HOLMDEL – From 2014-2017, Saint John Vianney was one of the winningest programs in the state with a stellar 41-4 record. The drop to 5-5 last year leaves Vianney hungry to return to that elite level.
“It’s in the back of our heads, for sure.” senior quarterback CJ Duell said. “We’re trying to set our own standards and play like we can play.”
Head Coach: Joe Martucci
(2nd Year)
2018 Record: 5-5
Offense: 19.4 points scored per game Defense: 20.6 points allowed per game
Veteran head coach Joe Martucci knows all about championship football with five sectional titles in his illustrious career. Heading into year two at SJV, both the players and staff are much more in synch during August training camp.
“Last year was a lot more difficult,” Martucci said. “This year we came with a little better understanding of the types of players we have and where they would fit in the offense and defense we are running. Things are a lot easier this year with terminology and formations.”
Duell was forced to sit out four games due to transfer rules and is anxious to work an entire season with some talented weapons on the outside. Sophomore Jayden Bellamy has shown consistently that he’s a deep vertical threat. During a scrimmage against Paramus Catholic, he showed how he can break a game open with a long catch and run that resulted in a TD covering over 70 yards. Running back Kavon Chambers hit the 1,000-yard mark as a junior and is another game-breaker. Repeating his junior season will be a challenge with SJV retooling in the trenches.
“Right now we need to get our offensive line gelled and get our running game going,” Martucci said. “We have some pretty good skill kids on the outside to throw the ball. We have to match our running game with our passing game. Hopefully, we’ll be competitive.”
Martucci called the secondary one of the team’s big strengths with Bellamy and Joshua East at the corners and Zarrin Stephens and Naron Alston manning the safety spots. Senior Anthony Brett was an all-conference pick last year and he’ll be joined by junior Julian Young in the linebacking corps.
Photo by Rich Chrampanis
Saint John Vianney opens the season at home against Middletown South. Last year they scored one of their most impressive victories with a 7-0 win on the road over the Eagles. The Lancers know that it will take one challenge at a time to get back to the top of the Shore Conference.
“I’m more than anxious to get out here with the guys and compete,” Chambers said. “We’re more than hungry to get back to what SJV has been and what it was. I feel we can be that team. We’ve just got a big chip on our shoulders this year and we have to come with fire each week.”
SAINT JOHN VIANNEY
2019 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 13 vs. Middletown South
Friday, Sept. 20 at Brick Township
Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Mater Dei Prep
Friday, Oct. 4 at Jackson Memorial
Friday, Oct. 11 vs. Freehold Boro
Friday, Oct. 18 at Wall
Friday, Oct. 25 vs. Southern Regional
Friday, Nov. 1 at Long Branch
GAME TO WATCH
FRIDAY, SEPT. 27
HOME GAME VS. MATER DEI PREP
The tides shifted in the Shore Conference with the Seraphs becoming the top threat to knock RBC off the mantle as the best in the league. SJV gets a chance to find out where they are on the road back to their level of 2017 when they face off with one of New Jersey’s top rising programs.
PLAYER TO WATCH
JAYDEN BELLAMY
SOPHOMORE, WR/DB
Playing varsity football as a freshman is a rarity and Bellamy took it to another level as a two-way player. With 26 catches for 383 yards and two touchdowns to go along with three interceptions at DB, the Lancers will no doubt get him more touches in 2019. Bellamy already picked up three offers before his sophomore season from Rutgers, West Virginia and UMass. It’s a precursor to what should be a bonanza of offers. Look for Bellamy to be one of the highest-ranked recruits in New Jersey for the Class of 2022.
