Long Branch High School’s Avery Griffin scrambles for extra yards during the Green Wave’s scrimmage with Trenton Central High School in Long Branch. The Green Wave will open the regular season on Sept. 8, kicking off the 2012 season at Manasquan High School. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff The Long Branch High School football team is poised to improve upon a 5-5 season in 2011. Competition will be fierce in the Shore Conference B North Division, with Neptune High School, Freehold Borough High School, Ocean Township High School, Matawan Regional High School, Wall High School and Red Bank Regional High School also fighting for the division title. But the Green Wave are fielding a talented, veteran team that should match up well within the division.
“It’s going to be like playing in the SEC every week,” Long Branch head coach Dan George said of his team’s tough schedule.
Despite the schedule, he believes that a veteran team like Long Branch will stack up against even the best opponents.
Long Branch High School’s Deion Williams breaks into the clear during the Green Wave’s scrimmage with Trenton Central High School. “We can compete with anybody in the conference,” he said. “Our goal is to win B North. If we can do that, it puts us in a good position for the postseason.”
Senior Dwight Clark, the Green Wave’s standout running back, will be sidelined with a broken bone in his left ankle. That adds a wrinkle to the start of Long Branch’s 2012 season. He was injured during a scrimmage against Southern Regional High School on Aug. 25 and he is expected to return midway through the season. In the interim, the Green Wave will use a running back by committee approach.
The injury to Clark also puts more pressure on seniors Avery Griffin and Joscil Jackson. Griffin returns for his second season as the starting quarterback, while Jackson is back at fullback. Although Long Branch will be without its starting tailback when it opens the season on Sept. 8 at Manasquan High School, the Green Wave won’t shy away from a ground game.
A Trenton Central High School running back is sandwiched between a pair of Long Branch High School tacklers during the Aug. 28 scrimmage held in Long Branch. This preseason scrimmage was the final tune-up for the Green Wave before their Sept. 8 season-opener at Manasquan High School. JEFF GRANIT staff “Our running backs have an opportunity here,” George said about temporarily losing Clark. “We won’t dominate the running game as we did last year, but we’re comfortable running the football.” Clark isn’t the only Long Branch senior to incur an injury before the season opener. Senior Dominic Mincieli, a three-year starter at tight end and linebacker, suffered a knee injury in the spring and he should return after the first few games of the season.
Even with these injuries, the Green Wave have enough depth with eight returning starters on both sides of the football.
“Whatever we needed to work on last year, hopefully we can perfect it this year,” George said when asked about coaching a veteran team.
Junior Shabazz Shuler and seniors Curtis Gunther and Trey Smith are returning starters at wide receiver. The offensive line features nothing but seniors. Center Spencer Frantz, guard Vinnie Roselli, and tackles Gianni Augustin and Anthony Howard will start. Either Joe Guidetti or Jeff Lopez will get the other starting job as a guard. Senior Chris Pappayliou will be a starting defensive end, as well as a tight end with Mincieli out. Sophomore Dave Colbert will continue with the kicking duties he assumed at the end of last season.
Jackson returns to lead the linebackers, while junior Deion Williams and senior Nick Pappayliou will also start. Frantz, Howard and Augustin bring experience to the defensive line at tackle, as does junior Arturo Rios. Sophomore Hunter Baillie will be the other defensive end.
Shuler will be at cornerback, while sophomore Dahmeire Willis may see time at the position with Clark sidelined. Seniors Corey Morris and Brett Roach will be safeties.
“We have a pretty complete defense. Linebacker will be a strength,” George said. “Jackson may be one of the best linebackers in the Shore Conference.
“The real strength of our defense is our coordinator, Nick Tranchina,” the coach added, praising the second-year coordinator. “He is doing a great job with the team. The kids are responding to him, and he’s taking the defense to another level.”
After opening the season in Manasquan, the Green Wave will play its home opener against Monmouth Regional High School on Sept. 15.