Colonials have big-play potential in Brown

Senior leadership. The Freehold Borough Colonials had plenty of it last fall when they won the Shore Federal Division championship and qualified for the state playoffs.

JEFF GRANIT staff Above: Freehold Boro High School's Nick Tyson hands the ball off during a recent practice. Below: Linemen run through a play in preparation for the team's first game on Sept. 13 against Federal Division foe Middletown South. As head coach Mark Ciccatelli looks ahead to the 2008 season, he sees a team talented enough to approach the 7-3 season the Colonials enjoyed last fall, but the question is whether the leadership and chemistry provided by graduated seniors like Robert James is there.

"We have some real good kids," said Ciccatelli. "We did lose a lot of leadership. Hopefully, they learned what they need to do in practice, on game day, and the importance of always being ready."

What is easier for this group of Colonials than last year's team is that they have witnessed success. They know that Ciccatelli's approach works.

"They saw that if you work hard, listen to your coaches, good things will happen," he remarked.

In Brandon Brown, the Colonials have one of the most electrifying players in the Shore. He is the most dangerous kick returner in the conference. Along with that, he's a game-breaking wide receiver and outstanding defensive back with a nose for the ball (he had four pass interceptions in '07).

"We have to get him the ball more," said Ciccatelli. "He has to touch the ball — he's a playmaker."

His playmaking talents were on full display last season when he scored 13 touchdowns in a variety of ways. He pulled down 32 passes for 675 yards (21 yards a catch) and eight touchdowns. He ran for one touchdown, and on special teams he returned three punts and one kickoff return for a touchdown.

Brown will draw the attention of every defense the Colonials play, and that should help the team establish a running game. Teams would be foolish to cover Brown one-on-one.

It all starts for the Colonials up front on the offensive line. The highlight of last season was the final eight minutes of the game against Middletown South. Leading 27-21, the Colonials did not let the Eagles get the ball back. Running behind their offensive line, the Colonial runners kept picking up first down after first down until the game was over. That win powered the team to the division crown.

This year's line has starters Danny Barrow and Mac Matthews returning. Michael Kasten, Alan Barnstead, Darren Love and David James are all in the mix. This unit has size, something the Colonials used to control the ball against South.

"Our Number 1 goal is still to establish the run," Ciccatelli pointed out. "We'll take shots with him [Brown] downfield."

At quarterback, transfer Nick Tyson is just what the Colonials need. He was a two-year starter at Marlboro and brings a load of varsity experience to the table.

"He fits in well with our offense," said Ciccatelli. "He's an option runner, and he throws the ball well."

Tyson is happy to have a playmaker like Brown to throw to. Alex Fernandez is another viable threat catching the ball, providing some balance to the passing game.

The team will rotate its slot backs with Damar Bivins, Frank Nicosia, Willie Thomas and Derek Bender all getting touches.

Gerry Plescia is the punter/place kicker.

Defensively, the Colonials will remain an aggressive, attacking unit, just as they have always been under Ciccatelli.

"We play a pressure-type defense," said Ciccatelli. "We get after it and try to dictate the pace."

They have six starters and a seventh who earned a varsity letter returning.

The experience is in the backfield and at linebacker. Corners Brown and Plescia, three-year starters, return along with safeties Bivins and Harold Bolton. NewcomerMartin Corso provides backup here.

"Our kids are pretty athletic," Ciccatelli said of his secondary and safeties. "They can take receivers out of a game."

The Colonial secondary has the ability to make teams one-dimensional, Ciccatelli remarked, which plays to the team's aggressiveness.

Freehold has veterans at linebacker with Ricky Schwartz, Alex Fernandez and Rakim Thorpe all back. Thorpe, Ciccatelli said, could emerge as the leader on defense.

Up front, James Mastowski is the nose guard, with Ryan Solley, Barnstead and Brandon Weiss the ends.

Last year the Colonials' pressure defense produced 80 tackles for a loss, 30 quarterback sacks and a plus-15 in turnovers. They would like to approach those numbers this fall. If they do, they will again be in the race for the division title and the state playoffs.

Despite the Shore Conference realignment, the Colonials remain in the Federal Division, where they go up against all of the usual suspects from previous seasons, including powerhouses Middletown South and Wall.

Freehold Borough begins the season on Sept. 13 hosting the team it dethroned for the division championship last year, Middletown South. Kickoff is 1 p.m.

For the first time in 20 years, the Colonials will play Howell. That game is Nov. 7 in Howell (7 p.m.). Freehold will close the regular season with its annual Thanksgiving Day game at Colts Neck (10 a.m.).