Climbing the Ladder: 2024 Manchester Football Preview

The 2023 season was one of tremendous growth for Manchester under second-year head coach Tommy Farrell. The Hawks had been mired in mediocrity since the program’s inception in 1976 before breaking through last season with a program single-season record eight wins. The challenge now is to make it a trend.

Although their schedule last season – which included three Group 1 schools – left them little margin for error and was a factor in them missing the playoffs, the Hawks believe they have the ingredients to be more than a one-year wonder heading into a critical 2024 season. Despite graduating standouts such as Josh Love and Manny Swain, the former of whom led the Shore Conference in scoring last season, the Hawks return seven starters on offense and eight on defense as they aim to challenge for the Class C South division title and make a run at the program’s first NJSIAA playoff appearance since 2010.

Offense

Manchester finished second to Keyport in last season’s Patriot Division, whetting their appetites and providing motivation to finish the job in 2024 with a veteran core of returners. At or at least near the top of the list is senior quarterback Aidan Lunn, who will be entering his third year as a starter and will pilot the Hawks’ power spread scheme. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder was sixth in the Shore in passing yards last season with 1,397 and 16 touchdowns. He also showcased his ability as a runner with 458 yards and eight touchdowns to help Manchester average 32.7 points per game, which was the fifth-best mark in the Shore.

He will be surrounded by plenty of playmakers with senior wideout M.J. Goins (28 catches for 435 yards and five TDs last season) entering his third year as a starting wide receiver and senior Dom Rekus also back after starting last season. Junior Aidan Phillips-Freeze joins the group. At tight end is another three-year starter in 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior Ny’Zyr Battle along with 6-foot-3, 215-pound junior Kurtis Mayer, who had a standout year on defense as a sophomore. Love’s graduation leaves a production void at running back that the combination of junior Malik Pharmes and senior Avery Phillips, a transfer from Toms River East, hope to fill. Love ran for 1,479 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and added 382 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Opening holes for those two will be Mortellite, a returning two-year starter at fullback.

Even the best skill players can’t do much without time and space, so the Hawks are in a good spot with four of five offensive linemen returning to pave the way. Towering 6-foot-6, 265-pound senior left tackle Spencer Placek enters his third year as a starter and will be at left tackle, and 270-pound senior Mason Davis is also entering his third year as a starter at left guard. Senior Anthony D’Antonio is a returning starter at center and 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior Ryan Dunckley is back at right guard. The lone newcomer is senior Jaeshon Smith at right tackle.

Defense

The Hawks’ defense was solid last season, finishing 15th in scoring defense allowing 18.8 points per game. All four down linemen return along with two linebackers to comprise the teeth of the unit.

Mayer and D’Antonio are the defensive ends with Davis and junior returning starter Miguel Espinal (6-foot, 285 pounds) at defensive tackle. Mayer posted 51 tackles, a team-leading 10 sacks and seven more tackles for loss during his breakout sophomore season. His 10 sacks were tied for the fifth-most in the Shore. D’Antonio added three sacks last season.

Mortellite led the Hawks in tackles last season with 63 and enters his third year as a starting linebacker. He’ll man the middle of the defense with sophomore Mike Fink on one side and Phillips and senior returning starter Ian Spicer on the other side.

The secondary features Goins as a two-year returning starter at strong safety and Pharmes back as a starting cornerback. Goins picked off three passes last season. Junior Tyheem Jackson is the other cornerback and senior Imere Smith takes over at free safety.

Special Teams

Spicer is back as the team’s starting kicker and punter. He connected on 40 of 45 extra points and kicked a 25-yard field goal last season en route to being selected as the All-Patriot Division kicker.

Division breakdown

The Hawks’ only division blemish last season came in a wild 35-33 loss to Keyport in Week 4 as the Red Raiders went on to claim the Patriot Division championship. Manchester posted division wins over, Point Beach, Jackson Liberty, Lakewood and Keansburg to finish second. Its schedule takes a step up this season with a Class C South slate including Barnegat, Jackson Liberty, Lakewood, Monmouth Regional and Pinelands.

 

At a Glance

Head coach: Tommy Farrell, third season

Career record: 11-10

2023 record: 8-3

Offense: Power Spread

Defense: 4-3

 

Coaching Staff

-Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Brown

-Defensive Coordinator: Gerard O’Donnell

-Special Teams Coordinator: Alex Lunn

-Running backs: Bob Mussari

-Receivers: Alex Lunn

-Tight ends: Jay Longo Jr., Chris Blaine

-Offensive line: Jeff Brown, Mike Sullivan

-Defensive line: Gerard O’Donnell, Demetrius Smith

-Linebackers: Bob Mussari, Joe Hackett

-Secondary: Lamar Davenport

-Junior varsity: Lamar Davenport (head coach), Jay Longo Jr., Joe Hackett, Mike Sullivan

-Freshmen: Joe Serratelli (head coach), Jay Longo Jr.

-Athletic trainer: Tiffany Ragati

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 13 vs. Pinelands

Manchester has its sights set on an outright division title, which would be the first in program history. Their division opener comes at home against a Pinelands team that was last season’s Liberty Division runner-up, giving the Hawks a chance to stamp themselves as the early Class C South favorite.

 

Rookie Watch: Mike Fink, So., OLB

Cracking the lineup as a sophomore was a tough task this season with Manchester returning multiple veteran players, but Fink has earned a starting role at outside linebacker flanking standout senior middle linebacker Dante Mortellite.

 

Stat to Know

Manchester has qualified for the state tournament just twice in program history, the last of which came in 2010 when current defensive coordinator Gerard O’Donnell led the Hawks to a 6-4 record and a trip to the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs.

 

SCHEDULE

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Thursday 8/29	vs. West Deptford at Ocean City HS	10 a.m.
Friday 9/6	@Southern	7 p.m.
Friday 9/13	Pinelands	6 p.m.
Friday 9/20	Jackson Liberty	6 p.m.
Friday 9/27	Barnegat	6 p.m.
Saturday 10/5	Rumson-Fair Haven	6 p.m.
Saturday 10/12	@Lakewood	1 p.m.
Friday 10/18	@Point Beach	7 p.m.
Friday 10/25	@Monmouth	6 p.m.