Buc Pride Still Strong at RBR Despite Major Changes

By Jay Cook

LITTLE SILVER – After a successful 7-3 season and a trip to the Central Jersey Group 3 semifinals, Red Bank Regional’s returning players had to be feeling good coming into 2019.

But over the months leading up to this season, it became apparent that changes would be in store for the Buccaneers of Ridge Road. Even after a coaching change and a divisional realignment, Red Bank Regional heads into this upcoming season excited about what’s in store.

First, Red Bank Regional found out its longtime Shore Conference division would be realigned and the crosstown game against Red Bank Catholic would be a thing of the past. Then, it was announced that longtime head coach Nick Giglio was stepping down from his post.

New to the job in 2019 is head coach David Schuman, who most recently coached at Indian Hills, a public school in northern Bergen County. His effusive personality meshes well with the response he’s received so far.

“Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious,” Schuman said about the players on his team. “They come out every day ready to work and get after it. You really can’t beat that.”

But for a new culture and playbook to efficiently take over, players must buy in. That’s exactly what’s happened so far.

“Under a new division and new coaching staff, we’re just trying to adapt to those new changes, like an offense and a defense,” said outside linebacker Kyle Weisman. “We’re going to work every single day so we can be ready for the first game on Sept. 6.”

Quarterback Jack Chamberlain said the team has embraced the new coaching staff. “It’s a different change but it’s a good change,” he said. “We just love coming into work every single day.”

“Even though our old system was great and we loved it, we’re all coming together in this new one and I think we’re going to do great things this year,” said offensive lineman Zachary Peterson.

Weisman, Chamberlain and Peterson headline a tough senior class of RBR players looking to build off last year’s success while facing more Ocean County teams than in years past. Programs like Central Regional, Donovan Catholic and Lacey are new to the schedule and present unique challenges of their own. Red Bank Regional will also have to square off with Holmdel and Manasquan during the regular season, who combined to go 16-5 last season.

There’s no denying the Bucs lose significant talent from last year’s team. Players like Nigel Mitchell and Kashaun Turner, both major contributors, have moved on via graduation. Injuries have also hampered expectations for others, like running back Makai Mickens, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered a few months back.

But there’s no time to dwell on that, said Chamberlain. The Bucs need to embrace a “next man up mentality.”

“We’ve got kids that were studs on the JV field that are turning into studs on the varsity field,” he said. “We’re just getting better at practice each day going after each other and are really making sure we change the culture around here.”

RED BANK REGIONAL
2019 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Freehold Boro
Friday, Sept. 13 at Raritan
Friday, Sept. 20 vs. Manasquan
Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Holmdel
Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Donovan Catholic
Friday, Oct. 11 at Lacey
Friday, Oct. 18 at Central Regional
Saturday, Nov. 2 at Monmouth Regional
Thursday, Nov. 28 vs. Long Branch

GAME TO WATCH

FRIDAY, OCT. 11
ROAD GAME AT LACEY

The Bucs were road warriors in 2018 with three wins away from Little Silver to start off its outstanding seven-win effort. If RBR wants to find itself in the post-season mix it will need to make a late-season road surge starting with an Ocean County journey to Lacey followed by stops at Central Regional and Monmouth Regional in consecutive weeks.

PLAYER TO WATCH

JACK CHAMBERLAIN
SENIOR QB/STRONG SAFETY

The loss of Makai Mickens is devastating to RBR and the Bucs will certainly have to get more vertical with one of the state’s top running backs on the shelf. Chamberlain showed that he can make the big throw. Jack’s 14-yard TD pass to Nigel Mitchell with 10 seconds left gave RBR a thrilling 28-26 win at Holmdel. Look for Chamberlain to take the next step in his evolution after a full year of varsity experience in 2018.