NJ football preview: Edison ready to take next step led by veterans

Edison will be the second Middlesex County football program to open its season in The Battle at the Beach on the final weekend of August in Ocean City. Last year, Woodbridge defeated highly regarded Winslow Township 26-14.

Now, Edison meets Cedar Creek on Aug. 28 at 5 p.m., the final of 11 games over the three-day event that features some of New Jersey’s top programs presented by the West Jersey Football Coaches Association.

Cedar Creek won the 2021 South Jersey Group 3 Regional Championship in a 13-0 campaign and some media outlets selected the Pirates as the state’s No. 2-ranked public school.

The Eagles’ head coach Matt Fulham relishes the challenge his team will face.

“I want our guys to get out of the gates fast this year,” he said. “We have started the season slow the past few years. We have progressed each season with this group, and we look forward to that playoff-like atmosphere we will experience the last weekend in August.”

The Edison faithful must feel good about their chances as they return several three and four-year starters to face a schedule that just might be the most challenging they have faced in quite some time. Seven of their eight opponents were playoff participants in 2021.

Two-time All-Area quarterback senior Matt Yascko Jr. returns as a four-year starter having accounted for 2,240 yards of offense and 20 touchdowns last season while guiding Edison to a 7-4 record and the semifinals of the South Group 5 playoffs.

Yascko’s career statistics are equally impressive as he has recorded nearly 4,800 yards of total offense while rushing or passing for 40 scores.

Wide receiver Malcolm Stansbury is another one of those four-year starters who has improved steadily as a receiver and defensive back garnering several offers from FCS programs like Maine, Monmouth, and New Hampshire.

The nifty, sure-handed All-Area wide receiver caught 46 passes for 576 yards and seven touchdowns last year and should be an added threat to run the ball in the Eagles’ spread attack.

Michael Strachan (Sr.), who returns as free safety, will join Stansbury and a bevy of receivers that will give the Eagles offense many reliable weapons. They include Jon Baio (Sr.), Kevin Smith Jr. (Sr.), Ricky Harvey (Jr.), Torr’ahn Rattray (Jr.) and Aidan Woomer (Jr).

Sophomore Nyekir Eato, who was on the varsity roster as a freshman last season, will be the feature back in the multiple spread offense. Seniors Selbin Sabio, Jameel Parrott and David Boyd will all compete for carries with Eato.

Edison’s offensive line has a pair of three-year starters in seniors Israel Rodriguez at left tackle and Matt Bueno at right guard. When you add two-time All-Area defensive end Adekunle Shittu to the mix as an H-back or TE, this will bring an extra dimension to the offense.

Returning center Matt Pazmino (Sr.) and fellow seniors Anthony Payano, Gael Luna Saaveda will compete with juniors Justin Reed, Sebastion Reid and sophomore Gavin Bailey for the remaining guard and tackle positions. Jaeden Edwards (Jr.) will also play tight end.

Fulham believes there is enough talent on the offensive and defensive lines to have players play one side of the ball. Although, it would be tough to keep Shittu, one of Middlesex County’s top defensive ends the last two years with 12 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss, on the sideline.

Defensively, the Eagles will use Shittu, Payano, Rodriguez and Joshua Wright (Sr.) at defensive ends. Vera, Reid, Saidu Conteh (Sr.) and sophomore Jumel Koonce will all vie for playing time at defensive tackle.

Senior Selbin Sabio returns at inside backer and will be joined by fellow classmate Anthony Egnozzi, along with juniors Jose Barreto Martinez and Ah’mer Gibbs, who will all compete for the remaining two linebacker positions.

Starchan returns at free safety having recorded nearly five tackles a game last season. Senior Isaiah Rago and newcomer Rattray will battle for the remaining safety position.

With talented Stansbury at one corner, Edison has seniors Parrott and David Boyd to battle Woomer for the remaining lockdown corner position.

Sabio will handle the punt and placekicking duties. His 25-yard field goal in overtime gave seventh-seeded Edison the upset over second-seeded Manalapan in last year’s first round of the playoffs. Sophomore Nyekir Eato will be the backup punter.

The Eagles 18-year veteran mentor believes it is time to take that next step with this class of seniors.

“Two years ago we win our last game 50-49 over Hillsborough and then they go out the next year and finish 13-0 to win it all in 2021,” Fulham said. “Last year we win a playoff game against a very good Manalapan team on their field and then we go to Toms River North and do not play very well in the second half.

“It’s time for us to take the next step as a program, to put ourselves in the conversation to bring home a championship to Edison. Why can’t it be us that makes a deeper run in the playoffs?”

Stayed tuned, the Eagles’ clock is ticking.

EDISON EAGLES

Coach: Matt Fulham, eighteenth season (71-96-1)

Assistants: Matthew Yascko Sr. (offensive coordinator, quarterbacks); Jim Cooper (defensive coordinator, linebackers); Mike Ryan (defensive line, special teams coordinator); Bob Herre (defensive backs); Dan Long (offensive line); Dan Boslet (offensive line; Brian Calantoni (receivers); Bob Molarz (running backs); Ross Faranda (freshmen); Michael Yascko (freshmen).

Stadium: Matthew Drawl Stadium (turf)

Colors: Red and gold

Offensive formation: Spread

Defensive formation: 4-3

2022 SCHEDULE

Aug. 28 Cedar Creek, 5 p.m.

Sept. 2 JP Stevens, 7 p.m.

Sept. 9 North Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Sayreville, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 Franklin, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 at New Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 at St. Joseph Metuchen, 1 p.m.

Oct. 14 South Brunswick, 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 at St. Thomas Aquinas, 7 p.m.

2020 RESULTS

Sept. 3 at J.P. Stevens 37-0 (W)

Sept. 10 at Colonia 38-7 (L)

Sept. 18 at St. Joseph Metuchen 28-20 (W)

Sept. 24 Sayreville 17-7 (L)

Oct. 1 at New Brunswick 21-7 (W)

Oct. 8 North Brunswick 21-0 (L)

Oct. 15 Piscataway 31-15 (W)

Oct .22 at Hunterdon Central 42-7 (W)

Oct. 27 Watchung Hills 21-7 (W)

Nov. 5 Manalapan 23-20 (OT) (W)

Nov. 12 at Toms River North 48-7 (L)

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ football preview: Experienced Edison ready to take next step