Middletown South ended the 2023 season with a 45-21 win over crosstown rival Middletown North on Thanksgiving. Photo by Patrick Olivero 
Marc Tomo takes over head coaching duties following Steve Antonucci’s 26-year career leading the Eagles football program. 
The Eagles bring back four starters on the offensive line.
By Rich Chrampanis
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH EAGLES
Head Coach: Marc Tomo (first season)
2023 Record: 5-5, lost to Shawnee in Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinal
Offense: 21.8 points scored per game
Defense: 20.4 points allowed per game
MIDDLETOWN – After 26 seasons, Steve Antonucci leaves a lasting legacy at Middletown South and with New Jersey high school football. Marc Tomo, who has spent five years as Mid-South’s defensive coordinator, is in charge of the transition to the next era of Eagles football and he’s well aware of the task of replacing a legend.
“I think what Coach Antonucci did is unbelievable in his 26 years,” Tomo said. “I don’t think anybody else can be Steve Antonucci. That’s not really the goal. It’s the goal to keep building on what was built here before Steve and what Steve did while he was here. Being here for five years, I got to learn the ins and outs of the program and what matters and what makes this so successful.”
“He’s been here for a while,” senior lineman Giuseppe Massagli said about Tomo. “He’s keeping the tradition the same, taking his own spin on it, though. It’s just a great camaraderie we have here. Everyone’s giving it all they got and it’s just been a fun experience. I’m real excited.”
There will be new faces on the 2024 Eagles roster but experienced ones in key spots, starting with the offensive line, where four starters return. Massagli, Michael Toth, Ryan Lewandowski and Matt Germeck are a cohesive unit that should open up holes for a stable of newcomers in the backfield who know their success is predicated on the guys in the trenches.
“The holes they’re creating are crazy,” senior running back Brendan Sliva said. “I have been running behind them since freshman year, so I just can’t wait to do it my last year.”
“I trust them,” senior running back Liam Curley said. “Ever since Pee Wee football I’ve been taught no blocking, no football. So I trust them. I’m grateful for my line. I love to run behind them.”
Massagli is a two-way terror. He was a disruptive force on defense last season with 43 tackles and six sacks. The Middletown South defense has had a knack for getting to the quarterback throughout the years and Massagli continues the tradition. Liam Curley will be part of a running back stable and is coming off 59.5 tackles along with two sacks at linebacker in his junior campaign.
The Eagles open the season in Egg Harbor Township as part of the Battle at the Beach against Cherokee in Week 0, followed by two more road tests at Manalapan and Colts Neck, plus the Thanksgiving rivalry tradition with Middletown North.
Tomo will savor his first run down the hill at the Swamp for Middletown South’s home opener against Marlboro.
“We play our first three on the road, but I think it’s going to be special on Sept. 20 when you get to run down the hill and lead those guys like Coach Antonucci did for all those years,“ Tomo said.
There will be a lot of new at Middletown South, but the tradition of a blue-blood New Jersey football program is still alive and well. The 2024 Eagles plan on keeping the high standard that is Middletown South football.
“A lot of people have written us off from all the players we lost last year, but from what I’ve seen in practice, I think we’re going to be just as good, if not better, this year,” Massagli said.
Middletown South 2024 Football Schedule
Friday, Aug. 30 vs. Cherokee (Battle at the Beach)
Friday, Sept. 6 at Manalapan
Saturday, Sept. 14 at Colts Neck
Friday, Sept. 20 vs. Marlboro
Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven
Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Jackson Memorial
Friday, Oct. 11 at Long Branch
Friday, Oct. 25 at Red Bank Catholic
Thursday, Nov. 28 vs. Middletown North
The article originally appeared in the August 22 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
