When Frank Edgerly left Red Bank Catholic last month to take become the new recruiting director at Rutgers University, he left behind a program that he helped groom into one of the very best in the Shore.

FILE PHOTOS Above: Red Bank Catholic High School's Anthony Lubischer is among a group of returning players for the Caseys, who open up against local rival Long Branch next weekend. Below: David Reeves (No. 30) takes a handoff during last season's action. Now, it's up to the staff he left behind, most notably new head coach Jim Portela, to pick up right where Edgerly left off. That means making another run at the Liberty Division title, which the Caseys shared a year ago with Long Branch and Wall.

"First of all, let me just say that I loved coaching with Coach Edgerly," Portela, last year's defensive coordinator at RBC, said. "I learned a lot of things from him. And this was not something that I was looking for, it just kind of came about. That being said, I'm really looking forward to this season, and I'm proud to have this opportunity. I love the kids at RBC and I love their spirit.

"Everyone has stepped up and taken on more of a role (in Edgerly's absence) and I can honestly say that it's an absolute pleasure to coach here."

And while the Caseys only played their first scrimmage last week, Portela is quick to praise what he's seen already from his players.

"They look good," he said. "Like everyone else, we're trying to replace the seniors that graduated, but we've certainly got some good talent returning this year.

"We've got 21 seniors who are all hoping to be able to maintain the high level of play we reached last season."

While Portela will inevitably bring his own personal touches to the program, for now, he's content keeping things status quo (If it ain't broke……).

"Offensively and defensively we've had the same systems in place for the past five or six years, and we've had success with them, so we're going to attack things the same way this year," he said.

In terms of experience, RBC has plenty of it, and on both sides of the ball.

Beyond the experience, RBC also has quite a bit of depth - another of the characteristics that seems to distinguish the top programs in the Shore.

"We're certainly not in the days where we're playing the same 11 guys on both sides of the ball," Portela said. "We're looking to play as many kids as possible, and there's certainly enough talented players to spread the time around."

Offensively, the Caseys have a tough act to follow, as a year ago they were tied with Asbury Park as the top offensive team in the Shore. This season, RBC is expected to once again put its share of points on the board.

Much of the attention of opposing defenses will be focused on senior David Reeves, a three-year starter who shared the running duties with Michael Wilbur last year. Reeves, who averaged over eight yards a carry last year, has impressed his coaches this preseason, and could very well emerge as one of the top backs in the state.

"David is a very good football player," Portela said. "Everybody wants to talk about how talented he is running the ball, but he was a great player for us last year at defensive back.

"However, offensively, he is not the same kid that everyone was talking about when he came to the program," the coach added. "He still has that explosiveness, but he got in the weight room, got up to about 175 pounds, and has really improved his strength…We've got a lot of respect for him because we know how hard he's worked to get stronger."

However, Reeves is not the only weapon coming out of the Caseys' backfield, as senior Nolan Vill is another talented back, as is junior Stephen Compitello. Those three players, combined with the strong blocking of fullbacks Jake Beim, a junior, and senior Anthony Lubischer and Justian Giakas, make for a triple-threat that makes the RBC running game the envy of quite a few offensive coordinators throughout the Shore.

The offensive line, which will certainly be familiar with the coaching style of new offensive coordinator Matt Ahearn (the Oline coach last year), returns two starters in seniors Chris Spahr and Billy Lista, will also be a strength, with the return of senior center Zack Flaherty, and seniors Shawn Smith, Arthur John Czugh, Mike Byrnes and Nick Gialanella, who all saw time last year.

Senior tight end Luke McCarthy has also looked sharp, as has junior tight end Kevin Whitlock, giving the Caseys two options at that position.

Senior Connor O'Leary will be the quarterback for this high-powered offense, after showing some positive signs in limited playing time last year.

Among the targets at O'Leary's disposal in passing situations will be Tucker Hawley, senior Sky Taylor and Alex Taylor all capable receivers. Junior Jake Flaherty will also pose a threat at wideout, as RBC looks to keep defenses honest with an offensive balance.

RBC's defense also returns a host of players who either started or saw significant time last season, including three starters on the defensive line. Senior defensive end Connor McHeffey is back on the D-line, as is Beim and Whitlock. The line will also feature the talents of Lista, junior Lorenzo Coscarelli and a bulked-up Steven Smith, while a solid group of linebackers,

which features McCarthy, Lubischer, Vill, Giakas, Gialanella and sophomoreMike Dorsi, will be a strength for the defense.

The same can be said for the secondary, which returns experienced players like Reeves (at cornerback), Alex Taylor, Sky Taylor, Jake Flaherty, Hawley, Casten and junior Dickie Davis. This unit has a lot of speed and athleticism, which should allow the Caseys to feature an attacking style of defense.

"I like this group, particularly their work ethic," he said. "We've got a lot of enthusiasm. I couldn't ask for anything more, really."

RBC will be challenged right from the start this fall, as their season-opener, a match-up with a young but extremely talented Long Branch team will certainly be a battle.

"We're lucky enough to help christen their new stadium," Portela said, referring to the Green Wave's newly refurbished home stadium, which has been five years in the making. "I say that half-jokingly because we certainly got a tough draw to start out the year."

And while Long Branch will certainly be chomping at the bit to get its first win in its new digs, RBC has no problem taking on the role of spoiler in a contest that will certainly attract the eyes of the conference.

"It is nice," Portela said. "It should be a great atmosphere, and that group of kids over there certainly deserves a home game. It's nice to play in games like that that mean so much to so many people."