Don Klein gets his 100th win at homecoming

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.

Josh Moeller (9) quarterback at Shore Regional, completes a pass to Enzo Cagliostro (33) during the win over Ocean Township.

In life and sports, we all set benchmarks and goals. Coaches strive to reach that elusive 100-win club. For Don Klein, October 18, 2024 was the night he became a member of that elite group.

Klein started his high school coaching career at Ocean Township High School when he was 27-years old. “They had great confidence in me, and I took over a program that had a long history that was started by legendary coach George Conti,” said Klein. For 17 years, Klein was head coach of the Spartans, becoming the winningest coach in the school’s history.

However, after last season, Klein resigned as the head coach of the Spartans. He was presented an opportunity to coach his high school alma mater squad, the Blue Devils of Shore Regional High School. Klein, a graduate of the Class of 1997, was a three-year starting quarterback at Shore Regional. “I live in Oceanport, my daughter is a freshman at Shore, and if I was going to leave Ocean as head coach, this is the only coaching job I would consider,”  Klein said.

Alex Staten (3) a sophomore running back at Ocean Township High School looks to turn the corner on Braeden Farmer 98) a senior at Shore Regional.

Shore Regional is one of five undefeated football teams in the Shore Conference. They have only given up 42 points in seven games. Only one other school has allowed fewer points, Toms River North at 39. Offensively, the Blue Devils have put up 248 points, sixth best in the conference. “Many thought that it was going to be a tough season for us, as we lost 16 players to graduation. But we, my staff and I, came in here and changed the attitudes, philosophy and the players, parents and community have all bought into it, and that is why we are successful, “ Klein said.

October 18, the Blue Devils took their undefeated record into Ocean Township, where they faced the Spartans, for their homecoming game. Ocean is now coached by Chad King, who was head coach at Long Branch for two years. He is a graduate of the Class of 2000 from Ocean Township, so he returned to his alma mater. “I have to be honest; this was a very emotional week for me,” added Klein. He is a history teacher at Ocean and sees the players in class and in the halls. “I was the brunt of some good ribbing from staff and students this week.

Shore Regional won the game on Friday night, 37-14 and kept their undefeated record going at 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the D North division of the Shore Conference. Ocean Township falls to 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the B North.

Xavier Moro (77) and Josh Moeller (9) dump a bucket of water on head coach Don Klein as he recorded his 100th career win after Shore Regional beat Ocean 37-14.

“For me to get my 100th win at Carelli Field was something special. Not because I beat my former team, it was because 93 of my wins came as coach of the Spartans. They have a great team; Chad is a good coach that will be successful,” said Klein. Currently the Blue Devils are on the bubble of the top 10 teams in the Shore Conference. “One of the goals I set as a coach was that this program will always be competitive and going for a spot in that top 10.”

Shore Regional senior quarterback, Josh Moeller completed 8 of 14 passes for 117 yards and one touchdown. “We changed our offensive system this season and we’re throwing the ball more. Josh told me in pre-season he threw the ball more than he did in his previous three years,” said Klein. Moeller has 836 passing yards this season with nine touchdowns and one interception.

Cole Torres, the sophomore running back and linebacker for the Devils had 17 carries for 181 yards and one touchdown. Brendan O’Brien, senior, had 10 touches for 18 yards and one touchdown. Enzo Cagliastro, junior, had five catches for 74 yards, Charlie McQuillian had two catches for 36 yards and one touchdown.

“We had 348 yards of total offense, while Ocean had 202 total yards,” said Klein. The Blue Devils scored on a 27-yard fumble return by O’Brien, a 31-yard field goal by John Mazzacco, six-yard score by O’Brien, Moeller 22-yard pass to McQuillan, Moeller two-yard run, and Torres on a seven-yard run.

Klein said the defensive leaders for the Blue Devils were Tommy Schroeder with 13 tackles, O’Brien had 11 tackles and one sack, Torres had six tackles and one sack, and Jack Madalone had five tackles and one interception.

Shore Regional has one regular season game, they host Asbury Park who is 2-4 overall and 2-2 in the D North division, on Friday night, October 25, at 7:00 p.m. That is homecoming night for the Blue Devils.

That same night, Ocean holds their last season regular season game. They host Freehold Borough which are 2-6 overall and 0-4 in the B North division. That game will kickoff at 7:00 p.m.

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