Molarz has growing pains in first season at East Brunswick

By JIMMY ALLINDER
Correspondent

Bob Molarz, the first-year head coach at East Brunswick High School, is very familiar with rebuilding a football program from the ground up.

In 2010, Molarz was charged with putting St. Joseph High School of Metuchen on the map when the Falcons decided to start playing football. He vividly recalled teaching his new players such things as how to properly put on football gear and how they should gather in a huddle. The team began by playing a junior varsity schedule and followed with two more seasons on the varsity level.

St. Joe’s never did reach the ultimate goal that Molarz and the school set, which was to qualify for the NJSIAA playoffs. But the Falcons did finish 5-5 in 2012, which was no small feat for a team still in its infancy. When the veteran coach stepped down last year and later decided to take over at East Brunswick following the resignation of long-time coach Marcus Borden, he handed over a program that was poised to succeed to his successor, Casey Ransome.

This past season, St. Joe’s ran the table with a 9-0 record, a Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) White Division championship and its first appearance in the Non-Public Group IV playoffs, where it lost to St. Augustine College Preparatory School of Richland, 45-28.

Meanwhile, in Molarz’s initial season at East Brunswick, the Bears have suffered what might be considered growing pains. The only victory was a 14-12 decision against North Brunswick Township High School, and the Bears have been hammered in nearly all of their other eight games, all losses.

There is an opportunity to end the season on a positive note, however. What remains is the traditional Thanksgiving Day “Battle of Route 18” against Old Bridge High School. The Knights (6-3) were eliminated from the Central Jersey Group V playoffs, but they can still earn a tie for the Red Division championship with Sayreville War Memorial High School if they prevail against East Brunswick.

“As a former head coach at Carteret [High School], I was involved with the Thanksgiving rivalry we had with Perth Amboy [High School]. I have a good feeling for the intensity the game generates on that day.” Molarz said about preparing his team for the game, which will be played on the Bears’ home turf. “However, as far as being the underdog and our approach to preparation, nothing changes. Old Bridge is a very good team and to win, it will require a maximum effort from all our players — seniors, as well as underclassmen.”

The final game of this campaign aside, Molarz has noticed some differences between his first year at East Brunswick and when he coached at St. Joe’s.

“In many ways, putting in the offense and defense at St. Joe’s was somewhat easier because everything was new to the players,” he said. “The coaching staff didn’t have to break any [old] habits or [different] techniques.

“Installing and implementing completely opposite systems has taken a bit longer than I anticipated,” the coach continued. “Not only are the schemes and philosophies different [from the previous system], but the terminology used is like two completely different foreign languages. As the season has moved forward, the players have gained a better grasp of the playbook … But we still haven’t arrived at the place where we can sustain a consistent level of performance.”

That is a problem that has plagued East Brunswick all year against more experienced teams in the Red Division. Although Molarz will not use injuries as an excuse, the offensive line has been hit particularly hard, which has stymied the offense’s development. Still, Molarz and his staff have been proud of how the team has remained positive following each loss. He understands how frustrated his players are that their labor hasn’t resulted in more victories.

“Our quarterback, Kevin Hemmings (62 completions, 801 yards, three touchdowns), has continued to increase his understanding of the offense,” Molarz said. “We’re at the point where we have been able to open up the playbook and allow him to be an effective passer, and the dual threat he is as a runner (291 yards). Running back Jon Gerhartz (522 yards) and fullback Sam Walker (101 yards) have continued to improve weekly, and can be counted on to handle their assignments and become effective runners.”

In the receiving department, Javon Ganzaroli leads with 18 catches for 247 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Tomori and Gerhartz each have 14 catches, Walker has eight catches, and Sean O’Sullivan and Kyle Kelliher have seven catches each.

Gerhartz (59 tackles), Joe Chetta (57 tackles), Michael Quintin (39 tackles) and Kelliher (37 tackles, two interceptions) have led the defense.