WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- The final Monmouth University football scrimmage featured a bevy of long scoring plays by the offense and some hard hitting by the defense.
Starting quarterback Brett Burke (Wall, N.J./Wall) got things off on the right foot with a 23 yard strike to Preseason All-NEC selection Jon Nalbone (Lawrenceville, N.J./Lawrence). That play was followed up by a five yard David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, N.J./Cedar Grove) run, before fullback Marion Easley (Somerville, N.Y./Somerville) took an inside handoff for a 25 yard score.
Burke also hooked up with Nalbone a few series later hitting the tightend for a 52 yard pickup after the defense failed to pick him up at the line of scrimmage. The drive eventually ended without any scores when Joe Cella (Jackson, N.J./Jackson) stopped Sinisi on a third down outside run.
Junior quarterback Matt Fullam (Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic) also drove the white team down for a score, hooking up with transfer Tom Bingham (San Jose, Calif./Leigh) for a first down. He came right back and hit Alex Laipple (Moon Twp, Pa./Moon) for another first and 10 before setting into motion one of the day's stranger plays. Coming out of a play fake Fullam threw a strike to back up tight end Brian Frech (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) who bobbled the ball backwards where it was caught by fullback Kevin Hahn. Hahn then took the play the rest of the way for a 30 yard touchdown. Bryan Bischoff (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury) recorded one of two spectacular special teams plays on the extra point, coming off the corner and blocking the kick.
Jack Daniels (Franklin Lakes, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) had a solid day punting, including one punt that was downed on the one yardline by Bryan Bischoff. With freshman quarterback Thomas D'Ambrisi (Eatontown, N.J./Monmouth Regional) under center the Hawks' offensive unit drove the length of the field to tally their third touchdown of the day. A 12 yard run by backup running back Josh Halladay (Broomall, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) started the ball rolling with D'Ambrisi showing his athletic ability a few plays later scrambling for a first down. On the next play the freshman hit Chris Lewnes (Manalapan, N.J./St. John Vianney) over the middle for a 24 yard pickup but the play was called back due to an ineligible man being downfield. It would only serve the slow the attack as Bingham made a fingertip catch on the 36 yard catch setting up the scoring play. On third down, D'Ambrisi rolled to his left and hit freshman Moe Ghotok (Northvale, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) in the corner of the endzone for a 20 yard touchdown.
The defense shut down the next three drives, including Larry Hudson () dismantling a third down screen pass to Sinisi. Kevin Walsh (Mt. Laurel, N.J./Lenape) showed why he was a preseason All-NEC selection at defensive tackle, combining with Chris Reed (Stewartstown, Pa./York Catholic) to stop a reverse in the backfield, which he then followed up for a would be sack on Mandeville.
The offense wowed the crowd of more than 350 spectators with back to back long passing plays for touchdowns. D'Ambrisi hooked up with Lewnes, hitting the wideout in stride after he got behind the defense for a beautiful 73 yard touchdown pass. On the next play freshman Troy Yudin (Stevenson Ranch, Calif./William Hart) was on the receiving end of a 65 yard touchdown strike.
MU continued to showcase three kickers, with seniors Fred Weingart (New Egypt, N.J./New Egypt) and Mike Pizzulli (Oceanport, N.J./Red Bank Regional) coupled with freshman Matt Miller (Tenafly, N.J./Tenafly) taking turns on field goal attempts and extra points. All three kickers booted 42 yarders in the scrimmage.
Monmouth opens the season against The University of Maine on Saturday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m.
Quick Notes:
- Linebacker Larry Hudson (Somers Point, N.J./Mainland Regional) had a good outing for the defense, getting in on multiple stops and breaking up a pass at the line of scrimmage on third down.
- After Mandeville passed to Adam San Miguel (North Bergen, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) for a 24 yards defensive end Chris Reed showed his speed by catching the wide receiver downfield from behind.
- Freshman Garrett Culloo (Ocean, N.J./Ocean) recorded a sack on QB Ryan Folsom (Somerdale, N.J./Triton Regional).
- Burke also had completions of 24 and 27 yards to Nalbone, with the tight end finishing up with over 100 yards receiving.
- Notable players not participating were defensive end Steve Scholl, defensive backs Ayo Falae and Brian Robinson and linebacker Matt Sterner.
- Ken Amsel (Demarest, N.J./Northern Valley Regional) blocked a 34 yard field goal attempt.
- Fans can catch Coach Callahan LIVE on the brand new Hawk Report radio program on Monday morning airing live at 9 a.m. on WMCX 88.9 FM. Out of area fans can listen on www.wmcx.com and check www.GoMUHawks.com later in the week for archived shows.
