Departures: LB Departures: LB Zach Kane – Miami (Fla.), DL/OL Austin Kugler – Monmouth, QB Anthony Pena – William Paterson, T Ed Verdon – Kean, CB Xavier Crippen – Kean, G Jon Power – College of New Jersey, G/NG Jimmy Cavanaugh - Susquehanna, RB Marlon Brinson - undecided

Offense: Toms River North runs a multiple I and returns two starters, plus another player who saw time in the rotation. Senior Nick Zaza (5-foot-10, 160) will be the quarterback. Returning starter Jon Daniels (5-foot-9, 190) moves from fullback to tailback. The fullback will likely be junior Jon Brennan (5-foot-8, 190), but others will push for the spot. Senior Pat Szukics (6-foot-3, 180), who saw playing time last year, will be one of four players in the rotation at wide receiver. Senior Matt Sura (5-foot-10, 190) and junior Drew Kollman (6-foot-1, 180) are two of the other receivers who will be competing for time in the rotation. Sura also started on defense last year. At tight end there will be three players in the rotation: seniors Michael Henry (6-foot-4, 235), Pat Dengelegi (6-foot-2, 215), and Carney Siciliano (6-foot, 200). Henry also started on defense last year.

The line returns one starter in senior Evangelos Regas (6-foot-5, 320). The rest of the spots will have competition from several players and it's still undecided where they will end up. They are juniors Liam Sherman (6-foot-4, 240), Mike Zarycki (6-foot-2, 230), Dan Nunez (6-foot-1, 250), Matt Hinds (6-foot-1, 200), and John Klebacher (6-foot-4, 260). Others may also end up in the mix.

Defense: The Mariners return five starters and a couple of other experienced players. Senior Brian Newman (6-foot, 215), returns at one end, with senior Vinnie Papa (5-foot-10, 220) stepping in opposite him. Henry returns to one tackle spot, while junior Robert Cassidy (6-foot-2, 260) played in the rotation last year. Regas will be the nose guard and others will also see time on the line, both at nose guard and the tackles. At linebacker, junior Chris Barroso (5-foot-11, 225) returns at one spot, while senior Chris Pizzola (6-foot-1, 215) started a couple of games in 2007. Head Coach Chip LaBarca says that Pizzola would have been a starter at many schools last year.

Cornerback Anthony Lacher (6-foot, 185) returns at one corner and Sura returns at strong safety. Kollman will be the free safety and junior Nick Saglimbene (6-foot, 175) is the frontrunner at the other corner. Senior Mike Pallito (5-foot-10, 185) will be a factor at both cornerback and free safety.

Special Teams: Pat Szukics returns at kicker and senior Jon Tynon is back as the punter.

Schedule: The Mariners open on the road against Middletown North. They have a bye the following week, then host Manalapan, at Howell, Brick Memorial, at Southern, at Freehold Township, at Jackson Memorial, Toms River South, and Toms River East.

Question Marks: Inexperience on offense. Their strength will be defense and special teams. However, the defense lost some very good players in Kane, Kugler, and Foukarakis.

Recruiting Front: Regas has received 1-A interest, but has no offers. LaBarca says it's a matter of time and also says Regas has been preparing himself for a very good senior year, working hard and improving. Among the schools showing interest are Rutgers, South Florida, and Maryland. Henry's been receiving 1-A and 1-AA interest, but has no offers. Szukics, Daniels, Lacher, Sura, Newman, and Pizzola have the ability to play college football. Daniels runs a 4.5 forty and Newman is a wrestler.

On the underclassmen front, Kollman is an intriguing prospect; experienced, and explosive. Others who may get interest are Sherman, Klebacher, and Hinds.

Coach's Comments: "We want to compete for a conference title and the state playoffs. That's our goal every year. We have a solid nucleus returning, but lost some outstanding players. As long as we remain healthy, we'll be competitive. We lose most of our guys on offense, with the experience lying in defense and special teams." – Head Coach Chip LaBarca, Jr.

This site was last updated 07/24/08

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