By chris kelly
Staff Writer
CHRIS KELLY Long Branch quarterback Mike Toffel is back and is ready to lead the Green Wave as it faces a tough schedule on the gridiron.
There’s something different about this year’s Long Branch High School football team; a certain intangible that every coach hopes to find in his team.
It didn’t take long for Green Wave head coach Dan George to recognize it either.
"I think the biggest difference with this year’s team is their hunger," said George. "It was tough to end last year with two straight losses. And I think that has motivated the kids tremendously throughout the preseason."
They will need every bit of that motivation this season, too, facing a tough schedule, and introducing a crop of new faces to varsity football.
CHRIS KELLY Justin Foy will be one of the Green Wave’s featured backs once again this season, as the Green Wave looks to contend for a Federal Division title.
One person who returns with some experience is the starting quarterback, senior Mike Toffel.
Toffel came in late in the season last year, taking over for Berkeley Hutchinson, who suffered a dislocated wrist against Raritan.
"Toffel had a tough role to fill when he took over for Hutchinson last season," said George. "But he did a good job.
"And this season we expect a lot of good things from him. Toffel has worked tremendously hard in the off season. He has done anything and everything we have asked of him to improve his technique."
And George has seen a difference in Toffel in the early going.
"He looks a little more relaxed this year," he said. "When he took over last year he had to grow up fast, but now he has a little bit more patience."
According to George, the Green Wave has been having a lot of fun in the preseason, and depending how everyone comes together when game day arrives, the team should be very competitive.
"The last couple years we’ve been skilled athletically, offensively. If things come together the way I believe they should, this group of kids is going to be fun to watch, and will surprise a few people," he said.
Among the returning players who will be working their way into the offensive lineup for the 2002 campaign are Terrance Anderson (wide receiver), Maurice Covin (running back), Justin Foy (running back), Ken Gillispie (tight end), Greg Otay (running back).
The Wave has some holes to fill offensively, but certainly has the weapons needed to put points on the board.
From a team standpoint, Coach George feels that his defense will be the backbone of Long Branch’s game plan.
"We will be looking for our defense to give our offense and special teams a lot of opportunities to gain experience and get better as the year goes on," said George. "The reason I say that is that we have seven starters returning to the defense. So we have a good core of experience coming back for us."
Among the players returning to the defensive side of the gridiron for the Wave are Gillispie (defensive line), Aaron Davis (linebacker), Johnny Williams, Akkam Anderson (defensive line), Pat Tedeschi (linebacker), Ferrara (defensive line), and Mike Bland. Another returning player who saw a lot of playing time last year is Ken Banach.
George was impressed with his players’ work ethic in the off season, and believes it has turned his team into a faster, stronger group as a team.
Some pleasant surprises fans should look forward to seeing this year are Manny Navarro, Ronald Conover and Chris Santos. All have worked hard, and had a good showing in the camps, according to their coach.
But George is happy with the overall look of his team thus far, and is looking forward to the start of the season.
"We’ve cut down on our distractions," said George. "It’s difficult to show up in 90-plus degree weather to practice, but the kids were great in showing up. They were on time, whether it was on the weekend, a holiday — whenever we decided to practice. If I had to put my finger on one thing that the kids have changed, it is their focus during practice.
"Game are won or lost during the week. If you’re doing everything right during the week, then things just become second nature to you during a game," he added.
Long Branch will open their season against an old rival, the Scarlet Fliers from Neptune, Sept. 14 at 1:30 p.m.
Long Branch hasn’t faced the Fliers in three years, when they defeated their long-time foes for the Central Jersey Group III state championship. Neptune is a new addition to the Shore Conference’s highly competitive Federal Division, and immediately became one of the division’s favorites, along with Middletown South, Red Bank, Holmdel, and the Green Wave.
Long Branch’s schedule is not an easy one this season, but George is confident his team will perform. And based on how they’ve looked in practice thus far, this year’s edition of the Green Wave is well on its way toward another successful campaign.