Unbeaten 2023 team lost key players, has hard schedule but experienced returnees
LINWOOD – Mainland Regional opens the 2024 football season this year with an extension to its name – defending state champions.
The team opens its season at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Carey Stadium in Ocean City against Atlantic City.
The Mustangs under coach Chuck Smith reached the Group IV football pinnacle in resounding fashion, a 14-0 record, a school record for shutouts in a season where only one team managed to get within one touchdown of them by game’s end.
But gone is a talented group of seniors that helped make Mainland so dominant, such as New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year Jamie Tyson, 1,000-yard rusher Stephen Ordille, All-State players in Cohen Cook, Hunter Watson and J.J. Sinclair.
Smith warned, however, that Mainland will be able to represent themselves well this year, despite the key graduations and a brutal 2024 football schedule – the gift from the West Jersey Football League for Mainland’s recent success.
“Yes, we lost some guys but we also have guys who played significant minutes for us who played important roles who are coming back,” said Smith, whose teams are 24-2 over the past two seasons.
“They’ve been part of our success and contributed to it. This year, it’s their turn. We’ll have a target on our backs but we’ve established a reputation. I’d rather be on that side of the football,” he said
Mainland’s offense will for the first time center around junior quarterback John Franchini. The signal-caller has been in that position since his freshman year, leading the Mustangs to the Central Jersey title and the Group IV state title last year.
With a powerful running game, which made the few times Mainland had to throw much more effective, Franchini didn’t have to bear the full weight of the offense. Smith said this year Franchini will be in full control and believes he will be ready for the added responsibilities.
“It’s always nice to have your quarterback back because every year they get that much better with game experience,” Smith said. “We didn’t put a lot on his plate his freshman year due to him being a freshman. Last year we added a little bit more but this year we’re looking to really add another layer to his playing game, both running and passing.”
Smith said Franchini has a complete understanding of the offense and every position, essentially adding a coach on the field of play this year. The coach said Franchini will add that leadership intangible in the huddle that will benefit the Mustangs.
“John’s a great leader and the kids on the team love him,” Smith said. “They loved him from the first time he stepped into the huddle as a freshman. He truly has a command of the offense. He’s like a senior who has two years at the position. He understands everybody’s roles and responsibilities.”
Rocco DiBiaso, one of the Mustangs’ breakout stars last year coming out of the backfield at right-halfback in Mainland’s Wing-T offense, will be handed the tailback duties handled by Ordille.
Two names Smith mentioned a lot of in having an impact on offense and defense were Jack Blum and Chase Hoag. Blum will essentially take Cohen Cook’s “do everything role” for the Mustangs, playing various spots on offense from halfback to wide receiver, to the defensive backfield.
Hoag, who bounced back from an injury to play a big role for Mainland during its playoff run, will take DiBiaso’s place at right halfback and play inside linebacker.
“Jake is a tremendous athlete and will play multiple positions for us,” Smith said. “He was at St. Augustine Prep for a couple of weeks before coming back to Mainland [his freshman year]. He’s one of our starters who will be playing on both sides of the football.”
Smith said Liam Kennedy and DiBiaso’s little brother, sophomore Lucas DiBiaso, will also play in wing positions. Lucas DiBiaso looked impressive in reserve duty late in varsity games last season.
One hidden gem for Mainland this season is returning three of its five starters along the offensive line, including four-year starter Dan DeFeo. Blocking along the offensive line and backfield was something that stood out for the Mustangs last year.
Ethan Schrock and James Barrett join DeFeo as offensive line starters.
“Blocking is just something we do – it’s in our DNA,” Smith said. “It’s something we emphasize in practice and film and kids get competitive with it and take a lot of pride in it. The backs enjoy blocking for each other because what goes around comes around. It’s something we want to continue to do well this year.”
Defensively, Smith said Mainland will need to fill the outside linebacker spots that were a strength of the team last year with Cook and Hunter. He said Andrew Gillman and Colt Russo are in the running to play those positions as well as tight end on offense.
Smith said the loss of the ball-hawking Tyson and Ordille at free safety will be huge losses but expects young players to step up and play key minutes. He pointed out how Blum came up with key interceptions and had played an increasing pivotal role last year in the defensive backfield for Mainland.
The key factor could be junior kicker Nate Kashey. Smith said he expects Kashey, who has owned the place kicker spot for Mainland since a freshman, will be called on more this year to produce points.
“We have a weapon with Nate,” Smith said. “We haven’t needed him in the past but we will this year. He’s bigger and stronger and in special teams you can see the difference in his leg power. He already holds a lot of records after two seasons. He’s also vying for the punting job as well since Cohen Cook did our punting last year.”
Mainland enters the 2024 season with several streaks on the books. The Mustangs enter the season with a 14-game winning streak, the best of any public school in the state currently.
The Ponies have not lost a regular season game since 2022, a streak that now also stands at 15 games. Mainland has also won 11 straight games at home, dating back to 2021.
All of those will be on the line with a brutal schedule out of the West Jersey Football League’s premier American Division, which features defending Group III state champion Delsea, a rematch against former two-time Group IV champion Millville, Central Jersey champion Winslow and traditional powers Cherokee, Hammonton and St. Augustine Prep.
“There are no nights off and we are going to be challenged every game,” Smith said. “The good thing is that we will be battled tested by the end of the year.”
Mainland hopes that will lead to another shot at the state championship.
2024 Schedule
1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, away at Ocean City versus Atlantic City
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, home versus Hammonton
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, away at Millville
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, home versus Cherokee
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, away at St. Augustine Prep
6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, home versus Ocean City
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, away at Egg Harbor Township
6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, home versus Winslow
7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, away at Delsea
Friday, Nov. 1, NJSIAA playoffs begin
– By CLYDE HUGHES/For the Sentinel