FREEHOLD BOROUGH
A s Freehold High School move up to the Shore Conference A North
Division this fall, head coach Dave Ellis’ concern isn’t the move up, but whether his club can put a full game together.
“We have to turn the corner,” he said. “We have some talent. We’re trying to get more consistency.”
That lack of consistency cost the Colonials dearly last fall, and its something that Ellis and his team are working to fix for 2014. They’ve proven they can play with the top teams, but they haven’t shown they can put a complete game together. Starting with their work on the practice field, the Colonials are out to rectify that.
The Colonials have just a few starters back on both sides of the ball, and they are mixing in some promising young players with the veterans.
“We have a good group of kids,” Ellis said.
On offense, the Colonials have four returning starters, and they are in important positions at quarterback, running back and the line.
Junior quarterback Jake Curry started four games last year, so he brings some experience to the position.
“He’s a classic dual-threat quarterback,” Ellis said. “He runs as well as he throws. He brings a different dynamic.”
Returning starting tailback Josh Dixon and wide receiver Jamel Smith-Rush bring the home run to a Colonials’ offense, which Ellis said can hit teams with the big play or grind out first downs on sustained drives.
“We can do both,” he said.
Dixon is a proven runner who could rush for 1,000 yards. He’ll make teams respect the run.
Smith-Rush can open things up for the Colonials by stretching defenses. He’s Freehold’s downfield playmaker, and he presents a tall target for Curry.
Freshman Ashanti Worthy has been a pleasant addition. He’ll play tailback and slot receiver, as well as punt and return punts. He has unique versatility.
Matt Curcio and Ky Watts complete Freehold’s receiving corps.
Freehold does have two returnees on the offensive line in David Alpaugh and Will Fraumeni. Joel Perez, Mitch Johnson, Marki Gill and Nick Eccleston are also vying for spots there.
It’s not a big line overall, but the group is very athletic and will rely on its quickness and technique.
Freehold will stay in its 3-3 defense. Fraumeni and Johnson will start at the ends, with Nick Kousoulides as the nose guard in the middle. The Colonials have some depth with Perez and Gill getting playing time.
Returning starter Morgan Quinones heads the linebacking unit, which includes Xavier Madera, Jared Van Dysen and Eccleston.
Curry, Smith-Rush, Dixon and Johnson are the safeties.
“Put pressure on offenses and get them in third-and-long [situations],” Ellis said regarding Freehold’s defensive philosophy. “We need to be better at it.”
Ellis noted that Freehold’s offensive approach is the same attack mode as on defense — put press on the defense.
Moving up to A North is like starting over for the Colonials. The only team they are familiar with is their crosstown rival, Freehold Township High School.
“A North brings new challenges,” Ellis said. “There are schools with a lot of history. It’s going to be a dog fight each week.”
The Colonials get their introduction to A North the first week of the season, traveling to Middletown High School North on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
They are on the road again the following week at rival Freehold Township High School on Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m. Freehold doesn’t play its home opener until the third week of the season, when the Colonials host Howell High School on Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.