'It felt like a midseason game': Thursday's Marisa Rose Bowl practice had plenty of energy
NORTH BRUNSWICK – “Let’s go, I need a hit here,” one of the coaches shouted. “I need the ball back.”
The players hooted and hollered, slid on their helmets and darted onto the field, ready to bounce between the lines.
Thursday’s Marisa Rose Bowl practice featured a scrimmage-like format between the two teams consisting of recently graduated Middlesex County all-star players. Offense challenged the defense in live seven-on-seven. Linemen tussled against linemen in one-on-one matchups. Special teams opposed each other in situational football.
In the first practice Monday, coaches installed the X’s and O’s as the linebackers and receivers quietly soaked up everything, meeting their new teammates.
On Day Four, though, an electricity – an energy – pinballed throughout the nearly two-hour session at North Brunswick High School.
Bring it on.
“It felt like a midseason game from both sides," said East Brunswick head coach Andy Steinfeld, Team Marisa's offensive coordinator. "Both sides have great athletes and great football players. And it was just great to see the intensity and the juices flowing from both sides.”
More:Handy collection of article links for the Marisa Rose Bowl
In a week, the teams of Team Marisa and Team Rose play for real in the charity all-star football game. Previously called the Snapple Bowl and Autoland Classic, the July 21st contest kicks off at 7 p.m. at Steve Libro Field. Proceeds benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, whose mission is to assist pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
Monday, as part of the annual community service component of the event, players and cheerleaders will participate in a “Tournament of Roses Parade”, a charity walk and food drive to alleviate childhood and family hunger held at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen.
Certainly, that’s the most important aspect of the two weeks – giving back to the community.
Nearly everything, though, is built around football and Thursday featured the spirit of competition with the athletes diving to make plays and some friendly jawing back and forth.
The game’s director and founder Marcus Borden, a Hall of Fame member of both the NJSIAA and the New Jersey Football Coaches Association, told the players afterward he was excited what he saw.
“I was pretty impressed with the level of intensity, execution,” Borden said. “You know who the playmakers are out there. There was a lot of bravado out there tonight, which I think is good. And as I tried to tell the kids, just go about your business like you’ve been doing. Just keep doing it, but I thought the intensity level was pretty good and I’m excited that we had an opportunity to scrimmage each other so we got a feel already for each other and we know what we have to work on.”
Sayreville’s defensive back Osei Bonsu said it sort of had an August practice feel where you have to prove yourself.
“That’s what brought out the intensity today,” he said. “It felt like coming back in the fall and really playing football and suiting up with my boys again. I think it’s just the competition part of it. I love competition.”
Those playmakers include St. Joseph quarterback Christian Solino of Team Marisa. Last fall, he threw for 1,522 yards, completing 60 percent of his 211 passes, and rushed for nearly 200 yards.
Among the players that the 6-foot-3 Monmouth University-commit has to work with include Falcons teammate Anthony Roige, Metuchen’s Aidan Holloway, Old Bridge’s Jake McAleavey and East Brunswick’s James Sparrow.
Several of the players will go likely go on both sides of the ball. However, other skilled-position stars capable of running and catching passes include J.P. Stevens’ Clarance Dixsoin, Monroe’s Tyler Scott, East Brunswick’s Noriano Smith and Dunellen’s Nasir Tippett.
There’s only so much the coaches can install in three days. Steinfeld said the aim was put in basic plays and have the players simply be good and consistent with it. In other words, “know where you’re supposed to be and just play football.”
“All the kids that are coming to practice, they’re buying into what we’re doing,” Steinfeld said. “I mean these are the best seniors in the county, so they pick up things very quickly. (Thursday) we were very pleased with the intensity and the competitiveness that they brought to the practice.”
The team’s big guys upfront include Sayreville’s Nicholas Schabilon and Santana Fonseca, East Brunswick’s Jason Soliman and Monroe’s Ryan Zurawiecki.
Defensively, Steinfeld noted that coordinator John Hoehn, a Sayreville assistant, “has put in a great game plan. All he wanted was people to be in the right area. Make the right adjustments and play aggressive football and that’s what we did defensively.”
The leaders include linebackers that helped their teams reach the playoffs last fall in St. Thomas Aquinas’ Kenny Coghan, East Brunswick’s Romeo Diaz, Sayreville’s Denzel Osae and Edison’s Jordan White.
Bellamy and Sons Marisa Rose Bowl
When/where: July 21, North Brunswick High School, 7 p.m.
Who/what: Recently graduated football players and cheerleaders from Middlesex County high schools will participate in an intra-county charity all-star game with all proceeds benefiting the Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
About the game: Formerly known as the Snapple Bowl and Autoland Classic, the contest has raised $715,000 for charity since its inception in 1994.
Practice schedule: Practices will be held at North Brunswick High School July 11-14 and July 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on July 18 at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A walk-through for July 20 is TBD.
Game Tickets: Can be purchased for $10 at the gate on game night or at any of the practices.
About The Marisa Tufaro Foundation: Since its inception less than five years ago, the nonprofit has donated a quarter of a million dollars to assist pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area. The foundation has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value. The nonprofit has awarded $26,500 in academic scholarships to 38 Middlesex County high school graduates.
About Marisa Rose Tufaro: Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old. Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, she lived a vibrant life that inspired.
Marisa Rose Bowl Banquet: Will be held at the Pines Manor in Edison on July 20 at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Thursday's Marisa Rose Bowl practice had plenty of energy
