eighth in country
in preseason polls
Monmouth ranked
eighth in country
in preseason polls
By tim morris
Staff Writer
FARRAH MAFFAI Former Red Bank Catholic star Doug Stetz takes the field during a recent Monmouth University practice in West Long Branch.
With 17 starters returning from a 7-3 team and perhaps the school’s finest recruiting class ever coming in to complement them, there is a lot to smile about at Monmouth University as head coach Kevin Callahan and the Hawks look ahead to their Sept. 7 season opener at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa.
Rosy expectations go beyond West Long Branch, however, as Monmouth is ranked eighth in the country in the Sports Network Preseason 1-AA Mid-Major Top 10 Poll.
"We have a very strong core group that was in the hunt for the NEC title to the last game," said Callahan, who is starting his 10th year at the helm of the Monmouth football program. "That success generates confidence. You feel good about yourself."
Five Hawks were named to the Northeast Conference Preseason All-NEC Team. The quintet is made up of lineman Chris Ammacher from Hawthorne; linebacker Joe Sentipal from Hasbrouck Heights; defensive back Michael Pitts of Tenafly; place-kicker Ryan Peterson of Delsea Regional; and return specialist Kevin Faulkner from Spotswood. All five are seniors.
FARRAH MAFFAI Monmouth University’s Brendan Kennedy of Middletown looks for an open man downfield during a recent practice in West Long Branch.
It’s easy to see why Monmouth had the second-ranked defense in the NEC in 2001 and why they were ranked 17th in the nation, with Ammacher, Sentipal and Pitts each earning preseason honors.
Ammacher was a major force on the defensive line last year, leading the team with 7.5 quarterback sacks and 15 tackles for losses. He was First Team All-NEC.
Sentipal’s 2001 season was reduced to just two games because he came down with mononucleosis.
As a sophomore, the linebacker set an NEC and Monmouth single-season sack mark with 15.5. His return in full force makes the well-fortified Hawk defense even more formidable.
Pitts was Second Team All-NEC after a season in which he made 46 total tackles and had three pass interceptions to co-lead the team. He led the squad in passes broken up with eight and was tops in forced fumbles.
"We have nine starters on defense back," noted Callahan. "We do have to find a couple of players."
Special teams have been a trademark of Callahan-coached teams. Blocked punts and kickoff and punt returns, which can swing momentum as much as any play in football, have been a Monmouth specialty.
The Hawks don’t come by it by accident. Callahan and his staff make it a point to make special teams a big part of their practice schedule.
Plus, whether or not a player is a starter, they look to put their best athletes on the squads. Monmouth blocked eight punts last year, which helped the club post its 7-3 mark.
"We spend a lot of time doing it (special teams)," Callahan explained. "When we recruit, we look for athletic players. But it’s something that you’ve got to want to do. It takes desire. We play our best players on special teams."
Also involved in making up special teams is having kickers who can make plays.
Peterson was 10-15 in field goals and 22-28 in points after. His 52 points kicking made him the team’s second leading scorer.
Offensively, the Hawks are in good shape as well.
"Our offense is sound," said Callahan. "We have skilled players returning. We have a lot of players with game experience up front. We were hit with injuries on the offensive line last year and played a different unit each game. This group is deeper than last year and could be one of our best lines ever."
Monmouth is deep at quarterback, where senior Bill Rankin from Toms River South returns as the starter. Rankin passed for 1,495 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2001.
His passing is a big part of the Monmouth offense. He does have one of his top receivers, Bill Lynn of Fair Lawn, back. The junior pulled down 24 aerials last year.
Back-up QBs include Raritan alum Glenn Nicholl, a junior who doubles as the punter; Franklin senior Chris Wielgosz and freshmen Brendan Kennedy of Middletown South; Steven Sherwood of Cliffside Park; and Peder Von Harten of Marlboro.
All-NEC running back Mike Merkinger (819 yards) has graduated, but Chad Smith (St. Augustine Prep) and Tyhguan Walker (Manasquan), who saw time last year, are ready to take over.
A priority for Callahan since his first day at Monmouth University has been recruiting Shore-area talent, and it is reflected in this year’s recruiting class, which he noted may be the school’s finest ever.
Among the standouts are Jackson’s all-state linebacker Nick Castellano, who led the Jaguars to a second straight perfect season, a repeat as South Jersey Group IV champions and the top ranking in the state.
Freehold Borough’s Josh James is another all-state standout who chose to attend college in West Long Branch. Middletown South star Kennedy and teammates Mike McClelland, a wide receiver, and Tom Mauro, offensive line, who led the Eagles to a Central Jersey Group IV title, are also part of the heralded frosh class.
Other locals include Mike Mirabelli, who led Freehold Township to its first-ever state playoff appearance; Ted Nyca, wide receiver, St. John Vianney; Anthony Addonizio, linebacker, Holmdel; Nick Maletto, defensive back, Red Bank Regional; and Raritan’s Jesse Orbach, defensive line, and David Petruzzi, also of Raritan.
"I feel really good about this class," Callahan remarked. "We have some talented players. All have the chance to make significant contributions. Some may contribute right away, and others will contribute over time."
The 2002 class, like the team roster, does draw from all over the state, but it’s in the Shore area where the Hawks have looked to make their inroads.
"It’s been a priority from the start to draw local players," Callahan pointed out. "We’ve worked hard to attract quality players from the area."
The good news for Monmouth is its preseason eighth ranking. The bad news is that three of the Top 10 teams are from the NEC, with Robert Morris ranked fourth in the poll and Albany, sixth.
Albany was the preseason pick of the NEC to win the 2002 championship, with Robert Morris chosen as runner-up, followed by defending champion Sacred Heart and Monmouth.
The Hawks’ home opener is Sept. 14, and it’s a big one, with defending NEC champion Sacred Heart visiting town for a 1 p.m. kickoff time.
The remainder of the Hawk game schedule is: Sept. 21 at Morgan State (7 p.m.); Sept. 28 at Robert Morris (1 p.m.); Oct. 12, Stony Brook (1 p.m.); Oct. 19, Central Connecticut State, Homecoming (1 p.m.); Oct. 26 at Wagner (1 p.m.); Nov. 2, Towson (1 p.m.); Nov. 9, St. Francis (Pa.) (1 p.m.); and Nov. 16 at Albany (1 p.m.).