All-Star games were made for football players like Mike Bianco. The Manalapan High School grad and Iona University-bound Bianco won’t be the most recognizable name at tonight’s All-Shore Football Classic at Toms River East High School, but no one has a bigger heart or appreciates playing in the game more than he does.
"It’s a great honor to be selected," said Bianco. "You get to play against guys who are going to be going to big-time schools. Guys you’ve read about in the papers and played against. I’m thrilled and really looking forward to it. I can’t wait for the game.
"You can look at it as your first college game or your last high school game," he added.
Bianco is a wide receiver on the Monmouth County all-star team that will be going up against Ocean County’s best (7:05 kick off). The All-Shore Classic, which is celebrating its 24th year, pits the top graduating high school seniors from Monmouth and Ocean counties against each other in one final scholastic game. Since most are headed for college, it can also be looked upon as the beginning of their college careers with many using it as a way to get ready for college camp.
Bianco pointed to the irony of finally getting to be teammates with players who have been his rivals over the years, from teams like Freehold Township, Marlboro and Howell from the Freehold Regional District and the likes of Middletown North and South. He’ll also get to play against the guys he’s only read or heard about.
"I’m looking forward to teaming up with everybody," he pointed out. "It’s going to be great."
The Brave is especially anxious to be playing with a pair of St. John Vianney players, Scott Reinert (defensive line) and A.J. Montanez (defensive back), who just happen to be his friends.
"Scott and I go back to Manalapan Pop Warner," noted Bianco. "It’s going to be a joy to play with him again."
As a wide receiver, Bianco will be catching passes from Red Bank Catholic’s T.J. Moriarty and Matawan’s Glennis Lester. Keyport’s Dezmin Laing is a big play threat at wide receiver complementing Bianco, who is a possession receiver.
Neptune’s Ty Henderson and Wall’s John Colangello are Monmouth’s big running threats. They combined for almost 2,800 yards between them last fall. Freehold’s Keith Reed and Colts Neck’s Marc Savard are the other 1,000-yard rushers on the team.
Monmouth will be facing a high-powered Ocean offense led by all-state quarterback Colin Gaynor of host TRE, who passed for more than 6,600 yards and 52 touchdowns during his scholastic career. The other signal caller is Gary Edwards of Jackson, who used his arm and legs to lead Jackson to a perfect 11-0 season and the school’s first-ever NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship and the No. 1 ranking in the Shore.
The other local players selected to play for Monmouth include: Shawn Poling, Keyport; Mike Lambert, James Moore, Paul Rivera and Thomas Williams, Long Branch; Chris Herring and Patrick Hoelz, Matawan; Travos Rossler, Mater Dei; Rob DeMarco and Matt Walling, Middletown North; Dan Campbell, John Castoro and Kevin McCall, Middletown South; Jason McQuay, Monmouth Regional; Vince Catapano and Jason England, Raritan; Mike Schower, Red Bank Catholic; Topher Ruggiero, Red Bank Regional; Blake Abbott, Bill Carisia and Chris Jacoubs, Rumson-Fair Haven; and Andrew Emley, Jay Gilberson and Patrick Ross, Shore.
Former Ocean Township and Asbury Park head coach George Conti is the head coach of the Monmouth all-stars. Joining him on the staff are Shane Fallon of RFH and Frank Edgerly, RBC. Conti has coaxed several coaches out of retirement to join his staff and among them is Jim Simonella, the principal at Long Branch. Simonella is a former Green Wave defensive coordinator.
John Gardi, the ex-Central Regional head coach, is Ocean County’s head coach.