Loaded Brick Township Football Set For Title Defense

Photo above: Carmen Scalfani let’s everyone know whose No.1

If you want one word to describe the 2014 Brick Township football team - the first word that comes to mind is ‘scary.’ This team is stacked on both sides of the ball with a multiple of big-time returning starters set to defend their 2013 Central Jersey Group IV title.

After posting a 3-7 record in the 2012 season – their third losing season in four years – the Green Dragons soared back into Shore Conference prominence winning their first state championship since 1994 and seventh in program history. Their previous six titles were all won between 1974 and 1994 under legendary Brick coach Warren Wolf.

With all eyes once again focused on this storied program, the question now becomes – is this the beginning of another Brick Township dynasty?

Much of the offense comes back intact after averaging 35 points in their three playoff wins last season. First-team All-Shore selections Carmen Sclafani and Ray Fattaruso return as one of the most if not the most talented tandems in the conference. Sclafani, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior, is a dual threat quarterback that rushed for 1,194 yards including 16 touchdowns and threw for 705 yards with five touchdown passes. Fattaruso, a 6-foot, 220-pound battering ram is a senior running back/linebacker who ran for 1,095 yards and scored 14 touchdowns last season.

“Carmen is one of the best dual threat quarterbacks in the state,” head coach Rob Dahl said. “He can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his feet and he plays the game the way a game should be played; with a lot of heart. He’s fast and he’s accurate with his arm and so far this year in camp he’s throwing the ball extremely well.”

According to Dahl the Green Dragons have a lot more weapons at their disposal this year and plan to throw the ball some more this season; not good news for the rest of the Class A South. Those weapons include a deep and talented group of returning starters at wide receiver. Senior Joe Phillips is back after hauling 18 balls for 159 yards and a touchdown along with 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior Ja’Quez Johnson and 5-foot-11, 165-pound junior Ja’sir Taylor. Also back is 6-foot-6, 220-pound stud tight end Simon Bingelis.

“Last year Simon was just getting his feet wet,” Dahl said. “He’s from Lithuania and was just learning the game of football. By the end of the year he was really contributing and caught a couple balls in the championship game; we’re looking for big things out of him this year.”

Fattaruso will get the bulk of the carries in the backfield with senior Matt Gerrity and sophomore Jay Obenauer getting some reps. “Ray is the best two-way back we’ve had here in a long time,” Dahl said. “He represents Brick football better than anybody does.”

The offensive line returns three starters including 6-foot-2, 240 pound senior right tackle Anthony Trappasso, 6-foot-1, 260-pound junior right guard Tyler Colonno and 6-foot-1, 260-pound junior center Alex Trappasso – Anthony’s brother. At left guard will be junior Pasquale Altilio with 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior John Kozak stepping in at left tackle. Brick Memorial transfer Chris Kimbiz - a two-way starter last season for the Mustangs – is in the mix as well.

Defensively, Fattaruso – the Class A South Defensive Player of the Year - spearheads a stellar linebacker corp for the Green Dragons that are known for dishing out punishment. In Bricks 3-4 scheme Fattaruso plays outside and registered 78 tackles – 55 solo and 21 for a loss - 10 sacks, 28 quarterback hurries and an interception last season. On the inside is third-team All-Shore selection and leading tackler James Juliano. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior finished last season with 107 tackles – 14 for a loss – two sacks and nine quarterback hurries. Carmen’s younger brother Joe Sclafani will start inside next to Juliano and 210-pound junior Jordon Keefe – who started two games last season and had 10 tackles – starts outside opposite Farraruso.

On Bricks defense front, 5-foot-11, 245-pound senior Chris Kimbiz gets the start at nose tackle with 6-foot-1, 235-pound junior Dan Finelli back at defensive end after a solid 2013 campaign. Finelli was fifth on the team with 53 tackles – 33 solo and 22 for a loss – had two sacks and 22 quarterback hurries. 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior starter Jake Layton is back opposite Finelli at the other defensive end spot. Layton registered 59 tackles last season – 37 solo and eight for a loss – five sacks and 21 quarterback hurries.

The defensive backfield returns three starters from last season to complement the outstanding linebacking crew and defensive line. Johnson (three interceptions) and Phillips (one interception) reclaim their cornerback spots with sophomore John Prato backing up. 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior Tommy Leech is back at free safety and is a physical player that can ‘lay the wood’ as his 71 tackles will attest. He also picked off two balls and caused a fumble. Senior Matt Gerrity holds the lead in the strong safety competition with Joe Bruno a close second on the depth chart.

Both the punting and kicking duties will be handled by Hunter Palmer and K.C. Stackable.

With such an abundance of talent Dahl isn’t concerned about his players approach to this season. “I think they’re focused. We’ve seen a tremendous off season, probably the best off season we’ve ever had,” Dahl said. “We have a rule in the program now that they’re not allowed to mention last year’s championship, or state rings, or anything like that. They know this is a new year and our goal is still to win a championship; but they’re not allowed to revert back to last year. That rule has really helped them stay focused and they know we’re 0-0 and we take one game at a time. However, we’re all looking forward to that first game.”

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