Powerful Matawan Has What It Takes For a Run at Second Straight Title

Photo above: Mike Kawka, Makiya Caesar, Shawn Ramcheran and George Pearson. Photo taken at @JSNSPORTINGNEWS photo shoot.

MATAWAN – After losing their first two games of the season last year by a combined score of 62-20, the Matawan Huskies won eight of their next 10 games including a five game season-ending run that led them to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship.

This year’s team hopes to build on that momentum and ride it all the way to their second straight state title and eighth in program history.

Division rivals Rumson Fair-Haven and Saint John Vianney - both of whom won state title last year when the Shore Conference swept all five Central Jersey groups - will be stern obstacles they must overcome, but the Huskies, at least on paper, appear capable of the task.

“We don’t talk about that (repeating),” head coach John Kaye said. “We talk about Saint John Vianney, that’s opening day. Last year was last year, this year is this year.”

Matawan is led by record-breaking quarterback George Pearson, back for his sophomore season after setting the Shore Conference record for passing yardage as a freshman with 1,956 yards and 16 touchdowns. In the championship game, Pearson went 10-of-14 for 198 yards and four touchdown passes. He’s a big, strong-armed pocket passer that see’s the field well and his maturity level and poise are off the charts for his age and experience.

“George is a strong-armed kid who likes to drop back and wing it around,” Kaye said. “He was only a freshman last year and is bigger and stronger this year. He’s a leader and takes charge of the huddle.”

Pearson must overcome the loss of his top two targets from a year ago with Justin Ferrara graduated and DeJohn Rogers transferring to Paramus Catholic.

“It’s always been our motto “next man up,” Kaye said. “This year is no different. You’re always faced losing players.”

However, senior Shawn Ramcheran is back at wide receiver after a solid season as a starter last year when he hauled in 31 balls for 391 yards and a team-high six receiving touchdowns. In the championship game he had three receptions for 50 yards including touchdown catches of eight and 32 yards. Senior Alex Pierce is a downfield threat and gets the start opposite Ramcheran with junior Jake Burlew and sophomore DeVonte Spann backing up. First team All-Shore linebacker Aliem Shaw is penciled in at starting tight end as he goes both ways.

Ramcheran was a third team All-Shore pick as a return specialist last season after returning two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns and you can expect more of the same from this explosive player this year.

“Sean is a great two-way player for us,” Kay said. “He calls the plays in the secondary on defense and runs great routes as a receiver and picks up big-time yardage after the catch. He’s also one of the best return men in the Shore Conference.”

Two-way starter, Makiya Caesar, gets the starting nod at running back after sharing the duties last season when he tallied 394 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Caesar’s a powerfully built 6-foot-1, 215 pound north-south runner that can also get to the outside with deceptive speed. Junior Derrick Wiley will get his touches after getting his feet wet last season and senior Isaiah Phillips is in the backfield rotation as well.

The offensive line returns three starters and looks to be a strength of the team with its massive size, power and athleticism. All-Division right guard Mike Kawka (6-foot-2, 295 lbs.) will anchor the line that includes: senior Austin Santana – Simmons (6-foot-0, 215 lbs.) at right tackle, senior David Sherman (6-foot-0, 275 lbs.) at center, junior Donald Smalls (6-foot-4, 320 lbs.) at left guard and junior Mike McHugh (6-foot-3, 225 lbs.) at left tackle.

Upfront on the defensive line, Kawka and McHugh are set at defensive end while Smalls and junior Andrew Conzo get the start at tackle. Sherman and Santana-Simmons are part of the rotation as well.

Shaw – a first team All-Shore selection last season – is a defensive leader at linebacker after a dominant junior year which saw him record 114 tackles, 14 TFL and seven sacks to give him a whopping 30 career sacks. Phillips is back next to Shaw giving the Huskies one of the best one-two punch at linebacker in the Shore. Phillips had 74 tackles, 5 TFL, six sacks and an interception. Freshman Devin Williams has shown enough in preseason to win the job as the third backer.

“Shaw and Phillips have to be the best linebacking tandem in the Shore,” Kaye said. “They’re both three-year starters and the strength of our defense. They make all our calls and get us lined up – they’re the quarterbacks of the defense.”

The defensive backfield is very solid if not spectacular with Ramcheran and Spann starting at the corners and Caesar and Pierce taking their places as starting safeties. All can cover and hit and as a unit have the potential to be game changers.

Senior Adam Elliot returns after posting a solid junior season when he hit six-of-eight field goals with a long of 37 yards and was good on 31 extra points.

“Our goal is to go out and win every game,” Kay said. “Last year we had a tough start. We’re more confident at the quarterback position now than we were a year ago at this time so that should help. We got hot at the right time last season and we’d like to start out that way this year. We’re going to continue to play good defense and that’s what championship caliber teams are built on. Keep playing good defense and being strong in the kicking game is the foundation teams are built on.”

Follow @getmready