Pre Season 2010

What does September mean on the Jersey shore: Cooler nights, the Jerry Lewis MD Telethon, cars heading north on the parkway, the beaches clean and empty and the "Jersey shore crew putting the camera's away for another season. But to us true football fans--it means high school football season is just around the corner! As Darelle Rivas signs a multi-million dollar deal to make all Jet fans happy and the New York Giants get ready to open a new billion dollar stadium, the pro's are set to begin, but my focus with be on whether Matawan HS can continue it's winning ways and win back to back championships, or whether Middletown South can break a 2 year losing streak in the state finals, or whether Brick Memorial can get to their 5th title game in the last 8 years(they have won twice), or whether Head Coach Don Solfilkanack can pull off his magic at Neptune HS as he did at Asbury Park, where he won 3 State Championships in a row, or whether Lacey can run the table to another championship under Lou Vircillo, or whether Manasquan can add to their shore conference 11 State Championships that they have won, or whether Toms River East, with the last of the Steiti brothers(Mario) leading the way, win their first ever State title, or whether Manalapan, with their best team ever, get over the hump and win their first State title. Yes many interesting stories to the 2010 season and we will get it going this Friday night and I will be commenting through-out the season. Hope you enjoy my less than perfect analysis of the games to be played. Lets have some fun this year and my best to all the teams as they approach opening weekend.

The best way to break down the season is with my pre-season top 10: Keep into account, I tried to see as many scrimmages as possible and also realize they don't mean a whole lot as coaches like to play game when other coaches are watching!

1-Matawan- Has to be the #1 team going in since they return many key players from their 2009 State run to their championship. Led by QB Jared Allison and RB McArthur Underwood, the Huskies are loaded with skill players and the program looks to be in good shape for the future. Joe Martucci begins his 26th year as the head coach and he has to be chomping at the bit to start this new season. As mentioned above Allison is a highly recruited athlete, who has set his sites on Rutgers University, where he may possibly move to the secondary or WR. The Huskies will go as he goes, however there are many others to carry the load if necessary. Underwood and RB Keith Beatty are both game breakers and can take it to the house whenver they touch it. Frosh QB Kayshon Barnes has proved that he may be ready sooner than expected, and that may help move Allison around the field. The defense took some graduation hits, but Coach Sam Turner has done an excellent job coordinating this unit and expect them to be as tough as ever. It's yours to lose Huskies.

2-Lacey-All indications show this to be one of Lacey's best teams in years. They return 1200 yard rusher Jake Dabal at RB and have one of the top QB's in the shore to run it's attack in Craig Cicardo Jr. Lou Vircillo, in his 30th year, will run the "D" which always plays tough and they will have to play that way this year as a non-conf. schedule from hell, which include Wall(week 1), Middletown South and Neptune awaits the Lions. Lakewood transfer Tyrell Smith(6'5", 300 lbs.) a junior is Division 1 material and will be tested this year on defense. Mike D'Addario(6'2", 240lbs.) anchors the "O" line. Interested match-up week 1, as they travel to face a tough Wall team.

3-Wall-I think the 2 teams above are clearly the best of the shore. You can throw the rest into a hat and wherever they come out you could have an argument. I'll put Wall at 3 and guess from there. Junior Steve Cluley, a 6'3" 190lb QB, will lead the Knights. He began as a backup last year and took over week 3, and the rest could be history in the making. I look for a big year from him and they need him to come up big. Will Avon at RB will take some of the pressure off Cluley, but with only Matt Pisarchik back on the "O" line, the running game must step up quickly, in order for the Knights to contend. Week 1 vs. Lacey, will not break their season with a loss, however a win will make the shore take notice.

4-Brick Memorial-Coming off another trip to the finals in the States, the Stangs are deep and experienced as they head into the 2010 season. QB Mike DiGuilmi will lead the option attack for the second year. It's always important to have a veteran at the QB position and Mike is a good one. He can run with the best of them, but his passing is where I think he has made the most improvement. A load of RB's led by Juniors Vin Diodato and Jared Eccles, along with Jordan Lodice, Shane Panuska and sprint champion Jihad Howard give Coach Walt Currie many options. Outside receivers include 6'4" Dyan Walsh and Mike Acquaviva. Defense will be better this year in all phases, led by new nose tackle Will Wowkanyn, who will create havoc similar to what Billy Miller did last year for the Stangs.

5-Middletown South-You cannot have a top ten and not have the Eagles in it. Steve Antonucci in his 12th year has put together quite a program. There is only one problem for Mid South--they have lost in the finals the last 2 years, and that doesn't sit well at the "swamp". They were well on their way to another title when they ran into a strong Monroe team which beat them 30-10. That game was not easy to take over the off season and the Eagles will get better from it. QB Scott Meeker(1100 passing and 15 TD's) and Kyle Bunke(1000 rushing) return from last year and will lead them this year. DC Al Bigos, who for my money is one of the best in the shore, Will have LB Matt Saulnier to build around. The Eagles lost their entire "O" line, but that's nothing new for them.

6-Neptune-This could be the best story in the shore this year if Don Sofilkanich can turn the Fliers around and make a run for a State title. Sofilkanich comes over from Asbury Park, where all he did was win 3 State titles in a row, in his 3 years there. Not too bad for the 1st 3 years of his career as a head coach. He will inherit much talent on this Flier team. We can start with Rutgers bound Charlie Davis. He will be the horse in the Delaware Wing T offense Sofilkanich has installed. Ike Calderone, David Gutzmore and new QB Jaheem Woods are big time threats any time they touch it. Defensively they will run a 4-4 and be tested there. It will not be easy for Neptune with Freehold Boro, RBC, Ocean, Long Branch Lacey and Asbury Park on the schedule.

7-Manalapan- If they can straighten out the coaching situation the Braves can be contenders. Tom Gallahue, last years head coach has been elevated to administration. That comes with the deal that he is not allowed to coach in the system. In what I have seen, it looks like he is still the coach even though he is officially a volunteer. Dom LaPore and Eddie Gurrieri are also on the staff and potential "head coaches" But it is about the kids and the Braves certainly have some horses. Mike Bimonte(Rutgers bound) will QB and comes off a 2009 where he threw for 1800 yards and 17 TDs. The RB will be Josh Firkser who ran for 1100 yds. and scored 14 TDs last year. That is 31 TDs between the two dynamic players. That will get fans excited, but defense wins championships and the switch to a 3-4 alignment will dictate how far the Braves go.

8-Toms River East- Only 2 more years for opponents to worry about stopping a Steriti! This year its Mario, who takes over from Nico, who set Raider records last year as a senior. Mario must now carry this Raider team. He will have help with RBs Dan Wasilick, Jake Palmer, Devin Kennedy and Eric Rokisky. Vinny Arminio at TE, can catch the ball, if new QB Joe Clarizio can get it to him. Cory Cardini is also a threat outside at WR. Coach Jim Dempsey will coordinate the defense this year. The Raiders must have made somebody pretty mad when they were dishing out the schedule--Besides the always tough A-South, the Raiders will play RBC, Lacey and Sayreville outside their division. Not easy, if the Raiders are to win their first state title.

9-RBC-Well if you ever attend a game at RBC on their new turf field, be sure to bring an autograph book. They have son's of past star's and players you just may want a signature from. Lets start with Josh Klecko, yes that former Jet will be there watching his son play football. How about Greg Golden, son of current head coach of Temple University and former Notre Dame alumnus. He just just try to make a game or 2 when his schedule permits. Then there's senior TE/LB Jack Tabb, who most observers feel could very well be a future NFL player. He has had 20 or so Div. 1 offers already and the season hasn't started yet. Enough said, there are others, like Mike Dorsi who will run the ball and play LB, and Joe Coscarelli who is only a junior and has size to be a college lineman. Does this personnel translate to wins. Well head coach Jim Portela, in his 2nd year, certainly hopes so. A 6-4 season last year in which 3 loses were to 3 state champions could have been the experience he was looking for. A great schedule awaits the Casey's. The B-North powers like Ocean, Freehold, Long Branch,Neptune and non-conf. foes TR East, Rumson, and Southern Reg. will test the Casey's. If they get there they will earn it.

10-Toms River North-You can't have a top Ten without the Mariners in it. This program has been one of the top ones in the shore under former coaches Bob Fiocco, Bob Nanni and now Chip LaBarca Jr. Throw in DC Dave Oizerowitz(I should get a gold star if I spell his name correctly), an excellent staff and you have a great program. Dave is right up there with the best as far as designing the "D" and the Mariners rely heavily on that side of the ball. Demetri Davis returns at the QB slot for North and has reunited with Anthony Carrington, who was at North his soph year, transfered to Lakewood his Junior year and now is back at North his senior year---did you follow that? I guess the officials who decide those matters did. Cody Groves will be the main runner behind Davis. Up front Steve Franco returns to the "O" line--all 6'4" 310 lbs of him. everybody else will be new. How far North goes will ride with Davis and the Mariner "D".

Well I know what your saying. Where is Manasquan, Ocean, Rumson and Freehold Boro among others. Well its a top ten, not 14 or 15. You must draw the line in the sand somewhere. Anyway, you know what they say--it's not where you start, it's where you finish. Yes the oldest of football BS.

Let me mention just a few of the top players in those just outside top ten: Ocean has Greg Moore and Kevin Rodgers running the ball. Squan has Tyler Saito at QB and Tariq Turner, who is a man running the ball. Rumson has one of the top receivers in the shore in Jack Wise and throwing him the ball will be Mike Villapiano. Sterry Codrington and Derrick Bender will lead Freehold Boro.

Be sure to catch the St Barnabas High School Football Show at Boston's in Toms River from 7-9 PM each and every Thursday.Kevin Williams, Matt Harmon and myself will interview coaches, players, Kevin Callahan(MU head coach) and media members each week. Check the schedule each week, as some shows will run Wed night if we are broadcasting a football game on Thursday, such as week 2. By the way all games and shows will be on 105.7 the Hawk on the FM dial this year.

Our opener takes us to Toms River South for the annual rival game with Toms River East. 7PM Friday night.