MU football story for Sunday Press

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

WEST LONG BRANCH - They enjoyed the most successful four-year victory run in the
11-year history of Northeast Conference football.
Brian Boland, Mike Castellano, and other senior members of the 2006
Monmouth University football team leave that as their legacy, having helped
send the Hawks to a record of 36-9, three NEC championships and two
post-season appearances.
They are part of a group of 12 starters who played their final game for
Monmouth in the 2006 Gridiron Classic.
""It's possibly the most (starters) we've ever lost
in any one graduating class,'' said Kevin
Callahan, Monmouth coach.
""We're very sorry to see them go. But
their achievements and what they accomplished during their time here is unprecedented.
It'll take a lot of work to replace this group.''
That work, which began with prior recruiting classes including last fall's
which brought in Monmouth's first every scholarship football players, is
continuing with recruits visiting Monmouth this weekend and next while Callahan
takes stock of resources already on hand.
""We really won't have a good idea who are the front liners to replace
them until after spring ball,'' said Callahan.
That being said, a review of the two-deep depth chart for Monmouth's final game
of 2006, plus that published in the 2006 media guide, provides some speculative
clues for 2007.
Offensive starters returning (7): running back David Sinsi, tight end John
Nalbone, wide out Adam San Miguel, tackles Nick LoCastro and Matt Connolly,
and guards Bob Skellenger and Jonathan Dunn.
Offensive starters lost (4): Quarterback Brian Boland. Replacement? Wall High
School graduate Brett Burke, a red-shirt sophomore, has been groomed
for this moment.
Some others: freshman Andrew Mandeville,
freshman Ryan Folsom, and sophomore Matt Fullam, a Fordham University
transfer who appeared in nine games in two years for the Rams (1 TD, 3 INT).
Other starters lost: running back Leonard Brice, center Tom Mauro, wide out Mike McClelland.
Replacements? Sophomore Andrew Musik was listed as the back up center and
Bilal Morris behind McClelland, but look for red-shirt sophomore Chris Kiley (21 receptions, 287 yards, 2 TD) to be right there.
Among others: Freshmen Brian Callahan, Bobby Cole, Nick Romeo, and
sophomores Ron Lauch and Steve Dowens.
Figure on at least
freshmen Ryan Skorupka and
Bobby Giles in the running back hunt.
Defensive starters returning (3): junior corner Ayo Falae, strong safety
Jamaal McClintock, outside linebacker T.J. Cerezo.
Defensive starters lost (8): safety Matt Hill, corner David Jiles,
middle linebackers Mike
Castellano and Anthony Addonizio, outside backer Mike Nunziato, defensive
ends Erik Yngtsrom and Brian Sweeney, and tackle Dan Sizelove.
Replacements? According to the Gridiron Classic game depth chart and the
media guide some possibilites would include
sophomore Jay Robinson at safety, freshman Joe Arneth as a defensive back,
sophomore Matt Sterner and freshman Joe
Cella as middle linebackers, freshman Jeff Brady at outside backer, junior
Chris Reed and sophomore David Kennedy at ends, and sophomore Kevin Walsh at
tackle.
Also it seems likely Monmouth will attempt to bolster its kicking game
via the current roster or recruiting.
""As a coaching staff we feel the talent of our underclassmen is
outstanding,'' said Callahan. ""Probably the best we've ever had.
""I feel confident we'll have quality players win the starting jobs at each
position.''
He said the off season is crucial, especially for younger players. .
""You win football games in the winter and spring,'' said Callahan. ""You play them in the
fall.''
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com