Skill-Masters: 2024 Howell Football Preview

Coming off its first postseason berth in six years, the Howell football team is looking to lean on a roster deep in skill-position experience on the way to a finish that has eluded the Rebels for each of the past seven years: a winning season.

Outside of a 5-5 finish in 2022, Howell has posted losing records every season since a memorable 2017 run but has been trending in the right direction over the last two years. Now, the Rebels bring back a solid group of skill players and an entire defensive secondary, behind which they will try to break through with both a winning record and another postseason appearance.

After playing mostly receiver a year ago with a smattering of quarterback snaps, senior Vince Meehan will be the full-time quarterback this season as a dual threat. The running game figures to remain solid with the return of senior running back and 2023 leading rusher Juan DeJesus, plus senior Anthony Rivera. Seniors Zach Padilla and Gavin Carr return as targets for Meehan, with Padilla serving as the No. 1 receiver and Garr back as the tight end. Seniors Jason Borgi and Ryan Cross round out the group of receivers for Meehan to target, and while he will look to spread the ball around, he will also be able to move the ball downfield with his legs.

The offensive line is the unknown element on offense, but the foundation for a good line is in place with a returning left-side duo of three-year starting tackle Dan Robertozzi and guard Cory Moses Lonon. Junior Dan Schenck moves into the starting center job, with seniors Justin Diab (guard) and Austin Whesper (tackle) in line to start on the right side of the line, with 6-foot-5, 325-pound junior Josh Cofer also in the mix to play somewhere on the line.

The defensive line has a similar mix of returning talent and inexperience, led by returning defensive tackles Lonon and Cofer. Senior Dave Strouse will play one defensive end with sophomores Aiden Mendez and Ivan Padilla also part of the picture at end. Howell plans to play both three-man and four-man fronts, so the five aforementioned linemen can lineup in several different configurations.

The linebacker corps is also fairly new, with Carr the only returning starter as the outside linebacker. Junior Ray Purelli will play on the outside opposite Carr, with junior Josh Krutyansky, sophomore Nick Laforge and senior Justin Diab factoring into the inside linebacker jobs.

On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary is Howell’s clear strength. All four positions in that secondary are occupied by returnees, including Padilla and Meehan as third-year starters at cornerback and strong safety, respectively. DeJesus will man the other corner and senior Quincy Shaw will play free safety to round out the group.

Howell has steadily improved over the last several years and the experience at the skill positions has the Rebels positioned to make a run at their best season in eight years. The offensive and defensive lines will be x-factors, but there is enough size and potential on the roster to make it work if Howell can stay healthy.

Howell at a Glance

 Head coach: Bill Hill

 2023 record: 3-8

Offense: Multiple

Defense: Multiple

Coaching staff

-Defensive Coordinator: Bill Hill Jr.

-Running backs: Joe LaFerlita

-Receivers: Bill Hill Jr.

-Tight Ends: Michael Apicella

-Offensive line: Len Abline, John Woolf, James Sullivano

-Defensive line: Adam Sacco

-Linebackers: Michael Apicella, Len Abline

-Secondary: Dave Jimerson, Joe LaFerlita

-Athletic trainer: Amy Ghione

Circle the Date: Saturday, Oct. 5 vs. Manalapan

From 2009 to 2019, Manalapan beat Howell 11 straight times, but since Bill Hill took over as head coach, the Rebels have turned the tide against their natural rivals within the Freehold Regional School District. Howell beat the Braves in 2020 to end the 11-year drought, did not play them in 2021 or 2022, then beat Manalapan again last year in a 30-27 thriller in Farmingdale. If the Rebels can win their Saturday afternoon tilt vs. Manalapan in Week 5, they can call it a winning streak over their rival.

Rookie Watch: Aiden Mendez, Ivan Padilla (So., DE)

Howell has a few sophomores to track beginning this season and the two that appear to be most ready to make an impact are the defensive-line duo of Mendez and Padilla. Mendez is more of a traditional down lineman who can play in both three and four-man fronts as a defensive tackle. Padilla is the third brother in his family to come through the Howell program and his role will be as a defensive end or edge linebacker.

Did you know?

Since 2010, Howell has posted two winning records in 13 seasons and those were in consecutive years: a 6-5 campaign in 2016 and the 9-2 team of 2017. The Rebels are trying to end a run of six straight seasons without a record better than .500, although they have made real progress recently. Howell managed to finish 5-5 in 2022 and made the NJSIAA Group 5 playoffs a season ago.

SCHEDULE

Date                             Team                                    Time

Friday 9/6                      Freehold Twp.                         6:30 p.m.

Friday 9/13                    @Brick Memorial                    6 p.m.

Friday 9/20                    @Donovan Catholic                6:30 p.m.

Friday 9/27                    @Jackson Memorial               6:30 p.m.

Saturday 10/5                Manalapan                               2 p.m.

Thursday 10/10             Toms River North                    6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/18                  @Wall                                       7 p.m.

Friday 10/25                  @Point Boro                            6:30 p.m.