Lacey Township Ddtbal Dat 0
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LACEY TOWNSHIP DDTBAL DAT 0 Fall 1997 2nd Edition Alumni and Friends - Souvenir Book • $5.00 UM I I T Lacey Football players have been noted for their abilities on the Gridiron but their willingness to take on the challenges of further education continues to increase. Over 90% of Lacey Football players go on to college. Last year all fourteen seniors were accepted to college and will attend this fall. More and more also take on the rigors of collegiate football and some even meet each other as competitors. 1993 - Keith Elias of Princeton and Carrett Gardi of Cornell meet after their contest viewed on regional TV 1995 - Tufts University Freshman, Jerry Karac z: with sister Jen reunite with Weslyan Univer sity standout Dave Cottrell after an early season game. 3 "Commitment To Excellence" .. "'~CE CHAMPIONS C.oNfl.IUo''' L.._--------:7 '81 '88 '89 '90 '91 '91 '93 '95 ~ STAn: CJ.l" •. ·~P'ONS '88 '89 Tow S Ip Go LIONS! LACEY FOOTBALL FOUNDATION, INC. PO. Box 73 • Forked River, NJ 08731 ...L Dear Fan, Last year, a group of Lacey Football alumni, parents, and friends started the "Lacey Football Foundation." There are many positive reasons for this non profit organization, but its primary purpose is to support the ever growing financial needs of Football and Athletics in general at Lacey. I believe I speak for many of us when I say that some of our fondest memories from high school are the times spent with friends, on and off the playing fields. As adults, we can all look back and reflect on how our lives were shaped by the comraderie, discipline and guidance that being a part of Lacey Football provided us with. "Lion's Pride" still lives in all us today! Lacey Football will be entering its 17th season in 1997. In those 17 years, the Lacey Football Tradition has become one of the most respected in the state. When asked where we played our high school Football, we can all answer with pride, LACEY. As new athletes wear the Blue and White Paw Print uniforms, the constant reminder of the past gridiron heroes and heroics forever live. The Foundation feels it is time to give back to a program that has done so much for us and our township. Our goal is a new locker room facility; This dream is going to take a lot of work and a strong fund raising campaign. To kick things off, we are starting a member ship drive. We are asking all of our alumni, parents, and "friends of the program" to join the foundation. With your support, the Lacey Football Foundation will assist in maintaining the tradition of excellence which has been associated with Lacey Football. IT'S A MATTER OF PRIDE...LION'S PRIDE! Yours in Football, Craig Cicardo ('84) PRESIDENT, LACEY FOOTBALL FOUNDATION. LACEY TOWNSHIP FOOTBALL FOUNDATION P.O. Box 73 FORKED RIVER, NJ 08731 COMMITTEE LOUIS VIRCILLO SCOTI SCHUBIGER '85 JOHN KILMURRAY Founder Treasurer CASEY PARKER CHRISTOPHER SUPSIE '86 RICHARD STRATTON General Counsel JOHN CROWLEY Vice President CRAIG CICARDO '83 JOHN GALLO DANTE CIOFFI KEITH ELIAS '89 JOHN DONNELLEY '82 BARRY SCHAFER DAVE VAN BRUNT '84 MIKE BERARDO '85 LARRY SAMPIERI JOHN SABARESE '82 RICH HAUSWIRTH 2 LUMN HI OR Lacey Football players have been noted for their abiliti es on the Gridiron but their willingness to take on the challenges of further education continues to increase. Over 90% of Lacey Football players go on to college. Last year all fourteen seniors were accepted to college and will attend this fall. More and more also take on the rigors of collegiate football and some even meet each other as competitors. 1993 - Keith Elias of Princeton and Garrett Gardi of Cornell meet after their contest viewed on regional T. V. 1995 - Tufts University Freshman , Jerry Karacz, with sister Len reunite with Weslyan Univer sity standout Dave Cottrell afte r an early season game. 3 1996 - Former classmates Tom Nolan, Rowan University, visits with Matt Coffee, College of New Jersey, after a great first round of the National Division 111 College Play-offs. Many Lacey Alumni have been selected for post season all star games. 1985 - Derek Torre was the first Lion to be asked to participate in the prestigious State North vs South Classic, held at Rutgers University. Pictured with Derek are Athletic Director, John Gardi, who was the Honorary Head Coach, Assistant Coach Chip Peterson and coach Lou Vircillo who served the '85 classic as a member of the games committee. 4 I T p American College athletes have been playing football in foreign countries for over ten years. Coach Vircillo coached with American teams against the Italian Nationals on four occasions. During this time some former Lacey ball players toured with him. Class of '84 team mates Tim Noren (West Virginia Weslyan) and Craig Cicardo (Fairleigh Dickenson) are pictured with Coach Vircillo in front of the Lean ing Tower of Pisa. Tim played on the defensive line and Craig played quarterback. The USA Team won both games in this 1989 trip. Mike Berardo '85, All Shore player rests before his first game against 1taly in 1990. The game site was the Olympic Training Camp of the Italian Alps in Bolrano. USA was again victorious and Micha el ate a lot ofpasta. 5 ......,nS T ITIO The 1996 Lacey Football Team had a strong finish with a great Thanksgiving Day victory over arch rival Central Regional. The 7 and 2 season had to overcome early pre season injuries to key players, but ultimately the strength and tradition of the Lion program was main tained. This powerful finish won the Observer's Trophy for the school's fourth time, making Lacey the 1996 number one ranked team in Ocean County. SEASON OUTLOOK Thirteen starters return to lead the promising 1997 Lion Team. Elias run The Lions graduated some key ' players from the previous season. Twelve starters including one of New Jersey's Top 100 athletes, Jared Burke, will be missed. Young players with a lot of promise have already been penciled in to replace them. The rugged pre-season camp will ultimately tell the story if all holes will be filled appropriately in the 22 starting slots. LIONS VELCOME D GER T Returning at quarterback is 6' 2001b senior, Jim Toner. His off season workout program was considered one of the best among his teammates. His focus and desire to excel will add to his experience and proven winning attitude. In '96 Jim showed he had the ability to throw both short and long with accuracy. Adding to this threat will be Greg Elias who rushed 133 times and 686 yards in a role shared with senior teammate standout, Jay Frazee. Elias' style is dangerous, shifty yet durable; he picked up critical yards when asked to run as he totaled 36 points on the season. Shawn Kearney, after starting one year at tight end may be asked to return to his sophomore starting position of fullback. This tough 215 pounder has enough speed to be a blocker, runner, and receiver from the backfield. His assets include tremendous strength with a bench press of over 315 and a squat press of over sao pounds. Challenging newcomer Hector Berrios could easily play the fullback position if needed. Coming off outstanding freshman and JV seasons, he 6 has all the necessary qualities to play the position. Other capable backs include quarterbacks Junior Kyle Schafer and Sophomore Jordan Krzeczkowski, and running backs Junior Brian Wehner and Junior transfer Lou Tomarchio. Sophomore backs who will add to this stable are Mike Farnkopf and Justin Visokay. This corps will be expected to lead the way for the offense which ranked #1 in Ocean County in '96. RECEIVERS LED BY MARQUES Jeff Marques is being eyed as the Lions key receiver after his great fin ish last season. Jeff posted stellar catches and overall outstanding play in victories over Pinelands, Brick Memorial, and Central. His sure hands and elusive running style plus his overall competitive attitude on game day should make him fun to watch. Also returning with experi J. Marques ence are senior Mike Maloney and Willie Reilly. Both have good speed and can make things happen. Junior Joe Manger will also add his great concen tration and poise and will make his presence known in'97. OFFENSIVE L E STRENGTH-UPFORSEASON Three return. After injuries hampered our linemen in 1996 they return much stronger from off season workouts. Led by Jospeh Roberts (6' 1" 255Ibs) a senior guard who received 'HE CENTER FOR ORTHOPEDICS &SPORTS MEDICINE, P.A. DANIEL E. Fox, M.D. 388 Lakehurst Road • Toms River, New Jersey 908-505-8844 7 the Lion's top line grades in '96, the a line promises to be as big as ever. Chris Natoli (6'5" 2551bs) is one of the most recruited linemen in the state already receiving full scholarship offers from Iowa University and East Carolina University. Chris looks ahead to a full year of non-stop play along with his side kick, senior guard John Sherwood (6"1 "235Ibs). Sherwood's returning toughness will solidify this assembly of line men. Rounding out the line are the newcomers: junior T.} Granato (6' I" 220lbs), senior Dan Norton (6' 1" 230lbs) and junior Ryan Pfluger (6' 200lbs). The tight end position will be a big question mark if last year's TE Shawn Kearney moves to full back. Seniors Demetri Demopoulos, John Wehner and Mike Wright will be looked at as well as junior Ryan Gallagher. The big question will be the type of role the Lions ask this year's tight end position to play.