Post 57 – HS Football – Preview: Red Bank Catholic

Red Bank Catholic

2017 In Review:  The Caseys were 8-2, losing to St. Joe’s (Montvale) in the Non-Public Group 3 playoffs.  They scored 398 points for a 39.8 average, while allowing 213 for a 21.3 average.  Wins included Long Branch, Colonia, and Middletown South, while their other loss was to St. John Vianney.

Graduation Losses:  RB Zack Bair – Dartmouth, DL Emmett McNamara – Princeton, OL Conor Smith – Yale, OL Michael Griggs – Colgate, WR Logan Whelan – Lafayette, DB Matt Ansell – Wagner, OL Rich Christie – Southern Connecticut, WR/DB Brandon Lombana – Stonehill (Mass.), DL Christian Pritzlaff – Marist, DB Tahj Berardesco – East Stroudsburg

Offense:  Red Bank Catholic runs a multiple pro and returns six starters and a couple of others who played.  Returning at quarterback is senior Stephen Lubischer (6-2, 200) and junior Billy Guidetti (5-9, 190) will be the running back, starting some games after Zack Bair was injured.  Returning at fullback are seniors Steven Cmielewski (6-0, 225) and John Columbia (5-11, 205) – Cmielewski started in 2016, was injured in the first game and missed the rest of the season; Columbia filled in.

The receivers have experience, as junior Kevin Bauman (6-5, 240) returns at tight end, while seniors Jaden Key (6-3, 190), Anthony Romano (6-3, 210), and Michael Wright (5-10, 180) return at wide receiver.  Also playing tight end is junior Charles Gordinier (6-5, 230).

The lone returning starter is senior Tommy Smith (6-2, 270) at either center or guard.  Also seeing action last year was sophomore Jake Louro (6-0, 245).  The other three positions are undecided with numerous players competing.

Defense:  The Caseys play a 4-3 and return seven starters.  Smith is back on the line and the other three have several in the mix and who plays will depend on the situation and personnel group; players will rotate no matter what.

The linebackers return with Gordinier and senior Gino Tartamella (6-2, 220) on the outside and Cmielewski and Columbia back in the same situation they have at fullback.

The secondary brings back Key and Wright at the corners and Romano at safety.  The other safety is either junior Kevin Degnan (5-11, 195) or sophomore Anthony Borriello (5-10, 175).

Special Teams:  Returning as for his third year as both kicker and punter is senior Ryan O’Hara.  The return men will be a mix of running backs and wide receivers.

Schedule:

Friday, 8/31, at St. John Vianney, 7 PM
Friday, 9/7, Ocean at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Toms River South at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Red Bank, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, at Toms River East, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, Long Branch at home, 7 PM
10/12-13, Bye Week
Friday, 10/19, at Rumson-Fair Haven, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, Middletown North at home, 7 PM

Recruits:  Lubischer committed to Boston College.  Key has offers from Navy and a few from the Ivy and Patriot, while Smith has offers from Stetson and Sacred Heart, plus Wright has an offer from Saint Anselm.  Romano has interest from Monmouth and Bryant, while Tartamella has New Hampshire, Bryant, and Albany interested.  Cmielewski has a few offers on the 1-AA/D2 level and Sullivan is a D2/D3 prospect.  O’Hara has a choice of 1-AA in either football or baseball, with an offer from Lafayette in football.

In the junior class, Baumann has already verballed to Notre Dame and Gordinier has interest from multiple 1-A teams, but no offers, which puzzles head coach Frank Edgerly.

Concerns:  Staying healthy.

Coach’s Comments:  “We’re pleased with the work the players have put in.  We have some good veterans returning and it’s a matter of putting it together.” – Head Coach Frank Edgerly

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