RED BANK – This year’s Red Bank Catholic football team has a tough act to follow after last year’s squad went undefeated on the way to capturing the NJSIAA Non-Public Group III championship for their second state title in five years and first undefeated season since 1960.
However, despite graduating many of the key contributors off of last season’s championship team, including Boston College freshman quarterback Steve Lubischer, the Caseys bring back a strong nucleus of players, including some of the most elite talent the Shore Conference has to offer and that bodes well for this year’s team.
“We didn’t lose as many as people would like to think we did,” said head coach Frank Edgerly when asked about graduated players. “We lost some key people but in high school football you lose guys every year. We actually bring back a lot more going into this year than we did last year, so we feel pretty good where we’re at.”
Replacing Lubischer won’t be an easy task and Edgerly will be turning to his son, Ryan, to take over the reins.
“Ryan’s had a great offseason and that’s carried over to summer and thus far into camp,” Edgerly said. “He’s extremely smart; he knows the system very well and he has a very accurate arm.”
The Caseys look to be a more run-heavy team this year and may even incorporate the wishbone into their offense with the deep and talented group of backs they bring back, including All-Shore selection Billy Guidetti, who rushed for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
“Billy’s a four-year player for us,” said Edgerly. “He became our full-time starter last year so with that depth of experience you’re hoping for an even bigger step forward.”
Senior Kevin Degnan, who rushed for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the regular-season final filling in for the injured Guidetti, saw extensive action a year ago and proved he could handle the load. Don’t be surprised if you see both Guidetti and Degnan in the same backfield as Edgerly has stated he wants to mix things up.
Senior Elijah Jules will get some carries too, especially if Edgerly utilizes a three-back backfield.
“We’re getting in and out of some things,” Edgerly said. “We’re going to sprinkle some things in. A lot of it is depth-related and we like the flexibility we have as an offense to get in and out of certain things.”
The offensive line returns three starters led by 6-foot-2, 265-pound junior Jake Louro, who will anchor the line from his center position after a break-out sophomore campaign that saw him evolve into one of the better lineman in the Shore.
“Jake’s really taken a big step forward,” said Edgerly. “He’s bigger and stronger and obviously has taken on a bigger leadership role based on his experience and performance from last year. He’s really emerging on both sides of the ball as a leader up front.”
He’ll be flanked on his left by 6-foot, 255-pound returning senior guard Chris Hart, who established himself as one of the most physical and punishing guards in the Shore last season, and on the right by 6-foot-2, 250-pound junior guard Luke Guidetti, back after a stellar sophomore season.
“This time last season we only had one offensive lineman coming back,” said Edgerly. “Right now we’re further ahead than we were a year ago at that spot and to have that unit come together and gel is always a work in progress.”
Red Bank Catholic has a knack of plugging big-bodied athletes into vacant positions on the offensive line and then watch them develop into some of the top linemen in the Shore and that’s what they’re expecting out of newcomers Greyson Brockreide (6-foot-3, 290 pounds), Matt Cody (5-foot-11, 260 pounds) and junior John O’Brien (6-foot-5, 280 pounds).
Cody steps into the all-important left tackle spot, while Brockeide gets the start at right tackle with O’Brien also in the rotation.
“The line is looking good and we’ve been working really hard everyday in practice,” said Louro. “We owe it all to offensive line coach Joe O’Connor.”
The wide receiver grouping took a big hit graduating two All-Shore performers in Jaden Key (University of Pennsylvania) and M.J. Wright (Fordham University), but the Caseys’ next-man-up mentality will bode well here with three talented wideouts ready to step in and produce.
Seniors Sean Rossback (5-foot-9, 190 pounds) and Kyle Harms (5-foot-8, 150 pounds), junior Lenny Loria (5-foot-11, 175 pounds) and sophomore Alex Bauman (6-3, 215 pounds) are all capable receivers with a ton of potential.
“We have two guys back with starting experience in Rossback and Loria,” said Edgerly. “So we’re not lacking experience it’s just about for us, who’s going to be that guy to take that next step forward.”
Tight end is the deepest position grouping on the team with two All-Shore selections with FBS commitments already under their belts.
University of Notre Dame-bound Kevin Bauman has been one of the most heavily recruited tight end prospects in the country. He already has an NFL-ready frame at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, has the speed to find the seam downfield to make the catch with soft hands – averaging 22.8 yards per catch – and the physicality to run over would-be tacklers. And when he’s not making big plays downfield, he’s opening holes and protecting the quarterback with flawless blocking technique.
“What he does from a mental standpoint and a work ethic standpoint permeates throughout this team,” Edgerly said of Bauman. “Physically he’s gifted. He’s big, strong and athletic, but it’s those things he does that separates him from a lot of great players. He continues to evolve and immerge and takes steps forward.”
His counterpart on the other side of the line is 6-foot-5, 240-pound Boston College commit Charlie Gordinier, who is comparable in size and ability to Bauman, giving the Caseys the top tight end tandem in the state. However, Gordinier has made more of a name for himself at outside linebacker where he garnered All-Shore recognition a year ago and the position Boston College recruited him for.
You can expect to see the Caseys in a double tight end formation depending on the situation.
“At times we will be for sure,” said Edgerly when asked about utilizing a double tight end formation. “But they both play defense so we have to be very mindful of these guys with their overall workload.”
On the defensive side of the ball the Caseys will try to match the ferocity of last year’s unit which was ranked second in the Shore Conference allowing just 10 points a game. And with Bauman, Gordinier, Louro and Degnan back to spearhead this year’s defense, they just may have a shot to do that.
Bauman returns at defensive end with his younger brother, Alex, starting opposite of him at the other end position where he dominated on the freshmen team. Louro will be at one tackle spot with 6-foot-1, 215-pound newcomer J.J. Lodato stepping in next to Louro as the other tackle.
Gordinier (83 T, 11 TFL, 5.5 SKS) heads up the linebacker corps where he should absolutely dominate this year and put fear into the eyes of opposing quarterbacks as he bears down on them on a blitz. You can expect to see his sack total soar this season as Edgerly lets him loose.
“Charlie has gotten bigger and stronger and he’s going to be a three-year starter,” said Edgerly. “Naturally he’s a guy that you know that you can do a little bit more with if need be.”
Senior Jack Zenkert was a part-time starter a year ago and steps into the full-time role this season with a wealth of experience that should translate well on the field this year. Billy Guidetti will see double duty this season taking on a starting linebacker job with sophomore Ryan McPherson and junior Scott Ungemah vying for playing time.
The secondary returns three starters in Degnan, Rossback and Loria, with junior Anthony Borriello and Jules stepping into starting roles.
Rossback and Loria will be at cornerback with Jules taking on the nickel cornerback responsibilities and Degnan and Borriello will man the safety spots. Sophomores Joe Diorio and Corbett Cimini provide backup.
First-team All-Shore kicker/punter Ryan O’Hara, now at Lafayette, will be tough to replace with sophomore Chaz Hart now kicking and Borriello taking over punting responsibilities. Middletown South transfer Michael O’Connor, who must sit out the first four games, could step in at both jobs when eligible.
“Right now we’re just worried about Rumson,” said Edgerly when asked if he thinks this team can compete for another title. “Where that takes us, it takes us. We’re fortunate to have a lot of guys back. Not only guys that were starters, but guys that were role players and understand what that ride takes. We’re hoping that serves us well and what that translate into, time will tell.”
Red Bank Catholic hosts Rumson-Fair Haven on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
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