TOMS RIVER – In 2015, Toms River North (11-1) beat Williamstown to capture the NJSIAA South Jersey Group V championship for its sixth state championship in program history.
A year later, most expected a seventh state title, but the Mariners, who entered the final undefeated at 11-0, were upset by Millville, 22-16, in one of the most heartbreaking losses in Mariners history.
At that time, Toms River North was regarded as one of, if not the, premier public school programs in New Jersey.
The following season though, with most of the players from arguably the greatest senior class in Mariners history having graduated, Toms River North slipped to 1-9 as head coach Dave Oizerowitz began the process of rebuilding the storied program with a new group of eager underclassmen.
In 2018, the Mariners improved to 6-3 with their only two losses in the regular season coming by a combined three points. They returned to the playoffs, but a 33-0 loss to Vineland in the first round was a lesson learned for Oizerowitz’s young team and they left the field knowing they still had some work to do.
“We just keep going at it every day, trying to get better,” said junior quarterback Jake Kazanowsky, who had a break-out sophomore campaign when he passed for 1,437 yards and 18 touchdowns with only two interception on the way to being named third-team All-Shore. We know our schedule is looking tough but we keep grinding every day, going harder and improving each day.”
With the division realignment in the Shore Conference, there’s a strong possibility that all six teams, including the Mariners, in the American Division will be ranked in the preseason Top 10.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Kazonowsky definitely has weapons at his disposal at running back and wide receiver, but the success of this year’s team ultimately rests on his shoulders and he’s good with that.
“The team believes in me and I’m feeling a lot more confident,” said Kazonowsky. “I’m a lot more confident in my throws with a year of training at quarterback. It’s easier to make my reads and I’m feeling good about the season.”
One of those weapons is second-team All-Shore running back Jarrod Pruit, who returns after a stellar junior season which saw him rush for 945 yards and 13 touchdowns. Like most top running backs, Pruit isn’t satisfied with what he’s already accomplished.
“Hopefully I’ll be better this year,” said Pruit. “Last year was okay but I feel this year I can be a lot better; I got a lot to prove.”
Speedster Jordan Grey (5-foot-9, 160 pounds), who runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, also returns in the backfield giving the Mariners an exciting one-two punch.
Kazonowsky will also have his main target back, 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior Dominick Jacobs, to throw to again this season. Jacobs was a second-team All-Shore selection last season after averaging 23.3 yards per catch in recording 19 receptions for 443 yards and five touchdowns.
Junior wide receivers Zach Goodale, who Oizerowitz raves about, and Jordan Grey are also back and familiar targets for Kazonowsky after productive sophomore seasons.
The Mariners offensive line is anchored by massive 6-foot-7, 300-pound Najae Hollenback, who holds offers from Rutgers, UMass and Central Michigan at left tackle. Senior Cross Conlin (6-foot-1, 250 pounds) is back at left guard, as is junior Jamie Hans (6-foot-1, 220 pounds) at right guard.
Seniors John Muller (6-foot, 205 pounds) and Frank Davis (5-foot-10, 210 pounds) are battling it out for the starting center job. Both players have game experience and will be in the offensive line rotation no matter who starts. At right tackle, junior Jaden Schlosser (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) steps in with high expectations with Richie Lopez backing up.
Defensively, the Mariners allowed just 12.3 points per game a year ago and they should be in the same ballpark this year with All-Division players returning at all levels: line, linebacker and secondary.
All-Division weakside end, senior C.J. Niedzielski (5-foot-11, 240 pounds) wreaks havoc along the line. He recorded 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season and returns as one of the top defensive lineman in the Shore.
“The defense is looking strong,” said Niedzielski. “Every year we just look to get better. We’re on top of our game, very focused and very disciplined.”
Senior Myron Ford (5-foot-10, 240 pounds) gets the start at the other end spot opposite Niedzielski while Hollenbeck will be plugging the middle with his immense frame from the nose tackle position.
At linebacker, All-Division selection Vinnie Pallmieri, the undisputed leader of the defense, returns to the middle after recording 100 tackles a year ago as a junior. He’s a relentless tackling machine with non-stop energy that plays sideline-to-sideline. Senior Justin Burkert (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) – a transfer from Jackson Memorial, junior C.J. Felton (6-foot, 180 pounds) and rising freshman Cody VanderVliet (6-foot, 180 pounds) round out the linebacker corps.
The secondary is experienced and deep with All-Division senior Ray Carlson (5-foot-10, 160 pounds) heading up the group. Carlson led the team with four interceptions a year ago and has all the markings of a shutdown corner this season. Grey, Pruit, Goodale and senior Sergio Borda (5-foot-9, 155 pounds) are all high-end players giving the Mariners one of the top secondaries in the Shore.
“Going 1-9, nobody ever wanted that again,” said Niedzielski. “Last year we really pushed things up with a 6-2 season and a playoff berth. So, hopefully we can build on that and climb up that Shore Conference ladder and hopefully win a state title this year. Toms River North football is back.”
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