Monmouth football kicks off season at Lehigh
Hawks are ranked No. 2 in country during preseason
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Above, Monmouth University’s Brian Boland fires a pass during a Hawks’ intra-squad scrimmage in West Long Branch. Below, former Freehold Borough star Josh James hits the hole, while at left former Middletown South standout Mike McClelland looks for some running room after making a catch.

Monmouth University’s football team knows that every team on its schedule has its game with them circled. It goes with the territory.

Kevin Callahan’s Hawks are coming off their finest season. They were the No. 1 ranked I-AA Mid-Major football team in the country, winning the Sports Network Cup following a 10-1 season that included a Northeast Conference championship for the second straight season and fourth overall.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff

Monmouth, which begins the 2005 season on the road Saturday at Division I-AA power Lehigh University (1 p.m.), is the preseason pick to win the NEC for a third straight year and is ranked No. 2 in the country behind Drake

The Hawks return six All-NEC selections, led by center Mike Castoro (Middletown South), receiver Miles Austin (Garfield), middle linebacker Mike Castellano (Freehold Township), defensive backs Nick Castellano (Jackson) and Rob Lomoriello (Pompton Lakes), and punter Sean Dennis (Holy Cross).

Four Hawks were named to the Sports Network Pre-Season I-AA Mid Major All-American team — quarterback Brian Boland (Brick Memorial), Castoro, Austin and Nick Castellano.

The Hawks are loaded, but head coach Callahan knows that alone won’t win them any football games this fall.

“Every year is a new year, every year there are new challenges,” he said. “This year is about 2005 and what this team does. We’re always looking to get better. There are things we can do better.”

Above, Monmouth’s David Sinisi carries the ball during an intra-squad scrimmage in West Long Branch. Below, Shane Sharpley tries to shake off a tackle.

While 2004 won’t mean anything Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania, Callahan believes that the success the team has experienced has a carry-over effect.

“Certainly being successful breeds confidence,” he said. “Two consecutive 10-win seasons and two consecutive conference championships develops confidence and a winning attitude.”

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff

The Hawks also have leaders that will not allow them to rest of their laurels, according to Callahan, citing Boland, Austin, Castoro and fifth-year running Bob Smith (Hopatcong) on offense, and lineman Brian Sweeney (Cherokee), Mike Castellano and defensive back David Jiles (Paulsboro).

“These are guys who know what it takes to win,” he said. “They will not allow it [a letdown] to happen.

“Brian Boland is somebody the players look up to. He’s a leader and Bob Smith is a fifth-year senior who was here when we didn’t win.”

The Hawks have the potential to have their most explosive offense in school history. They have eight returning starters, including Boland and an experienced offensive line that lost just one starter.

Castoro, 6-3, 275, is the anchor of a very good line that will protect Boland and open up holes for running backs. Matt Connolly (West Milford) and Tom Mauro (Middletown South) are back at right tackle and right guard, with left guard Jon Dunn (Washington Township) the other returner.

Nick Locastro (Gateway Regional) and Justin Lattimore (Morristown) are vying for the left tackle position vacated by the graduated Dan Iskra.

Monmouth’s receiving corps spells trouble for the opposition.

“The position has talent and is deep,” said Callahan.

Austin can stretch a defense with his speed and accounted for 859 pass-receiving yards last year.

Brendan Kennedy (Middletown South), who split time at quarterback with Boland, has moved to wide receiver this year. Adam San Miguel (St. Peter’s Prep), Shane Sharpley (West Milford) and Mark McClelland (Middletown South) round out the receiving unit. They are sure-handed, possession receivers who complement Austin’s ability to get downfield and make the big play.

What Callahan likes the most about this unit is its size. Everyone is 6-foot-3 and over. Defense backs will be under pressure trying to match up with Monmouth’s size.

Smith is the top returning running back and brings a lot of experience to the table, Walter Carter (Salem) and transfer Leonard Brice (Phillipsburgh) head the a stable of capable running backs that includes Josh James (Freehold Borough).

“We have several capable guys and we plan to use them,” said Callahan.

Boland, a junior, is the key to what could be a very explosive offense. After two years of sharing the position, he is firmly in charge under the center.

“Brian has a great deal of leadership and poise,” said Callahan. “He doesn’t rattle. He’s totally in control all of the time.”

Boland is the top-ranked returning quarterback in the NEC. Last season, he had a passing efficiency rating of 136.7, completing 56.3 percent of his passes for 1,643 yards and 12 TDs. MU is 17-3 in his two years.

With all the weapons at Monmouth’s disposal, Callahan said the Hawks will look to present a balanced attack at opponents, one that can control the clock and line of scrimmage with its running game, yet won’t hesitate to go deep.

“This is as good an attack as we’ve had,” he said. “It could be our most potent offense.”

Championships are won on the defensive end, and the Hawks will be stingy as ever yielding yards and points.

Up front, the Hawks have Sweeney and Erik Yngstrom (Freehold Township) returning on the defensive line. The interior of the line is a team strong point. Mike Castellano returns at middle linebacker.

The Hawks will be breaking in new outside linebackers with Mike Nunziato (Paramus Catholic) and Anthony Addonzio (Holmdel) among the candidates to flank Castellano. The presence of the steady Castellano will make the transition easy.

The linemen and linebackers share similar traits.

“We’re not very big, size-wise, but we run well,” said Callahan.

Matt Hill (Hopatcong) and Nick Castellano, lead a very experience backfield that returns intact. Jiles and Robert Lomoriello (Pequannock) are the other returning starters. Castellano was second on the team with 81 total tackles, a figure that ranked second in the NEC, and Hill had 80 total stops and four interceptions.

The secondary is a very active unit.

Dennis returns at punter and with his 40-plus average kick, is a major weapon.

One concern for Monmouth is coming up with a place-kicker. Monmouth University won on the last play of the game three times last year and two of the game-winners were field goals by the graduate Steve Andriola.

A challenging schedule awaits the 2005 Hawks, leading off with their opener at Patriot League power Lehigh. That is followed by another road game in Philadelphia, Pa., against LaSalle University on Sept. 10.

The Hawks’ 10-game schedule has them on the road for six games, four of them in the NEC.

MU’s home opener in West Long Branch is Sept. 17 against California University of Pennsylvania.

Monmouth’s other three home games will be big NEC tilts. They are Oct. 15 against Wagner, Oct. 22 against Robert Morris (the only back-to-back home stand) and Nov. 12 for the season-ender against the University of Albany.

“The NEC is going to be as tough as ever,” said Callahan. “It’s a difficult schedule any time you play that many road games. We have our work cut out for us.”

Based on what he has seen from preseason camp, Callahan pronounced his Hawks ready for the challenges that await them in ’05.

“I’m very happy with the progress of the team,” he said. “They reported in good shape. They came back ready to work. It was a physical camp.”