Phillips, Brooks poised for big seasons for Braves


JERRY WOLKOWITZ Manalapan High School head football coach Tom Tarver speaks to his players       following a recent practice. The Braves open their season by hosting Toms River East on Friday. JERRY WOLKOWITZ Manalapan High School head football coach Tom Tarver speaks to his players following a recent practice. The Braves open their season by hosting Toms River East on Friday.

TTom Tarver made the coaching transition an easy one for the Braves. He continued to work the Manalapan gridders during the winter and spring while the coaching position was uncertain.

"I made a promise to the kids that the football program was going to run efficiently," said Tarver, a former high school star at Jackson who quarterbacked at Rutgers University in the early 1990s. "I was going to see to it that they kept lifting and were informed about summer camps. They deserved all of these things."

When Tarver was then hired to replace Steve Bush, the Braves knew the kind of dedicated coach they were getting, and it made the transition a smooth one.

Things would be much easier if the Braves returned a number of veterans, but they aren’t. They have just three starters back on offense.

Fortunately, the Braves have two of the best in the Shore at their positions in quarterback Jack Phillips and running back Cory Brooks. Both are seniors.

Phillips was the All-District quarterback after passing for 1,473 yards (113-215) and 10 touchdowns while leading the Braves to the A North championship. Tarver, who knows a little something about the position, said that Phillips has all the tools required of a top quarterback, smarts, a strong arm, athleticism and a competitive nature. But what Tarver likes the most is Phillips’ familiarity with the run-and-shoot offense.

"Jack understands the offense and defensive coverages," Tarver noted. "He is an extension of me out there. Jack has the freedom to change a play at the line of scrimmage.

"I expect him to have a fine year," he added. "I want to give him a chance to be successful."

Brooks ran for 1,047 yards, including a 286-yard effort against Howell last year, and scored 15 touchdowns (13 running and two pass receiving). Most importantly, he proved to be a tireless back who can lug the ball 25 or 30 times a game and be stronger in the fourth quarter.

"Cory is a special back," said Tarver. "We know that he can make plays and it’s great having someone on the team who can do that.

"He’s a super, super person who works hard," added the Braves’ head coach. "His biggest asset is that he is coachable. He’ll do anything for the team. I’m happy to have someone like him on our team."

The third returning starter is Mike Zrebiec, whom Tarver calls a quality receiver. Last year Zrebiec was Phillips’ favorite target, pulling down 44 aerials for 552 yards. He is sure-handed and knows how to get open.

Two sophomores, John Papa and Mike Gaeta, will figure in the passing attack

Evan Sliwoski, Luke Patacki, Bill Devoe, Lee Gumnic, Dan O’Brien and Chris Carmichael are the core of the offensive line. Although they weren’t starters, all except Carmichael, who is a sophomore, played last year. Sliwoski and Devoe hit the scales at 220.

"We’ll be very young upfront," noted Tarver. "We have good players, but they don’t have experience. The kids are going to have to grow up fast.

Defensively, the inside linebackers Sultan Radoncic and Glenn Aaronson and outside linebacker Mike Bianco are the heart and soul. They saw action last year, and if the Manalapan defense is to be its usual rugged self, they will have to make plays. They are seniors.

James Lacugna, who also lettered last year, will start at strong safety.

"We’re just as young on defense as we are on offense," Tarver pointed out. "Our focus is going to be on attacking, putting pressure on people. We have to get our defensive line more involved with making tackles and keeping people away from our linebackers so they can make plays."

Manalapan opens the Tarver era on Friday night under the lights at home against Toms River East at 7.

With the Shore Conference realignment, the Braves are now in the A Division where they will be seeing more of Ocean County, playing the likes of Toms River East, Toms River North, Pinelands, Jackson, Southern Regional and Brick Township.