Raritan football

Ready for Launch: 2024 Raritan Football Preview

The formula is simple for Raritan when it comes to having a resurgent season in 2024: More chunk plays on offense.

A program that reached two straight NJSIAA sectional finals fell to earth last season after graduating All-Shore running back Kieran Falzon. The Rockets are looking to shake off a season in which they finished 2-7 and last in the Shore Conference in scoring at 8.8 points per game in their flexbone offense.

They will break in a new quarterback in 2024 while returning experience in the backfield and good size up front to hopefully jumpstart a unit that struggled to hit big plays last season.

“We’re going to have more explosiveness than we had last year,” head coach Anthony Petruzzi said. “We were trying to do three yards and a cloud of dust a lot last season.”

Senior Jack McGreevy is the quarterback, replacing the graduated Logan Goldsberry. In a new wrinkle this season, McGreevy will be taking snaps from under center rather than the pistol formation Raritan has typically used.

“(McGreevy) is able to become a force in the run game, which we really haven’t had from the quarterback since Steve Coponi (in 2019),” Petruzzi said. “It gives us a legit triple option threat.”

Raritan football

Raritan is looking for a bounceback season under head coach Anthony Petruzzi. (Photo by Scott Stump)

Senior Matt Jones returns as the fullback after running for a team-high 449 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. Junior John Jeleniewski is also a returning starter who saw carries at fullback while playing through injuries last season.

Senior Xavier Nunez gives them big-play ability as a returning starter at slotback, and senior TJ Koncewicz is a senior captain who returns with experience at slotback after missing much of last season with an injury. Sophomore Eric Berg is another potential weapon at ‘A’ back after seeing time as a freshman, but is currently out with an injury.

“They have a lot of experience now,” Petruzzi said. “We missed a lot of stuff last year, where we were one step away. We expect those 4-yard gains can turn into 24-yard gains this year.”

The main targets in the passing game will be returning starter Michael Juarez at wideout along with senior Cole Tishler.

The Rockets are also optimistic about an offensive line that returns two starters. Junior center Christian Torino (6-1, 265) returns at center, and the mountainous Matthew Zweidinger (6-3, 280) is back at right tackle. Senior Jobby Dekis is an experienced returner who will be at left tackle, junior Josh Kolmer is at left guard and junior John Linane is at right guard.

“I think we’re better up front than we’ve been in a while,” Petruzzi said. “They are thick guys who were weight-room driven this offseason.”

McGreevy will also handle the placekicking.

Defensively, Raritan only returns three starters but has a lot of players who gained experience last season.

The Rockets also welcome back John Principe to the staff as the defensive coordinator. Principe was at Holmdel, where his unit registered a school-record six straight shutouts last season and led the Shore Conference with only 4.8 points allowed per game. Former St. John Vianney head coach Jeff Papcun is also back in the fold at his alma mater and coaching the secondary.

Senior Junior Aponte returns to man the middle of the defensive line for the Rockets, where he will be flanked by Dekis and senior Nathanael Pereira as the defensive ends.

Jeleniewski is a returning starter at inside linebacker, and senior Logan Tarrazi will be the other inside ‘backer. Jones and Tishler are the outside linebackers.

Nunez and Koncewicz return as the cornerbacks to anchor the secondary. Seniors Graig Pollard and James Nichols step in as the safeties.

The Rockets have a bye in Week Zero and then open with a nondivisional game against Toms River South, which is coming off its first division title in 21 years. Then they get into their schedule in the new Class C North, which is one of the deepest divisions in the Shore when it comes to quality teams. The division features Raritan rivals Holmdel and St. John Vianney, plus Manasquan, Wall, Manalapan and Holmdel.

 

At a Glance

Head coach: Anthony Petruzzi, 15th season

Career record: 67-71

2023 record: 2-7

Offense: Flexbone

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator: Chris Damian

Defensive coordinator: John Principe

DL: Tyler Murphy

OL: Matt Dempsey

CB: Joe Schroeck

Skill positions: Nick Mahoney

Safeties: Jeff Papcun

OL/DL: Shannon Hoadley

Freshman: Jonathan Rodriguez

Freshman: Chris Vurchio

Freshman: Matt Preston

Freshman: Nick Sparacello

Athletic trainer: Mike DeSocio

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 20 vs. Manalapan

Raritan surprised the Braves last season for one of its two wins and netted a ton of points that helped the Rockets still qualify for the state playoffs. They will get Manalapan at home in a game that could be huge for their postseason chances and also in the division race.

 

Rookie Watch: Eric Berg, So., RB/DB

Berg was called up to varsity as a freshman in the latter half of last season and flashed some promise on both sides of the ball. He adds some speed as a slotback on offense and also plays cornerback. The big question is whether he will be able to play this season as he is currently out with an injury, according to Petruzzi, who likened Berg to former Rockets star Dan Calicari.

 

Stat to Know

Raritan’s only undefeated season came in 2004, when the Rockets won their first state sectional title in program history. That team included current assistants Matt Dempsey and Jeff Papcun. The Rockets were led by two-time, first-team All-State quarterback Andrew Mandeville under head coach Bob Generelli. Raritan is honoring that 12-0 team before the season opener against Toms River South.

 

SCHEDULE


 

Friday 9/6 Toms River South 7 p.m.
Friday 9/13 @Wall 7 p.m.
Friday 9/20 Manalapan 7 p.m.
Friday 9/27 Manasquan 7 p.m.
Friday 10/4 @Monmouth 6:30 p.m.
Thursday 10/10 @Holmdel 7 p.m.
Friday 10/18 Colts Neck 7 p.m.
Friday 10/25 @St. John Vianney 6:30 p.m.