Boro's James was leader behind football champs
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Robert James is a coach's dream. "I love the game," said the Freehold Borough High School senior. "I love going out there and being in an atmosphere with 10 other guys who want it as badly as you do."

And as much as he enjoys playing football, what makes him a coach's dream is his team-first attitude.

"He's a soldier for us," said Colonial head coach Mark Ciccotelli. "He'll do anything we ask.

"He's just an outstanding kid," he added. "It's like having a coach on the field."

That was never truer than this fall. When the Colonials were in need of an offensive lineman because of injuries, it was James who made the switch from the more prestigious position of running the ball to faceless lineman for the good of the team.

It was an unselfish move and one that let his teammates know just how committed he was to the team and winning. It made it easier for everyone to fall in line behind their cocaptain. The end result, a Shore Conference Federal Division championship and a trip to the NJSIAA state sectional playoffs.

The title, James remarked, didn't come easy.

"We put in four years of hard work and it paid off," he said. "This was the year we always talked about since we were freshmen, the year when we'd be seniors.

"We opened a lot of people's eyes this year," he added. "We put Freehold back on the map."

The Colonials had made steady progress since James' freshman year, but no one save the Colonials themselves could have believed they could do in 2007 what they did. It started week one beating Lakewood.

"That was a big thing for us," said James. "They were a very athletic team and it showed how athletic we are.

"We came to play," he added. "It was close all the way. It was a pivotal game."

The Colonials gained momentum from the season opening victory and took it all the way to the division title.

The championship came at the expense of Middletown South, the team that has been the best public school program in the state the last few years, and that had become accustomed pushing its conference brethren around. That all changed when Freehold went to Middletown and pulled off the 27-21 triumph.

The highlight of the season was unquestionably the 27-21 upset (don't tell the Colonials it was an upset) of Middletown South, the bully.

The offense carried the day by running out the final eight minutes of the game against a stunned Eagle defense.

"In the huddle, we said 'this is it, we've got to take it from here,'" said James, who was back at his fullback position for this game.

And, that's just what the offense did. The Eagle offense never saw the ball again.

What was priceless was the look in the eyes of the Eagle defenders. That's what James remembers most.

"The looks of disbelief in their eyes on that final drive said one, they didn't respect us, and two, they couldn't believe it," he pointed out.

James, ever a student of the game, made the most of his time on the line. It made him a player at the position he plays best, linebacker. He said he learned what linemen are looking for.

It's at linebacker where James takes over the field. He's simply everywhere making a play sideline to sideline or getting back in pass coverage, No. 3 hits anything that moves. His bone jarring tackles fires his teammates up and delivers a message to the opposition.

"When I make a play, everyone starts following," he explained. "I can feel it."

James' brother Josh James, who went on to play at Monmouth University before joining the U.S. Marines where he is currently serving in Iraq, was a linebacker for the Colonials the last time they won the division title and made their last trip to the playoffs (2001).

Although Josh is in Iraq, he and Robert stay in contact through e-mails.

"He was pretty happy for us," Robert said of his brother's appreciation of what the 2007 Colonials did.

While it's tough having his brother in Iraq, Robert said it's made easier by the fact that it is something his brother chose.

"It's what he wanted to do," said James. "He knew it [Iraq] was a possibility if he went into the infantry."

Robert and Josh are both in the 5-feet-8- inch range and have a younger brother, Dave James. A sophomore this year, Dave seems to be the one in the family with the size.

"He's the big one, he's 6-foot, 200 pounds," said Robert. "He plays on the offense and defensive lines."

Dave will need a big time heart to match what Robert did.

James credited Ciccotelli with helping him and his teammates reach their potential.

"Coach is always striving for perfection," he pointed out. "He made us better players and people."

Ciccottelli for his part has nothing but admiration for his standout.

"He has all the intangibles of a winner," he said. "We'll miss his overall leadership skills and his whole demeanor, the way he played very hard and physical. He was the heart and soul of the team."

It was an incredible season for Freehold Borough sports. The girls soccer team repeated as the State Group III champions and the football team and girls cross country team won division titles.

"It's been nice living in Freehold this year," he said. "Nice to meet people in town. We're all proud of Freehold Borough."

James is also proud that he and his senior teammates have the football team headed in the right direction. Through their dedication, focus and year-round work ethic, the Colonials that follow know the commitment that it takes to be successful. And, most important, if they follow their lead, they too can win championships.