The 2023-24 Minutemen finished their season 9-3, the most wins for Township since 2003. This was a season where the Minutemen went to their first sectional championship since 2004. The team faced good competition too but was able to get wins against Kingsway, Winslow, Shawnee, Atlantic City, & Rancocas Valley. Township made their way to the top 15 in the Courier Post and ranked third in Group V with a 9-3 record.
The season got off to a tough start when the Minutemen suffered a 26-7 loss to Mainland Regional. Despite forcing three turnovers on defense and 162 total yards on offense, Township couldn’t overcome the three giveaways by the offense. Coach Schatzman called the tough loss a “wake-up call” and says that sometimes that can be a good thing.
“Maybe we weren’t as good as we thought we were, we needed to get to that point,” Schatzman said.
The Minutemen breezed through their next two games, winning by a combined margin of 73 points. The first came in the Township home-opener defeating Eastern 50-6. The passing game didn’t need to do much as the Minutemen rushed for 273 combined yards. But ultimately it was the defense whole stole the show with four interceptions, two by senior Quentin Singleton, one by senior Logan Perez, and one by junior Da’shawn Long.
The Minutemen then cruised to another victory against Kingsway. Despite stout performances by opposing quarterback Thomas Popoff and Benny Liles III, the Dragons were no match for the Minutemen offense which put up 278 yards. Thanks to a dominant 137 yards rushing by Giuliano Scavetta and 114 passing by Jared Dzierzgowski, Township moved above .500 for the first time in the season.
With the team at 2-1 the Minutemen faced their toughest test yet going up against the undefeated Holy Spirit Spartans. Township went into this game without their all-conference 1st team quarterback Jared Dzierzgowski, who missed the game due to injury. So, it was sophomore Cole Aquino who made his first start for the varsity team. Despite some late game heroics from Cole Aquino, the first-year starter and the Minutemen weren’t able to overcome a 21-7 deficit and lost in overtime 34-28. Aquino finished with 230 yards passing and four touchdowns, two going to Darion Joyner and the other two going to Da’Shawn Long.
Despite the tough loss, spirits remained high heading into the week of homecoming.
“I think that combination of experience and then obviously talent and skill makes for a good mix. The other thing is they’re fun to be around. They’re a good group of guys… you know they work hard and they also like to have fun. I think that’s important especially in the whole high school experience,” said Schatzman.
After a tough loss, the team went on the road looking towards a matchup with cross-town rival Williamstown. Williamstown came in motivated with the crowd behind them as this was their annual Homecoming Game. Much like the rivalry between these two teams, this was an ugly and hard-fought game. However, the Minutemen managed to come out on top 19-12, led by great performances from Giuliano Scavetta and Jared Dziergowski. Both combined for a total 241 rush yards running behind Tyler Pointkowski, Dan Forcinito, and the rest of the o-line. The Minutemen came out with a good, scrappy win and were able to get back to above .500.
This hard-fought win against Williamstown propelled the Minutemen to win their last four games to close out the season. Township would next travel to Vineland where they would make quick work of the Fighting Clan, a game where they won 28-7 led by a dominant defensive performance. The Minutemen held Vineland to just 156 total yards on offense, and sophomore quarterback Cole Aquino also had a stellar day with 111-yards and two touchdowns.
With spirits as high as ever, the Minutemen were set to play their annual Homecoming Game against Winslow. Unfortunately, Township would go into this game without their leading rusher, Giuliano Scavetta, who would be out until the playoffs started. This was a big adjustment for the team as they looked to replace Scavetta’s production on the ground. This is where senior quarterback Jared Dzierzgowski started to assume more of a running back role, and younger quarterback Cole Aquino took over as the starter.
Against Winslow, the Minutemen got off to a fast start going up 14-0 after two rushing touchdowns from Dierzgowski. But the Eagles would answer back before half with a 49-yard touchdown pass. Winslow was able to tighten the score at the break making it 14-6. Winslow then dominated the third quarter scoring two straight touchdowns, both passes, to go up 18-14. After some turnovers and good defense between the two teams, the Minutemen were finally able to put another score on the board with a 13-yard run from Cole Aquino. However, the Eagles would answer right back with a 40 yard rushing touchdown, making the game 25-21. Trailing by four and needing a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, the team was going to have to rally together. With the game on the line Cole Aquino threw a last second heave to the endzone to win it all, and Da’Shawn Long miraculously came down with the catch off the tip. This was a testament to the magical run the team had this year.
The Minutemen would go on to win their next two games to close out the season, both dominant offensive performances. The first came against Shawnee where Cole Aquino threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns, while Jared Dzierzgowski ran for 105-yards. Along with an interception each from Dzierzgowski and Da’Shawn Long, the Minutemen beat the Renegades 29-22.
Their last game to close the regular season was played at a neutral site at Rowan University against Clearview. The Minutemen were able to blow by the Pioneers winning by a score of 38-21. Cole Aquino put up another strong performance with 155 yards passing and a touchdown. Jared Dzierzjowski again led the way rushing with 147 yards and a touchdown on the ground. However, it was the defense that really set the tone for the course of the game. Sophomore Jaylen Robinson led the team with 11 total tackles, freshman Gabe Palaganas had a sack and a fumble return for a touchdown, and Andrew Osborn had a carry on offense where he scored.
The mix of youth and experience on this team is something that Coach Schatzman says is a major contributor to their success.
“Leadership comes into factor in that aspect, so I think that all kind of goes into it, but the one thing like I mentioned is the ability to get along and to connect regardless of their background or grade. I think that plays into a lot of things. In high school a senior is sometimes like ‘this is our team’ and generally it is a senior led team, but they had that personality, and they included a lot of the younger guys in the things that we did, and I think that translates to the field,” Schatzman said.
Township ranked third in the Group V section to finish the season, giving them a first-round playoff match-up at home against Atlantic City. The Minutemen were a hungry team looking to prove themselves amongst the best in the state.
The game started close with both teams scoring in the first. Township was given a huge boost with the return of starting running back Giuliano Scavetta. But it was Jared Dzierzgowski who gave Township a seven yard touchdown to start the game, as the teams were tied at seven going into the second.
In the beginning of the second quarter Atlantic City was able to take the lead making the game 13-7. However, the Minutemen quickly regained the lead with a 26-yard rushing touchdown from Scavetta. Emerging young linebacker Jaylen Robinson continued to flourish with a sack in the second and went on to lead the team in tackles yet again with nine total. A field goal at the end of the half from kicker Josh Franchi put the Minutemen up by two with a 16-14 lead going into the half.
A close contest had the game in the balance, but the energy shifted when the Minutemen came out, guns blazing in the second half. The third quarter started with a bang as quarterback Cole Aquino fired a 60-yard bomb to Logan Perez for a touchdown. Shortly after, Giuliano Scavetta continued his dominant rushing day with a 34-yard score. A pick by Jyair Moore, a big run by Scavetta and a punch-in by Dzierzgowski gave Township 29 answered points. And the cherry on top came with another Scavetta rushing touchdown. The Minutemen capped off a statement playoff win scoring 36 straight and winning 43-14. After proving to be one of the best teams in the conference, the team would move on to face Rancocas Valley in what would be yet another tough test.
In Township’s second playoff game the Red Devils would come to town, with both teams competing for a trip to the sectional final. The cold weather and scrappy play brought a true playoff atmosphere. Shortly into the game the defense stepped up with a big play as Caleb Palaganas came up with a pick early in the first quarter. The defense continued to step up as linebacker Chaz Melton recovered a fumble leading to a touchdown pass from Cole Aquino to Da’Shawn Long, scoring the first points of the game. Entering the second quarter the Red Devils were able to answer with a rushing touchdown, making the game 7-7. A field goal from Franchi gave the Minutemen a 10-7 lead going into the half. Township opened the third quarter with another field goal increasing their lead to six. On the other side of the ball the defense continued to make plays as defensive back Da’Shawn Long picked off another pass. Unfortunately, they would shortly give the ball back off an Aquino interception. However, Aquino would atone for it with a game sealing 72-yard touchdown pass to receiver Logan Perez, putting Township on top 19-7, a score that would send them to the sectional championship for the first time in 20 years.
When Coach Schatzman first took over the role of head coach in 2018 his main goal was to bring back the Minutemen culture that many were accustomed to seeing. He took over when the program was struggling and hadn’t seen success like this in years.
“When I took over we were struggling as a program, I don’t want to say we weren’t competitive, we were competitive but we weren’t finding ways to win games. When I took over that was kind of a big thing for us. To bring back some of the tradition and pride that we’ve had, and traditionally we’ve always had good football. … My goal was really to kind of bring it back to what it was when I was a player, and traditionally what it’s been. So I think we’ve done that, you know over the last couple years but it wasn’t necessarily easy, a lot of hard work, a lot of investment from our players, our coaches,” Schatzman said.
It’s safe to say Coach Schatzman has brought back a winning culture to Township, and this season he had a chance to do what hasn’t been done for the Minutemen in nearly two decades. The group V sectional championship game was set, as the Minutemen were set to travel to Tom’s River North High School to take on the Mariners. As a cold game in Ocean County began, so did the toughest test yet for the Minutemen. Tom’s River got off to a quick start scoring a rushing touchdown to start the game and then shortly following it with a pick-six. The Mariners quickly jumped out to a 14-point lead. The score would remain the same until midway through the second where Tom’s River would increase their lead with another touchdown, making the score 21-0. However, late in the second Township would pick up some much-needed momentum with two rushing touchdowns, one from Jared Dzeirzgowski and one from Giuliano Scavetta. The Minutemen now trailed by just one score, but with a passing touchdown to end the half the Mariners were able to make it 28-14. Trailing by two scores at half Township had to rally together with their season on the line. In the third quarter both defenses stepped up and shut each other out. Huge plays were made by Dzierzgowski and Caleb Palaganas on defense who combined for 26 total tackles. Junior lineman Mitchell Lando even had a forced fumble that Quentin Singleton and the Minutemen recovered. But despite a valiant effort Tom’s River eventually broke away scoring 21 straight in the fourth and winning 49-14.
Although the season didn’t end the way many had hoped, Township has a lot to be proud of. Their season will be remembered as one of the program’s best in the past 20 years. The team had seven players selected for first team all-conference including seniors Jared Dzierzgowski, Giuliano Scavetta, Logan Perez, and Tyler Piontowski; junior Da’Shawn Long; and sophomores Jaylen Robinson and Andrew Osborn. Honorable mentions were given to seniors Troy Molzon and Dan Forcinito. Other awards were the Unsung Hero award given to Josh Fanchi and the Scholar athlete award given to Dan Forcinito.
For many, especially Coach Schatzman, this season was about more than winning games: it was about bringing back the Minutemen culture of the 80’s, 90’s, and 2000’s. When asked about how the team can build off this year’s success, Schatzman says that the team needs to avoid complacency. He and the team know that merely making the championship isn’t the goal and know that’ll be the focus of this off-season.
“I think that that’s really an off-season type of focus for us is making sure we avoid that and work and continue to get better because the end goal last year is not where we want to be. We want to continue to progress, we want to continue to get better. I think our guys understand that.”
With winning culture installed, a fire lit in players, and Coach Schatzman leading the way, the path ahead for Township football looks bright.
