LAKEWOOD - The countdown to the U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic on July 17 continued on Wednesday night when the players and coaches from Monmouth and Ocean counties were treated to picnic at FirstEnergy Park by the Lakewood BlueClaws during their game against the Hagerstown (Md.) Suns.

The coaches and all-stars from Monmouth and Ocean counties enjoyed a picnic courtesy of the Lakewood BlueClaws on Wednesday as they get geared up for the 37th annual U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic on July 17 at Brick Township High School.
The coaches and all-stars from Monmouth and Ocean counties enjoyed a picnic courtesy of the Lakewood BlueClaws on Wednesday as they get geared up for the 37th annual U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic on July 17 at Brick Township High School.
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Recently graduated all-stars from both counties met with their respective head coaches, Monmouth County's Don Klein of Ocean Township, and Ocean County's Rob Dahl of Brick, while enjoying some hot dogs and hamburgers in the picnic area in left field. The officials for the game were also announced, and several of them also were part of the picnic. The crew will consist of referee Bill Surdovel, umpire Rich Holt, linesman Keith Smicklo, line judge Billy Ditchkus, side judges Keith Farrell and Jason Pozarowski, back judge Art Warner and clock operator Terry Barlow.

Klein, Dahl, Ocean Township linebacker Dan Loizos and Brick lineman Matt Ulufanua all threw out ceremonial first pitches before Lakewood's eventual 3-1 loss to the Suns. The Gridiron Classic players also were able to get a look at 19-year-old Suns' ace Lucas Giolito. He is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Washington Nationals' system and the No. 21 overall prospect in minor-league baseball by Baseball America with a fastball in the triple digits. He allowed one run on four hits in seven innings in the win.

There have been several roster changes in the Gridiron Classic thus far, including the addition of Asbury Park running back/defensive back Daquane Bland-Bennett to the Monmouth County roster. It's all in preparation for the 37th annual U.S. Army Gridiron Classic at 7 p.m. on July 17 at Brick Township's Keller Memorial Field.

Brick kicker Anthony Starego, who has autism, will continue his inspiring story as part of the Ocean County team on his home field in his final high school game. He was at the picnic with his parents, Ray and Reylene, and will be a busy man in the coming weeks. On July 12, he will be working with young players with autism as part of the Stynchula Family Foundation football camp at Rutgers, where the Staregos have been fixtures over the years as season-ticket holders. He and his parents have also been speaking to local schools about children with autism and special needs reaching their potential, and how much athletics can benefit a special needs child on and off the field.

A day after the Gridiron Classic, Starego and his parents will fly to Los Angeles, where Starego is being honored during a red carpet event on July 19 by the HollyRod Foundation, run by actress Holly Robinson Peete. The foundation provides care to those living with autism and Parkinson's disease and is honoring Starego for his amazing journey. He is the first special needs player to participate in state title game, as he was the kicker in Brick's win over Colts Neck in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV final, and he will become the first special needs player to participate in the 36-year history of the Gridiron Classic.

 

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