Shore looking like a contender once again
Blue Devils glad to be back in Group I
BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Above, Shore’s Max and Kyle Jarmon work on a blocking drill during a recent practice in West Long Branch. Below, place-kicker Ryan Dwyer works on his form.

The Shore Regional Blue Devils have plenty of reasons to be excited about this season.

Along with having a senior-laden roster filled with players sporting substantial varsity experience, the Blue Devils’ playoff chances get a huge boost with the team’s return to Group I.

Prior to moving to Group II in 2001, the Blue Devils were perennial state playoff contenders, winning the school’s first sectional title in 11 years in 1997 and advancing to the sectional final in 2000.

But since that move, Shore has been on the outside looking in, despite posting an 8-2 record in 2003.

With the move back to Group I, the Blue Devils return to their past designation as a state playoff threat.

But this year’s team is hoping for more than that.

“We’ve got a tough schedule, but are excited,” said head coach Mark Constantino, now in his 14th season at Shore. “We feel we can play with anyone in our division.”

The Blue Devils started their season off in style, posting a big 27-7 win over Point Pleasant Beach last Friday. Constantino was very happy with the win, but warned his team not to get ahead of itself.

“It’s nice to get a win in week one,” said Constantino. “We’ve still got a lot to work ahead of us, but overall we did a lot of things right.”

The Blue Devils return many key players from last year, many of whom got significant playing time last year due to injuries.

“We lost some really good players from last year in some key positions,” said Constantino. “Last year the injuries really killed us, but the guys stepped in and did a great job.”

Returning at the quarterback position is junior Gary Knoeppel, who learned under fire last year and enters this season a more confident player.

Knoeppel didn’t have much of a chance to demonstrate his passing skills in the season-opener, as the Blue Devils controlled the game with a potent ground attack. He did, however, get his first touchdown of the year on a six-yard keeper in the first quarter, a score that tied the game early on.

Behind Knoeppel is a slew of talented backs, including junior Ryan Dwyer, junior Greg Trillo, senior Chris Santorelli, senior Kyle Jarmon and junior Frank D’Averso.

“Pretty much all of these guys played last year due to injuries, and hopefully it’ll pay some dividends,” said Constantino.

It certainly did against Point Beach, as the Blue Devils pulled away late in the game with their strong running game, led by Dwyer, who raced for 122 yards on 14 carries

Those backs are running behind an offensive line that has a new look this season. At center is senior Bill Sheehan, while the guard positions are filled by senior Tim Weldon and junior Jim Freudenberg. At tackle are junior Mike Gervolino and senior Pat Gornick. Rotating in at tight end are junior Reid Van Wagner and Ryan Freyer, while at split end is senior Chris Miller.

Defensively, the team has many of its players playing both ways. At safety is senior Mike Mahon, a returning starter, while the corners are manned by Knoeppel and Dwyer, along with senior Anthony Houlis and Miller.

At the linebacker positions are senior Frank Marucci, Weldon and Freudenberg in the middle, while at the outside linebacker positions are Jarmon and D’Averso.

The defensive line consists of senior Will Conte, senior Tim Phillips and Gornick. And the defensive ends are senior Lewis Wenning, Van Wagner and junior Ryan Freyer.

With a tough schedule ahead, Constantino feels blessed to have so many veteran players returning. As always, he excepts a winning record, but also feels his team has the potential to win the division and make a run at a sectional title.

But again, he doesn’t want his team to get ahead of itself. The Blue Devils need to take it one game at a time, which they shouldn’t have any trouble doing this week.

On Saturday, the Blue Devils play what may be their biggest regular-season game when they travel to Keyport to take on a rejuvenated Red Raiders team coming off an impressive 24-6 win over Monsignor Donovan.

A win over the Red Raiders would go a long way toward solidifying Shore’s chances of emerging as the National Division’s top team.

Game time is 1 p.m.