Freehold High School started slow and finished strong during the 2016 football season.
The Colonials had struggled to an 0-4 start before winning six of their following seven games.
Freehold’s bid to win a New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association sectional title came to an end when Brick Township High School edged the Colonials, 24-23, in the semifinals of the Central Jersey, Group 4 playoffs.
Coach David Ellis is ready for his team to take the next step this year.
“This team has a lot of character,” Ellis said. “The experience and character that these guys have are second to none.”
Ellis is pinning his hopes on the experience his squad obtained last year.
“We have to start the season off stronger,” Ellis said. “We started the season 0-4 last year. That can’t happen again this year if we want to win anything.”
One player who was instrumental in Freehold’s resurgence last fall was Ashante Worthy, who exploded with his play at quarterback. Once he was inserted at quarterback from running back, Freehold rebounded from the 0-4 start.
He was the player who was behind Freehold’s victory in the opening round of the state playoffs that resulted in a New Jersey scoring record.
In that Central Jersey, Group 4 opener on Nov. 12, Freehold scored a 69-56 victory over Pennsauken High School. The total amount of points that were recorded in this wild shootout — 125 points — established a state record for scoring in a sectional playoff game.
Worthy kept the ball to score an astounding eight touchdowns, and he also passed for two touchdowns in the playoff victory.
The former record for scoring in a playoff game was 119 points, which was rung up between Paramus High School and North Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan on Nov. 19, 2010. Old Tappan won that duel, 63-56.
Worthy also set a Shore Conference record in the playoff game with his 465 rushing yards, breaking the former mark of 425 yards that were amassed by Manalapan High School’s John Sieczkowski in 2011.
Ellis also expects to lean on senior cornerback Matt DaSilva, senior cornerback and slotback Jahvonte Hair, and junior wide receiver and free safety Matt Krauss.
The Colonials will start the season at home against rival Freehold Township High School on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m.
