Rams prove that heart, desire can go a long way
Doug McKenzie
Rams prove that heart, desire can go a long way
When Zack Earvin and Mike Feaster graduated from South River High School last year after winning their second consecutive Central Jersey Group I title, that was supposed to be the end of a glorious run for the Rams football program.
The team was supposed to return to mediocrity and struggle through a rebuilding process which would allow all the teams the Rams had bullied the three previous seasons to enact some revenge.
Only it didn’t happen that way because, for all the talent the Rams lost to graduation, there was still quite a bit of heart and potential on the team.
Head coach Rich Marchesi labeled this year’s squad as a talented group of overachievers, and who could argue? He pointed to his seniors, like versatile all-purpose back Steve Maclosky, tackle Jason Brown, lineman Ed Scanlon and center Brian Korygoski, as the heart and soul of a football team that refused to accept the notion it couldn’t return to glory.
The Rams played with poise and purpose throughout the season and earned a shot to defend their title. It took a "perfect" team, the Keyport Red Raiders which are ranked first in the Shore Conference in team offense and in the top 10 in defense, to end the Rams’ quest for respect.
True, South River looked overmatched against the Red Raiders, but so did 10 other football teams that fell victim to Keyport’s first undefeated team in almost 50 years.
South River was not nearly as complete a team as it has been in recent years, but it played like a team that believed it was.
"I think it’s an understatement to say that we surpassed our expectations," Marchesi said following last Friday’s 37-6 loss to Keyport. "Our kids and coaching staff did a great job to get us to where we were. We surprised people this year."
Marchesi added that a lot of the credit should go to the seniors on the team, who made it their mission to lead by example and maintain the high level of play many have come to expect from South River.
But he also pointed to some of the team’s younger players who progressed even beyond his expectations this year.
"It started with our quarterback, J.J. Adelino," he said. "He brought us to where we had another chance at the championship. He just kept getting better, and was at his best the last three weeks of the season. He stepped up big time."
Another sophomore, tailback Zyhair Dotson, is another player who kind of snuck up on people, Marchesi said.
"He’s a very physical player who excelled for us," Marchesi said. "He’ll probably play some defense for us next year, too. He’s that kind of player. He’s a tough kid."
Despite the "surprising" success the 8-3 Rams enjoyed this season, word is already out that next year will be a tough one for Marchesi’s squad. With the NJSIAA’s class reorganization, the Rams will jump to a more competitive CJ Group II bracket next year where they’ll see a step up in competition come playoff time.
Just don’t expect the Rams to be too concerned with negative predictions. They have found a way to thrive on the challenge, and gained some valuable experience in losing to Keyport last Friday.
"People are already calling for a down year for us next year," Marchesi said. "They’ll be surprised next year, too. I feel very good about that."
Rebuilding process? Not at South River.