True Blue: 2021 Shore Regional High School Football Preview

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A program doesn’t win seven sectional titles at the Group 1 and Group 2 level without being able to rebuild on the fly. There are years when many of the top players graduate and the task the next season is to integrate a host of new starters and continue to contend. Such is the task for Shore Regional this season.

After going 4-2 last season, Shore said goodbye to standouts like running back Shane McLaughlin, quarterback Mike McGhee, defensive lineman/kicker Cade Torres, tight end Trevor Crochet, defensive lineman Jack Martucci and others from a team that was third in the Shore Conference in both points per game and scoring defense.

Leading the returning starters is senior Jamie Mazzacco, a third-team All-Shore selection at linebacker last season. Mazzacco also played running back last season but will move to quarterback to pilot Shore’s Delaware Wing-T offense. He’ll be joined by senior running back Andrew Decker and junior running back Lucas Rosa in the backfield.

Andrew Decker (31), Liam Rosa (56), Jamie Mazzacco (15), Nahmir Jones (68).
Photo by Richard O'Donnell.

The offensive line features senior all-division selection Nahmir Jones at tackle, senior Liam Rosa at center and junior Aiden O’Brien at guard. Seniors Rylan Fegan, Alex Kramer and Aiden Scaturro are the wide receivers.

Shore’s 4-4 defense is led by Mazzacco at linebacker along with Decker, Lucas Rosa and O’Brien. The secondary is also experienced with Fegan, Kramer and Scaturro returning. Jones, junior Mike Furlong, and sophomore Connor Haney are some of the defensive linemen Shore will deploy.

Shore will compete in the Patriot Division this season with traditional rival Asbury Park plus Barnegat, Jackson Liberty, Manchester and Point Boro.

At a Glance

Offense: Delaware Wing-T

Defense: 4-4/3-4

Top Returners

Jamie Mazzacco, Sr., QB/LB

Andrew Decker, Sr., RB/LB

Nahmir Jones, Sr., OT/DT

Rylan Fegan, Sr., WR/DB

Alex Kramer, Sr., WR/DB

Liam Rosa, Sr., C/LB

Aiden Scaturro, Sr., WR/DB

Lucas Rosa, Jr., RB/LB

Aiden O’Brien, Jr., G/LB

Key Newcomers

Jackson Whitacre, So., TE/LB

Mike Furlong, Jr., TE/DE

Ty Kotch, Jr., QB/LB

Alex George, So., RB/DB

Jake Papera, So., G/LB

Connor Haney, So., OT/DT

Jake White, So., RB/LB

STAFF

Head coach: Marc Costantino, 30^th season

Career record: 191-105-1

Team record last five years:

2020: 4-2

2019: 4-6

2018: 7-3

2017: 4-6

2016: 7-4

Assistant coaches: Jon Remedios (OL/DL); Pete Vincelli (RB/DB); Joe Rankin (QB/MLB); Mike Whitacre (OL/DL); Chris Riley (WR/LB); Tommy Farrell Jr. (Freshmen); Jon Vacarelli (Freshmen); Joe Amacucci (Athletic Trainer).

Player to Watch: Jamie Mazzacco, Sr., QB/LB

A talented three-sport athlete who also excels on the wrestling mat and the lacrosse field, Mazzacco was a third-team All-Shore linebacker last season after recording 56 tackles with six tackles for loss, an interception, 2 fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and blocked field goal. He will also take over at quarterback this year after playing running back the last two seasons.

Player Under the Radar: Andrew Decker, Sr., RB/LB

Running backs are always the focal point of Shore’s Wing-T offense and Decker will get a chance to make a name for himself in the backfield.

Impact Newcomer: Jackson Whitacre, So., TE/DE

A very good all-around athlete, Whitacre checks in at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds and will look to emerge as a two-way playmaker for the Blue Devils.

Top Position Groups: Secondary

The Blue Devils have an experienced defensive backfield with Rylan Fegan, Alex Kramer and Aidan Scaturro leading the way.

Big Shoes to Fill: The Running Backs

Not only are the running backs crucial to Shore’s success on offense, but they will also be replacing All-Shore standout Shane McLaughlin, a current Harvard freshman, who had two excellent seasons leading the Blue Devils’ offense.

X-Factor: Offensive and Defensive Line Development

As the offensive line goes, so does the team. Shore has some new players it is working in up front and if they can develop quickly the Blue Devils can contend for a division title.