Shore Super 25 football teams: Why it's 'definitely the year' for Middletown North

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

MIDDLETOWN — There have been too many years where Middletown North football hasn't been the top dog in town; the players and team supporters know that. The Lions do rise up from time to time (the 2016 team was a section finalist in the state playoffs) but the usual township pecking order was Middletown South and Mater Dei Prep vying for the top two spots in a town of three high schools.

Then Mater Dei closed in 2022 due to declining enrollment and heavy financial losses. Now Middletown South is going through a coaching change with Steve Antonucci retiring after 26 seasons and six state titles.

So why shouldn't it be Middletown North's turn?

Leading rusher Shane Volante sees an opportunity.

“This is definitely the year,” said Volante. “The atmosphere we built as a team has been really different the last few years. We’re different as a team compared the last few years and we’re closer as a team this year.”

The longtime rivalry against Midd South is just one of three active Thanksgiving Week games left in the Shore Conference. South leads the series 36-12-1 and have won 23 of the last 24 meetings.

Middletown North coach Steve Bush is more concerned with the bigger picture of the entire season but the rivalry game is always a goal.

More: Thanksgiving football: Long FG shifts momentum in Middletown South vs North rivalry game

“I certainly hope so,” said Bush. “We got to get that game, that’s a big one in town. They’ve kind of had our number and we’ve got to find a way to get it done this year.”

Midd North running back Shane Volante a giant threat at 5-foot-1

Last season, Volante led the Lions in rushing attempts with 91 to go along with 388 yards and three TDs. He’s able to use his 5-foot-1 frame to become a threat in the offense.

More: Long Branch-Red Bank football game moved; Shore Conference announces schedule for 2024

“Since I’m short and I’m not the biggest dude I tend to hide behind the linemen a lot,” Volante said. “One of my pullers, he’s around 6-4 so it’s hard for the defenders to see me. So I follow him through the hole and just break out from there.”

Most of the offensive line from last year is returning for North this season, which means the chemistry is already there for the running game. However, under snap will likely be Owen Robson who took some attempts last season and is having a strong summer. Volante says they did well in 7 on 7 play - possibly an indicator of more to come.

“He’s a fast, shifty guy,” said Robson.

Offseason theme for Middletown North football

“Working hard and finding a way to win. Compete all the way through,” Bush said.

“This season i think we got a great group of guys, we got a lot of talent, not a hard schedule so I think we’ll be really good this season,” said Volante.

Who are the summer standouts?

“He’s been great, this past 7 on 7 we did really good, went 4-1 and I think we built a good chemistry me and him," Volante said on Robson.

Jack Giallo and Ryan Clark have gotten high praise from Robson as being one of the ascending targets for him.

“Fast outside guys in Ryan. Tall, lanky receiver that can catch with hands,” said Robson.

Recruiting

Frank Zaino: WR plans to play at FDU.

Brody Tooker: LB/TE Connecting with schools such as Misericordia University, Springfield College and Muhlenburg.

Joseph Grasso : TE/DE has interest from Harvard, Cornell and Monmouth University.

Shane Volante: Outreach with Montclair State for the RB.

Bush said the program "had nine kids go on to play last year."

Middletown North football at a glance

Group classification: North Section 2, Group 4

Head coach: Steve Bush, 12 ^th season at Middletown North (56-66)

Last year: 6-5. Fell to Irvington in North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 quarterfinals 26-7

Offensive-style: “We like to be about 50/50, keep people off balance a little bit but we want to be able to run the ball and that’ll set us up," said Bush.

Top returning players

Shane Volante (Sr. RB), Owen Robson (Jr. QB), Andrew Kilmovich (Sr. OL), Shea Mora (Jr. OL), Michael Dwyer (Sr. OL/DL), Brody Tooker (Sr. LB/TE), Aidan DeVito (Sr. LB/TE)

Potential breakout players

Joe Grasso (Sr. TE/DE), Brian O’Donnell (Sr. WR/LE), Owen Robson (Jr. QB)

Middletown North football 2024 schedule

Aug. 20: at Raritan, 10 a.m. (Scrimmage)

Aug. 24: at Long Branch, 9 a.m. (Scrimmage)

Aug. 28: at Rumson-Fair Haven, 3:30 p.m. (Scrimmage)

Sept. 6: vs Lacey, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: vs Matawan, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Ocean Twp., 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Freehold Borough, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: at St. John Vianney, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: vs Red Bank Regional, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: at Freehold Township, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 28: at Middletown South, 10:35 a.m.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore Super 25 football teams: Why it's 'definitely the year' for Middletown North