TOMS RIVER – Coming off a 4-6 season, the Donovan Catholic football team is hoping to take the next step in 2018.
Second year head coach Dan Curcione is returning many starters from last year’s squad, including his quarterback, junior Ryan Clark.
“Ryan is our returning quarterback and he was a 1,000-yard passer last year and almost rushed for 1,000 yards as well,” Curcione said. “We’re a quarterback centered offense, so he’s certainly a big part of the deal. He’s a very good player and he’s doing a good job of showing leadership skills this year and just maturity level of where he was last year to this year, I’m impressed with so far.”
Andre Laney returns for his junior year. He plays receiver and also plays corner back for the Griffins and totaled an impressive 724 receiving yards as a sophomore.
“Andre was a two-way starter for us last year at corner and wide receiver. He was up there for receiving yards in the Shore Conference,” Curcione said. “We look for big things from Andre all the time.”
Another junior, Damian Johnson, returns at running back. He was Donovan’s leading rusher a season ago at the position.
Quamire Green started last season as a freshman at middle linebacker, and he returns for his sophomore campaign. Curcione has high expectations for him as he looks to take the next step.
“Quamire started for us at middle linebacker last year as a freshman and led our team in tackles,” Curcione said. “Not too many freshmen play middle linebacker. Not only did he play, he made all the checks, he called the defense, and that’s pretty impressive for a freshman. We’re looking for him to get better.”
Dominick Nocero also played at linebacker as a freshman and returns as a sophomore. Donovan has a lot of younger players, but Curcione does not use that as an excuse.
“We have some young guys that we will be playing, but that’s no excuse,” Curcione said. “We have high expectations for them.”
Nick Kenmure is one of Donovan’s seniors and plays both ways on the offensive and defensive line. He is one of their leaders and Curcione mentioned he has shown a lot of improvement in camp at defensive end.
Another senior, Bobo Aluko, also plays both ways on the lines and he has impressed Curcione in the weight room this offseason.
“Bobo is another two-way guy on both lines, playing guard and is part of our rotation on the defensive line, where we rotate a lot of guys,” Curcione said. “He’s a great leader, a great kid, and a great student. He was awesome in the weight room this offseason, getting up to about 280, 285 right now. He looks like he’s in good shape.”
James Bivins is a slot receiver and will be a sophomore this year. He also runs track, so he adds a little “giddy up” to the offense, as Curcione referenced. He also plays corner back, where he’s starting to take some strides and play more physical.
Ethan Capone started as a freshman at tight end and is a kid who has grown over the last year. Curcione said they are looking for big things from him this year.
Donovan runs a spread offense and a 3-4 multiple defense. After winning just four games last season, Curcione looks for an improvement this season, and looks at the season with a one game at a time approach.
“We don’t want to go 4-6 again and we want to take the next step,” Curcione said. “My mindset as the coach is I prefer to win one game at a time and win them all.”
There is a lot more competition for playing time this year and Curcione hopes that sparks some players to compete, or they will lose playing time. But the depth for the team is only a good thing.
“We have a lot more competition this year,” Curcione said. “Practice is fun because it’s competitive. The kids are fighting for positions and they know if they don’t play well, somebody else is and is going to take their spot.”
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