Reggio leads the way in shutout of Marlboro

BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Jackson’s Joe Reggio carries the ball for the Jaguars during their impressive 30-0 road win in Marlboro on Sept. 23. JACKSON — During the 2003 season, running back John Reggio split time in the backfield with the now-departed Will Clayton. And as Clayton emerged as the Jaguars’ primary back, Reggio’s number of carries were reduced.

This season, however, Reggio’s role changed. Second-year coach Mike Smith has looked to Reggio to assume more responsibility in leading the Jags’ offense.

And the junior has responded admirably, stepping to the forefront last week in the absence of tailback Mark Schiavone, who is sidelined for the next four to six weeks with a broken collarbone.

All Reggio did last Thursday in a 30-0 win over host Marlboro High School was rush for 160 yards on 15 carries. In addition, he scored a pair of touchdowns as Jackson improved to 3-0 overall with the Shore Conference American Division triumph.

“He really elevated his game against them,” Smith said. “Our offensive line did a solid job of opening some holes, but he put forth a huge effort. Last year, he got a decent amount of carries, but this season we need him to do a bit more. He certainly stepped up for us in this contest.”

Reggio scored his first TD on a 34-yard pass play from quarterback Bill Fenimore to give Jackson a 16-0 cushion at the half. Late in the second half, Reggio scored on a 55-yard run play for Jackson’s final score.

Smith feels an outing like this will bolster Reggio’s confidence.

“He is already a confident kid,” Smith said. “But this kind of outing proves to him that he is capable of putting up those kinds of numbers.”

Running back Travis Wilton rushed for 65 yards on just seven carries and scored on a 38-yard run.

“I have confidence in all the guys we use in the backfield,” Smith said.

Jackson quarterback Bill Fenimore completed 8-of-11 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Fenimore connected with wideout Joe Arneth on a 14-yard pass play to give the Jags an early 7-0 lead.

Smith credited Arneth and receivers Bobby Cole and Kyle Nagy for giving the Jackson offense an added dimension.

“We have three very talented wideouts,” Smith said. “They all have good speed and sure hands. Fenimore is pretty confident that if he puts the ball out there, one of those guys is going to come down with it. They are working well together.”

Smith likes the idea of opening things up offensively.

“We’re looking to do some different things offensively this year,” Smith said. “We’re using some different sets and using a three receiver formation at times. We don’t want to become predictable.”

Jackson is scheduled to square off against host Lacey Township 1 p.m. Saturday before heading into the bye week.

“They have a couple of powerful offensive weapons,” Smith said. “They’re always a big physical team. We need our defense to contain the run.”

In the past couple of weeks Smith and his staff have worked long and hard on improving the Jags’ pass defense. Jackson held Marlboro to 75 yards through the air, while allowing just 45 on the ground.

“They [the defense] were one of the keys,” Smith said. “We had some trouble in the secondary in the first few weeks. But I think we worked out the problems. I was pleased the way we handled the pass against Marlboro. As usual, our run defense was very good. We need to make sure we don’t get beat on the big pass play.”