Colonials looking for best effort every day JERRY WOLKOWITZ staff Freehold Borough quarterback Don Matthews races out of the pocket during an option play against Red Bank Catholic during a recent scrimmage in Red Bank. All that Mark Ciccotelli wants from his Freehold Borough Colonials is that they give their best effort all the time, be it practice or a game. With a new head coach bringing in new systems on both sides of the ball, there will be the expected adjustment period. “We have a whole new offensive and defensive system,” the Colonials’ new coach pointed out. “We just want to get better each day and take it to a new level. “We have to get the kids to understand that we have to play every play as if it is your last,” he added. That includes practice in particular, where Ciccotelli pointed out that perfect practice habits translates to perfect play on Saturdays. Graduation hit the Colonials hard in the backfield with the graduation of 1,000-yard rusher Damian Walcott and starting quarterback Chris Coulson. But the Colonials won’t be lacking for talent there this fall. Big-play maker Danny Matthews moves to quarterback this year, where he will have the opportunity to be more productive and exciting. “Danny is very athletic, he can run and throw the ball,” Ciccotelli pointed out. “He makes things happen.” Grinding fullback Brent Donnelly returns, and with his return comes a productive short-yards attack that moves the chains. “Brent leans forward when he runs, and gets positive yards,” noted Ciccotelli. Freehold Borough will be lining up in a three-back set this fall, with Steve Hodge and Justin Patterson the tailbacks. Receivers Tyrell Budd and Pat Healey make the Colonials a dangerous passing team. The 6-foot-3 Budd is a very inviting target downfield, and Healey runs great routes, knowing where to find the seams in a defense. And both, as Ciccotelli explained, can block downfield. Savante Parker will also be used as a wide receiver. Freehold Borough should be able to throw a balanced attack at defenses that will make the Colonials difficult to defend. “We’ll spread it around,” Ciccotelli remarked. “We’ll take what the defense gives us and take shots down the field.” In senior Brian Maida the Colonials have an added weapon, one of the Shore’s best placekickers. Maida has been a big part of the Freehold Borough offense since his freshman year and will be so again this year. Ciccotelli likes his 40-plus yard range. “We want points and we’ll take shots with Brian,” said Ciccotelli. Freehold Borough’s offensive line starts with center James Jadaki, who is flanked by guards David Owens and Bryce Carter, and tackles Nick Arnone and Chris Hohmann. “It’s a pretty athletic line,” said Ciccotelli. Carter provided the beef on a quick line, weighing in at 320 pounds. What Ciccotelli wants from his line is for it to get off the ball quickly. The Colonials will be equally aggressive on defense. “We’re looking to attack and dictate the game,” said Ciccotelli. Carter will start at nose guard on the line, backed up by Bryan Greenberg. Owens, Jadaki and Mike Priolo fill out the line that will throw a lot of stunts and different looks at offenses, with Budd the rushing end. In Freehold’s 4-4 defensive look, Justin Mohr, Jon Buchalski and Donnelly will rotate inside with Gary Lapena, Maida and Oliver Walker the outside backers. The secondary is good with Matthews and Patterson at the corners, and Hodge the safety. The first priority for Ciccotelli and the Colonials was to put last season behind them. After getting off to a promising start that seemed to have postseason written all over it, the team was beaten badly by Keyport in a critical division game and never recovered. With a new coach and coaching staff, the Colonials are starting over, and looking forward and not backwards. Right out of the gate, the Colonials will be tested. They host Raritan on Saturday in their first game of the season. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Freehold has moved up to the Federal Division of the Shore Conference, where they will be playing the likes of Neptune (away, Sept. 23), Middletown South (home, Oct. 2), Wall (away Oct. 8), Red Bank Regional (home, Oct. 16) and Long Branch (away, Oct. 23).