Reid leads county All-Stars once more

By tim morris

Reid leads county
All-Stars once more

Depending on how you approach it, Friday’s All-Shore Football Classic is either the final high school game for the best graduated seniors from the Shore Conference, or the beginning of their college careers.

Either way, the Shore’s best get to suit up one more time.

The Monmouth County All-Stars are led by two of New Jersey’s standouts from the Governor’s Bowl, played July 8 at West Point. Keyport’s Malcolm Postell answered any questions about whether he could play at the next level when he rushed for 63 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping to spark New Jersey’s 48-7 romp over New York.

Postell, who led the Red Raiders to a Central Jersey Group I championship in the fall, is headed for the University of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Freehold Borough linebacker Darrell Reid was named a defensive co-captain of the New Jersey All-Stars by his peers, and he introduced the New Yorkers to his hard-hitting Colonial style by inflicting the same pain he has administered to Shore area running backs the last three years.

Reid, who drove the Colonials to the Shore Conference C South co-championship, is headed to the University of Minnesota.

Both Reid and Postell head the Monmouth County squad that will be looking to top the best from Ocean County Friday night at Toms River North High School. Kick-off is 7 p.m.

For Reid, playing in the Governor’s Bowl has put him back into a football frame of mind.

"It felt real good to be out there playing again," he said. "I definitely missed playing. It took me a while to get my timing down. I wasn’t exploding to the ball.

"I’m excited about having another game to play," the Colonial linebacker added. "I know so many of these guys from playing against them or watching them. I’m looking forward to it. It’s my last game in New Jersey. I want to make it a big one."

Reid will leave later in the month for Minnesota where he’ll get his first taste of big-time college football. These all-star games, he noted, have been perfect preparation.

"It’s been a big help," he explained. "I kept myself in decent shape running every day but, playing in these games is getting me into football shape. It’s just what I need before going to Minnesota."

Reid’s teammate Wes Peel is also on the Monmouth roster. Together they helped the Colonials go from last to first in the Shore Conference C South. Peel gave Freehold Borough a big pass rush last fall.

Thomas Schultzel of Marlboro and Rob Hanratty of Manalapan will also be playing on the defensive line with Peel. Hanratty helped the Braves win the A North co-championship and make the state playoffs, while Marlboro used a stingy defense to be one of the surprise teams in the Shore, qualifying for the state playoffs for the first time since 1994. Schultzel spearheaded that defensive line effort.

James Smith was a big playmaker at linebacker for Freehold Township and he’ll add his talents to the defense.

Also on the linebacking corps are Matawan’s Stephane Pluvoise, Red Bank Catholic’s Justin Parker and Mater Dei’s Justin Diomede.

Marlboro’s Nick Lenart made more of a name for himself rushing for 1,000 yards last fall and carrying the Marlboro offense. But he could play defense as well, and on the Monmouth squad he’ll be in the defensive backfield bringing his nose for the ball to that position.

Raritan’s Glenn Nicholl is among the three quarterbacks on the all-star team. Mike Mesi of Monmouth Regional and Dave Rodriguez of Long Branch are the other signal callers.

Having Postell in the backfield is good for starters for the quarterbacks. Ty Walker of Manasquan and John Ellison of Mater Dei will share the backfield with the Keyport star.

Nicholl will have the opportunity to throw to his favorite target, David White, who heads the group of wide receivers. The other wide receivers are Damian Womack, Long Branch; Joel Gray, Red Bank Regional; Brandon Taylor, Monmouth Regional; and Matt Tucker, Matawan.

Middletown South’s Chris Moriarity provides the Monmouth quarterbacks with a big target with sure hands who can make plays downfield. He’s also a crushing blocker and the running backs will appreciate that.

The other tight ends are Ari Socher, Ocean; Andrew Conner, Monmouth; and Derek Warren, Long Branch.

The offensive line is led by big Brian Dilworth and Rob Graebe of Middletown South. With Dilworth and Graebe dominating the line of scrimmage, the Eagles shared the A North title with Manalapan last fall and made the state playoffs.

The other players on the Monmouth County roster are defensive back Brian Oberdick, Mater Dei; defensive back Rose Lee, Keyport; defensive lineman Tim Snyder, St. John Vianney; defensive lineman Frank D’Arpa, Middletown North; defensive lineman Rob Petitti, Rumson-Fair Haven; defensive lineman Matt Heffernan, Mater Dei; defensive lineman Dan Dowens, Holmdel; and offensive lineman Evan Coucette, Keyport.

Craig Cicardo, who led Mater Dei to the state playoffs the last two years and is the new head coach at Pinelands, is the head coach of the Monmouth squad.

The Ocean County stars, led by the likes of Brick defensive back Bob Acropolis and Jackson running back Joe Migliore, will be coached by Chris Barnes, who coached the Jaguars to the state playoffs.

Barnes will be the new head coach at Wall in the fall.