Cougars anxious to start the meaningful games
Colts Neck kicks off
football season at
Mater Dei
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Jason Orrico practices his punt returns during a recent practice at Colts Neck High School while an assistant coach shouts instructions.
One of the most anticipated days in Colts Neck High School’s brief history will be Sept. 9 when the Cougars play the school’s first-ever varsity football game.
Mike McArthur has been preparing his Cougars for that date against Middletown’s Mater Dei for the last two years.
McArthur and his coaching staff have faced a challenge that is very unique to them.
They have been building a football program without the luxury of actually playing in any meaningful games.
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Colts Neck High School head coach Mike McArthur shows proper blocking technique during a recent practice.
The wins they wrung up the last two years on the JV and freshman levels don’t mean a thing (the JV were undefeated last year).
For Colts Neck, it all starts with Mater Dei. And the feeling is the same among the players and the coaches. It’s time to play for real.
"We played for nothing the last two years," said McArthur. "Our biggest job was selling these kids on what it takes to be ready for varsity football. They can’t wait to get started."
McArthur added that the school’s first regular season is extra special for the seniors on the team, who are honored to have the chance to be part of this special year
"For our seniors this is their one shot," he said. "They could have gone elsewhere to play, but elected to come here."
Colts Neck’s motto from the start has been about beginning a tradition, and the football team will finally get that chance this year.
McArthur noted that it has been a very important selling point. It has kept his gridders focused the last two years while they waited patiently for their time to shine.
He added that the players never stopped working hard, despite the fact that the program was in its beginning stages. He is hopeful that their work ethic will translate into victories this season.
"Everything starts with these kids," he explained. "They get to start a tradition and that’s important to them."
McArthur has seen two years of physical development on the part of his Colts Neck squad.
They would not have been ready for varsity football two years ago, but diligent work in the weight room and a strong work ethic have them physically ready.
One advantage of not playing varsity ball the last two years is the number of games his gridders have played.
Through JV, sophomore and freshman games, his seniors and juniors have played upward of 18 games.
Another big plus, McArthur points out, is that the time has allowed him and his coaching staff to implement the varsity offense and defense to all of the players.
The Cougar players have had two years of running the same plays and are now familiar with what the coaching staff wants to do and what their assignments are. That experience, even if it is not at the varsity level, is important.
The Cougars may be a new program on Sept. 9, but it won’t be a program flying by the seat of its pants.
Colts Neck will be running the Delaware wing-T offense with its misdirection and a 4-4 defense that swarms to the ball.
The two-year wait has been as trying on the coaches as it has been on the players.
"We’ve been very patient," McArthur said. "We’ve scouted games and looked at game tapes over and over to get an idea of what we’re up against."
Tired of scouting and watching films, McArthur and his staff will get their baptism under fire on Sept. 9.
"There’s going to be some butterflies on that trip to Middletown," he said, looking ahead to the game with the Seraphs.
The butterflies will be doubled the next week when the Cougars will play their first-ever home game hosting the Shore Regional Blue Devils.
But the butterflies, and all their intensity, have been a long time coming. And the Colts Neck High School football team will never get another shot at initiating a football program.
The tradition begins.

