Middletown South has gone through a period over the last three season that it is not accustomed to since it became a Shore Conference power in the late 1980's. The Eagles have had three straight non-winning seasons. They were 5-5 in 2023 - legendary head coach Steve Antonucci's final season. They have gone 4-7 each of the last two seasons The struggles of the last two seasons did not come as a surprise to head coach Marc Tomo. "I know when I took over, we returned one skill (skill-position player) guy who was coming off an ACL (torn anterior cruciate ligament),'' Tomo said. "Our JV (junior varsity) and freshman programs weren't winning a lot of games. We knew it was going to take a while.'' But, now in Year 3 for Tomo, who was Antonucci's defensive coordinator for several seasons before he took over as head coach, Middletown South may be in position to start winning again.
"This senior class was the first class that went through the offseasons with me,'' Tomo said. "They understand the standards that are set in the program. This is the class we were excited about. When I got the job (in the spring of 2024), everyone told me, you won't know until your sophomores become seniors that they're really your guys.'' One of the nine seniors who is a three-year starter is running back/defensive back and Lehigh University recruit Justin Rosato.
"Ever since we got into the program as freshman, we knew that the '27 class was a pretty special class,'' Rosato said. "We all buy in. This is what we do. We all play football. Nobody really plays other sports. This is what we look forward to. The last few years, we've gone through more adversity than anyone in the entire conference. "We've had a lot of things not really go our way - a lot of things not in our favor. But, we've also made our few share of mistakes. The experience we bring back this year will really help us and give us the confidence to take the next step to compete on where we belong in the Shore Conference.'' Middletown South at a glance Coach: Marc Tomo, 3rd season (8-14).
Assistant coaches: Jeremy Balina (defensive coordinator); John Andl (quarterbacks); Tim Heaney (special teams/defensive line); Jeff Martin (running backs); Tom Nicholes (offensive line); Jason Wombaugh (offensive line); Greg Lacava (wide receivers); Kevin Higgins (wide receivers); Al Bigos (freshman); Joe Trezza (freshman); Tuck Isherwood (freshman); Jack Pranci (freshman); Dave Katz (athletic trainer). Basic offensive formation: Spread. Basic defensive formation: 3-4. Team record last 5 years: 2025: 4-7 2024: 4-7 2023: 5-5 2022: 9-2 2021: 9-2. NJSIAA Group Classification: South Group 4. Key returnees: Justin Rosato (Sr., RB/DB); Brendan Roudi (Sr., OL); Anthony Bennett (Sr., TE/LB); Owen Maguire (Sr., WR); Connor Leon (Jr., RB/LB); Beckett White (Sr., DL); Mike Mullane (Sr., DB); Ryan Cerminaro (Sr., DB); Marcus Rayson (Sr., OL); Ryan McCarthy (Sr., DB); Jack Schneider (Sr., QB); Luca Picariello (Sr., WR). Key newcomers: Cillian Duffy (Jr., WR); Ryan Rosato (Soph., OL); Drew Cerminaro (Soph., DB); Will Renchsler (Soph., OL); Ryan Menditto (Jr., OL). Divisional relief The past several seasons Middletown South has competed in Class A North - the power division for Monmouth County teams. Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven, who have been among the top teams in the Shore in recent seasons, were among the teams in that division. This season, Middletown South will be in Class B North with sister school Middletown North, Freehold Township, Matawan, Manasquan and Shore Regional. Middletown North defeated Middletown South twice last season by a combined 10 points and was the Central Group 4 finalist. Matawan was a sectional semifinalist and has a talented team. Manasquan is a traditional Shore Conference power and Shore is one of the best Group 1 programs in the state. But, these are all teams, Middletown South should be competitive with. The Eagles also have a nonconference game against traditional South Jersey power Cherokee and a nondivisional game at Rumson-Fair Haven. "I don't think we have any easy games on there that anybody is going to really look at where we're going to show up and automatically beat.'' Rosato could be in line for a special season Rosato rushed for 829 yards and seven TDs last season. He had four 100-yard games, including three straight through the Eagles' 28-19 defeat to Middletown North in a Central Group 4 first-round games. Defensively, Rosato had 59 tackles and four interceptions. One of the INTs he returned for a TD in Middletown South's 28-19 win over Red Bank Regional. "I think he has the potential to be a Player of the Year candidate in the Shore Conferenc with what he does for us on both on offense and defense, Tomo said. Tomo said Rosato plays at such a high speed that he and his coaching staff actually try to "slow him down''. "We've slowed him down so he can be a little more patient and set up his cuts,'' Tomo said. "He's been able to do that.'' Jack Schneider takes over at quarterback A senior, Schneider was the backup behind the graduated Luca Donofrio last season. His most extensive action came in the Eagles' 35-7 defeat to Red Bank Catholic, when he completed two-of-four passes and rushed twice for 15 yards.
"He knows the system,'' Tomo said. "He's your protypical program guy who has waited his turn, has done everything right and knows the offense. "We've kind of hit the ground running with him.'' SCHEDULE Aug. 27: At Cherokee, 6 p.m. Sept. 4: At Rumson-Fair Haven, 7 p.m. Sept. 10: Freehold Township, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18: Shore, 7 p.m. Sept. 26: At Manasquan, 1 p.m. Oct. 2: Holmdel, 7 p.m. Oct. 16: At Marlboro, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23: At Matawan, 6 p.m. Oct. 30: NJSIAA Playoffs. Nov. 26: Middletown North, 10:45 a.m. " This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Middletown South football could be ready to soar again