The Monmouth County all-star football team that will go up against the best graduated high school seniors from Ocean County on July 16 in the U.S. Army All-Shore Gridiron Classic will not be lacking firepower.
The 33rd edition of the game that pits the best graduated seniors from Monmouth and Ocean counties against one another will be played at Matawan Regional High School, AtlanticAvenue, Aberdeen Township. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Joe Martucci, who led Matawan to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III state title and an 11-1 record in 2009, is the head coach of the Monmouth all-stars.
He will be reunited with his former players Davie Incle (linebacker), Brandon Inguaggiato, (offensive/defensive line), Greg Neal (defensive end), Chris Dura (defensive back) and Sean Gleason (kicker/punter).
“Anytime you have the opportunity to be around your kids after they have done so much is real nice,” said Martucci. “To be with them one more time is great. For them, they get to play at home one more time.”
The Monmouth stars are loaded with offensive talent. They can attack through the air or on the ground.
“Offensively, we can be balanced,” Martucci said.
The air attack is led by Howell High School quarterback Jimmy Ryan, the Shore Conference’s leading passer in 2009. Ryan has to be salivating at the talent of the wide receivers he will get to throw the ball to.
Ryan will have one last chance to hook up with his Howell teammates Phil Adamo and Rob Handy. If that is not enough, Manalapan’s Kevin Cruz and Long Branch’s Ezra Kelly are dangerous receivers who can stretch a defense. Ryan will also have Rumson-Fair Haven’s Paul Michael Barrows, considered the best tight end in the Shore Conference.
Asbury Park’s Jamar Small, Red Bank Catholic’s Joe Carlucci and Keansburg’s Frank Soleo complete Monmouth’s quarterback corps.
Ryan led Howell to a 9-2 record in 2009 that included the Shore Conference American Division championship and a trip to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV state semifinals. The Rebels’ signal caller had a prolific season, leading the conference in passing yards (2,786) and touchdown passes (28). Both of those marks are Howell records.
The sure-handed Adamo was Ryan’s favorite target last fall, catching 67 passes (tops in the conference) for 1,024 yards and 12 TDs. Those marks were school records. Adamo knows his way around a zone defense, he knows how to get open, and Ryan knows where to find him.
Handy caught 35 passes for 492 yards and seven touchdowns in 2009. He is also a fine defensive back, as is Adamo.
Cruz is another deep threat. He caught 58 passes for a Manalapan school-record 1,135 yards in 2009 and 13 touchdowns.
Barrows averaged just under 20 yards per catch (570 yards on 29 receptions) in helping Rumson win the Shore Conference Patriot Division title in 2009.
The ground assault is led by Asbury Park’s George Stephens, one of the Shore Conference’s best all-around players and a key player in Asbury Park’s run to the Central Jersey Group I state title.
Stephens surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground for the third straight year, as he rushed for 1,173 yards in 2009. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He also caught 26 passes for 578 yards.
Raritan’s Jesse Raymond was second in the conference with 1,534 rushing yards. He averaged 7.5 yards a rush and scored 20 touchdowns as he helped the Rockets go 8-3 and qualify for the state playoffs.
Rumson-Fair Haven’s John Riley rushed for 980 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Long Branch’s Billy George, Middletown South’s Nick Bricker, Neptune’s David Newbey, Ocean Township’s R.J. D’Apolito and Red Bank Catholic’s Kevin Whitlock will take their turns running the ball for Monmouth.
Colts Neck’s Eric Spillane provides another weapon for the Monmouth County offense with his powerful and accurate right leg.
Among the offensive linemen who will do their part to allow the stars to shine are Howell’s Rob Sabbagh, Matawan’s Brandon Inguaggiato, Freehold’s Darin Love, Middletown South’s Steve Coluccio and Ocean Township’s George Sofield.
The Monmouth defense has its standouts as well, led by Middletown South linebacker Sean Campbell, who was considered the conference’s best defensive player. He and defensive end Nick Bricket helped lead the Eagles to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III state championship.
Freehold High School’s Ryan Solley (defensive line) and Richard Schwartz (linebacker) were the defensive catalysts when the Colonials won the Central Jersey Group III state title two as juniors in 2008.
Other standouts include linebackers Billy George and Devron Clark from Long Branch and Matawan’s Davie Incle, lineman Lorenzo Coscarelli of Red Band Catholic, and defensive backs T.J. Illmensee of Rumson-Fair Haven, Rich Vivian of Shore Regional, and Brandon Robinson of Ocean Township.
Having coached in this summer classic in the past, Martucci said the team that makes the fewest number of mistakes will prevail. What impresses him the most about the game is the way former rivals come together as teammates committed to the same goal: winning.
Ocean County has Toms River East’s Nico Steriti, who was considered the Shore Conference’s best offensive player in 2009. He led the conference in rushing (1,625 yards) and scoring (174 points) in leading the Raiders to the Constitution Division title.
Brick Memorial’s Vinnie Sabba rushed for 1,232 yards and 14 TDs as he carried the Mustangs to the Central Jersey Group IV state title game.
Quarterbacking the Ocean County all-stars will be John Applegate of Brick Township, GarrettDorsey of Jackson Memorial, Kevin Carter of Monsignor Donovan and Jeremy Hartman of Pinelands.
Toms River East’s Charlie Diskin is the head coach of the Ocean County team. Jackson Liberty High School head coach Tim Osborn is the Ocean County general manager.
Dom Lepore, the former Freehold Township High School head coach and now an assistant coach at Manalapan High School, is the Monmouth County general manager.