MANCHESTER – It was a memorable 2023 season.
The Manchester Township High School football team was 8-3 overall and set a program single-season wins record, breaking the previous mark of 6-4 set in 2010.
However, it was an empty season, to hear coach Tommy Farrell tell it.
“We didn’t accomplish anything,” he said. “No playoff berth. No division title. The job is not finished.”
Break out the t-shirt for this season: “2023 8-3. School History. 2024 Job’s Not Finished,” it says on the shirt.
“It was one of Kobe Bryant’s favorite quotes after his team lost in the playoffs,” Farrell said. “He was pissed that reporters were asking him if he was satisfied with his team’s performance. Same here at Manchester. There is no pressure to win. It is now expected.”
The Hawks hope to take a step toward finishing the job Thursday, Aug. 29, when they battle traditional state power West Deptford in the Battle of the Beach Showcase at Ocean City High School in the first regular-season game in New Jersey.
“We entered the event because we feel Manchester Township deserves to be playing in a state showcase,” Farrell said. “With 20 seniors and a lot of other players returning from our 8-3 season, we’re excited and honored to be in this event. West Deptford has a new coach with a championship pedigree. It has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball that will make for a challenging first game.”
Manchester returns senior quarterback Aidan Lunn, who completed 78 of 139 passes for 1,397 yards and 16 touchdowns. Lunn tossed eight interceptions, rushed for 458 yards and eight touchdowns on 53 carries. His name is on the lips of Ivy League and NCAA Division II schools with high academic ratings. He’s in his second season as a team captain.
“I joke around, saying Aidan is our co-offensive coordinator,” Farrell said. “His football IQ is bar none. He is a constant student of the game, always asking questions and watching film. He will be one of – if not the best – players on the field. He can run, pass, audible, make checks and turn broken plays into something special.”
Other senior captains are center-defensive end Anthony D’Antonio, fullback-linebacker Dante Mortellite and wide receiver-defensive back Marquis Goins Jr. D’Antonio registered 15 solo tackles, 18 assisted stops, three quarterback sacks and two tackles for yards lost and blocked one kick in 2023. Mortellite caught five passes for 87 yards and one touchdown and added one tackle for yards lost, 40 solo tackles, 23 assists, one fumble recovery and one interception in 2023.
Goins Jr. rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns and caught 28 passes for 435 yards and five touchdowns in 2023. He added one tackle for yards lost, 29 solo stops, six assists and three picks and recovered one fumble and forced one fumble. He returned five kickoffs for 69 yards and returned one punt for seven yards.
“D’Antonio is our strongest player, bench pressing 225 pounds 17 times,” Farrell said. “He was named a captain by our coaches because of his love of discipline and hard work in the weight room. Dante has started at fullback and linebacker for us since his sophomore year. He’s one of our strongest players and gets better every day. He’s our defensive field general.
“Goins Jr. will get primary reps at slot wide receiver and running back. He will also be our primary safety and rotate in at cornerback. He’s our kick and punt returner and is being recruited by NCAA Division III schools.”
Starting at running back and cornerback is junior Malik Pharmes, who rushed for 141 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries in 2023. He added two tackles for yards lost, 21 solo stops and five assists.
“He has big shoes to fill with Josh Love (a Monmouth University running back) graduating,” Farrell said, “but he got faster and stronger. He put on 20-plus pounds of muscle and knows our playbook inside out. He has played varsity ball since his freshman year. We will miss Josh and wish him nothing but the best at Monmouth, but the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason – gotta keep moving forward and not focus on the past. “
Starting at tight end and rotating in on the defensive line is senior Ny’Zir Battle. He caught nine passes for 152 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
Manchester’s Ny’Zyr Battle takes advice from coach Tommy Farrell. (Photo courtesy Mike Janusz)
“He has a big frame with speed and impeccable hands,” Farrell said.
Senior Dom Rekus will start at wide receiver after catching 10 passes for 166 yards.
“He has the potential to be a stud wide receiver if he puts the work in,” Farrell said.
Senior Ian Spicer will start at outside linebacker, punter and kicker.
“He went to a lot of special teams camps in the offseason to improve his kicking game, which will be a huge help,” Farrell said,
Senior Mason Davis will start at offensive guard and defensive tackle after notching 14 total tackles and one fumble recovery in 2023.
“He is a solid anchor on both lines and will be a force to be reckoned with,” Farrell said,
Junior Kurtis Mayer has attracted looks from NCAA Division I schools. He’s a three-year starter at defensive end for the Hawks. He notched 33 solo tackles, 18 assists, 10 quarterback sacks and seven tackles for yards lost and one fumble recovery last season.
“He put on a lot of muscle this offseason,” Farrell said. “He was one of the state’s leaders in sacks and tackles for yards lost last season. We’re excited to see what Kurt does. He will also see time at tight end.”
The Hawks will feature a balanced attack.
“Our offensive identity hasn’t changed since 2022,” Farrell said. “We want to wear teams down with our ground and pound style of play while also keeping them honest with our passing game.”
Manchster will be aggressive on defense.
“We will be a team that swarms to the ball, tackles well and causes havoc up front,” Farrell said.
The Hawks are experienced.
“We return seven offensive starters and eight defensive starters,” Farrell said. “We hope to improve given the amount of seniors and multi-year experience on both sides of the ball.”
Manchester will also live by the acronym DIG: Discipline, Intellect, Grit. “Keep Diggin!,” which Farrell obtained from his Stonehill College coach, Eli Gardner. Farrell played linebacker for the Skyhawks of NCAA Division II from 2013-2016.
Prospects (according to Farrell): Senior tight end-defensive lineman Ny’Zyr Battle (6-3, 225), senior linebacker Anthony D’Antonio (6-1l 215), senior offensive-defensive lineman Mason Davis (6-1, 270), senior offensive-defensive lineman Ryan Dunckley (6-2, 240), senior wide receiver-defensive back-return specialist Marquis Goins Jr. (5-11, 155), senior quarterback Aidan Lunn (6-3, 195), senior running back-linebacker Dante Mortellite (6-1, 200), junior wide receiver-defensive back Avery Phillips-Frazee (5-11, 160), senior offensive lineman Spencer Placek (6-6, 265), junior offensive lineman-defensive lineman Miguel Espinal (6-0, 285), junior wide receiver-defensive back Tyheem Jackson (5-10, 130), junior defensive end-tight end Kurtis Mayer (6-2, 215), junior running back-defensive back Malik Pharmes (5-8, 170), sophomore linebacker Mike Fink (6-0, 180), sophomore offensive-defensive lineman Justyce Garcia (5-10, 265), sophomore wide receiver-defensive back Stephon McFadden (5-11, 140), sophomore linebacker Lucas Potenza (6-0, 190) and sophomore quarterback Trevor Freyer (5-11, 170)
Offensive formation: Power Spread
Defensive formation: 4-3
Regular-season schedule: Thursday, Aug. 29, Battle of the Beach Showcase versus West Deptford at Ocean City High School, 10 a.m.; Friday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m., at Southern Regional; Friday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m., home against Pinelands Regional; Friday, Sept. 20, 6 p.m., home versus Jackson Liberty; Friday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m., home versus Barnegat; Saturday, Oct. 5, home, 6 p.m., against Rumson-Fair Haven Regional; Saturday, Oct. 12, 1 p.m., at Lakewood; Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m., at Point Pleasant Beach; Friday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m., at Monmouth Regional
Shore Conference division: Class C South (Barnegat, Pinelands Regional, Monmouth Regional, Lakewood and Jackson Liberty)
Head coach: Tommy Farrell, third season
Career overall record at Manchester: 11-10
Last season’s overall record: 8-3 (second in six-team Shore Conference Patriot Division at 4-1)
2022 season’s overall record: 3-7 (sixth in six-team Shore Conference Liberty Division at 1-4)
Coaching staff: Farrell (quarterbacks), Gerard O’Donnell (defensive coordinator, defensive line), Jeff Brown (offensive coordinator, offensive line), Alex Lunn (special teams coordinator, wide receivers), Lamar Davenport (head junior varsity team coach, defensive backs), Bob Mussari (running backs, linebackers), Jay Longo (tight ends, linebackers, assistant junior varsity and freshman team coach), Joe Serratelli (head freshman coach), Dimitrius Smith (volunteer defensive line), Joe Hackett (volunteer linebackers) and Mike Sullivan (volunteer offensive line)
Last season’s overall freshman record: 0-7
Last season’s overall junior varsity record: 4-3
Ex-Hawks playing post high school football: Running back Joshua Love (Monmouth University), defensive end Manny Swain (Assumption University), linebacker Matthias Payton (Montclair State University), offensive lineman Gavin Herr (Western New England University), linebacker Gio Tripodi (New Jersey Warriors) and linebacker Cooper Erli (New Jersey Warriors)
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