2013 Middletown High School North Football Preview

A NEW COACH, A NEW ERA AND A NEW THIRST AT MIDDLETOWN NORTH

By Mike Ready

 MIDDLETOWN – New Middletown North head coach Steve Bush is back in the high school ranks where earlier in his coaching career he won three championships at three different schools in 12 years: Longmeadow (Ma.), Manalapan (N.J.) and West Genesse (N.Y.).

 His last coaching job was with the Miami Dolphins (2008-11) where he was an offensive assistant in charge of the wide receivers. Prior to that Bush had stops at: Springfield College (1984-86) defensive coordinator, University of New Haven (1986-87) defensive coordinator,  Boston University(1988-89)  defensive coordinator and secondary coach and Syracuse University (2000-04) as quarterback coach.

 Among some of the notable coaches Bush either worked for, or with, were Kevin Gilbride, Paul Pasqualoni, Chris Palmer, Dan Henning and former Dolphin head coach Tony Sporano. Bush and Sporano met while coaching at New Haven.

 After Sporano and his entire staff were let go by the Dolphins, Bush and his wife, Maria, decided they wanted to move back to the Northeast to be closer to family and he wanted return to coaching high school football. When the job at Middletown North opened up, Bush felt it was a perfect fit.

 “We really wanted to get back to the Northeast near family and friends,” Bush said. “My parents were aging and we’ve always loved this area. From my past experience in Manalapan we knew we wanted to come back to Monmouth County. I recruited in the area; it’s centrally located and just a great place to live.”   

 With a coaching resume like the one Bush presents, it’s no wonder why enthusiasm is sky high and expectations are soaring for the upcoming Lions season.

 “We’re attempting to change the culture here,” Bush said. “We’re trying to get the kids to believe in themselves and what they can accomplish. We want them to trust the system and the coaches and to believe in each other. We’re making progress, but it takes time.”

 The Lions have been fighting off a rash of preseason injuries, but Bush expects to have most of the walking wounded back in time for the opener. A first week bye will give them a little extra time to heal.

 “We’ve been really banged up the entire preseason,” Bush said. “Guys have been playing out of position and things have been a little unsettled. Guys are healing though and we should be close to full strength by the opener. ”

 Starting quarterback, Ryan McMahon, who steps in for graduated two-year starter Cody Thompson, has been out most the preseason with an injury but has looked good when he’s on the field. McMahon tossed 10 touchdown passes in the Monmouth County 7-on-7 tournament last July when the Lions reached the finals. Junior Troy Thompson has filled in at quarterback for McMahon in his absence. He will be back at tight end, once McMahon gets back on the field. 

 “Once Troy gets back to tight end it will help us ,” Bush said. “He’s a legitimate threat at tight end and makes us a much better team when he’s lined up there.”

 The Lions possess a deep and talented group of wide receivers, giving McMahon multiple targets to throw to in their spread offense.

 Returning senior wide receivers and captains, Jake Betkowski and Brandon Piccini, will be McMahon’s main targets with juniors Jordon Pitts and Keshawn Williams playing big roles in the passing game as well.

 “Betkowski and Piccini are playmaker for us,” Bush said. “Both are senior captains and leaders and we expect them to put up big numbers for us.”

 Sophomore Chad Freshnock gets the start at tailback, where he saw limited action last year as a freshman. Bush expects big things out of this very talented sophomore, who will play a valuable role in the passing game as well. Juniors John Mines (6-foot-4, 195) and Felix Santana expect to receive their share carries in this versatile offensive.

 Returning starter, senior John Quin, anchors the offensive line from his center position and will be joined by senior tackles Jake Zani (6-foot-3, 240) and Anthony Fabiano. Junior Anthony Pianforte will man one guard spot while seniors Andrew Moran (5-foot-10,215) and Doug Bornhoeft (6-foot5, 290) are battling for playing time at the other guard spot. Junior Joe Antonio (5-foot-11, 260) had off season surgery but Bush expects him back and senior Jeff Timmons and junior Constantine Dudzinski  will back up.

 “Our offensive line has responded well,” Bush said. “We’ve settled in on the starters and they’re feeling much more comfortable with the scheme. They’ve all worked very hard on the field and in the film room.”

 Junior Nick Banta returns to handle both the punting and kicking chores.

 John Denuto was picked up by Bush to run the defense as his defensive coordinator and he comes to the Lions with a wealth of experience. Denuto was the defensive coordinator at Monroe High School in 2009 when the Falcons won the Central Jersey Group IV title, beating Middletwon South in the semifinals and most recently coached at parochial powerhouse, Bergen Catholic.

 “All the injuries this preseason have really hampered us,” Denuto said. “It’s been a pretty banged up preseason so far, I’ve never seen anything like it; we’ve been tested with adversity early on. We’re shooting for the opener to get everyone healthy. ”

 The Lions return experienced starters and backups in the backfield and at linebacker. Three starters return at linebacker including senior captain and middle linebacker, Dan Napolitano, the heart and soul of the defense. Napolitano has been fighting off a shoulder injury, but is expected to be ready opening night. Thompson is back at outside linebacker and Freshnock returns on the inside. Junior newcomer Dylan Hallard and sophomore Anthony Vetrano are competing for the starting spot at the other outside spot. Anderson may see time there as well.

 “Troy (Thompson) is going to be a special player,” Denuto said. “I’ve had some really good linebackers that I’ve coached, All-State, All-Area guys, and he reminds me of those guys. He competes all the time, whether it’s practice sprints or in a game; he wants to win so bad at whatever he does. He never takes a play off in practice; He is going to be a great player for us.

 On the defensive line, Moran will start at one defensive end position with the other spots on the line all up for grabs. Bornhoeft, Quin, Zani, Pianforte, Mimes and Timmon’s  are all battling for starting roles on the line and Denuto is waiting for the starters to distinguish themselves and pull away from the pack.

 Paccini returns to safety, where he calls the signals in the backfield and Betkowski is back at cornerback after a breakthrough junior season. Santana and Rosaad Redway will spit time at the other corner. Pitts will see playing time at safety in the nickel and dime packages.

 “Jake (Betkowski) and I have been playing together our whole lives,” Paccini said. “We’re really excited about playing for coach Bush and putting Middletown North back on the map; we want to go out on top as seniors.”

 “Betkowski is one of the better corners I’ve had,” Denuto said. He’s a guy who can be an All-Area guy the end of year. He can stick you, he covers well and he’s smart; he’s got it all.

 “We’re going in the right direction defensively,” Denuto said. “We have some quality athletes and we’re trying to change the culture here. The guys are working harder them they ever have learning the game. They’re spending a lot of time in the film room talking about the process, not the results. It’s about doing the right things on every play, so we get better every week. If we can get past these injuries I think our defense can compete anyone.”

 The Lions have not had a winning season or won a playoff game since 2000. Their last playoff appearance was 2009, when the ended the season 5-5.

 “Our goal is to win our division and see where things take us from there. It’s a tough division but I like to think we can compete and be right in the thick of things at the end of the year. We need to take care of the football and avoid mistakes. We have to finish all four quarters and execute offensively, defensively and on special teams; it will take a total team effort. I’m extremely excited about this season and I feel the team is too.”

 The Lions open the season Friday, September 20 @ Brick Memorial. Kickoff is 7:00 P.M.

 The Mustangs, ranked No.5 in preseason polls, lost their opener, 21-14 to arch rival Brick last Saturday.

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