Expectations are high in Flemington as Hunterdon Central returns depth, veterans

At a big school like Hunterdon Central, every program should be flush with student-athletes, but at times, the draw of specialization in youth sports has chipped away at that, in schools large and small all across the country, let alone New Jersey.

But one of the big plusses of being a head coach at a school for nearly a decade – and living in that community – is that you’ve now seen nearly a generation of players come through from a very young age. When they make it to the high school, there’s a familiarity, and dedication, even a sense of loyalty.

Those are the benefits Hunterdon Central football and head coach Casey Ransone are reaping as he heads into his ninth season at the helm. That means the seniors he’s coaching who are 17, maybe 18-years-old, he’s known from youth sports since they were nine or ten.

But even more than that, Hunterdon Central will be a veteran team in a difficult division where nearly everyone has lost some key pieces. Defending American Silver champion Ridge graduated its starting QB and top runningback, state Group 4 finalist Phillipsburg lost a ton (but always reloads) and top RB Jackson Jankowicz is gone from Hillsborough.

Sure, they all have some other players ready to step up, but Ransone really likes the depth of his older kids. On offense, their starting QB Drew Cella (1,352 yards, 13 TDs) is back, along with top runningback Giovanni Veliz (794 yards, 6 TD) and No. 1 receiver James Mongno (687 yards, 7 TD).

Defensively, A.J. Melo (5 sacks, 4 TFLs, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT) and Preston Shamanski (4 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble/recovery) will be among the key players back.

Click below to hear Hunterdon Central head coach Casey Ransone at Big Central Media Day with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko: