2011 In Review: The Huskies were 9-3, winning the Central Jersey Group 2 championship by defeating Rumson-Fair Haven, after beating Manasquan and Carteret. They scored 265 points for a 22.08 average, while allowing 138 for an 11.5 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Barnegat, Long Branch, and Freehold Boro, while losses included Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank, and St. John Vianney.

Departures: RB/DB Larry Alston - Old Dominion, DB Solomon Simpkins - St. Francis (Pa.), TE Anthony Castaneda - Franklin & Marshall

Offense: Matawan runs a multiple spread and returns two starters, a couple who started some games, and a couple of defensive starters. The returning quarterback is junior KaShaun Barnes (6-foot-2, 175). The running back will be senior Glenn Cross (6-foot-1, 190), who started on defense last year.

One slot receiver will be senior John Alston (6-foot-2, 190), with the other slot open. The leading candidate there is junior Juan Gonzalez (5-foor-10, 175). The tight end will be junior Nick Tomkins (6-foot-4, 225, a defensive starter from last year. Split end is open, with sophomore Chris Solomon (5-foot-11, 160) and senior Shawn Johnson (6-foot-1, 200). Johnson started a few games last year.

The lone starter coming back to the line is senior tackle Seamus Weldon (6-foot-4, 240) and the other tackle will be senior Samad Thomas (6-foot-4, 225), who started some games and started on defense. The guard spots are open, with junior Brandon Murphy (5-foot-10, 210), junior Doug Weber (6-foot-0, 230), sophomore Jake Weber (6-foot-0, 195), and senior Tyler Archer (5-foot-10, 185) in the running. Doug Weber stared defensively last year. The leading candidate at center is junior Chris Veary (6-foot-3, 220).

Defense: The Huskies run a multiple 4-3 and return five starters and another who started a couple of games. Thomas is back at end, with the opposite end open - in the running are Weldon, Archer, and Johnson. Doug Weber returns at one tackle, with senior Stanley Hall (6-foot-3, 255) next to him after starting two games.

All three linebackers return, including leading tackler Dan Incle (6-foot-0, 185) in the middle. The outside guys are Tomkins and Cross.

The secondary has not been settled yet. Included in the mix are Barnes, senior Olajuwon Thomas (5-foot-10, 160), and Gonzalez.

Special Teams: Mike Creamer returns as a top kicker and punter. The return positions are undecided.

Friday, 9/7, at Bishop Ahr, 7PM

Friday, 9/14, Freehold Boro, 7PM

Friday, 9/21, at Ocean, 7PM

Friday, 9/28, Neptune, 7PM

10/5-6, bye week

Friday, 10/12, Wall, 7PM

Saturday, 10/20, At Red Bank, 1PM

Friday, 10/26, at Long Branch, 7PM

Friday, 11/2, New Brunswick, 7PM

Wednesday, 11/21, at St. John Vianney, 7PM

Schedule is courtesy of www.highschoolsports.net

Question Marks: Youth and inexperience at certain positions. They graduated twenty players from a state championship and are looking to fit in the pieces.

Recruiting: Weldon has interest from Navy, Lafayette, Monmouth, Lehigh, and Holy Cross. Cross is mostly 1-AA, with interest from Holy Cross.

In the junior class, Tomkins and Barnes are 1-A/1-AA. Others will get to play this year, which will determine where they stand.

It's too early for the sophomores.

Coach's Comments: "We're cautiously optimistic. We graduated lot of kids, but have some nice players returning. We're young, look to develop the youth and move forward." - Head Coach John Kaye