RUMSON –After winning an unprecedented fourth straight state title, the Bulldogs will attempt to become the second team (Manasquan, 1998-2002) in Shore Conference history to win five straight state sectional championships.
“We really don’t even talk about it to be honest with you,” said Bulldogs head coach Jerry Schulte. “We don’t bring it up. Our kids know what the story is; they’re smart enough to figure it out. It’s just not something that ever comes up. We know what we have to do and we’re going to do our best to make that thing happen.”
Grabbing that fifth straight title won’t be an easy chore for the Bulldogs after losing some key pieces from their four-year run including four-year starting quarterback Michael O’Connor (Bryant Uniersity) and All-State linebacker Mike Ruanne – now at the University of Massachusetts battling for playing time as a true freshman. However, Rumson does return seven starters on offense and six on defense and as usual will seamlessly reload where needed.
“Everybody loses players to graduation,” explained Schulte when discussing his team’s losses. “We’re to the point here where we don’t talk about having a team; we talk about having a program. We know we’re going to lose kids to graduation and we’re going to have to replace them, so during the course of the season we try to get some of the younger kids some quality playing time so when next year comes around we can look at those guys.”
The most glaring question facing the Bulldogs is who will replace O’Connor, who quarterbacked the Bulldogs to all four championships. Seniors Dan Harby, Steve Edler and sophomore Colin Coles have been competing in preseason camp for the starting spot with Harby looking like the favorite to win the job.
Senior TE/DE Elijah McAllister, who sat out all of last season with a knee injury, has played with Harby since their days together in Pop Warner football and said Harby, “has looked really good in preseason camp and has been throwing the ball all over the field.”
The 6-7, 230 pound McAllister, who owns 21 FBS (D-IA) scholarship offers including, Michigan State, Tennessee and Boston College, will supply Harby with a big target to hit at wide receiver as they renew their long-standing connection.
At 6-3, 205 pounds, Ian O’Connor returns at tight end giving Harby another big target in the passing game and a solid blocker in the run game.
The wide receiver position is wide open after McAllister since they graduated all their starters from a year ago. However, the Bulldogs aren’t lacking in qualified candidates including seniors Mike Martino, P.J. Velcamp, Brock Brennan – a transfer from Florida, John McHeffey and sophomore Pete Crowley.
Rumson’s leading rusher a year ago, All-Division selection Matt Vecchiarelli (22-1,275-15), has graduated but senior Peter Lucas, who stepped in for Vecchiarelli when he went down with an injury, is back with plenty of experience after picking up 258 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Junior Tommy Solano, injured all of last season, will back up Lucas and stud fullback Alex Maldjian returns and is one of the best blocking backs in the Shore as well someone who can run over a defender for extra yardage.
The offensive line is in good shape with the return of three starters from a year ago including tackle Ryan McCann (6-5, 245), guard Justin Johnson (6-3, 255) and tackle Jack Kelleher (6-4, 230). Junior Evan Davis (5-11, 230) gets the start at center after rotating at the position last season and brings a ton of experience along with him. Seniors Jacob Waters, and Dylan Avino, as well as juniors Evan Davis, Spencer Short and Ethan Ardolino will provide depth along the line.
Defensively, despite the loss of Ruanne, the Bulldogs are in good shape with All-Division pick senior Chase Phrang leading a group returning starters including junior Keegan Woods, junior Henry Sullivan, senior Chris Lanzalotto and junior Joe Afflitto.
Bookend defensive ends Phrang (6-3, 225, 67 T, 8 SKS) and McAllister are ready to wreak havoc on opposing offenses with Afflitto (5-11, 200) clogging up the middle from his nose tackle spot and Sullivan (6-3, 235) back at defensive tackle. Junior Isaac Vernon (6-2, 215) is a rising star that will also be in the defensive line rotation. Phrang recorded 67 tackles and led the team in sacks with eight last season.
“We’ve got a young, hungry defense this year,” Phrang said. “The good thing about our defense is we’re always so aggressive and strong and constantly rotating guys in, so we have a bunch a guys who can always fill spots.”
Woods (6-1, 210) is the leading returning tackler logging 84 tackles last season and he returns at middle linebacker with Lanzalotto back on the outside at linebacker again this season after distinguishing himself there as a junior.
The secondary is the position group most weakened by graduation with all four starters having moved on. But the Bulldogs have plenty of worthy candidates ready to step into starting roles including Elder, senior Liam Donohue, senior Jack Shebell – a speedster who runs the 100 and 200 meter in track, junior Mike Lizotte, transfers Alex Sloan – a 6-3, 185 pounder from California and Brennan, who can play both cornerback and safety positions. Elder, Lizotte and Donohue saw time in the secondary a year ago so the experience should help as they battle for starting spots.
“Our kids are hardworking kids and we’ve lost good kids every year,” Schulte said in reference to having to replace starters. “We just seem to find kids to plug in and it’s worked out, so we’re hoping to be able to do the same thing this year. It’s the type of kids we get, we have a good coaching staff and the system we run isn’t built around any one position or any one kid, so we’re able sustain what we do.”
The Bulldogs’ success this season hinges on how long it will take Harby to get comfortable under center in his role as a starter and his ability to develop relationships with his inexperienced wide receivers. And who’ll step up in the secondary and how long will it take them to mesh into a cohesive unit.
Can the Bulldogs overcome these obstacles to win their fifth straight sectional title this season? I wouldn’t bet against them.
“We just focus on what we have to do for each game and go out and do the best we can,” Schulte added. “There’s no big secret to it. Every year is a different year, and every game is a different game, that’s how we approach it.”
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