Weekly High School Spotlight: Mainland Regional
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In 2022, Mainland Regional went 10-2 ending their season in the state semifinals against eventual state champions, Millville, in Group 4 losing 14-18. This upcoming season, Coach Chuck Smith looks to carry this momentum into 2023 as they seek to…
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Continue ReadingIn 2022, Mainland Regional went 10-2 ending their season in the state semifinals against eventual state champions, Millville, in Group 4 losing 14-18. This upcoming season, Coach Chuck Smith looks to carry this momentum into 2023 as they seek to win a state championship. Be on the lookout for these players to have a major impact on their run to the top!
At the helm leading Mainland Regional is Coach Chuck Smith who has been leading the Mustangs as head coach for 7 years and has been a part of the program for 34. He leads his team to stand on 2 main principles which are character and accountability. Also on staff, there are 7 alumni coaches with 2 having NFL experience as players.
The Mainland Regional Mustangs play at the Mustang Corral where their student section, known as the Corral Crazies, makes it difficult for any opponent to come play in. At home last season, the Mustangs went 4-0 outscoring their opponents 202 to 63.
Building off their season from last year, Mainland Regional and Coach Smith feel great about the players he has. It will be difficult to replace the production from RB/CB Jabriel Mace Jabriel Mace 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB Mainland | 2023 State NJ , who scored a total of 26 touchdowns while averaging over 100 rushing yards a game and 5 interceptions last season, as he has signed with Yale University. As they begin their season with clear minds and full hearts, here are 7 players we will be watching to have a major impact on the Mustangs’ success next season.
Hunter Watson
Hunter Watson
Hunter Watson is an athletic and versatile EDGE defender who can effectively set the edge versus the run, rush the passer, and drop back in coverage when needed. He has a good first step and swim move to get around offensive tackles and defensive ends to make a play on the runner or quarterback. Due to his size and arm length, Watson makes it difficult for offensives to attack the edge on his side of the field. When rushing the passer, he consistently gets his hands up often knocking passes down or changing the passing lane for the quarterback. Watson is a very good player and will continue to be a force for the Mustangs as he continues to develop his strength and passing rushing plan. Ever since his first offer from Temple in the middle of February, Watson’s recruitment has heated up with at least 5 more offers from schools such as Army, UPENN, and Columbia – expect his offer list to continue to grow!
Cohen Cook Cohen Cook 6’1″ | 190 lbs | LB Mainland | 2024 State NJ is a great versatile athlete who can play multiple positions across the field. He is a physical blocker in the run game and a natural ball carrier. As a WR/H-Back and outside linebacker, Cook makes his present felt with his toughness and physicality. When the ball is in his hands he runs hard behind his pads and constantly churns his legs gaining yards after contact. In the passing game, Cook displays natural and soft hands to catch passes on and away from his body. I can see Cook continuing to work and develop as a running back due to his physical running style and ware down defenses throughout a game. Not only is he an effective football player, Cook is a great backcourt basketball player averaging 17 points per game and recently surpassing 1,000 career points as a Junior. Be on the lookout for this 2 sport athlete to continue to make noise and be a big part of the Mustangs’ success this upcoming season.
Jamie Tyson
Jamie Tyson
Jamie Tyson is another dual-sport athlete at Mainland Regional as he plays football and basketball. Tyson is a great athlete with good acceleration and foot speed who can gain ground quickly. On both sides of the ball, he shows quality hands to catch balls on and away from his body. In the passing game and on jump balls, his basketball experience becomes clear as he can box out and out jump defenders often coming down with the ball. Tyson is a great 2-way player and has a major impact on both sides of the ball bringing his athleticism and toughness every given play.
John Franchini
John Franchini
As a Freshman, John Franchini continued to get better as a player week in and week out. Franchini is a good athlete who can make defenses pay with his feet or his arm. As a passer, he does a great job giving his playmakers an opportunity to make a play on the ball by throwing with quality accuracy on all levels against the defense. For a player his age, he has performed way above what is expected and has time to continue to grow as a player. With Franchini under center for the next 3 years, the Mustangs will find themselves competitive against every opponent they face. Mainland Regional are already a scary opponent to face, but with the further development of their starting quarterback they can be annual playoff dream destroyers for the foreseeable future.
Rocco DeBiaso Rocco DeBiaso 175 lbs | LB Mainland | 2025 NJ
Rocco DeBiaso Rocco DeBiaso 175 lbs | LB Mainland | 2025 NJ
Similar to other players at his school, Rocco DeBiaso Rocco DeBiaso 175 lbs | LB Mainland | 2025 NJ is an athlete who plays both football and basketball. In basketball he is a quality backcourt player and in football he plays both sides of the ball as a running back and linebacker. As a runner with limited action this past season, DeBiaso had 28 carries for 211 yards and 3 touchdowns, according to Maxpreps. When he gets his hands on the ball, he runs with physicality and toughness who uses his vision and leg strength to gain yards on contact. With an expansion in carries and touches this season, be on the lookout for him to continue to make the most of his opportunities and become a pivotal part in the Mustangs’ offense in the Fall.
JJ Sinclair
JJ Sinclair
JJ Sinclair is a force as a downhill linebacker. Even-though he is undersized, Sinclair has great athleticism to accelerate quickly to sift through the traffic and make a play on the ball carrier in the backfield. By using his athleticism, awareness, vision, and toughness he consistently makes plays for his team as he is a great tacker bringing down whomever has the ball. What is most impressive about Sinclair’s game is his ability to always be around the ball. The Mustangs are very grateful to have a player like him in the center of their defense! This season he will further prove why he deserves a spot to play at the next level.
Dan Defeo
Dan Defeo
Dan Defeo is a solid 2 way player who plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Be on the lookout for this young player to continue to improve his craft and continue to have a great impact on his team every week this season!