When the 2018 Middletown North Lions Football Program opens their season on Saturday, September 8 at Freehold Boro, Sixth year Head Coach Steve Bush is looking to use last year’s campaign as a valuable learning experience.  The football team finished last season with a 5-5 record and although there were some bright spots, the Lions also had some bad breaks that impacted games late in the fourth quarter. These mishaps prevented the Lions from clinching a spot in the NJSIAA State Tournament after a trip to the State Final during the 2016 campaign. Last year’s playoff hopes came down to a game versus Long Branch High School. Unfortunately, the Lions fell to the Green Wave, 28-21 in overtime whom eventually won the Central Jersey Group 4 Championship. 

This year’s squad is looking to build on the 2017 campaign and will try to use the struggles as motivation for the upcoming season.  “Last year was heartbreaking, it really stuck in our gut during the off-season,” said returning senior Connor Robbins. Robbins whom scored 12 touchdowns in 2017, is considered a big part of a potent Lions offensive attack that returns eight starters.  Among the returning offensive starters are quarterback Sean Glenn, Wide Receivers Aidan Campbell, Nick DeWise, Anthony Soto, Offensive Lineman Robert Kelly, David Rodriguez and Dominic Pianoforte. Quarterback Sean Glenn believes that the experience returning will pay dividends against the Colonial Division competition: “Last year we lost many seniors to graduation, this year it’s more of an experienced team,” said Glenn.  Glenn threw for 1,650 yards and 12 touchdowns, while throwing seven of those touchdowns and 697 of those yards to speedy Senior Wide Receiver Aidan Campbell.  “Aidan has very good speed and does a very good job getting off the press. He has the ability after he catches it to break it and make a big play.” said Bush. 

Although the Lions offense appears to be in good shape, Middletown North’s defense will be the area that faces some uncertainty.  The Lions will use a rotation along the defensive line in a 4-2-5 scheme to replace graduated All Shore Team senior Austin Dewise and Nicko Cofone. Coach Bush will lean on Connor Robbins and Steve Holler who are returning starters along with a rotation of lineman that inlcudes David Rodriguez, Robert Kelly, Dominic Pianoforte, Aaron Vanderhoof, Ryan Daunoras and Christian Bracken.  Filling out the rest of the front six is middle linebacker Jacob Anderson and Patrick Connelly, while Stephen Barry, Joey Cavanagh and Travis Thompson will serve as the outside linebackers.  The Lions secondary has two returning starters back with Aidan Campbell at free safety and senior Alec Zenker at cornerback. Anthony Soto, Brian Tanglao, Matt Spencer, Nick Ferreira and Mike Ancona will round out the secondary.  The Lions will also feature strong special teams play in four-year starting All-Division kicker Joey Cavanagh, who will also serve as the punter also.

This year, the Lions face a competitive schedule in the Colonial Division that features:  St. John Vianney, Rumson-Fair Haven, Brick, Brick Memorial and Freehold. Coach Bush knows that in order to be successful this season his team will have to compete at all times.  “We’ll have to earn it every week. I think these guys are ready to step up and meet the challenge.” said Bush. Coach Bush and the Lions will be prepared by a great coaching staff that includes: defensive coordinator Geoff Massimini and assistant coaches Randy Kalman, Justin McGhee, Justin Blosi, and Larry McKnight.

GOOD LUCK  TO THE MHSN LIONS AGAINST FREEHOLD BORO!

2018 Schedule:

September 8 at Freehold Boro 1:00 pm

September 14 at Rumson Fair-Haven 7:00 pm

September 21 vs St. Johm Vianney 7:00 pm

September 28 vs Brick 7:00 pm

October 5 vs Brick Memorial 7:00 pm

October 12 at Howell 6:30 pm

October 26 at Red Bank Catholic 7:00 pm

November 22 vs Middletown South 10:30 am

2018 Middletown North Football Roster