By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
New coach, old coach, same result for Red Bank Catholic.
When head coach Frank Edgerly resigned in the offseason to pursue a job at Rutgers, defensive coordinator Jim Portela was promoted to fill the vacancy.
When Edgerly expressed interest in returning to Red Bank Catholic as an assistant, it was Portela who graciously suggested that he resume his role as head coach.
And the Caseys have not missed a beat.
After a 28-0 season-opening victory against a tough Long Branch team that finished last season 10-2, Red Bank Catholic kicked it into high gear against local rival Red Bank Regional, pitching another shutout, 48-0.
Linebacker Anthony Lubischer and defensive lineman Shawn Smith have led the way thus far for the Caseys. The two seniors have 17 and 13 tackles, respectively. Five of Smith’s tackles have been for a loss.
On offense, quarterback Connor O’Leary has received a lot of support from a very deep and balanced ground attack.
David Reeves and Nolan Vill have each rushed for over 200 yards in just two games. Stephen Compitello and Justin Giakas have also contributed on the ground. Jake Flaherty and Jake Beim are sure-handed receivers and add some versatility to Red Bank Catholic’s offense.
The Caseys will get a challenge on Saturday, when they travel to play Matawan in a battle of undefeated teams.
Notes
* A pair of Central Jersey schools appear to be heading in the right direction with upstart new coaches.
Perth Amboy head coach Michael Giordano, in only his second season, has brought a strong sense of optimism to a Panthers program that has been down recently.
After enduring some road bumps last season and finishing with a 1-9 record, Perth Amboy opened up in an impressive win against South Plainfield.
“They always used to say, ‘Amboy beats Amboy,’ but we didn’t,” Giordano said.
Giordano has focused on discipline and accountability for his players, who already have the talent. Senior leader Jose Perez is a legitimate dual threat at quarterback. On defense, 6-foot-1 sophomore defensive end Robert Brown could blossom into a special player. In the win against South Plainfield, he recorded 13 total tackles, including three sacks and three pass deflections.
After a 25-7 setback at the hands of Edison, Perth Amboy will look to get back in the win column against New Brunswick.
Also look for South Amboy’s Cardinal McCarrick to undergo a football Renaissance. Long time Queen of Peace coach Robert Kerns is taking over the reigns, and people around the program are already beginning to notice change.
Although they are 0-2, last week’s game against a talented, undefeated Metuchen squad hung in the balance until the final minutes.
Kerns was happy with his team’s effort, but feels like his players need to develop the skill of learning to win.
“They need to learn how to finish,” Kerns said. “How to put the period at the end of the sentence.”
One of the bright spots early on has been two-way lineman Kevin Fennessy. At 6-2, Fennessy has been impressive on both sides of the ball so far this season. Kerns thinks he is a kid that can make a difference at the next level in Division II or III.
* After edging Cherokee in a huge showdown, Shawnee continues to show why it’s one of the state’s top teams.
The Renegades have rolled through weeks two and three, defeating both Winslow Township and Moorestown. In the win over Winslow township, star running back Chris LaPierre, one of the state’s best players, broke lose for four touchdowns.
Enjoying a bye this weekend, Shawnee will get back to action on October, when it hosts Triton
* Jersey City seems to be a hotbed for talent these days.
St. Peter’s Prep sophomore sensation Savon Huggins had two touchdowns in a win against North Bergen over the weekend, the Marauders’ first win of the season.
Across town, Hudson Catholic also got in the win column against local foe Lincoln. The Hawks received an outstanding performance by senior halfback Jason Hendricks.
Hendricks rushed for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in the win. A surefire Division I recruit, Hendricks can only continue raise his stock with some more big time performances the rest of the way.
Down Montgomery Avenue, the Ferris Bulldogs have gotten off to a hot start thanks to performances by several key players on coach Wilbur Valdez’s squad.
The Bulldogs are 3-0, thanks in large part to running back Isiah Dixon. Dixon is having a stellar season, highlighted by a 205-yard, three-touchdown performance against Bayonne.
Senior wide receiver Andre Tucker, also a star on the basketball team, notched six receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns through the team’s first two games.
Defensively, super junior Bryant Worts, a hard-hitting linebacker, has been all over the place, accounting for 33 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles through week two.
The three schools are all located within a two-mile radius.