Howell looks to carry momentum into 2007
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Coming off the finest playoff run in school history, Cory Davies' Howell Rebels are carrying a lot of momentum into the 2007 high school football season.

CHRIS KELLY staff Chance Carrick is among a stable of playmakers that should help Howell remain one of the Shore's elite offensive teams.

Davies' Rebels were the story of late fall when they drove into uncharted territory, reaching the finals for the first time.

It started with the school's first-ever playoff win (26-18 over West Windsor- Plainsboro South) followed by another (14- 7 over Brick Memorial). The next thing the Rebels knew, they were at Rutgers University playing Hunterdon Central for the Central Jersey Group IV state sectional championship.

The Red Devils proved to be a superior team that December evening; however, the confidence the Rebel program gained was immeasurable.

"The kids are very confident," said Davies, whose team finished 2006 with a 7-5 mark. "This senior group has had quite a lot of success and has kept working hard."

With quarterback Sean O'Reilly, who was such a huge part of Howell's entire season, having graduated on to Wagner College, it's easy to forget just how experienced these Rebels are. On the offensive side of the ball, Howell has starters returning everywhere.

Of course, O'Reilly (more than 2,500 total yards and 26 touchdowns) and his playmaking won't be replaced.

"Sean was a very unique, special player for us," noted Davies.

In Tim Lamirande, a senior, the Rebels have a quarterback who is ready. He's been groomed for the position as O'Reilly's backup the last two years and brings a lot of credentials with him. This year's senior class had an undefeated season as freshmen, and Lamirande was the quarterback.

Howell will remain in the spread offense with Lamirande, who, like O'Reilly, is very mobile. While O'Reilly shouldered much of the load offensively in 2006, Lamirande will not be facing that pressure this year. With the finest overall receiving corps in school history and a playmaking tailback, Howell's offense is loaded.

Brian Battaglia, Chance Carrick, Jason Amato and Adam Feehan form the deepest receiving unit that Davies has had at Howell. Battaglia and Carrick are deep threats, and Feehan and Amato are sure-handed possession receivers.

Last year, Carrick pulled down 56 receptions for 759 yards and five touchdowns. Battaglia visited the end zone via the pass more often than anyone, eight times with 35 catches and a 15.1 yards-per-catch average. For sheer volume, Feehan was the team's big safety valve, hauling in a team high of 67 receptions.

Carrick doubles as the team's placekicker and punter. He has the rare distinction of being All-Shore at two separate positions. As a sophomore, he was the All- Shore kicker, and last fall was selected All- Shore wide receiver. Where will he earn All-Shore this year?

Dave Hayes returns at tailback, where

he brings the running threat to the offense. Hayes, who can also catch the ball out of the backfield, is a big-play threat with his track speed. Look for the Rebels to run the ball a little more this campaign. When Howell goes to a fullback, Amato will line up in the backfield.

All the returning talent at the skill positions really doesn't matter if the players up front don't block for them. Here, Howell is experienced and deep. Joe Martinelli will start at center, flanked by guards Alex Killian and Joe Sabatello and tackles Nick Riccio and Nick Libonati. All were starters at one point last year. They will be backed up by Ian Harvey, Chris Pugliese and Chris Kokut.

This unit has fine balance with Sabatello and Killian, both very mobile and quick guards. Libonati, at 350 pounds, gives the line its size.

All in all, Davies likes what he has on offense.

"We'll be in the same mold as last year," he pointed out. "We hope to put more points on the board. We need to be more consistent.

"It's going to be exciting to see," he added.

Defensively, Howell is moving to the 3- 4 this fall based on personnel. The team has a very aggressive and mobile set of linebackers for whom the new alignment is well suited.

Killian, Mike Fiorillo and Chris Simmons are manning the inside linebacker slots, and Chris Turiello, Ian Harvey and Kyle Marlborough are the outside backers. Rob Sabbagh is an additional inside linebacker who will help Davies keep fresh legs out on the gridiron.

Howell has depth on the defensive front. Riccio and Mike Bonfig will rotate at the all-important nose tackle position, with Harry Turner, Mike Hering, Pugliese and Sabatello sharing time at defensive end.

All of the front seven were letter winners last fall.

The Rebels have experience in the backfield with Hayes and Feehan at the corners, spelled by Adam Zanat.

Battaglia, Amato, Mike Hyland, Phil Adamo and A.J. Brzozowski are the safeties.

One thing Howell does have on both sides of the ball is depth.

As a unit, Davies said this defense has more speed and quickness than recent squads.

With Howell's ability to strike quickly on offense, the Rebels' biggest concern on defense is shutting down the run and preventing teams from controlling the ball and clock and playing keep-away.

Having state playoff success under its belt, this Howell team begins the season in a more favorable position than any before it. It knows how to win big games.

Howell kicks off the 2007 season on the road Saturday, Sept. 8, at Colts Neck, in what will be an important early-season Constitution Division contest. Kickoff is 1 p.m. Both teams are in the group of division contenders and the winner will have one foot up.

The Rebels will open at home on Sept. 15 for another big inner-Freehold District contest with Manalapan. That game will have a 6 p.m. start.