The Bucs Start Here: 2024 Red Bank Regional Football Preview
With a rash of injuries and a season of frustration behind them, Red Bank is eager for a fresh start.
The Bucs graduated a large senior class filled with three-year starters but have a host of skill position talent and speed that could make them a factor in the Class B North race. A new group of linemen will need to get up to speed quickly on a team that only returns four starters on each side of the ball, but Red Bank has the playmakers to make a run at a state playoff berth under head coach Shane Fallon.
“We’ve had a really strong offseason and the players have just been talking about the team, the team, the team,” Fallon said.
Red Bank is hoping to make a big leap offensively after finishing near the bottom of the Shore at 12.1 points per game last season amid injuries to several of their skill players. This season, the Bucs quietly have a deep group of talented receivers, which they are hoping is no longer a secret in the coming weeks.
Six-foot-two junior Ari Fraser has game-breaking ability and is one of four wideouts who are six feet or taller for Red Bank. Junior Bennett Lopez (6-3, 215) is a physical presence who’s also a strong blocker, and junior slot receiver Jah’Mir Lane-Bailey (6-5, 180) has the length to be a nightmare for smaller defensive backs. Senior Jermaine Rose returns as a starter at wideout, and seniors Aarron Butts and Jake Chatto give the Bucs two more targets.
“We feel good about our skill position talent, and the new guys up front have been working hard all offseason,” Fallon said.
Senior Quinn Niesz steps in as the starting quarterback after playing wide receiver last year. He previously played quarterback at the sub-varsity level, so he has experience at the position. Niesz is an all-around athlete who also is a running threat in Red Bank’s multiple offense.
Senior Kashta Ally will be the tailback who gets the hard yards, with sophomore Ahmare’ Bonus as a speed threat in the backfield.
Senior center Alex Costic (6-0, 260) is the only returning starter on the offensive or defensive lines for Red Bank. Junior John McManus and sophomore Pat Snable are competing for the left tackle spot, senior Humberto Hernandez-Paez will be the left guard, senior Dean Goldberg is at right tackle, and junior Quinn Forbes and sophomore Kaz Neice are in the mix for the right guard spot.
Senior Dylan Krueger will handle the kicking, while Lopez will do the punting.
The Bucs’ 3-4 defense features a whole new defensive line in seniors Matthew Peduto, Jahcere Yarbrough, and Thomas McBride. Lopez returns as a starter at outside linebacker, with Lane-Bailey at the other outside linebacker spot. Juniors Jag Gardner, Sam Healy, and Matt Gaupp, plus sophomore Chris Doody, should also see snaps at outside linebacker.
The inside linebackers will come from the group of senior Ryan Swords, junior twins Matt and Jason Huss, and sophomore Nick Blahut. Fraser and senior Adrian Gonzalez are at cornerback, where Bonus, sophomore Kaden Jackson, and junior Josh Jeter should also see time.
Rose will be at strong safety, with junior Vincent Niesz at free safety, where sophomore Nate Borenius is in the rotation.
Coming off a 3-7 season, the Bucs look to be a darkhorse in the race for the Class B North title, where Matawan and Freehold Township loom as preseason favorites.
At a Glance
Head coach: Shane Fallon, fourth season, 20th overall
Career record: 122-73
2023 record: 3-7
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 3-4
Coaching Staff
Offensive/defensive coordinator: Joe Passo
Offensive run game coordinator/RB: Jeff Mass
Defensive run game coordinator/LB: Nick Varanelli
DL/special teams: Tyler Karalewich
OL/special teams: Brian Gay
WR/DB: Chris LeRoy
OL/LB: Mike Tomkowich
Freshman: Adam Bobertz
Freshman: Mario Fragale
Athletic trainer: Christina Emrich
Circle the Date: Sept. 20 vs. Freehold Township
If Red Bank can get off to a good start, this looms as a potentially crucial Class B North matchup. It also should be a game chock full of playmaking wide receivers on both teams trading big plays. The Bucs will be looking for payback after losing to the Patriots in last year’s season opener.
Rookie watch: Jah’Mir Lane-Bailey, Jr., WR/LB
At 6-foot-5, Lane-Bailey has the wingspan to go up and get it over smaller defenders as a slot receiver. He also is disruptive in the run game as a linebacker with long arms.
Stat to Know
Red Bank’s last division title came in 2015, when the Bucs also won Class B North on their way to an 11-1 season and an appearance in a sectional final.
SCHEDULE
| Date | Team | Time |
| Thursday 8/29 | Ocean | 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday 9/6 | @Jackson Liberty | 6 p.m. |
| Saturday 9/14 | @Freehold | Noon |
| Friday 9/20 | Freehold Township | 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday 10/4 | Lacey | 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday 10/11 | @Middletown North | 7 p.m. |
| Saturday 10/19 | Long Branch | Noon |
| Friday 10/25 | @Matawan | 6 p.m. |
