Colonials looking to turn it around with depth
Borough kicks off season Saturday at home against Lakewood
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Above, Freehold Borough quarterback gets set to fire the ball downfield during a recent scrimmage against Monmouth Regional in Freehold. Below, fullback Terrance Howard breaks free for a big run.

As Freehold Borough's football players see it, they've paid their dues.For the past two seasons, the predominately underclass Colonials took their lumps against the likes of state No. 1 Middletown South, Wall and Long Branch.

Now, experienced, bigger and stronger, the Colonials are looking to turn the tables this fall.

"We've had to play the younger guys the last two years and we're looking to reap some benefits," said head coach Mark Ciccotelli. "You can only get pushed around so long. The kids have taken it personal."

The Colonials did loose quarterback Danny Matthews (to Montclair State University) and giant offensive lineman Bryce Carter (Temple University), who will be hard to replace for both their talent and leadership. But Freehold is in a much better position than it was at this time last year, as the Colonials have experienced players who are more physically mature.

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The offensive line has three returning starters, and the way they've played in scrimmages has made the Colonials rethink their offensive approach. Ciccotelli noted that he has an offensive line that is more physical than they've had in the past, and is capable of dominating the line of scrimmage, moving defensive lines backward. As a result, the Colonials should be able to control the ball more this year with the running game.

Brandon Carter, Bryce's younger brother, is one of three returning starters to the line. He's a guard along with Pete Gerbehy and center Chris D'Olivera. They go between 230 and 260 pounds each.

The tackles will be Ryan Ronaldo and Mike Dragonette.

"They did a good job in the offseason," Ciccotelli said of the work his linemen put in the weight room.

Brian Prisk, a junior, will start at quarterback, and his ability to stretch defenses with his long passing game is something the Colonials are looking to utilize.

"He has a strong arm and is very accurate," said Ciccotelli. "He's good in the pocket and on play action."

Prisk has some game-breakers to throw the ball to in wide receivers Brandon Brown, Alex Fernandez and Jeff Frost. They are all between 6-1 and 6-2.

"They are athletic and can run," said Ciccotelli. "We're going to stretch the field vertically."

Look for a lot of yards-after-catch from these receivers.

The loss of Robert James to a broken ankle in the third game of the season was a big blow for the Colonials last season. The fullback is back and punishing as ever.

His backfield teammate is Jahquan Fenn. James brings a physical presence, and Fenn the potential for the big play.

A freshman, Malik Parrish, who has looked very, very good in scrimmages, will get some touches this year, as will Terrence Howard.

With a more physical line than in the past, the Colonials are looking to go straight at teams and control the line of scrimmage. That translates to time of possession edge, something the team hasn't been able to do. The running game, Ciccotelli pointed out, will set up Prisk for his play-action passes and the vertical passing game.

Tight end Keyshawn Richardson is like having an extra blocker. The Colonials will be looking to get him involved in the passing game downfield.

Jerry Plescia will be doing the kicking chores, and Ciccotelli sees him as a weapon on kickoffs and field goals.

The trio of returning linebacker James, Richardson and Fenn are the heart and soul of the Colonial defense. Freehold Borough will present an odd-man front, going with a 3-5-3 formation that takes advantage of the team's overall talent.

"It's a speed defense," noted Ciccotelli. "We can let them be aggressive."

James is the very definition of aggressive on the gridiron, and he leads a unit that gets to the ball from sideline to sideline and makes plays.

Cody Lovgren and Dave Carbonara round out the linebacker corps that has one thing in common, its athleticism.

Leo Reason will start at the nosetackle, with Casey Waake (who is also the punter) and Luis Torres will start at end, with Carter and Gerbehy rotating with Waake and Torres.

"Our front eight is playing really well," said Ciccotelli. "We're looking to beat offenses to the punch."

The secondary will feature a rotation of Brown, Howard, Plescia and Parrish.

As he looks ahead to the 2006 season, which for Freehold Borough begins Saturday at home against Lakewood (1 p.m. kickoff), Ciccotelli has a luxury he hasn't had in his first two years at the borough, depth.

"For the first time we have depth, which you need to get through a season," he said. "Good things are happening. I'm optimistic we're going to get it going."

The Colonials remain in the Federal Division of the Shore Conference.

After opening with the Piners, the Colonials are on the road Sept. 21 at Ocean Township before ending September at home against Neptune (1 p.m.).

The annual Thanksgiving Day with Colts Neck is on the road this year on Nov. 23 (10 a.m. kickoff).