New era of Middle Township football begins Friday

Posted: September 5th 2024

Middle Township will rely on its seniors to lead the team into the 2024 season. Pictured are (from left): top row - Justin Verity, Jaedin McGaha, Shawn Watkins, Micah McAnaney, Tommy Gontz, Aydan Howell, Maurice Matthews, Javier Abarca, J.J. McGroarty; bottom row Ryan Broughton, Mason Flick, Mike Harper, Michael Kosmin, Jason Schmidt. Not pictured: Remi Rodriguez.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

The Middle Township High School football program officially enters a new chapter Friday evening.

The Panthers will play their first regular-season game following the retirement of longtime head coach Frank Riggitano, as former assistant coach Gavin Liepe takes the top post and leads the team in the season opener at Triton.

But while there’s change at the top, not all is new around Middle’s program.

Liepe and his program get to enjoy the services of senior running backs Remi Rodriguez and Shawn Watkins, who combined to rush for more than 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns for last year’s playoff team. 

“It’s definitely something we’re looking forward to, especially with them both being seniors,” Liepe said. “They’re both taking on leadership roles and they both understand how important this year is for their futures and for us as a team.

“They give us a little bit of thunder and lightning. Shaun is more of a bruiser, where we can give him the ball in short-yardage situations, and then we’ll be looking to get Remi the ball in space because everyone knows when that happens he’s dangerous every time he touches the ball.”

Middle’s defensive scheme should remain relatively the same as well, as Liepe served as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2023 in his third season as an assistant.

“On the defensive side, it’s the second year under my system and it’s pretty evident the players are more comfortable with everything,” Liepe said.

But there also will be at least one major change. Middle will move from Riggitano’s favored wing-T offense to more of a spread.

“”The offensive side has been a shock to the system for a lot of them,” Liepe said with a laugh. “But we’re optimistic about how they’re progressing/ We’re excited to get rolling in Week 1.”

Senior Micah McAnaney is expected to start at quarterback against Triton. He nearly won the quarterback job last season as a junior but instead served as one of the team’s leading defensive players.

“We’re really excited about Micah because he’s a really smart kid and that’s helped us as we’re switching to a new offensive system because he’s picked it up very well,” Liepe said. “We’re excited about his ability to move around in the pocket. He’s an athletic kid and he has the arm to be there. We can’t wait to see what he can do.”

Another key returnee is two-way lineman Maurice Matthews, a three-year starter. He is considered one of the top linemen in the West Jersey Football League’s Liberty Division.

“HIs first step and the way he uses his hands are next level,” Liepe said of Matthews. “It’s evident on film that he’s a step ahead of a lot of guys, especially in our division. We’ll be relying on him on every single play.”

Other key returning seniors for Middle include OL/DL Jaedin McGaha, WR/DB Aydan Howell, OL/DL Mike Harper, OL/DL Ryan Broughton, OL/DL Mason Flick and OL/DL Javier Juarez-Abarca. Senior K Justin Verity, who made 20 of 24 PAT kicks and a field goal last fall, also returns. And another senior, QB/DB Tommy Gontz is expected to make an impact after he becomes eligible after missing three games due to NJSIAA transfer rules.

Key juniors include WR/DB Chase Moore and WR/DB James Caldwell. 

A number of sophomores are expected to play key roles, including RB/LB Davon Anderson, RB/LB Chase Castellano,  OL/DL Chris Davis, WR/DB Christian Cope and DB Tyler King.

RB/DB Alexis Cruz-Mieles is a freshman who could contribute to the varsity.

Liepe believes Middle can qualify for the Group I playoffs for the fourth straight season.

“We want to make a push into the Group II playoffs and we want to win a playoff game,” Leipe said. “This senior class is hungry for it. We have 10 or 11 seniors we’re really going to be relying on to help us get there.”

Liepe is taking over for an iconic coach. Riggitano won 111 career games, making him Cape May County’s all-time leading in head coaching wins in high school football.

“It’s definitely a privilege to be able to take over for someone like him,” Liepe said. “He’s a guy that was around for 20-plus years. There are a lot of good things he’s done and a lot of good things he set in place that these kids have benefitted from. Now it’s my job to continue supporting those ideals and also my job as a new head coach to bring in a new flair and a new flavor.”

Liepe is assisted by Steve Armstrong, Carson Caffrey, Ryan Freyer, Chris Lewis, James Marcheski, Dimitri Pali and Colin Ramage.