Shore Regional Football Gearing up for Title Defense

With the Shore Conference football preseason set to begin in earnest on Monday when teams can start practicing in pads, this marks the final week of informal workouts and hard sessions in the weight room as teams gear up for the 2011 season.

One of four Shore Conference teams that will return as a defending NJSIAA sectional champion is Shore Regional, which is coming off its first state title since 1997. The Blue Devils finished 11-1 last season, winning the Shore Conference Class B Central title as well.

Now that the preseason is nearly in full swing, here’s a look at the main question marks, top returners, and more surrounding the Blue Devils as they prepare to defend both of their titles.

1. How will Shore Regional weather some heavy losses to graduation?

The answer to this question will define the Blue Devils’ season. They graduated a tremendous senior class that accounted for their top skill players on offense, their top offensive linemen, and a majority of their defensive standouts.

It would be hard for any team to replace a pair of 1,000-yard rushers, a feat accomplished by the Blue Devils for the first time since 1997. Fullback Mark Coleman and halfback Pat Maggio have both moved on, taking almost all of Shore’s rushing yards with them. Coleman and Maggio were also standout linebackers, and Coleman is now at Division I-AA Lehigh University.

Shore also has to replace two-way star Evan Ruane, a quarterback/defensive end who is now at Monmouth University. His punishing running ability and efficient passing made the Blue Devils difficult to defend in their Wing-T offense. His main target, top wideout Shane Carroll, also has graduated. Carroll also was a standout kicker, defensive back and kick returner, so his loss hurts Shore in multiple areas.

On top of that, offensive line standouts Mike MacStudy and Matt Conte are also part of that graduating class, weakening one of the most important units on the team. That all adds up to a difficult challenge, but veteran coach Mark Costantino doesn’t have 117 career wins for nothing. His teams have been able to reload before, so it’s not out of the question that the Blue Devils will remain right in the hunt for a division title this season.

2. Who are the top returners?

One of the most experienced returners is senior fullback/linebacker Nick Grigos, who was an important cog defensively last season who also saw some carries on offense. Senior Stefanos Kousaris was an impact linebacker last season and helps make that unit one of the strongest parts of the team heading into the fall.

Senior Nick Mahoney is another running back who also should make an impact on defense after playing safety last year, and senior Jake Armstrong returns at linebacker and tight end. Junior Mark Costantino, the son of the head coach, also should factor more heavily into the running game as a halfback this season. Senior Brendan Dula gives the Blue Devils some more experience in the secondary.

Two offensive linemen returning with experience are seniors Gary Dietrich and Henry Edmondson, who will have to be the building blocks of a unit that is crucial in paving the way for a run-heavy offense. Edmondson also should be a factor on the other side of the ball at defensive end.

3. Who are Shore Regional’s main obstacles to repeating as champions?

In Class B Central, it looks like old rival Asbury Park could be the primary team standing in the way of the Blue Devils and their first back-to-back division titles since they won three straight from 1986-88. Shore won a hard-fought, 14-7 game over the Blue Bishops last year, and it should be another showdown when Shore welcomes Asbury Park on Sept. 30.

Asbury Park has a load of speed and offensive weapons, including two who were not there last season. The Conover twins, Armond and Amir, are a pair of seniors and Lakewood transfers who will add speed to the backfield to complement a solid passing game that includes senior Tahj Hammary.

Keyport is always a physical, tough opponent for Shore and should be another factor in the race. It all comes down to how quickly the newest members of the starting lineup can get acclimated. They will have to learn in a hurry, as they will face Keyport, Asbury Park, and traditional power Manasquan consecutively in the first month of the season.

In Central Jersey Group I, it should be a lot of familiar faces, as Asbury Park should also be a factor in the state playoffs. Florence is always a threat, and Dunellen reached the final last season before bowing 30-6 to the Blue Devils. Keyport has been realigned into Central Jersey Group II this season, so the Red Raiders will not be in the way.