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Shore teams play in summer high school football tournament. Here are the biggest takeaways

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5 months ago

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Shore teams play in summer high school football tournament. Here are the biggest takeaways

WEST LONG BRANCH — Summer is officially here so the high school football season is still a long way off. But 16 Shore Conference teams took their first big step toward the fall season in Saturday’s scorching heat at Monmouth University, pitted against teams from across the state in Monmouth’s annual 7 on 7 tournament.

Thirty-six teams in all competed included high-profile reigning Group 5 state champion Toms River North, which flexed its strength as a new iteration of Mariners who look ready to defend their crown. There were also programs with new coaches at the helm getting their first competitive action. And of course, there was no shortage of unsung storylines from Shore teams that impressed.

Here’s some of the key takeaways from the Monmouth University 7 on 7 Tournament:

New cast of characters, same old dominant Toms River North

Without a doubt the most impressive team of the tournament was Toms River North, which returns several key playmakers from last year’s team who will step into bigger roles this season. But perhaps the most impressive element was how finely tuned the Mariners’ new quarterback looked commanding the offense.

Senior T.J. Valerio takes over as field general after the dynamic Micah Ford has graduated on to Stanford but he had the poise of a multi-year starter. Some of that is understandable after he saw playing time last season, throwing for seven touchdowns and only two interceptions, but the timing with his receivers really stood out for a team this early in the season. He had the most impressive arm strength of any quarterback and seemed to know exactly where his receivers wanted the ball.

“We have a lot of faith in TJ,” said head coach Dave Oizerowitz. “We’ve been pleased with his development over the course of his career and we have a lot of faith that he can run our offense and run it very well.”

It helps that Valerio has Cam Thomas, Nasir Jackson and Mordecai Ford to utilize in the offense. The Mariners will rely on the run game first and foremost, but they’ll certainly be comfortable utilizing the passing game.

Two newcomers who shined for Toms River North were Cole Garrison and J.L. Hester. Garrison made plays on both sides of the ball against Marlboro, but really impressed as yet another capable receiving option for Valerio. Hester will step into a talented defensive backfield as a safety, but impressed with his ability to cover tight ends and bigger receivers effectively.

“We had a really talented freshman football team, one of the best we’ve ever had that’s come through out program,” said Oizerowitz. “We’ve highly anticipated some newcomers, and they’ve shown up today.”

More: Four-star Shore wide receiver becomes another commit to Rutgers football

New leadership at Brick Township and Middletown South

The event also provided a first look at two historic programs that will have new coaches this fall. Brick Township will now be under the direction of Jay Graber, who took over after coaching Matawan for the past five seasons. And Middletown South’s Marc Tomo takes over for legendary coach Steve Antonucci after previously serving as the team’s defensive coordinator.

But Tomo actually missed the final game of his predecessor, for a good reason. It was the day his son Jake was born. On Saturday, his son was nearby as Tomo was at the helm on the Eagles’ sideline for the first time. It was a visual representation of the generational nature of football at Midd South.

“Our mantra for the year is, ‘Powered by the past, forced to the future,'” said Tomo. “We’re looking to build off what Steve did for the last 26 years.”

It’s going to be a tricky task for the first year coach to replace quarterback Jake Czwakiel and running back/linebacker Colin Gallagher but his familiarity with the program will undoubtedly be a plus in his first season.

“Jake and Colin were probably two of the best kids to ever come through this program,” Tomo said. “There might be a kid who replaces Jake at quarterback but also a kid that replaces him at safety and also a kid that replaces him at kicker. So he’s gonna be a guy that you’ve got to replace with three people, and Colin is a kid that we’re going to need about five people.”

Tomo noted seniors Liam Curley and Brendan Silva as two guys that will take up the mantle as the team enters a new era.

Given the identity of both teams as run-heavy programs, the 7-on-7 format was not a big foreshadowing of things to come. But it was a first chance for both coaches to see their teams get out and compete.

“We just want to compete,” said Graber. “We’ve only really done our offensive-defensive stuff for less than a handful of days. So not really worried about the score or anything like that, we’re seeing about the kids who are going to compete and work hard.”

After coaching at Matawan and Allentown, Graber is looking forward to the task of restoring the Dragons to their former glory.

“It’s in my opinion, the richest program in the state of New Jersey,” said Graber of Brick Township. “They’re gonna have the same core values as what they’ve always had there. Football is constantly evolving, so as coaching we’re always continuing to learn and do the things we need to do to try to put the kids in the best position to be successful.”

More: Noel Kavanagh hired as Holmdel High School’s head football coach, succeeds Jeff Rainess

Other notable moments from the tournament

Unfortunately, the Shore’s top returning quarterback at the camp was not an active participant as Manchester’s Aidan Lunn sat out the event. Lunn threw for 1,397 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, and will have an even bigger role as the team aims to replace explosive running back Josh Love. For the Shore’s youngest head coach, it’s all part of the growth process for the surging program after an 8-3 season.

“Aidan, I call him like the co-offensive coordinator,” said head coach Tommy Farrell, 29. ” I mean that jokingly, obviously my offensive coordinator Jeff Brown is phenomenal. But Aidan is gonna have a lot more freedom in the huddle. He’s gonna have a lot more checks to audible, we’re giving him a lot of freedom. If he says something, he wants something, we’re gonna let him do that.”

Although Lunn wasn’t on the field, Love’s replacement showed signs he could be up to the challenge to replace some of the immense lost production of 1,479 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. Malik Pharmes looked to have an explosive first step and downfield speed working out of the backfield. After lettering as a freshman and contributing last year, the junior will be a two-way starter this fall.

Now in his third season, Farrell is ready to see the program take the next step.

“We didn’t make the playoffs, we didn’t win the division,” he said. “So no that’s like the chip on our shoulder.”

Two other Shore teams that impressed were Middletown North and Wall, which both went undefeated and won their respective six-team divisions at the tournament. It was particularly impressive considering both teams have new quarterbacks orchestrating the passing game.

There was a recurring caveat among conversations with coaches that these events are not real football, usually accompanied by a chuckle as the 7-on-7 scene has become something like the sport’s AAU or summer travel equivalent in some regions. It may not be real football, but it’s an exciting reminder that Friday nights under the lights are right around the corner.

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