The Jackson Liberty High School football team faces a tough challenge out of the gate in its bid for a winning season, a Shore Conference B Central Division championship and an NJSIAA state playoff berth.
After its non-conference season opener on Sept. 9 at home in Jackson against John F. Kennedy High School of Woodbridge in a 7 p.m. game, the Lions will play Wall HighSchoolinaBCentralmatchup.The Crimson Knights have many players back from an 8-4 division championship team in 2010.
In the early going, at least, the Lions will be without Tyler Wright, who is out for the opening game and uncertain after that. Wright had shoulder surgery in June.
Wright was the starting safety and kicker last season and he was being groomed as the Lions’ starting quarterback.
In Wright’s absence, junior Bob Davies is running the offense that has added a third wide receiver into a spread set for this season .“ He’s getting better every week,” coach Tim Osborn said of Davies.
Ahmed Shalabi, a senior who started at one of two safety spots last season, is the lone safety this season as Jackson Liberty has switched to a 3-5 defensive alignment. Seniors Jon Morgan and Mike Sclafani are the cornerbacks.
Converted soccer player Mike Ostroski, a junior, has stepped into the role of placekicker.
With a change in quarterback, Osborn acknowledged that the spread offense may have to establish the run first, instead of the pass.
That leaves it up to seniors Justin Billups and Bryan Daniels, who will alternate at halfback, and Angelo Bartolini at fullback.
Although only one starter returns on the offensive line, 6-1, 290-pound senior Remy Martin, Osborn said he is pleased with the way the backfield has been moving the ball in preseason.
“The backs are running well and the offensive line has really jelled, which has been the biggest surprise at camp,” Osborn said. “We were concerned if the line would be good, but they have come along well and we have moved the ball well on the ground in our scrimmages.”
Credit that in part to the blocking of juniors Corey Feltzer (6-0, 250) at left tackle and Chris Cruz (5-10, 200) at left guard, senior center Nick Tiso (5-11, 205) and seniors Josh Gonzalez (6-1, 250) at right tackle and Martin at right guard. Senior Charles Burgard (6-0, 260) will be rotated into the offensive line.
Martin, who also starts on the three-man defensive line with Gonzalez and senior Tom Gallaro (5-10, 190), and punts, is receiving recruiting interest from schools such as Syracuse, Connecticut, Temple, Villanova, Delaware and New Hampshire. “He’s an [NCAA] Division I player without a doubt. He’s the world’s biggest punter,” Osborn said with a laugh.
Martin handled kickoffs for the Lions last season, but Osborn said he has given those duties to Ostroski.
“We’ve got to get him [Martin] off the field sometime,” the coach said.
Senior Tom Stoudt (6-1, 180) is also expected to see time on the defensive line.
Morgan is back at wide receiver this season with new starters Shalabi and Ira Hayes, a senior.
Osborn said he is “happy for the most part with the way the kids are picking up the new defense” after changing from the 3-4 formation of last season. “They are starting to get with it.”
Tiso and Bartolini start at linebacker again this season along with Hayes, junior Jeremy Sousa and senior Brandon Roman. Senior Sean Gelfechtler is also expected to see time at linebacker.
Osborn has expanded the responsibilities of his assistant coaches this season with three members of last year’s group not back and no new assistants added. He said having players perform consistently on both sides of the ball is the staff’s biggest concern.
“It’s one of the things we’re working on,” Osborn said. “Sometimes last season we did not do the little things needed to win football games on a consistent basis. The players would forget assignments. It’s my job to make those things happen and their job to take care of the big things.”
Jeff Struble is the Lions’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Jim Sharples is the defensive coordinator and the inside linebackers coach.
Osborn is coaching the offensive line, and his son Matt coaches the running backs. T.J. Collins coaches the outside linebackers and Ryan Hesnan works with the secondary. Anthony Myers coaches the receivers.