Ardizzone is Bishop’s New Football Coach
By ANDREW CANGIANO
After about month of practice and games this summer without a head coach, players and coaches on the Asbury park High School Football team are adjusting to the appointment of Matt Ardizzone as the new head honcho.
Will Johnson, the teams sophomore quarterback, said he feels the addition of coach Ardizzone has been a seamless transition.
Its not hard, Johnson said about the adjustment to Ardizzone as head coach. He came in, hes doing his job. Hes just a part of the team now.
The sophomore said getting a new head coach has not changed the teams identity.
Aint nothing changed, he said. We [are] still going to be the same team.
Coaster Photo
New Asbury Park High School football head coach Matt Ardizone instructs a player at a recent team practice.
Darren Cunningham, one of the Bishops few seniors, said the teams assistant coaches did a great job of preparing the team for the season until Ardizzone took over the reins.
They did an excellent job, Cunningham said of the assistants, which include Leroy Hayes, who has 34 years of coaching experience. They did a great job until the head coach took over, and [Ardizzone] did a great job too.
So weve been fortunate to have people that are nothing but good for us, he said.
Ardizzone said the coaching staff is helping the team adjust to some of the different schemes he has brought on both sides of the football.
The coaching staff is working really hard preparing the kids, he said. Its difficult because in terms of offense and defense…we have different philosophies.
The Bishops, who are full of young players at almost every position, will at least have the chance to improve together.
Its exciting because you think of the future here and its bright, Ardizzone said.
Asbury park starts three sophomores on its offensive line and has a trio of junior running backs in Roshown Roberts, Fred Hopson Jr., and George Stephens.
Perhaps the most exciting of all the Bishops young players is Johnson, who as a freshman quarterback last season shown the ability to beat defenses with his legs and his arm.
Ardizzone called Johnson a smart player who plays the game the right way and who creates a lot of things on the field.
Johnson, who will shoulder much of the load in carrying the Bishops this year, said after the teams two early losses that they need to start playing all four quarters.
Stick together and play more as a team, Johnson said.
Ardizzone said he has been encouraging his young team with positive feedback.
Just let them know that were right where we need to be, he said.
The Bishops will play Shore Patriot League rival Keyport this Saturday.
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