By Scott Stump - Senior Editor
E-mail: stump@digitalsports.com
Posted 8/19/08, 7:05 p.m.

     The preseason camp odyssey began today with a visit to Rumson-Fair Haven and Keansburg, a pair of Patriot Division teams both trying to replace outstanding senior classes that guided them to state sectional finals last year. Our official previews for the Patriot Division will be run on Aug. 25 with the exception of Monsignor Donovan, which is away this week at camp in Sussex County.
      Here are some quick tidbits on each squad:

      Rumson-Fair Haven
      This team looks to have a much different identity from the past few seasons. The Bulldogs have had strong defenses the last two years in particular, but this year's unit could be the best of all. With all but essentially one starter (two linemen rotated at one spot for each series last year) back on offense, the defense will have to do the heavy lifting early on, but it looks up to the task. This will be a defensive-oriented, methodical offensive team that looks to chew up the clock and not make mistakes, rather than the quick-strike offense of the past couple years.
       They do have the ability to make a run at their third straight Patriot Division title and their home opener in Week Three against division favorite Asbury Park should be in front of a packed house.
       Just about the entire secondary returns, and the defensive line could really be something special in the Patriot Division. Senior defensive tackle Taylor Brown is a three-year starter who has received heavy interest from Monmouth University and several Ivy League schools, so he is a known quantity. However, two newcomers could end up making a huge difference. Senior Justin Hook (#75 in the teaser photo), better known as a power forward on the basketball team, played last year as a wideout but ended up quitting. He is back as a defensive end. A 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive end with a massive wingspan. He's the kind of specimen where opposing coaches will say, "Why doesn't that happen at my school?'' about his decision to come back out for football. He can dunk with two hands from a standstill so he is a good athlete, but we will see how it goes in pads.
       Also, the Bulldogs have added another player from a different sport who could make an impact on the defensive line. Senior Mike Connor, who played as a freshman, took two years off from football before coming back out for the team this year. He is on the Bulldogs' swim team, and is 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds with size 18 feet, and he will be at defensive tackle. Throw 6-foot-3 Steve Hessinger and 6-foot-4 Chris Hofer into the mix at the other defensive spot, and you have a very imposing front for the Bulldogs.
     Senior Paul Campanella and junior Sean Burke are in competition to replace Matt Wassel, a second-team DigitalSports Legends of the Fall selection, at quarterback. The two previous Rumson quarterbacks, Wassel and Michael Roberto, were working out on the field adjacent to Rumson's turf field when I walked up.
     Wassel is shipping off to Middlebury (Vt.) College shortly to begin his collegiate career, while Roberto is headed back to the University of New Hampshire. Roberto, the school's all-time leading passer, originally was at New Hampshire before transferring to Gettysburg College, but has transferred back. He said he has to sit out this season at New Hampshire after transferring and could be converted to wideout. He is considered a redshirt sophomore this year.
     A former Rumson great is also back in the coaching fold, as NFL offensive lineman and University Pittsburgh All-American Rob Petitti is helping coach the offensive line this season for the Bulldogs. He was with the St. Louis Rams, but tore his Achilles' tendon on July 23, was put on season-ending injured reserve and negotiated an injury settlement. He previously played for the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints.

     Keansburg
     It was almost surreal going over to Keansburg and not seeing the Lagunas or quarterback Anthony Valle, who I believe was the quarterback for the Titans for the last 10 years.
     Keansburg only returns two starters combined on both sides of the ball from last season's Central Jersey Group I finalist and Patriot Division tri-champion. Linebacker Pat O'Hanlon and lineman Andrew Murray are the only ones who saw significant minutes in big games last year, so this team is as green as it gets.
     However, there are some playmakers, and the defense is usually solid under head coach Brian Kmak. Fran Soleo will replace Valle at quarterback and has a big arm but not the elusiveness of Valle, while senior Danny Gogan might see time behind center as well and is more of a running threat. One of the most intriguing prospects is senior wideout/defensive back Carl Williams, a basketball player who is about 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds with solid speed and long arms. He could be a big-play threat on an offense that looks like it will be much more of a move-the-chains, grind-it-out unit than the explosive group of the past few years that could score from anywhere on the field.
      Another positive is that the line has pretty good size for the small-school Titans, although, like everywhere else, experience is lacking. In most years, this would look like a solid Keansburg team, but it's just hard to judge right now because you're immediately thinking of the teams of the last two years, which were some of the better teams in Titans school history. I think this team has a shot at 4-5 wins and has a large and talented junior class, so the future looks good for the orange and blue. The numbers are also good as there are 45 players between varsity and jayvee, although four freshmen have elected to play Pop Warner instead of freshman football. 
      Kmak also had the line of the day when he articulated what a lot of coaches are thinking when players are injured during two-a-days by asking a player on the sidelines, "That's not going to hurt during doubles and then you'll be a hero when they're over, is it?''