All on the Line: 2024 Matawan Football Preview

Following a successful run from the late 2000s to 2015, Matawan football fell on hard times during the latter part of the last decade. The Huskies endured seven straight years without qualifying for the NJSIAA Playoffs – a steep drop-off for a program that won two NJSIAA sectional championships in four years between 2011 and 2014.

The playoff drought ended in 2022 and last fall, Matawan made it back-to-back appearances in the NJSIAA playoffs despite posting a 4-6 record at the conclusion. With a talented core returning – particularly in the offensive backfield – Matawan is eyeing a third straight trip to the state tournament, which would mark the first time the Huskies have qualified for the state playoffs three years in a row since 2010 through 2012.

The big name on the Matawan roster is Jayden Elijah, who is big in more than just his name. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound Rutgers commit is heading into his fourth season as a starter on the offensive line and will man the left tackle spot. Elijah is the only senior on the line and one of only two returning starters on the unit, with junior guard Gavin Miller playing on the left side with Elijah. Junior center Jacob Lauricella has varsity playing experience while Matawan will lean on an experienced duo on the right side with sophomore guard Andras Haramsz and junior tackle Mohammad Targali.

While the strength of the offensive line is concentrated heavily into one player, the skill positions are a more balanced element of the Matawan roster. Senior quarterback Am’ir Martinez proved himself as a dual-threat quarterback as a junior when he rushed for just under 700 yards and threw for 949 yards with 12 touchdowns. He will share a backfield with classmate Colin Palumbo – a 923-yard rusher who ran for six touchdowns and also finished third in the Shore Conference with 127 tackles as a linebacker.

The receiving corps took a hit with the graduation of top pass-catcher Cam Cooper, but brings back No. 2 target Welman Crooms to lead a junior-heavy group at the position. Kasey Bodin is the lone senior in the group, while Erik Martinez, Damian Marsh, Alex Liss and Alex Lugo will be other juniors to watch in the passing game. One more senior for Am’ir Martinez to target is tight end Jaylen Williams, with sophomore Peter Brown second on the depth chart.

Palumbo, who also notched three sacks and three interceptions to go with his robust tackle total, and Williams (115 tackles) lead a standout group of linebackers that includes three players who logged at least 100 tackles in 2023. Erik Martinez (109 tackles) will play opposite Williams on the outside and senior Noah Zheng will get a chance to play next to Palumbo on the inside. The group of linemen also includes Elijah, who can play defensive tackle in the 3-4 alignment, defensive end with four down linemen, and edge-rusher in the 3-4 look. Haramsz will also play on the end of the line, while senior Metin Meioglu is set to play on the interior up front.

The secondary will have to adjust to life without Cooper but will have a pair of returning starters upon which to lean. Crooms is back at one of the cornerback positions and Liss is back as the free safety. Bodin, meanwhile, will man strong safety and fellow senior Tahir Alli will play at the other corner opposite Crooms, giving the Huskies two experienced juniors and two hungry seniors ready to take on starting roles.

Another x-factor for Matawan this season is on the sideline, where former Middletown South standout Matt Walsh takes over in his first year as a head coach. Matawan’s accomplished core four of Palumbo, Elijah, Am’ir Martinez and Williams gives Walsh a leadership collective that is capable of leading Matawan to its best season in more than a decade, but the swift development of the junior and sophomore class appears to be the key to a special season for the Huskies.

At a Glance

Head coach: Matt Walsh, first season

Career record: 0-0 

2023 record: 4-6

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 3-4 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Brian Duffy

Special Teams Coordinator: Robert Wietecha

Running backs: Joe Martucci

Offensive line: Sam Turner

Defensive line: Sam Turner

Linebackers: Joe Martucci

Secondary: Shawn Ramcheran

Athletic trainer: Matt Goetz

Circle the Date: Aug. 30 vs. Wall

Wall is the first of three 2023 NJSIAA playoff teams Matawan will face in 2024 and the only one that is on Matawan’s home turf. The Crimson Knights will be a telling test on Friday, with September games at Middletown South and Freehold Township also serving as barometer games for Matawan’s postseason chances. A showdown with St. John Vianney on Oct. 18 could be crucial, with the postseason berth or playoff positioning possibly on the line against the new-look Lancers.

Rookie Watch: Andre Martin and Andras Haramsz

The sophomore duo has a chance to make an immediate impact – one as a starter and another in an important backup role. Haramsz is set to start on both the offensive and defensive lines, which could hold the key to Matawan leveling up in 2024. Martin, meanwhile, is the backup to Palumbo at tailback, and with Palumbo also serving as one of Matawan’s best defensive players, a breakout performance by Martin carries with it the additional benefit of keeping Palumbo fresh and healthy.

Stat to Know

Matawan is the only team in the Shore Conference to return two players who rushed for at least 500 yards in 2024. Palumbo led the Huskies with 923 yards while classmate and quarterback Am’ir Martinez picked up 689 yards.

SCHEDULE

Date                             Team                           Time

Friday 8/30                   Wall                                  6 p.m.

Friday 9/6                     Central                              6 p.m.

Friday 9/13                   @Middletown North      7 p.m.

Saturday 9/21              @Freehold Boro              Noon

Friday 9/27                  @Freehold Twp.              6:30 p.m.

Thursday 10/10           Ocean                                6 p.m.

Friday 10/18                 St. John Vianney            6 p.m.