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Wagner, Gurrieri top All-District football team
Running backs Kevin Wagner, of Freehold Township, and Eddie Gurrieri, of Manalapan, put themselves among their school’s finest ever, while on the receiving end, Manalapan’s Greg DiLorenzo and Marlboro’s Rodney Salomon set school records. Dominick Lepore’s Freehold Township Patriots were the area’s best team. They went undefeated within the Freehold District and beat Old Bridge in the NJSIAA consolation game. The Pats averaged better than 20 points a game.
First-year coaches Mark Ciccotelli (Freehold Borough) and John Fiore (Marlboro) saw their team take positive strides in ’04. Freehold Borough closed the season with three straight wins. That was after opening at 0-7. Ciccotelli was impressed with the character his team displayed in not quitting on the season.
Wagner, Gurrieri, DiLorenzo and Salomon top the News Transcript’s 2004 All-Freehold Regional District Football Team, as selected by the coaches. Joining Wagner and Gurrieri in the backfield are backs Chris Kauffman, of Marlboro, and Danny Matthews, of Freehold Borough. The quarterbacks are Tom Porricelli, of Freehold Township, and Nick Scardelli, of Manalapan. The wide receivers are DiLorenzo and Salomon, Howell’s Brian Smith and Freehold Township Korey Yngstrom. The tight end is Freehold Township’s John Weir. The offensive linemen are Joe Carlino, Freehold Township; Jordan Andrews and Justin Bloss, Manalapan; David Owens and Bryce Carter, Freehold Borough; Brian Tiscia, Marlboro; Josh Barnhard, Howell; and Tom Carpenter, Colts Neck. Freehold Township’s Justin Summerlin heads the defensive linemen on the squad. They are Justin Eisenhart, of Manalapan, Bryan Blutstein and Jared Blumetti, of Marlboro, Matt Hehner, of Howell and Anthony Renner, of Colts Neck. The linebackers are Matt Weidman, Freehold Township; Corey DeCastro, Manalapan; Justin Mohr, Freehold Borough; Jordan Giallanzo, Marlboro; and John Bunnicont, Howell. The secondary is led by Freehold Township’s Chris Dorf with Manalapan’s Alex Widener and Cordel High, Marlboro’s Joe Levine, Howell’s Anthony Reda, and Freehold Borough’s Sam Quinones. Howell’s versatile Ryan McGuinness is the utility player. Freehold Borough’s Brian Maida is the place kicker and Marlboro’s Justin Braz, the punter. Seldom, if ever, has the District had two 1,200-yard rushers in the same season, but that’s what it had with Gurrieri and Wagner, both the heart and soul of their respective offenses. When the season started, the Patriots knew they had to lean hard on Wagner. To the team’s delight, the senior proved to be someone who could carry the ball 25-30 times a game, game-in and game-out, as his 234 carries for the season will attest. Even with defenses marking him, Wagner picked up his yards. He set the school record for yards in a single season, surpassing Scott Vega’s total by becoming the first Patriot to surpass 1,200 yards (1,218). In the final game of his career, he ran for 221 yards against Howell and scored two touchdowns as Township’s 19-6 win secured the team’s winning season. He scored 10 touchdowns on the season. Gurrieri followed up his 1,000-plus season as a junior with another big season. The senior brought the big play to the offense with his quickness. His 1,231 yards are second only to Reggie Grant for a single season. He averaged 5.55 yards per carry with a long run of 60 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns and averaged 123 yards a game. He ran for 271 yards in the win over Marlboro that led to the team’s 5-5 record. Matthews is one of the reasons that the Colonials are looking forward to the 2005 season. An option quarterback, he excelled as a rusher (600 rushing yards on the season, 7 touchdowns), sparking the offense with his ability to make the big play. He totaled over 1,100 yards on the year, as his passing came along as the season progressed and now Freehold Borough has a QB who can both run and pass with efficiency. Marlboro’s Kauffman provided ball control with his steady runs inside the tackles. The junior picked up 548 yards on 126 carries and scored three touchdowns. He was an effective passer, completing three of his six option passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. His off-tackle running will be one of the foundations of Marlboro’s offense next year. Porricelli and Scardelli were big reasons their respective teams enjoyed success in ’04. After being a quarterback who was just asked to manage the offense as a sophomore, the Patriots looked for Porricelli to make plays this year, and he did just that. The junior was 70-for-145 for 1,117 yards, but more importantly, he had 13 touchdown passes and just five picks. His passing complimented Wagner’s running, making the Pats the highest scoring team in the area. He also made plays with his legs, scoring four touchdowns. Lepore looks forward to having a three-year starter barking the signals next year. Scardelli blossomed into a quarterback who could make plays downfield with his arm. He completed 100 of his 185 passes for 1,356 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Braves go into next year knowing they are very secure at quarterback. DiLorenzo was the leading pass receiver in the Shore Conference, pulling down a school record 49 aerials for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. His 14.9 yards per catch are testament to his ability to make plays downfield as well as the midrange possession passes. He caught more passes in his career than any other Brave. Salomon broke the career pass-receiving record held by none other than Myles Macik, who went on to set numerous receiving records at the University of Pennsylvania before going on to play for the Detroit Lions in the NFL. Fiore’s goal on offense this year was simple: get the ball to Rodney. The 6-4 Salomon was one of the most feared receivers in the Shore with his combination of size, speed and sure hands. He had 29 catches for a school-record 520 yards. His six touchdown receptions were also a school record. Because of injuries, Howell started three different quarterbacks this years. That wasn’t good for chemistry with the wide receivers. Still, no matter who lined up behind center, when a player needed to be made passing, they looked to Smith, who had a knack for coming down with the ball in traffic. He had 30 receptions for 432 yards (14.4 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown as well, averaging 27.8 yards per return. Yngstrom was Freehold Township’s playmaker downfield. The senior had 15 receptions that covered 226 yards (15 yards a catch) and he pulled down one touchdown. Tight end Weir was valuable as a blocker and possession receiver. He had eight receptions on the year, but good for 110 yards. He stretched defenses with his ability to go deep. He caught one touchdown pass. Carlino was the foundation of a Freehold Township line that helped the Patriots average 20.9 points per game, and allowed them to throw and run the ball with equal effectiveness. The Pats averaged more than 260 yards a game in total offense. Seniors Andrews and Bloss provided the experience on the Brave offensive line that came into its own as the season progressed and averaged more than 275 yards a game in total offense, best in the District. Ownes and Carter guided an offensive line that matured during the season and became a force in November allowing the team to win its last three games. Colts Neck’s offense had trouble generating points this year, but led by Carpenter’s polished play at guard, the Cougars were able to move the ball against an upgraded schedule. Tiscia was one of the underclassmen who is giving the Mustangs reason for optimism next year. The junior tackle helped provide the team with the ability to run and throw the ball. Howell was very young this year and junior tackle Barnhard was one of the underclassmen who stood out. He will be the anchor of next fall’s offensive line. Maida was a four-year force for Freehold Borough as a place-kicker. This year he kicked two 30-plus field goals as Ciccotelli didn’t hesitate to use his right foot to put points on the scoreboard. He’s one place-kicker who can’t be considered soft, he plays linebacker as well. Summerlin put pressure on defenses and was constantly in the offenses backfield. He had 30 tackles and four pass break-ups. Blumetti and Blutstein were two of the reasons the Mustangs were no pushovers on defense. Blumetti had 65 total tackles and a fumble recovery. Blutstein was in on 64 stops, including two quarterback sacks. He also had one fumble recovery and one blocked extra point. Eisenhart was Manalapan’s playmaker on the defensive line, and teams zeroed in on stopping him. The senior was in on 30 tackles and the concentration on him opened things up for his linemates. Hehner, a senior, was Howell’s force on the line, leading the team with tackles for a loss (nine), batted passes (three) and quarterback hurries (three). He had 35 total tackles and recovered three fumbles. Colts Neck’s big presence on the line was senior Renner. The All-District linebackers have the same things in common — they were playmakers. DeCastro led the Braves with 102 total tackles, including 57 solo stops. He recovered two fumbles and had one quarterback sack. Weidman made 51 tackles for the Patriots. He had a fumble recovery and two pass break-ups. Mohr anchored the Colonials defense sideline to sideline with his nose for the ball. The senior was constantly in the action for the Borough, recording 80 tackles on the year. Giallanzo, another member of Marlboro’s promising junior class, was in on 77 tackles for the Mustangs. He had two quarterback sacks and one safety. Bunnicont had 53 total tackles, including seven for a loss for the Rebels. The junior gives Howell someone to build the defense around next year. Dorf was a field general in the secondary for the Patriots. Once again he was one of the leading thieves in the Shore at intercepting passes with four. He had six pass break-ups and made 35 tackles. The senior was an equal threat on offense with 18 catches, seven of which went for touchdowns. Widener was the team co-leader with three pass interceptions, and was third in total tackles with 71. The senior was also a wide receiver, catching 18 for 302 yards and five touchdowns. High, a junior, had a pair of interceptions to go with 41 total tackles that included 28 solo stops. Offense QuarterbackTom PorricelliFreehold Twp.junior Nick ScardelliManalapanjunior Running backKevin WagnerFreehold Twp.senior Eddie GurrieriManalapansenior Danny MatthewsFreehold Borojunior Chris KauffmanMarlborojunior Wide receiverRodney SalomonMarlborosenior Greg DiLorenzoManalapansenior Brian SmithHowellsenior Korey YngstromFreehold Twp.senior Tight endJohn WeirFreehold Twp.senior LinemanJoe CarlinoFreehold Twp.junior Jordan AndrewsManalapansenior Justin BlossManalapansenior David OwensFreehold Borosenior Bryce CarterFreehold Borojunior Bryan TisciaMarlborojunior Josh BarnhardHowellsenior Tom CarpenterColts Necksenior Place kickerBrian MaidaFreehold Borosenior Defense LinemanJustin SummerlinFreehold Twp.senior Matt HehnerHowellsenior Justin EisenhartManalapansenior Bryan BlutsteinMarlborosenior Jared BlumettiMarlborosenior Anthony RennerColts Necksenior LinebackerCorey DeCastroManalapanjunior Justin MohrFreehold Borosenior Mike WeidmanFreehold Twp.senior John BunnicontHowelljunior Jordan GiallanzoMarlborojunior SecondaryChris DorfFreehold Twp.senior Alex WidenerManalapansenior Sam QuinonesFreehold Borojunior Joe LevineMarlborojunior Anthony RedaHowellsenior Cordel HighManalapanjunior Utility playerRyan McGuinnessHowellsenior PunterJustin BrazMarlborosenior 2004 All-Freehold Regional District Football Team The Braves only permitted 482 yards in the air all season. Reda led the Rebels in total tackles with 92, including 50 unassisted. He recovered five fumbles (team high) and had three tackles for a loss. Quinones is one of a number of underclassmen who made an impact for the Colonials this year and the reason for optimism next fall. The defensive back is a junior. Levine was one of the busier secondary players in the area. He was in on 71 tackles, including a quarterback sack. He had three pass interceptions and one safety. It’s not an understatement to say that McGuinness did it all for the Howell Rebels, because he did. The senior led the team in rushing with 384 yards and had 17 pass receptions. He scored eight touchdowns, four rushing, three as a pass receiver and one on a punt return. McGuinness averaged 15.9 yards per punt return. His 64 solo tackles led the team and he had 84 total stops on the season. Braz averaged better than 33 yards per punt for the Mustangs. His hang time and directional kicking were a weapon. Like Maida, Braz was in there mixing it up as a tailback and linebacker. He made 80 tackles during the season. Those earning Honorable Mention were: Steve Patelis (offensive lineman), Pat Six (running back), Joe Vrola (utility player), Nick Bibbo (defensive lineman), Dominick Hayes (linebacker) and Darren Barnett (linebacker), Colts Neck; Brent Donnelly (linebacker), Freehold Borough; Bill August (linebacker), Jesse Shenko (defensive back), Matt Ackerman (offensive lineman), Mike Fox (offensive lineman), J.R. Carlino (utility player) and Tom Heslin (defensive lineman), Freehold Township; Paul Caporaso (offensive lineman), Jesse Borrelli (defensive lineman), Anthony Grimes (defensive lineman) and Tyler Crapanzano (defensive back), Howell; Rocco Lamagna, Manalapan; and Rob Boyce (quarterback), Doug Feller (linebacker) and Scott Katzelnick (offensive lineman), Marlboro.
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