The now retired Doug Wilkins of Mountain Lakes is the only member of the '300 Club' of New Jersey high school football coaches who is no longer active and can't add to his total in 2010. (Photo by Todd Mundt)

Frank Bottone, who will turn 80 in January, returns to the sidelines for New Providence as member of the exclusive '300 Club.' (Photo by JR Parachini)

5 Of 6 Winningest Coaches Look
To Continue Adding On Victories
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

As double sessions get underway and the start of a new high school football season is not too far away with openers the weekend of Sept. 10-11, it’s always interesting to take a look at the ‘300 Club’ as five of the six current members are all still active, including the ageless Warren Wolf, who after retiring from Brick Township in 2008, returns to the sidelines this fall as the first-year head coach at Lakewood.

Meanwhile, Vic Paternostro of Pope John, who heads the list with 363 wins, starts yet another new season with the Sparta based parochial, who open up the 2010 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 11, at Irvington’s Matthews Field against the Blue Knights.

Vinny Ascolese (North Bergen), Frank Bottone (New Providence) and Pierce Frauenheim (Immaculata) also keep marching on. Only Doug Wilkins, who retired last fall after guiding Mountain Lakes to the North 1, Group 1 playoff championship, is no longer going to be able to rack up wins in 2010.

GOING INTO 2010 SEASON: THE 300 CLUB

The winningest football coaches in state history:

Vic Paternostro, Pope John (Sussex County), 363 – still active

Warren Wolf, Brick Township (Ocean County), 361 – still active

Wolf's last year at Brick Township was 2008 and his

first year at Lakewood is this season.

Vinny Ascolese, North Bergen (Hudson County), 340 – still active

Doug Wilkins, Mountain Lakes (Morris County), 328 – final year-2009

Frank Bottone, New Providence (Union County), 323 – still active

Pierce Frauenheim, Immaculata (Somerset County), 305 – still active

*******

WINNINGEST H.S. FOOTBALL COACHES IN NEW JERSEY

LOOKING BACK AS OF MONDAY, OCT. 19, 2009 WHEN VIC

PATERNOSTRO WAS ABOUT TO TIE WARREN WOLF

Warren Wolf (361) - He retired after 2008 season at Brick Township.

Vic Paternostro (360) - Pope John of Sparta hosts High Point Saturday (Oct. 24, 2009), with Vic going for the tie of the state record held by Warren Wolf of Brick.

Vinny Ascolese (339) - Still active at North Bergen .

Doug Wilkins (322) - Still active at Mountain Lakes .

Frank Bottone (321) - Still active at New Providence .

Bottone is New Providence's only head coach .

The first year of varsity football at New Providence was 1965.

Pierce Frauenheim (300) - Still active at Immaculata of Somerville.

Frauenheim's 300th win was a 47-0 home triumph over Voorhees Oct. 16, 2009. Career record: 300-129-2.

Frauenheim is Immaculata's only head coach.

The first year of varsity football at Immaculata was 1966.

*******

Enthusiastic MKA third-year head coach Lance Ramer hopes to see his Cougars become a much-improved football team. (Photos by Doug Allen)

Popular Essex Loop 7 On 7’s
Help Jumpstart MKA Gridders
By Steve Tober
For sidelinechatter.com

From top-rated parochial such as St. Peter’s, to perennial public school contenders such as Irvington and Cedar Grove to hopefully, up-and-coming small privates like The Montclair Kimberley Academy, the Essex Passing League at West Orange High School provided varied competition for all involved in this summer’s recently-completed sessions.

“We love it here and we definitely want to come back next year,” said Lance Ramer, the third-year coach at MKA, which is looking to do what it has to in order to improve after last year’s 1-9 season. “When you can see real good teams like Cedar Grove and Irvington in a setting like this, it’s invaluable because it gives our kids the opportunity to develop timing and precision with the passing game, have some great competition at the same time, and have a look at some of the real good teams that are out there.”

Ramer, who lives and breathes football, and was a successful high school, college (Rochester) and even North Jersey Arena League player, knows that it’s all about work and more work in order to raise the stature of an aspiring gridiron program such as MKA where well-stenciled 250-pound linemen are not easy to find on an annual basis; however, there is talent in the trenches and in the backfield as the summer work heads toward formal two-a-day practices next week as the hopes are raised for the Cougar faithful, who haven’t experienced a winning season since 2002.

“Our kids have really bought into what we’re trying to do and have worked extremely hard this summer,” said the MKA third-year head coach. “The 7-on-7’s are just part of it to go along in conjunction with our other off-season work, including in the weight room.”

Among the returnees to watch for the Cougars are junior running back Power Lawrence, who has the physical tools and experience to portend a big season in 2010. Junior quarterback Gabe DiMasi continues to progress and the valuable reps he took while replacing an injured Pat Livesey in the first game of last season has to help him immensely.

On the line, big two-way senior tackles Greg Froelich (6-1, 245) and JT Franco (5-9, 230) along with massive senior center Mike DeVita (6-1, 325) provide some huge wheels in the trenches for Lawrence and company to run behind.

MKA will open the 2010 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 11, vs. Sussex Tech at Van Brunt Field. The first pre-season scrimmage is Wednesday, Aug. 25, with Mater Dei and Morristown-Beard at Mo-Beard. The undermanned Crimson are assuming jayvee status this fall.

“I’m very excited and so are my assistant coaches,” said Ramer. “We know we have a heck of a lot of work ahead of us, but the optimism is definitely there in terms of everyone shooting for a winning season, and our work in the Essex Passing League 7 on 7’s has just enhanced that aim in terms of building on the great camaraderie among the kids!”

Power Lawrence should jumpstart the ground attack for MKA this fall

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