After the program’s first winless season in 96 years, Long Branch head coach Ben Woolley knew he had to make some changes ahead of this fall. 

The Green Wave are installing a new offensive system under new coordinator Andy Carlstrom, a former head coach at Holmdel, as they try to put last year’s 0-9 campaign in the rearview mirror and snap a 13-game losing streak. 

“I felt like offensively it just wasn’t working,” Woolley said. “I had to take a step back and realize we’re becoming a small school, and we’re so thin (depth-wise). We’ve got to try to manage the low numbers and still be successful.” 

Long Branch has been realigned from Class C North into Class D North, where it will compete with Asbury Park, Barnegat, Colts Neck, Manchester and Monmouth for the division title. The aim is to get one of the Shore Conference’s oldest and proudest programs back on the winning track after going a combined 1-17 the past two seasons. 

Offense

Carlstrom has joined the staff to install the flexbone triple option at a program long known as a power running, I-formation team with some occasional spread looks. The new attack is an attempt to jumpstart a unit that scored a Shore Conference-low 53 total points last year. The Green Wave averaged 5.9 points per game and were shut out three times. 

They have a pair of transfers vying to start at quarterback. Sophomore Bryce Rhoden, a St. John Vianney transfer, looks to be the initial starter. Jordan Gaudious, a senior transfer from Ocean, has to sit out the first three games due to the NJSIAA transfer rule because he transferred ahead of his senior year. Gaudious threw for 1,107 yards and 8 touchdowns as Ocean’s quarterback last season. 

The fullback will be returning starter Julian Otey, a senior who adds a physical dimension to the rushing attack. Senior Montay Gilliard should also see carries at fullback. 

Senior Isaiah Rosario, who was an All-Division wide receiver last season, will now be in the backfield at A back along with senior AJ Colon, who saw time last year after transferring from Ocean. Senior Nelson Santiago and junior Ocean transfer Steve Gaudious, Jordan’s younger brother, should also see carries at A back.  

Promising sophomore Ja’Saan Woods-Farrar returns at wide receiver after earning second-team All-Division honors as a freshman. Six-foot-3 senior Quadiir Brown, who played quarterback last season, moves over to receiver to give the Green Wave another big target in the passing game. 

The offensive line returns two starters, senior Nick Soria, who is the heavyweight on the wrestling team, and senior center Taimere Loiseau. Sophomore Salah Muhammad-Baker steps in at the other guard spot, while a group of four players – juniors Jeremiah Cherry and Alejandro Ortiz, senior Nicholas Gregorio and sophomore Jayvon Jeter – are competing for the two tackle spots. 

Senior Luis Ahuati will handle the placekicking and the punting. 

Defense

A unit that allowed 31.7 points per game last season will look for a bounceback year with five starters returning under new defensive coordinator Kevin Porch, a former Green Wave star. 

They will be running a 4-2-5 look with Brown returning at defensive end and Gregorio manning the other defensive end spot. Soria is a returning starter at defensive tackle, while Loiseau will now also play at defensive tackle after only playing on the offensive line last season. 

Otey and Colon are both returning starters who will play at the hybrid inside linebacker/rover position. Santiago, senior Uzziah Puryear and Gilliard are also in the rotation at linebacker. 

Woods-Farrar, Rosario and Steve Gaudious are the cornerback rotation, while Rhoden and Jordan Gaudious will be the safeties. Senior Rahmir Lane, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury, returns to give depth to the safety spot along with senior Jason DeNoia. 

 

Long Branch at a glance 

Head coach: Ben Woolley, 3rd season 

Career record: 1-17

2025 record: 0-9

Offense: Flexbone

Defense: 4-2-5

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator: Andy Carlstrom

Defensive coordinator: Kevin Porch

Defensive line: Damon Colbert

Linebackers: Robert Kohler

Offensive line: Emon Flynn

Offensive line: Dan Niederhauser 

Wide receivers: Liam Connelly

Athletic trainer: Kim Small 

 

Circle the Date: Aug. 28 at Hammonton

The season opener against a Hammonton team that went 1-9 last season is a golden opportunity for the Green Wave to end their 13-game losing streak and gain immediate confidence in their new offensive and defensive schemes. If a turnaround is going to happen, this is where it needs to start.  

Newcomer to Watch: Bryce Rhoden, So., QB; Jordan Gaudious, Sr., QB

Rhoden is eligible to play immediately after transferring from St. John Vianney because the NJSIAA allows one penalty-free transfer for any non-seniors. He will get the first crack at quarterback in the team’s new run-heavy flexbone option scheme. Gaudious, a transfer from Ocean, will be eligible after sitting the first three games due to the NJSIAA transfer rule. Whichever one does not start at quarterback will most likely see snaps at wide receiver in addition to playing on defense.

Scott Stump is the football editor and a reporter for Shore Sports Insider and has covered Shore Conference football since 1999. 

Email: scottstump25@gmail.com