Having reached the mountaintop by finally capturing the elusive state sectional championship, the Manalapan High School football team isn’t resting on its laurels.
Head coach Ed Gurrieri, who has led the Braves to a 43-5 record the last four years, said complacency won’t be an issue in 2015.
“I’ve seen no difference in our approach to the season,” he said. “Everyone is just as hungry.
“I’ve consistently told our seniors that this is their team. We’re not living on last year’s team.”
Manalapan goes into the season with more question marks than usual. There are a lot of holes to fill with the graduation of most of the starters from last year’s 11-1 squad that defeated South Brunswick High School, 21-7, for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group V title.
“We usually hit the ground running,” Gurrieri said. “We’re not a finished product right now. We’re getting better each week.”
One thing going in Manalapan’s favor, Gurrieri noted, is that this year’s players practiced against state champions every day. That gives the newcomers a heads-up.
While there will be many new starters in the lineup for Manalapan, the Braves know they can count on their offensive line. “It all goes back to the [offensive] line,” Gurrieri said. “They have to carry the load. “The offensive line is doing really well, but we’re green all around them.”
Fortunately, the Braves are led by guard Joe Sellmeyer, who will be a three-year starter when the Braves kick the season off Sept. 11, and could have one of the finest lines they’ve ever had. They have talent and experience.
Tackles Jake Levine and Reily Radosevich, center Anthony Tardogno and guard Mitch Tabb played all 12 games together last year with Sellmeyer.
“They have a lot of experience,” said Gurrieri, who added that Sellmeyer has already started 24 games for the Braves.
Added to the mix is tight end Santi Hossain.
Manalapan begins the season with its starting quarterback, Luke Corcione, on the sidelines. The sophomore transfer from Red Bank Catholic High School has to sit out the first 30 days (four games). He is the complete package with his strong arm and running ability.
“We’ll have to tread water the first four weeks,” Gurrieri said.
Anthony Sciarappa and Cody Wiener are vying for that starting spot right now. Gurrieri said he has confidence in both and that Manalapan won’t change its offense no matter who the quarterback is.
Replacing 1,800-yard rusher Imamu Mayfield won’t be easy. Marcus Salinas, who is a slashing, cutting-type back, has stepped into the primary running back position. Because the Braves won so many one-sided games last year, Salinas had the opportunity to show what he can do.
Niam Mayfield (Imamu’s younger brother) and David Ryan are the backups who will get to carry the ball.
The Braves’ all-important fullback spot is open between Christian Isabella, Chris Maksimik and Antonio Scala.
The fullbacks’ role in Manalapan’s Multi-I is to first block, catch the ball and run with it.
Patrick Swaney, L.J. Holder, Scott Scherzer and Samir Blacknall (Saeed Blacknall’s younger brother) are the receivers the Braves’ quarterbacks will throw to.
“They all have good hands and run routes well,” the Braves’ head coach said.
Despite the loss of so many starters, Gurrieri believes the Manalapan offense can be productive and put points on the scoreboard.
Defensive end Radosevich, linebackers Jon Pimentel and Lee Maksimik and corners Dave Blumenberg and T.J. Orrico are the heart and soul of the Braves’ defense.
Radosevich is the pillar of the front three that includes nose guard Mike Cardinale and end Mark Figueroa.
Pimentel lines up on the outside with Connor Flynn and Holder playing the other outside linebacker spots.
Lee Maksimik is on the inside with Isabella, Dan Park and Sal Tardogno splitting time alongside him.
In the backfield, Chris Carnesi, Scherzer, Wiener, Salinas and Sean Kinniburgh can play safety, with Blumenberg and Orrico as the cover corners.
Manalapan was spoiled the last four years having one of the finest kickers in state history in Mike Caggiano. As valuable as his field goals and points after touchdown were, his kickoffs, which pinned teams deep in their own territory, were priceless. Manalapan easily won the field position game with him.
Wiener and Dave Gelb are currently vying for that spot.
Manalapan kicks off its season at home against rival Marlboro High School Sept. 11 with the Doc Berman Trophy on the line. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Braves host Freehold Township High School at 7 p.m. Sept. 18.
Manalapan has won five straight Shore Conference A North Division titles, and Gurrieri and his players know they will get “everybody’s best punch,” the coach said.
Road games at Middletown High School North (Oct. 2) and Middletown High School South (Oct. 16) figure to be the Braves’ biggest hurdles to a sixth straight championship.