2009 FOOTBALL STAFF
New South Brunswick football coach overcame difficulties
by Ryan Hutchins/For The Star-Ledger
Monday April 06,
What happened to Tarig Holman could have haunted him his whole life.
Signed in 2000 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and just out of Iowa State, he had a shot at a long career in the NFL. But fate had other plans for the cornerback and Randolph High School graduate.
The first professional football game he played in turned out to be his last. Holman ripped his hamstring from the bone on the second play.
"That was definitely a tough time for me," said the 32-year-old, who last month was named the head football coach at South Brunswick High School. "But I'm glad I went through it because, in hindsight, if I didn't I wouldn't be here. And I've got a great life."
That life includes Kimberly, his wife of two years, and Leia, his 6-month-old daughter. He's an English teacher at the high school, and has served as an assistant coach for track and for football.
The football team is about to become an even bigger part of his life. It seems fitting, though, for a man who revels in his position as role model.
Inside the office Holman shares with other boys teams' coaches is a plaque that reads "Example is not the main thing in life, it is the only thing." It's just a coincidence that those words fit so intricately into his philosophy on coaching and teaching.
"I think the days of telling kids to do stuff and them doing it are over -- they want role models," he said last week.
For Jonathan Casillas, a 21-year-old linebacker training for the NFL draft, Holman lived up to that sort of talk. The two met when Casillas played for New Brunswick High School and Holman was one of the assistant football coaches. Seven years later, the two still keep in touch.
"He's been through the steps we've been through," Casillas said on a phone call from Arizona. "He was able to relate to us."
Holman was like a teammate to Casillas in one turn, and a figurehead in another. Today he is an inspiration to the former Wisconsin Badgers player.
"Hopefully I can be like him one day, really," Cassilas said. "I've always looked up to him and everything he's done with his life."
That's exactly how Lee Rouson thinks of Holman's coaching style. Rouson, who has a few Super Bowl rings, was an assistant coach alongside Holman at Mount Olive High School.
"He took the successes in his life and made them to become significant in their lives," said the NFL veteran, who played for the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns.
But Holman has never been a star -- he just worked at things. His mother wouldn't let him play football until 8th grade because he was too small and he had to play on the freshman and junior varsity teams before hitting the field on varsity.
"I was never the really cocky kid; I was always a little unsure," he said. "But I always worked hard."
That has helped him be successful as a teacher, coach and husband, he said.
Holman was born in Cincinnati, where his father was the track coach at the University of Cincinnati. He later moved to St. Louis, Mo., with his family and stayed there through 7th grade. Then his father found a job in Newark and they moved, again, to Randolph.
"The great thing about my childhood is I know what it's like to be a city kid, I know what it's like to not have things," he said. "But I also know what it's like to live in an affluent community."
The move from metropolitan to suburban was "tough" for Holman, but he did find friends through a shared love.
"Sports is one of the common languages kids speak," he said.
He later ran track and become one of the top hurdlers in the state. He held a few county records for that specialty, which he said requires speed, power and a little bit of finesse.
And he worked his way up through the football ranks, in high school and again in college. "I paid my dues," he said.
All that work towards success made Holman a better coach, he said.
But that's not to suggest he doesn't believe in the old saying "it's just a game." It's actually core to his coaching philosophy, which calls on athletes to pursue excellence, not wins.
"Like when you're a kid and you're out having fun," he said. "I think that's where they do best."
What happened to Tarig Holman could have haunted him his whole life.
Signed in 2000 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and just out of Iowa State, he had a shot at a long career in the NFL. But fate had other plans for the cornerback and Randolph High School graduate.
The first professional football game he played in turned out to be his last. Holman ripped his hamstring from the bone on the second play.
"That was definitely a tough time for me," said the 32-year-old, who last month was named the head football coach at South Brunswick High School. "But I'm glad I went through it because, in hindsight, if I didn't I wouldn't be here. And I've got a great life."
That life includes Kimberly, his wife of two years, and Leia, his 6-month-old daughter. He's an English teacher at the high school, and has served as an assistant coach for track and for football.
The football team is about to become an even bigger part of his life. It seems fitting, though, for a man who revels in his position as role model.
Inside the office Holman shares with other boys teams' coaches is a plaque that reads "Example is not the main thing in life, it is the only thing." It's just a coincidence that those words fit so intricately into his philosophy on coaching and teaching.
"I think the days of telling kids to do stuff and them doing it are over -- they want role models," he said last week.
For Jonathan Casillas, a 21-year-old linebacker training for the NFL draft, Holman lived up to that sort of talk. The two met when Casillas played for New Brunswick High School and Holman was one of the assistant football coaches. Seven years later, the two still keep in touch.
"He's been through the steps we've been through," Casillas said on a phone call from Arizona. "He was able to relate to us."
Holman was like a teammate to Casillas in one turn, and a figurehead in another. Today he is an inspiration to the former Wisconsin Badgers player.
"Hopefully I can be like him one day, really," Cassilas said. "I've always looked up to him and everything he's done with his life."
That's exactly how Lee Rouson thinks of Holman's coaching style. Rouson, who has a few Super Bowl rings, was an assistant coach alongside Holman at Mount Olive High School.
"He took the successes in his life and made them to become significant in their lives," said the NFL veteran, who played for the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns.
But Holman has never been a star -- he just worked at things. His mother wouldn't let him play football until 8th grade because he was too small and he had to play on the freshman and junior varsity teams before hitting the field on varsity.
"I was never the really cocky kid; I was always a little unsure," he said. "But I always worked hard."
That has helped him be successful as a teacher, coach and husband, he said.
Holman was born in Cincinnati, where his father was the track coach at the University of Cincinnati. He later moved to St. Louis, Mo., with his family and stayed there through 7th grade. Then his father found a job in Newark and they moved, again, to Randolph.
"The great thing about my childhood is I know what it's like to be a city kid, I know what it's like to not have things," he said. "But I also know what it's like to live in an affluent community."
The move from metropolitan to suburban was "tough" for Holman, but he did find friends through a shared love.
"Sports is one of the common languages kids speak," he said.
He later ran track and become one of the top hurdlers in the state. He held a few county records for that specialty, which he said requires speed, power and a little bit of finesse.
And he worked his way up through the football ranks, in high school and again in college. "I paid my dues," he said.
All that work towards success made Holman a better coach, he said.
But that's not to suggest he doesn't believe in the old saying "it's just a game." It's actually core to his coaching philosophy, which calls on athletes to pursue excellence, not wins.
"Like when you're a kid and you're out having fun," he said. "I think that's where they do best."
Holman looks to continue South Brunswick's state run
Muha began his career as a backup quarterback and cornerback. As the latter, he regularly attended those "lock-down breakfasts."
"I really didn't play much (cornerback) but just being part of the experience taught me how to prepare for the game," Muha said. "It was awesome because (Holman) has been there and done it. It's not like he's saying something to you that he hasn't been through.
THE SKINNY
Head coach: Tarig Holman, 1st season.
Assistants: Jonathan Carnes (offensive line, defensive line); Robert Haberthur (offensive line, defensive line); Austin Holman (offensive coordinator, wide receivers, defensive backs); P.J. Jankowicz (defensive coordinator, linebackers, running backs); Ken Paulnen (linebackers, tight ends); Jay Jairdullo (freshmen); Will Miska (quarterbacks); Greg Scher (freshmen); John Coppola (freshmen).
Stadium: (grass).
Colors: Black and gold.
Group classification: Central IV.
Offensive formation: Wing-T.
Defensive formation: 3-3.
2008 record: 9-2 overall, 5-1 division (T-1st).
Returning starters: Bryan Stonkus (T), Alex Mora (C), Mike Muha (QB), Willie Roberson (DB), William Osley (LB), Key losses: Cody Shelcusky (FB-lb), Justin McClendon (RB), Tommy Doehler (QB), Tom Dunleavy (WR-CB), Danny Acevedo (WR), Devin Young (FB-LB), Patrick Goldsmith (TE-LB), James Kugel (OL-DL), Jim Mikedes (WR-DB).
Mike Muha will Blog for the Home New Tribune
SOUTH BRUNSWICK 20, MANALAPAN 7
http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/tufaro/2009/08/11/friday-nights-game-stories/
By FRED SIEGLE
CORRESPONDENT
MONMOUTH JUNCTION – South Brunswick scored on three big plays Friday night to beat Manalapan 20-7 in a nonconference football game.
The Vikings scored on plays that went 70, 65, and 88 yards, the final score coming after the Vikings’ defense stopped a Manalapan drive at the 2. Matthew Vaughn, Jevon Tyree and Willie Roberson had the touchdowns for South Brunswick.
Manalapan trailed 14-7 when Skylar O’Connor made a fumble recovery at the South Brunswick 39.
With Josh Firkser doing the majority of the running, the Braves drove to 2-yard line. On fourth-and-one, quarterback Michael Bimonte found a receiver open in the end zone, but the pass was dropped and the Vikings took over.
Two plays later, Roberson was in the end zone at the other end of the field.
“”We just didn’t execute on offense,” Brave’s coach Tom Gallahue said. “”We didn’t do much at all. Our defense was doing a good job, we put them in some tough spots, but we got out-hit and out-hustled.”
Tyree received a punt at his own 35 on the left sideline, carried the ball across the field and then up the right sideline for South Brunswick’s second score. Kyle Morse’s second point after made the score 14-7 with 3:03 left in the first half.
The Braves had scored first when the defense stopped South Brunswick at its 27. The snap on fourth down went over the kicker’s head, and John
Sieczkowski recovered in the end zone. Jesse McEnery kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Vaughn went untouched through the line on a first- and-10 play for his 70- yard run for the Vikings to tie the score at 7-7 with 6:39 left in the first half.
OLD BRIDGE 36, SOUTH BRUNSWICK 22
Vikings Win In Overtime!
CORRESPONDENT
http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/tufaro/2009/10/02/week-4-friday-football-scores-headlines-and-game-stories/
SOUTH BRUNSWICK – Against an opponent still finding its offensive legs, the South Brunswick High School football team held on for a gripping overtime win over Woodbridge, 14-7, on Friday night.
On a night when neither side could muster the offense it hoped for, the Vikings (2-1), ranked ninth in the Home News Tribune Top 10, scored on a 7-yard play action pass from Mike Muha to Steven Mychalczuk on their first overtime possession to earn a Homecoming victory and keep Woodbridge (0-4) winless on the year.
The Barrons would go four-and-out in their overtime response to secure the Vikings’ victory in the Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division clash.
“”Both teams fought their butts off all game,” Muha said. “”For our guys to pull it out in the end and give it everything we had, I can’t be more proud of my team.”
Before the decisive extra session, it was a tale of two halves: South Brunswick dominating the first and Woodbridge grinding out the second.
The first frame saw both offenses struggle, with South Brunswick creating more opportunities.
The Vikings forced two Woodbridge punts, blocked a third, intercepted a pass and recovered a forced fumble on the visitors’ five first-half possessions.
It was the forced fumble at the Woodbridge 16 that allowed the Vikings to draw first blood.
Three plays later, senior back Willie Roberson – crowned Homecoming King at halftime – skirted 3 yards past two defenders for his second rushing touchdown of the season.
Woodbridge would answer in the second half, running 32 plays across five drives, compared to just 19 in five drives for South Brunswick. A 12-play, 50-yard drive to start the fourth quarter culminated in a 6-yard touchdown catch by wideout Keith Hughes for the Barrons’ only score.
But led by Muha, a senior, the Vikings withstood the pesky Barron rushing attack, which accounted for 132 yards on 30 carries across five backs.
Muha completed 6 of 12 passes for 122 yards, ran nine times for 66 yards and tossed the winning touchdown.
The Vikings next host East Brunswick, while the Barrons head to Edison.
“”We had a tough loss two weeks ago and we really needed to bounce back,” Muha said. “”The way we fought and to come out on top with Homecoming was awesome. I’m really proud of the guys.”
Tucci sparks East Brunswick
Mauro Tucci answered the call and didn't limit his impact to just offense as he led the Bears to a 23-13 win Friday over Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division rival South Brunswick.
After three possessions, the Bears offense was unable to muster any offense, totaling just 10 plays. Trailing 6-0 early in the second quarter and facing a long field after Vikings punter Dominic Violante pinned the Bears inside their own 5-yard line. On second down from his 7, Tucci muscled his way through a series of hits and arm tackles and rumbled along the sideline for 14 yards.
On the very next play, senior running back Mike Weber ran off left tackle untouched for 77 yards to give the Bears (4-1, 1-1 Red Division) a 7-6 lead following Tyler Yonchiuk's extra point.
Right before the half and with just 1:27 left on the clock, Tucci led the Bears on a 77-yard drive in 1:23 to set up a 30-yard Yonchiuk field goal.
Then, Tucci delivered the knockout blow just seconds into the second half.
Tucci, standing at his own 10-yard line waiting to receive the opening kickoff of the second half, watched the ball bounce past him to the 3-yard line after misplaying the hop. Tucci ran back back, picked up the ball, put on a series of moves — the last a juke on Violante at midfield — as he raced 97 yards for a touchdown and a 17-6 lead.
"I misjudged it and I tried to catch it off the ground," Tucci said. "I just tried to get up field and make a quick move and it opened up."
"We always want our best athletes on the field, and he's one of them," Borden said of the reasoning for the unusual move of having his starting quarterback return kicks. "We wanna have our playmakers on the field."
"We're an option football team, so it's no different than getting hit every play."
Vikings quarterback Mike Muha completed 12 of 22 passes for 224 yards and brother Nick tossed a 12-yard score with seconds left in the fourth quarter.
William Osley scored from 1-yard out to give the Vikings (2-2, 1-2) a 6-0 lead.
Piscataway 28, South Brunswick 17
PISCATAWAY – Sometimes a football team has to kick itself in the rear before it can do the same to an opponent.
That was the case Friday night at Piscataway High School, where coach Dan Higgins termed the halftime talk “”a little bit spirited. Sometimes it’s not about Xs and Os,” he said, able to laugh.
Trailing 17-7 to South Brunswick after being down 17-0, the Chiefs outscored the visitors 21-0 in the second half to post their fourth straight victory, 28-17 over the Vikings.
The last time Piscataway came from that far down to win?
“”I can’t even remember,” Higgins said. “”Every week there’s a new lesson to be learned,
and we couldn’t have come out any flatter. South Brunswick was ready, and they executed really well in the beginning. It’s a game of two halves, but I’m really proud of how we came back.”
The Vikings had stunned a wet and relatively sparse crowd by taking a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. They scored on their first series, moving 45 yards in nine plays, with senior running back Willie Roberson covering the final 21 yards on two carries.
A fumble on the ensuing series returned the ball to South Brunswick, and it had a first-and-goal at the 9 before settling for a 30-yard field goal by Kyle Morse.
Again South Brunswick forced Piscataway to punt, and 5-foot-9 sophomore Jevon Tyree went up the gut of the coverage and broke into the clear, going 75 yards for the touchdown. With 11:10 left in the half, South Brunswick had its 17-0 lead.
Piscataway finally scored with the help of good field position, moving 32 yards on just two plays. A 30-yard pass from senior quarterback Malcolm Griggs to Javaun Wynn was tipped by a defensive back, but the senior kept his focus and cradled the ball on his way out of bounds.
On the next play, senior Anthony Tillman went in from the 2.
Piscataway caught a break at the start of the second half when the snap on a South Brunswick punt sailed over the kicker’s head and was downed at the 3. Three plays later, Griggs went in from the 1: 17-14 Vikings.
A long drive by Piscataway ended inside the 5, but eventually field position set up the Chiefs after a South Brunswick punt put them at the visitors’ 23. Three plays later, Tillman scored from the 3, putting the home team in front for the first time.
For senior captain Anthony Tillman, who scored two touchdowns during the second half, the difference after halftime was all about attitude.
“”It was just “wipe the slate clean,’ come back out, and it was a whole new game, zero-zero. It was positive feedback, from the captains and coaches,” he said. “”We just came back strong. We showed that we can beat a team in the second half.”
South Brunswick - 7 Sayreville - 56
South Brunswick - 0 Jackson - 22
SOUTH BRUNSWICK 8, MIDDLETOWN NORTH 15
2009 PRACTICE BEGINS!!
2009 Football Training Camp!!
"1's & "2's" Can pick up their equipment on Monday Aug 10th at 8:30am (either before or after a weight lifting session)
2009 Practice Begins
Monday August 17, 2009 - 07:00 AM -- All 2009 football players grade 9-12 must report at 7:00 AM to the High School for conditioning testing and equipment distribution. Preseason training camp practices begins Monday afternoon.
