Southern New Jersey Fall Vol 1 by Ultimate Athlete Magzine

Edito Letter From The Editor

Letter from the Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Ultimate Athlete Magazine. High school athletics is such a powerful learning tool for teenagers. Responsibility, leadership, teamwork, time management, and perseverance are just some of the skills students can learn and hone throughout their high school athletic careers. Sports can teach these students lessons that cannot be learned any other way. Although there are many overused clichés in sports such as: Giving 100 percent effort, 100 percent of the time, while picking yourself up when you get knocked down, never taking anything for granted, and having the ability to “bounce back” from a devastating play or a difficult loss, these are all true for high school athletes. Not only are these things that coaches believe about their teams, these are things that players believe about themselves. This is a testament to the power of sports. For the various teams we spoke to for this edition, some are coming off excellent years, others are rebuilding after losing seniors to graduation. Regardless of where a program might be at, whether it is coming off a state championship or barely being at .500, the coaches and players believe in what they are doing and that is commendable. They refuse to doubt themselves or their abilities. Your dedication to excellence and perfection need not be just praised. It should be commended. For many teams, winning a state championship is their ultimate, and only, goal. However, only a percentage of teams in the state have a legitimate chance of attaining that goal, but that doesn’t stop the ones that don’t from believing they do. Football in New Jersey has produced some top-notch talent. Students get offers from Division I schools every year, which proves to the rest of the country that our athletes need to be taken seriously; not just for their athletic ability on the field, but for their conduct and strength of character off it. I wish every team the best of luck this season. Dan Hubbard New Jersey Managing Editor

Ultimate Athlete Magazine

Paul Corace N.J. Comanzo new jersey managing editor Daniel Hubbard Publisher/CEO

Executive editor

Joe Luis Covarrubias Joe Weinreb director of development Scott “Scotto” Savitt senior producer Jessica Peters graphic editor david Stewart graphic editor Keri Sams graphic & web editor julie Bosko administrative assistant Carissa Ierulli distribution manager Richard Brooks senior sports editor SENIOR ART DIRECTOR

Contributing Writers

evan grossman tricia dove edward kensik dr. tom ferraro paul mastronardi sandy sarcona erica smith kevin haslam joe pietaro

Cover Photos by anne kasten Cover GRAPHiC WORK by Joe Weinreb Contributing photographers

anne kasten tricia dove jim cairns jim previti

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ultimateathletemagazine.com Ultimate Athlete Magazine (ISSN 1931-5295) is published 12 times a year by Ultimate Athlete, Inc., 40 Woodbine Avenue, Northport, New York 11768. All contents copyright 2009 by Ultimate Athlete, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or part of the content without the prior written consent of Ultimate Athlete, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Although the writers and the publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Ultimate Athlete, Inc or Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete Magazine.

Fall Volume I

southern NJ EDITION

Conten

nts FEATURES Features

12 Nutrition

Fuel the Road Trip

14 Asbury Park Blue Bishops

16 Bridgeton Bulldogs

18 Cherry Hill West

Lions

O C

22 Jackson Liberty Lions

24 Middletown North Lions

28 Middletown South Eagles

30 Ocean City Raiders

34 Princeton Tigers

36 Shore Regional Blue Devils

42 Timber Creek Chargers

44 Triton Regional Mustangs

46 Pro Corner

Even Better the Second Time Around

52 Sports Psychology The Secret to Team Building

SHUTTER

SPEED

quarterback of the Princeton Tigers >>> The tries to get a pass off while avoiding the oncoming wave of defenders.

Photo by Jim Cairns

SHUTTER

SPEED

>>>

An Ocean City receiver makes an amazing catch over another defender as he tries to help his team get downfield.

Photo by Jim Cairns

>>>

Photo by Jim Previti

A Timber Creek player makes a break for the endzone during one of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many practices.

SPEED

SHUTTER

Compe Competition Nutrition

FUEL THE roAd TrIp

By Sandy Sarcona

Road trips are part of an athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Sometimes you take a short jaunt to another high school for a game and other times you are traveling to another state for a tournament. Any time you travel it is important to plan the healthiest way to add fuel to energize your body. Without a plan, a stop at a convenience store or a fast food restaurant is the easiest and fastest way to get food when you are hungry, but the high fat, calorie dense selections may slow down your running game. A trip to the grocery store is in order to stock up on quick energy items to keep in your back pack for short excursions to your games. The following high carbohydrate, low fat snacks can come in handy before a competition or for recovery after your event: pretzels, cereal in a box or bagged, fresh fruit (apple, orange, banana or grapes), cereal bars, bagels, or crackers. On a longer road trip or when you play all day in a tournament you should have a cooler to keep items cold: water, sports drink, cheese sticks, sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly or turkey). If you need to get a full meal and you are stuck in traffic on the NJ Turnpike, then a fast food restaurant is your only choice. You can still choose foods with adequate protein and carbohydrates, but lower on the fat content.

The biggest mistake an athlete can make when traveling is to play on an empty stomach. Your muscles cannot perform without an adequate store of carbohydrate and even your brain needs fuel to think and make decisions. So, plan your food strategy before each event to get the most competitive edge.

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Written By: Edward Kensik Photos By: Anne Kasten

It will be hard to avoid the shadow of Don Sofilkanich this season as head coach Matt Ardizzone returns to helm the Asbury Park football program. Under Sofilkanich, the Bishops defeated Highland Park 44-6 in 2009 to win back-to-back state championships. Asbury Park went 33-3 with Sofilkanich as head coach. Earlier this year, Sofilkanich took over the Bishops’ Thanksgiving Day rival Neptune and Ardizzone came back to coach Asbury Park. He previously coached the Bishops earlier this decade for one season. Most of the assistant coaches under Sofilkanich have remained at Asbury Park with the hope of benefiting from the team’s last few years of success. Ardizzone admits that the word “rebuilding” is an apt description of this season. Only two starters, senior running back and linebacker Marquis Johnson and lineman Darryl Johnson, have returned. “For many of the kids, this will the first time playing varsity football,” Ardizzone said. Gone from the last season are the likes of quarterback Jamar Small and running back George Stephens.

While getting in some playing time last season, Marquis Johnson is looking to take the majority of snaps at running back and make up for the more the 1,000 yards lost on the ground with the graduation of Stephens. Johnson will also be the team’s inside linebacker. “He’s become a leader of this year’s group on and off the field,” said Ardizzone. “He’s great at running the ball and pursuing the ball carrier on defense.” Ardizzone said that Darryl Johnson has really taken to becoming one of the leaders on the team. “He’s become a true offensive lineman and defensive lineman,” Ardizzone said. “He was committed to [being in] the weight room in the off-season.” Replacing Small is senior Jay Von Britt, who believes that Asbury Park can return to the playoffs this season. “We have a little bit of pressure on us from the neighborhood, but I think we can do it,” Britt said. Another player who might see time at quarterback is senior Isiah Crudup. If Crudup is not behind center, he could be Britt’s top target at wide receiver. The other players getting playing time at the wide out spot are junior cousins Tahjier Hammary and Thomond Hammary. If not in the wide out slot, Thomond Hammary will be at tight end. Along with Johnson on the offensive line, there are Marquis Monfiston, sophomore Na’Quan Reevey, senior Devon Mckee-Smith, and sophomore Nick Famularo. Darryl Johnson will lead the defensive line this season. Mckee-Smith and Reevey, along with sophomore Steve Nonez and senior Yusef Hutchins, will also play on the defensive line. Britt leads a contingent of defensive backs, including: Tahjier Hammary, Goodman, senior Dom Moore, and Austin Johnson. Besides getting a new coach, the Bishops head into a new division as the Shore Conference realigned. Asbury Park is part of the B-Central division along with Shore, Point Pleasant Beach, Mater Dei, Keyport, and Keansburg.

Story and Photos By: Tricia Dove

For the Bridgeton Bulldogs, being a good player is synonymous with being a team player. If a receiver runs for a pass and misses the ball or drops it, he immediately stops and does 10 push-ups. The coaches constantly push the kids to be better and work harder. That formula has led to success. The Bulldogs have made it to the playoffs four straight years and to the semi-finals three of those years. Although the team wants to extend its playoff run to five straight years, the departure of key players means a trip to the postseason is no guarantee. “This year is going to be difficult with kids in new positions,” coach David Ellen said. The Bulldogs finished with a 7-4 record last season. The team played well in camp this summer, but injuries and several new players in key positions means that these players need to step up and be leaders who might not be used to being in that position. There were several all-county all-stars on last year’s team, including offensive lineman Sean Henigin; Tamar Jackson, a defensive back; and linebacker Rashaun

Smith. Running back Mike Cisrow and Smith were named allleague first-team offense and defense, respectively. Defensive back Tamar Jackson was a first-team defensive player. Kyheem Simpson was name second-team all-league on offense and Kevin Burton and Mike Haygood were name second-team allleague defense. Although some teams in the same position might give up and lay down, the Bulldogs refuse to. Practices are intense. The coaches are always pushing the players to run quicker, tackle harder, and never give up. It’s all about heart, which is something that cannot be taught. Each player must learn that for himself. The players are building character. They are taught to keep going, regardless of the odds are or what obstacles may be in the way. These kids aren’t playing for money or contracts or fame. They practiced in the stifling summer heat for the love of the game. “When you’re young you work through the heat, especially if you love what you do,” assistant coach Warren DeShields said. These Bulldogs have heart and are driven to be better players and better people. Being part of a high school football team can be a very positive experience; it can help prepare these players for the real world. Between the injuries, loss of key players, and the influx of younger players to the team, there are quite of number of obstacles that have popped up already this season. Despite all the hard work and intense practices, the players and coaches know that there is one thing they are quickly running out of: Time.

“I know we need time and time is not what we have, but I’m always excited for a new season to start,” Ellen said. “It’s the unexpected. Every coach gets excited about seeing their kids perform.”

Written By: Evan Grossman Photos By: Jim Previti

This year, the Cherry Hill West Lions know what they’re trying to achieve and, to their credit, their goals will never change, no matter who is on the field. Coach Jim Scerbo has quite a task heading into the season; a task he hopes will be offset by the pride and character of this year’s team. Last year’s 5-5 finish was only the fourth time in school history the team won that many games. However, only three starters are returning from that team. “We’re trying to build on [last season] and take that momentum and try to win a few more games, compete for a conference championship, and win a playoff spot,” Scerbo said. “I think a sidebar would be to break that .500 [mark] and get over that.” While the mission to pump pride into the program is the same again this season, the Lions will have to fill essentially every position, on both sides of the ball, with a new face. Returning for

their senior seasons are right tackle Jimmy Knox and cornerback Julian Bond, who led the team with seven interceptions last year. Junior safety Jules German is back, but the rest of the starters in 2010 are going to be new. For a team that promises to play a lot of players, especially at running back, Cherry Hill will dress a lot of rookies. Among the players Scerbo is counting on to make an impact are seniors John Smythe, a center, and Terrell Lee, who Scerbo hopes to develop into an all-conference defensive end and tight end. The Lions will also rely on plenty of legs in their runheavy, double-wing offense. Among those Scerbo sees getting plenty of carries are Niagre Neal, the bruising Terrell Williams, Ali Brown, and German. “I think we have a lot of depth at our skill positions and it’s bred a lot of competition in practice,” Scerbo said. “I think our skill guys are more talented as a whole. They’re just trying to learn the system. It’s my fifth year as head coach, and we have a system that we’ve had since I’ve been here. So they come up through the system, same offense, and they’re familiar with it so they can step in and fill a spot. It’s not too hard. It’s just a matter of varsity experience that we lack.” Another challenge facing the Lions this season is the team’s schedule, where there will be an abundance of unfamiliar opponents. Due to the creation of the new 65-team West Jersey Football League, Cherry Hill will play only three teams from last season’s schedule, making for lots of long nights for the coaching staff breaking down film and scouting new teams. “It’s quite a transition of trying to figure it out, with the new opponents and what they do,” Scerbo said. “You’re used to seeing the same opponents and the same guys, and you have a feel for what they’re trying to accomplish and then you go and look at the schedule and you have to do some extra homework to try to put a bead on what they’re good at, and what they’re trying to achieve.”

Written By: Erica Smith Photos By: Anne Kasten

With a 5-5 record in 2009, it’s hard to believe that the Jackson Liberty Lions are in just their fourth season as a varsity football team. Tasked with building the program from the ground up is veteran high school football coach Tim Osborn, now in his 28th year of coaching. Prior to joining Jackson Liberty he coached at Brick High School for 17 years and also at Toms River North. “We are not satisfied with being a .500 team,” Osborn said. Osborn’s hope for the team from the beginning was to quickly rise to a level of matching or out-performing its division rivals who have well-established programs. The team hopes to build on its success from last season, which included a 22-21 down-to-the-wire win against rival Barnegat. That win marked an important turning point in the Lions’ short history and brought

with it a new way of thinking. The Lions were frustrated with their ability to maintain leads in the second half of games last season and the team adopted a new motto: “All out, all game, all the time.” Osborn said the team “lived up to that saying, and it carried over all year.” Looking ahead to the 2010 season, the Lions plan to continue where they left off: playing hard every minute of every game and gunning for a championship. The team is trying to become more consistent on offense. Their mission will be aided by a large group of returning starters, many of whom play defense as well. Important offensive players include quarterback Dylan Wright, wide receivers Ronald Brown and Anthony Ferullo, Kristian Ruiz at running back, offensive lineman Joe Manola, Greg O’Connor at fullback, and Nick Tiso at tight end. Another key for the Lions will be to play good defense. The team held opponents to an average of 20.8 points per game in last season. Cornerbacks Brown and Ruiz will try and shut down wide receivers. Linebackers Ferullo, O’Connor, and Tiso will look to give opposing offenses fits. Newcomers often make up the backbone of any relatively young team. Several of them are expected to see a lot of playing time this season, including: defensive end Ari Nwobi and center Mike Kafton. Safeties Justin Billups and Ahmad Shalabi will try and shut down wide receivers. They are all expected to have a positive impact on the team. Under Osborn’s tutelage, the program has already produced collegiate-level talent. Mike Patterson, Matt Filosa, and Brendan Kahle continue to play football in college. Filosa and Patterson were named to the AllShore League Football Team last season. Looking ahead to this season, the team wants to improve upon what it accomplished last season. “We expect to take things another step forward,” Osborn said.

Story By: Edward Kensik Photos By: Anne Kasten

Joe Trezza is definitely making progress. For the first time in nearly 25 years, the Middletown North football team made the playoffs in back-toback seasons. The 2008 and 2009 seasons were a long way from Trezza's first year as the Lions head coach when the team went 0-10 after he came over from rival Middletown South. "We have established that making the playoffs is not a reward, but is expected,â&#x20AC;? Trezza said. After another 5-5 season with a first-round defeat in the state playoffs (a 21-0 loss Sayreville), Trezza and Middletown North lost five starters on defense and six on offense. Trezza knows that the younger players who will replace the graduated seniors must come through for the Lions to return to the playoffs. "I just think the younger guys are going to have to grow up quick," Trezza said. "They have great potential." One of the biggest losses was tailback Sean McKee,

a three-year starter who ran for more than 1,000 yards last season. "He's going to be missed and was very good," Trezza said. On the defensive side of the ball, Trezza lost some quality players in defensive lineman Ed Doll and linebacker Ryan Wagner. Both were named to the All-Shore League last season. The top returning player might be senior tight end and defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun, who was an All-Shore League player last season and is getting looked at by Division 1 colleges. "At 6 foot 5 he's athletic and he is very hard to cover," Trezza said. The combination of Calhoun and senior quarterback Frank Derise will hopefully be a potent one for the Lions this season. While the Lions have the likes of Calhoun and Desire on offense, they are young on that side of the ball. "We are more athletic than last year, but are young at the skilled positions," Trezza said. The young players include junior running back Joseph Racioppi and sophomore running back Austin Borrero. As part of their offensive game plan, the Lions will go with a single wide receiver and one tight end. Junior Jesse Fredericks is expected to be the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top receiver. Senior Thomas Sherank might get

some playing time in at tight end. Sherank is the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lone returning linebacker. Helping to get the offense going in 2010 will be the return of offensive line starters Rob Mercantante at left tackle and Tyler Svenson, who moves from center to right guard. Senior Jakob Smith was a full-time starter on the defensive line last season, but will play both ways this season by starting at left guard. "He's athletic and we thought he will be good on the offensive line," Trezza said. With Svenson moving to right guard, junior Vincent Morris takes over at center. Senior Brian Crosby will take over at right tackle. Senior Joe Meehan will start at safety. Senior Dave Oster will handle the punting and place kicking duties.

Story By: Edward Kensik Photos By: Anne Kasten

It will definitely be a different feel this season for Middletown South football. From a team that went 11-1, the Eagles graduated 21 players from a South squad that was only one win from another state championship. While it will be different, the expectations will still be high for the Eagles, who seem to punch a ticket to the state finals almost every year. South lost the last two seasons in the state finals and Eagles head coach Steve Antonucci said that people might think that the team is down with a couple of key losses. But many know that when the dust settles, Middletown South will again be in the playoffs and looking to make it back to the finals. Some who believe that the Eagles will not reach their usual pinnacle point to the losses on defense especially Sean Campbell at lineback-

er. But Antonucci likes his two outside linebackers this year, a pair of juniors, Rob Dickerson and Tim McArdle. “Our outside linebackers are athletic and can put pressure on the opponent,” Antonucci said. Senior quarterback Scott Meeker is the leader of the offense. Meeker passed for more than 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for almost 500 yards last season. “He spent the summer working on his mechanics,” Antonucci said. “He's very athletic.” And Meeker knows how all the seniors feel about the 2010 season. “This is big and an important opportunity for us,” said Meeker. “We're focusing on finishing. We work hard not only on the field but in the weight room and the classroom.” Antonucci believes that his offense can score every time they get the ball. “Our goal is to score every time we to the red zone,” Antonucci said. “Be it a touchdown or a field goal.” Sophomore kicker Connor Ryan had five field goals last season. Joining Meeker in the backfield are fullback Kyle Bunge and tailback McArdle. South also is bolstered by the return of senior running back Andrew Suarez, who missed nine games in the 2009 season. Antonucci said that not only was Suarez missed in the backfield, but on special teams as well. Middletown South did not score a touchdown on special teams in 2009; Suarez had two in scrimmages last season. Despite not being a throwing team, Antonucci knows that he has a good thing with the combination of Meeker and senior Taylor Rogers, who had 30 catches last season and 12 touchdowns. “He's got a great knack of going up for the ball,” Antonucci said of Rogers. “He's a big play guy.” If the Eagles are to have a successful running game this season, the team will need the offensive line to mature quickly. Last year’s entire offensive line was comprised of seniors. Senior center Rick Lovato, senior right guard Alex Lehr, and senior left guard Tom Masi hope to get the team back to another state championship game. "We're very excited after missing out two years and we know that we got to get it done," said left guard Tom Masi. "Nothing less than a state title will do."

Written By: Tricia Dove Photos By: Jim Cairns

There is a winning tradition associated with Ocean City football. Hopefully, that tradition will continue this season, but the road to success won’t be an easy one for the Radiers to traverse. “This coming season will be a challenge for our team,” said coach Mark Impagliazzo. Ocean City won the South Jersey Group IV state title in 1996 and back-toback Group III titles in 1998 and 1999. The team hopes to end its championship drought this season, but that won’t be easy; 13 starters left for college. The team will have to fill in a number of spots held previously by experienced veterans with underclassmen who may not have a lot of experience, if any, playing at the varsity level.

The team’s offensive line will try and establish a quality running game for C.J. Schultheis and Walley Snow. Although the team’s quarterback does not have a lot of experience at the varsity level there are several important players who will help set the tone for the team offensively this season, including receivers Mike Coccodrilli and Nicholas Briggs. Senior Tackle Dan Neate is another important player to watch. Senior Mark Impagliazzo Jr., a defensive end, and junior Bob DeLuce will provide veteran leadership to the unit and anchor the defense. Members of the coaching staff and the players understand that they need to work together if they want to improve upon last year’s 5-5 record. The team knows that anything is possible with hard work and discipline. Besides the team learning about unity and camaraderie, it is also learning about what it takes to succeed in life. Staying focused on a goal, determination, critical thinking, problem solving, and building up one’s self-esteem are all things that players learn throughout a season and their high school athletic careers. Getting the first-time players used to the stronger, faster, and more-experienced opponents will be crucial to the team’s success. The game of football is a quicker one at the varsity level than it is at the junior varsity or sophomore levels. The less experienced players will need time to adjust to the speed of the game, both physically and mentally. The team and coaching staff are working extensively with the younger players in practice on how they can best adapt to playing at this higher level, but it is work in progress. “We need to improve our execution on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball,” coach Impagliazzo said. Despite the team’s youth and inexperience, coach Impagliazzo is optimistic about this season. A run at a championship may seem like a stretch, but with veteran coaching and playing with pose and intelligence, anything can happen. The school is ranked 17th among Group III schools in New Jersey in the Massey Ratings, which use the same formula to calculate who plays for the national championship in college football. “We’re always excited to begin a new season,” coach Impagliazzo said.

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Written By: Evan Grossman Photos By: Jim Cairns

Looking at this year’s Princeton football team, you can’t help but notice all that is new, from the coach, to many of the starters, to the offense game plan. One thing the team hopes will not change, however, is the winning attitude that’s been established the last few seasons. Coach Joe Gargione, who replaces Steve Everette, has a winning tradition in place following last year’s 7-3 finish. He hopes that tradition, and a lot of hard work, can carry his team to a West Jersey Colonial Conference title in 2010. Going into his first season at the helm, Gargione, a former all-conference wide receiver at the College of New Jersey, has his work cut out for him, but the transition to head coach has gone smoothly for Gargione. He previously coached Princeton’s receivers and defensive backs for five years. Despite all of the new faces in blue and white, Gargione’s expectations for another winning season are unflagging.

“We lost a lot of seniors, and a lot of people can look at this year as being a rebuilding year, but I don’t like to look at it as this being a rebuilding year,” Gargione said. “I want the kids to look at it like, ‘Okay, we lost a lot of seniors, but there should be competition everyday for positions.’ I keep stressing to the kids that we have an idea who our first-teamers are, but that doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. They should be challenged everyday.” Because there is so much you cannot control in a football season, Gargione stresses his players strive to perfect all the things they can control. One of those things is his team’s work ethic, which impressed him during training camp. “My philosophy is: always give it your all. Hard work is what I stress. Do the things you can control,” Gargione said. “Losing those spots, we’ve got a big learning curve, especially with a new head coach and a new system, so we need to do everything we can as well as we can do it.” Princeton will rely on a nucleus of skilled position players they hope can quickly evolve into game breakers. Senior Tom Borchert is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound running back and linebacker who promises to make an impact on both sides of the ball. “He is a pretty big kid,” Gargione said. “His work ethic is second to none.” Senior lineman Justin Beslity is expected to open holes for Borchert. Junior quarterback Alex Mitko will lead the passing attack. Mitko will have reliable targets in senior tight end Luke Cordonnier and scrappy junior wideout Kevin White. “Going 7-3 last year and making the playoffs two of the last three years, there is definitely a winning culture that has started,” Gargione said. “And we’d like it to continue.”

Written By: Erica Smith Photos By: Anne Kasten

It might be easy to discount the Shore Regional varsity football team this season. After a promising 8-2 season in 2008, the Blue Devils posted a 4-6 record in 2009, including an early-season loss to division rival Asbury Park. Most of those Shore’s losses came down to one or two plays through Coach Mark Constantino, now in his 19th season. “We lost a lot of close games to good teams,” Constantino said. “But we were right in there.” To the casual observer, it may seem that the Blue Devils have a rebuilding year ahead of them, at best. The team has lost a lot of talent due to graduation. Keeping the focus on the development of new players, avoiding injuries, continual improvement, and minimizing mistakes, Shore aims to post a winning season by playing strong, decisive football, game after game. The Blue Devils have the Patriot division title in their sights for 2010. With another tough schedule ahead, that goal will be made easier by the efforts of several returning

players, each of whom have big shoes to fill. The 2009 team boasted two all-division defensive backs. Filling key spots this season are Pat Maggio at running back, offensive lineman Mike MacStudy, and Matt Conte at offensive lineman and defensive tackle. Maggio ran for nearly 200 yards and scored three touchdowns last season. Constantino remarked that Shane Carroll, with his strong leg kick, is crucial to the Blue Devils success this season. Senior Evan Ruane, an all-division selection in 2009, returns to split time at quarterback and the defensive line. Nick Griegos is also expected to make an impact at linebacker. Seven defense players who either started or saw significant time on the field in 2009 are back for 2010. Shore’s strong defense will continue to hold opponents to fewer points on the board. Six offensive starters are returning. In 2009, the offense averaged 262 yards per game, 22 points per game, and picked up an average of 6.2 yards per play. “Last year was a good year,” Constantino said. “The boys tried hard.” An early season loss to Asbury Park in 2009 will no doubt fuel the fire for this year’s team as it tries to reclaim its former glory in the Patriot division. And, with just three away games on the schedule, the Blue Devils can also hope to reap the benefits of home field advantage. Only time, patience, and hard work will tell.

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Written By: Kevin Haslam Photos By: Jim Previti

Less than a touchdown separated Timber Creek’s hopes and dreams of winning a state championship against Hammonton last season. The team finished 9-3. “When two teams get to that point in the season, not to say that the season is a failure, but when you don’t win that game, you didn’t end your season on a winning note,” said Rob Hinson, who enters his fifth year as the team’s head coach. “For us, that was definitely disappointing and was our biggest loss of the year – the hardest to take, but it’s been pretty motivating, though.” Hammonton went to the championship game in 2008, which Hinson attributes to their preparedness for when they played Timber Creek last season. He hopes that this year will be the same for Timber Creek. “Us having that experience, this year, we know that we have to come out from the

very first kickoff,” Hinson said. “Last year, we had a tendency to feel things out from a coaching standpoint, and then turn things on and win. That type of game, you can’t do that, and our kids saw that.” This year will certainly call for some changes in attitude, as Timber Creek’s talent level and experience will no longer be a surprise to its opponents. “We made a name for ourselves last year,” said senior team captain, wide receiver, and cornerback Damire Byrd. “Everybody’s going to come at us now. We have to come into games ready and be prepared for the challenge.” Byrd is highlighted as one of the best ballplayers in the state. With a recorded 4.26-second 40-yard dash time, Hinson believes he’s one of the fastest kids in the country. However, he believes the entire team is a lot speedier. In 2009, severe weather issues caused the Chargers to “pack it in” and use the I-formation, instead of showing the speed that the team possessed. This year, Hinson hopes to see the team flourish in the speed department. “We’re going to utilize our speed this year,” Hinson said. “We’re going to spread it out and give a bunch of guys some opportunities to run and keep teams off balance with misdirection.” Defensively, new assistant coach Jared Wilson, who used to play for Hinson when he coached at Pennsauken, has taken a leadership role in directing the linebackers. Senior fullback, linebacker, and team captain Quinton Alston believes the addition of coach Wilson is one of many factors that help the Chargers. “I can feel the intensity picked up from last year,” Alston said. “Coach Wilson is teaching us some new stuff as far as linebackers go. It’s all about putting it together. This being my fourth year, I can put it together easier and get on the field and not think about it as much.” Overall, Hinson was happy with his team’s progress during the offseason, and looks to prepare for what should be the next step. “The thing that’s good about this summer, and our kids bought into it, is we don’t have any problem being a frontrunner, as opposed to being the underdog and sneaking up on people,” Hinson said.

Story By: Kevin Haslam Photos By: Jim Previti

On a night where most high school football games were cancelled due to severe weather conditions, Triton Regional High School toughed it out for the first game of the 2009 season against Cherry Hill West. The Lions’ field was virtually underwater, but the two teams grinded away until a victor emerged. In the end, Cherry Hill defeated the Mustangs in the final minute, 7-6, in a game that would set the tempo for Triton’s 2009 season. “It was a tough year and that set the tone. That’s why game one is so important, and that game is just a tough, tough situation, when you have a chance to win,” head coach Pete Goetz said. “That was what was going to be the theme of the season: a lot of tough, close games lost, and a lot of games, injury-wise, where we did not recover.” The 2010 season will be no different, as Goetz estimates that game one is still the biggest

challenge. The first game will be played at home against Highland High School. Although on paper, the game may not seem like a worrisome matchup, Goetz stressed the importance of how the first game sets the tone for a whole season. “I’m taking one game at a time, so right now, that’s the only game we’re focusing on,” Goetz said. “We play a very tough schedule.” In an injury-plagued 2009 season, the Mustangs had to start three freshman players, which led to good things. The offensive MVP Josh Woods returns at running back and there is plenty of buzz about what he and junior Jimmy Burns can do in the backfield with the help of fullback and captain Dan Bekier, who also plays linebacker, last year’s defensive MVP. “Things look good for the future when your MVP on the defense is a junior and your offensive MVP is a sophomore,” Goetz said. Woods is a promising player for the Mustangs. With a 40-yard dash time of about 4.4 seconds, Woods picked up 670 yards in 2009. Quarterback Brian Keller knows the kind of talent that the young running back possesses. “I think he can be very good. I’ve actually played with him when I was younger. He’s always been a great player, ever since I met him,” Keller said. “He’s young, so give him time and he’ll turn into a really good running back.” Goetz is also excited for Keller’s abilities on both sides of the ball, as he also plays well as a defensive end. Although there is a concern for the offensive line coming into this season, there is a lot of hype for the receivers and defensive backs. Seniors Mike Pennell and Bill Hanna play both wide receiver and defensive back and have great size (6 feet 3 inches tall, 205 pounds) for their positions. Division IAA and Division II schools are looking at both players. “To be honest, I think we’re more improved from last year. We’re a lot better and a lot deeper. We’re smarter, faster, and, bigger,” Hanna said. “I [personally] know what I’m doing now, and I understand the game better. I’m a better athlete,” Keller said. “I just keep trying hard, every day.” Triton kicks off their season Sept. 10 at home, and finishes the season at home against Timber Creek.

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By Joe Pietaro Photos by Luis Cova Last April was like a month-long Christmas morning for New York baseball fans. After the long wait for new ballparks for the Yankees and Mets, two retro-styled millionaire playgrounds arose from what were temporary construction sites in the Bronx and Queens, respectively. Through 81 home dates each, both clubs (and their fans) grew accustomed to their new surroundings. There were praises aplenty and even a few complaints, but for the most part, both were overwhelmingly successful. Perhaps the most glorious attribute that both stadiums paid to the game was the ‘Back To The Future’ look they share. This incarnation of The Stadium is more similar to the original 1923 ‘House That Ruth Built’ than the mid1970s renovated version. The Gate 4 entrance evokes memories of yesteryear with the Indiana limestone exterior and the façade is back in full form surrounding the roof from the interior. Because Fred Wilpon grew up in Brooklyn a die-hard Dodgers fan, the Mets owner had his new stadium pick up where the wrecking ball left off in 1961 at Ebbetts Field. The famous rotunda was back and it’s interior was dedicated to Jackie Robinson, one of the standouts from ‘Dem Bums.’ That was the story of last summer, and one that extended into the fall and another World Series championships for the Bombers. Of all

people, New Yorkers may be the most difficult to please. So what would be done for an encore? Perhaps the biggest complaint about Citi Field was that it was more of a tribute to the Brooklyn Dodgers than the Mets. The organization listened and made some modifications and additions during the offseason. Added were more Mets colors, banners and photos all throughout the stadium. The Mets Hall of Fame opened in April and is like a mini Cooperstown, Mets style.

CORNE Paying homage to the home team was never a problem at any incarceration of Yankee Stadium. This latest version is perhaps the most worthy in that aspect. The fact that ownership never had any intention of selling the naming rights to the highest corporate bidder proves that in itself. Although the majority has lauded the new digs, there are some purists that will always long for the original. “Give me Shea Stadium any day,” said Bellmore resident Todd Kutil, 50, who was taking in a Mets game with his three

teenage sons, Brett, Patrick and Timmy. “That was the first ballpark I ever went to as a kid and it was fine by me.” His boys have no problem with Citi Field, especially as they waited in line at its famous ‘Shake Shack.’ “This is a great place to watch a game,” 17-year-old Brett commented. “Shea was okay, but having a brand new stadium is much better. And adding more Mets memorabilia here was the right idea.”

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As far as changes this year at Yankee Stadium, they didn’t need to do much except add World Series champion banner number 27. Bomber fans already loved the place the way it was and that has transcended into the second time around. “This is the best place in baseball to go to a game,” said Brooklyn’s Joe Perricone, who has never been anything but a Yankees fan in his 41 years on earth. “We all love the original Yankee Stadium, but they have brought along a lot of the history across the street with them.” When asked about some of the highlights of the new Stadium, Perricone didn’t hesitate. “Monument Park and the façade,” he said. For fans like Perricone and the Kutils – or at least the younger generation for the latter – the calendar has read December 25th all summer long two consecutive years and counting.

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SPORT Sports Psychology

“The Secret to Team Building”

Establishing the essence of a team falls on the shoulders of the coach. It takes great skill and character to achieve team cohesion. Players often tend to grandstand, get jealous, demand attention or get lazy. And these problems don’t go away until they are addressed. Lack of team cohesion can easily destroy a season. So exactly how does one build a team into a fully functioning smooth running unit? This article addresses this issue.

“Team building is an art that all couches need to learn.”

W Coaching Staff:

We can learn much by studying the great coaches. Vince Lombardi was known for his toughness. Woody Hayes of Ohio State focused on preparation. Doc Counsilman, the famed Indiana University Swim coach, was known for his compassion and deep commitment to his swimmers. And UCLA’s John Wooden was a master teacher who was also strict and built character in his players. They were trained in politeness so well that they would leave the locker room spotless after every practice. He did this to teach them respect for their fellow man. The coach sets the tone and he or she alone is the one who will build a strong team. All great coaches are exceptional people with great passion, love of sport and integrity. But that is not all one needs to build a team.

“A coaches core values must be communicated to his team clearly and often.”

Problems and Threats to Team Cohesion: Despite the coaches’ best efforts to establish discipline, enthusiasm and core values things often go wrong. This produces frustration and anxiety in the coaching staff. Here are a few of the ways things go south.

Interpersonal issues like jealousy envy and cliques Lack of effort and laziness personal problems cause distraction Splitting of loyalties between coaching staff

Injury, Slumps

A player’s

TS Psy “Team rituals like dinners of pre-game talks bond the team together.”

T W

The Team Legacy, Tradition and History: Another factor in team building relates to its legacy. Players must be allowed to see the team’s history and its achievements. Go into the Yankee locker room and you will see trophies, banners and photos of past champions. The tradition of a team can serve to inspire, direct and motivate a team. A coach can encourage hustle during practice but visual reminders of what the team has done and what you expect is a subtle and effective way to keep the message in front of them at all times. It is yet another way to build team cohesion.

T Team Rituals:

There are many ways that a team can bond. We call this the team rituals and it includes team dinners, scavenger hunts, pre-game talks, team prayers, halftime talks and post game talks. Al Pacino captured the essence of an inspirational pre-game speech in the film Any Given Sunday. Al Pacino as Coach “Tony D’Amato gave an impassioned speech minutes before game time and rousing them to battle for ‘every inch.’ When a coach can speak from the heart like this it will bond the team. . The team captain is another important role. Every team has a captain who guides and inspires the team. They lead by example and the captain is usually the player that is admired the most by others but who does not produce jealousy. And if the team captain fails to be a selfless leader, the team will suffer. Other team rituals include pre-game dinners, and other bonding experiences on and off the field. While each team uses team rituals the unique way in which they do is critical in order to maintain a positive team dynamic. Research in the military shows that bonding is best in small groups of 3 – 6 men each and this strategy is now being used in college football. Teams are sent away to boot camp to instill trust and group bonding.

What to Do to Build a Team: When you look to answers it is easy to see that a key ingredient that cures this issue is open communication. Coach Coughlin of the NY Giants turned his tenure around when he put into effect ‘The President’s Counsel’ where his top players had a chance to air grievances with him. Communication takes time but it’s worth it in the end. Every great coach does two things well. They spell out their rules and expectations clearly and say what needed to be said. And they also are able to listen to what players have to say. Great coaches talk openly and with respect and they listen carefully to their players.

Team building is a great art. It is one of the unchartered and under researched areas in sport but one that is key to winning. The intensity of team sports is unmatched. You can have peak moments nearly every game. But the problems inherent in team life are huge as well. Clear rules, solid values, team rituals and open communication are the pillars of great coaching. Best of luck with the season and enjoy it all. Bio; Dr Tom Ferraro is a noted Sport Psychologist based on Long Island who works with has worked with teams and individual athletes for twenty years. Carly Schwartz is a sport psychology intern attending William Smith College. They can be reached at (516) 248-7189 or at drtferraro@aol.com

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SPORT Sports Psychology

“The Secret to Team Building”

“Team building is an art that all couches need to learn.”

W Coaching Staff:

“A coaches core values must be communicated to his team clearly and often.”

Interpersonal issues like jealousy envy and cliques Lack of effort and laziness personal problems cause distraction Splitting of loyalties between coaching staff

Injury, Slumps

A player’s

TS Psy “Team rituals like dinners of pre-game talks bond the team together.”

T W

T Team Rituals: