A New Direction: St. John Vianney Football Preview

Taking over a football program that has had one winning season in the last 10 years, new St. John Vianney head coach Andy Carlstrom aims to jumpstart a team seeking its first state playoff berth since 2006.

“We have to change the culture,’’ Carlstrom said. “That is the biggest challenge for us. It’s a matter of bringing a culture of high expectations and expecting to win every time you step on the field.’’

Carlstrom, a former head coach at nearby Holmdel High School, becomes St. John Vianney’s third head coach in four years after replacing Skip Edwards, whose teams finished 8-12 in two seasons. Carlstrom has experience building programs into champions, as he led Holmdel to a school-record 10 wins and a division title in 2007.

“I think the same potential is definitely here,’’ Carlstrom said. The goal is to build an excellent football program. I am hoping to be here for a very long time.’’

“The big thing is the kids believe in coach Carlstrom and we trust everything he says, while it hasn’t been like that in the last couple years,’’ said senior lineman Andrew Bilotti. “He gives us a lot of confidence and never puts us down.’’

He has overhauled the offense, installing a University of Oregon-style spread attack that will be commanded by returning starter Anthony Carlucci, a senior quarterback who is a dual threat. Senior Steve Barnitz is a shifty, 5-foot-7, 145-pound back with good speed who is a returning starter at tailback. Senior Chris Federico and sophomore Nate Litowski will see time at fullback in certain packages.

One of the most dynamic players looks to be junior Eli Smith, who will line up all over the field at anywhere from running back to wide receiver to quarterback. Smith played on defense last year, but should become an important part of the offense this season. He is emblematic of a team that will try to use its speed and athleticism rather than brute strength up front.

“We have very good speed and a very mobile quarterback who’s tough and can run, so we can run zone read and we can throw the ball to our athletes and spread it out,’’ Carlstrom said.

“We have all of our athletes in open space making plays, so it’s a lot better than last year,’’ Barnitz said.

The aim is to run at a high tempo and take advantage of some solid depth in order to tire opposing defenses out in order to blow the game open in the fourth quarter. It has been a gradual adjustment from the multiple-I offense run by Edwards.

“It is a new offense and we’re still learning it, but it’s coming together nicely,’’ Carlucci said. “It’s kind of a big adjustment, going from mostly a run offense to a more open offense, but it’s been a good offense.’’

Carlucci’s primary targets in the passing game at wide receiver will be Smith, junior Ishmael Hyman and 6-foot-2 senior Anthony Pante. The offensive line returns only one starter, Bilotti, who is a 6-foot-3, 280-pound senior center. The guards will be senior Tyler Lucas and junior Logan Pasquale, and junior Drew Diakos and senior Matt Novellino will be at tackle. Diakos is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound transfer from a school in Virginia and should give the line a boost.

“We have fewer blocking assignments in this new offense, so if we understand what we’re doing, we’ll be fine as long as we fire off the ball hard,’’ Bilotti said.

The placekicker position is still up for grabs as the Lancers try to replace All-Shore kicker/punter Anthony DiPaula, who is currently vying for a starting spot as a true freshman at Rutgers. The punter will be either Hyman or senior Chris Baker.

With a combined 70 players in the varsity program, the Lancers will be able to be a strict two-platoon team this season, with no one playing on both sides of the ball. That should allow Carlstrom to make quick adjustments on offense after that unit comes off the field, and it should keep the defense fresh.

“I’ve never had a situation where I can have kids only play one way before, so I’m expecting big things out of the defense,’’ Carlstrom said.

The Lancers return seven of 11 starters on defense, including a talented linebacking corps. The main question mark is up front in the 4-3 scheme that Carlstrom is implementing, as the defensive line returns only one starter.

Senior Raffaelo Spagnola and junior Chris Green are newcomers at defensive end, while senior Ed Littig is a returning starter at defensive tackle. Senior Brandon McCabe, who started at tight end last year, will be at the other defensive tackle spot. Promising sophomore Justin Gille, the younger brother of former player and basketball standout Ryan Gille, is a 6-foot-5, 220-pounder who also should see time on the defensive line.

The linebackers are all returning starters, led by senior middle linebacker Anthony Ambrose. Junior Tom Turi is a returning starter at strongside linebacker, and junior Chris Colapinto is back at weakside linebacker.

“We have a much more positive, upbeat approach in practices,’’ Ambrose said. “There is just a lot more excitement.’’

The secondary is also deep, as both safeties, Baker and senior Kevin Barden, are returning starters. Seniors Joe Gugliara and Pat Curry will start at cornerback, and junior Steve Callari also should see time in the defensive back rotation.

The Lancers will enter the year under the radar in Class A Central, with defending division champion Matawan and defending Central Jersey Group II champion Rumson-Fair Haven garnering the headlines. They will have to navigate that division if they hope to land a spot in the NJSIAA Non-Public Group III bracket.

“We love that spot,’’ Barnitz said. “We love being the underdogs, and we will surprise some people.’’