A slew of NCAA Division I talent at the top and a deep roster of skill and talent and every position.
For most programs featuring such luxuries, a state championship run would be on the brain entering the new year.
But for Red Bank Catholic, their cast of captains and standouts are preaching hard work and a focus on the process.
“We don’t really allow ourselves to get caught up in the hype. We try to ignore all the outside noise,” said Red Bank Catholic running back Zach Bair. “We’re more focused on the team and what we have to do individually each day to get better, and to make the team better.”
Bair, who was recently offered a scholarship by Bryant University, returns as the featured ball carrier in the Red Bank Catholic backfield after a junior campaign in which he rushed for seven touchdowns and 917 yards on just 125 attempts (7.34 yards per carry), and says the competition amongst he and his Caseys teammates is what is preparing them most for the 2017 season.
It was a statement seconded by kicker Ryan O’Hara, who recently announced his commitment to Harvard University.
“Coach (Frank) Edgerly does a great job setting up a very good, competitive atmosphere for all of us,” said O’Hara. “Knowing the guy across from you is just as skilled and talented as you are, and is going to be giving you his best, it really pushes you to get better each day and each rep.”
With O’Hara leading the way, the play up front will be a strength for the Caseys, who feature two more NCAA Division I bound seniors in Michael Griggs and Emmett McNamara.
Griggs is committed to attend Colgate University, while the 6-6 McNamara (who only started playing football competitively last year) is headed to the ACC after committing to the University of Virginia.
Despite their bright futures ahead, both Griggs and McNamara are focused on the immediate process in front of them, and what those course of actions may lead to by season’s end.
“We’re focused on the day to day right now,” said McNamara. “What can we get out of each day at practice, what can we take away from each drill, each rep. How can we use that to get better. How can we go 1-0 each week. If we focus on that, focus on doing our jobs to the best of our ability, then what we want to achieve at the end of the year will become a reality.”
“Right now the message is one day at a time. Take it one day at a time,” added Griggs. “And it’s our jobs, as leaders on the team, to make sure that everyone is staying on task. That they are focused on their job. But, we don’t have to do too much of that. Our team is very focused and getting after it every day.”
For returning defensive back Matt Ansell, this Red Bank Catholic club is stitched together by trust, and he sees no weak links in the chain.
“There’s nothing but trust between us. I trust them to do their job and I know they put their trust in me,” said Ansell. “We have each other’s backs no matter what. If one of us is laying it on the line we’re all laying it on the line. It’s like a bond I’ve never had before. And I don’t see any weaknesses in that bond.”
- 2023 JSN Awards Finalists Announced - December 18, 2023
- Sunil Sunder Raj Recaps Day One of State Football Finals With OnNJ (VIDEO) - November 27, 2023
- Mental Health and Exercise: Finding Balance in New Jersey's Fast-Paced Life - November 27, 2023
