Mustangs optimistic about football season

Veteran cast back on gridiron for 2006

By: Shawn Tyrrell
   
   For the past 25 years, having a winning record for the Manville high school football team has been a very difficult thing to obtain. A tough schedule, injuries to key players, untimely turnovers and penalties, poor player turnout, and just plain bad luck have all contributed in one way or another to the Mustangs’ dim prospects for a winning season.
   The 2006 campaign has a chance to erase all the frustration and lack of results that have plagued MHS since 1991. The question is, can this team deliver?
   Manville second-year head coach Brett Stibitz and his staff have great talent returning on both sides of the ball. A potent backfield with the likes of seniors Leo Rodriguez and Tommy Rock to compliment the running of quarterback Mike Knitowski, gives Manville a high-powered offense that has huge potential. The question again is, can it all come together?
   "Hopefully right away the team can start clicking as a unit," said Stibitz, whose team posted a 3-7 record last fall. "We have a talented group of kids, and if we can stay healthy and take one game at a time, we can be very successful."
   Now with only a few days till the first game, the Mustangs have come a long way in just a few short weeks. Three scrimmages and three weeks of camp have gotten the squad in shape and ready for the opening game against an improved Newark Central team.
   MHS took on the likes of Dunellen, Keansburg and Metuchen and Stibitz was pleased with the effort and play of the group except for in the Keansburg tuneup.
   "Against Dunellen, we did a fantastic job. We executed and scored and played very well," Stibitz said. "While in the Keansburg scrimmage we were totally dominated. They were a good wake-up call to us. It helped us prepare for Metuchen, who we played pretty evenly despite four turnovers."
   So Manville goes into the season with high hopes because of a talented squad with 14 seniors returning. MHS returns the entire backfield with starting seniors Rodriguez (6-0, 175), Rock (5-8, 180) and Knitowski (6-0, 185). Also expected to help carry the load at halfback are senior Pat Horner (5-10, 185) and junior Brian Rock (6-0, 180).
   The offensive line is strong with the likes of seniors Mark Manderski (6-2, 280) at tackle and Matt Golen (6-0, 185) at guard, while juniors Dennis Petrone (5-10, 215) and Glen Hall (6-1, 225) will also help anchor the line at center and tackle. Petrone unfortunately will have to wait four weeks before tacking the field, as a broken foot will keep him sidelined. Sophomore Joe Burnett (6-0, 190) rounds out the Mustang line starting at the other guard position.
   Manville’s offense will also get key contributions from senior Rob Wood (6-0, 195) at the tight end position and as the team’s punter, junior Anthony Palovick (6-0, 195) at fullback and senior Kyle Sopko (6-0, 175) as a target at receiver.
   Many of the same faces will be on the field when MHS switches to defense. Knitowski and Rock will be in the defensive backfield at free safety and corner, respectively, while Rodriguez again helps anchor the inside at linebacker. The other linebacker spot will be manned by senior Jamie Levine (6-1, 205), who led the team in tackles a year ago.
   Also expect to see Horner at strong safety, Brian Rock at cornerback, senior Jon Andrade (5-10, 180) at outside linebacker, with both Palovick and Wood manning the defensive ends. The interior line will have Manderski, Hall and Burnett at tackle, with Jack Calvo (5-8, 165) seeing time at nose guard while also leading the special teams as captain.
   With both sides of the ball covered Stibitz has had a chance to take it all in.
   "We will take it week by week, game by game," he said. "We have talent, it just comes down to the players desire to win. We need to stay healthy and be ready for Newark on Saturday."
   The Mustangs undoubtedly will be ready. Stibitz and his staff of coaches with Chris Casamento (offensive coordinator), Chris Cebula (defensive line/receivers), Ned Panfile (defense), Pat Gorbatuk (quarterbacks/defensive backs) and John Bentz (special teams and public relations manager) will see to it that there is no letdown.
   While on paper all looks and the season looks promising, Manville has to be careful and not get too overconfident and be wary of every opponent, as Newark Central will be quick and from Stibitz’s perspective improved from last year.
   "Newark is a lot better team than last year," said Stibitz, whose club posted a 25-0 victory at Newark Central last September. "It will be a good test for us. They have great speed, but we have the tools and players to get the win."
   It all begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.