Freshmen clinch undefeated season

Allentown High School's freshman football team has reached a milestone not achieved in over three decades.

The 2009 Allentown High School freshman football team takes the field one last time this season on Nov. 18 to defend its undefeated record against Pinelands High School.

The team brought down their final opponent of the season, Pinelands High School, last week to clinch a perfect season with nine wins and no losses and the school's record for the most wins in a season for freshman football.

With family members, peers and spectators from near and far cheering them on, the 36 freshmen played their last game together Nov. 18 under the direction of Jay Graber and his coaching staff. The excitement reached its peak as the young athletes played, with the score 36-0 as the clock wound down.

Their opponents worked hard and never gave up, scoring one touchdown with about a minute left in the game, which brought the final score to 36-6.

After Allentown's Taylor Owens played the bagpipes as the team walked out onto the field to celebrate its final victory, Pinelands coach Paul Millar commended the Redbirds on their season.

"Congratulations on your undefeated season," he said. "I know how it feels. I was undefeated in my freshman season. Keep with the program and continue on … good job, boys."

This is Allentown High School's first undefeated freshman team since 1975, when Douglas Hunt's team went 6-0-1, according to Athletic Director Brian Irwin.

"This freshman team has a lot of talent and will help the program for future years," Irwin said.

With the success of the freshman team and the improvements at the varsity level, the Redbirds brought more competitive play to the Colonial Valley Division (CVC) this season, according to team parent Barbara Nissinger.

"Allentown has shown they are now a force to be reckoned with within the CVC Division, and have begun to turn a few heads," she said. "This freshman team has a lot of talent and will help the program for future years. The boys didn't win any games by less than two touchdowns."

The team beat Robbinsville High School by a score of 32-8; Ewing, 21-6; Arthur P. Schalick, 21-6; West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 29-14; Delran, 21-8; Florence, 21-6; Ramsey, 26-14; Hopewell, 28-12, and Pinelands, 36-6.

The team had a new coaching staff this year — Joe Murphy, Matt Mordas, Victor Veltre and Kevin Mulvey — led by Graber.

Nissinger said the coaches ensured professionalism and good sportsmanship in each game.

"The coaches deserve praise for establishing a good program for these young athletes to follow and maintaining a disciplined system," Nissinger said. "This coaching staff needs to be commended on a job well done, because without their dedication and experience, this victory would not have been possible."

The players not only credit their current coaches, but also past Pop Warner coaches for helping them succeed.

Millstone's Fiore Masci, who coached many of the young men in the Millstone Eagles Pop Warner midget division, said, "Great season! I am very proud of the boys."

Jim O'Rourke, president of the Allentown Redbirds Pop Warner program and former coach of some of the freshmen at the junior midget level, said going undefeated is a tremendous accomplishment.

"Seeing the Allentown boys' losing season last year and to see them excel and go undefeated really says a lot about their perseverance and dedication," O'Rourke said. "I knew that these boys had the heart and determination to be winners, and they certainly showed it on the field this year."

Team parents Frank and Rose Juba, who were involved in the Millstone Eagles Pop Warner program for many years, said private schools in the area often try to lure young players away from Allentown High School.

"Many of the boys had a choice to go to the various private schools in the area," Frank Juba said. "They made their decision collectively, stating, 'We will be part of the group that will help turn things around for Allentown.' "

The Jubas said they are proud of the freshman team.

"[They] did just what they set out to do," Frank Juba said. "Mission accomplished, guys. Job well done."

Team parent Kim Schreck said the team had a phenomenal year together.

"I am sure that many of them will go on to pursue their football dreams at Allentown High School playing for the varsity team, and hopefully some will go on to college or perhaps pursue their dreams making football their lifelong career."

She added, "But wherever life may lead them, whether they stick with it or not, one thing they will always have is the memory of … being part of the team of 2009, a team left undefeated."

Team parent Rose Brown added, "Get autographs from these talented players. Keep all the pictures. I see pro football players in the horizon."

The 2009 Allentown High School freshman football team members are: safety Tighe Blazier, center/defensive tackle Bobby Brown, linebacker Pat Clark, kicker Markus Colin, linebacker J.T. Curran, guard Adam Dorfman, corner back/wide receiver Jaren Drialo, tight end Mark John Duffy, linebacker/ fullback Jake Failla, lineman Dan Goodstein, nose guard Connor Grehlinger, running back Frankie Juba, linebacker Jake Koch, tackle David Koons, lineman Brandon Laday, linebacker/halfback Jake Lewis, linebacker Rob Lord, cornerback Kevin Mackiewicz, cornerback Joey Mangrella, cornerback Garrett Martin, fullback Josh Masci, center Patrick McCarthy, cornerback/ wide receiver Justin Miller, defensive tackle Dylan Myers, linebacker/fullback Chi Oriji, quarterback Nick Palladino, defensive end Zach Peterson, defensive end Edwin Pitts, tackle Ryan Raslowsky, tackle Jordan Shropshire, lineman Rashawn Ray, lineman Jake Sandford, wide receiver Drew Schreck, guard Kevin Singler, safety Nick Singler, guard Kyle Sulit, wide receiver Tom Wilkins, and wide receiver Norman Williams.

The Upper Freehold Regional School District community honored the freshman football players, along with senior football players, senior cheerleaders and senior RedbirdMarching Band members before the last varsity football game of the season on Nov. 20. The school community also collected canned goods and nonperishable food items at the gate to donate to the local food bank.