FOOTBALL

MS37 UNION DIVISION FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Bound Brook eager to prove last year was no fluke

Simeon Pincus
Courier News and Home News Tribune

Last season was full of great storylines around the Mid-State 37 Conference, and the Bound Brook High School football team’s reemergence after some lean years was certainly among the most noteworthy area highlights.

The Crusaders earned their first winning season in eight years, going 8-3, and won their first playoff game in nine seasons by topping Newark Collegiate, 34-18, in the opening round of the North 2 Group I Tournament.

Last year’s success might have been a direct result of a renewed focus on offseason work, especially in the weight room, and that work ethic has carried over as this year’s Bound Brook team looks to prove the successes of a year ago will be the rule and not the exception.

“I think the guys we have coming back who started on that team last year have now set the standard of what they expect,” said Crusaders head coach Dom Longo, whose team captured the Union Division title last season, going 7-0 against divisional opponents. “What we did last year is what we expect to do again. It’s no longer, ‘Oh, we hope to win (some games),’ it’s now a more-positive attitude throughout the entire program where it shouldn’t be a surprise if we win eight games again.”

“We’ve all been working hard all offseason, and the coaches have been doing a great job with us,” said senior two-way lineman Kyle Frauenheim, a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner. “If we play our game, we feel like we’re the best competition there is, and we want to show everybody else that Bound Brook football is hard-nosed, hard-working and deserving, and last year wasn’t just a fluke.”

READ: 2017 Courier News/Mid-State 37 football preview -- a handy collection of links to the entire preview package

READ: Bound Brook rolls past Dunellen in opener

Longo said last year’s returning senior class decided at the end of 2015 that they were tired of getting physically dominated by some of the bigger opponents on their schedule and if they wanted to taste success, that had to start in the weight room. This year’s returning class has carried that over, hoping for a similar result.

“We had guys last year like Tyson (Amaker), Joe Solis and Eric Dubecky, guys that really were leaders through their actions,” Frauenheim said. “They worked hard every day and brought a new focus into the weight room last year, and that’s obviously carried over into our games. We’ve been doing that this year. We have guys stepping up and working hard because it does translate to the field. Me, being a senior, I’m just trying to be a leader through my actions and be the hardest worker on the team.”

“These guys now know they have to do it in the offseason and work hard in practice, get things accomplished and improve every day,” Longo said. “It kind of set a new attitude for the team.”

Offensively, Bound Brook prides itself on its ability to run the ball, and that focus will be at the forefront, once again. The Crusaders feel they have a pair of quality backs to lead the way in senior Josh Ejiogu, who gained over 700 yards last season filling in and serving as a backup, as well as junior Mason Horsburgh, who moves into a bigger role after winning the 100-meter Group I track title last spring. Frauenheim anchors the offensive line with returning starters Louis Hector, J.J. Sistrunk and Jeff Sumbana, and with the addition of sophomore rookie Grant Fields at 6’2, 325 pounds, the unit should be a strength.

David LePoidevin moves from receiver to quarterback, with Ejiogu out of the backfield, Joe LePoidevin, newcomer Maahir Taylor, and tight end Nigel Wilson providing the primary receiving targets.

Defensively, the Crusaders return their leading tackler in Wilson at linebacker, as well as a big front line with Frauenheim and Sistrunk returning and Fields, James Killeen and Jaiden Chavis joining them. David LePoidevin and Josh Ejiogu fill the safety spots, leading the secondary.

Bound Brook’s chief rival enjoyed a resurgent season a year ago, as well, and is looking to carry that over.

It has been three decades since Manville logged back-to-back winning seasons, but after a 6-4 campaign in 2016 that saw the Mustangs make the playoffs for just the second time in school history – first since 2006 – it is unlikely Manville will be satisfied just finishing over .500 again, even if it would be a first since 1987-1988.

Although the Mustangs graduated one of their all-time greats in halfback TJ Caswell, who notched 1,221 rushing yards last year and 23 touchdowns – all but one out of the backfield – Manville not only returns eight starters on each side of the ball, it brings back a pair of four-year starters in quarterback/safety Shane Demeter and two-way lineman Michael Tyle. They also feature four three-year starters in linemen Hunter Norz and Jake Bentz, tight end/linebacker Dylan Whitenight and tight end/defensive end Matt Rogalski.

And while Caswell’s departure certainly hurts, the silver lining is that Manville is going to have to be more creative with its offense, allowing several players to get key touches and forcing teams to game plan against more than one threat. The hope is that added dimension, along with improved depth and a ton of experience, will make the Mustangs more dangerous as they look to challenge Bound Brook and Belvidere in the division and score the program’s first-ever playoff victory.

Demeter returns under center and will be joined by a stable of capable backs in senior returners Steven Garcia and Nick Firth and junior newcomer Gabe Van Buren. The backs are also expected to see plenty of targets in the passing game, often lining up wide, as will tight ends Rogalski and Whitenight.

Manville gets four offensive linemen back in Bentz at center, senior left tackle Hunter Norz, Tyle, who was a third-team All-Area pick last year at right guard, and senior Alex Gonzalez at right tackle. Senior Tore Lombardino, who started on the defensive line last year, will add left guard to his responsibilities.

Tyle, Gonzalez, Lombardino, Norz and Rogalski rotate in on the defensive line, with seniors Whitenight, Raul Guerrero and Shaheed Stokes handling the inside-linebacker chores, while Van Buren and Garcia playing outside. Demeter and Firth return in the secondary, with sophomore newcomers Nasir Peek and John Sharbaugh also involved.

While the rest of our local football team vie for Mid-State 37 divisional titles, Pingry begins life as an independent team, playing a schedule that features just one public school – Manville – and several out-of-state squads.

The move out of the conference makes sense for the Big Blue, which hasn’t scored a winning season since 2003, as Pingry can compete against schools its own size and makeup. And with quite a bit back from last year, the Big Blue should be in pretty good shape to make a run at their first winning campaign in 14 years.

Pingry is led by captain Obi Nnaeto and Clyde Leef, who were both named All-Union Division last year, as well as fellow seniors and All-Union picks Channing Russell, Jack Baulig and Tommy Dugan.

First-year starters Ish McLaughlin, AJ Weaver, Jake Austin, quarterback Joe Shilts, Zach Dobson and Patrick Stefurak are also expected to have an impact. Nate Hefner, who missed last season with an injury, returns, and coach Chris Shilts feels the junior should be a nice boost for his club.

Simeon Pincus can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimeonPincusCN

 

BOUND BROOK CRUSADERS

Coach: Dom Longo, seventh season (26-34-1)

Assistants: Vin DiStefano, Andy Heiser, Adam Dubiel, Dave LePoidevin

Classification: Central Group I

2016 Results (8-3 overall, 7-0 in Union)
1-Manville W 35-12
2-at South Hunterdon W 48-13
3-at Pingry W 14-6
4-Belvidere W 28-6
5-at Roselle Park W 15-8
6-at Bernards L 48-7
7-Brearley W 34-7
8-Dayton W by forfeit
9-at Roselle L 48-12
10-Newark Collegiate W 34-18 in sec. quarter
11-Shabazz L 67-16 in sec. semi

2017 schedule
0-9/1-at Dunellen
1-9/8-at Manville, 7 p.m.
2-9/15-South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.
3-BYE
4-9/29-at Belvidere, 7 p.m.
5-10/6-Roselle Park, 7 p.m.
6-10/13-Bernards, 7 p.m.
7-10/20-at Brearley, 7 p.m.
8-10/27-Dayton, 7 p.m.
9-11/3-Roselle, 7 p.m.

Offensive formation: Multiple-I

Defensive formation: 50

Top lettermen lost: Alex Navarro (QB/SS), Joseph Warren (RB/CB), Tyson Amaker (DE/TE), Joseph Solis (OL/LB), Eric Dubecky (DE/TE).

Returning players: Kyle Frauenheim (Sr., OG/DE, 6’1, 215), Joshua Ejiogu (Sr., RB/CB,  5’9, 175), Joseph Lepoidevin (Sr., WR/CB, 5’11, 180), Nigel Wilson (Sr., TE/LB), 6’1, 215), David Lepoidevin (Jr., QB/SS, 6’3, 190), Louis Hector (Sr., C/LB, 6’0, 205), Jervey Sistrunk (Jr., OG/DT, 5’9, 245), Jeff Sumbana (Sr., OT/DT, 6’0, 205), Mason Horsburgh (Jr., RB/CB, 5’8, 155).

Top newcomers: Grant Fields (So., OT/DT), 6’2, 325), James Killeen (Sr., OT/DT, 6’3, 255), Jaiden Chavis (Jr., TE/DE, 6’0, 185), Maahir Taylor (Sr., WR/CB, 5’9, 160), David Vicuna (Sr., FB/SS, 5’9, 185), David Ugalde (Jr., FB/LB, 5’9, 180), Carlos Ugalde (Jr., RB/CB, 5-9, 160), Kenny Reyes (Sr., K).

 

MANVILLE MUSTANGS

Coach: Pat Gorbatuk, seventh season (11-49)

Assistants: Barry Kostibos (offensive coordinator), Carmen Guarino (defensive coordinator), Dave Markowitch (special teams coordinator), Ray Thompson, Ned Panfile, Dennis Petrone, Todd Peterson, John Bentz, Joe Accorsy, Jay Croux).

Classification: Central Group I

2016 record: 6-4

2016 Results (6-4 overall, 4-3 in Union)
1-at Bound Brook L 35-12
2-Pingry W 34-13
3-at Dayton W 34-12
4-South Hunterdon W 40-0
5-at Belvidere L 20-14
6-Brearley W 28-21
7-Marist W 47-12
8-People’s Prep Charter W 42-12
9-Roselle Park L 32-22
10-at Keyport L 41-6 in sec. quarter

2017 schedule
1-9/8-Bound Brook, 7 p.m.
2-9/15-Pingry, 7 p.m.
3-9/23-Dayton, 1 p.m.
4-9/28-at South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.
5-10/6-Belvidere, 7 p.m.
6-10/13-at Brearley, 7 p.m.
7-10/20-People’s Prep Charter, 7 p.m.
8-10/27-Sussex Tech, 7 p.m.
9-11/3-at Roselle Park, 7 p.m.

Offensive formation: Delaware wing-T

Defensive formation: 4-4

Top lettermen lost: TJ Caswell (FB/OLB), Jameer Campbell (HB/DB), Troy Oset (OL/DL), Shane Freuler (HB/OLB).

Returning players: Shane Demeter (Sr., QB/DB), Michael Tyle (Sr., OL/DL), Matthew Rogalski (TE/DE), Hunter Norz (Sr., OL/DL), Jake Bentz (Sr., OL/DL), Dylan Whitenight (Sr., TE/LB), Steven Garcia (Sr., FB/OLB), Alex Gonzalez (Sr., OL/DL), Nick Firth (Sr., HB/DB), Raul Guerrero (Sr., OL/LB), Tore Lombardino (Sr., OL/DL).

Top newcomers: RJ Thompson (Sr., HB/DB), Shaheed Stokes (Sr., TE/LB), Giancarlo Rojas (Sr., TE/LB), Jonathan Irizarry (Sr., FB/OLB), Gabriel Van Buren (Jr., HB/OLB), Gavin Potts (Jr., FB/DB), Bohdan Tokar (Jr., OL/DL), Connor Budd (Jr., K), John Sharbaugh (So., QB/DB), Nasir Peek (So., HB/DB), Jason Thompson (So., OL/DL).

 

SOUTH HUNTERDON EAGLES

Coach: Toby Jefferis, eighth season (34-38)

Classification: Central Group I

2016 Results (0-10 overall, 0-7 in Union)
0-at Pennington L 29-0
1-Roselle Park L 33-0
2-Bound Brook L 48-13
3-at Brearley L 47-0
4-at Manville L 40-0
5-at Pingry L 21-14
6-Belvidere L 41-6
9-at Dayton L 28-7
10-at Riverside L 40-7 in consolation game
12-New Hope-Solesbury L 45-0

2017 schedule
0-9/1-at New Hope-Solesbury
1-9/8-at Roselle Park, 7 p.m.
2-9/15-at Bound Brook, 7 p.m.
3-9/22-Brearley, 7 p.m.
4-9/28-Manville, 7 p.m.
5-10/7-George School, 7 p.m.
6-10/13-at Belvidere, 7 p.m.
7-BYE
8-10/28-South River, 1 p.m.
9-11/3-Dayton, 7 p.m.

 

INDEPENDENT

PINGRY BIG BLUE

Coach: Chris Shilts, ninth season (28-61)

Assistants: Jon Leef (DC, OL), Jason Murdock (WR, DB), Jason McLean (RB, DB), Marty Peterson (OL, DL), Alan Smarz (RB, LB), Jamie Ogden (QB, DB)

Classification: Non-Public Group III

2016 Results (3-6 overall)
1-at Brearley L 22-8
2-at Manville L 34-13
3-Bound Brook L 14-6
4-Dayton L 19-6
5-South Hunterdon W 21-14
6-Roselle Park W 27-26
7-at Belvidere L 42-6
8-at Newark Academy W 28-7
9-Bernards L 35-8

2017 schedule
1-9/8-at Newark Academy, 7 p.m.
2-9/15-at Manville, 7 p.m.
3-9/23-at Pennington, 1:30 p.m.
4-9/28-at Hackley School, 5 p.m.
5-10/7-Fieldston Academy, 3 p.m.
6-10/14-at Montclair Kimberly, 1 p.m.
7-10/21-Morristown-Beard, 1 p.m.
8-10/28-at Riverdale Country Day, 1 p.m.
9-11/3-George School, 7 p.m.

Offensive formation: I-pro

Defensive formation: Multiple 50

Top lettermen lost: Spencer Spellman (QB), Ryan Boylan (LB), Jason Resnick (DL).

Returning players: Channing Russell (Sr., WR/DB), Obi Nnaeto (Sr., WR/DB), Clyde Leef (Sr., RB/LB), AJ Weaver (Sr., OL/DL), Tommy Dugan (Sr., OL/LB), Ish McLaughlin (Sr., OL/DL), Jack Baulig (Sr., OL/DL), George Mychajluk (Sr., OL/DL), Matt Parisi (Sr., OL/DL), Ryan Feeley (Sr., WR/LB), Joe Shilts  (Jr., QB, RB/DB), Brian Benson (Jr., RB/LB), Alex Briones (Jr., WR/LB), Nathan Hefner (Jr., RB/DB), Peter Nicoletti (Jr., QB/LB), Thomas Campbell (Jr., OL/DL), Jake Austin (Jr., OL/DL), Zachary Dobson (Jr., OL/LB), Jack Gambello (Jr., WR/DB), James Draper (So., RB/LB), Ryan Geller (So., QB, TE/LB), James Wang (So., RB/DB), Ryan Smith (So., TE/LB).

Top newcomers: Patrick Stefurak (So., WR/DB), Lance Perlow (So., QB/DB), Will Hoffmann (So.), Sam Williams (So., WR/LB), Patrick Birotte (So., OL/DL), Justin Uberoi (So., OL/LB), Charlie Malone (So., OL/DL), Ethan Mannello (Fr., WR/DB), Nic Gambello (Fr., RB/DB), Jalen Coleman (Fr., WR/DB), Jason Petruzzi (Fr., WR/DB), Jordan Mandel (Fr., WR/DB), Thomas Robertozzi (Fr., WR/DB), Oliver Haik (Fr., OL/LB), Ore Shote (Fr., OL/DL), Sanford Friedman (Fr., OL/DL), Christian Colella (Fr., RB/LB).

Simeon Pincus can be reached at SPincus@GannettNJ.com. Follow him on Twitter @SimeonPincus and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SimeonPincusCN