High school football summer snapshot: Shore Regional embracing 'big' challenge ahead
WEST LONG BRANCH – It’s been a driving force on the practice field and in the locker room at Shore Regional this summer. Heck, it's been the motivation ever since the Shore Conference schedule-makers placed the Group 1 Blue Devils in the newly formed Constitution Division with a trio of larger Group 3 schools and a Non-Public A program.
“I know a lot of guys were iffy about it, but I couldn’t be happier, sending off the senior season with a tougher schedule to prove ourselves more,” said senior Jackson Whitacre, a tight end/defensive lineman who recently committed to Delaware. “Year-in and year-out we’re a winning record team and we want to show how good we are. We’re excited to play against these teams.”
The Blue Devils return a lot of key starters and contributors from a team that went 6-4 last season and won an NJSIAA playoff game. But the Blue Devils stumbled after a 5-1 start when injuries decimated the lineup, down seven players when their season ended with a 45-8 loss to Woodbury, the eventual Group 1 champs.
Included in the division are bigger schools like Ocean, Manasquan and St. John Vianney, all playoff teams a year ago. And the other Group 1 school is Asbury Park, which beat Shore last year as part of the Independence Division.
“I love this team,” said Jake Papera, a senior offensive and defensive lineman. “We have 40 kids, it’s a tight-knit community and I grew up with all these kids and love each and every one of them. We’re ready to play teams with 60 kids. That’s going to get us ready for the playoffs.”
It’s that us-against-the-world mentality that’s become the mantra for the Blue Devils’ program, which has three straight seasons with a winning record, but is looking for its first sectional title since 2015.
“This is a really good group and we’re going to do the best we can, but I’m not happy with the schedule,” added coach Mark Costantino.
High school football summer snapshots: 2023 Shore season previews, players to watch
Shore Conference Constitution Division
NJSIAA South Group 1
2022 RECORD: 6-4.
COACH: Mark Costantino, 32nd year (204-113-1).
Summer plans
The Blue Devils have run the Delaware Wing T offense since the 1970s. All that changes over the years are the names, and this year it’s Josh Moeller who will be pulling the strings as their new quarterback, replacing Ty Koch.
“He’s the man right now and he’s doing a great job getting ready,” Costantino said. “He’s also plays outside linebacker.”
As always, it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation for the Blue Devils, who already lost senior Jake Pennell, a two-way starter, for the season to a knee injury he sustained in a recent 7-on-7 game.
“When you start getting injuries and you’re a small school you’re done. You don’t have the depth,” Costantino said. “Jake Pennell does so much for us on offense, defense and special teams, I need like four guys to replace him.”
Shore Regional football: Top performers
Jackson Whitacre, Sr., OL/DL
Son of Mike Whitacre, who played at Shore and has been on Costantino’s coaching staff all 32 years.
“I remember when Jackson was born,” Costantino said. “He’s a captain, he leads by example, he’s very positive. He walks around the school and everybody loves him but he’s so humble.”
Alex George, Sr., RB/DB
Led the Blue Devils to a sectional final in basketball last fall.
“He’s very athletic and he’s smart,” Costantino said. “He’s a running back, but we want him out in the slot. We want to get him out in open spaces, so on offense he is going to be moved around trying to get him the ball.”
Jake Papera, Sr., OL/DL
A three-year starter on both lines.
“He’s a leader and he’s a super tough kid. Just a really good player,” Costantino said.
Shore Regional football: Program Players
Connor Haney, Sr., OT/ DT
Returning starter at 6-3, 280
Paul Giglio, Sr., C/DT
Anchors an experienced offensive line
C.J. Sears, Sr., WR/DB
Blue Devils return entire secondary
Lucas White, Sr., RB/OLB
Shore with White lost 3 of 4 games after he broke his hand last season
Sean Fisher, Sr., DT
Tough to move inside at 260 pounds
Noah Karaban, Sr. DE/DT
Returning starter
Brendan O’Brien, Jr., MLB/FB
Made impact as a sophomore
Shore Regional football: Names to know
Josh Moeller, Sr., QB/OLB
Served as backup QB last season
Colin Rausch, Jr., OG/LB
Expected to step into key roles this season
Kyle Trimble, Jr., RB/DB
Gets the first crack at replacing Pennell
Shore Regional football: Playoff history (27-19)
26 NJSIAA playoff appearances
7 sectional championships (1981, 82, 88, 97, 2010, 2014, 2015)
Shore Regional football 2023 schedule
Aug. 25: Manasquan, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1: Cooper Norcross, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Ocean, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22: at Asbury Park, TBA
Sept. 29: Manchester, 7 p.m.
Oct. 6: at St. John Vianney, TBA
Oct. 13: at Monmouth Regional, TBA
Oct. 20: at Holmdel, TBA
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore football: Shore Regional 2023 season preview
