Ready to Reload: Matawan Football Preview

At the conclusion of last season, Matawan’s football team learned the hard way that nothing is guaranteed.

The Huskies entered the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship game undefeated and a heavy favorite, but were shocked, 13-7, by a Rumson-Fair Haven team that they had beaten 48-21 during the regular season. Not only are they trying to recover from that devastating loss this season, they are also trying to weather the graduation of the best senior class in nearly 20 years at Matawan.

“We have to take that and use it to drive us on the field and motivate us,’’ said senior running back Cassius Williams.

The goal is to make a run at another Shore Conference Class A Central title and their third straight trip to the sectional final, as they won the CJ II title in 2009. The primary road block in their division is none other than Rumson, which returns almost its entire defense from the unit that stifled Matawan’s explosive offense in the championship game.

“We learned to never underestimate your opponent,’’ said senior wide receiver/defensive back Solomon Simpkins. “Just because you beat them in the regular season, they can always come back stronger.’’

While the experience may not be there yet, the pipeline of talent is alive and well, particularly at the offensive skill positions. Dynamic sophomore quarterback Kashaun Barnes inherits the position full time after playing some crunch-time minutes as a freshman, which included throwing two touchdown passes in a season-opening victory against eventual Central Jersey Group III champion Freehold.

Barnes may have the most difficult task of any returner, as he has to replace current University of New Hampshire freshman Jared Allison, a four-year starter at quarterback and one of the most electrifying players in the Shore Conference. At 6-foot-2, Barnes has more height than the 5-foot-9 Allison, a good arm, and the ability to make plays with his feet. He also is not rattled by the big moment, considering he was thrown into the fire in his first varsity game when Allison went down with an injury against Freehold last year.

“(Barnes) seems to have that ability to extend the play,’’ said Matawan coach Joe Martucci. “He’s not Jared as far as the speed and the quickness, but he does some similar things. He picks things up, and he doesn’t seem to make the same mistake twice.’’

Barnes also will have one of the fastest running backs in the Shore Conference behind him. Williams rushed for just over 700 yards on eight yards per carry as a junior while splitting carries with Allison and the now-graduated McArthur Underwood and Keith Beaty. Now he will get a heavier workload as the main feature back.

“It’s a big responsibility, but I’ve been thinking about this moment the whole time I’ve been in high school,’’ Williams said. “Those guys were going to have to leave sometime, so I was going to have to be ready to step up.’’

At a program that has produced numerous star tailbacks in its existence, including former NFL player Charlie Rogers, Williams looks to be the latest. He drew high praise from Martucci, a Hall of Famer who is entering his 27th season with a career record of 188-88-1.

“I think Cassius can be as good as any back who has come through the school, in all honesty,’’ Martucci said. “Our offensive line has to get much better and mature and learn to play together, but he’s as good as any back we’ve ever had.’’

The primary question mark is the offensive line, which is breaking in five new starters after losing a standout group that included Eastern Illinois freshman Andre Hodge, one of the Shore’s best. Senior David Leibowitz will be at center, with senior Francis Palumbo at right guard and senior Anthony Quaglieri at left guard. The left tackle will be senior Matt Morenz, and junior Seamus Weldon and senior Santana Simmons are battling it out for the right tackle spot. Sophomores Doug Weber and Chris Veary could also see time in the offensive line rotation.

“We’ve all been playing together all our lives,’’ Morenz said. “As a whole, we’re good. We just need experience.’’

“The offensive line still has some work to do, but they will get it,’’ Williams said.

In addition to Williams in the backfield, junior fullback Glenn Cross also returns as a short-yardage back and lead blocker. Senior Chris Walton should also get some carries along with exciting newcomer Larry Alston III.

Alston transferred to Matawan from a high school in Georgia in the fall of 2010. He starred on the Matawan basketball team in the winter, and now will play his first and only football season with the Huskies. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, the senior has good speed and athleticism. He already boasts a scholarship offer from Temple and hasn’t even played in a game or a scrimmage yet.

Primarily a wide receiver, Alston may run the ball at times. He also will play safety on defense.

“He’s going to make a major difference both offensively and defensively,’’ Martucci said. “He’s a D-I kid, no question.’’

Joining Alston at wide receiver will be a deep group that includes senior Justin Bartlett and junior Shawn Johnson. Simpkins, Juwan Bellamy and Deaven Nicholson also will be targets for Barnes along with returning tight end Anthony Castaneda, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior.

Sophomore Mike Cramer will serve as the team’s placekicker and punter.

Defensively, the Huskies are also breaking in several newcomers after losing talent like Hodge, a linebacker who was the Class A Central Co-Defensive Player of the Year, as well as defensive end John Faccas, who had 18 sacks as a senior. Up front in their 4-3 base defense, Castaneda, Morenz and Simmons make up the rotation at the two defensive end spots. At defensive tackle, senior Devon Rice is a returning starter and will be joined by Weber, with Palumbo, Quaglieri and junior Stanley Hall in the rotation.

“We have a lot of gaps to fill with only two returning starters, but they’ll get experience,’’ Morenz said.

Junior Dan Incle, the younger brother of former star Dave Incle, returns with experience at outside linebacker along with Cross. Senior Mike Green steps in at middle linebacker.

The secondary has a chance to be a standout unit with Simpkins, a talented cover cornerback, returning along with the speedy Williams at the other cornerback spot. Alston steps in as one of the starting safeties, and Nicholson will be at the other safety spot. Junior Olajuwon Thomas adds depth to the starting group.

It all adds up to a team that will be out to show that Matawan can continue its winning ways after the graduation of such a talented class.

“The last two years, we went to the state championship, so we know what it takes to get there,’’ Morenz said. “We’ve just got to keep working hard.’’

Depth is a concern on both sides of the field, so avoiding injuries is especially crucial for this group. They hope to take the hard lesson they learned last season, and go back and finish the job this time.

“We’ve got some unfinished business in our minds,’’ Martucci said. “We’re just trying to stay healthy, get better, and get back in the hunt.’’