the run block, and when the cornerback bit, I knew I was gone,” Kumm said.

In all, the three Ocean County quarterbacks combined to go 11-for-16 for 161 yards and three touchdowns.

Ocean’s defense also completely shut down the Monmouth passing attack, which was limited to 1-for-8 passing, with Volker catching a 12-yard screen pass from Mater Dei Prep quarterback Christian Palmer in the second quarter.

Monmouth also committed the game’s lone turnover, a fumbled exchange between Raritan quarterback Riley Sullivan and Volker that Jackson Memorial linebacker Zach Tetro recovered on the Ocean 19 and returned 10

list of alternates to the game roster.

“I got a call from coach (Matt) Martin and I was elated,” Odebode said. “My sophomore year, I came to the game and I said ‘I want to play in that game.’ I didn’t get the call until the night before (the first)

Brick’s Carmen Sclafani

“It means a lot (to win MVP) because I wasn’t selected at first. I was a reserve and when I got the call, I knew I had to come here and represent for Toms River South and Ocean County.”

Volker was the Monmouth County Offensive MVP with 84 yards on 14 carries and one catch for 12 yards to go with his rushing touchdown. Holmdel linebacker Frank Condito was the Monmouth defensive MVP, while Palmer and Red Bank Catholic defensive back Mike Cordova were the Leadership Award winners for their respective counties.

Willis was selected as the Sam Mills Award winner for the Monmouth County squad, accepting the award on his home field, as well at the alma mater of Mills.

Lacey’s Conor Davies

The Ocean County defense, meanwhile, contained Monmouth County’s running game over the first three quarters before allowing Rumson-Fair Haven back Charlie Volker to lead a scoring drive in the fourth quarter, one that the Princeton University recruit capped with a nine-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to 24-7.

4

practice, so it was the best thing to hear.

by: Scott Stump www.shoresportsnetwork.com Brick's Ja'Quez Johnson (in white) and Matawan's Justin Ferrara

Photos by: Ray Rich Photography www.rayrichphotography.smugmug.com

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

5

Brick Memorial’s Karl Kumm Honored with Sam Mills Award for Ocean County

A

By Kenneth Bradley - Shore Sports Network contributor

s Ocean County rolled to a 27-7 victory over Monmouth in the U.S. Army AllShore Gridiron Classic on July 16, Brick Memorial wide receiver/kicker Karl Kumm wide receiver/kicker highlighted a memorable night when he was selected to receive the prestigious Sam Mills Award for his county.

The award is named after the late Long Branch great, who went on to fame as an All-Pro linebacker with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers in the late 1980s and early 1990s after starring at Montclair State. Mills died of cancer in 2005. The award is selected by the coaches for a player who shows the perseverance, character and determination that defined Mills’ life and career.

The Monmouth County recipient was from Mills’ alma mater as record-setting running back Dahmiere Willis of Long Branch was given the honor.

“The first mention I heard of Sam Mills was on the sidelines tonight, the impact he had on football and the role model he was in the Shore Conference by playing in the NFL,” Kumm said. “Just knowing I am given an award in his honor is tremendous to me.”

Kumm took on multiple responsibilities throughout the night as he performed kickoffs, extra points and was a key target in Ocean’s deep passing attack.

For the night, Kumm was a perfect 3-for-3 on extra points, made both field goal attempts from 43 and 25 yards, and had two receptions for 53 yards and one touchdown.

Going into an all-star game such as the Gridiron Classic in an area with rich football history and heated rivalries, the question of how the former rivals will play together is always talked about.

“The first day you go into a different locker room and there is a chill in the air,” Kumm said. “You see your rivals across the room from you changing, and now you realize you’re on the same team.”

After playing against each other for four years during high school, the players put any differences aside to play one final game and lead Ocean County to its biggest margin of victory in the 38th edition of the state’s oldest football all-star game.

“Now with these guys being on my team, you see their ability,” Kumm said. “In the end we all became great friends, and overall it is an awesome experience.”

Kumm, who will continue his career at Carnegie Mellon, did not start playing football until he got to high school. After being born in Estonia, Kumm moved to the United States at a young age and he grew up playing soccer.

“I joined football my freshman year, and I just wanted to make a name for myself,” he said. “My mom brought me here with a suitcase and $100, so everything I do is in her honor.”

With a strong performance tonight to cap off a memorable high school career, Kumm definitely made his mother and family proud.

P h o t o s b y : Ray Rich Photography www.rayrichphotography.smugmug.com

FOR SSN ADVERTISING INFORMATION & HI-RES COLOR RE-PRINTS Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 6

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

7

Jackson Memorial Wins Shore Conference 7-on-7 Title

J

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ackson Memorial has built its reputation on being able to bury teams with the running game, but the Jaguars showed on July 16th that they can do more than just ground and pound.

Junior Dan Barker, who will step in for graduated standout Joe DeMaio at quarterback for the Jaguars this fall, threw three touchdown passes to lead them to a 20-6 win over Monmouth County champion Wall in the Shore Conference 7-on-7 championship game that preceded the U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic.

“I think it gives us a lot of confidence,” Barker said. “They’re used to Joe from last year, so this is a good chance to give me some work with them.”

Barker missed just about all of last season with a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He takes the reins of a unit that produced two 1,000-yard rushers in one season for the first time in school history last year on the way to winning the Central Jersey Group IV title and finishing No. 1 in the Shore.

the graduated Aaron Curet. Senior Kyle Lona and junior Trevor Louro are expected to play much bigger roles.

Barker is also filling the shoes of DeMaio, a two-year starter who is headed to Iona to play baseball. DeMaio threw a touchdown pass in Ocean County’s win on Thursday night.

“I learned how to be a leader by watching him,” Barker said. “He was a great leader.

He’s really athletic, and he never seemed to get nervous in big spots. It was good learning from him.”

The bull’s eye will be on the Jaguars’ back from Day One as the defending state champion and top team in the Shore.

“It’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I think once I go out and make a couple plays, I’ll be fine,” Barker said.

Jackson Memorial senior Vinny Lee

Jackson Memorial junior QB Dan Barker

P h o t o s b y : Ray Rich Photography www.rayrichphotography.smugmug.com

Both of those running backs, senior Vinny Lee and junior Mike Gawlik, return this fall.

The 7-on-7 showed that the versatile Lee will be incorporated much more into the passing game this year. “(Lee) can do anything,” Barker said. “He’s just really athletic and can make any play.”

Senior standout Kyle Johnson returns at wide receiver, but standout Matt Castronuova, who was the offensive MVP in Ocean County’s victory with two touchdown catches on Thursday night, has to be replaced along with

8

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

P

Helpful Tips to Avoid Dehydration

By Harry A. Bade, III, MD, FACS

re-season for the fall athletic season will soon be upon us. It is always important for athletes to hydrate, however, it becomes critically important during hot and humid weather conditions.

Dehydration is the process of reducing body water through physical activity, thermal stress, illness or water deprivation. Exercising in hot and humid conditions can cause significant water loss in as little as 30 minutes.

THIRST IS NOT AN ADEQUATE INDICATION FOR DEHYDRATION. If an athlete is thirsty, they are already dehydrated.

Avoid the complications of dehydrations (heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke) by following these helpful tips: 1. Drink water regularly, throughout the day, not just during practices or competitions; *most importantly before athletic activity 2. Wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing

3. When possible, avoid exercise at the hottest times of day (2-6pm) 4. Alert your certified athletic trainer if you do not feel well 5. Allow time for acclimatization, gradually increasing duration/intensity over a two week period

6. Monitor weight loss before and after practice, especially during two-a-day practice sessions

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

Harry A. Bade, III, MD, FACS

Founder & Senior Partner, Professional Orthopaedics Fellowship Trained Orthopaedic Surgeon Board Certified: Orthopaedic Surgery& Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Residency at: The Hospital for Special Surgery Shoulder Fellowship at: The Hospital for Special Surgery Hand Fellowship at: The Hospital for Special Surgery Microsurgery Fellowship at: Duke Universtiy Medical Center

Active member: American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Team Physician: Monmouth University, Georgian Court University, Brookdale Community College, & Over 20 area high schools Consultant: New York Giants Clinical and Academic Instructor: Orthopaedic Residency Program at MMC

9

Y

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

ou can stop shaking , muttering to yourself and pacing incessantly – Shore Conference football is almost back .

With preseason camps set to get into full swing in midAugust, it’s time to take a look at some of the storylines that Shore fans will be talking about during the build-up to the beginning of the regular season in the first week of September. A host of high-level talent returns after a season in which the Shore won a conference-record six state championships, including a sweep of all five Central Jersey brackets.

Here are some storylines to keep an eye on as preseason camp looms.

THE SAGA AT

ST. JOHN VIANNEY

A team with a loaded roster that was poised to make a run at No. 1 in the Shore has experienced more preseason turbulence than any local squad. Head coach Mark Ciccotelli, who led the Lancers to a 10-win season, their first division title since 1982 and their first state playoff win since 1981, resigned as head coach, with some of the players insinuating that he was forced out. Former Raritan, Monmouth and Marlboro head coach Derek Sininsky got the job two days later and has the task of uniting the team after the major shakeup only two weeks before preseason camp begins.

The Lancers feature Boston College recruit Anthony Brown, one of the state’s top quarterbacks, as well as first-team All-Shore cornerback Khalil Haskins, standout fullback/linebacker Calvin Beaty, allpurpose threat Jeff Sheard, and one of the top recruits in the country for the Class of 2017, junior lineman Micah Clark. How fast they can get on the same page with a new coaching staff and team chemistry will play a major role in whether they live up to expectations or experience a frustrating season.

10

Head Coach Derek Sininsky

MIDD L E T O W N S O U T H ’ S

QUES T TO GET THE MONKEY OFF ITS BACK

A 21-18 loss to Jackson Memorial in last year’s Central Jersey Group IV final dropped the Eagles to 0-5 in their last five state final appearances. They have been on a remarkable run under coach Steve Antonucci, having appeared in a state final in 11 of the past 14 seasons, but finishing the job has proven elusive in the last nine years.

Their current senior class was touted as the one that would end the drought since they were freshmen, and the juniors right behind them were also viewed as a stellar class. That means that the time is now to get that first title since 2006.

A host of those juniors started last year as sophomores, led by running back/linebacker James McCarthy, so the return of quarterback/kicker Matt Mosquera, 1,000yard rusher Cole Rogers, first-team All-Shore linebacker Dylan Rogers and standout offensive lineman Thomas Lopez makes this arguably the most talented South team since that 2006 squad.

Now they just have to deliver, which won’t be easy because Jackson Memorial isn’t going anywhere as it returns plenty of proven talent and always seems to have more on the way.

Middletown South also will try to solve Manalapan in Class A North, where the Braves have owned the Eagles, beating them five straight times on their way to winning five division titles in a row.

A GROUP OF STAR QUARTERBACKS

Two of the best quarterbacks in the state, Red Bank Catholic’s Eddie Hahn and St. John Vianney’s Anthony Brown, lead a quality group of signal-callers. Hahn is verbally committed to UConn, while Brown has committed to Boston College. The Shore has not had a quarterback gain the starting job at an FBS program in eons, possibly back to the early 1980s or 1970s, and now Hahn and Brown are the next two to try to break that trend.

Both are tremendous dual threats, as Brown led the Shore Conference with 2,198

RBC's Eddie Hahn

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

yards passing and finish second with 25 touchdown passes, and he also ran for 805 yards and 9 touchdowns. The main question is what adjustments he will make with new coach Derek Sininsky taking over, although Sininsky has said he plans on keeping the spread offense run by the Lancers last year the same to maximize Brown’s talents.

Hahn helped lead the Caseys to their first state title since 1976 last season and makes them a serious threat to become the first Shore Conference non-public team to ever win back-to-back state championships since the creation of the state playoff system in 1974. He threw for 1,485 yards, averaging 18.3 yards per completion and throwing 20 touchdown passes, while also running for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on an average of 7.5 yards per carry last year.

Those two are far from the only talents, as second-team All-Shore pick Mike Husni of Toms River North returns after a monster sophomore year in which he went over 1,000 yards passing and rushing for 2,676 total yards and 24 total touchdowns. He leads a talented Mariners squad looking to make a serious run at the Class A South title and a state title with the likes of first-team All-Shore defensive lineman Da’shon Copes and 1,000-yard rusher Asante Moorer returning plus talented sophomore running back Daryn Blackwell joining the varsity fold this fall.

Matawan sophomore George Pearson also returns after registering the best season of any freshman in Shore Conference history with 1,956 yards passing and 16 touchdowns in a season where he helped the Huskies win the Central Jersey Group III title. He

SJV's Anthony Brown

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

already has an offer from Temple and has plenty of weapons returning like Dejohn Rogers and Shawn Ramcheran.

Middletown North’s prolific Donald Glenn, already the most accomplished passer in school history heading into his junior season, returns to try to help the Lions take the next step and make a run at division and state titles. Middletown South’s Matt Mosquera, who had a record-setting season as a kicker last year, is also back as the Eagles’ signalcaller in their fast-paced attack.

Holmdel junior Aneesh Agrawal and Ocean junior Kenny Pickett are back after finishing in the top 10 in the Shore in passing yards as sophomores, and Freehold Township’s Jack O’Brien is back with a new head coach, Cory Davies, whose spread attack produced record-setting passers at Howell and Lacey. Rumson’s Mike O’Connor is another junior who started as a sophomore and was a solid allaround threat who helped the Bulldogs repeat as Central Jersey Group II champions.

Red Bank’s Jack Navitsky also returns and looks to make a leap forward after a promising junior year, and he has one of the most formidable weapons in the area, Syracuse-bound senior receiver Sadiq Palmer. Wall’s Matt Cluley is in his second year helming the spread attack and looks to help the Crimson Knights get back on the winning side of things. Brick Memorial’s Tim Santiago showed flashes of explosiveness as a runner in the Mustangs’ flexbone option attack last year and is back for more, and the same goes for Freehold Boro senior Jake Curry. Another quality running threat, Central’s Mike Miserendino, is back as a complement to 2,000-yard rusher Mike Bickford.

Those are just the quarterbacks who are known quantities, so we’ll see what other new stars are born this year among a deep group.

JACKSON MEMORIAL TRIES TO STAY ON TOP

The Jaguars became the first public school team to finish No. 1 in

Jackson Memorial's Mike Gawlik

See

preseason

page 12

11

preseason

Continued from page 11

the Shore since the conference’s last undefeated team, the 2010 Lacey squad. They ended RBC’s 40-game winning streak against Shore competition, and they will face the Caseys again this year in a highlyanticipated game.

While they graduated a talented senior class after winning their first Central Jersey Group IV title since 2005, they have plenty of firepower left. Two 1,000-yard rushers, senior Vinny Lee and first-team All-Shore pick Mike Gawlik, both return, and Gawlik also is a standout safety. They graduated quarterback Joe DeMaio, a twoyear starter, but junior Dan Barker has looked solid this summer in helping the Jaguars win the Shore Conference 7-on-7 title.

The biggest challenge will be replacing the bulk of the Shore Conference’s best offensive line, but quality offensive linemen seems to be something Jackson never runs out of. They also have plenty of defensive stars like linebackers Zach Tetro and Cole Collins to replace, as well as standout tight end/defensive end Brody Graham, but they have shown the ability to reload, particularly at linebacker.

Manalapan also has been immune to graduation, and it will once again have to replace plenty of All-Shore talent after winning its first Central Jersey Group V title. It will have a new starting quarterback and tailback and has to replace some of the Shore Conference’s best defensive players in defensive linemen Kyle Mullen and Ben Sieczkowski, linebacker Joe Mendez and defensive back Dan Debner. They return two great building blocks up front in offensive lineman Joe Sellmeyer and Reily Radosevich, and they always seem to have another star running back waiting his turn.

Matawan's Aliem Shaw

Offensive home run threat Matt Castronuova also has graduated, but senior Kyle Johnson and others are ready to fill that void. The ingredients are certainly there to become the first Shore public team to finish No. 1 in back-to-back seasons since Middletown South’s run from 2003-05 during the Knowshon Moreno era.

However, Class A South is always a gauntlet and they have to face RBC, plus could potentially see CJ IV runner-up Middletown South in the postseason again. The Jaguars are never intimidated by a challenge, so they won’t be easy to knock off their perch.

CENTRAL L O O K S T O KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

The Golden Eagles won their first division title and their first state playoff game since 1994 last fall, and now they enter this season looking like the favorites in Class B South given what defending co-champion Barnegat lost to graduation.

They return 2,000-yard rusher Mike Bickford as well as quarterback Mike Miserendino, but they lost some key cogs up like Rudy Solomon and Liam Christensen to graduation. Central’s biggest challenge has been consistency as far as stringing together multiple winning seasons, so we’ll see if they can take that step into being a consistent contender with some talented pieces back in the fold.

Matawan returns a host of talent from the Central Jersey Group III champs, led by one of the Shore’s top cornerbacks in Dejohn Rogers, two-time first-team All-Shore linebacker Aliem Shaw, wide receiver/defensive back Shawn Ramcheran, and the aforementioned George Pearson at quarterback. Now that Pearson is comfortable with a year in the offense, the Huskies could be even more prolific in that department.

Rumson-Fair Haven graduated the best running back in school history, Charlie Volker, so junior quarterback Mike O’Connor will be called upon to step up and be the centerpiece of the offense this year. He showed flashes of brilliance last year as a complement to Volker and is a strong dual threat. While there isn’t a back the level of Volker waiting in the wings, there are several solid running backs who saw significant time while Volker missed multiple games with an ankle injury last fall.

The defense is always solid for the two-time defending Central Jersey Group II champions and has plenty of talent, particularly among the juniors like linebacker Mike Ruane and lineman Tim Leonard, who saw time as sophomores last year. Plus senior Max Pfrang also returns at linebacker to anchor that group. Six-foot-7 sophomore wide receiver Elijah McAlister, who already has an offer from Temple, also should be an emerging weapon this fall.

Shore Regional looks to once again be a tough team to beat in Central Jersey Group I despite the graduation of some All-Shore talent like linebacker James Bedell.

Senior fullback/linebacker Doug Goldsmith is back as Shore’s top allaround player, and senior running back Tyreek McCain is a big-play threat who emerged in last year’s state playoff run. The defense always is a rugged unit, so the Blue Devils have plenty of talent to repeat as champs.

SIX STATE C H A M P I O N S TRYING TO DEFEND THEIR TITLES

Red Bank Catholic, Manalapan, Jackson Memorial, Matawan, Rumson-Fair Haven and Shore Regional all enter as defending state champions, and all of them return enough firepower to make another serious run. I discussed Jackson Memorial above, so here’s a look at the other defending champs.

Winning Non-Public Group III is hard enough to do once, so the Caseys have their work cut out for them, but with talent like quarterback Eddie Hahn, Duke-bound lineman Liam Smith, running back/linebacker Dylan Murphy, they certainly have a shot. It comes down to replacing one of the best senior classes they have had in school history.

RFH’s Mike O’Connor

Photos by: Ray Rich Photography www.rayrichphotography.smugmug.com Bill Normile www.billnormile.zenfolio.com Mark Brown www.b51photography.com

12

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

13

Gridiron Classic Notebook: SFCF Hall of Fame, Leadership Awards & Sam Mills Awards

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

Three New Hall of Famers

Mark Costantino

It was a special night for Shore Regional coach Mark Costantino, former Jackson Memorial and Wall coach Chris Barnes, and longtime newspaper reporter Chris Christopher, who all were inducted into the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame at halftime .

Chris Barnes Shore Regional’s Mark Costantino and a large contingent of friends, family and coaches celebrated his induction into the Hall of Fame

Chris Christopher

The media Hall of Fame inductee this year was Chris Christopher, who has been covering Shore Conference football for nearly 40 years.

Former Jackson Memorial and Wall coach Chris Barnes and his family enjoy a proud moment as he is inducted into the SFCF Hall of Fame.

Sam Mills Awards While Kumm earned the Ocean County Sam Mills Award, it was also a special night for Long Branch’s Dahmiere Willis. The star who set the single-season Shore Conference rushing record with 2,589 yards this past fall was Monmouth County’s recipient. It was a nice link to the past, as the game was on Willis’s home field at Long Branch, where Mills is a legend.

U. S. ARMY Leadership Awards

Dahmiere Willis receives Sam Mills award from Val Barnaby of ESSA Sports Performance Training

Karl Kumm receives Sam Mills award from Val Barnaby of ESSA Sports Performance Training

14

Southern’s Femi Palmer receives the Leadership Award from members of the U.S. Army

RBC’s Mike Cordova receives the Leadership Award from members of the U.S. Army

For the first time in the Classic’s history, Leadership Awards were handed out by the U.S. Army to one player from each county.

Southern’s Femi Palmer was Ocean’s winner, while Red Bank Catholic defensive back Mike Cordova earned the honor for Monmouth.

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

15

Jackson Little League Slugs Its Way Past Clark, Wins Section 3 Title

T

Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer

wenty-four hours after learning that it could, in fact, be beaten, the Jackson Little League team put on a hitting display that served as a reminder of how dominant they have been to catapult into the state finals.

Jackson cracked four home runs – including two by third baseman Matt Potok – and used a nine-run fourth inning to bury Clark, 14-4, in four innings to advance to this week's state finals, which begin Thursday in Hammonton.

First baseman Jake Wendell belted a go-ahead three-run home run to center field in the bottom of the third inning to give Jackson a 4-2 lead and starting pitcher Sean Slusak launched a grand slam in the nine-run fourth to open up a 9-4 Jackson lead.

Wendell’s blast cleared the collection of spectators stationed behind the center field fence, while Slusak crushed a first-pitch fastball off a tree in left-center, with the ball bounding back onto the field.

Three batters after Slusak’s homer, Potok went deep for the second time, lofting a shot over the center field fence to give Jackson an 11-4 advantage.

“We were all looking to make contact,” Potok said. “We knew (Clark) was going to come back and fight so we knew we had to keep putting up runs and not give them too much of a chance.”

Clark defeated Jackson 10-7 Thursday to force a winner-take-all game on Friday night. Prior to Thursday’s loss, Jackson had not lost during its postseason run and did not even trail during its 100 start. The first lead any team had on Jackson was the 7-0 cushion Clark built in the first inning and Jackson still managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the sixth inning.

“It was really tough (to lose) and we were kind of scared, but we knew we could come back,” Potok said.

Center fielder and leadoff hitter Ryan Lasko ended the game with a two-out, bases-clearing double to the gap in right-center field.

Catcher Zack Rogacki scored the game-ending run from first on the play, scampering home from third after the throw from the outfield got away from Clark second baseman Matt Sot.

“It’s a good feeling,” Lasko said of his game-ending hit. “If people don’t know how it feels (under the dogpile), it’s a good feeling. It’s a lot of weight on you but it doesn’t feel like a lot of weight when you know you won the game.”

Rogacki came on as a pinch-hitter after Caden Brooks led off the fourth with a single and ripped a double to the left-field fence – the first of two times he would reach base in the inning. He drew a two-out walk to load the bases in front of Lasko before the

Jackson leadoff hitter ended the game with his double.

Three first-inning walks cost Slusak a run in the top of the first inning and the run he allowed in the third and two he allowed in the fourth were all unearned. He finished with six strikeouts, four walks and allowed four hits – all while improving to 4-0 during tournament play.

“They are a tough lineup,” Slusak said. “Even when I hit my spots, they were able to hit the ball hard a few times. Watching them (Thursday), it looked like they liked to hit low pitches, so I tried to keep it away from where they wanted it, but the most important thing was to just throw strikes and give us a chance to win the game.

beyond the right-field fence to tie the game at one in the bottom of the second inning.

Potok finished 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double and three RBI. Slusak was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI, while Lasko was 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI. Jackson finished off its run through Section 3 having outscored its opponents 215-25 in 12 games.

“We have one of the best lineups in New Jersey so we just put the ball in play and good things usually happen.”

Potok hammered a solo home run high into one of the trees

by:

Matt Manley

www.shoresportsnetwork.com

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR BI-WEEKLY PUBLICATION NOW AVAILABLE

FOR INFORMATION

ON HI-RES COLOR PRINTS OF ANY

CONTACT: S t e v e n M e y e r 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 4 6 0

steve.meyer@townsquarmedia.com

PAGES & IMAGES IN ANY OF OUR PUBLICATIONS

16

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

17

Wall Duo, RBR and RBC right-handers Highlight Week of Shore College Commitments

A

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

busy week of Shore Conference baseball verba l c o l l e g e c o m m i t m e n t s contin u e d M o n d a y w h e n Wa l l Class o f 2 0 1 6 t h i r d b a s e m a n and p i t c h e r R e g a n D o m b r o s k i annou n c e d h i s n o n - b i n d i n g oral c o m m i t m e n t t o Monm o u t h U ni v e r s i t y.

Dombroski’s verbal commitement was the second by a Wall player this week, as 2016 right-hander Connor Metelski also announced his commitment to University of Massachussets at Lowell.

Dombroski hit .327 with a home run, five doubles and 14 RBI as a junior for a 20-8 Wall team in 2015. He was also third on the team with 43 2/3 innings on the mound while posting a 3-4 record with a 2.40 earned-run average.

18

Metelski appeared in eight games as a reliever and allowed only one earned run – good for a 0.46 ERA over 15 innings. He also notched hits in his only two official at-bats at the plate.

The Wall duo are two of four players from the Shore Conference Class B North to commit in the last week. Red Bank Catholic 2016 right-hander Jack Ipsen committed to Bryant University last Thursday, while Red Bank Regional 2016 righthander Nick Massa committed to Manhattan College over the weekend.

Ipsen went 4-2 as a junior for the Caseys, striking out 35 in 36 1/3 innings while pitching to a 3.49 ERA for the No. 2 team in the final Shore Sports Network Top 10.

Massa was an all-division pitcher for the Bucs, according to the Class B North coaches after going 3-5 with a 3.36 ERA for a Red Bank team that went 7-16 in 2015. Mass also struck out 52 batters in 50 innings, which tied for 15th in the Shore Conference in total strikeouts.

Red Bank Catholic right-hander Jack Ipsen

Mark Brown www.b51photography.com

VOLUME-VII / ISSUE-14 / 7/28/15

Fri Sept. 11 Donovan Catholic

at

T.R. South

(7pm)

Fri Oct. 16

T.R. North

Fri Sept. 18 T.R. North

at

Brick Memorial

(7pm)

Fri Oct. 23

Fri Sept. 25 St. John Vianney

at

Central

(7pm)

at

T.R. East

(7pm)

Middletown South at

Brick Memorial

(7pm)

Fri Oct. 30

Shore

Point Beach

(7pm)

at

Fri Oct. 2

Jackson Memorial at

Brick

(7pm)

Fri Nov. 6

Jackson Memorial at

Red Bank Cath.

(7pm)

Fri Oct. 9

Jackson Memorial at

T.R. North

(7pm)

Thr Nov. 26

Manasquan

Wall

(11a)

NJSIAA Playoffs

TBD

at

Schedule is subject to change

All games to be broadcast on News Talk Radio and streamed live at www.shoresportsnetwork.com

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

19

20

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM/

V O L U M E - V I I / I S S U E - 14

/ 7 / 28 / 1 5