First-year Hornets head coach Noel Kavanagh talks to his team following a training camp workout. 
The Hornets will have four new starters on the offensive and defensive lines. 
Holmdel junior quarterback Jack Cannon is drawing Division I interest and is poised to be one of the top passers in the Shore Conference.
By Rich Chrampanis
HOLMDEL HORNETS
Head Coach: Noel Kavanagh (first season)
2023 Record: 9-1, lost to Camden in Central Jersey Group 3 Semifinal
Offense: 28.4 points scored per game
Defense: 4.8 points allowed per game
HOLMDEL – Jeff Rainess built Holmdel into a winning program but stepped down after eight years and a 9-1 2023 season. Noel Kavanagh, a long-time assistant around the Shore, has taken the reins for the Hornets and said he’s impressed by the program’s strong foundation.
“It is a place that has a great culture and I just want to continue the success that they’ve had in the past,” Kavanagh said. “I think they’ve done an unbelievable job. Our coaches are really working hard to try to get these guys in the right spots, and I’m excited to see what happens.
The players acclimated to the new head man early on in training camp.
“It was definitely a different feel at first, but I definitely feel with this group of guys, it’s the same kind of culture, same work ethic, and we’re just out here every day working, and we’re feeling really confident going into the season,” senior defensive back Jack Power said.
The Hornets have been run heavy for the better part of a decade. That’s going to change, thanks in large part to junior Jack Cannon, who is a dual-threat quarterback with Division I talent. Cannon is meshing with a new group of receivers, as we saw in the Shore Conference 7-on-7 when he connected with his stable of receivers, including Frankie Serini. Get ready for an air show in Holmdel this fall.
“I like how we can still keep it physical and jam it down people’s throats, but then also open it up,” Cannon said. “We lost a lot of receivers, basically our whole receiving corps last year, but we got the guys, and the right guys, to step up and fill the roles.”
“He’s a good quarterback,” Serini said. “I think he’s one of the best in the Shore. It’s really an honor catching from him. Big season coming up – hope you see me in the end zone a couple times this year.”
Matt Iulo returns to the backfield and looks to establish a ground game behind a line that will have four new starters. The Hornets’ defense had six straight shutouts a year ago.
Alex Reyes, a state medalist as a sophomore in wrestling, is back on the Holmdel defense looking to get some 2-point takedowns in the fall. With seven new starters on defense, the Hornets will have a tall task to replicate last year’s unit which was one of the state’s best, giving up a mere 4.8 points per game. Iulo will be an important factor on defense at linebacker in addition to his offensive duties.
“It’s a lot of staying together as a team and trusting the guy next to you,” Iulo said.
If you miss, trusting that the guy behind you can make that tackle. It’s definitely different than last year, but it’s still going to be more effective. It’s still going to be one of the best defenses in the Shore.”
The Hornets open the season against Long Branch Aug. 30. Meanwhile, Holmdel will work hard to prepare to match last year’s remarkable success.
“We’ve got a big job to do to keep it there,” Kavanagh said. “That’s going to be exciting. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to see how many people are at the game and all those things. But when it’s all said and done, we just want to do the best we can to get these kids prepared.”
Holmdel 2024 Football Schedule
Friday, Aug. 30 vs. Long Branch
Friday, Sept. 6 at Ocean Township
Thursday, Sept. 13 vs. St. John Vianney
Friday, Sept. 20 vs. Manasquan
Friday, Sept. 27 at Wall
Thursday, Oct. 10 vs. Raritan
Friday, Oct. 18 at Monmouth Regional
Friday, Oct. 25 at Manalapan
The article originally appeared in the August 22 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
