SUMMIT – One of the most successful programs in the state since 2009 – as evidenced by a 65-4 (.942) mark since then – is prepared to continue its winning ways in 2015.
When you get Summit you know that the quarterback is ready to go right away, leading a no-huddle offense designed to prevent opposing defenses to keep up.
Back to lead Summit’s Wing-T, spread attack is junior quarterback Jake Froschauer, who had a solid sophomore season after taking over for Ryan Richson after Richson went down with a concussion injury.
“Jake had a great summer,” third-year head coach Kevin Kostibos said. “He put on 30 pounds, got himself in our weight room and now has a great command of our offense.
Froschauer completed 45-of-93 passes (48 percent) last year for 688 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
“He can run and throw, he’s a great leader and the kids respect him,” Kostibos said. “He’s a game-changer.”
Froschauer is joined by senior linemen Matteo diMayorca and Donovan Cahill as Summit’s lone returing offensive starters. diMayorca, a tackle, has given Harvard a verbal commitment. Cahill, Summit’s center, is one of three Cahill brothers on the varsity roster, the others being twin Garrett, a senior wide receiver, and younger brother Kevin, a sophomore lineman.
“Our offensive line is strong,” Kostibos said. “diMayorca is a scholarship player and Cahill is the leader of 7-8 guys who fit a nice rotation.”
Senior Robby Faris is one of the slots, with juniors Sam Zanelli and Michael Flanagan the fullbacks.
They will be among the backs to pick up the slack left behind by 2015 graduate Chris Zanelli, who last year set Summit’s single-season rushing record of 1,579 yards. The previous best was Torrie Fogg’s 1,374 in 1994.
“The younger kids have fit in nicely,” Kostibos said. “The seniors have also meshed well with the juniors.”
On defense, Summit switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4, the latter scheme designed to get to the quarterback a bit more. Former Hanover Park head coach Dan Gregory is the coordinator, succeeding Chet Parlavecchio, who is now the defensive coordinator at his high school alma mater, Delbarton.
“Dan has done a fantastic job with the kids,” Kostibos said. “It’s a learning process. I’m interested to see how it comes together as the season progresses.”
Returning starters on defense include junior inside linebacker Liam Dougherty and senior safety Robby Faris.
Dougherty paced Summit in total tackles last year with 84, while Faris was second in interceptions with three.
NOTES: The captains are Faris, Richson and diMayorca. Richson being named one of the three captains – while he can no longer play because of concussions sustained his sophomore and junior years – was a nice touch.
“Ryan is like another coach and will work with the quarterbacks,” Kostibos said.
Last year, Richson suffered a concussion in Summit’s season-opener vs. North Plainfield and was not able to be cleared medically to play again.
“He’s there every day,” Kostibos said. “I applaud him. It’s not easy to be in the position he’s in.”
After being in North 2, Group 3 the past three seasons and winning the section for the third and fourth time in program history in 2012 and 2013, Summit, because of an increase in enrollment, was moved up to North 2, Group 4 for the 2015 season.
That section includes two-time defending champion Phillipsburg and one other Union County school, Scotch Plains, in addition to schools like North Hunterdon, Middletown South and Long Branch.
Summit has captured North 2, Group 2 four times and North 2, Group 3 four times during the playoff era. Now the Hilltoppers can take aim at trying to make their mark in North 2, Group 4.
“I was a bit surprised when I found out we were moving up,” Kostibos said. “It is what it is.
“I see it as a great opportunity for us. That section is loaded. There are a lot of big-time programs.”
SUMMIT’S WING-T,
SPREAD OFFENSE:
T Matteo diMayorca, senior, (6-5, 240)
G Michael Mahecha, junior, (6-1, 225)
C Donovan Cahill, senior, (6-0, 190)
G Justin Hong, junior, (5-9, 190)
T Matt Grange, junior, (6-3, 230)
G Spencer Frey, junior, (5-9, 215)
T Patrick Codey, junior, (6-2, 205)
QB Jake Froschauer, junior, (6-3, 175)
FB Sam Zanelli, junior, (5-9, 165)
FB Michael Flanagan, junior, (5-9, 195)
SLOT Matt Murdock, junior, (5-5, 150)
SLOT Matt Newman, senior, (5-5, 150)
SLOT Robby Faris, senior, (5-6, 160)
WR Kyle Kanaley, senior, (5-9, 180)
WR Alex Crane, senior, (6-2, 200)
WR Christian Fusco, junior, (5-9, 160)
WR Garrett Cahill, senior, (5-11, 145)
PK Jeff Chen, senior, (5-10, 155)
PK Jack Johnson, junior, (5-10, 210)
Returning starters (3): diMayorca,
Donovan Cahill, Froschauer.
SUMMIT’S 4-3 DEFENSE:
NG Danny Petrela, junior, (5-10, 300)
T Matteo diMayorca, senior, (6-5, 240)
T Jonathan Ramirez, senior, (5-10, 255)
T Tyler Tomlin, junior, (6-0, 205)
OLB Craig Ackerly, junior, (5-8, 155)
OLB Peter Galuppo, junior, (5-10, 165)
OLB Tyler Gramigna, senior, (6-2, 190)
OLB Justin Hong, junior, (5-9, 190)
ILB Liam Dougherty, junior, (6-0, 215)
ILB Teddy Crawley, senior, (5-9, 185)
ILB Spencer Frey, junior, (5-9, 215)
ILB Michael Flanagan, junior, (5-9, 195)
CB Rhajon Venable, junior, (5-8, 140)
CB John Armwood, senior, (5-11, 195)
CB Wayne Johnson, senior, (5-11, 170)
CB Brendan McGinn, junior, (5-8, 155)
S Matt Murdock, junior, (5-5, 150)
S Christian Fusco, junior, (5-9, 160)
S Robby Faris, senior, (5-6, 160)
S David Medina, junior, (5-8, 155)
P Jake Froschauer, junior, (6-3, 175)
Returning starters (2): Dougherty, Faris.
SUMMIT HILLTOPPERS
Head Coach: Kevin Kostibos, since 2013.
A 1999 Hanover Park graduate.
Third season: 21-2 (.913)
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Raritan
Section: North 2, Group 4
Summit’s last sectional title: 2013
2013: (9-2 and 5-1, second in Raritan Division)
Tatlock Field: Field Turf.
Kostibos has guided Summit to the North 2, Group 3
semifinals his first two seasons at the helm of the
Hilltoppers, including a 12-0 record and the section
title in 2013. Summit is in North 2, Group 4 this year
for the first time. Kostibos was previously an assistant
coach at Summit under the coach he played for in high
school at Hanover Park, John Liberato. Liberato is now
in his second season as an assistant coach at Kean University.
SUMMIT HILLTOPPERS 2015
Sept. 11 at North Plainfield, 7 p.m.
Sept. 18 Gov. Livingston, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25 at Warren Hills, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 Cranford, 2 p.m.
Oct. 10 Roselle, 1 p.m.
Oct. 16 at Somerville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 Voorhees, 2 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Rahway, 1 p.m.
Nov. 7 Hillside 2 p.m.
Head coach: Kevin Kostibos,
third season
2014 HILLTOPPERS (9-2)
(H) Summit 26, North Plainfield 0
(A) Summit 31, Gov. Livingston 7
(H) Summit 22, Warren Hills 3
(A) Cranford 33, Summit 14
(A) Summit 41, Roselle 33
(H) Summit 42, Somerville 9
(A) Summit 44, Voorhees 20
(H) Summit 30, Rahway 20
(A) Summit 35, Hillside 20
(H) Summit 29, Morris Hills 17
(H) Parsippany Hills 14, Summit 0
Head coach: Kevin Kostibos,
second season
Section: North 2, Group 3
Conference: Mid-State 38
Division: Raritan 5-1
Record: 9-2
Home: 5-1
Away: 4-1
Points for: 314
Points against: 176
Shutouts: 1
Overtime: 0-0