Colts Neck football set to start its own tradition

Staff Writer

By tim morris

Colts Neck football set
to start its own tradition


JERRY WOLKOWITZ Marc Savard takes part in a running drill at a recent practice at Colts Neck High School. JERRY WOLKOWITZ Marc Savard takes part in a running drill at a recent practice at Colts Neck High School.

MMike McArthur, his coaching staff and his Cougar players have been waiting patiently the last two years for the 2000 season.

The challenge for McArthur and his staff was to keep the Cougars enthusiastic while they played for nothing. They did play freshman, sophomore and jayvee games, gaining experience while learning about themselves and the offense and defense the Cougars are going to play. But even though the jayvee team was undefeated in 1999, none of it really mattered. The Cougars have a clean slate when they kick off their first season in Middletown against the Seraphs of Mater Dei High School.

The most anxious of the Cougars will be the seniors.

"For our seniors this is their one shot," said McArthur, who was the defensive coordinator at Manalapan High School before moving to Colts Neck two years ago. "They could have gone elsewhere to play but elected to come here."

As would be expected, the Cougars have a strong junior base.

The last two years have allowed McArthur to install his offense and defense and for his players to become familiar with it.

"We’re going to be a Delaware wing-T offense," said McArthur. "We’re not a big team. We’ll rely on misdirection and the talents of our skill players.

"On defense we’ll play a 4-4 with a balanced secondary," he added. "We’re going to play a swarming style defense,"

McArthur has quality players led by quarterback Brad Emmons. The 6-2 lefty is a very good thrower and a tenacious competitor, a perfect match for the wing-T. He is one of the seniors who will be looking to make the most of his only varsity season.

In Obi Nkwuo, the Cougars have a strong running back who can be the focal point of the running attack. He, too, is a senior.

The Cougars have been getting inspiration from the play of twin brothers Chris and Jesse Stoop. Chris Stoop is a halfback and plays cornerback on defense. Jesse Stoop is a fullback and outside linebacker. They are juniors.

"They are both natural tacklers," said McArthur. "They make the other kids better by the example they set."

Andrew Panico, a junior, and Mark Savard, a senior, are two of Colts Necks’ best linemen. Panico is one of the biggest Cougars at 210 pounds. He’ll start at guard and on defense is an inside linebacker. Savard is 5-11, 190 with great balance. He can play halfback or fullback and on defense can line up at nose tackle or play linebacker.

"We don’t have a lot of size," noted McArthur. "We do have team speed and we’ll be looking to utilize that."

A strong selling point for Colts Neck sports has been building the tradition. The football team will finally have the chance to make its mark starting Saturday against Mater Dei.

"The kids can’t wait to get started," noted McArthur.

The following Saturday Colts Neck will host its first-ever varsity game when the Blue Devils of Shore Regional make a call.

Colts Neck will be playing in the National Division along with Freehold Borough.