With the start of the football season less than two weeks away, optimism is high at several area high schools that are looking forward to strong campaigns.

Red Bank Regional High School’s Tyheem Crawford looks to receive a pass from quarterback Mike Reardone during a preseason scrimmage against Shore Regional High School held at RBR in Little Silver on Aug. 27. JEFF GRANIT staff Rumson-Fair Haven High School, winner of the Shore Conference Patriot Division, is looking to make its mark in the highly competitive A Central Division. The Bulldogs open Sept. 10 with a nonconference encounter at Barnegat (7 p.m.).

At Red Bank Catholic High School, the Caseys, 6-4 a year ago, are coming off a sixth straight Shore Non-Public title as they head into their opener Sept. 10, when Southern Regional comes to town for a 7 p.m. kickoff. This season RBC is in the B North Division, where they will get acquainted with schools like Colts Neck, Freehold Borough and Neptune. Red Bank Regional, which also moved, to A Central, will be looking to bounce back from a 2-8 record with a good showing in its first contest at Central Regional on Sept. 11 (7 p.m.).

Red Bank Regional High School quarterback Mike Reardone finds some running room during a preseason scrimmage against Shore Regional High School held at RBR in Little Silver on Aug. 27. Rumson-Fair Haven

The Bulldogs went 9-2 last season and qualified for the NJSIAA Central Group II playoffs. Their reward was a promotion to A Central, which means match-ups with powerful Matawan and Raritan, among others.

Fortunately, coach Shane Fallon’s team is deep and relatively big. Quarterback Michael Villapiano (6-2, 200), the son of former Oakland Raider star Phil Villapiano, returns to give Rumson-Fair Haven a dual threat behind center. Michael Guzman, a three-year starter, Dylan Benedickson and junior Connor Riley are the running backs. Jack Wise and Ian Moore are the wideouts, and Evan Benkert (6-2, 190) is back at tight end.

Dan Mentel (6-4, 225) and Matt Gilbertson (6-2, 215) are both back to anchor the right side of the line. Sam Waters (6-0, 210) is the center, with Cory Socha (5-11, 275) and Matt Jewett (6-2, 200) manning the left side.

“We have a lot of weapons on offense and a good leader in Michael Villapiano,” Fallon said of the Bulldogs’ multiple-I setup. “That will keep opponents from keying on any one thing.”

Defensively, Fallon employs a 4-3 set. Michael Huttner (5-10, 200), a three-year starter, leads the defense from his middle linebacker post. Junior Brian Truex (5-19, 180) and sophomore Travis Clark (5-11, 195) will flank him.

Four juniors are manning the line. Jack Clapp (6-0, 205) and Jake Miles (5-10, 190) are the ends, with Michael Alonzo (6-0, 215) and Jack Eisenstadt (6-2, 230) at the tackles. Andrew Giannotto along with juniors Dab Babiak, Nico Giaimo and Michael Morralle will be in the secondary. Riley and Wise will also see time there. Ben Albainy will handle punting and place-kicking duties.

“The key for us will be maintaining consistency week in and week out,” said Fallon, who enters his 13th season at the helm. “I think our defense will surprise people because they are so athletic, and we’re also focusing on special teams.”

Red Bank Catholic

Andrew Casten, who ran for more than 1,000 yards a year ago, will spearhead the Caseys’ attack this fall in coach Jim Portela’s West Coast multiple-I. Fullbacks Mike Dorsi and Chris Donald both saw significant time last year, so RBC should have a solid ground game. D.J. Brown will also get the ball on occasion.

Ryan Spahr, a 6-2 junior, will run the offense behind center. The receiving corps includes three 6-footers — Ryan Doyle and juniors Frank Abt and Greg Golben — as well as Thomas Vaughan. Jack Tabb (6-4, 240) is back at tight end, where he has proved to be a solid blocker and receiver. Junior Doug Whitlock (6-3, 225) is in reserve.

The line is fairly big and deep. Mike Russell (6-2, 240), Dylan Chayes (6-3, 225) along with juniors Jim Portela (5-11, 215) and Anthony Dorsi (5-10, 215) are the starters, with Matt Paolillo (6-2, 235) and Ryan Byrne (6-3, 220) sharing one of the tackle spots. Tim Koar, A.J. Cassidy and junior Joe Castarelli will also see action up front.

Many of the linemen will see double duty on defense along with a pair of sophomores, Josh Klecko (6-2, 220), the son of former Jet standout Joe Klecko, and Richie Curran (6-0, 205).

“Our linemen are really one of the big strengths of this team,” Portela said. “They’re all big, and they’re very tenacious and physical.

The linebackers include Anthony Dorsi, Mike Dorsi, Donald, Tabb and Whitlock, as well as sophomore Dylan Hronich. Abt, Brown, Casten, Doyle, Vaughan, junior Kyle Dill and sophs Mike Corcione and James Taylor will juggle duties in the secondary.

“We have some young guys breaking in, particularly in the secondary. If they can adapt quickly, we should be in good shape,” the coach said.

Red Bank Regional

Second-year coach Nick Giglio is emphasizing defense following a year where the Bucs held opponents to under 21 points on just two occasions. In addition, an infusion of talent from the undefeated freshman team has added optimism in Red Bank.

Big Jack Kulat (6-5, 240) leads the defense. He and Perri Campanella (5-10, 240), who also handles place-kicking, are the ends, with Noah Gradl (5-10, 225) and Chris Tomaino (5-11, 220) are the tackles. Andre Bowles (6-0, 180), juniors Pat Quinn (5-9, 185) and Nick Patterson (6-2, 170) and sophomores Dylan Stambaugh (5-8, 220) and Ajhan Wilson (5-10, 175) are the linebackers.

Giglio will rotate several players through the secondary, including Jahmer Bunch, Tyler Charette, Tyheem Crawford, Brian Scanlon and sophomores Jahmere Hinton and Tajhi Tomaino.

“We have a lot more depth defensively than last year, and our safeties are strong and athletic,” Giglio said. “We’re well ahead of the curve in learning compared to last year.”

On the other side of scrimmage, Giglio will hand the ball to Mike Reardon (6-1, 185), who returns at quarterback. Terrance Scanlon, a promising junior, may spell Reardon from time to time. Bunch, Quinn, Hinton and soph fullback Isaac Coates (5- 10, 280) are the primary running backs. Crawford, Brian Scanlon and Tajhi Tomaino are the wideouts.

Kulat and Luke Roskowinski (6-1, 230) are the tackles, with Ron Rialardi (6-3, 230) and sophomore Garrett Sickles (6-4, 225) at the guards, and junior Tyler Karalevich (6- 0, 230) at center.

“I think our skill guys will make a difference for us if we can get it to them consistently,” the coach said. “Last year our offensive line was kind of thrown in before they were ready. That experience was tough, but it helped them. The line will be much better this year.”