Southern football puts last year in the rearview in 3-0 start
The bottom fell out for Southern last season when the Rams went 1-7 in their final eight games, and they made sure not to forget that fact in the offseason.
“It was so bad,” senior running back/safety Justin Silva said. “All summer we were like ‘3-7, 3-7, that can’t be us, we can’t have that happen again.’ It had to change.”
“We have a lot of guys back, so everybody had to take their share of responsibility for last season,” Rams head coach Chuck Donohue Sr. said. “The seniors set the tone right away, and it was a much more focused group. It’s a lot easier to motivate a team in the weight room in the offseason after a season like that.”
The result has been a 3-0 start for the Rams after a 24-8 win over Toms River South in Week Two. A win over Toms River East this week would give them their first 4-0 start since the 2008 team that went 10-2 and reached a state sectional final. However, they have not stopped to pat themselves on the back considering they started 2-0 last season before everything went sideways.
Southern senior Justin Silva has been a playmaker on offense, defense and special teams to help the Rams get off to a 3-0 start. (Photo courtesy of Justin Silva)
“It’s fallen in a pattern that we have done before, and it’s easy to remind the kids of that, so practices have been very good,” said Donohue Sr., who is in his 51st season as a head coach.
An offensive boost for the Rams
The return of an experienced offensive line and an improved passing game have been key ingredients in Southern’s early success. The Rams finished third to last in the Shore Conference last season on offense at just 10.9 points per game. They are averaging 22.3 this season.
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“Our passing game can open it up a lot more,” Silva said. “Last year we couldn’t really throw the ball. When we were behind the chains, we couldn’t do anything.”
Toms River South stymied Southern’s run game for the most part, but quarterback Cooper Dempsey threw two touchdown passes to sophomore Chris Raub that allowed the Rams to turn a close game into a 17-0 lead. Sophomore Carson Abbato has also been a playmaker in getting some reps at quarterback.
Winning in all three phases
Special teams is another area that has given the Rams a huge lift in their strong start. The aptly named Keegan Foote has kicked a field goal in all three games, while flipping field position as a punter.
“Honestly it’s such a weapon,” Silva said. “We’ve been doing well on special teams every game. And our punt game is phenomenal. (Foote) punts it like 50 yards every time.”
It’s not just the kicking and punting, either. Silva took back a kickoff for a 60-yard touchdown against Toms River South and returned a punt for a score in a 26-0 win over Manchester in addition to being one of their top running backs.
A defense led by Silva and senior linebacker Evan Wyrsch has also been a major factor, posting back-to-back shutouts for the first time in 11 years and only allowing eight total points in three games.
A win over Toms River East (1-2) in Week Three and a Central victory over Lacey (0-2) would set up a huge showdown between old rivals on Sept. 27 in the race for the Class B South title. Brick also looks like another contender.
“I think anybody is capable of winning it,” Donohue Sr. said. “We don’t overlook people because we’re not an explosive offensive team. We prepare well for everybody.”
Scott Stump is an award-winning reporter, newsletter writer and editor who first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999 and has covered basketball, baseball and seemingly every other Shore Conference sport at some point.
Email: [email protected].
