Lancers better than what they've shown
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

JEFFGRANIT staff St. John Vianney sophomore Steve Zrowka has been getting all the snaps at quarterback while Anthony Zambito gets healthy after suffering a rib injury.

The St. John Vianney High School football team will be looking to get back on the right track Friday when the Lancers host Holmdel.

SJV opened the campaign on Friday with a disappointing 33-0 loss at Raritan. While many expected that the Rockets might struggle after losing the bulk of its starting lineup to graduation, Raritan came out strong and was up 19-0 by the half.

"I have to give a lot of credit to Raritan - we were outcoached and outplayed," SJV coach John Amabile said. "Still, it's only one game. Now we have to regroup because I know that we're a much better team that we demonstrated on Friday night."

The Rockets defense keyed on Lancers' speedy wideout Chris Lewnes and did a good job containing the speedy senior. Lewnes did have a 90-yard kickoff return nullified because of a clipping penalty.

Clearly, SJV will want to get the ball to Lewnes, who caught 28 passes a year ago, against Holmdel.

Above, St. John Vianney head coach John Amabile gives instruction to his linemen during a recent scrimmage against Spotswood. At left, running back David Whittaker finds some running room.

Sophomore Steve Corowka is again expected to start at quarterback as Anthony Zambito recovers from a rib injury.

Junior Dave Whittaker rushed for more than 600 yards last season and he'll be in the backfield along with fullback Rich Esdaile.

Sophomore Chris Mayo will also see some time as a tailback. Joe Mazzacuva and junior Joe Mason are wideouts, and Pat George is the tight end.

The "O" line includes center Greg Arrington, guards Andrew Alvarez and Dan Calabrese, and tackles Francis Journick and Vladimir Joseph, a junior.

Alvarez also plays nose guard on defense, with Joseph and Journick on the ends in Amabile's 3-4 set. Calabrese, Esdaile, Ciaran Andrews and Mike Grimaldi are the linebackers. Corowka, Mason, Mayo, Lewnes and Tom Moncrief man a very solid secondary for the Lancers.

JEFFGRANIT staff

Grimaldi doubles as the place-kicker, while Mazzacuva handles the punting duties.

"I'm very optimistic about our team and I know we'll play better," Amabile said. "No one is happy about what happened against Raritan, now it's up to us to turn things around and show people what we can do. And after a game like that, you just want to get out there and start fresh."

The Lancers opponent on Friday is coming off of a 45-7 loss to Manasquan, but Holmdel kept the game close for three quarters before the powerful Warriors pulled away.

"We're looking forward to getting back on the field and I'm sure Holmdel is, too," Amabile said.

Game time is 7 p.m.