Embracing the Challenge: 2024 Point Boro Football Preview
When Brian Staub took over as Point Boro’s head coach prior to the 2018 season, the Panthers were coming off an 11-1 year and a trip to the program’s first sectional final in a decade. His goal was to keep the program competing at the highest level, but the usual ebbs and flows of high school football saw the Panthers stumble to three straight losing seasons.
What followed was a new mantra and an extreme focus on getting Point Boro back to its winning ways. The Panthers’ “relentless pursuit”, as Staub dubbed it, put Point Boro back on track and led to one of the best three-year runs in program history. Over the past three seasons, Point Boro has compiled a 28-5 record while reaching three straight NJSIAA sectional finals and winning the program’s fourth sectional championship.
Point Boro’s high school program and youth levels are in a great place, and the focus remains on competing for division, state sectional and overall Group 2 championship this fall. The challenge will be doing so after moving on from some of the program’s all-time greats following a crushing defeat in last season’s Central Jersey Group 2 final while joining a beastly division featuring some Shore Conference juggernauts.
The Panthers return six starters on offense and seven on defense, so graduation didn’t hit them particularly hard as far as total players go. The toll comes from the caliber of players lost, namely quarterback Matt Oliphant and running back Jake Croce, who combined for 2,707 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns leading the No. 1 scoring offense in the Shore at 41.1 points per game. Croce graduated as the Panthers’ all-time leading rusher and Oliphant finished with just under 3,200 career rushing yards. Their presence and production are irreplaceable, but the Panthers are confident their collection of returners and newcomers will keep them among the Shore’s elite.
Regardless of statistics, the quarterback is the focal point of the triple option offense and the Panthers will turn to bourgeoning star sophomore Jake Clayton to take over under center. The three-sport standout (wrestling, baseball) made an immediate impact in his debut last season by returning a kickoff for a touchdown in a win over Colts Neck. He was a starting slot back and also started in the secondary as a freshman. Senior Mike Ollendorf gives the Panthers a very capable backup and provides great leadership and depth.
Point Boro sophomore Jake Clayton will take over as the Panthers’ starting quarterback after an impressive freshman season at running back and safety. (Bob Badders | rpbphotography.com)
The Panthers have two prototypical ‘A’ backs ready to take over for Croce, who was a four-year starter. Senior Dylan Reitmeyer (5-foot-11, 225 pounds) saw action last year and looks to be the primary fullback while junior Calvin Videon-Perino (5-11, 220) will also see carries. Senior Colin Obser, an All-Shore linebacker last season, returns as a starting slot back. Sophomore Nick Spanola, senior Brady Kirk and junior James Bradley will rotate at the other slot back position.
Point Boro obviously doesn’t throw the ball a ton operating the Flexbone option offense. When the Panthers do take to the air it’s with chunk plays in mind, as Oliphant averaged 23.5 yards per completion with 11 touchdowns last season. Senior Jacob Reitmeyer is a returning starter at wideout and will be joined by juniors Logan DeAngelis and Landon Neris and senior T.J. Jordan. The tight ends are senior Nick Albanese, a returning starter, along with junior Brody Dapkins providing depth.
The most experienced unit on offense is the line with three returning starters, including an impact transfer. All-Shore standout Charles “Boom” Davison has graduated, but the Panthers bring back senior left guard Paul Hagenmeyer at left guard and senior Tanner Hynes at right tackle while adding senior left tackle Lou Dibiase, who transferred in after being a two-year starter at Donovan Catholic. Junior Logan Cooley is the center and junior George Walsh is the right guard. Providing depth up front will be junior Nolan Frake at left tackle, senior Declan Murphy at center and right tackle and senior Slade Samaritano at right guard.
Point Boro’s defense was also among the Shore’s best last season, finishing ninth in scoring defense at 15.2 points per game with one shutout. Seven starters return in defensive coordinator Shane O’Connor’s aggressive multiple-formation scheme with Obser, a returning All-Shore selection and a three-year starter, leading the way from his spot at outside linebacker. Dylan Reitmeyer (ILB), DiBiase (DT) and Samaritano (DT) will also be entering their third year as starters. They lead a stacked front seven with Hynes and senior Nick Jankovich returning as starters at defensive end. Hagenmeyer was a starter last year and will rotate with DiBiase at defensive tackle to keep both fresh. Walsh will rotate in at defensive tackle and Nick Albanese will rotate at defensive end. Competing for the other spot at outside linebacker are Dapkins, junior Jack Scalabrini and sophomore D.J. Albanese.
Point Boro senior Colin Obser returns as an All-Shore linebacker and is another strong option in the running game for the Panthers. (Bob Badders | rpbphotography.com)
The secondary will be comprised mostly of first-year starters. Clayton is the free safety after starting as a freshman. Spanola is at one cornerback spot with Jacob Reitmeyer and Kirk, an All-Shore lacrosse player committed to Marist, competing for the starting position on the opposite side. Videon-Perino is the starting strong safety after seeing time last season. Bradley is the backup safety at both positions.
On special teams, Obser is the punter while Clayton or sophomore Jack Sullivan will be the placekicker.
After earning a share of the Colonial Division title last season competing with Colts Neck, Manalapan, Raritan, Long Branch and Red Bank, Point Boro will be part of a new-look Class A South division with Brick Memorial, Donovan Catholic, Howell, Jackson Memorial, and Toms River North. The Panthers are by far the smallest public school in the division but their recent track record of success says they shouldn’t have a problem competing.
At a Glance
Head coach: Brian Staub, 7th season
Career record: 36-21
2023 record: 9-2
Offense: Flexbone
Defense: Multiple
Coaching Staff
-Defensive Coordinator: Shane O’Connor
-Special Teams Coordinator: Dave Johnson
-Running backs: Tom Orrok
-Offensive line: Ryan Canary, Kyle Ryan
-Defensive line: Nick Cipot, Eddie Kendall
-Linebackers: John McDonald, Dave Drzymkowski
-Secondary: Cole Groschel
-Athletic trainer: John Madden
Circle the Date: Sept. 27 vs. Toms River North
Point Boro has multiple intriguing games, including an early-season road contest at Rumson-Fair Haven and a Week 7 matchup with longtime over-the-bridge rival Manasquan, but a chance to host two-time defending Group 5 champion Toms River North in Week 4 represents a chance to make a major statement.
Rookie Watch: Calvin Videon-Perino, Jr., RB/SS
After seeing second-half action in some of Point Boro’s blowout wins last season, Videon-Perino will step into a starting spot at two key positions.
Stat to Know
Point Boro was one of five teams to finish in the top 10 of both scoring offense and scoring defense last season. Three of those teams – Point Boro, Toms River North and Brick Memorial – are all in Class A South this season.
SCHEDULE
| Date | Team | Time |
| Friday 8/30 | Steinert | 7 p.m. |
| Friday 9/6 | @Rumson-Fair Haven | 7 p.m. |
| Friday 9/13 | @Donovan Catholic | 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday 9/20 | Jackson Memorial | 7 p.m. |
| Friday 9/27 | Toms River North | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday 10/5 | Colts Neck | 7 p.m. |
| Friday 10/11 | @Brick Memorial | 6 p.m. |
| Friday 10/18 | Manasquan | 7 p.m. |
| Friday 10/25 | @Howell | 6:30 p.m. |
