By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER
The following are previews of the Asbury Park, Ocean Township, Neptune, Monmouth Regional, St. Rose and Trinity Hall high school teams.
Last season’s individual records are in parenthesis.
ASBURY PARK
FOOTBALL
Head coach: Nick Famularo (defensive coordinator), first season; Isiais Calderone (running backs), Lamar Davenport (wide receivers), Gary Salerno (offensive line), Keith Killea (linebackers), Rob Ward (defensive line), Islam Joshua (defensive backs), Barry Baity (junior varsity offense), Kyle Weedon (junior varsity defense), William Wells (junior varsity special teams), Matthew Voskian (junior varsity offensive and defensive lines), Chris Demarest (volunteer), Ryan Flemins (volunteer), Bernard Morrison (volunteer), Byron Young (volunteer), William Young (volunteer), Denise Willams (cheerleaders coach)
Athletic trainer: Nancy Saphow, 14th season
Last season’s overall record: 5-4
Top returning players: Senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Jarred Chathuant (28 tackles, four tackles for yards lost, two sacks), junior running back-linebacker Knasir Alston (34 tackles, eight sacks), sophomore quarterback Jai’Sun Brown (1,110 yards passing, 10 touchdown passes), senior running back-linebacker Na’Jier Massie (four rushing touchdowns, four receiving touchdowns), senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Dante Moore (21 tackles, three-year varsity starter), senior wide receiver-defensive back Mikai Jones (625 receiving yards, five touchdown catches, one rushing touchdown, two interceptions), senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Nai’Heem Crooms 31 tackles), senior wide receiver-defensive back Corey Thermitus (14 tackles, three interceptions)
Top newcomers: Junior wide receiver-defensive back Lydell Brown, senior running back-linebacker Tyrese Coke, sophomore running back-linebacker Jashawn Carter, junior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Joshua Handy, sophomore wide receiver-linebacker Javon King, junior running back-linebacker Exiever Chathuant, junior wide receiver-defensive back Ta’Jier Burris, freshman quarterback-defensive back RaLee Stephens
Offensive formation: Shotgun spread
Defensive formation: 4-3
Outlook: Famularo hopes for productive seasons from Massey, Jarred Chathuant and Moore.
“Najier is a leader on the field and in the locker room,” Famularo said. “He has great hands and a high football IQ. Jarred is the leader of the offensive line. He plays low and uses his hands well. He is a very athletic lineman. Dante is an extremely hard worker on and off the field. He is very strong and a people mover up front.”
The Blue Bishops will field a speedy, athletic team.
“We want to utilize our speed to run the ball effectively,” Famularo said. “Our goal is to stop the run with an experienced defensive line.”
Famularo, 25, is a parent liaison in the Asbury Park School District. He played football for the Blue Bishops, graduating in 2013. He graduated from Delaware State University in 2019.
“I am from the town,” he said. “I just could not turn down the chance to take over the program. As always, our goal is to help our student-athletes grow into the best version of themselves in the classroom and on the football field. What do I enjoy the most about coaching? The excitement I get from helping the kids in the program achieve their goals.”
Famularo said he and his team are relieved to be on the field despite the coronavirus pandemic.
“We appreciate every minute we can get to be on the field,” he said. “With all that is happening in the world today, we are so excited just to be able to play football again this season.”
OCEAN TOWNSHIP
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Paul Looney
Key returners: Senior Sydney Sacco, Sophia Germignani, Alyssa Knop, juniors Samantha Schmidt, Janiny Avallone, sophomores Megan Meade, Brooke Meberg, Ella Zraly
Key newcomers: Juniors Lauren Dempsey, Kelly Foster, sophomore Erin Bixby, freshmen Chelsea Kipnis, Eve Segal
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Timothy Patterson, first season
Key returners: Senior Andrew Bruzzichesi, sophomore Mark Viggiano
Key newcomer: Freshman Zach Spoonire
Outlook: Viggiano, who owned 18:52 credentials as a freshman, will lead the Spartans’ pack.
“He put in a serious summer training program,” Patterson said. “His aims are high as he enters the season looking to smash personal bests each time he runs. We have a small team. Having lost some of our experience and depth, we will be looking for our athletes to define themselves through scrappiness behind what will hopefully be Viggiano’s breakout season.”
NEPTUNE
FOOTBALL
Head coach: Shane Fallon, first season
Assistant coaches: Jay Clark (running backs, linebackers), Kevin Frederick (wide receivers, defensive backs), Frank Iachetta (offensive line, defensive line), Myson Lydett (running backs, defensive backs), Bill Pietsch (offensive lines, defensive lines, special teams), Brandon Settles (offensive lines, defensive lines), Jaheem Woods (quarterbacks, defensive backs)
Athletic trainer: Amanda Kelly
Last season’s record: 6-4
Offensive formation: Multiple
Defensive formation: 3-5
Projected starters on offense (RS=returning starter): Senior quarterback Nino Bua, RS; senior running back Junior Haughton, RS; senior running back Xavier Chisolm, senior wide receiver Zahnier Hornsby-Carter, RS; sophomore wide receiver Mateo Andrews, senior wide receiver Isaiah Kelly, senior tight end Kevin Huff, senior left tackle Isaias Thomas-Palafox, RS; sophomore left guard Anthony Banks, junior center Tyler Persico, junior right guard Ah’mere Booze, senior right tackle Zaire Stewart, RS
Projected starters on defense (RS=returning starter): Sophomore end De’Ondre Banks, RS; junior tackle Ah’Mere Booze, RS; senior end Zaire Stewart, RS; sophomore outside linebacker Jaquan Smith, senior inside linebacker Junior Haughton, RS; junior inside linebacker Ra’Sun Banks, RS; senior inside linebacker Kayvon Banks, senior outside linebacker Isaiah Weeks, RS; senior safety Rakai Nedab, RS; senior cornerback Zahnier Hornsby-Carter, RS; senior cornerback Kelly Beubrun, RS
Special teams: Senior kicker Thomas Lowe, senior punter Raymond Rogers
Outlook: The Scarlet Fliers have a big time mentor in Fallon, who guided Rumson-Fair Haven Regional to a 106-51 career record in 15 seasons. Fallon led the Bulldogs to six NJSIAA sectional titles, including four from 2013-2016. Their six sectional crowns are tied for the fourth highest in Shore Conference history.
Fallon coached Rumson for the final season in 2012. He paced Rumson to seven straight sectional championship games. He comes to Neptune from Holmdel where he was the Hornets’ athletics director.
Fallon is a 1990 graduate of Rumson where he played quarterback from 1987-1989 and led the team to the Central Jersey Group II final in 1989. The West Chester University graduate returned to Rumson two years later as an assistant coach and became the Bulldogs’ head coach at the age of 25.
Neptune has won four sectional titles in school history. The playoffs began in 1974.
Bua is in his third season as Neptune’s starting quarterback. Hornsby-Carter is the Scarlet Fliers’ top receiver. He’s the sole two-way starter among the wide receivers and the cornerbacks. Ra’Saun Banks figures to draw lots of attention from collegiate recruiters because of his 6-foot-3, 275-pound frame. Haughton is a proven running back.
BOYS SOCCER
Head coach: John Knight, 15th season
Assistant coaches: Tommy White, Bob Feeney, Mike Bonano
Last season’s record: 12-8
Shore Conference division: Class B North
Returning players: Senior center midfielder Marvin Munoz Garcia (three goals, eight assists), senior center defense David Radwonski, senior defender Giovonni Morales, defender Cosme Fierro, midfielder Ethan Latshaw, senior forward Steven Camacho (three goals, five assists)
Key newcomers: Freshman Anthony Munoz Garcia, senior Yahir Torralba, sophomore Lee Petrowski, sophomore Jack Tinik, freshman Nate Kerr
Outlook: The Scarlet Fliers are youth oriented.
“The team will be very young,” Knight said. “However, we have key returning players with experience. If the young players can get up to speed quickly, we will be competitive.
FIELD HOCKEY
Head coach: Amanda Bosmans, seventh season
Assistant coach: Liz Andrews
Shore Conference division: Class B North
Key returners: Senior back Michele Brown-Mason, senior back Sanai Taylor, senior back Zoey Staubitz, senior forward Nikki Williams, senior forward Teleah Archer-Buckley, senior back Diana Aguilar, senior midfielder Ava Carlson, senior goalkeeper Janiya Clay, junior midfielder Imani Fitzpatrick, sophomore midfielder Katie Norris
Key newcomers: Sophomore midfielder Allie Bouchoux, sophomore midfielder Savana Siver, sophomore midfielder Lyquaria Whitley, sophomore back Desiree Binns, freshman midfielder Majiah Foster
GIRLS TENNIS
Head coach: Glenn Swindell, ninth season
Shore Conference division: Class B North
Key returners: Senior second singles player Abigail Grissman, junior third singles player Madelyn Weinstein, senior first doubles player Nicolette Paino, senior first doubles player Megan McGovern, senior second doubles player Emma Tasso, junior second doubles player Imani Wilburn
Key newcomer: Freshman first singles player Chloe Waldmann
MONMOUTH REGIONAL
FOOTBALL
Head coach: Dan Wendel, second season
Last season’s record: 0-9
Assistant coaches: Jason McQuay (defensive coordinator, running backs, linebackers), Val Barnaby (strength coach, offensive line, defensive line), Clifton Orwick (offensive line, defensive line), Malik Wiggins (wide receivers, defensive backs), Anthony Fontana (quarterbacks, defensive backs), Billy D Williams (volunteer), Jeff Sfraga (volunteer), Anthony Guarino (freshman), Rob Micheliche (freshman), Dom Miraglia (volunteer)
Athletic trainer: Adam Elsieidy
Top players: Senior quarterback-defensive back Yassin Moore (6-2, 175), senior wide receiver-linebacker Brian Yadlon (6-2, 200), senior wide receiver-defensive back Sheldon Lariviere (6-0, 145), senior running back-defensive back Keontae Wiggins (6-1, 185), senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Matt Fleschner (6-7, 300), senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Will Diedrichsen (5-7, 195), senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Matt Burress (6-2, 215), senior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Ryan Forsternhaulser (5-9, 195), senior fullback-defensive lineman Conner Garced (5-9, 190), junior tight end-linebacker Loukas Plasteras (6-4, 235)
Offensive formation: Spread
Defensive formation: 4-3
Outlook:The Falcons have talent as Wendel said the names of Moore (wide receiver), Wiggins (running back) and Fleschner (two-way lineman) are on the lips of collegiate recruiters.
“As a whole, all of our players dedicated themselves to this offseason,” Wendel said. “They all got better physically, mentally and academically. Our offense and defense will be strong in terms of experience in the system. We will be improved from last season in terms of our overall experience. We started a lot of young guys last year. The ability to settle in and know your role and responsibility is huge when just allowing yourself to play rather than having to think about each detail.”
The Falcons struggled during last season.
“I knew what I was getting into from the start,” Wendel said. “At the beginning, I said, ‘This is where I will finish my career.’ This was never meant to be a sprint, but a marathon. In the wins column and on the scoreboard, we didn’t accomplish the goals we set forth, but we accomplished a lot of things off the field that will be huge for us down the road.”
Wendel said he received advice from Donovan Catholic coach Dan Curcione, a former Brick Memorial player, prior to last season.
“It was a list of things that happen when transitioning from an assistant coach to a head coach,” Wendel said. “The most important thing I got from that, especially after the season, was that I had time to reflect. You always need great people around you and prioritizing the moment is extremely important.
“It (last season) was an extremely humbling experience, one that nobody would forget. With that being said, I couldn’t be prouder. Despite being in a situation that nobody would ever want to experience, every person showed up each day and gave everything they had. The way practices, meetings and lifts went you would not be able to tell how the season was going. Everyone had one mindset and that was to continue to get better and build a solid foundation.”
Wendel said the coronavirus pandemic forced the Falcons to make adjustments.
“Prior to the pandemic,” he said, “things were running as normal. We were getting great numbers in the weight room and we were reaching our academic goals. When the pandemic hit, we had to switch gears. Coach Barnaby ran virtual workouts for the players to attend and we had meetings to check in with our players. The school’s weight room was not open during the offseason. We brought stuff outside and became creative with circuits on the field.”
For the second straight season, the Falcons’ motto is, “One Family … One Mission.”
“We’re driving forward with it,” Wendel said.
ST. ROSE
FIELD HOCKEY
Head coach: Danielle Reichhardt-Bauter, fourth season
Career record: 24-24-3
Assistant coach: Taylor Hanley
Shore Conference division: Class B Central
Key returners: Senior defender Ella Rossetti, junior defender Sarah Peters, junior midfielder Taylor Szumloz, sophomore forward Cecilia Cosenza, junior forward Ashely Colombo, junior midfielder-defender Caroline Nappo, junior goalkeeper Anya Gloster
Key newcomers: freshman Ellie Ragan, freshman Colleen Ragan, sophomore midfielder-forward Lola Torres, senior defender Izzy Grober
TRINITY HALL
GIRLS TENNIS
Head coach: Dana Lenneper, eighth season
Career record: 33-30
Assistant coaches: Robert O’Brien, Robert O’Connor
Shore Conference division: Class B Central
Key returners: Junior first singles player Haley Nelson (11-6), sophomore second singles player Catherine Little (10-7), senior first doubles player Lauren Ward (12-1), senior second doubles and first doubles player Bryce Kampert (7-7), senior second doubles player Hannah Noorigan (1-2)
Outlook: Lenneper sees the Monarchs as the top team in Class B Central.
“I think we will be successful in winning our division,” Lenneper said. “We have strong returners and some great freshmen.”
Lenneper hopes for strong seasons from Nelson and Little.
“Nelson continues to grow as a tennis player and will continue to upset big opponents,” Lenneper said. “Little has taken the time throughout the quarantine (caused by the coronavirus pandemic) to work on her mental game. She has also spent a lot of time working on her technique.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Tony Avallone, eighth season
Career record: 48-0
Returnees: Senior captains Ally Lawson, Anna Ferrigine and Lucy Retterer, junior captain Madeline Barber, junior Haven Dora, junior Kate Hegel, senior Cecilia Peters, senior Katherine McCarthy, senior Ally Perri, sophomore Ally Lupa
Newcomers: Senior Isabel Garcia, junior Kathleen Devine, freshman Hayla Dora
Outlook: The Monarchs have sped to the Class B Central crown seven straight seasons and Avallone again sees his team setting the pace.
“We expect to go undefeated in Class B Central and win the NJSIAA Non-Public B South Sectional title,” he said. “We were ranked 19th in the state during the preseason and by the end of the season we expect to be in the top seven in the state.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Head coach: Fausto Klinger, second season
Career record: 8-6-2
Assistant coach: Amy White
Shore Conference division: Class B Central
Key returners: Senior defender Gabby Sorrentino, sophomore forward Alexander Popham, junior forward Cameryn Keane, junior defender Riley Giegrich
Key newcomer: Freshman Kaylin McCarthy
Outlook: The Monarchs are a potent blend of experience and youth.
“We are a young team with strong returners who will make a significant impact on the season,” Klinger said.
FIELD HOCKEY
Head coach: Marion Richardson, third season
Assistant coaches: Alexa Carini, Amanda Boccardi
Key returners: Senior forward Hannah McCarthy, junior midfielder Ellery Benedict, junior midfielder Sarah Nejame
Outlook: Richardson hopes for leadership from the Monarchs’ veteran players.
“We’re looking for leadership from our upper class women as we take on this unorthodox season,” she said. “We look to make our mark on the Shore Conference and improve on our efforts of last season when we qualified for the conference and state tournaments.”
Contact Chris Christopher at cchristopher1259@gmail.com. Follow Chris on Twitter (@cchristophernj) and Facebook (Chris Christopher).