Jackson Memorial in a Rush For Title Repeat

Photo above: Lee and Gawlik taken at @JSNSPORTINGNEWS photo shoot.

JACKSON - Jackson Memorial captured its first state title since 2005 last season and the Jaguars feel they have enough left in the tank to make another run.

As is the case most years in high school football there are significant holes the Jaguars must fill if they plan on making a second straight run at the state title. They must replace All-Division quarterback Joe DeMaio, most the offensive line, their interior defensive line and a couple of starting linebackers.

They do return five high-end starters on both sides of the ball with most expected to go both ways this season, and a nucleus of young talent that includes players off their J.V. teams that have had back-to-back 9-0 seasons.

However, for the 2015 Jaguars it’s not who they don’t have, but what who do have. And who they do have is the best running back tandem in the Shore Conference.

Back is third team All-Shore selection Vinny Lee who ran for 1,025 yards and 15 TD’s and his running mate Mike Gawlik. Gawlik – an All-Division pick - had a tremendous sophomore season which saw him torch opposing defenses to the tune of 1,165 yards and 21 TD’s. In the Jaguars championship win against Middletown South Gawlik ran for a game-high 159 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown run.

It’a a two-headed monster no team in the Shore Conference is going to want to face. They both have the ability to break it from anywhere on the field and they just wear opponents down. They’re fast, strong and tough as nails and a nightmare for opposing teams.

“We’re going to be leaning heavily on those guys,” 2014 Shore Conference Coach of the Year Walt Krystopik said. “They’re both tremendous backs that have the ability to take over a game.”

Senior quarterback Dan Barker steps in for DeMaio and so far it’s been a smooth transition. “Right now all Dan needs to do is manage the team,” Krystopik said. “He had a very good 7-on-7 season this summer and needs to take the next step now with live competition. We need him to take care of the football and limit mistakes. He does have a very strong arm and outside the numbers he throws the ball downfield very well. He needs to continue to show progress and be smart with the football.”

Barker’s main target will be downfield-threat Kyle Johnson, who hauled in 16 balls for 364 yards and two touchdowns last season as a junior. Seniors Jared Calhoun and Kyle Lona will be Barker’s second and third options in their first year as starters. Senior Tyler Towns, a two way starter, gets the nod at tight end when he’s not manning his defensive end position.

“Kyle’s a vertical threat on every play,” Krystopik said. “That’s key for us having Kyle on the outside with teams having to respect him and double up on him. They won’t be able to load the box on us to stop the run. If we get a one-on-one on Kyle we’ll take a shot downfield to get teams to play us honest. We’ll be leaning him and the two running backs to take some of the pressure of Barker.”

Returning starting right tackle Dylan Smith (6-foot-3, 290 lb.) will anchor the offensive line and he’ll be joined by junior Sean Martin at right guard, senior Austin Ostrander (5-foot-9,230) at center, junior Larry Richardson (6-foot-0, 225 lb.) at left guard and junior Mills (6-foot-2, 240 lb.) at left tackle. Senior Chris Mondello (6-foot-1, 250 lb.) is out with a dislocated knee but is expected back and will be in the offensive line mix along with 6-foot-1, 230 lb. sophomore guard Joe Hurle and 5-foot-11, 270 lb. sophomore Devin Martinez.

Townes and Smith at defensive tackle anchor the defensive line which will include senior Nick D’Amore opposite Townes at the other end position and Ostrander at tackle next to Smith to complete a very formidable defensive front. Mondello will be in the rotation once he healthy. Last season, Townes registered 65 tackles, three TFL and five sacks while Ostrander recorded 45 tackles, five TFL and three sacks.

Asante Davis returns to lead the linebacking corps after a stellar junior campaign which saw him collect 78 total tackles with two TFL. Senior Nick Papandrea and junior Zack Lubertazzi get the start next to Davis after seeing considerable playing time last season as backups. Papandrea had 24 tackles, 2 TFL and a caused fumble to his credit while Lubertazzi recorded 32 tackle, 3 TFL and a sack. Senior Connor Testa will back up the starters.

The defensive backfield may be one of the best in the Shore Conference with both Gawlik and Johnson back at safety. Gawlik had an eye-popping 106 tackles and 3 TFL from strong safety last season while Johnson recorded 47 tackles with two interceptions from free safety. Lee gets the start at one cornerback spot after seeing limited time there last season and Calhoun gets the start at corner opposite Lee. Lona will fill in at both safety and cornerback.

The offensive line has looked solid in preseason and is beginning to jell. If Barker can keep defenses honest by throwing the ball down field preventing teams from putting eight in the box to stop Gawlik and Lee the offense has huge potential. The defense is already one of the top in A South and will just keep getting better. Combine the two and you have a recipe for repeat.

“We need a day-in-and-day-out effort to get better for us to have any chance to repeat,” Krystopik said. “We know the challenge we have in front of us competing in A South. Every week we’re going to face a quality opponent and outside our division we have RBC. We know week-in-and-week-out the team has to come and compete.”

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