2015 In Review: The Mariners were 11-1, winning the South Jersey Group 5 title by beating Williamstown, after beating Lenape and Kingsway. They scored 396 points for a 36.0 average, while allowing 176 for a 14.67 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Brick, Jackson, and Toms River South, while their lone loss was to Brick Memorial.

Departures: G Luke Butera - Marist, DE Dashon Copes - Lackawanna JC (Pa.), OL Tim Petersen - Wilkes, LB Anthony Storino - Moravian, LB Tom Donovan - Kean; FB Nick Tedeschi - College of New Jersey

Offense: Toms River North runs a power spread and returns seven starters plus a few others with experience. Included in that group are three four-year starters, including senior quarterback Mike Husni (5-foot-10, 170). Running back has three players with experience: junior Daryn Blackwell (6-foot-2, 235), junior Mickey Maldonado (5-foot-10, 192), and senior Parker Day (5-foot-10, 200). Blackwell and Maldonado were defensive starters, while Day is back at TRN after spending a year at Manasquan, where he started.

Three starters are back at wide receiver, including the other two four-year starters, seniors Bryce Watts (6-foot-1, 170) and Darrion Carrington (6-foot-3, 170). The other returnee is senior Kenney Cook (6-foot-2, 170). The other receiver will have junior Andrew Daniluk (5-foot-11, 165) and senior Jaden Rhoden (6-foot-2, 185) competing. When they use a tight end, it will be senior Dan Madsen (6-foot-6, 235).

Three starters are back on the line. Returning are senior tackle Matt Melamed (6-foot-5, 290), plus senior three-year starters Esiah Santamaria 6-foot-0, 280) and Will Sagarese (6-foot-1, 255) at guard and center, respectively. The other two line spots are experienced, with senior Chris Renda (6-foot-2, 260) at guard and senior Dan Benishti (6-foot-1, 280). Renda filled in when needed, while Benishti started a few games, while playing a majority of the state final, due to injury. The main man off the bench is junior Bill Dowd (6-foot-3, 300), who is competing hard for playing time.

Defense: The Mariners play a 3-4, returning eight starters. Back on the line are seniors Joe Nardoza (6-foot-1, 255) at nose guard and Cole LaBatch (6-foot-3, 280). LaBatch is a three-year starter and Nardoza was a standout last year. The other end is open, with Madsen, junior Brian Schlesinger (5-foot-11, 240) and sophomore Stavon Drew (6-foot-2, 275) in the running.

Linebacker brings back two starters. Senior Pete LaQuaglia (5-foot-11, 205) returns at inside linebacker and Blackwell will be an outside backer, moving from end. The other outside spot will be junior Erike Kelly (6-foot-2, 235) and it’s wide open at the inside position.

The secondary has four starters returning and is the strength of the defense. Watts and Carrington return at cornerback, with senior Janaire Bradley (6-foot-2, 175) was the third starter, substituting for Watts when he was injured and rotating with them. Maldonado moves from free safety to strong safety. Daniluk is in the lead at free safety, starting there until Maldonado was eligible after transferring from Donovan Catholic. One who could be in the rotation is junior Bishop Curry (5-foot-9, 175), with 4.4 speed. Husni can also play there in a pinch.

Special Teams: Senior Kyle Bayha returns at kicker and punter. Pushing him will be senior Branden Laird. The return men are Watts, Carrington, Daniluk, and Day.

Schedule:

Friday, 9/9, Southern Regional at home, 7PM

Friday, 9/16, at Brick Memorial, 7PM

Saturday, 9/24, Brick at home, 7PM

Friday, 9/30, at Howell, 7PM

Friday, 10/7, Toms River East at home, 7PM

Friday, 10./14, at Jackson, 7PM

Friday, 10/21, at Middletown South, 7PM

Friday, 10/28, Toms River South at home, 7PM

Friday, 11/4, at Central Regional, 7PM

Concerns: Developing consistency over the summer, pride in being physical and tackling well, and one big year doesn’t lead to the next.

Recruits: Watts committed to Rutgers. Carrington has offers from New Hampshire and Maine, while he has heavy interest from U Conn, Monmouth, and Ivy/Patriot League schools. Husni has interest from all three service academies, William & Mary, and Marshall. Malomed, LaBatch, and Day are 1-AA prospects. Santamaria, Sagarese, Renda, LaQuaglia, and Nardoza are D2/D3 types. Bradley is D3. The ones who can surprise are Madsen, Rhoden, Benishti, and Cook.

In the junior class, Blackwell is a minimum 1-AA, with the possibility of going to 1-A. Maldonado and Dowd have the potential to go 1-AA. Daniluk can go anywhere from 1-AA to D3. Kelly and Curry are D2/D3.

The sophomore class has Drew being a high potential to go 1-A.

Coach’s Comments: “We have a veteran cast returning, especially on offense. We feel very good about our offense. The defense has work to do: position battles and determining our strengths there.” - Head Coach Dave Oizerowitz