October 4, 2010 Volume-II - Issue-18 Ja ck son Mem o r ia l: Bo ys S o cc er Page 3 Shore Regional: Gunning for Title Page 6 Exceeding Expectations Football Feature Page 8-9 Chris Melvin's Top Recruits Page 12 Coming Home: Southern's Ethan Decker Page 13 Melvin's Review Page 14 Stumpy’s Corner Page 15
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October 4, 2010 I Volume-II I Issue-18
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 /1 0 Page 3
FIGHTInG FAlCOnS: MONMOuTh OFF TO 3-0 STArT By Scott Stump – Managing Editor For a football program that has only been to the postseason once since the NJSIAA created the playoff system in 1974, Monmouth Regional has surprisingly shown the traits of a team that has instead been through the fire many times during its impressive 3-0 start to the season. Week after week, the Falcons have been down on the scoreboard, only to come flying back and claim a victory. In Week Three against Colts Neck, Monmouth pulled off yet another rally to improve to 3-0 for the first time since starting 6-0 in 2006, when it made its only state playoff appearance in school history.
against Colts Neck.'' In addition to catching five balls for 100 yards and the game-tying touchdown, Ford also again showed his mettle under pressure as a kicker. On the road against Central Jersey Group I finalist Highland Park last season, Ford booted a last-second field goal that gave the Falcons a 23-20 win. “He did it once last year, so once we got down there (against Colts Neck), I thought, 'He's got it,''' Visconti said.
Monmouth had its bye week after the dramatic victory over the Cougars, and it came at an opportune time as senior running back Davonte Thomas and Satcher suffered ankle and shoulder injuries, respectively, against Colts Neck but should be good to go in Week Five in a big nondivisional game against Rumson-Fair Haven. The Bulldogs are The Falcons scored 17 Senior RB Davonte Thomas also in Central Jersey Group II, so that unanswered points in the is a huge power-point game as fourth quarter to come away tries to qualify for the state Monmouth with a 17-14 win over Colts playoffs for just the second time Neck in Class B North on senior Brandon Ford's 21-yard ever. With their sparkling start, field goal with 26 seconds left in the game. Monmouth they know they won't be sneaking came back from a 13-0 deficit to Carteret to win its up on anyone. opener, 41-21, and was down against Freehold before closing out an eye-opening 27-19 win. "That's a great thing about our team,'' said senior quarterback A.J. Visconti, who threw two touchdown passes to fuel the comeback against Colts Neck. "We have a great group of kids, and we know what we're supposed to do and what we have to do to win. We don't give up, and it's working so far.'' A big key has been an offensive line that has coalesced quickly, which is no surprise to Visconti. "They worked harder in the offseason than any unit on our team,'' he said. "Before, during, and after practice, they were working harder than any guys on our team all during the summer and the preseason.'' Monmouth's new spread offense has also proven difficult to stop and has allowed the Falcons to put points on the board in a hurry, as the Colts Neck game illustrated. "Everyone gets the ball, so the defense can't key on one guy,'' Visconti said. "The first game it was (senior running back Matt) Showanes, then (wideout/tight end) Scott Satcher had a big second game, then Ford had a big game
"We've got to keep playing as the underdog,'' Visconti said. "We're going into the big stretch of our season after the bye week. We know what people expect of us. We've just got to go out there and play football.''
faze us. There was no fingerpointing, no helmet throwing. Freehold kept coming back, but there was no panic in our eyes. We have guys Senior QB A.J. Visconti who are able to handle anything.'' The most impressive victory was over Freehold, as the Falcons fought off the Colonials' second-half comeback attempt for a victory that Spampanato characterized as the biggest win in the four seasons he has been at Monmouth. The Falcons' offense, led by Visconti, has three legitimate running backs in Showanes, Thomas and senior Shayne Henderson, and a go-to receiver in Satcher, who had a pair of touchdown catches in the win over Freehold. "It's really an offense where you can't key on one guy,'' Spampanato said. "Our one question mark was the (offensive) line, but they seem to be jelling well now. To beat a team like Freehold, which has great athletes and is wellcoached, was a great program win.''
Now that Monmouth is no longer a secret, the question All during the preseason, remains as to whether the Monmouth wasn't mentioned Falcons can navigate a fierce when talking about the featured gauntlet that includes Rumson, teams in Class B North, left out Neptune, Red Bank of the conversation for teams Senior WR/TE Scott Satcher Catholic, Long Branch like Red Bank Catholic, Ocean, and Red Bank before the Long Branch, Neptune and state playoff qualifying cutoff on Freehold. That's what happens the first weekend of November. Those first four teams when you only have one state playoff appearance and were all state playoff teams last season, while Red Bank one postseason victory in 35 seasons, but this year's is much improved. edition of the Falcons has developed a characteristic that will serve them well in an underdog role. "It's great to see that overcoming adversity is becoming the identity of our team,'' head coach Sal Spampanato said. "(Against Carteret), we fell behind 13-0 and it didn't
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 / 10 Page 4
The Empire Strikes Back: Mi ddl eto wn S ou th Footb all
By Scott Stump – Managing Editor
Usually all the focus going into a high-profile game involving perennial juggernaut Middletown South is all about what the opponent will not be able to do.
injury to Matt Saulnier coming in, and Scotty Meeker going down last week, and everybody kept saying we couldn't do it. That's all we kept feeding them all week long.''
With senior quarterback Scott Meeker out with an injury, senior inside linebacker Matt Saulnier suffering a seasonending knee injury earlier in the week in practice, and Howell entering the game with an offense that had been unstoppable thus far this season, a Shore Conference Class A North showdown on Oct. 2 seemed to be all about what Middletown South could not do.
Seemingly cast aside and questioned after the key injuries, a sloppy loss to Manalapan and a lackluster win over struggling Freehold Township in the last two weeks, the Eagles soared back into the division title race by smashing Howell at the point of attack on offense and harassing prolific junior quarterback Ryan Davies on defense. Middletown South amassed 411 yards of total offense, while sacking Davies eight times for a total of minus-75 yards and intercepting him twice, despite the fact that he threw for 354 yards.
By the end of an emotionallycharged Senior Night in which the Rebels honored former player John Bukowiec, who died at 18 years old in a car accident in July, it was previously unbeaten Howell that was searching for answers against the Eagles after a resounding 38-14 win by the visitors in the first meeting between the teams since 1999. "No we can't? Yes we can!'' Middletown South head coach Steve Antonucci said after the win as he stalked back and forth in front of his team while the steam rose off the heads of the victorious Eagles in the cool weather. "No we won't? Yes we will! Nobody came in here tonight and thought we could do this, but guess what? We did.'' The Eagles were in a rare position as the underdog, and it clearly energized them as they blasted to a 35-14 halftime lead and never looked back. "We were playing the role of an underdog, and we're not used to being there,'' Antonucci said. "It brings out the animal in people, I guess, if you want to call it that. We were emotional coming in ourselves. We had a season-ending
Senior running back Andrew Suarez had a career-high three touchdowns, including an 85-yard kickoff return for a score, and 133 yards rushing on 16 carries to lead the way. Junior quarterback Howie Brey, making his first varsity start, went 5-for-8 Senior RB Andrew Suarez for 130 yards with a touchdown pass, a touchdown run and an interception, and senior wide receiver Taylor Rogers had four catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. Middletown South's offensive line, which did not return one starter from last year, dominated up front, paving the way for 281 yards rushing on an average of 6.7 yards per carry. Howell had only given up 23 points all season, and Middletown South had 35 by halftime. "The coaches worked us all week and asked us if we want to be the best line in the Shore,'' said junior guard John Valentine. "We showed it today. All week they were telling us that this would be the biggest game of our careers so far.''
With the home team on its heels after Middletown South quickly made it 14-0, the Eagles' defense Senior WR Taylor Rogers got another stop when it stuffed Howell senior running back Eli Blue on fourth-and-2 to get the ball back at its own 45-yard line. Five plays later, Suarez bolted for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 11:10 left in the second quarter. After missing almost all of last season with an ACL injury, Suarez showed the explosiveness that has had Middletown South's coaches talking him up since he began his varsity career as a sophomore. "I've been 100 percent,'' Suarez said. "I've been just waiting for the opportunity to do it, and the line was great tonight. They came off the ball low, fired out and took them down.'' The lead was 35-14 by halftime, and the Eagles never looked back. Middletown South's victory gives Manalapan sole possession of first place in Class A North. The Eagles have regrouped to put themselves right back in the mix for at least a share of the division title if Howell can beat Manalapan. "Our kids I think got lulled into it a little bit because they saw (Freehold) Township playing them very tough, then they saw Township play Manalapan very tough, and they thought, 'How good could (Middletown South) really be?'' Howell head coach Cory Davies said. Unfortunately for the home team, they found out the answer to that question the hard way.
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Volume-2 Issue-18 1 0 / 4/ 10 Page 5
STAR STOPPERS: Jackson Memorial Boys Soccer By Matt Manley – Staff Writer Not many teams have just one player who can keep Southern sophomore forward Ethan Decker at bay for an entire game, but in two meetings with the Rams this season, Jackson Memorial has shown that it has at least two. With two defensive starters out due to injury, senior defender Jason Smith shadowed Decker for the entire game on Sept. 30 and helped the rest of the Jaguars defense keep Southern down until Kevin Ugarte's goal in the 59th minute lifted Jackson Memorial to a 1-0 win over the Rams. The Jaguars battled Southern to a scoreless tie on Sept. 13. Both sweeper Tom DeNoville and stopper Brandon Russo were out with ankle injuries, and Russo in particular was a key missing piece in the game. It was Russo who marked Decker in the first meeting, and although Jackson had three players near Decker at all times in both meetings, choosing the right player as the primary marking back to follow Decker was the first order of business for Jackson coach Steve Bado.
because he's a senior and he has the mental toughness and awareness to not make that mistake. Decker's the best player we play, and one wrong move and he can beat you." "We have a deep team and we have a lot of guys who can play in the back," Smith said. "It was my turn, and I just tried to go out there and do the job."
Southern created limited opportunities for itself over the course of the game and did not take a shot from inside the 18-yard box against the Jackson defense. The two teams played two hours, 38 minutes and 39 seconds of scoreless soccer over two games this season before Ugarte's first goal of the season broke the scoring drought. Freshman forward Garrett Muzikowski crossed the ball from right to left and Ugarte beat a defender and Southern goalkeeper Damien Irons to the ball and Jackson Memorial defender Jason chipped it to Smith (left) locked down Southern the far corner scoring machine Ethan Decker (right) of the net to record the winning goal.
"I looked at the tape from the first game, and I thought Jason Smith was the best guy for the job," Bado said. "He's got the size and the speed to do it, but I also liked him
Southern appeared to gain confidence in its attack while Decker was on the bench following a yellow card late in the second half, and once he re-entered the game, the Rams started to create some opportunities with the ball at Decker's feet. Decker had a chance at a direct kick from 30 yards out and shot it high, while he later got just enough
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daylight to get a shot off, but the ball was deflected and cleared on its way toward the net. Jackson Memorial had a number of chances to score before Ugarte broke through, several of which were stoned by Irons. He saved a header by Matt Fryc and made a leaping save on a rip by Connor Saker from 12 yards away on the right side. Saker also missed an uncontested header in the first half, while Connor Brown chipped a cross from Saker just over the crossbar in the 54th minute. Southern was without sophomore defender Erik Kretschmer but still managed to weather the storm until Ugarte finally broke through. "Injuries were part of it, but they're not an excuse because it's something everyone has to deal with," Southern coach Evan Brosniak said. "They did a good job marking Ethan. I thought we did some good things when he was out. I have confidence in our team with Ethan, and I have confidence in our team without Ethan." The Jaguars were looking to get back on track after going 1-2 with two one-goal losses a week earlier. Despite the slip-up, Jackson appears headed back to the Shore Conference Tournament after a two-year absence with a roster full of players who have been logging varsity minutes since their freshman year. "It's been a three-year process for a lot of these guys," Bado said. "They took their lumps a little bit in the last two years, but they've developed that toughness it takes to win games, and it's starting to show."
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 / 10 Page 6
Cha mpi ons hip Ins pi ra tio n: Shore Regional Football By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer Mark Costantino had the perfect prop to drive home the point of how important a Shore Conference Class B Central showdown against Asbury Park on Oct. 2 was for his Shore Regional football team. "I brought this out during pregame and at halftime and they went crazy they loved it," Costantino said while pulling from his pocket the state championship ring the Blue Devils earned by winning the 1997 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I title. "This is what we're playing for. They have three, and we want one, and to win a division title and a state title, we have to go through them."
Maggio in the second quarter that gave undefeated Shore a 70 lead. Mark Coleman led the way on the ground with 87 of the Blue Devils' 178 rushing yards, and it was his three-yard touchdown run with 4:22 to go in the game that extended the lead to 14-0 and allowed Shore to absorb a late touchdown by previously unbeaten Asbury Park that made it a one-score game. Britt accounted for nearly all of the Bishops' offense with 205 passing yards and 32 rushing yards. He brought Asbury Park down the field quickly late in the fourth quarter and fired a 19-yard touchdown pass to Taj Hammary that made it 14-7.
Asbury Park's running game The gravity of the game was not lost Senior QB Evan Ruane was held in check all afternoon on the Blue Devils' players. Shore by Shore as Marquise Johnson, turned in an inspired effort on defense Simon Press and Britt combined for against the Blue Bishops' high-powered just 75 yards on 21 carries. Aside from offense, and when senior Evan Ruane picked off Asbury Park quarterback Jayvon Britt with under a the final two drives of the game for Asbury Park, Shore controlled the line of scrimmage and also did great work in minute left in the game it sealed a critical 14-7 victory for the the secondary to keep Hammary, Press and Isaiah Crudup Blue Devils at Asbury Park Stadium. It is Shore's first win from running wild downfield. over Asbury Park, the three-time defending Central Jersey Group I champions, since a 14-8 win in 2006. It's also the "We've been really working on our defense getting ready first loss for Asbury Park against a Group I team since its 1-9 for this game, especially on third-and-long pass defense, season in 2006. because that's been our Achilles heel, but not in this game,'' Ruane said. "We really stepped up big, and it was something "We had been waiting for this game all season," Ruane we needed to do." said. "We haven't won a division title in 12 years and this pretty much sealed it for us." Another play that will got down as a momentum-changer came from junior safety Nick Mahoney in the closing Ruane came through with his clutch interception to go seconds of the first half. With eight seconds left, Britt along with three tackles that went for a loss or no gain. The dropped back from his own 34-yard line and fired a deep pass senior quarterback also threw a 17-yard touchdown to Pat
down the right sideline to Hammary (six catches, 104 yards). Hammary jumped over Carroll to snare the pass and then spun out of a tackle to break free down the right sideline. It appeared Senior RB Mark Coleman Hammary was going to make it into the end zone and get Asbury Park on the board, but Mahoney, who is wearing a giant clublike cast on his left arm after breaking his hand in the preseason, was able to dive and sweep out the legs of Hammary at the eight-yard line as time expired. “The guy jumped over Shane and then stiff-armed me, and I just threw my arm out and hoped for the best,’’ Mahoney said. “When I got up, the first thing I looked at was the scoreboard and to see 0:00 on the clock, I just screamed out loud." Shore has division games against Mater Dei Prep and Point Beach left, and if it can win those games it will capture its first division title since 1998 and its first outright title since 1996.
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DC H Ho nd a Aw ar d ed f o r Pro m o ti n g H ig hw ay S af e t y DCH Auto Group’s dedication to driving safety among teens was recently recognized by the Governors Highway Safety Association in the form of a Peter K. O’Rourke Special Achievement Award for notable achievements in highway safety. DCH’s “Mindless Driving, Keep It Out of Cars’’ initiative aims to prevent mindless driving by educating teens on avoiding driving distracted, recklessly or under the influence. DCH has made it an important focus to raise awareness of the issue throughout local communities by working with teens in various capacities, including an exclusive affiliation with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) in New Jersey and parts of New York, Connecticut and California. DCH also has focused on
illustrating the dangers of texting while driving. "DCH is very honored to receive The Peter K. O'Rourke Special Achievement Award," said Shauwai Lam, Chairman of DCH Auto Group, in an official statement. "This recognition of our efforts by the GHSA reaffirms our commitment to teen safe driving and our goal of reducing the number of car crashes involving teens." Twenty-seven SADD chapters in the aforementioned areas are sponsored by DCH that reach more than 50,000 students in addition to the larger community. "We are also grateful to our non-profit partner in this effort, SADD," Lam said in a statement. "They recognized early on how dynamic and effective a partnership with us around this issue could be, and have been a source for enthusiasm and inspiration as we've worked together to educated teens about safe driving." The most recent focus for DCH has been its “InTEXTicated’’ program, which highlights the dangers of text-messaging while driving for teens. The SADD chapters that work with DCH came up with the designs for the ad campaign, which are featured in brochures at various DCH dealerships and in local advertisements.
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 / 10 Page 7
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10/4/10 Page 8
e xceeding e xpecTaTionS
The SurpriSe TeamS of 2010 By Scott Stump – Managing Editor
T
he reason preseason prognostications are an inexact science is because of teams like Holmdel, Red Bank, Barnegat, Jackson Liberty and Monmouth Regional.
Whether it w as th eir s tr u gg les o f p as t s eas on s , their inab ility to g et o ver the h ump again s t quality o p po n en ts o r th e his to r y o f th eir r es pectiv e pr o gr ams , th ey w er e n ot co ns ider ed teams th at w er e go in g to b e r igh t in th e thick o f eith er a s h ot at a div is io n title o r a s tate p lay off ber th this s eas on . H ow ev er, af ter f ou r w eeks of th e 20 10 s eas o n , all o f th em ar e in po s itio n f or one o r b oth of th os e acco mplis h men ts af ter s o me eye- o penin g p er f o r man ces . Tw o of tho s e teams , H o lmd el and Red Ban k , played a thr iller in a Clas s A Centr al game in Week F o ur, w ith the vis iting Bucs pu lling ou t a 2 4- 2 1 w in at Bob Ro g gy M emo r ial F ield on a 2 6yar d f ield g oal by s en io r Cas ey Calmo n as time exp ir ed. Th e victo r y p u s h ed Red Bank to 2- 2 on the s eas on , match ing its entir e w in to tal f r o m las t year, an d mar k ing its f ir s t w in over a divis ion al op p o nen t s in ce 200 6. I t came o ne w eek af ter th e Bucs b attled a s o lid Ru ms on - F air H av en team in a 9 3 los s in th e f ir s t meeting betw een the teams in 15 year s .
“ Th is is a g r eat g r ou p o f k id s th at h a s p u t in a to n of h a r d wo r k , ’’ s a id s econ d - yea r Red Ban k h ea d co ach N ick G ig lio . “A yea r a go, a g a me lik e ( th e Ru ms on g ame) is ma yb e 2 0-3 or s o meth in g lik e th at, bu t w e a r e clo s in g th e g ap. We’ve ju s t g o t to keep impr o vin g .’’ In ad ditio n to a lo ad ed
“W h en Holmdel came back to tie it ( at 21) late in th e game, I th ou gh t kids wou ld s tar t pu ttin g th eir h ead s do wn , an d we wo u ld los e lik e we h ave in th e pa s t, bu t th at didn ’t h a ppen , ’’ Calmon s aid . “We s tu ck to geth er an d pu lled ou t th e win .’’
junior w id eo ut Th y eem Craw ford an d s en io r J ah mer B unch, it h as b een th e tan gible ch an ge in attitu d e th at has help ed s p ur R ed B an k ’s imp rov emen t.
cover age, and you h ave to r es pect th e r un .' ' Th is y ear ' s team is s imilar to th e 2 0 0 7 H olmd el team th at w o n a s ch oo l- r ecor d 1 0 games in that it has a large g r o u p of s enio r s ( 1 7 ) , many of w ho m h av e b een p lay in g o n v ar s ity s in ce th eir s oph omo r e y ear s . Th e o th er g oo d s ig n is th at 2 0 0 7 als o mar ked
The victo r y came at th e exp ens e o f ano th er
th e las t time H olmd el b eat
u ps tar t pr o gr am, H olmd el, w h ich w as off to a 3- 0
P o in t Bor o, an d th e w in
s tar t bef or e the h ear t- br eaker ag ains t Red Bank .
gav e th e H or n ets th e
Th e H or n ets had on ly w on th r ee g ames
d ivis io n title that y ear.
comb in ed in the las t tw o s eas ons bef or e their impr es s ive s tar t, w hich includ ed a
" O n e o f th e th ing s I
3 1- 2 1 w in o ver a w ell- r egar d ed P oin t
s aid to th em b ef o r e
Bor o p r og r am in a n on div is ional
o pen in g
game.
n igh t w as , ' F or
A big r eas on has been s enior
mo s t o f g u y s
qu ar ter back M ike Cantelli, w h o has
in h er e, th is y ou r 21 s t s tar t,' ' '
acco un ted f or near ly all of H olmdel’s
P ap alia s aid . " You ' v e s een
o ff en s e and points betw een r us hing and p as s in g. H olmd el
ev er y th in g, f r om the hig h es t o f
Senior QB Mike Cantelli
h ig hs to th e lo w es t o f
chang ed to a s pr ead
lo w s . We f elt may b e th e
off ens e an d zon e r ead attack f r om
g ame co u ld s low d o w n
a mor e r un - bas ed o ff en s e du r in g
f o r th em a little bit
the o ff s eas on in or der to tak e
th is y ear, an d they' v e
ad v an tage of Can telli’s
lo o k ed mo r e co mf o r tab le. ' '
athleticis m. I t paid immed iate d ivid en ds , as H o lmdel d id no t s cor e mo r e th an 14 poin ts in an y g ame las t s eas on , bu t h as av er aged 2 7 p o in ts per g ame thr o ug h th e f ir s t f our w eeks this
S enior A d am Co vin o has als o s tepp ed in as an eff ectiv e w eap on at w ideo u t in the n ew s p r ead o ff en s e, av er agin g near ly 30 yar ds p er catch , w h ile s op h o mor e Br ett Lamb er t, th e yo un g er b r o th er of f o r mer s tan do ut lineb ack er M ik e Lamb er t, has d o n e a n ice jo b at lineb ack er in p lace of b an g ed - u p s tar ter M att F as cian o. P er haps the mo s t imp or tan t as p ect o f th e w in
s eas o n. I n
o v er P o int Bo r o w as ps ych o log ical, g iv ing the
the w in ov er
H or nets th e con f id en ce th at th ey can take o u t a
P oin t Bo r o ,
g ood team af ter g o ing 3 - 1 7 the las t tw o y ear s .
Cantelli thr ew f or 239 y ar d s , r an f or 90 , thr ew tw o to uch do w n pas s es , and r an f or
" I think w hen the k ids lo ok ed at the s ch ed u le f or th e f ir s t time, I thin k th ey mig h t hav e lo o k ed
ano ther.
at P o int Bor o as a g ame th ey ' r e n o t go in g to
s oph omo r e clas s an d s o me talented s k ill p layer s lik e
h e s p r in ts ou t, y ou can' t ju s t bail on th e
Senior Jahmer Bunch
" H e and I h ave s pen t s o mu ch
w in,' ' P ap alia s aid . " P icking u p a w in th er e, th ey
time to gether w atchin g f ilm th at he
thin k, ' We can comp ete n o w, ' and g ames th at
s ees w h at I w an t to d o bef or e I do it,' ' H olmd el
may be they did n' t thin k th ey co u ld w in , th ey
head co ach F r ank P apalia s aid ab ou t Can telli.
th ink th ey can b e co mp etitive in. ' '
" I t' s k ind o f like ( f o r mer quar ter b ack G lenn) G r ainger w as . With the v eer and the zo ne r ead ,
Co mpetitivenes s h as n’t b een a q ues tion f o r
he can r un it, b ut he can cer tain ly th r ow. Wh en
Bar neg at, w hich h ad b attled s o me g oo d teams in
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 /1 0 Page 9
J ack s on Lib er ty is in a s imilar s itu ation an d
P er hap s n o team h as
mo r e kno w n f or p r odu cin g g r eat in d iv id u al
on th e s ame mis s ion, as the Lio n s ar e in their
mo r e belief in its elf th an
talent, lik e cur r ent Bo s ton Colleg e f r es h man
f o ur th y ear as a var s ity pr ogr am an d h ave nev er
M on mo u th Regio n al,
tig ht en d J ar r ett D ar ms tatter, r ath er th an as a
h ad a w inning s eas on or made a s tate play o ff
w h ich is f ig h tin g its
f o r mid ab le team. Th e Ben gals s till
app ear an ce. A f ter f inis hing w ith a s cho o l-
h av e plen ty of g r eat ind ivid u al
r ecor d f iv e w ins las t s eas on , J acks o n Lib er ty
talent, in clud in g Tu lan e-
is off to a 2- 2 s tar t that includ es the
bou nd s en io r q uar ter back
b igg es t w in in pr o gr am h is tor y to
h is to r y as w ell. Th e F alco n s hav e on ly made o n e s tate p lay o ff app ear ance
N ick S an G iaco mo, s tar w id e
date, a 2 7- 2 1 w in ov er per enn ial
and w o n on e s tate
r eceiver M ik e D eTr oia, and
conten der Wall in Week Tw o in
p lay off g ame in th eir
ju nio r D ivis ion I - A pr os pect Ry an
a Clas s C Centr al game.
h is to r y s in ce th e
M or r is at tigh t end, bu t they ar e
cr eation o f the
Th at w in pu t J acks on
out to ch an g e th e per ceptio n o f
p lay off s y s tem in
Liber ty in the
their pr o g r am.
19 7 4 , an d bo th came in
con ver s ation of
Bar n eg at has never h ad a
2 0 0 6 . Th is y ear th e F alco n s ar e
d iv is io n title con tender s w ith
w inn ing s eas o n in its y o un g
off to a 3 - 0 s tar t an d
es tablis h ed p r ogr ams like Wall,
h is tor y, bu t is o ff to its
P o int Bor o and
f ir s t 3- 0 s tar t ev er. That
M anas q uan. Tailback
r u n inclu d es a 3 4- 2 7
s u r p r is in gly tied w ith Red Ban k Cath o lic atop the
Senior Tailback Kristian Ruiz
s tan ding s in th e f o r mid ab le
K r is tian Ru iz led the w ay
victo r y o v er Ru ms on-
Clas s B N o r th .
w ith 1 79 yar ds r us hin g and tw o
F air H aven , w h ich
to uchd ow ns in the w in over Wall, w h ich
w as a Cen tr al
w as f ollo w ed by a 2 1- 8 s etback ag ains t P o in t
J er s ey G r o u p I I
Bor o and th en a 13- 7 w in over M o ns ig n or
s emif in alis t las t
I n all thr ee of th eir v ictor ies , th e F alcon s h av e come b ack to w in , in clu d ing s cor in g 1 7
D on ovan .
unans w er ed p o in ts in the f o ur th
Senior QB Nick SanGiacomo
s eas o n, in th e
"We wanted to prove that we're going
o pener. I t w as a
to win this division, and we're going to have to take
w in th at head
on the best to do it,’’ Ruiz said. “We were hearing
co ach
Rob D avis called the b ig g es t
q uar ter to b eat Colts N eck 1 7 - 1 4 in Week Th r ee. That f ir mly add ed th e F alco n s ’ n ame to th e
Wall was the favorite, and we took that to heart. We
lis t of s u r pr is e teams in th e ear ly g o in g o f th is
were thinking that they are not coming out of this
s eas on , and s o no w th e b ig q u es tio n lo oms . Can
game with a win.
they keep it u p an d g r ab th eir little p iece o f
" I f eel like the team r eally came to gether.
s ch ool his tor y?
in p r o g r am his to r y to d ate, an d
Even w h en thin gs d idn ' t g o ou r w ay, w e
P er h ap s Red Ban k ’s J ahmer Bu nch s u ms u p
S an G iaco mo th r ew f o ur
s to od to gether. Las t y ear w h en thing s
th e attitu d e of all th e teams bes t.
to u ch dow n s , w hile D eTr o ia h ad
g ot r ou gh , w e w o uld f ight a little bit,
thr ee tou ch dow n s an d 23 0 y ar ds
and get mor e and mor e d ow n on
r eceivin g .
each oth er, b ut that d id n' t
The Bengals’ biggest test by far is coming up in Week Five against undefeated Lacey, the heavy favorite to win Class B South. Win or lose, Barnegat is still in position to make its first state playoff
hap pen at all again s t Wall.' ' That s o un ds a w hole lo t like the q uo tes
appearance since its inaugural season in 2006.
coming f r o m H o lmdel
“S tats r eally ar en' t a b ig th in g , ' ' S an G iaco mo s aid. " We' v e g ot to w in games . We can ' t h av e an y mor e 4 - 6 s eas o n s an d 5 - 5 s eas o n s . We k n o w w e' r e go in g to g et s tats in o ur o ff en s e, s o th at' s not w h at w e' r e w o r r ied ab o ut.
and Red Bank, and it
"We've been one win or one first down or a couple inches away from the playoffs the last few years. A touchdown here or there, a missed extra point, an overtime loss - we've been there. We've lost heartbreakers, and this is the year for us to get that extra inch to make it to the playoffs.''
s how s th at a b ig comp on en t o f imp r ov ement is b elief . A t you ng p r ogr ams th at ar e s till tr y ing to es tab lis h tr adition like
“ We’ve s een th e b es t a n d p la yed th em tou g h , s o th er e’s n o o n e we ca n ’t h a n g with .’’
Senior WR/TE Scott Satcher
J acks on Liber ty or Bar negat, or at places like H olmdel and Red Ban k that have en dur ed plen ty of los s es in th e pas t tw o s eas o ns ,
Photos by:
talent is no t th e o nly thin g.
Cliff Lavelle
www.clearedge.zenfolio.com
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 / 10 Page 10
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 / 10 Page 11
Making Strides – Red Bank Football By Scott Stump – Managing Editor Senior quarterback Mike Reardon may have been the one celebrating a birthday on the day of Red Bank’s thrilling, 24-21 win over previously unbeaten Holmdel in Week Four, but the Bucs showed that they have grown up as a whole with that victory. It brought them to 2-2 on the season, tying their win total from all of last season. It also marked their first Shore Conference divisional victory since 2006, when they stunned Matawan for their only win of that season. They started off this season on a high note, upending Central, 26-14, for their first win over a Shore Conference opponent since 2007, and continued with that momentum.
75 yards on the final drive to set up Calmon's game-winning heroics. Reardon found junior Thyeem Crawford for a 30-yard gain on third down to get to midfield, and then lofted another fade ball down the sideline to senior Jahmer Bunch, who leaped over two defenders for a 30-yard catch at Holmdel's 9-yard line with just six seconds remaining to set up Calmon’s big finish.
played soccer up until high school. After playing in the preseason with Keyport, Calmon came back to Red Bank, where he became an instant weapon for the Bucs, who are off to a 1-2 start. He not only keeps tabs on other top kickers in the Shore Conference, he probably has their numbers programmed into his cell phone. This past December he attended a kicking combine at Rutgers with Howell's Ryan Handy, nowgraduated Rumson standout Tucker Smith, St. John Vianney's Anthony DiPaula and Shore Regional's Shane Carroll. Calmon also previously worked with kicking coach George Barnett, who now coaches Middletown South's talented sophomore kicker, Connor Ryan.
It was the latest sign of improvement for a team with a The Bucs battled the Shore Conference’s No. 1 team, loaded sophomore class that is Matawan, in a 28-7 loss, scoring the only touchdown the already contributing, including Huskies’ defense allowed in Matawan’s first three games. Senior QB Mike Reardon defensive end Garrett Sickles, Then they went toe-to-toe with Rumson-Fair Haven, as well as playmakers like Crawford losing 9-3 in the first edition of “The Battle of Ridge His 49-yard field goal tied Lacey senior and Bunch along with bruising Road’’ between the nearby schools in 15 years. Jarrod Molzon for the longest field goal in the fullback Pat Quinn. The most confidence they gained may Shore Conference this season. Calmon also showed on the have been in the loss to a loaded Matawan team. "'The Battle of Ridge Road,' we would like to say it's kick that he missed that he has the range to beat Red back, and we did our part in making it come back,'' said "We've seen the best (Matawan), so after playing Bank's school record, which is believed to be 53 yards by Red Bank coach Nick Giglio. them that tough, there's no one else we can't hang former star Greg Montgomery in the 1980s. Montgomery with,’’ Bunch said. went on to become an All-Pro punter with the Houston "The game was exactly what we thought it would be Oilers (now Tennessee Titans). because Red Bank is a much-improved ballclub,'' Rumson With seemingly every other team in the Shore coach Shane Fallon said. "It was a hard-fought game. I'm Conference having a standout kicker this season, Casey "When we were doing pregame, I hit one from 52 sure Red Bank's walking out of here crushed, but they Calmon has thrown his name right in that group with his (yards), so I said to coach (Nick Giglio) that I was feeling should keep their head up because game-winning field goal and a careergood,'' Calmon said. "When he gave me the chance at the that program is headed in the right long, 49-yard field goal in the fourth 50-yarder, I was just pumped. Even though I missed it, I direction, and they're going to win quarter of the loss to Rumson. cleared it by 10-15 yards, so that's a great some ballgames this year.'' accomplishment, especially against a hard team like Calmon also attempted a 50-yarder in Rumson. Hopefully I can beat that (record by Fallon’s comments proved the first half of that game, missing wide Montgomery) by the end of the year.'' prescient as a week later, the Bucs left with a boot that would've been good rallied to beat Holmdel, which was from 60 yards had it been on target. This Calmon is also hoping his game-winning boot against off to a 3-0 start, on a 26-yard field is his third season kicking for the Holmdel can help the Bucs on their way to their first state goal by senior Casey Calmon as improved Bucs, although it playoff appearance since the time expired. Calmon figured since nearly didn't come to fruition. days of Kade Weston in 2004 Reardon had done most of the Calmon, lives in Union Beach, and their first winning season heavy lifting with two huge passes whose residents have the option since going 10-2 in 2003 and on the Bucs' final drive, Calmon of attending Red Bank or reaching the NJSIAA Central might as well give his good friend Keyport, and initially had Jersey Group I final. the best 18th birthday present transferred to Keyport after Reardon could ask for. "Everybody was going crazy,'' three years at Red Bank. He was Calmon said about his winning working out with the Red With Reardon serving as his kick. "Right after I took the last Raiders all summer and was holder, Calmon nailed a field goal step after the field goal, I don't going to have to sit out until into the wind with no time even remember what happened Oct. 12 under NJSIAA transfer remaining to help the Bucs until I got a random cut on my rules before becoming eligible. complete a stirring final drive hand and wondered why I was Senior RB Jahmer Bunch with the first game-winning "I woke up one morning, saw bleeding. This got us to .500 and field goal of his three-year varsity pictures of my brother from gave us a big boost. The power career. Senior Day (at Red Bank), and points, the division race Head coach Nick Giglio thought, 'I can't graduate from Keyport because I it's crazy.'' "It felt amazing,'' Calmon said. "I was in shock need to be playing football at Red Bank,''' afterward.'' Calmon said. Holmdel senior quarterback Mike Cantelli had helped Photos by: Calmon's older brother, Ryan, is a former kicker for the tie the game at 21 with a 2-yard touchdown run with just C l i f f Lavelle over two minutes remaining, but Reardon went 6-for-6 for Bucs who inspired Casey to play football after he had www.clearedge.zenfolio.com
FOR ADVERTISInG InFORMATIOn
Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 smeyer@allshoremedia.com
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Volume-2 Issue-18 1 0/ 4/ 1 0 Page 12
Class of 2011 All Shore Top College Recruits Christopher Melvin – HS Football Recruiting Analyst – ELITERECRUITS.COM
1. Jack Tabb – red Bank Catholic – 6-3.5/245 LB/TE – Against Neptune in Week Two, when he took a pass and outran the Fliers secondary for the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds, Tabb displayed the speed and athleticism that has lured in scholarship offers from all over the country. He has continued to impress more and more every time he takes the field. He has dominated on both sides of the ball for the Caseys. Last year, Tabb was a very good player. This year he is a great one.
2.
Miles Shuler – Long Branch - 5-10/180 (DB/WR) Athlete – Shuler has continued to be a leader for Long Branch but has seen his team stumble recently, which has decreased his productivity as an offensive player. As a defensive back, he is outstanding. He flies up to the ball and it’s impossible to get behind the fastest player in the state, if not the East region (4.3 40 and a 10.3 100 meters).
3. ryan Malleck – Point Boro – 6-5/235 TE
(Maryland) – Just because he has made a commitment to college doesn’t mean that this Panther is going to rest. Not a chance. He is the second leading receiver in the Shore through three weeks and has continued to shine on defense as a defensive back. He has has raised the bar even higher in 2010.
4. DaQuan Kenney – Lakewood – 6-3/235
LB/DE/TE – Kenney continues to be one of the top SLEEPER recruits in the state. Despite the struggles of the Piners’ program, he has continued to be a leader for his team and is averaging 10 tackles and a sack per game. Pittsburgh, Central Florida, and UConn are all quite aware of what his has to offer. He has shined on both sides of the ball.
5. Mike Bimonte – Manalapan – 6-4/225 QB
(Rutgers) – Bimonte has continued to impress as a leader of the well-balanced Braves’ offense that has the Shore’s second leading rusher in senior Josh Firkser through three weeks. 6)
Charles Davis – Neptune 5-11/190 Athlete (Rutgers):
7)
Shane Mertz – Raritan 6-7.5/280 OT (Northwestern):
8)
Anthony Carrington – Toms River North 6-2/180 WR:
9)
Dimitrius Smith – Jackson Memorial 6-2.5/280 DT:
10) Michael DeTroia – Barnegat 6-4.5/195 WR: 11) Nate Nickens – Manchester 6-5/215 WR/QB/DE (Athlete) 12) Shilique Calhoun – Middletown North 6-6/230 DE/TE. 13) Nick SanGiacomo – Barnegat 6-4/200 QB (Tulane) 14) Steve Franco – Toms River North 6-4/300 OL 15) Bobby Schwarzenberger – Pinelands 6-2.5/225 LB 16) Arinze Nwobi – Jackson Liberty 6-5/250 DL. 17) Joe Nolan – Jackson Memorial 6-4/305 OL 18) Jared Allison – Matawan 5-8/180 (WR/RB/DB) Athlete
19) Monwell Brown – Manchester Twp. 6-2/185 WR
36) Ahmier Dupree - Lakewood 5-10/185 CB/RB
20) McArthur Underwood – Matawan 5-7/160 RB/CB (Athlete)
37) Christian Marchena – Raritan 6-3/290 OG (Delaware)
21) Bill Hill Jr. – Toms River South 6-2/195 SS/WR. 22) Connor Caponegro – Wall Twp. 6-2/215 LB 23) Demetri Davis – Toms River North 5-9/192 RB (Athlete) 24) Cody Groves – Toms River North 6-0/210 LB/FB 25) Andrew Casten – Red Bank Catholic 6-0/190 RB 26) Jordan Edmonds – Keyport 6-1.5/180 RB/DB/WR 27) Austin Davis – Matawan 5-9.5/170 DB/WR 28) Jack Wise – Rumson – 6-3/185 WR. 29) Brandon Dinkin – Long Branch – 5-11/170 DB/WR 30) Mike Kasten – Freehold Boro – 6-3/270 OG 31) Ryan Handy – Howell 6-1/190 PK (WR) 32) Andre Hodge – Matawan – 6-1/235 MLB
38) Bryan Sherlotti – Howell 6-5/315 39) Keath Beaty – Matawan 5-10/190 RB/DB 40) Jihaad Howard – Brick Memorial 5-9/180 Athlete 41) Matt McLain – Pinelands – RB 42) Tyler Murphy – Raritan 6-0.5/215 LB 43) Jarrod Molzon – Lacey – 5-8.5/195 RB 44) Jahmer Bunch – RBR 6-0/175 DB/WR (Athlete) 45) Dylan Joslin – Lacey 6-3/260 DL 46) Karon Hair – Long Branch 5-9/165 CB 47) Jordan Loiodice – Brick Memorial K 48) Craig Cicardo – Lacey – QB 49) Josh Firkser – Manalapan – 6-0/210 RB 50) Kevin Furlong – Raritan 6-1/180 DB
33) Dylan McDonnell – Brick Township 6-2/220 LB/FB 34) Deon Smith – Lacey 6-3/210 DB/WR 35) Andrew Suarez – Middletown South 5-9/195 DB/RB/WR (Athlete).
Photo by:
Cliff Lavelle
www.clea red ge.zenfolio.com
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 /1 0 Page 13
Coming Back Home: Southern’s Ethan Decker By Matt Manley – Staff Writer The game of soccer has taken Southern sophomore Ethan Decker far in his young life, and his skill is sure to take him farther in the future, but this past August, there was only one place Decker wanted to take his talents: home. Decker began a stint in the U.S. National Youth Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla., this past February – a commitment that initially was to keep him off of the high school pitch for the next two years at least. When August came around, however, Decker and his family decided as high school practices started that he would stay up north and play for Rams during his sophomore season. “I missed my family and my friends,” Decker said of his time in Florida. “It was a great experience, and I learned a lot while I was down there, but I wanted to come back and just live a normal life.” So far, the decision has paid off for both Decker and his hometown team. Through Oct. 2, Southern is 4-4-1 while playing in a very deep Shore Conference Class A South division, and Decker has placed himself among the Shore Conference’s top scorers. He has scored eight goals in the Rams’ first nine games, accounting for more than half of Southern’s 14 goals as a team. The eight goals is tied with Lacey’s Dan Ratyniak for second in the Shore Conference behind Red Bank Catholic’s Ryan King (nine), and his 19 total points are third in the conference behind Ratyniak (23) and Shore Regional’s Connor McKenzie (20).
scoring nine goals to go with nine assists as the Rams improved from a 1-19 team in 2008 to a 10-9 mark in 2009.
the goal-scoring capacity and more as a distributor as teams continue to make it difficult for him to attack.
Southern, however, lost leading goalscorer Rob Solorzano to graduation, and with Decker carrying the scoring load early in the season, he has seen a steady dose of heavy defensive attention that has featured triple teams. As Southern embarks on its second run through A South, Decker’s impact may have to be less in
“It took me like five games to get going last year, and I felt like after that, I started to get comfortable,” Decker said. “That’s when defenses started playing me a lot tougher and it gave a lot of other players scoring opportunities. It’s fun for me. I look at it as a challenge.” Southern's Ethan Decker
Photos & Video by:
Matt Manley
The Rams almost had to replace that production this season, and head coach Evan Brosniak planned for life without Decker as the season approached. Preseason practices began with Decker still on the fence, but by the second week of the preseason, Decker showed up to practice and began putting in his work before taking the field to open the season. “It was very last-minute,” Decker said. “It was a hard decision, but I think it was the best thing for me.” Decker has done most of his goal-scoring outside of Class A South, with five of his goals coming against Class B South teams Manchester on Sept. 9 – an opening-day game in which he scored a hat trick – and Pinelands on Sept. 20. He has, however, scored in each of Southern’s two divisional wins, the latest of which was a 2-1 overtime win over Brick Memorial. Decker scored the first goal of the game and assisted on teammate Bailey Young’s game-winner in the 88th minute. The most noteworthy goal of Decker’s season and one of the most noteworthy goals of the Shore Conference soccer season thus far was his goal in the 79th minute to beat thenunbeaten Toms River East 1-0 on Sept. 22. The Rams have a tough road to hoe through Class A South before they qualify for their second straight Shore Conference Tournament. As a freshman last season, Decker was a key piece to a turnaround season at Southern,
2010 FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE (Games to be broadcast on 105.7FM and 1160/1310AM)
Fri
10/8
Ocean
at
Wall
(7pm)
Fri
10/15
TR North
at
Southern
(7pm)
Fri
10/22
Neptune
at
Ocean
(7pm)
Fri
10/29
Raritan
at
Point Boro
(7pm)
Fri
11/5
Brick Mem.
at
Howell
(6pm)
ADDITIONAL BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Thr
(Games to be broadcast on WOBM 1160/1310AM) 11/25 Wall at Manasquan NJSIAA Playoff Games = TBD
(11am)
BROADCAST CREW Matt Harmon, Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca
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Volume-2 Issue-18 10 / 4 / 10 Page 14
GETTING TO KNOW THE SHORE CONFERENCE’S
HuMAn HIGHlIGHT FIlMS
Christopher Melvin – HS Football Recruiting Analyst – ELITERECRUITS.COM Chris Melvin is the recruiting analyst for EliteRecruits.com and now has joined the team at All Shore Media. Chris has followed the Shore Conference football scene for many years, and this season he will provide his insight into some of the players you know and others you don't from the recruiting scene in order to bring you the best in Shore Conference football coverage.
If you read the statistics following every game, you will notice that there are many players with flamboyant numbers. If you attend games week in and out, you may notice many players with imposing physiques. But if you look around the state of New Jersey, it will be hard to find many players that week in and out leave football fans in a frenzy and on the edge of their seats like Matawan senior running back McArthur Underwood and Toms River North senior quarterback Demetri Davis. Although they may be diminutive in size, these players pack a powerful punch, have big hearts and they possess the ability to create a HIGHLIGHT FILM every time they touch the ball.’’
McArthur underwood Jersey number: 4 High School: Matawan Regional (Huskies) Nickname: Mac
dropping moves with the ball in his hands and making defenders miss, then look no further than Mac. Throughout his career, Mac has hurdled, stiff-armed, juked, run over, spun on and outrun defenders on his way to the end zone leaving onlookers in amazement and muttering the words “NO, HE DIDN’T!” Put him on defense as a cornerback and look out. He has the ability to play either running back or corner at the next level. He’s an IMPACT player for sure.”
Demetri Davis Jersey number: 24 High School: Toms River North (Mariners) Nickname: “People used to call me D-train in Pop Warner. Now people just call me “D.” Reported height and weight: 5-foot-9, 192 pounds Actual height and weight: That’s my actual height and weight. 40-yard dash: “I’ve run a 4.45.”
Reported height and weight: 5-foot-7/160 pds
Other sports played: “I also play basketball and run track.”
Actual height and weight: 5-foot-7/155 pds
Favorite food: “Macaroni and cheese”
40-yard dash: “My best time is a 4.45.”
Favorite TV show: Everybody Hates Chris – “It’s just so funny.”
Other sports played: “I wrestle & run track.” Favorite food: Spaghetti Favorite TV show: George Lopez – “He’s hilarious.” Favorite class: “I like English.” Favorite type of music: Hip Hop/R &B Dream college: “Miami or Alabama – I like the style of both programs.” Positions played: Running back, cornerback, slot and returner. Prefers playing this position in college: “I prefer cornerback in college. I like defense better than offense.” Biggest highlight thus far in his career: “Jumping over my offensive line against Red Bank Regional and running for a score. I had no idea I could do that.” Biggest game to date: “My junior year against Long Branch for the division title in 2009. I had three touchdowns in the game, but one was called back. Also, winning the state championship (over Manasquan in 2009) is the game that means to me so far.”
Melvin’s analysis on Underwood: “Don’t look for this guy to throw any passes, that’s the job of fellow teammate Jared Allison. But when it comes to delivering jaw-
Favorite class: “English is my favorite subject.” Favorite type of music: Rap Dream college: Georgia – “It’s a good school and a good program.” Positions played: Quarterback, wide receiver, running back, defensive back and returner. Prefers playing this position in college: Running back – “I was born to play that position. I love running the ball.” Biggest highlight thus far in his career: “When I did a front flip towards the end zone against Toms River East (in 2009) as a junior.” Biggest game to date: “Last year’s game against Brick Memorial. I had 4 touchdowns, 134 passing and 81 yards rushing.”
Melvin’s analysis on Davis: “There aren’t too many things that “D” can’t do. He has taken coach Chip LaBarca Jr.’s Wildcat offense o a different level in 2010 with the return of one of the state’s top receivers in Anthony Carrington. Davis has a nice touch on the ball as a passer but it’s his elusiveness, change of direction, power and his “DID YOU SEE THAT?’’ moves that make him one of the most exciting players in the state.
Photos by:
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
Al l Sh or e Me dia Spo rts r evi ew www.allshoremedia.com across the back. The team presented a special football, flowers and a No. 11 jersey to Bukowiec’s family, and Davies publicly eulogized his former player as tears streamed down the faces of his players and the large home crowd. Davies choked up a few times throughout the speech, but made it through the hardest thing he has ever had to do in his 20 seasons as head coach.
palpable void present, to a loud and supportive ovation from the Howell crowd. In times of tragedy, many players often choose to continue to play because they know that’s what their father would have wanted and also know that there is solace in being around friends and playing football for a few hours. When the alternative is sitting at home and staring at the walls while trying to deal with an unfathomable pain, the football field is a sanctuary.
“When they told me I needed to make a speech, I was thinking about what I wanted to say for a week,’’ Davies said. “How am I going to present this? It was very difficult for me. I kind of looked and saw some of our players with tears in their eyes, and I had to take a deep breath.’’
I
n football, the word “family’’ is inevitably tossed around as a cliché, often overused and untrue, but the term has taken on its intended meaning at Howell this season.
No program in recent memory has endured the heartbreak that has washed over the Rebels in the last three months with seemingly no end in sight. Every time they tearfully bury another member of their family who was lost at a young age, they are making plans for the next one. It’s sad to say, but there almost isn’t enough room left on their helmets for stickers honoring the members of their football family who have been lost. In early July, former starting quarterback and team captain Bobby Dierolf died of a heart attack at 27 years old. Two weeks later, John Bukowiec, a 2010 Howell graduate who was a defensive back/wide receiver for the Rebels, died in a car crash. To compound the heartbreak, the driver of the car was another 2010 graduate, star wide receiver Phil Adamo, a Monmouth University freshman who was charged by authorities with driving while intoxicated, underage driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, failure to stop for a stop sign and failure to wear a seat belt. Before Howell’s 38-14 loss to Middletown South on Oct. 2, the Rebels honored their fallen teammate and friend with an eloquent pregame speech by head coach Cory Davies amidst a large crowd that was wearing T-shirts with Bukowiec’s jersey number, 11, and “Johnny Buk’’
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The football said “Be An 11,’’ in honor of Bukowiec, and it mirrored the stickers that are worn across the back of Howell’s helmets. No one will wear No. 11 at Howell until Bukowiec’s youngest brother, Drew, who is still several years away from high school, becomes a part of the high school program. Bukowiec’s older brother, Kyle, is a former star wide receiver for Howell, so football is ingrained in the Bukowiec family. “Most people are judged from one to 10 Johnny Buk blasted through the 10 and was an 11,’’ Davies said in his speech. “We just wanted to say ‘Thank you.’’’
“Ryan was here and he wanted to play,’’ Davies said. “He wanted to be here, and he needed these hours to help him get through that.’’ Even the visitors, Middletown South, couldn’t help but be moved, including head coach Steve Antonucci. “It was emotional for me as a father (of five), just to be out here,'' Antonucci said. "That's a hard night for those guys.’’ The Eagles went on to dominate the game, but the Rebels still know they paid proper tribute to a player whose infectious enthusiasm made him a memorable teammate. “We wanted to honor (Bukowiec) and let everybody know how we felt,’’ Davies said. “I don't know if he can hear you when you talk to him, depending on what your beliefs are, but we wanted to get that out there, and then the game was second.’’
Standing on the sideline with his teammates during the tribute was senior linebacker Ryan Dambach, engulfed in his own personal hell. Earlier in the week, his father, beloved former Pop Warner coach Mark Dambach, died at 47 years old from medical complications. Making it even more difficult was that the game was also Howell’s Senior Night. Dambach walked out in the pregame introduction of all the seniors with his mother and siblings, a
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The Rebels hope this is the end of the relentless tragedy, a chance to start mending hearts that have been battered with every gutwrenching phone call as news spreads. “"I don't know,’’ a weary Davies said. “You hope sooner or later something good is going to come out of all this (tragedy). Hopefully it will.”
Photos by:
Cliff Lavelle
www.clearedge.zenfolio.com
Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 smeyer@allshoremedia.com
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