By Rich Chrampanis
RED BANK REGIONAL BUCCANEERS
Head Coach: Shane Fallon (fourth season)
2023 Record: 3-7
Offense: 12.1 points scored per game
Defense: 24.4 points allowed per game
LITTLE SILVER – Shane Fallon is ready to see some young Bucs step in and get their first dose of varsity football in 2024. Red Bank Regional will surely have a new look with young starters from a year ago stepping into key leadership roles along with some newcomers.
“Our JV team had a productive season a year ago,” Fallon said. “We have a number of kids that are back offensively and defensively and kids that also rotated in and saw playing time last year, even if they didn’t start.”
Quinn Niesz was a two-year starter playing at running back and wide receiver. He’s making the move to QB1 to lead the Bucs’ offense. Niesz is athletic and his time in the slot served him well to make the transition to quarterback.
“Playing at slot, I have to know every defense,” Niesz said. “I have to read it, I have to be able to get open. So going to QB, I know where to throw it. I know how to get them open and throw a good ball.”
Niesz has some options with game-breaking speed. Jermaine Rose could emerge as a top receiving threat in the Shore. He’s got varsity experience and, as we saw in our visit to RBR’s camp, he’s capable of stretching the field in a major way for the Bucs’ offense. Ari Fraser is another name to watch in the receiving core.
Niesz will not only get the ball vertical to these talented playmakers, but RBR will have multiple ways to get Rose and Fraser the ball, along with a stable of young running backs.
The Bucs’ schedule is a little kinder, which gives the team optimism for improving on last year’s three-win mark. After 100 years, RBR will not play a Thanksgiving game against Long Branch; that matchup instead moves to Oct. 19.
Fallon hopes the Bucs can stay healthy and likes the attitude of his young team in the early part of training camp.
“We’ve got a good group of kids,” he said but expressed the desire for a few more players.
“Our numbers are not as high as we want them to be,” Fallon said, noting the team currently has just under 50 players. “I’d like to be somewhere in that mid-50 range but that’s OK” because it’s better to have fewer players who are “totally committed” than more who “aren’t that into it.”
The Bucs play one of the first games of the 2024 season in New Jersey when they host Ocean Township Thursday, Aug. 29. The team is quickly forming a strong bond and is anxious to find out how the hard work translates onto Friday night lights.
“Everybody’s been working hard all year,” senior defensive tackle Jahcere Yarbrough said. “It’s been a grind out here all season, even in the preseason. We’re looking pretty good. I think we’re ready to get to work.”
“It all started in the offseason,” Niesz said. “We got everyone committed to the weight room. We wanted to get everyone started there so we can get our team camaraderie ready and everything kind of clicks when we start working together. So that’s why we’ve been together this whole time.”
Red Bank Regional 2024 Football Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 29 vs. Ocean Township
Friday, Sept. 6 at Jackson Liberty
Saturday, Sept. 14 at Freehold Borough
Friday, Sept. 20 vs. Freehold Township
Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Lacey
Friday, Oct. 11 vs. Middletown North
Saturday, Oct. 19 vs. Long Branch
Friday, Oct. 25 at Matawan
The article originally appeared in the August 22 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
