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During the weeks leading up to the start of the football season for Shore Conference schools, the Asbury Park Press will feature some of the top position groups around the league. We'll also have traditional team outlooks and highlight the key returning players and top newcomers.
For the past two seasons, Central Regional has established itself as one of the Shore Conference's most consistent football programs.
The Golden Eagles have posted back-to-back 8-2 seasons, becoming one of the premier teams in the Shore Conference's B South Division under head coach Jarrett Pidgeon. Entering his seventh season, Pidgeon owns a 30-26 career record and has guided Central to consecutive postseason appearances.
The one thing missing?
A breakthrough in the NJSIAA South Group 4 playoffs.
Central has fallen in the sectional quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons, including last year's loss to Northern Burlington, leaving the Golden Eagles searching for the next step.
That journey begins where Pidgeon believes every successful high school football team is built.
"It starts up front in high school," Pidgeon said.
More: Manchester has 'students of the game' at LB: Shore top football position groups
Returning starter. Divison I FBS/FCS Interest.
Three-year returning starter. Divison III Interest.
Returning starter.
Divison III Interest.
For offensive coordinator Frank Backel, the offensive philosophy starts with the players in the trenches.
"I like to build my offense inside out because it makes it easy for the line," Backel said. "Once you get them going, everything else falls into place."
No player embodies Central's experience more than Jonathan Kale.
The senior enters his third season as the Golden Eagles' starting center while drawing recruiting interest from several New Jersey Athletic Conference and New England Small College Athletic Conference programs at the Divison III level. His experience has made him the unquestioned leader of the offensive line.
"The biggest thing in high school is experience," Pidgeon said. "Our guys have the ability to play in big games. He's won a lot of games, so he's seen a lot of different things."
"He's definitely been a leader," Backel said. "He's a very hard worker, just really the heart of the offensive line this year."
Jaden Clark has emerged as one of the Shore Conference's top offensive tackle prospects.
The junior has already generated FBS and FCS recruiting interest, including Syracuse and Monmouth, after establishing himself as Central's starting left tackle.
"He's long. He's got great feet. He's passionate about the game and he's very coachable," Pidgeon said.
On the opposite side, Jones returns after starting as a sophomore last season.
"He's got great hands, great feet," Pidgeon said. "He's coachable, he's smart, and he's able to finish blocks."
Macaih Lee has waited patiently for his opportunity after spending the last several seasons behind experienced linemen.
"Any other time, he probably would've been a starter younger than this, but he's definitely showing out this year," Backel said.
At right guard, Will Schastny and Jake Aguiar continue battling for playing time.
"We have a lot of hope for both of them," Backel said. "If they're good enough, we'll rotate them. They're both going to see a lot of time for us throughout the year."
"Last year's group, we were very big and tough up front," he said. "This year, I feel like we're a little more athletic, especially in the guard spot, where we can move a lot more."
More: Linebackers 'embody' Brick Township football: Shore's top position groups
That athleticism will be vital as Central breaks in first-year starting quarterback junior Isaiah Troiano.
The offensive line will also pave the way for running backs JJ Twohig, who finished second on the team in rushing last season, and Gus Copes, the reigning B South Co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Shore First Team linebacker who is expected to see an expanded offensive role.
Outside, Troiano will have no shortage of weapons.
Monmouth commit CJ Yates returns as one of the Shore Conference's top wide receivers alongside Zyshun Carroll, Dominic Prasad and Mason Smith, giving the Golden Eagles one of the area's deepest receiving corps.
Those skill players, however, can only thrive if the offensive line does its job.
"Those guys are meaningless if we can't get them the ball," Pidgeon said. "We've got to find unique ways to make them productive and get their touches. If they move, we move."
Backel believes the experience up front will allow Central's new playmakers to trust what develops in front of them.
"They know with all this experience we have and the talent we have in the offensive line... if they've got to hit that hole between the guard and the center, they can be patient because it's going to be there."
Aug. 27: Freehold Township, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4: At Howell, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 11: Toms River South, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Brick, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: At Lacey, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: At Southern, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9: Pinelands, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 16: Manalapan, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 23: At Toms River East, 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Central football built for playoff run with veteran OL | Position group preview
Continue reading...
For the past two seasons, Central Regional has established itself as one of the Shore Conference's most consistent football programs.
The Golden Eagles have posted back-to-back 8-2 seasons, becoming one of the premier teams in the Shore Conference's B South Division under head coach Jarrett Pidgeon. Entering his seventh season, Pidgeon owns a 30-26 career record and has guided Central to consecutive postseason appearances.
The one thing missing?
A breakthrough in the NJSIAA South Group 4 playoffs.
Central has fallen in the sectional quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons, including last year's loss to Northern Burlington, leaving the Golden Eagles searching for the next step.
That journey begins where Pidgeon believes every successful high school football team is built.
"It starts up front in high school," Pidgeon said.
Central Regional Offensive Line Unit
More: Manchester has 'students of the game' at LB: Shore top football position groups
Jaden Clark, 6-6, 260, Jr. LT
Returning starter. Divison I FBS/FCS Interest.
Jonathan Kale, 5-10, 250, Sr. C
Three-year returning starter. Divison III Interest.
Luke Jones, 6-1, 240, Jr. RT
Returning starter.
Macaih Lee, 6-1, 270, Sr. LG
Divison III Interest.
Will Schastny, 5-10, 250, Jr. RG
Jake Aguiar, 6-1, 240, Jr. RG
Aidan Proft, 6-2, 240, So. OT/OG
For offensive coordinator Frank Backel, the offensive philosophy starts with the players in the trenches.
"I like to build my offense inside out because it makes it easy for the line," Backel said. "Once you get them going, everything else falls into place."
The heart of the line
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No player embodies Central's experience more than Jonathan Kale.
The senior enters his third season as the Golden Eagles' starting center while drawing recruiting interest from several New Jersey Athletic Conference and New England Small College Athletic Conference programs at the Divison III level. His experience has made him the unquestioned leader of the offensive line.
"The biggest thing in high school is experience," Pidgeon said. "Our guys have the ability to play in big games. He's won a lot of games, so he's seen a lot of different things."
"He's definitely been a leader," Backel said. "He's a very hard worker, just really the heart of the offensive line this year."
Anchoring the edges
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Jaden Clark has emerged as one of the Shore Conference's top offensive tackle prospects.
The junior has already generated FBS and FCS recruiting interest, including Syracuse and Monmouth, after establishing himself as Central's starting left tackle.
"He's long. He's got great feet. He's passionate about the game and he's very coachable," Pidgeon said.
On the opposite side, Jones returns after starting as a sophomore last season.
"He's got great hands, great feet," Pidgeon said. "He's coachable, he's smart, and he's able to finish blocks."
Competition creates depth
Macaih Lee has waited patiently for his opportunity after spending the last several seasons behind experienced linemen.
"Any other time, he probably would've been a starter younger than this, but he's definitely showing out this year," Backel said.
At right guard, Will Schastny and Jake Aguiar continue battling for playing time.
"We have a lot of hope for both of them," Backel said. "If they're good enough, we'll rotate them. They're both going to see a lot of time for us throughout the year."
"Last year's group, we were very big and tough up front," he said. "This year, I feel like we're a little more athletic, especially in the guard spot, where we can move a lot more."
Looking for expanded success
More: Linebackers 'embody' Brick Township football: Shore's top position groups
You must be registered for see images attach
That athleticism will be vital as Central breaks in first-year starting quarterback junior Isaiah Troiano.
The offensive line will also pave the way for running backs JJ Twohig, who finished second on the team in rushing last season, and Gus Copes, the reigning B South Co-Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Shore First Team linebacker who is expected to see an expanded offensive role.
Outside, Troiano will have no shortage of weapons.
Monmouth commit CJ Yates returns as one of the Shore Conference's top wide receivers alongside Zyshun Carroll, Dominic Prasad and Mason Smith, giving the Golden Eagles one of the area's deepest receiving corps.
Those skill players, however, can only thrive if the offensive line does its job.
"Those guys are meaningless if we can't get them the ball," Pidgeon said. "We've got to find unique ways to make them productive and get their touches. If they move, we move."
Backel believes the experience up front will allow Central's new playmakers to trust what develops in front of them.
"They know with all this experience we have and the talent we have in the offensive line... if they've got to hit that hole between the guard and the center, they can be patient because it's going to be there."
Central Regional Schedule
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Aug. 27: Freehold Township, 6 p.m.
Sept. 4: At Howell, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 11: Toms River South, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Brick, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 25: At Lacey, 7 p.m.
Oct. 2: At Southern, 7 p.m.
Oct. 9: Pinelands, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 16: Manalapan, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 23: At Toms River East, 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Central football built for playoff run with veteran OL | Position group preview
Continue reading...
