Despite Injuries, Warriors Looking for Big Season

Before Manasquan’s football team can fully embark on its usual journey deep into the state playoffs, the Warriors have to find a way to keep their top players on the field.

Several key injuries have swept through the ranks from the offseason right up through August, but there’s no time to dwell on it with a pivotal, season-opening game at Shore Conference Class C Central rival Point Boro at 7 p.m. on Friday.

"You come in, pencil positions down and then the next thing you know, four two-way players are gone,'' new head coach Jay Price said. "On the positive side, we've gotten looks at people who could be the next guy, so it's a blessing and a curse.''

Senior quarterback Tyler Saito had left elbow surgery in May on his non-throwing arm following a collision at first base in a baseball game for the Warriors. He did not play in any of Manasquan’s preseason scrimmages, but plans to be under center against the Panthers on Friday night.

"I'm getting there,'' Saito said. "I'm not 100 percent with the elbow yet, and I probably won't be until next May.''

"It's just one of those things that's completely out of our control, so we have to move on,'' Price said. "Tyler couldn't lift a weight this summer, but he would show up, sit there and coach kids on. He's been like a coach in the offseason and a great motivator and leader.''

Senior running back Kodie McNamara, Manasquan’s leading returning rusher, did not play in the Warriors’ game scrimmage against Red Bank Catholic for precautionary reasons because of a hamstring injury. He has some big shoes to fill, as Manasquan graduated tailback Tariq Turner, who rushed for 1,761 yards and 27 touchdowns last season to put himself among the top backs in the Shore Conference.

"Kodie is going to fill in that spot and be fine, without a doubt,'' Saito said.

"I know we lost Tariq, but we've got a lot of other offensive players coming back as well, so we're confident in our offense,'' McNamara said. "As the tailback, you almost feel the pressure of the load of the offense on you, but I'm used to that.''

The Warriors will also work in senior Cole McMahon and sophomores Joe Murphy and Joe Fittin at tailback in their multiple-I attack to take some of the wear and tear off McNamara. Saito will also be operating out of a pistol look about four yards behind center in order to use his athleticism and passing ability now that he is in his third season of varsity action.

The wide receiving core returns with experience and will feature seniors Lou Schiavone, Josh Aromando, Bryan Abadrabo and junior Connor Grogan. Senior Tyler Dwyer, who saw time last season, is another target at tight end.

Senior Sean Place is a returning starter on the offensive line, where he will move from tackle to center. Seniors Andy Trengrove and Curtis Jenkins are newcomers at the guard spots, and senior Kevin Dolan, who saw time last year, will be at tackle along with senior Matt Trubenbach-Byrne. Abadrabo will be the kicker, while Saito will handle the punting.

Perhaps the most damaging injury that has hit Manasquan may belong to senior defensive tackle Christian Morgan, one of the top returning defensive linemen in the division. Morgan suffered a bilateral fracture of his L5 verterbra in his back that is impinging on nerves, according to Price. He may be out for an extended stretch, which is blow to the front seven on defense, especially against a team like Point Boro that will attack Manasquan up the middle with its flexbone option offense.

It wouldn’t be the first time Manasquan had to deal with a cruel blow to a top player, as last year, current senior Adam Iatesta suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason when he was projected to start at linebacker. He has returned this season and will be the middle linebacker, while McNamara is a returning starter at outside linebacker and a glue player who is able to play multiple positions. Senior Zack Vasilenko will be the other outside linebacker.

A host of newcomers will be up front on defense in Manasquan's 4-3 alignment. Seniors Dominic Vigliante and Pat Gianforte are the defensive ends, where junior Grant Castellanos also should see some time. Gianforte, Place, and sophomore Matt Forst, the younger brother of Rutgers lineman Art Forst, will try to hold the fort at defensive tackle until Morgan returns.

McMahon is a returning starter at safety who will anchor the secondary. Seniors Chris Miller and Ed McGrady will be the cornerbacks, with Aromando rotating in. Grogan will start at the other safety spot, with Abadrabo and Fittin adding depth at the position.

No matter who takes the field, the goal is always the same at one of the state’s top programs.

"We always plan on playing 12 games,'' McNamara said.

The Warriors came up one short of that goal last season when they were knocked off by Matawan in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II semifinals, but they return armed with a senior core that went undefeated as freshmen and a talented group of newcomers. Price has taken over as the head coach for Pete Cahill, who stepped down to take a vice principal job at the high school. A veteran staff remains intact, so the change in title has not distracted business as usual at one of the state's top programs.

"It's just a different name on a piece of paper,'' said senior quarterback Tyle Saito. "Everything is exactly the same.''

Now it’s up to a group that was stamped for greatness as freshmen to deliver as seniors.

"This senior core that we have has been playing all kinds of sports together forever and is really a tight-knit group,'' Price said. "It reminds me of our 2005 team (that won a state title). Hopefully that togetherness will produce mental toughness and chemistry that will bring us through.''

The hunt is on for a second straight Class C Central title and a Shore Conference-record 12th sectional title, as the Warriors chase defending CJ II champion Rumson-Fair Haven.

"A state championship is not out of the question,'' Saito said. "It never is.''