Cory Davies will continue in his third year to construct the Freehold Township High School football team into a winning program.
In Davies’ second season as the head man, the Patriots posted a 7-3 record and qualified for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s sectional playoffs for the second straight year in 2016.
Freehold Township lost to South Brunswick High School in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 5 playoffs. South Brunswick was the defending champion in Central Jersey, Group 5, which was captured last fall by Piscataway Township High School.
“Last year, we finished 7-3 and made the playoffs for the second consecutive season,” Davies said. “The seven wins tied the school record for wins in a season. It was only the fifth winning season in 45 years.”
Davies will have a young team this year with only a handful of returning starters. The coach felt that his team is talented, but its inexperience is an obstacle.
“Our biggest weakness will be playing experience,” Davies said. “We graduated a large group of seniors who made a great contribution to our success a year ago.”
Davies’ group is very young, but the coach likes the energy and passion the Patriots are playing with.
“Our biggest strength is the enthusiasm for this season coming off of last season,” Davies said. “The guys are fired up thinking about what happened last year, and they want to make their own mark. We have a few returning players with experience, so we’ll lean on them for guidance coming into this year.”
Some of the veterans the Patriots will depend on are seniors Damian Rybaltowski (running back and defensive end), Eric Quartey (linebacker and tight end), Pat Laricy (wide receiver and defensive back), Kevin Doherty (wide receiver and defensive back) and Mike Cenname (running back and linebacker).
Junior quarterback Nick Reardon will take over calling the signals this year. He is replacing the graduated Charles Sabbagh, who holds numerous school records, including single-season marks in passing yards (2,216) last season and touchdowns (23) during his junior year.
“We are looking for big seasons from seniors Rybaltowski, Quartey, Laricy, Doherty and Cenname,” Davies said. “In addition, Reardon will be expected to have a good season so our offense can be competitive.”
The Patriots will start their season on Sept. 9 at rival Freehold High School. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.