High School football summer snapshot: Nine Shore Conference teams with high hopes for 2023
Here are nine more Shore Conference football teams with high hopes for 2023: Barnegat, Central, Holmdel, Jackson Liberty, Lakewood, Monmouth, Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River East, Toms River South.
Here is a look at those teams.
Barnegat and Monmouth open the season Friday night against each other at Barnegat; Point Pleasant Beach opens the season Friday night at home against New Egypt and Toms River East opens Friday night at Brick.
BARNEGAT
The Bengals, in head coach Paul Covine's third season, return five starters on offense and three on defense.
The leading returnee is senior tight end/linebacker/long snapper Cole Toddings. The grandson of former Donovan Catholic head coach and athletic director Dennis Toddings, Toddings had 94 tackles, 19 of which were for a loss, last season. He also forced two fumbles.
Another key returnee is junoor running back/linebacker Myquan Rush-Esdaile. He had 85 tackles, six of which were for a loss, two interceptions and seven passes defensed last season.
Three starters, left tackle Sean Barownski, left guard Anthony Costello and right tackle Nick Porcelli, return on the offensive line.
Sophomore Jack Haviland would appear to be in the lead for the competition to be the starting quarterback. Senior Derrick Jarvis is the leading returning receiver. He had eight receptions for 106 yards and a TD last season.
The move to the Shore Conference Independence Division will result in a schedule of Group 4 schools Brick, Brick Memorial, Freehold Township and Freehold and Group 3 Matawan, who appears to be the divisional favorite.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Independence Division
NJSIAA South Group 3
2022 RECORD: 4-6.
Coach: Paul Covine, 3rd season (10-10)
TOP RETURNEES
Cole Toddings, Jr., TE/LB/LS
Derrick Jarvis, Sr., WR/DB
Sean Baronowski, Sr., OL/DL
Anthony Costello, Sr., OL/LB
Nick Porcelli, Sr., OL/DL
Myquan Rush-Esdaile, Jr.,RB/LB/KR/PR
Jazmere Viera, Sr., WR/DB
TOP NEWCOMERS
Raymere Mahadeo, Sr., TE/DL
Ethan Doesher, Sr., OL/DL
Brian Cordi, Sr., OL/DL
Johnnel Johnson, Jr., RB/LB
Stephen Griffin, Jr., WR/DB
Todd Muhammad, Jr., WR/LB
Reality White, So., WR/DB
Jack Haviland, So., QB/DB
Juelez Jarvis, So., OL/DL
Anthony Albanese, So., OL/DL
Dyllan Rauso, So., OL/DL
Playoff history: 4-8.
8 NJSIAA playoff appearances:
0 sectional championships
2023 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: Monmouth, 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 31: Manchester, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: At Brick Memorial, 6 p.m.
Sept. 15: Brick, 6 p.m.
Sept. 23: At Freehold, 12 p.m.
Sept. 29: Point Pleasant Beach, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: At Matawan, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: At Pinelands, 6 p.m.
Oct. 20: Freehold Township, 6:30 p.m.
CENTRAL
The Golden Eagles had high hopes going into last season after they started the 2021 season 6-0 and finished went 6-4 with an NJSIAASouth Group 4 playoff berth.
However, an opening night injury to standout running back Chase Gumbrecht that sidelined him for much of the season, derailed the season.
Central lost its first eight games before it defeated Toms River South, behind the return of Gumbrecht, in its season-finale.
"Our whole slogan since December 5th has been "Reaffirmation''. "A 2022 season destroyed by season-ending injuries to key players forced our hand to play young guys,'' Central coach Jarrett Pidgeon said. "We now have experience and want to capitalize on that - get the culture and program back on track to where it was so clearly headed after 2021.''
Central returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense.
Junior Joe Vezzosi will be the quarterback and junior Nick Ruggiero will be the running back.
Senior wide receiver Royalty Riley has offers from Temple and Old Dominion, Pidgeon said. Sophomore tight end Elijah Reeder has attaracted interested from Football Bowl Subdivision schools, Pidgeon said. Senior tight end/linebacker Scott Nico and sophomore offensive lineman Robert Mondella have both attracted interest from Football Championship Subdivision schools, Pidgeon said.
Central, which was in the Shore Conference Colonial Division last season, drops down to the Liberty Division this season where it will compete with Group 4 schools Neptune, Toms River East and Toms River South and Group 3 school Pinelands and Group 2 school Monmouth
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Liberty Division
NJSIAA South Group 4
2022 RECORD: 1-8.
Coach: Jarrett Pidgeon, 4th season (10-16).
TOP RETURNEES
Scott Nico, Sr. TE/LB
Royalty Riley, Sr. WR/DB
Liam Hurley, Jr. WR
Robert Mondella, So., OL
Giancarlo Saitta, Sr., RB/DL
Adam Onello, Jr., OL/DL
Elijah Reeder, So. TE
TOP NEWCOMERS
Joe Vezzosi, Jr., QB
Aidan Graham, Jr., DB
C.J. Yates, Fr. DB
Playoff history: 2-12.
NJSIAA playoff appearances: 12.
0 sectional championships
2023 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: Hamilton West, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: At Southern, 7 p.m.
Sept. 8: Toms River East, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: At Pinelands, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22: At Monmouth, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Lacey, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Neptune, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Lakewood, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: At Toms River South, 6 p.m.
HOLMDEL
The Hornets could be set for a return to the winning ways they had from 2017-2020, when they went 26-11 with three NJSIAA playoff berths.
Holmdel won two NJSIAA playoff games during that run and had seasons of 8-2 in 2018 and 6-1 in the pandemic-shortended 2020 season.
The Hornets went 4-14 the last two season. They were in the Colonial Division in 2021 and the Independence Division last season.
Our kids are hungry, Holmdel coach Jeff Rainess said. "They want to get the train back on the track and they are working their tails off to get that done. They are a very together group. We feel that's one of our strengths.''
Nine starters return on offense and six on defense.
Senior wide receiver Matt Tempone, senior right guard Casey Brew, senior right tackle Nick Bachmann, senior outside linebacker Brayden Savage, senior strong safety Will Gilifillan, senior left tackle Dante Calcaterra and senior free safety Gary Collyer are all two-year starters.
Savage is also a returning starter at quarterback.
Holmdel is in an interesting Shore Conference Constitutution Division with fellow Group 3 schools Manasquan and Ocean - both of whom sustained key graduation losses - Group 1 schools Shore and Asbury Park and Non-Public A school St. John Vianney.
The division appears to be wide open.
Holmdel opens the season at Toms River South. It defeated Toms River South in its finale last season.
if we can get a good start, find a way to win 1 or 2 close ones– these guys have a chance tohave a really good year,'' Rainess said.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Constitution Division
NJSIAA South Group 3
2022 RECORD: 1-8;
Coach: Jeff Rainess, 8th season (32-33).
TOP RETURNEES
Brayden Savage, Sr. QB/LB
Gary Collyer, Sr. RB/DB
Matt Tempone, Sr. WR/DB
Nick Bachmann, Sr., OL/DL
Casey Brew, Sr., OL/DL
Dante Calcaterra, Sr., OL/DL
Andrew Piscatelli, Sr., TE
Anthony Setteducate, Sr. RB
A.J. Todisco, Sr., RB
Malik Taskier Sr., WR/DB
Connor Field, Sr., LB
Will Gilfillan, Sr., WR/DB
Evan Savarese, Jr., OL/DL
Connor Mendini, Sr., PK/P
TOP NEWCOMERS
Jack Cannon, So., QB/DB
Matt Iulo, Jr., RB/LB
Greg Linsalata, Sr., WR/DB
Alex Reyes, So., RB/DB
Peter Berardi, So., RB/LB
Trey Critchley, Jr., QB/DB
Jack Powers, Jr., WR/DB
Demetri Lazarou, Jr., OL/DL
Hamza Elmesi, Jr., OL/DL
Peter Vasilidias, Jr., OL/DL
Nick Gomez, Sr., OL/DL
Evan Saghafi, Jr., TE/LB
Christian Ferranti, Sr., OL/DL
Playoff history: (4-10)
10 NJSIAA playoff appearances
Sectional championships (0)
2023 SCHEDULE
Sept. 1: At Toms River South, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8: At St. John Vianney, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: Asbury Park, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: At Manasquan, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29: Freehold, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: Ocean, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: At Raritan, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: Shore, 7 p.m.
JACKSON LIBERTY
The Lions could have a chance to record their first winning season 2012.
Seven starters return on offense and eight on defense from a team that went 4-6 while competing in a Shore Conference Patriot Division that had Matawan, Barnegat, Manchester, Toms River East and Pinelands.
This season, the look of the Patriot Division is different. Group 1 schools, Keyport, Keansburg, Point Pleasant Beach, Group 4 school, Lakewood and Group 3 school Manchester comprise the division.
Keyport, Keansburg, Point Pleasant Beach and Lakewood were all in the then National Division last season. Jackson Liberty defeated Keansburg, Point Pleasant Beach, Lakewood and Manchester last season. It did not play Keyport.
"We enter the season as good a chance to win a division title since our inception (Jackson Liberty's first varsity season was 2007 and has never won a divisional title),'' Jackson Liberty head coach Jim Sharples said.
Junior two-way lineman Brennan Coger, junior offensive linman Donovan Louis Jacques and junior running back Imere Smith are in their third season as starters.
Sophomore Mason Cicciarello is a returning starter at quarterback.
Sharples said depth and some inexperience are concerns.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Patriot Division
NJSIAA South Group 3
2022 RECORD: 4-6
Coach: Jim Sharples, 11th season (29-65)
TOP RETURNEES
Imere Smith, Jr., RB
Will Bradley, Sr., WR/LB
Justin Uhteg, Jr., WR
Corzeek Palms, Jr., TE/LB
Donovan Louis Jacques, Jr., OL
Brett Benecke, Sr., OL
Jeff Keegan, Sr., OL
Brennan Coger, Jr., OL/DL
Jack Niechwiadowicz, So, PK/P
Logan Wyka, Sr., LB
TOP NEWCOMERS
Mason Cicciarello, So., QB
James Dressler, So., DB
Joe Accordino, Sr., RB/QB/DB
Playoff history: 0-2
2 NJSIAA playoff appearances
0 sectional championships.
2023 SCHEDULE
Sept. 1: At Brick, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8: Keansburg, 6 p.m.
Sept 14: Keyport, 6 p.m.
Sept. 23: At Lakewood, 6 p.m.
Sept. 29: Toms River South, 6 p.m.
Oct. 6: At Manchester, 6 p.m.
Oct. 13: At Jackson Memorial. 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: Point Beach, 6 p.m.
LAKEWOOD
The Piners have struggled the last five seasons after a solid six-season run from 2012-2017.
From 2012-2017, Lakewood had five winning seasons, qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs each season and recorded two playoff wins.
Since then, the Piners have gone 11-36
With six starters returning on offense and eight on defense, plus having a similar divisional schedule to last season, could have Lakewood primed for a rebound.
The Piners went 2-3 against the divisional opponents they will play this season with wins over Keansburg and Point Pleasant Beach.
Among the returnees are junior quarterback/defensive back Ramel Anderson, senior two-way lineman Amir Enoch and senior wide receiver Zah'mier Anderson.
The opener against Neptune could be a key to the season.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Patriot Division
NJSIAA South Group 4
2022 RECORD: 4-6
Coach: L.J. Clark, 13th season. (49-70)
TOP RETURNEES
Amir Eboch, Sr., OL/DL
Ramel Anderson, Jr., QB/DB
Zah’mier Anderson, Sr., WR/DB
David Dominguez, Jr., RB/DL
Anthony Tucker, Sr., RB/DB
Alex Colon, Sr., WR/LB
Adrian Rodriguez, Jr., OL
TOP NEWCOMERS
Cris Rosario, So., WR
Victor Nava, So. OL
Zack Kenrick, Sr., RB/DB
Artyom Buleha, Sr., OL/DL
Makia Foster, Jr., OL/DL
Jonathan Gonzalez, So., RB/DL
Jakai Reeves, Sr., RB/LB
Playoff history: 4-10
11 NJSIAA playoff appearances.
1 sectional championship (1986).
2023 SCHEDULE
Sept. 2: Neptune, 1 p.m.
Sept. 9: At Keyport, 12 p.m.
Sept. 15: At Point Beach, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: Jackson Liberty, 6 p.m.
Sept. 29: At Toms River East, 6 p.m.
Oct. 7: Keansburg, 2 p.m.
Oct. 13: At Central, 7 p.m.
Oct. 21: Manchester, 1 p.m.
Nov. 4: KIPP Academy, 1 p.m.
MONMOUTH
The Falcons hope a solid senior class could help them rebound after a season in which they lost their final five games against a tough schedule.
"This senior group has been a very important part of our program, and it is now their turn to lead,'' Monmouth coach Dan Wendel said. "They have worked very hard in the off-season and are ready to compete to show what they can do.''
The Falcons, who went 6-4 and won the Shore Conference National Division in 2021 and have qualified for the playoffs the last two seasons, must replace running back Julian Jones and quarterback Andrew Jehn
Senior Dom O'Grady is in line to be the starting quarterback and senior Nasir Watson and Jaylen Harris were competing to be the starting running backs
The move to the Shore Conference Liberty Division where the Falcons will compete with Group 4 schools Central, Neptune, Toms River East and Toms River South and Group 3 school Pinelands, is interesting. Several of those schools have struggled in recent seasons.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Liberty Division
NJSIAA South Group 2
2022 RECORD: 2-7.
Coach: Dan Wendel, 5th season (10-26).
TOP RETURNEES
Kaiden Stafford, Sr., WR
Nick Crossley, Sr., WR/LB
Dante Jehn, Sr., WR/LB
Griffin Hicks, Sr., TE/DL
Jake Rickert, Sr., TE/DL
Dom O’Grady, Sr., QB
Frank Colvin, Jr., WR/DB
Jaylen Harris, Sr., RB/DL
Narir Watson, Sr., RB/DB
Evan Booth, Sr., WR/DB
Dan Kikta, Sr., TE/DL
Jayden Harris, Sr., OL/DL
Jaden Reevey-Summers, Sr., OL/DL
David O’Grady, Sr., OL/DL
TOP NEWCOMERS
Ahmir Wiggins, So., WR/DB
Jaylin Reeves, So., WR/DB
Brandon Geiger, Sr., WR/DB
Matthew Lewis, So., TE/LB
Matt Bontz, Sr., TE/LB
Zy’Air Clark, So., WR/DB
Tyler Gustafson, So., WR/DB
Andrew Smith, Jr., TE/LB
Haven Tinsley, Sr., OL/DL
Liam Rea, So., OL/DL
Sam Wall, Jr., OL/DL
Will Bruce, Sr., DL
Justin Gonzalez, Jr., OL/DL
Playoff history: (2-5)
Five NJSIAA playoff appearances
0 Sectional championships:
2023 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: At Barnegat, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 2: At Keansburg, 12 p.m.
Sept. 8: Toms River South, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: At Neptune, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 22: Central, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Red Bank, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: At Toms River East, 6 p.m.
Oct. 13: Shore, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 20: At Pinelands, 6 p.m.
POINT PLEASANT BEACH
The Garnet Gulls were not far away from a winning season in 2022.
They lost four games by 16 points, including a three-point defeat to playoff qualifier Keyport
Three starters on offense and five on defense return.
"This year's team got a lot of reps last year as the season went along and will have experience in the same offensive and defensive alignment as previous seasons,'' Point Beach coach Joe Zaccone said
Point Beach will run the Wing T set on offense and be a multiple front on defense.
Among the key returnees are senior quarterback/safety Tommy Wagner, senior wing back/defensive end Kyle McPherson and junior running back/linebacker Liam Brosnan
The Patriot Division schedule would appear to be one Point Beach can compete with. It went 1-3 Keansburg, Keyport, Lakewood and Jackson Liberty a season ago. The defeats were by a combined 11 points.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Patriot Division
NJSIAA South Group 1
2022 RECORD: 3-6.
Coach: Joe Zaccone, 5th season (13-23)
TOP RETURNEES
Tommy Wagner, Sr., QB/DB
Kyle McPherson, Sr., RB/DL
Liam Brosnan, Jr., RB/LB
Jamie Setakian, Sr., OL/DL
Drew Cole Sr., OL/DL
Connor Loughran, Sr., RB/PK
Jerry Santiago, Jr., OL/DL
Ronnie Thorn, Jr., OL/LB
Michael Marzarella, So., TE/DL
TOP NEWCOMERS
Elijah Ives, So., RB/WR/DB
Ryan Scannell, Jr., RB/LB
John Coakley, Sr., OL/DL
Danny Cavanaugh, Fr., WR/DB
Danny Neal, Fr., RB/LB
Nick Larsen, Sr., WR/DB
Playoff history: (9-15)
16 NJSIAA playoff appearances
1 Sectional championship (2013).
2023 SCHEDULE
Aug 25: New Egypt, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31: Pinelands, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: At Manchester, 6 p.m.
Sept 15: Lakewood, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: At Keansburg, 12 p.m.
Sept. 29: At Barnegat, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 6: Keyport, 7 p.m.
Oct. 13: Toms River East, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: At Jackson Liberty, 6 p.m.
TOMS RIVER EAST
Toms River East, with seven starters returning on defense and six on offense plus being placed in a division with several other programs who have struggled for the most part in recent seasons, could be in line for its first winning season since 2019 and just its second in the last 14.
Among the key returnees are senior quarterback Brandon Peins, senior wide receivers Jake Buckman, Colin Cacoilo and Nevin Hart and junior running back Avery Phillips.
The third game of the season against Central, which comes after a tough opening two games against Brick and powerful Toms River North, could determine whether the Raiders have a chance for a winning season and contend for the Liberty Division title.
AT A GLANCE
Shore Conference Liberty Division
NJSIAA South Group 4
2022 RECORD: 3-7.
Coach: Kyle Sandberg, 8th season (21-46)
TOP RETURNEES
Jake Buckman, Sr. WR
Colin Cacoilo, Sr. WR
Nevin Hart, Sr. WR
James Lynch, Jr., OL
Avery Phillips, Jr., RB
Brandon Peins, Sr., QB
Dougie Spadaro, Jr., OL
Andrew Brush, Sr., LB
Zander Hall, Sr., DL
Ethan Smith, Sr., LB
Terrance Thomas, Jr., LB
Christian Xenakis, Sr. DL
M.J. Williams, Sr., DL
Eli Scott, Sr., LS
TOP NEWCOMERS
Tommy Altieri, Sr., RB/LB
Justin Bell, Sr., OL/DL
Aidan Carney, Sr., WR/DB
Anthony DeMarco, Jr., QB/DB
Michael Dimitratos, Sr., OL/DL
Antonio Hernandez, Sr., OL/DL
Ian Hudson, Sr., WR/DB
Gabe Lezama, Sr., OL/DL
Anthony Luster, Sr., WR/DB
Gabe Matos, Sr., OL/DL
Kenny Pandolf, Sr., OL/DL
Dylan Pentz, Sr., RB/LB
Michael Pond, Sr., RB/LB
Aiden Schumann, Sr., WR/DB
Izzy Singleton, Jr., RB/DB
Rocco Uzzolino, Sr., WR/DB
Christian Valeo, Jr., RB/DB
Owen Wright, Sr., RB/DB
Playoff history: 5-10.
10 NJSIAA playoff appearances
0 sectional championships.
2023 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: At Brick, 6 p.m.
Sept. 1: Toms River North, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8: At Central, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Toms River South, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22: At Pinelands, 6 p.m.
Sept. 29: Lakewood, 6 p.m.
Oct. 6: Monmouth, 6 p.m.
Oct. 13: At Point Beach, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20: At Neptune, 6:30 p.m.
TOMS RIVER SOUTH
Toms River South, one of the Shore Conference's most tradition-rich programs, has also struggled in recent seasons.
It has had only one winning season since 2013, and that came in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when it went 6-2.
Last season, in Matt Martin's first season as head coach after serving as an assistant coach under his uncle Ron Signorino Jr for 11 seasons, Toms River South won the opener against Toms River East and then was defeated in its final nine games.
Being placed in the Liberty Division after being in the Freedom Division, should help.
Six starters return on offense and eight on defense.
Among the returnees is senior quarterback/linebacker James Alexander, junior running back/linebacker Laolu Akinlolu, junior running back/defensive back Damir Nelson and senior receiver/defensive back Jordan Jones and junior receiver/defensive back Dan Pierson.
Shore Conference Liberty Division
NJSIAA South Group 4
2022 RECORD: 1-9.
Coach: Matt Martin, 2nd season (1-9).
TOP RETURNEES
James Alexander, Sr., QB/LB
Gunnar Schwartz, Jr., OL/DL
Jordan Jones, Sr., WR/DB
Dan Pierson, Jr., WR/DB
Jake Henehan, Jr., RB/DB
Laolu Akinlolu, Jr., RB/LB
Cooper Greitz, Sr., WR/DB
Damir Nelson, Jr., RB/DB
Ethan Whittaker, Sr., OL/DL
Jarrod Johnson, Sr., DL/P
Phil Bentivegna, Jr., PK/P
TOP NEWCOMERS
Gio Torres, Jr., QB/DB
Nick Mueller, Jr., OL/DL
Mike Devivi, Jr., OL/LB
Dan Herald, Jr., TE/LB
Anthony Maenar, Jr., OL/LB
Michael Hock, Jr., OL/DL
Kahlib Vigo, Jr., OL/DL
Joe Pompilio, Jr., WR/DB
Riley Brinster, Jr., OL/DL
Joe Bacchetta, Jr., OL/DL
Joel Soto, Jr., OL/DL
Ian Brown, Jr., TE/LB
Tony Vega, So., QB/DL
Jaden Geremia, So., TE/LB
Sonny Huegel, Soph., WR/LB
Kam Angus, Sr., WR/DB.
Playoff history: (14-17)
20 NJSIAA playoff appearances.
3 Sectional championships: (1978, 1983, 1991).
2023 SCHEDULE
Sept. 1: Holmdel, 6 p.m.
Sept. 8: At Monmouth, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 15: At Toms River East, 6 p.m.
Sept. 22: Neptune, 6 p.m.
Sept. 29: At Jackson Liberty, 6 p.m.
Oct. 6: Pinelands, 6 p.m.
Oct. 13: At Toms River North, 6 p.m.
Oct. 20: Central, 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore nj football: These 9 teams have high hopes for 2023
