Manalapan Braves Pee Wee win states (again)

On Nov 15th,at Raritan HS, the defending American Youth Football national champion Manalapan Braves Pee Wee edged the Matawan Huskies 16-14 to become the first team in NJ AYF history to win three consecutive state titles. The Braves are riding a 27 game winning streak and are now 40-2 over the three year span.

Manalapan rode the backs of game MVP, Francesco Barone, who had 19 carries for 111 yards and Anthony Matrone (18 carries 95 yards-two touchdowns). The interior line of Gavin Claro, Andrew Roginski, Justin Nyers, Mario Chierchia, Joe Sauchelli, and Joey Fratacci simply proved to be too strong for the Huskies in the second half. Marshawn Ferguson was the defensive player of the game with three pass deflections, three tackles, and an interception from his defensive back position. Head Coach Pat Marzo called Ferguson’s pick, “the play of the game.” Vincenzo Rea, last year’s MVP, was two for two on extra point kicks and proved to be the difference in the game. Roginski (snapper), leading wide receiver, Chris Marzo (holder) and Rea are 40/43 (93%) on the year with extra points. (two points in youth football). Coach Marzo acknowledged the effort of special teams coach, Paul Rea, and the before and after practice time he puts in with these three players.

This is Marzo’s fifth straight state title and trip to Nationals, another first time in AYF. In 2011 and 2012, Marzo went down to nationals with his first group of Braves. In 2012 the Braves captured a National Title after a two year 30-1 run. Marzo, now seventy wins versus just three losses, along with two national titles had this to say when pressed about his winning formula. “It starts with the players and parents buying in to what you are trying to accomplish. Our goals are grades, respect for one another and our opponents, smart and safe play, and a ton of grueling practices to perfect our skills. These boys learned multiple offensive sets that include almost 100 plays and they know how to execute each one. Our team has learned that hard work yields results, on and off the field. The players and I have been blessed with a great staff as well. Joe Santomarco, a long time Manalapan coach, and I worked the 2011/2012 teams together. Now with this team I have, again a tremendous staff.” Marzo pointed out that Coach Vin DeMayo worked tirelessly on game films and scouting and defensive coordinator, Frank Barone, came up with a defensive scheme that held 35 point plus per game Matawan to just 14 points.

The future is bright for the Braves as well. The Manalapan eight and nine year olds play in the AYF instructional league. The team put in for a National bid to compete in Florida against the rest of the country and got chosen. In NJ there are no scores on the scoreboard for this age group. When the boys get down to Florida the scoreboard will be on and they are ready to show what they are made of. Coach Marzo was excited when asked about this group and said, “We have a strong mite program. Three talented teams and our Mite white team expressed interest in entering the tourney. Our president, Mike Zdziarski made that happen for them. I think this could be the best mite team I have ever seen in Manalapan and that is saying a lot with our rich history. They have great coaches and it should be an exciting time for them, I look forward to seeing them grow in our program.” Kameron Williams is the head coach of these young Braves and stated, “we have 18 players, 9 of which are first year kids and they all responded nicely in all aspects of the game.” The coach also expressed that his team is a football family and team unity has been their focus.

The boys who are headed down for some Disney Parks, Sun, and the gridiron are:

Pee Wee: Chris Marzo, Mike DeMayo, Anthony Esposito, Francesco Barone, Dante Barone, Justin Nyers, Ray Vender, Vincenzo Rea, Nick Santana, Corey Holowach, Gavin Claro, Jon Gelb, Joe Sauchelli, Anthony Matrone, Calvin Burke, Jake Heitzner, Andrew Roginski, Ben Pirozzi, Spencer Cusumano, Mike Spinelli, Mario Cheirchia, Marshawn Ferguson, Joe Fratacci and I’shawn Pitts

Mites: Paul Kolodziej, Mark Augello, Joe Lurie, Mateo Barone, Lorenzo Barone, Frankie Williams, Johnny Williams, Justin Miller, Brayden Miller, Aneesh Kurria, Antonio Santana, Anthony Macchio, Steve Myers, Kyle Warner, Aiden Hood, Nicholas Leone, Dylan Sullivan, and Collin Meyer