Hornets' hurdles are all about football this year
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Holmdel will be looking to running back Mike Yetka to provide them with some big plays the rest of the way, as the Hornets try to put together a winning season under first-year head coach Andy Carlstrom.

After a relatively strong showing against powerful Manasquan, the Holmdel High School football team returns to action Friday against St. John Vianney.

New coach Andy Carlstrom's Hornets held the powerful Manasquan offense at bay throughout the first half, but the Warriors' excellence on special teams gave Manasquan a 17-0 lead at intermission. The game was played at SJV as renovations to Holmdel's field are incomplete.

Holmdel got back in the game in the third period thanks to a pounding 14-play, 56-yard drive (that took 10 minutes) that culminated with Mike Yetka scoring on a 1-yard run.

"We were able to hang tight defensively and keep them from moving the ball for nearly three quarters," Carlstrom said. "That drive was our offensive high point, but after that the wheels fell off and Manasquan started to wear us down."

The Warriors dominated the final period, piling up 28 points, to win going away, 45-7.

"We had a good meeting. I told the guys to forget about the fourth quarter, and they're getting ready for SJV," Carlstrom said. "This is a good group and they went through a lot last year, so there is a lot of team unity. That's really our strength. The guys believe in each other and they're working hard to win."

Carlstrom employs a Pro-I offensive set, featuring Yetka (5-11, 185), who started last season, at tailback and Adam Vurchio (6-0, 215) at halfback. Junior Ryan Haslett (6-3, 190) is back behind center, where he gained valuable experience a year ago. Dean Misiura (5-11, 165) and junior Dave Burke (6-2, 185) are the wide receivers.

Veterans Mike Tropp (6-2, 250) at guard and Kevin DeMaio (6-4, 250), a junior tackle, key the line, which also include center Chris Laico (6-0, 200), guard Mike Conie (6-0, 210) and tackle Connor Pacillo (6-4, 290).

Sophomore Ken LaPlante (6-1, 215) is the tight end.

On the other side of scrimmage, DeMaio and Tropp line up at tackle with LaPlante and junior Will McGurk (6-1, 185) at the ends in the Hornets 4-3 setup. Vurchio, Laico and Mike Lambert (6-0, 200) are the linebackers. Burke and Misiura are the safeties with Yetka and Chris Gallogly (5-8, 150) at the corners.

On special teams, Laico is the place-kicker, and junior Alan Carcich handles the kickoffs. Chris Pesce is the punter.

"We're still very excited and there's a lot of pride building within the program," Carlstrom said.

The coach noted that two of his assistants, line coach Scott Cannon and freshman mentor Scott Burke, are both Holmdel graduates and that has helped create excitement.

"As alums, they're both very interested in seeing the team succeed," Carlstrom said. "That attitude rubs off on the players as well."