The Manalapan High School football team hopes to complete its quest for an undefeated season and an NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 5 playoff championship.
The Braves boasted a 10-0 record when they clashed with rival Freehold Township High School in the Central Jersey, Group 5 semifinals on Nov. 17 in Manalapan. They were two victories away from completing their mission of achieving a perfect 12-0 record and a state sectional crown.
However, coach Ed Gurrieri doesn’t want to think about titles just yet.
“We keep telling our guys [to take it] one week at a time,” Gurrieri said. “We told them before the playoffs started that they need to treat each week like it’s a championship game. We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We need to keep focusing on the task of what’s in front of us here and now.”
The Braves have been motivated all year to get back to the Central Jersey, Group 5 title game, where they lost last year, 34-13, to Piscataway Township High School. Piscataway moved this season to the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 5 section.
“They’ve been on a mission all year,” Gurrieri said about his Manalapan players. “Right from after Christmas break, they’ve been in the gym, working out [and] watching film. They’ve been dedicated, and it’s been great to watch.
“We still have that bad taste in our mouths from the championship game last year. We don’t dwell on it, but they know about it. We remind them about it every once in a while, and they use it as their motivation to get back this year. Hopefully, we will.”
Gurrieri stated that his passion for coaching came when he played.
“It’s a great feeling,” Gurrieri said. “I’ve been doing this a long time. When I played, I was fortunate. I had coaches that I wanted to run through a brick wall for. The reason I do this is because of the guys who coached me. This is how I give back, and when you have a good program, you have guys that play for you and come back. I have a bunch of coaches that played for me and came back. That’s what builds the continuity, that’s what builds the tradition and the program itself.”
One of the guys who has been running through defensive walls, as well as the record books, is senior running back Naim Mayfield. Through 10 games, he has amassed 40 touchdowns and 2,370 rushing yards.
Mayfield stated that he, as well as his teammates, fully trust and believe in Gurrieri’s leadership and plans.
“Everybody buys into the program,” he said. “Everybody listening to coach and trusting the process and trusting the way he built up the program.”
Mayfield believes that what makes Gurrieri great is the fact that he challenges his players to be great people first, and by being a great person, you’ll make a great player.
“Coach couldn’t care less if we get a win or a loss,” Mayfield said. “He just wants everyone to carry themselves as a gentleman on and off the field and do the right thing at all times, and to be the best person they can be.”
Mayfield’s older brother, Imamu Mayfield Jr., who graduated from Manalapan in 2015, was also a standout player with the Braves. The two are the sons of former professional boxer Imamu Mayfield Sr.
Naim Mayfield used the experience of watching his father and brother perform to motivate him.
“It all stems from the hard work that I did in the offseason,” he said. “My brother helped with that. I always looked up to my brother, and I always wanted to be like him, if not better. So every time I hit the field or hit the weight room or doing things in the offseason, I always put that in my mind to be the best I can be.”
Senior inside linebacker Sal Tardogno, who is a three-year starter and a captain, also praised Gurrieri.
“It speaks volumes of all the success we’ve had,” he said. “It just shows how great of a coach he is and the coaching staff and everything that they do for us and for this team.”
Tardogno also hopes to be the leader that Gurrieri knows he can be.
“My expectation for myself is just to be a great player on the field,” he said. “But most importantly, to be a leader and hopefully lead this team to a championship.”
