2014 Colts Neck Football Preview: Not Backing Down
Colts Neck may return just one senior starter from last season’s squad that reached the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV final, but with a transfer at quarterback and a new coach that brings with him a collegiate style, the Cougars aren’t planning on missing a beat in 2014.
Peter Shaw, whose resume includes multiple college jobs plus stops in the Arena Football League, takes over the Cougars program after Greg LaCava resigned during the offseason after five years at the helm. He was most recently an assistant at Division III Ferrum College in Virginia. Shaw was hired in late June and hasn’t had much time to get to know his football team and install his philosophies and schemes, but that hasn’t tempered his expectations for his new team.
“It’s been a process evaluating talent, and the way I run things is different than my predecessor, who was very successful,” Shaw said. “It doesn’t mean it was the wrong before, it’s just my way. Change creates anxiety and you have to learn to adapt, and this team has done that very well.”
Senior Christian Sanchez was the team’s starting quarterback last season, but he’ll move to a utility role this year to make room for junior Rumson-Fair Haven transfer Max Mullaney. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Mullaney has a big arm and allows Sanchez to move to receiver, play defense and return kicks.
“It’s been a big change working at linebacker and wide receiver and having some packages where I go to quarterback,” Sanchez said. “But I like it. I’m being recruited as an athlete and return specialist, so it’s great to be able to play multiple positions to help my team.”
“Max has come in and adjusted well,” Sanchez added. “He can make throws I didn’t think were possible, and he’s picked up the offense really well. He understands reads and has been getting the ball to the playmakers.”
Colts Neck graduated its all-time leading rusher, current Navy fullback Anthony Gargiulo, but has senior Abdul Quddus returning as the feature back in its multiple set offense. Quddus showed flashes of greatness last year in spelling Gargiulo, and finished with 532 yards and four touchdowns on a ridiculous 11 yards per carry.
“We saw on film last year what kind of big plays he can make,” Sanchez said. “We’ll spread the defense out and make them pick their poison.”
“Quddus could be one of the best players in the Shore Conference,” Shaw said. “He played at one gear for three years. We’re trying to take him to another level, and he’s getting there. He’s been very responsive to coaching.”
Sophomore Steven Barsky will also see time at running back. The tight end/H-back is senior Mike Maiello and the receivers are senior Alex Twynam, 6-foot-4 junior Tom O’Reilly, junior Jordan deGroot and Sanchez. Sophomore Matt Volk, junior George Kokinakas and 6-foot-5 junior Khaled Mustafa will also see time at receiver.
“We have a lot of weapons and we have to have answers for what defenses will do,” Shaw said. “Quddus could run for 200 one game, and Max can throw for 300 in another. We have that kind of balance.”
The line graduated some key players like current Monmouth University freshman Ryan Wetzel, so that unit will have to gel quickly as it tries to pick up where last year’s group left off in paving the way for Gargiulo, Quddus and Sanchez to run for a combined 2,300 yards. Junior Nick Gargiulo is the left tackle and 6-foot-3, 300-pound senior Jeremy Osuch is the left guard. The center is senior Joe Ferrandino with 265-pound senior Mike Blaier at right guard and 225-pound senior Donte Dean at right tackle.
“I’m excited about our new offense,” Quddus said. “I think with our new quarterback and a lot of good wide receivers we’re going to put points on the board.”
On defense, the Cougars will run a 4-2-5 attack style defense that puts an emphasis on pressure and forcing turnovers. The defensive tackles are Dean and senior Connor McGowan and the ends are Maiello and junior Joe Fifield.
The linebackers are Sanchez, Barsky and Gargiulo, the last of whom is the team’s leading returning tackler after making 98 stops last season.
In the secondary, the cornerbacks are senior Drew Ghigna and deGroot with senior Robert Robisky in the mix for playing time. The strong safeties are Twynam and sophomore Carmen Catena, the weakside safety is senior Robby Clays and the free safety will be either sophomore Chris Shaw or sophomore Bryce Campbell.
“The defense is looking great,” Sanchez said. “We want to run all over the field and make plays with this attack-style defense. We graduated a bunch of linemen but people worked hard in the weight room and are ready to step in.”
The kicker spot is between Clays and senior Arthur Shustorovich, while senior Vince Pollito is the punter.
In addition to having Shaw as the head coach, Colts Neck also has former Toms River North great Darian Barnes on staff. Barnes won a Super Bowl as a fullback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002.
With plenty of new starters, a new coaching staff and a switch from A North to B North, which is arguably the Shore’s toughest division, Colts Neck has a difficult path to return to where it was a season ago. The Cougars, however, are eager to show they’re the type of program that can regroup in one year and remain a title contender.
“Obviously the schedule is tougher than what it’s been, but I welcome the challenge,” Shaw said. “To be the best you have to play the best, and that’s what we want to be.”
“B North will be tough but we’re not going to let that stop us,” Sanchez said. “Ever since I’ve been at this school we’ve risen to every challenge. We’re ready for it.”
Head coach: Peter Shaw, first season
Career record: 0-0
Assistant coaches: Darian Barnes (RB/DB); Dan Golenda (OL/DL/); Kevin Gaul (def. coord./WR/DB); Matt Finucane (OL/DL); Zach Sobol (QB/LB); Vince Testi, Mike Dragonetti, Mike Verrochi, Joe Laferlite, Justin Cohen (freshman); Tyler Calvaruso (equipment); Eric Nussbaum (athletic trainer).
2013 record: 10-2 (5-1)
Big Shoes to Fill: Abdul Quddus, Sr., RB
Quddus put up gaudy numbers in limited time last season, and now that he’s the full-time starter he’ll see if he can replace some of the nearly 1,700 yards rushing Anthony Gargiulo accumulated last season.
X-Factor: Cohesion
With so many new players and a new coaching staff it may take time for the team to gel, and in B North waiting to click is not a luxury any team will have.
Glue Guy: Christian Sanchez, Sr., WR/LB
The lone returning starter from last season’s state finalist, Sanchez has switched from quarterback to utility player. He brings with him the experience of playing in a state title game.
Impact Newcomer: Max Mullaney, Jr. QB
Mullaney transferred in from Rumson-Fair Haven and will be the team’s starting quarterback in Shaw’s multiple set offense.
Pivotal Game: Oct. 2 vs. Long Branch
The Green Wave have an experienced offensive line and a potential 1,200-yard running back in Dahmiere Willis, so they look to be Colts Neck’s first major test of the season.
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