Freehold Colonials Start 2-0 Behind Explosive Runner Josh Dixon

Photo: Josh Dixon

FREEHOLD – The Freehold Colonials are off to their first 2-0 start since the 2008 season after a surprising 26-14 opening night victory at Middletown North and a convincing 29-7 win versus cross-town rival Freehold Township on the Patriots home turf Friday night. The two wins also matched their win totals of both last season and the 2012 season.

The Colonials are seeking their first winning season since 2010 when won the Central Jersey Group III title, beating Middletown South 14-12, in the final at Rutgers University.

A move into the Class A North division this season from Class B North seems to be sitting well with the Colonials, when after averaging a mere 13. 9 points a game on offense last season they are now averaging 27.5 points a game after their first two games.

Freehold is blessed with the return of All-Class B North selection Josh Dixon, who coming into the season was one of the best kept secrets in the Shore Conference. After rushing for 358 yards and four touchdowns on just 37 carries for a 9.7 yards/carry average in only seven games last season, Dixon is a man on a mission.

This season, he has burst onto the scene. He scored four touchdowns – including runs of 53 and 60 yards - rushed for 217 yards on just 21 carries, and caught one pass for 18 yards in their opening night victory. In last Friday’s win, he picked up 149 yards on the ground on 25 carries, scoring on runs of three and 26 yards. So far this season, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Dixon has rushed for 366 yards for a 8.0 yards/carry average.

“Josh is a very hard worker and a leader,” fourth-year head coach Dave Ellis said. “He gives it his all for four quarters. Our line has been able to open some holes for him and he’s a very explosive player in the open field.”

6-foot-1, 175-pound dual-threat quarterback Jake Curry is back directing the offense after starting down the stretch last season as a sophomore. Curry- a junior - ran for 75 yards in their win over Freehold Township and has done a solid job managing the offense this season as a more confident player. He has only 16 passing attempts in two games thus far as the Colonials have been riding Dixon’s brilliant start.

“Jake’s doing a good job for us,” Ellis said. “He’s managing the offense and getting us in the best position possible. He’s also a talented runner and he showed that against Township. Josh and Jake have been a good one-two-punch for us. We’ll have Jake throwing the ball more as teams load the box against us to stop Josh, but with a kid like Josh we want the ball in his hands as much as possible.”

Former two-time All-State and All-Shore quarterback Andrew Mandeville is the offensive coordinator this season after coaching the quarterbacks last season. While at Raritan, Mandeville passed for over 6000 yards and 50 touchdowns and his experience can only hasten Curry’s development.

Freshman Asante Worthy has chipped in with 36-yards rushing with one touchdown on eight carries and looks to be solid option at running back when Dixon needs a breather. Worthy – Dixon’s cousin – is a future star. He’s an all-around athlete that can play running back, slot receiver, linebacker, cornerback, safety and return punts and kicks.

Ellis has high praise for his freshman running back, “Asante is a very mature kid for his age. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and has done a nice job when Josh needs to come out. Asante does it all for us: he punts, returns punts and kicks, can play running back, wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back. He has a very positive attitude and if he keeps working the way he is, there’s no limit on what he can accomplish.”

Defensively, the Colonials have given up only 21 points in two games have played very opportunistic football. Together they have recovered four fumbles - one returned for a 50-yard score – intercepted two passes, produced four sacks and recorded a safety.

Curry and Dixon have the picks, while 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior outside linebacker/safety Jamel Smith-Rush scooped up a ball after senior defensive back Jah’sim Fen forced a fumble and returned it 50-yards for a score. Smith-Rush also has two sacks while defensive ends Will Fraumeni – a 6-foot-1, 225-pound - three-year starter on the offensive line - and senior Mitch Johnson each have one sack to their credit.

“Jamel has been playing very well and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time,” Ellis said. “Jamel’s working hard and plays both ways for us, as do a lot of our guys. He’s really starting to understand his position and beginning to excel there. Our starting defensive line is all seniors with Will, Mitch and nose guard Nick Kousoulides all great pass rushers as well as run stoppers.”

The Colonials (2-0) will attempt to make it three in a row in their home opener Friday, September 19 against Class A North foe, Howell Township. The game will mark the first of three consecutive home games for the Colonials.

“This team is just tired of losing,” Ellis said. “We have nine seniors on this team and they want to win and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to win some ball games. We’re taking it one game at a time and still have a lot of areas that need improvement. We’re glad to be 2-0 but we know that we can play better and need to clean some things up; the kids are excited to get back and play on their own field in front of a home crowd.”

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