With 105 players coming out for the 2009 season, Howell High School football coach Cory Davies has what every coach likes: depth.
As the Rebels look to rebound from a 3-7 season that came one year after they won the 2007 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV state title, all the pieces are there.
“I’m pleased where we are,” said Davies, who is starting his 19th year at Howell, the longest tenure among area grid coaches. “We are right where we should be. We have the chance to be a very good football team.”
Part of that reason is the number of returning players the team has. Davies had to go with youth in 2008 and the one positive result is that those players gained valuable experience. Also, they did not like losing and they are hungry to get the Howell program back to its winning ways.
Jimmy Ryan returns to quarterback the Rebels’ spread offense, and he has more tools to work with this time, thanks to what Davies has called “on paper” the best group of receivers Howell has had.
Phil Adamo and Rob Handy each ranked among the Shore Conference’s leaders in receiving, with 42 catches, and are back.
Ryan Handy, Joe Murphy, Mike Clark and C.J. Cameron make this group of receivers deep and talented. Ryan can spread the ball around the field with confidence.
Ryan, who passed for a school-record 363 yards in a win over Brick Township last year, is poised to have a big season.
“Jimmy looks very good,” said Davies.
Ryan Davies, the coach’s son, is the Rebels’ backup quarterback. The sophomore will see some action as a change of pace.
In addition to a bevy of receivers, there is talent at running back.
Will Hayes returns at tailback and he could provide the running attack that was missing last year.
When Howell won the state title in 2007, Hayes’ brother, David, rushed for more than 1,000 yards and gave defenses more to worry about than the team’s prolific passing attack.
Davies hopes Howell can have that same kind of balance in 2009.
Benton Burdin will spell Hayes in the backfield.
Howell’s depth shows up on the offensive line. Cole Pannaccione (center) and Rob Sabbagh (tackle) are the returning starters.
John Gifford and Sean Harvey are the guards. Steve Martorana and Rob Malfara are positioning themselves for the other starting spot at tackle, with Tim Donahue, Christian Peck and John Labozzetta providing strong backup.
Defensively, the Rebels will be going with a different philosophy. Gone is the bend-butdon’t break approach.
“We are looking to get after people,” said Davies.
This aggressive approach will be led by the team’s back seven.
Outside linebackers Malfara and Ryan Lowe have range and can make plays. They flank inside backers Matt Oeftering, Jake Burdi, Rob Rigby and Kyle Lamirande. This is a very strong unit.
“They’re quick and they hit people,” Davies said of his linebackers.
Hayes, John Bukowiec, Rob Handy and Burdin are the corner backs, with Matt Martinelli, Ryan Handy and Adamo the safeties.
Pannaccione, Gifford, Martorana, Sabbagh, John Conover and Peck will rotate on the defensive line.
Howell will open the 2009 season on Sept. 11 on the road against perennial state power Piscataway (7 p.m. kickoff). Davies knows his team has to be ready to go from game one with this matchup. Howell’s home opener is Sept. 17 against Woodbridge (6 p.m. kickoff). On Sept. 25, the Rebels will host Shore Conference American Division rival Jackson Memorial at 7 p.m.