Vikings line up another football victory

By: Ken Weingartner
   The South Brunswick High football team’s offensive line hasn’t attracted a lot of notice this season. And that’s a very good thing.
   Offensive linemen rarely receive attention, until something goes wrong. A motion or holding penalty, a sack, a running back tackled in the backfield all draw eyes to the men in the trenches.
   But the Vikings’ 3-0 start this season has been fueled in large part to the solid play of its offensive line, according to coach John Coppola. There hasn’t been an unsung player this season — just an unnoticed unit that’s coming together after suffering growing pains a year ago.
   In fact, the O-line received the game ball from Coppola after SB defeated East Brunswick 39-32 last weekend. The Vikes ran for 177 yards on 25 carries (7.1 yards per haul) and also had 177 yards through the air.
   "I think that group has not gotten a whole lot of attention drawn to them," Coppola said. "But they’re coming together as a group, as a unit. They’re learning to communicate and to check off to the proper blocking schemes. I’m really pleased to see that maturity develop."
   The line, which has just one upperclassman and averages nearly 230 pounds, features junior Justin Barbely (5-foot-10, 265 pounds), junior Miguel Benitez (6-0, 202), sophomore Matt Sapiezynski (5-11, 220), sophomore John Monacchio (5-11, 238), junior Luke Steepy (6-2, 240) and senior Joe Heiser (6-3, 203).
   Coppola said the leadership of Heiser, the tight end, has been one of the keys to the unit’s success.
   "He has a good understanding of the blocking schemes and how they change with the different defensive fronts," Coppola said. "The key to most offenses is having a solid tight end. He’s done a nice job for us at that position."
   The Vikings return to action 7 p.m. Friday when they host Perth Amboy (0-2) on Homecoming Night. The Panthers’ losses were to Old Bridge and Piscataway, two of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference.
   "They had a bye last week, so they were able to rest and prepare for this game," Coppola said. "That definitely makes me a little cautious. They’re always an athletic team with the potential to score points. The key is to tackle in the open field so they don’t turn short passes into long gains."
   It would not be surprising if the Vikings end up trailing Perth Amboy sometime tomorrow night. South Brunswick has trailed by at least a touchdown in all three of its games this season. Against East Brunswick, the Vikes fell behind 26-13 before rallying.
   "I thought it showed good character for us to bounce back from two scores down," Coppola said. "The kids showed a lot of heart. It’s nice to know if we’re down a score or two we’re able to make that up."
   The comeback against EB turned on the final 24 seconds prior to halftime. After the Bears scored a pair of touchdowns in 56 seconds, the second on a 50-yard interception return, South Brunswick went to work. Sophomore quarterback Brad Casalveiri connected with Chadd Wood for 26 yards, then tossed a 42-yard scoring strike to Steve Ferrara.
   Ferrara and Wood each caught TD passes in the third quarter as South Brunswick took the lead for good. Ferrara, who also scored on a 21-yard run earlier in the game, finished with 13 carries for 92 yards and three receptions for 90 yards. He also recovered a fumble, kicked an extra point and ran for a two-point conversion.
   Wood had three catches for 68 yards, including a 21-yard scoring reception that opening the scoring. Evan Mahoney had six carries for 63 yards, including a 49-yard TD run that capped the scoring.
   "We’re gaining more confidence in our abilities, and playing better as well," Coppola said. "But I’m still waiting for us to put the total game together, both on offense and defense."
   South Brunswick’s start has served notice to the rest of the GMC Red Division that the Vikings are a team with which to reckon. The Vikes are ranked ninth in one local poll, but in October have games against three of the top seven teams (Old Bridge, Sayreville, Piscataway, J.P. Stevens) in the county.
   "I don’t think success has gone to our heads," Coppola said. "With this group, I don’t sense overconfidence. I think they’re handling it pretty well. This has just given us confidence. I don’t think we feel intimidated by (our schedule). We’re looking forward to it.
   "The first two games, we kind of snuck up on people. We knew people wouldn’t take us seriously until we proved we could win. Now people have noticed we can win, we can play."
   Those notices could continue, ironically, as long as the Vikings’ offensive line continues to go unnoticed.