Jablonski hoping to keep Rams’ momentum going

By: John Chester
For the returning players on the Hightstown High School varsity football team who made the trip to Middletown High School South (Monmouth County) on November 10, 2006, the memory remains. And they are sharing that memory with new teammates as a rallying point heading into the 2007 season.
   On that Friday night, Hightstown played Middletown South in the first round of the state sectional playoffs. The Rams, seeded seventh, fell 42-0 to second-seeded Middletown South, which went on to win the Central Jersey Group III championship for the third time in four years.
   When asked about objectives for the 2007 season, new Hightstown head coach Steve Jablonski said making the playoffs and hosting the first game is at the top of the list.
   "Last year, we made the playoffs and had to go to Middletown South. A road game in the playoffs always is a tough environment. This year, we want to have someone come to us in the first round," said Jablonski, who was an assistant coach last year on the staff of head coach Ed Kopp.
   "The kids who played varsity last year bring it up often enough," Jablonski continued. "We really feel we need to host a playoff game in order to get where we think we need to be as a team."
   Jablonski, who was responsible for the offensive line and special teams last year, was named head coach after Kopp stepped down earlier this year for personal reasons. 2007 is Jablonski’s first season as a head coach at the high school varsity level.
   Kopp, who was Hightstown’s head coach for two seasons, has moved to Pequannock High School in Morris County, NJ, where he is a science teacher and head coach of the varsity football team.
   Jablonski is Hightstown’s third head coach in four years. Prior to Kopp, Skip Edwards was the head coach. He led the Rams to successful seasons in both 2003 (6-4 record) and 2004 (7-3). They made the Central Jersey Group III playoffs both years, but bowed out in the first round.
   If Hightstown is to achieve its primary goal for 2007, the Rams would host a playoff game for the first time since 2004, when they lost 12-0 to Long Branch High.
   Additional goals this season for Hightstown are to defend its championship of the Colonial Valley Conference’s Valley League and have a better record than last year.
   In 2006, the top four seeds in CJ III hosted first-round playoff games. Last year, Hightstown got off to a 5-0 start, but went 1-4 down the stretch to finish with a 6-4 record.
   In fairness to Hightstown, the second half of its schedule was extremely difficult. All four losses were to playoff teams — West Windsor-Plainsboro High South (CJ IV), Hamilton (CJ III), Notre Dame High (Non-Public Group IV) and Middletown South. WW-P South, Hamilton and Notre Dame all are in the CVC’s Colonial League.
   The closest Hightstown came to a win against those four opponents was a 22-13 loss at Hamilton, which was seeded fourth in CJ III and was the lowest seed to host a home playoff game. Hamilton won that game over Monroe High before losing at home in the second round.
   In the 2007 regular season, Hightstown will play the same three teams from the Colonial League — WW-P South, Hamilton and Notre. Dame. Jablonski and his team know that defeating one or more of these teams will be crucial if Hightstown is to host a home playoff game.
   It also will be crucial for Hightstown to defeat the opponents it defeated last year — Nottingham, Steinert, Princeton, Hopewell Valley High, WW-P North and Allentown High.
   The system used by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to determine the eight playoff teams — power points — leaves little margin for error. The number of power points earned per game is determined by the score of the game and the enrollment of the opponent defeated. Losing means zero power points for that game.
   Jablonski said the eight teams that made the CJ III playoffs last year may again be in the hunt along with a handful of teams that did not qualify in 2006. Jablonski likes his team’s prospects.
   "We’re a little ahead of where we were last year (at this time)," he said. "We’re not as deep as we are experienced. We are better prepared because the kids are working with the same offense and defense."
   Hightstown had 13 starters among the 25 seniors lost to graduation from last year’s team, which outscored opponents 231-171.
   This year, the Rams will again run the offense they call "crossbow." The run-oriented offense features formations using double wingbacks and/or double tight ends. On defense, the Rams will again use a 4-3 up front — four linemen and three linebackers.
   Hightstown has eight starters returning from 2006.
   Hightstown’s offensive line will be anchored by two returning starters — right guard Matt Stinson and left guard James Noebels. Both are seniors.
   Senior Shaun Schachner, a starter on the defensive line the last two years, is one of three newcomers to the offensive line. He’ll start at right tackle, with junior Brian Louth at left tackle and junior Steve Benci at center, respectively.
   "Our offensive line is young, but talented," Jablonski said.
   The other two returning starters on offense are junior wingbacks Tommy Apgar and Greg Kryzsiak.
   "The offense depends on the wingbacks," Jablonski said. "They were major contributors as sophomores. They are our leaders on offense and our go-to guys."
   Senior Teon Delacruz and junior John Aponte will provide depth at wingback.
   Usually, Hightstown will have the two wingbacks on the field with one halfback. Candidates for playing time at halfback are senior Francis Puhalski, junior Tajh Thomas and sophomore Thomas Powell.
   "They provide different styles of running," Jablonski said.
   Junior Anthony DeLuca leads Hightstown’s corps of tight ends. Because he stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, Jablonski said DeLuca can create match-up problems for opposing defenses.
   A new quarterback will lead Hightstown’s offense. Senior Alex Pagan is up from the junior varsity. Pagan took over as quarterback of the JV mid-way through his sophomore year. In part of 2005 and 2006, he did not lose a game as starter, according to Jablonski.
   "Alex is tall (6-foot-4), smart and has a good arm.
   Since Hightstown will play the same regular season schedule as a year ago, opposing defenses have experience playing against "crossbow." However, Jablonski said the Rams’ offense has new wrinkles for 2007 to try to stay a step ahead of opposing defenses.
   "We know what defenses tried to do to stop us. Also, we know what we need to do differently to prevent that from happening," Jablonski said.
   He added, "Right now, we have good continuity on offense. We haven’t made a lot of changes to the base offense. Now, it’s a matter of polishing the offense."
   As far as the Hightstown defense is concerned, Jablonski said the front seven will be the strength.
   On the line, three of the four starters return. Both tackles are seniors and returning starters — Ronto Roney and Zach Ahmed. Roney was injured midway through last season. But he is healthy and ready to go.
   The other returning starter, Schachner, will again be at an end position. Schachner will be part of a five-player rotation at ends that will also include Noebels, Puhalski, Louth and DeLuca.
   "Our D line is big, strong and physical," Jablonski said.
   At linebacker, two of the three starters return.
   Stinson returns as a starting linebacker. He moves from outside (weak) linebacker to the middle this year. In the middle, he takes over from graduated senior Marc Wargo, who has moved on to the University of Albany (I-AA).
   And Matt Fried, a senior, returns as outside (strong) linebacker.
   Players in the picture for playing time at outside (weak) linebacker include Kryzsiak, senior Ryan McEvenie and junior Derek Young. McEvenie and Young are moving up from the junior varsity.
   For Hightstown, the secondary will be a completely new group.
   Delacruz and junior Michael Hill will be the cornerbacks. Aponte, Apgar and sophomore Jamil Robinson are among the safeties.
   "I think we’re in good position on defense. We have enough experience coming back on the line and at linebacker to help out the newcomers by putting pressure on the quarterback," Jablonski said.
   "We have to stop the run," he continued. "If we can force teams to throw the ball, that means our defense is doing something right."
   Hightstown also has talent in the kicking game. Fried is back to handle both placekicking and punting. Stinson will be the long snapper. And senior Chris Werner will be the holder.
   NOTES: Hightstown’s varsity has had two scrimmages so far — against Red Bank Regional High and Edison High. The team’s last scrimmage is today, Friday, August 31, against Jackson Liberty High. Hightstown’s varsity opens the regular season on Saturday, September 8, at Nottingham. The freshman team opens on Friday the 7th at home against Nottingham. The junior varsity opens on Monday the 10th at Nottingham.