With a host of returners across the lineup and a full season of Jake Garrett at quarterback, Ocean is ready to make its move back to the state playoffs for the first time in four years. 

The Spartans have experience at the skill positions, up front and at all three levels of the defense coming off a 5-5 season under coach Chad King. The next step is making a run at a postseason spot while competing in a tougher Class C North division after being realigned from Class D North. 

Their new division includes some old-school rivalries like Neptune and Red Bank, plus battles against bigger schools like Howell and Marlboro as well as a hard-nosed Group 2 Raritan team. 

Offense

Senior Jake Garrett will be at the helm of Ocean’s multiple spread offense from the outset after transferring to his hometown Spartans from Red Bank Catholic in the middle of last season. He may have become the first player in Shore Conference history to score touchdowns for two different teams in one season after he found the end zone for the Caseys and then scored in a game for Ocean after getting eligible late last season. 

Garrett is a dual threat who will be complemented by rising talent Brayln Thompson, a sophomore tailback who rushed for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns on 46 carries as a freshman to earn second-team All-Division honors.  

Senior Jake Volek, who started at linebacker last year, is also going to play fullback this season. 

Senior Justin Farina had six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown last season and should also see some carries in addition to being the team’s top target at receiver. Senior Johnny Manganiello saw time at receiver last year, and sophomore Jackson DeSantis will be another option for Garrett. Junior tight end Aamir Byrd is also a returning starter. 

The offensive line brings back three starters – senior tackle Taejon Nevins, junior tackle Jose Siguenza and senior guard Nick Caplan. Nevins is coming of a season in which he earned second-team All-Division honors. Sophomore Luciano Martins steps in at the other guard spot, while sophomore Daniel Larkin will be the new center. Senior Kyle Miracle will also be in the offensive line rotation. 

Junior Aidan Zacharczyk, a soccer player, will handle the kicking and punting after junior kicker Joe Bercovicz, an All-Division selection last season, transferred to state power Don Bosco Prep. 

Defense

Head coach Chad King, who was the defensive coordinator for some ferocious Long Branch units during his time there, will be calling the defense for the Spartans this season. 

He takes over a group that brings back Byrd and Siguenza as starters at defensive end to lead the group up front. Nevins (38 tackles, 7 TFL) is back at defensive tackle, while Martins will be the other defensive tackle. Sophomore Mason Legg will also be in the defensive tackle rotation. 

Jake Volek, Dom Volek and Joey Molinelli are all returners at linebacker. Jake Volek led the team with 78 tackles, 11 for a loss, as a junior and was selected second-team All-Division. Junior Ian Smythe and freshman Marcus Canavan will also be in the rotation at linebacker. 

Farina and Garrett will be the safeties, with freshman Ryan Travis also seeing time there. Thompson will start at one cornerback spot, with Manganiello, juniors Quintin Wade and Anthony Terry, and sophomore Noah Winters all competing for the other cornerback position. 

 

Ocean at a glance 

Head coach: Chad King, 3rd season 

Career record: 22-21

2025 record: 5-5

Offense: Multiple spread

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator: Bill Wilde

QB/LB: Dave Flemming

WR/LB: John Molinelli

DL: Val Barnaby

DB/Special teams: Hank Limardo 

Freshman: Tarik Morrison

Freshman: Patrick Tracey

Athletic trainer: Katelyn Zimmerman 

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 10 vs. Red Bank 

The first Class C North game for the Spartans is a crucial one against a Bucs team that shared the division title with Manasquan last season. This game between longtime rivals could also carry major playoff qualifying implications down the road, in addition to being key in the divisional race.  

Newcomer to Watch: Luciano Martins, So., OL/DL

Martins is projected to start both ways as a sophomore, so the coaching staff believes he can be a cornerstone player for the next three seasons. Senior Justin Farina is also another to watch, as King said he is expected to play a much bigger role offensively after making six catches as a junior. 

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