Gaeta, Murphy, Irvin top all-district football team
By tim morris
Staff Writer

Manalapan’s return to the state playoffs and a school-record for wins in a season by Colts Neck highlighted the 2002 gridiron season in the Freehold Regional District.

Tom Tarver’s Braves rode the inspired play of seniors like Mike Gaeta, Jon Pappa, Sean Boyle and company to a 7-3 record and a trip to the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs for the first time in four years. They also challenged for the Shore Conference American Division title, falling one game short of champion Toms River North. It was a rewarding season for Manalapan upperclassmen, who had taken their lumps over the last two years.

Colts Neck posted the best record in the District, 8-2, but didn’t make the state playoffs because of power points. Matt Murphy provided one of the highlights of the season when he was selected the Tri-State’s Defensive Player of the Week by the Madison Square Garden Network back in September. That earned the Cougar defensive back a trip to the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City and the opportunity to meet 2002 Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer of the University of Southern California, as well as past winners of the award.

Colts Neck played in one of the year’s best games, falling to Keyport in overtime. That turned out to be the game that decided the National Division title.

In the last three years, Mike McArthur’s Cougars have gone 21-10, the best record in the district.

It was a bounce back year for Cory Davies’ Howell Rebels as they climbed back to a 5-5 season after a pair of rough campaigns. Quarterback Dan Irvin was one of the big reasons Howell was in contention for the state playoffs up to the deadline week.

Although their team’s didn’t have big campaigns, it didn’t stop players from Freehold Borough, Freehold Township and Marlboro from shining.

The Pats’ Erik Yngstrom was as good as anyone on the defensive side of the ball at making plays. Township rebounded from a 1-6 start to win two of its last three games, including an upset of state playoff-bound Lakewood.

Freehold Borough had the big play threat in Damian Walcott while at Marlboro, first-year coach Dave Curtin could rely on Preston Pleuretes.

If there was a Player of the Year, it was Gaeta, and he tops the News Transcript’s 2002 All-Freehold District Football Team offense. Joining him are running backs Chris Hegel (Manalapan), Terrence Tatum (Howell), Lou Beninato (Colts Neck) and Pleuretes; wide receivers Pappa and Matt Maniscalco and Brian Smith, Howell; tight end Dan Loughlin, Howell; linemen Jim Breese (Freehold Borough), Mike Savoye and Rich Robertiello (Howell), Marc Gumnic (Manalapan), Anthony DeStefano and Rich McGraw (Colts Neck) and Ryan Brand (Marlboro); place kicker John DeTulio; and returner Shannon Hill, Howell.

The all-district defense players are linemen Yngstrom, Joe Kircher and Rich Peckio (Manalapan), Mike Heiser and Matt Metta (Howell), Sean Grant (Freehold Borough), and Bryant Wilson (Colts Neck); linebackers Boyle and Brenden Provow (Manalapan), Ryan Keller (Colts Neck), Mike Heiser (Howell), Chris Zduniak (Marlboro), and Kenny Jomo (Freehold Borough); backs Murphy, Irvin, and T.J. Meagher (Marlboro), Steve Moody (Howell) and Kyle St. Angelo, Manalapan; punter Bobby Skiba, Manalapan; and returner Walcott.

Big players make big plays and that’s what Gaeta did time and again for the Braves. The senior put his team on his back at times, leading them to a return to the postseason. If there was a Player of the Year, it was the Brave signal caller. Whether it was running the option, scrambling, sitting in the pocket or throwing on the run, he made every play possible for Manalapan. He accounted for 23 touchdowns, 12 running and 11 passing. Gaeta was 90-163 for 1,251 yards and paved the way for a balanced Manalapan attack that averaged 315 yards a game (eighth best in the Shore). Gaeta picked up 598 yards rushing and, when combined with his passing, he averaged 184.9 yards a game in total offense — one of the best figures in district history.

Beyond the statistics, Gaeta’s leadership was immeasurable. He exuded confidence and that carried over to everyone else on the team.

Gaeta just happens to be one of the state’s top wrestlers as well. He begins the 2002-03 season as a three-time Neptune Classic and NJSIAA District 21 champion.

Tatum provided the solid running game that helped the Rebels air it out more this fall. A 1,000-yard rusher in 2001, teams concentrated on stopping the senior. Still, he rushed for 692 yards on the season and averaged a healthy 5.1 yards a game. He scored four touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving).

Hegel was headed for 1,000 yards before a broken finger limited his carries and kept him out of one game. The senior picked up the tough yards inside for the Braves that complemented Gaeta and the passing game. Hegel gained 683 yards and scored six touchdowns.

Beninato is another tough back who picked up his yards off-tackle. He was the key to Colts Neck’s ball control attack. He picked up 763 yards and scored eight touchdowns and one two-point conversion. He accounted for 89 tackles as a linebacker for the Cougars.

Pleuretes was a bright spot for first-year coach Dave Curtin. He proved to be a dependable back who can grind the yards out. The junior gained 467 yards and averaged four yards as carry. As a linebacker, he was in on 59 tackles. He gives the team someone to build the offense and defense around next year.

The 6-3 Pappa provided Gaeta with a big target and Gaeta took full advantage of Pappa’s sure hands and talent for getting open. Pappa pulled down 45 passes this year for 722 yards. He was on the receiving end of eight of Gaeta’s touchdown passes. His long play of the season was 70 yards.

Maniscalco and Smith were the favorite receivers of Irvin this fall as Howell returned to its air game to get to .500. Maniscalco was on the receiving end of 43 passes, and Smith for 28 more. Maniscalco averaged 11.3 yards a catch and Smith, 13.3. Each caught four touchdown passes.

Loughlin did double duty as a blocker and receiver. He averaged 16.1 yards a catch with 19 receptions totaling 306 yards. He pulled in two TD passes.

There would be no gaudy offensive stats without the players in the trenches — the offensive linemen.

The 6-1, 260-pound Gumnic anchored a Manalapan line that helped the Braves average 315 yards and 25 points a game in 2002.

Savoye and Robertiello were the cornerstones of Howell’s offensive line, a line that gave Irvin time to pass and opened up holes for Tatum.

DeStefano (5-11, 220) and McGraw (6-3, 220) are very versatile linemen. Because of their quickness they can pull and make plays down the field, and they also enabled the Cougars to run the power game.

Marlboro’s Brand, 6-3, 265, was a force in every game for Marlboro. The Mustangs looked to run behind him when they needed a first down.

Breese had an outstanding two-way season for the Colonials. He was the foundation of the offensive line and defensively had six quarterback sacks.

DeTulio was an added weapon for Colts Neck with his place-kicker. He provided the winning points on more than one occasion. His 36 points were fourth best in the Shore. The senior was not only accurate, but long. His 42-yard field goal was second longest in the Shore. He also had 38-yards among his seven field goals.

Hill averaged 19 yards per kick off return, and 10.6 on punt returns. His 88-yard touchdown return against Township helped ignite Howell to its Thanksgiving Day win.

Yngstrom (6-2, 255) was always around the ball making plays for the Pats. The only hold-over from the 2001 team that led the Pats to a 3-7 season, he played every down like the game was on the line. A three-year starter, Yngstrom’s leadership was vital in sparking the late-season rally.

Peckio (6-0, 210) and Kircher (6-1, 275) were a formidable duo on the defensive line. Peckio was in on 44 tackles, including five quarterback sacks. Kircher had four sacks and was in on 37 tackles. The Braves were ninth in the Shore in total defense (201 yards per game).

Grant (6-0, 240) was in on 37 tackles including nine for losses. He had three quarterback sacks among those behind the scrimmage.

Heiser (5-8, 210) and Metta (5-10, 275) were forces on the D line for Howell as each had 12 tackles for a loss. The alert Heiser had three fumble recoveries and 36 total tackles, while Metta had four quarterback sacks and 44 total tackles.

Wilson was the cornerstone of Colts Neck’s defensive line. He registered 52 total tackles including a team-high seven behind the line of scrimmage. He also had four quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries. The Cougars defense ranked fourth in the Shore, allowing just 180 yards a game.

Boyle and Provow were always around the action, sparking a very aggressive and effective Manalapan defense. Boyle rated higher than any other Braves defender. He made 83 total tackles, including a team-high 61 primary. He also led the team in sacks (six) and tackles for a loss (15). He also had a team-high four fumble recoveries.

Provow was in on 62 tackles, leading the team in assists (24). He had 3.5 sacks and six tackles for a loss. Russell spearheaded the Rebels’ linebacking corps. He came up with 56 total tackles, including four for a loss. He recovered three fumbles and had one pass interception.

Keller was the busiest of all Cougar defenders, coming up with 100 total tackles on the season, including 59 solo stops. Six of his tackles were for losses and he had four quarterback sacks. Keller, a bruising fullback, rushed for 531 yards and five touchdowns.

Jomo had 73 tackles for the Colonials and came up with three pass interceptions including one that he returned for a touchdown.

Like all good linebackers, Zduniak was the Mustangs’ play-maker, whether it was stopping the run, rushing the quarterback or getting back in pass coverage. He made 80 tackles and led the team in quarterback sacks with five.

Teams stopped throwing to Murphy’s side of the field. That’s how intimidating the Cougar back was. It doesn’t get any better than his four interception games against Shore Regional when he took one of them back 86 yards for a TD. It was the longest pass interception return for a touchdown in the Shore this year. He collected seven picks on the season and had an additional six pass break-ups. He was in on 33 total tackles. The versatile Murphy caught a team-high 26 passes for 378 yards and ran for 184 yards. He scored six offensive touchdowns to go along with his two

Irvin provided leadership on both sides of the ball for Howell. His 1,440 passing yards on 106 for 209 passing and 12 TDs sparked the offense and was a big reason Howell enjoyed success this year. Defensively, in the backfield he was equally effective. He had one interception and one fumble recovery and was in on 31 total tackles. He blocked four kicks.

Moody teamed up with Irvin to give Howell one of its best secondary tandems. The senior was in on 42 tackles this year, blocked a pair of punts, picked up two fumbles and had one pass interception.

St. Angelo will be one of the cornerstones for the 2003 Braves. The junior is a superb cover made in the secondary and came up with three pass interceptions. A sure-tackler as well, he was tough against the run, making 49 stops, including 32 primary tackles. St. Angelo also proved to be more than a capable wide receiver with nine catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

Meagher was another defensive back who was an added tackler and a cover man. The senior led the team in tackles with 81, tying Zduniak and Pleuretes for most solo stops, 31. He had four pass interceptions to pace the team as well.

Walcott is a player who strikes fear into the opposition with his ability to take any play to the house. The junior had an outstanding, all-around season in 2002. He gained 726 total yards from scrimmage, scoring seven touchdowns. He averaged 8.7 yards per punt return. Walcott also scored touchdowns on a kickoff return and a pass interception.

Skiba was effective as both an offensive and defensive kicker for the Braves. He was fifth in scoring among kickers (34 points on 19 PATs and five field goals). His punting pinned teams deep in their territory, forcing them to go the long field against an outstanding defense.

Those earning honorable mention for 2002 are: Todd Hampton, wide receiver; Joe Conaghan, defensive lineman and Brandon Emmons, defensive back — Colts Neck; Mat Coulson, wide receiver; Anthony DeCapua, offensive lineman; Jesse Leone, offensive lineman; Jesse Rudman, linebacker; Josh Mitchell, offensive lineman; Jon Danziger, linebacker; and Brian Maida, place-kicker — Freehold Borough; Jason Blum, offensive lineman; Sirad Summerlin, linebacker; Todd Gorski, defensive back; Andrew Smith, punter; Kyle Smith, wide receiver; and Joe Florio, defensive lineman — Freehold Township; Tom Papia, offensive lineman; Ryan Bernard, offensive lineman; Chris Vicari, offensive lineman; Bob Ware, defensive lineman; Bryan Puccio, defensive lineman; Gary Zappi, linebacker; and Rob Rucz, linebacker — Howell; Chris Carmichael, offensive lineman; Tom Saunders, defensive lineman; Joe San Pietro, linebacker; Bobby Plaza, wide receiver; Mike Dattolo, running back; and Doug Frueh, linebacker — Manalapan; and Jim Sage, tight end; Joe Wallis, offensive lineman; Kyle Dunleavy, defensive back; Greg Tabakman, returner; and Steve Oved, defensive lineman — Marlboro.