Monmouth University Wraps Up Spring Ball With Spirited Scrimmage

Photos courtesy of Monmouth University

WEST LONG BRANCH – Monmouth University’s football team put the finishing touches on their 2019 spring season with an intrasquad scrimmage between the offense and defense that featured situational game-like conditions, including a 25-second clock on downs and a full crew of referees.

“It was a pretty good practice to close out the spring,” said head coach Keven Callahan. “We tried to put some actual situations in there and this team came out every day all 15 practices with a lot of energy, a lot of effort and we’re getting better. They’ve got that mindset that they want to come out and improve each and every time we come out here.

“As long as we keep coming to work with that mentality, we’re going to get to where we want to be. I think we made a lot of progress but we’re certainly not where we want to be yet, but I think we’re on the right track. We were able to build a nice foundation that we can continue to build on as we continue on to the summer.”

Monmouth University must replace FCS All-American wide receiver Reggie White Jr., who just signed a rookie free agent contract with the New York Giants and will report to their upcoming rookie minicamp. And while no one receiver will be able to truly fill White Jr. shoes, Sunday’s scrimmage was a good opportunity for someone to step up and a couple players did just that.

“We’ve got a group of four to five guys that we feel very good about,” said Callahan. “Exactly how they fit into a starting lineup or a two-deep really hasn’t been determined at this point but I like the group as a hole.”

Former Ocean Township star wide receiver Joey Aldarelli stood out Sunday catching three passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns, including a 38-yard reception from junior backup quarterback Max Smyth, who finished 5-of-16 for 119 yards with a touchdown plus a 12-yard touchdown run and an interception.

He also caught a 19-yarder for a score from returning starter Kenji Bahar, who completed 11-of-20 passes for 132 yards and a TD. The 6-foot-1, 195 pound junior also pick up 15-yards rushing and a first down on a wide receiver reverse.

“The biggest thing all spring was really working on execution and getting in-sink with the quarterbacks so I feel like we did that today,” said Aldarelli. “Basically, all the young guys need to step up. We know that Reggie and Vinnie (Grasso) are big shoes to fill but we’re working and practicing just as hard as they did so we’ll be ready.”

“Joey had a good day today, it was a good practice for him,” said Callahan. “That’s the thing about this team, there’s players at all positions who kind of take turns stepping up and it’s not always one guy. On both sides of the ball you’re going to see a true team effort with different guys making plays when we need it."

Junior Zach Treadway had two catches for 29 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown reception from backup quarterback Jared Pershyn, who went 2-of-4 for 42 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot-3 Treadway is a big target and Callahan likes his potential.

“Zach’s done a good job, he came on for us at the end of last year and had a couple of big games at the end of the season,” said Callahan. “He’s a guy that has a lot of ability and we have a lot of confidence in him.”

Callahan also mention returning junior wideouts Terrence Green Jr. and Lonnie Moore and graduate student Brandon Batts as receivers he expects a lot out of. “We’ve got some guys that we should be able to put together a pretty good core with.”

Green Jr. caught two passes for 23 yards, including an 11-yard reception for a first down, Moore had two receptions for 41 yards with one being a diving 29-yard grab right at the sidelines while Batts made an acrobatic 50-catch that set up Smyth’s touchdown run. Former Long Branch standout T.J. Fosque – a 6-foot-3 wideout – also caught two balls for 23 yards.

Monmouth returns all three running backs and they all got work Sunday. Last year’s freshman sensation and first team All-Big South selection Juwan Farri picked up 36 yards on 13 carries while short yardage beast Devel Jones ran for 34 yards on 10 attempts and 2018 All-Big South second-team pick, Pete Guerriero, had just three runs for eight yards in limited duty.

Former Point Pleasant Boro All-Shore quarterback James Fara has been converted to running back and had a fine showing Sunday rushing for 25 yards on six attempts and had a 30-yard reception.

However, it was the oft-maligned defense that stole the show Sunday with a terrific all-around effort. The first-team defense did not allow a touchdown and held the Big South’s second leading rushing team to 130 yards on the ground on 38 attempts for a 3.42 rushing average and the passing offense to a 45 percent completion average on 40 attempts.

The defensive line, which must replace three starters, was particularly effective Sunday with lone returning starter junior defensive end/linebacker Erik Massey having a monster game. The 6-foot-2, 225 pound Massey recorded two sacks and had two tackles for loss on running plays.

“Massey’s a guy who’s really coming into his own,” said Callahan. “He had a good year for us last year and his game has seemed to have taken another step forward this spring.”

Senior defensive end Kahari Scarlett also made his presence felt with two sacks and a number of quarterback pressures while senior lineman Lowell Kelly-Gamble picked up sack as well.

Senior Evan Powell had a number nice stops and Callahan has liked what he see’s seen of the 6-foot-1 linebacker this spring.

“Evan has really taken on the leadership role with the linebacker group,” said Callahan. “Every time we come out here it seems like he’s made plays. He’s a guy that’s emerging as a leader on the defense.”

The secondary is going to be counted on this season as a strength of the team with three starters back and number of others returning with experience led by first-team All-Big South cornerback Tymere Berry along with junior cornerbacks Justin Terry and Mike Bowers and junior safety Anthony Budd.

“It feels great with the whole core of the secondary coming back as a group,” said Berry. “Since I’ve been here I can honestly say this is the closest the core has ever been outside of just football. The chemistry is at an all-time high and I honestly feel like it will be the strong point of the team and we’ll be controlling what’s going on.

“Those two, Scarlett and Erik Massey they’ve been having a great spring. Erik should definitely be a preseason All-Conference guy and I’m looking forward to them having big season's and making it a lot easier on our part on the back end. I honestly feel the defensive unit as a whole will be holding the weight as a team, but the defensive backfield will be the strong point. We’re balanced out a lot more than last year.”

Fifth-year converted defensive back Matt Castronuova (Jackson Memorial) recorded the only turnover of the day with an outstanding leaping interception that saved a possible touchdown with Batts wide open behind him. He also had a tackle for a loss and looks to add valuable depth to the secondary this season.

“I thought this was a good end to a very good spring,” added Callahan.

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