Mon. Regional faces grid brutal schedule in '08

Sal Spampanato is not going to sugarcoat his football team's chances this fall.

With his Monmouth Regional squad facing what is unquestionably one of the most challenging schedules in the Shore Conference this season, the head coach knows that his team will need to perform at a very high level to exceed last year's solid 5-5 showing.

"We're just going to take it one game at a time, and try to be competitive in every game," he said.

Cliches aside, that task will be particularly tough for the Golden Falcons, especially with a schedule loaded with the likes of Long Branch, Red Bank Catholic, Matawan and Ocean Township, among other strong programs.

"Yeah, there won't be any easy games for us this year, that's for sure," Spampanato said. "We open with Neptune, which should be a very, very good team this year, and it just doesn't get any easier the rest of the way. We'll have to come prepared to battle every week."

However, while Monmouth Regional has struggled in the past to put together back-to-back solid seasons, Spampanato believes there is something different about this year's squad.

"There's finally some sense of stability with this program," he said. "This will be the first time that these kids will be running the same system, with the same coaching staff, in five years. This is the same offense, the same defense, the same terminology that they worked with last year, so they know what to expect. That should make a big difference, especially early on.

"That stability is a luxury that Monmouth Regional hasn't had in some time now."

Thus far, Spampanato likes what he sees from his team on both sides of the ball.

"We just finished a week of double sessions and the kids responded well," the coach said. "This is a hard-working, enthusiastic group that returns five starters on both sides of the ball. There's also some additional letter-winners with playing experience."

Leading the way is senior quarterback Anthony Francillo, who accounted for over 700 yards of offense as a junior and is expected to be the focal point of the opposing defense.

However, Spampanato said that Francillo is being pushed in camp by an impressive junior Justin Argylan.

Monmouth Regional will have a new look in the backfield, where Spampanato said a number of players are currently fighting it out for the starting spots.

"Sophomore Matt Showanes has looked very good in one spot, with senior Jahad Davis looking strong despite playing fullback for the first time," the coach said. "Also in the mix are sophomore Shane Henderson, junior Devon LeGrand and senior Anthony Gibson.

"Gibson is someone we recruited from the basketball program, along with Davis and Austin Whitehurst. These guys are just really good athletes, and we're certainly happy to have them this year."

Senior Alex Banks and junior Joe Cantigallo are battling it out for the starting fullback spot.

The offensive line is anchored by junior Kyle Jones at guard

and senior T.J. Acerra at the tackle. They'll be joined by junior Pat Keeting at center, junior Fernando Salazar (who started at defensive tackle last year) at the other tackle and sophomore Ryan Greenwood at the other guard.

Senior Charles Johnson also returns at the tight end spot, where he is expected to be a big part of the offense once again, along with senior wideout Devonne Norfleet, who accounted for 19 catches and over 200 yards a year ago.

Defensively, the Golden Falcons are switching from a 5-2 to a 4-3, and return three of their front four players from a year ago.

Back are Johnson and Salazar at the defensive end and tackle positions respectively, while senior Joey Ramirez is back to line up at the other end position.

Senior Derrell Hamilton and juniors Walter Alson and Cooper Lewis are fighting it out for the other tackle position.

Senior Matt Quamme is back to lead the linebackers after seeing some time last year.

"We're very high on him," Spampanato said. "He's a good defensive leader for us."

Junior Justin Ruez, Banks and Cantigallo will also see time at linebacker.

"We've had to replace our whole secondary," Spampanato said. "But Francillo will start at the safety, along with Whitehurst. But sophomore Scott Satcher is pushing for time there as well."

LeGrand, Gibson, Henderson and Davis are all fighting for the two cornerback spots, in what the coach described as a deep position.

With plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, Spampanato is confident that his team can get over the .500 mark of a year ago. However, there will certainly be a lot of variables in a winning equation.

"This season's gonna come down to how we react to adversity," he said. "That is the ultimate characteristic that defines championship teams, and playing the schedule that we do, we will certainly see our share of adversity this season."