Mainland head coach Chuck Smith during the Group 3 state final played at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey on Sunday, December 1, 2024. Mainland fell to Old Tappan, 28-16. Kiersten Cowgill/D2 Sports Network
PISCATAWAY - The Mainland Regional High School football team imposed its will en route to the 2023 Group 4 state title.
A year later, the Mustangs fell short in the Group 3 state title game falling to Old Tappan, 28-16.
Coming into the 2024 season, many questioned how Mainland would perform after losing so much talent such as Villanova's Jamie Tyson, New Hampshire's Cohen Cook, and Princeton's Stephen Ordille.
Long story short, the Linwood program responded to the doubt and skepticism with a 10-4 season that included many achievements throughout the quest for repeat success.
Along the way junior quarterback John Franchini became the school's all-time passing yards leader and single-season passing yards leader, Jake Blum set the single-season and all-time receiving yards record while also setting the single-season receiving touchdowns record, and as a team, the Mustangs captured their third straight sectional title.
"I don't think there's anything we should hang our heads about," Franchini said. "No one really saw us getting here after we lost so many seniors last year but here we are. It would've been nice to win but we should be proud of ourselves."
A key to this season's success was senior running back Rocco DeBiaso. The senior was the motor of the offense as he ran for 1,199 yards and 17 touchdowns on 177 attempts. DeBiaso missed a game due to injury but quickly returned to play to provide leadership and production to the Mustangs when they needed it most. He finished his career with 1,910 yards and 26 scores after being an important offensive and defensive piece for the past two seasons.
"He played a good amount of this season banged up," Mainland coach Chuck Smith said. "His toughness and presence will be missed and I think most of the underclassmen have looked up to him throughout the season. He's always answered when needed."
Currently, DeBiaso is uncommitted in terms of colleges but will take time to decide on his future following his final game.
"I'm going to miss playing for this team," DeBiaso said. "I haven't really decided what's next for me but I'm going to take some time and weigh out my options and decide what's best for me."
In the 10 wins that Mainland accumulated during the season, the Mustangs picked up a few key wins over rival Ocean City, a white-hot Delsea team finding its stride late in the season, Atlantic City at Battle at the Beach, and knocking off the previously undefeated Group 3 favorite to represent the South/Central brackets, Somerville.
"The kids really put together a great season," Smith said. "Some games didn't go how we wanted them to but I'm proud of them. This group of kids was truly resilient."
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