Football: New Coach, System Rejuvinates Montville

OVERVIEW

The Mustangs have a new coach and a lot to learn this season. Jim Delaney has been hired off a four-year stint at High Point in which the last two seasons have been highly successful. He will try to get them up to speed early on his “Flexbone” offense which is a “Wishbone” variation and to emphasize defense to help Montville turn its program around despite battling in a very competitive conference.

LAST SEASON'S RESULTS

The Mustangs went 3-7 during the regular season. They did not make the state playoffs. Their best result was an upset victory over Jefferson at the midpoint of the season.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON 

    •    Nolan Entholt, FB/LB (Sr.)—Entholt was a starter last year and got more than a few touches on the ball his junior season.  This year, he'll have more opportunities to produce.

    •    John Kaplan, C (Sr.)-With a new offense to learn, the linemen will have to be on top of their games. Kaplan should play quite a roll.

    •    David Liebowitz OT (Sr.) —He is another athlete with good size. Hard work and execution in the trenches will be pivotal in order for the Mustangs to control possession and ground out yards.

THEY'LL MISS

    •    Jordan Gajdos, QB/FS—Quick athletic player who pretty much ran the offense. He will be playing college baseball .

    •    Evan Samlin, OT/DT—Solid and resourceful two-way lineman for the Mustangs. He will take his steady play and leadership skills to the field at The College of New Jersey .

    •    Taylor Bernstein, OG/DL—A two-way all-conference lineman whose skills will be missed.

COACH'S TAKE

    •    “The kids are working hard. They are open to learning a new offense, defense and special teams. They are doing a great job. We’re getting better. Every day, every practice, every team meeting we get a little better. We talk about our games being tests. We put our work in during the week and that’s where we get better. We have our test days on Friday nights and Saturdays." —Delaney

THEY SAID IT

    •     "We have a little more tempo and a different energy this year. The new plays are easy for me. I have a good memory. You have to slow it down (to learn it). It’s a new offense, a whole new system, but I think it’s going well." —Dave Liebowitz

    •    “Coach Delaney is really intense. He really harps on the defense in practice. He wants to make sure everything is done the right way. All the little things are important. He wants everyone to get things right. That’s the coach’s mantra." —Ben Laub

    •    "We’re all rallying behind each other and we’re all ready to go September 9. There’s been a lot more competition this year. Because of the new offense, different people are getting more looks. We’re all really excited and we’re all stepping up and trying to learn the new system." —Mike Abate