Shore Super 25 football teams: Colts Neck keeps getting the results the old-fashioned way

The Asbury Park Press is featuring high school football teams being considered for our preseason Shore Super 25 team rankings.

COLTS NECK — The current era of high school football involves more vertical passing than ever, post-snap option routes and up-tempo paces - and then there’s Colts Neck High.

Everything from the grass field they play on to the grind-it-out approach and offensive schemes has a vintage feel but it's also effective - with five straight years of winning records. The Cougars are always focused and in 2023 landed the program's ninth state playoff appearance - not bad for one of the newer schools in the Shore Conference (opening in 1998).

More: Meet the 2023 All Shore Football Team Offense

More: High school football summer snapshot: Colts Neck wants challenge of playing Shore's best

Colts Neck shows pass but typically puts the ball in the air less than 10 times in a game.

“Basically we’re a pro-wide team,” said head coach Matt Ahearn, who’s in his seventh season. “And our playmakers are going to be anybody that can carry the ball and anybody that can catch the ball. Last year we had Chris Scully (now at Ithaca College), relied on him a lot and Dom Beninato (Montclair State). This year we've got three backs we feel good about, our quarterback we feel good about and a bunch of receivers. There’s not one person that stands out, everybody is in the mix.”

Another throwback: Colts Neck and the fullback position

One of the positions Ahearn utilizes is the lost art of the fullback. Senior Jack Lefkowitz holds that position and takes pride in it. He’s looking forward to catching some passes out the flat, but he knows the play style of his team.

“Run heavy, we really like to pound it down,” said Lefkowitz, who had a touchdown catch last season.

Even left tackle and senior Colin Roberts admitted the O-line’s specialty will be on running plays.

Colts Neck lost some stars and a lot of upperclassmen but that doesn't seem to be hindering confidence. The guys who’ve been pushing the upperclassmen last year are ready to make this season special. Senior captain and linebacker/tight end James Bertan said, with 22 players from last year having moved on, opponents may underestimate Colts Neck.

“We had Chris Scully leaving - he’s definitely a player - we lost some other players, but doesn’t mean we can’t get 'em back," Bertan said. "We got people grinding all year, all last year and we’re going to be there.”

“From my standpoint there’s always someone under those seniors, there's always someone pushing those seniors to play. We’re those people that was pushing them that entire time,” Bertan added.

Top returners (with position, graduation year)

Brady Tormey (QB, 2025),  Bryson Royal (RB/CB, 2026),  Jack Lefkowitz (FB/DL, 2025), James Bertan (MLB/TE, 2025),  Mike Petruzzi (WR/CB, 2025), Julian Villalta (LB/TE, 2025), Evan Kish (RB/DB, 2026), DJ Fahmy (OL/DL, 2025), Colin Roberts (OL/DL, 2025), Sam Polyanskiy (OL/DL, 2026), Pete Ficorelli (DL/TE, 2025)

Recruitment

A number of players have heard from Division III schools, Ahearn said.

Theme for Colts Neck football training camp

“Hard work again, that’s the name of the game. Every year changes in high school football, one year is never the same as the next year so we always have to reload,” said Ahearn.

Colts Neck football at a glance

Group classification: NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4

Head coach: Matt Ahearn 7th season (36-21)

Last year: 6-4, lost in South Jersey, Group 4 semifinals to Mainland

Offensive-style: Pro-set

Colts Neck football 2024 schedule

Aug. 20: Scrimmage with multiple schools.

Aug. 23: at Freehold Township, 9 a.m. (scrimmage)

Aug. 31: at Marlboro TBA (division game)

Sep. 7: vs Wall TBA (non-division)

Sep. 14: vs Middletown, 11 a.m. (division)

Sep. 21: vs Red Bank Catholic, 11 a.m. (division)

Sep. 28: vs Long Branch, TBA (division)

Oct. 5: at Point Pleasant Boro, 7 p.m. (non-division)

Oct. 18: at Raritan, 7 p.m., (non-division)

Oct. 25: at Rumson-Fair Haven, 7 p.m. (division)

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore Super 25 football teams: Colts Neck keeps getting the results the old-fashioned way