Holy Spirit: Primed for a BIG 2024 Season

As the season nears, it's time to turn our attention to the teams with some of the most talent on their roster. There are plenty of teams to follow within the state in 2024, but one that is currently drawing my attention is Holy Spirit. Ending 2023 with a 9-2 record and a loss to Red Bank Catholic in the semifinals, Holy Spirit will look to get over that hump next season and fight for a championship this fall. Scoring over 30 points 6 times in 2023 and holding 4 opponents to under 10 points, Holy Spirit is in a position to repeat the success they had last season and extend it one more level. Pay close attention to these stand out players, especially their talented QB and running back.      A star in the making, [player_tooltip player_id='1054154' first='Ty' last='Costabile'] is a name everyone in the state will be familiar with by the end of the season. Already ranked as the #5 QB in the Prep Redzone NJ 2026 rankings, Ty's ascent to the top is driven by his success as the lead signal caller for Holy Spirit last season. As a sophomore, Ty tossed the rock for 1609 yards and found the end zone through the air 21 times. Ty is a mobile threat with a rocket for an arm. You will be thoroughly impressed with Ty's ability to stretch a play out, evade the rush, and find a receiver when throwing on the run. Ty's ability to be quick when he gets out of the pocket and square up his shoulders allows him to throw dimes deep downfield even when he's being pursued by defenders. With a quick release and exceptional timing with his receivers to go with it, Ty can pick apart a defense with short, intermediate, and deep throws. Ty is just hitting his stride too. Standing 5'11" and 165lb, he is sure to continue to grow and help lead Holy Spirit to a deep playoff run.        The lead back from a year ago, [player_tooltip player_id='994277' first='Emir' last='Hicks'] is returning for his junior season with a vengeance. Rushing for 826 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2023, Emir took the majority of the carries last fall and flourished with the opportunities he was given. Emir is that quick burst back that isn't afraid to lower the shoulder to fight for extra yardage. Equipped with a gritty running style, Emir hits the hole with determination and makes sure to keep his legs moving as defenders close in on him. A one cut kind of runner, Emir can jump cut to make defender miss in the backfield and quickly turn up the speed to get into the open field. Expect big runs out of Emir in 2024 and don't be surprised if he surpasses the 1000 yard mark.        Onto the defensive side of the ball where Holy Spirit is absolutely stacked up front. Leading the charge is [player_tooltip player_id='1562051' first='Ubrig' last='Kurtz']. Ubrig is a larger than life presence in the middle of the defensive line. Racking up 28.5 tackles in 2023 and finding the QB 5 times, Ubrig played with speed and aggression all season long. Quick off of the line and an excellent use of his hands, Ubrig was able to fight off blockers and run right by them on his way into the backfield. He was one of the smaller D-linemen up front in 2023, but there is good reason to believe he will only get bigger, stronger, and faster from here. It is hard to believe a freshman could have had such a big impact their first year on the field, but that is exactly what Ubrig did. This is a player that is making a name for himself and will continue to build momentum over these next few seasons.        If you are looking for a tackling machine, you have found one in Nick Medina. Lining up from the linebacker position, Nick Medina has made a name for himself as a player that finds his way to the ball carrier each and every play. Racking up 81.5 tackles in 2023, Nick flew across the field as he consistently shut down runs and prevented runners from breaking loose. Nick is one of those intelligent, quick reacting backers that can anticipate the play and react in a split second. Making his way into the backfield with an aggressive upfield charge, Nick blows up the run play before the runner can even get going. Not only is he a bona fide run stuffer, but Nick's speed rushing qualities also extend to rushing the passer as well. Finding his way to the QB 3.5 times and forcing 2 fumbles, Nick's strong upper body allows him to drive blockers back and throw them off to the side in order to bring the QB to the ground. If you want a hard hitting linebacker on your roster, keep Nick Medina in mind.        An up and coming star on both sides of the ball, Matthew Abbott is impactful wherever you put him. Stepping up into a TE1 position in 2024, Matthew will look to step up into the spotlight and show he can become that reliable downfield threat. Lining up as a tight end in 2023, Matthew was able to find the end zone 6 times and accumulated 273 yards. Matthew is that big target that is tough to contend with downfield. His larger frame goes well with his bigger hands, making him a valuable asset any time Holy Spirit needs a sure catch. This is the type of TE you will find making some incredible end zone catches in 2024. I am thoroughly impressed with his grip strength, ability to reel the ball in, and potential to outcompete the defender for the ball. On the other side of things, Matthew doubles as a safety with a lot of upside. Intercepting the ball twice in 2023, Matthew's range in coverage makes it difficult for any QB to find success throwing his direction.

As the season nears, it's time to turn our attention to the teams with some of the most talent on their roster. There are plenty of teams to follow within the state in 2024, but one that is currently drawing my attention is Holy Spirit. Ending 2023 with a 9-2 record and a loss to Red Bank Catholic in the semifinals, Holy Spirit will look to get over that hump next season and fight for a championship this fall. Scoring over 30 points 6 times in 2023 and holding 4 opponents to under 10 points, Holy Spirit is in a position to repeat the success they had last season and extend it one more level. Pay close attention to these stand out players, especially their talented QB and running back.