By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
Fans heading to South Brunswick High football games better buy a program. They will need the roster to keep track of the Vikings’ weapons.
A year after seeing Mohamed Sanu steal the show with his talents at quarterback and in the defensive secondary, South Brunswick will look to create a hit with an ensemble cast. Sanu accounted for 146.8 yards total offense per game in 2007; the next closest player was at 38.3 yards per contest.
”We’re ready,” said second-year coach Rick Mantz, who guided the Vikings to a 5-5 record last season and their first sectional playoff appearance in 30 years. “In a word, our strength is balance. A lot of guys are going to touch the ball and contribute. We’re going to have four guys who rush for 600 or 700 yards. You’re going to have to stop a lot of people.”
South Brunswick, which opens the season tomorrow night at 7 at home against Woodbridge, will turn over its option offense to quarterbacks Tim Doehler and Mike Muha. Doehler, a senior, will start, but the junior Muha will see action as well.
Justin McLendon and Cody Shelcusky, both seniors, will spearhead the running game while senior Dan Acevedo leads the receiving corps. McLendon rushed for 338 yards and two touchdowns last season while Acevedo had a team-best 15 catches for 377 yards and two scores.
James Kugel and Robert Powers, both seniors, anchor a deep and improved group on the line.
Linebackers Shelcusky, Devin Young and Patrick Goldsmith are expected to play key roles defensively. Young and Goldsmith also are seniors. The Vikings have 19 upperclassemen on the roster, and they are anxious to improve upon last year’s campaign.
”The kids are coming in knowing they were a playoff team,” Mantz said. “All of the kids returning are bigger, stronger, faster and a year more experienced. They know it’s within our grasp. If we do what we’re supposed to do, why not us? The kids know it’s not a pipe dream.
”We honestly truly believe the only team that can beat us is us. If we break down, we can’t beat anybody. But we really feel that everybody does their job on every play, we can beat anybody on our schedule. That’s how we’re approaching it. We’re focusing on us.”

