Central Regional Football Team Hoping Hard Work Pays Off

It’s been a long summer for the Central Regional football team. A summer of drills and weight-lifting, and of running plays over and over again.

It’s the kind of work the Golden Eagles hope will help them be successful this fall, and help erase the memories of a 2010 season that featured one victory and a couple of painful fourth-quarter losses.

“We’ve been working really hard,” said Vincent Casale, the head football coach and the school’s athletic director. “They really want to be successful.”

Central returns 17 seniors, including 10 who were starters as juniors, led by running back Kalyph Hardy. Hardy burst onto the scene as a junior, racking up more than 1,656 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns, a performance that has gotten the attention of recruiters from Rutgers and Maryland, among others.

In addition, the Eagles return Mike Grieco, who’s in his third year as the team’s starting quarterback, and Casale expects Josh Dwight, another senior, will be one of Grieco’s top targets.

Defensive coordinator Willie Jacobs, who came over from the middle school, has been working to shore up Central’s defense, which last season gave up 300 yards per game, and Casale said the work they have been putting in is showing. In a scrimmage against Southern Regional on Wednesday evening, Central allowed two touchdowns over three quarters.

“The defense hung in there tough,” Casale said.

Blake Jambor, a junior, and senior Jonathan Azaceta provide leadership from the linebacker position.

Casale said he continues to work on the offense, whose performance was not what he hoped on Wednesday, but believes the team can find some success if the hard work continues.

In addition to Jacobs, Chris Loveland (linebackers) and Tighe Dillard (defensive backs) are coaching the defense. Walt Ramsay is in his fourth year as offensive coordinator, and Pat Ramsay coaches the receivers. Casale's son, Mike, is the running backs coach and Michael Jordan coaches the offensive line.

Central's first test comes Friday, Sept. 9, when the Eagles take on Red Bank Regional at 7 p.m. The Eagles open their Shore Conference Class B South schedule when they host Pinelands at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16.

The remainder of the schedule:

Friday, Sept. 23: Home vs. Barnegat, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30: At Brick, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 7: Home vs. Manchester, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 22: At Lacey, 1 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28: Home vs. Lakewood, 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 4: At St. John Vianney, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 24: Home vs. Point Boro, 11 a.m.

Check back with Patch for updates on the games and notes on the team all season long.