Colts Neck in Rebuilding Year

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By Jim Hintelmann
COLTS NECK – While there will be a new look at Colts Neck High School as Pete Shaw takes over as head football coaching duties from Mike McArthur, he is inheriting a relatively inexperienced team.
Colts Neck had one of its best seasons in school history last season with a 10-2 record. The only losses were to Shore Conference A Division North champion Manalapan and Brick Township.
Shaw lost a good part of the team, including running back Charlie Gargiulo (20 touchdowns), who is now at the U.S. Naval Academy. Shaw, however, is optimistic.
“This will be a different team from last year,” Shaw said. “Almost the entire offensive line from last year is playing college football, but we have a lot of skilled people who are doing well in the preseason.
“We’ll utilize a lot of our strengths,” he said. “Many of our players will have different roles.”
Colts Neck will run out of a Multiple I with Christian Sanchez and Abdul Quddus providing much of the running game. Sanchez was Colts Neck’s second-leading scorer a year ago with seven touchdowns.
Max Mullaney will be the starting quarterback and his main targets will be wide receivers Jordan DeGroot, Alex Twynam and Jarden Mastaso. Mike Maiello plays tight end, backed up by Joe Sisselo.
Starting tackles will be Nick Gargiulo (Charley’s brother) and Donte Dean while the starting guards will be Mike Blaier and Jeremy Osuch. Joe Ferrandido is the starting center.
Many of these players will be playing both ways with Dante and at defensive end in Colts Neck’s 4-2-5 defense with Connor McGowan and Patrick McAteer starting at tackle with Gargiulo, Sanchez and Steve Barks at linebacker.
DeGroot, Drew Ghigna are the cornerbacks and Chris Shaw, Rob Clays and Matt Volk splitting time at the safety positions. Vinny Pollito will both punt and kick.
“We have the great capacity to be successful,” Shaw said. “We can be very explosive. We’ll also play an attacking style of defense and will be very physical.”
Colts Neck has moved down to the B North this year and will open the season Friday, Sept. 12, when it travels to Howell.
Colts Neck 2014 Football Schedule
Sept. 12, Away vs. Howell, 6:30 p.m.
Sept. 20, Home vs. RBR, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27, Home vs. Woodbridge, 1 p.m.
Oct. 2, Home vs. Long Branch, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10, Away vs. RBC, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18, Home vs. Neptune, 1 p.m.
Oct. 25, Home vs. Brick, 1 p.m.
Oct. 31, Away vs. Wall, 7 p.m.
Nov. 7, Away vs. Ocean, 7 p.m.
For the 2014 Colts Neck High School football roster, please click here: Colts Neck 2014 Football Roster.