Shore Sports Network Journal Putting Together the 2015 Football Preseason Puzzle

July 28, 2015 Volume-VII Issue-14

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

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With three of the top passers in theShore Conference on the same

roster with them, receivers MattCastronuova of Jackson Memorial and KarlKumm of Brick Memorial knew they or anyother Ocean County receiver could have abig game on July 16 in the U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic.

As it turned out, both had big games as Castronuova caught twotouchdown passes andKumm caught atouchdown, hit a 43-yard field goal and a25-yard field goal andwas a perfect 3-for-3on extra points to leadOcean County to aconvincing 27-7 winover MonmouthCounty at Long BranchHigh School.

“We have thatmentality that no onecan beat us and wecame out here andmade sure thateverybody else was onthe same page,”Castronuova said,referring to the sixplayers from JacksonMemorial’s statechampionship team onthe roster and the coaching staff led by Jaguars head coach Walt Krystopik.“We had six guys from our team and we all clicked, and it was a great thingto see happen in five days.”

Castronuova was named the Ocean County Offensive Most ValuablePlayer, while Toms River South defensive lineman Joe Odebode took homedefensive Most Valuable Player honors with a sack and a tackle for a loss.

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

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

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

To cap his standout night, Kumm booted a career-long 43-yardfield goal that capped the scoring with 3:08 left in the game.Kumm was not even the kicker at Brick Memorial this yearand with no other option at kicker on the roster, Kumm wasthe choice.

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

After Kumm’s touchdown, Laceyquarterback Conor Davies then foundCastronuova for a 42-yard touchdownstrike to make it 24-0, with Daviesstarting the play in the slot and taking atoss from Brick Memorial running backConnor Owen, who had taken a handofffrom Jackson Memorial quarterback JoeDeMaio, before hitting Castronuova instride on a flypattern.

“We practiced thata lot over the weekand it worked everysingle time we ranit,” Davies said. “Iwas actually in atquarterback when ithappened and theytold me before theseries that we mightdo it. They’d putDeMaio in and I was

going to go to the slot. I was surprised the defensedidn’t pick up on it and I’m glad they didn’t.Castronuova, with his speed, got wide open and I justslung it out there to him.”

Davies and Castronuova also starred together in thePhil Simms’ North-South State All-Star Game at KeanUniversity in late June and got a chance to shine on thesame team one more time.

“I played with Conor in the all-state game last weekand seeing what he can do with the type of skill level hehas when he gets the blocking was impressive,” Castronuova said. “I didn’tbreak stride on that pass he threw to me. He’s a great kid, he can play

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

Castronuova caught five passes for 63 yards and Davies went 4-for-5 for89 yards and a touchdown. Brick quarterback Carmen Sclafani hitCastronuova for a one-yard touchdown pass to cap the opening drive of thegame. Sclafani finished 6-for-10 with 27 yards and a touchdown, as well as51 yards on 10 carries.

Ocean began the game with a 13-play, 74-yard drive that Sclafani cappedwhen he rolled out to his lefton second-and-goal from theone yard-line and flipped ashovel pass over a host ofconverging defenders, whichCastronuova caught for thegame’s first score. Kumm’sextra point capped the drive,which burned 7:09 off theclock before Monmouth evenhad a possession.

Kumm was on the receivingend of one of two completionsby Davies on a second-quarterdrive that gave Ocean a 10-0lead, ending with Kumm’s 25-yard field goal from the righthash. Monmouth gave Oceannew life on the drive when along snap sailed over the headof Davies – serving as thepunter – and Monmouth wascalled for roughing the punter

Rumson’s Charlie Volker

2015 Gridiron ClassicOcean 27, Monmouth 7Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer

Brick’s Carmen Sclafani, Lacey’s Conor Davies& Jackson Memorial’s Joe DeMaio

Se e Gr i d ir on pag e 4

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

DeMaio helped ignite the drive with 27 yardson four carries before Davies took over undercenter following the personal foul. Davies alsohit Southern tight end Olufemi Palmer for a 14-yard completion to set Ocean up at the four yard-line before the drive stalled inside the 10.

DeMaio’s third-quarter touchdown pass toKumm was his only pass attempt of the game andit came on a play-action fake that both DeMaioand Kumm sold to perfection. No player waswithin 20 yards of Kumm, who backpedalled intothe end zone after catching the pass from DeMaioover the top of the defense.

“Going out for that play, I knew the play wasgoing towards me and I just had to fake the runblock, and when the cornerback bit, I knew I wasgone,” Kumm said.

In all, the three Ocean County quarterbackscombined to go 11-for-16 for 161 yards and threetouchdowns.

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

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

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

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

Odebode led the defensive chargeby serving as disruptive force behindan effective defensive line. The unitheld Long Branch standout and ShoreConference single-season-rushingrecord-holder Dahmiere Willis to 61yards on 14 carries, including 14yards on six touches in the secondhalf.

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

Odebode shined for Ocean despite notbeing named to the team until this pastweekend, when he was bumped up from the

list of alternates to thegame roster.

“I got a call fromcoach (Matt) Martinand I was elated,”Odebode said. “Mysophomore year, I cameto the game and I said ‘Iwant to play in thatgame.’ I didn’t get thecall until the nightbefore (the first)

practice, so itwas the bestthing to hear.

“It means a lot(to win MVP)because I wasn’tselected at first. Iwas a reserveand when I gotthe call, I knew Ihad to come hereand represent forToms RiverSouth and OceanCounty.”

Volker was theMonmouth

County Offensive MVP with 84 yards on 14 carries and one catch for 12yards to go with his rushing touchdown. Holmdel linebacker Frank Condito

was the Monmouth defensive MVP, while Palmer and Red BankCatholic defensive back Mike Cordova were the Leadership Awardwinners for their respective counties.

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

Lacey’s Conor Davies

gridiron Continued from page 3

by: Scott Stumpwww.shoresportsnetwork.com

P h o t o s b y :Ray Rich Photography

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Brick’s Carmen Sclafani

Brick's Ja'Quez Johnson (in white)and Matawan's Justin Ferrara


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As Ocean County rolled to a 27-7 victoryover Monmouth in the U.S. Army All-

Shore Gridiron Classic on July 16, BrickMemorial wide receiver/kicker Karl Kummwide receiver/kicker highlighted a memorablenight when he was selected to receive theprestigious Sam Mills Award for his county.

The award is named after the late Long Branch great, who went on to fame asan All-Pro linebacker with the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers in the late1980s and early 1990s after starring at Montclair State. Mills died of cancer in2005. The award is selected by the coaches for a player who shows theperseverance, character and determination that defined Mills’ life and career.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brick Memorial’s Karl Kumm Honoredwith Sam Mills Award for Ocean CountyBy Kenneth Bradley - Shore Sports Network contributor

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


8 V O L UM E - V I I / I S S U E - 1 4 / 7 / 2 8 / 1 5

Jackson Memorial hasbuilt its reputation on

being able to bury teamswith the running game, butthe Jaguars showed on July16th that they can do morethan just ground and pound.

Junior Dan Barker, who will step in forgraduated standout Joe DeMaio at quarterbackfor the Jaguars this fall, threw three touchdownpasses to lead them to a 20-6 win overMonmouth County champion Wall in the ShoreConference 7-on-7 championship game thatpreceded the U.S. Army All-Shore GridironClassic.

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

Barker missed just about all of last seasonwith a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing)shoulder. He takes the reins of a unit thatproduced two 1,000-yard rushers in one seasonfor the first time in school history last year onthe way to winning the Central Jersey GroupIV title and finishing No. 1 in the Shore.

Both of those running backs, senior VinnyLee and junior Mike Gawlik, return this fall.The 7-on-7 showed that the versatile Lee willbe incorporated much more into the passinggame this year.

“(Lee) can do anything,” Barker said. “He’sjust really athletic and can make any play.”

Senior standout Kyle Johnson returns at widereceiver, but standout Matt Castronuova, whowas the offensive MVP in Ocean County’svictory with two touchdown catches onThursday night, has to be replaced along with

the graduated Aaron Curet. Senior Kyle Lonaand junior Trevor Louro are expected to playmuch bigger roles.

Barker is also filling the shoes of DeMaio,a two-year starter who is headed to Iona toplay baseball. DeMaio threw a touchdownpass in Ocean County’s win on Thursdaynight.

“I learned how to be a leader by watchinghim,” Barker said. “He was a great leader.He’s really athletic, and he never seemed toget nervous in big spots. It was good learningfrom him.”

The bull’s eye will be on the Jaguars’ backfrom Day One as the defending statechampion and top team in the Shore.

“It’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I thinkonce I go out and make a couple plays, I’llbe fine,” Barker said.

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

Jackson Memorial Wins ShoreConference 7-on-7 TitleBy Scott Stump – Managing Editor

Jackson Memorial senior Vinny LeeJackson Memorial junior QB Dan Barker


Pre-season for the fall athletic season will soonbe upon us. It is always important for athletes

to hydrate, however, it becomes critically importantduring hot and humid weather conditions.

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

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

Avoid the complications of dehydrations (heat cramps, heat exhaustion andheat stroke) by following these helpful tips:

1. Drink water regularly, throughout the day, not just during practices orcompetitions; *most importantly before athletic activity

2. Wear loose-fitting, light colored clothing

3. When possible, avoid exercise at the hottest times of day (2-6pm)

4. Alert your certified athletic trainer if you do not feel well

5. Allow time for acclimatization, gradually increasingduration/intensity over a two week period

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

Helpful Tips to Avoid DehydrationBy Harry A. Bade, III, MD, FACS

Harry A. Bade, III, MD, FACSFounder & Senior Partner, Professional OrthopaedicsFellowship Trained Orthopaedic SurgeonBoard Certified: Orthopaedic Surgery& Sports Medicine

Orthopaedic Residency at: The Hospital for Special SurgeryShoulder Fellowship at: The Hospital for Special SurgeryHand Fellowship at: The Hospital for Special SurgeryMicrosurgery Fellowship at: Duke Universtiy Medical Center

Active member:American Orthopaedic Society for Sports MedicineTeam Physician:Monmouth University, Georgian Court University,Brookdale Community College, & Over 20 area high schoolsConsultant: New York GiantsClinical and Academic Instructor: Orthopaedic Residency Programat MMC

You can stop shaking ,muttering to yourself

and pacing incessantly – Shore Conference

football is almost back.

With preseason camps set to get into full swing in mid-August, it’s time to take a look at some of the storylines that

Shore fans will be talking about during the build-up to thebeginning of the regular season in the first week of

September. A host of high-level talent returns after a seasonin which the Shore won a conference-record six state

championships, including a sweep of all five CentralJersey brackets.

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

THE SAGA AT

ST.JOHN VIANNEY

A team with a loaded roster that was poisedto make a run at No. 1 in the Shore hasexperienced more preseason turbulencethan any local squad. Head coach MarkCiccotelli, who led the Lancers to a 10-win

season, their first division title since 1982 andtheir first state playoff win since 1981, resignedas head coach, with some of the playersinsinuating that he was forced out. FormerRaritan, Monmouth and Marlboro head coachDerek Sininsky got the job two days later andhas the task of uniting the team after themajor shakeup only two weeks beforepreseason camp begins.

The Lancers feature Boston College recruitAnthony Brown, one of the state’s top quarterbacks,

as well as first-team All-Shore cornerback KhalilHaskins, standout fullback/linebacker Calvin Beaty, all-

purpose threat Jeff Sheard, and one of the top recruits inthe country for the Class of 2017, junior lineman MicahClark. How fast they can get on the same page with a newcoaching staff and team chemistry will play a major role inwhether they live up to expectations or experience afrustrating season.

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH ’SQUEST TO GET THE MONKEY OFFITS BACK

A 21-18 loss to Jackson Memorial in last year’s CentralJersey Group IV final dropped the Eagles to 0-5 in theirlast five state final appearances. They have been on aremarkable run under coach Steve Antonucci, havingappeared in a state final in 11 of the past 14 seasons, butfinishing the job has proven elusive in the last nine years.

Their current senior class was touted as the one thatwould end the drought since they were freshmen,and the juniors right behind them were alsoviewed as a stellar class. That means that thetime is now to get that first title since 2006.A host of those juniors started last year assophomores, led by running back/linebackerJames McCarthy, so the return ofquarterback/kicker Matt Mosquera, 1,000-yard rusher Cole Rogers, first-team All-Shorelinebacker Dylan Rogers and standout offensivelineman Thomas Lopez makes this arguably themost talented South team since that 2006 squad.

Now they just have to deliver, which won’t beeasy because Jackson Memorial isn’t goinganywhere as it returns plenty of proven talentand always seems to have more on the way.Middletown South also will try to solveManalapan in Class A North, where the Braveshave owned the Eagles, beating them fivestraight times on their way to winning fivedivision titles in a row.

AGROUP OF STARQUARTERBACKS

Two of the best quarterbacks in the state,Red Bank Catholic’s Eddie Hahn and St.John Vianney’s Anthony Brown, lead aquality group of signal-callers. Hahn isverbally committed to UConn, whileBrown has committed to BostonCollege. The Shore has not had aquarterback gain the starting job atan FBS program in eons, possiblyback to the early 1980s or 1970s,and now Hahn and Brown are thenext two to try to break thattrend.

Both are tremendous dualthreats, as Brown led theShore Conference with 2,198

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

V O L UM E - V I I / I S S U E - 1 4 / 7 / 2 8 / 1 5

RBC's Eddie Hahn

Head Coach Derek Sininsky10

yards passing and finish second with 25 touchdown passes, and he also ran for 805 yards and 9touchdowns. The main question is what adjustments he will make with new coach DerekSininsky taking over, although Sininsky has said he plans on keeping the spread offense run by

the Lancers last year the same to maximizeBrown’s talents.

Hahn helped lead the Caseys to theirfirst state title since 1976 last season andmakes them a serious threat to becomethe first Shore Conference non-publicteam to ever win back-to-back statechampionships since the creation of thestate playoff system in 1974. He threw for1,485 yards, averaging 18.3 yards per

completion and throwing 20 touchdownpasses, while also running for 531

yards and 12 touchdowns on anaverage of 7.5 yards per carry lastyear.

Those two are far from theonly talents, as second-teamAll-Shore pick Mike Husni ofToms River North returnsafter a monster sophomoreyear in which he went over1,000 yards passing andrushing for 2,676 totalyards and 24 totaltouchdowns. He leads atalented Marinerssquad looking to makea serious run at theClass A South titleand a state title withthe likes of first-teamAll-Shore defensivelineman Da’shonCopes and 1,000-yard

rusher Asante Moorerreturning plus talentedsophomore running backDaryn Blackwell joining thevarsity fold this fall.

Matawan sophomoreGeorge Pearson also returnsafter registering the best

season of any freshmanin Shore Conference

history with 1,956yards passing and16 touchdowns ina season wherehe helped theHuskies winthe CentralJ e r s e yGroup IIItitle. He

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

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

Holmdel junior Aneesh Agrawal and Ocean junior Kenny Pickett are back afterfinishing in the top 10 in the Shore in passing yards assophomores, and Freehold Township’s Jack O’Brien is backwith a new head coach, Cory Davies, whose spreadattack produced record-setting passers at Howell andLacey. Rumson’s Mike O’Connor is another juniorwho started as a sophomore and was a solid all-around threat who helped the Bulldogs repeat asCentral Jersey Group II champions.

Red Bank’s Jack Navitsky also returns andlooks to make a leap forward after apromising junior year, and he has oneof the most formidable weapons in thearea, Syracuse-bound senior receiverSadiq Palmer. Wall’s Matt Cluley is inhis second year helming the spreadattack and looks to help the CrimsonKnights get back on the winning sideof things. Brick Memorial’s TimSantiago showed flashes ofexplosiveness as a runner in theMustangs’ flexbone optionattack last year and is backfor more, and the samegoes for Freehold Borosenior Jake Curry. Anotherquality running threat,Central’s Mike Miserendino, is back as acomplement to 2,000-yard rusher MikeBickford.

Those are just the quarterbacks whoare known quantities, so we’ll see whatother new stars are born this yearamong a deep group.

JACKSONMEMORIALTRIES TO

STAY ON

TOP

The Jaguars becamethe first public schoolteam to finish No. 1 in

1 1

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SJV's Anthony BrownJackson Memorial's Mike Gawlik

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the Shore since the conference’s lastundefeated team, the 2010 Laceysquad. They ended RBC’s 40-gamewinning streak against Shorecompetition, and they will face the

Caseys again this year in a highly-anticipated game.

While they graduated a talented senior classafter winning their first Central Jersey Group IV title since 2005, theyhave plenty of firepower left. Two 1,000-yard rushers, senior Vinny Leeand first-team All-Shore pick Mike Gawlik, both return, and Gawlik alsois a standout safety. They graduated quarterback Joe DeMaio, a two-year starter, but junior Dan Barker has looked solid thissummer in helping the Jaguars win the ShoreConference 7-on-7 title.

The biggest challenge will be replacing thebulk of the Shore Conference’s bestoffensive line, but quality offensive linemenseems to be something Jackson never runs out of. Theyalso have plenty of defensive stars like linebackersZach Tetro and Cole Collins to replace, as well as

standout tight end/defensive end Brody Graham, butthey have shown the ability to reload, particularly at

linebacker.

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

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

CENTRAL LOOKS TO KEEP THEMOMENTUM GOING

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

They return 2,000-yard rusher Mike Bickford as well as quarterback MikeMiserendino, but they lost some key cogs up like Rudy Solomon and Liam

Christensen to graduation. Central’s biggest challenge has been consistency asfar as stringing together multiple winning seasons, so we’ll see if they cantake that step into being a consistent contender with some talented piecesback in the fold.

SIX STATE CHAMPIONSTRYING TO DEFEND THEIRTITLES

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

Winning Non-Public Group III is hard enough to do once, so theCaseys have their work cut out for them, but with talent likequarterback Eddie Hahn, Duke-bound lineman Liam Smith, runningback/linebacker Dylan Murphy, they certainly have a shot. It comesdown to replacing one of the best senior classes they have had inschool history.

Manalapan also has been immune to graduation, and it will once again have to replace plentyof All-Shore talent after winning its first Central Jersey Group V title. It will have a newstarting quarterback and tailback and has to replace some of the Shore Conference’s bestdefensive players in defensive linemen Kyle Mullen and Ben Sieczkowski, linebacker Joe

Mendez and defensive back Dan Debner. They return two great building blocks up front inoffensive lineman Joe Sellmeyer and Reily Radosevich, and they always seem to haveanother star running back waiting his turn.

Matawan returns a host of talent from the Central Jersey Group III champs, led by oneof the Shore’s top cornerbacks in Dejohn Rogers, two-time first-team All-Shore

linebacker Aliem Shaw, wide receiver/defensive back Shawn Ramcheran, and theaforementioned George Pearson at quarterback. Now that Pearson is comfortable

with a year in the offense, the Huskies could be even more prolific in thatdepartment.

Rumson-Fair Haven graduated the best running back in school history,Charlie Volker, so junior quarterback Mike O’Connor will be called upon tostep up and be the centerpiece of the offense this year. He showed flashes of

brilliance last year as a complement to Volker and is a strongdual threat. While there isn’t a back the level of Volkerwaiting in the wings, there are several solid runningbacks who saw significant time while Volker missedmultiple games with an ankle injury last fall.

The defense is always solid for the two-timedefending Central Jersey Group II champions and has

plenty of talent, particularly among the juniors likelinebacker Mike Ruane and lineman Tim

Leonard, who saw time as sophomores lastyear. Plus senior Max Pfrang also returns atlinebacker to anchor that group. Six-foot-7sophomore wide receiver Elijah McAlister,who already has an offer from Temple, alsoshould be an emerging weapon this fall.

Shore Regional looks to once again be atough team to beat in Central Jersey GroupI despite the graduation of some All-Shoretalent like linebacker James Bedell.

Senior fullback/linebacker DougGoldsmith is back as Shore’s top all-

around player, and senior runningback Tyreek McCain is a big-play

threat who emerged in lastyear’s state playoff run. The

defense always is a ruggedunit, so the Blue Devils

have plenty of talent torepeat as champs.

12

P h o t o s b y :Ray Rich Photography

www.rayrichphotography.smugmug.com

Bi l l Normi lewww.billnormile.zenfolio.com

Mark Brownw w w . b 5 1 p h o t o g r a p h y . c o m

RFH’s Mike O’Connor

Matawan's Aliem Shaw

preseason Continued from page 11


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Three New Hall of Famers

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

Chris Barnes

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

Mark Costantino

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

ChrisChristopherThe media Hall ofFame inductee thisyear was ChrisChristopher, whohas been coveringShore Conferencefootball for nearly40 years.

Sam Mills Awards

While Kumm earned theOcean County Sam MillsAward, it was also a specialnight for Long Branch’sDahmiere Willis. The starwho set the single-seasonShore Conference rushingrecord with 2,589 yardsthis past fall wasMonmouth County’srecipient. It was a nice linkto the past, as the gamewas on Willis’s home fieldat Long Branch, where Millsis a legend.

U. S.ARMY Leadership Awards

For the firsttime in theClassic’shistory,LeadershipAwards werehanded out bythe U.S. Armyto one playerfrom eachcounty.Southern’sFemi Palmerwas Ocean’swinner, whileRed BankCatholicdefensive backMike Cordovaearned thehonor forMonmouth.

Gridiron Classic Notebook: SFCF Hall of Fame,Leadership Awards & Sam Mills AwardsBy Scott Stump – Managing Editor

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

Dahmiere Willis receives Sam Mills award fromVal Barnaby of ESSA Sports Performance Training Southern’s Femi Palmer receives the Leadership Award

from members of the U.S. Army

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


Twenty-four hours after learning thatit could, in fact, be beaten, the

Jackson Little League team put on a hittingdisplay that served as a reminder of howdominant they have been to catapult into thestate finals.Jackson cracked four home runs – including two by third

baseman Matt Potok – and used a nine-run fourth inning to buryClark, 14-4, in four innings to advance to this week's state finals,which begin Thursday in Hammonton.

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

Wendell’s blast cleared the collection of spectators stationedbehind the center field fence, while Slusak crushed a first-pitchfastball off a tree in left-center, with the ball bounding back ontothe field.

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

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

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

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

Center fielder and leadoff hitter Ryan Lasko ended the game witha two-out, bases-clearing double to the gap in right-center field.Catcher Zack Rogacki scored the game-ending run from first onthe play, scampering home from third after the throw from theoutfield got away from Clark second baseman Matt Sot.

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

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

Jackson leadoff hitter ended the game with his double.

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

“They are a tough lineup,” Slusak said. “Even when I hit myspots, they were able to hit the ball hard a few times. Watchingthem (Thursday), it looked like they liked to hit low pitches, so Itried to keep it away from where they wanted it, but the mostimportant thing was to just throw strikes and give us a chance towin the game.

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

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

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

Potok finished 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double and threeRBI. Slusak was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBI, whileLasko was 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.

Jackson finished off its run through Section 3 having outscoredits opponents 215-25 in 12 games.

Jackson Little League Slugs Its WayPast Clark, Wins Section 3 TitleMatt Manley – Senior Staff Writer

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Abusy week of ShoreConference basebal l

verbal col lege commitmentscontinued Monday when WallClass of 2016 third basemanand pi tcher Regan Dombroskiannounced his non-bindingoral commitment toMonmouth Universi ty.Dombroski’s verbal commitement was the second

by a Wall player this week, as 2016 right-handerConnor Metelski also announced his commitmentto University of Massachussets at Lowell.

Dombroski hit .327 with a home run, five doublesand 14 RBI as a junior for a 20-8 Wall team in2015. He was also third on the team with 43 2/3innings on the mound while posting a 3-4 recordwith a 2.40 earned-run average.

Metelski appeared in eight games as a reliever andallowed only one earned run – good for a 0.46 ERAover 15 innings. He also notched hits in his onlytwo official at-bats at the plate.

The Wall duo are two of four players from theShore Conference Class B North to commit in thelast week. Red Bank Catholic 2016 right-handerJack Ipsen committed to Bryant University lastThursday, while Red Bank Regional 2016 right-hander Nick Massa committed to ManhattanCollege over the weekend.

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

Massa was an all-division pitcher for the Bucs,according to the Class B North coaches after going3-5 with a 3.36 ERA for a Red Bank team that went7-16 in 2015. Mass also struck out 52 batters in 50innings, which tied for 15th in theShore Conference in total strikeouts.

Wall Duo, RBR and RBC right-handersHighlight Week of Shore CollegeCommitmentsBy Scott Stump – Managing Editor

Mark Brownw w w . b 5 1 p h o t o g r a p h y . c o m

Red Bank Catholic right-hander Jack Ipsen

Fri Sept. 11 Donovan Catholic at T.R. South (7pm)

Fri Sept. 18 T.R. North at Brick Memorial (7pm)

Fri Sept. 25 St. John Vianney at Central (7pm)

Fri Oct. 2 Jackson Memorial at Brick (7pm)

Fri Oct. 9 Jackson Memorial at T.R. North (7pm)

Fri Oct. 16 T.R. North at T.R. East (7pm)

Fri Oct. 23 Middletown South at Brick Memorial (7pm)

Fri Oct. 30 Shore at Point Beach (7pm)

Fri Nov. 6 Jackson Memorial at Red Bank Cath. (7pm)

Thr Nov. 26 Manasquan at Wall (11a)

NJSIAA Playoffs TBD

Schedule is subject to change

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


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Shore Sports Network Journal Putting Together the 2015 Football Preseason Puzzle

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