The 2024 season was a season to remember for the Hawks. They tied the school record for wins, with an 8-3 record, which is identical to last season, however this season was much different than last year.
For starters, the Hawks played and won their first playoff game in school history at home, under the floodlights of the “Hawks Nest”.
The November 1 Playoff game was won in thrilling fashion, with the Hawks winning thanks to a field goal by kicker Ian Spicer, who sealed victory over West Deptford, leading the Hawks to a 30-29 win.
Senior quarterback Aidan Lunn continued his dominance from the prior season, with 1,518 total yards on the season, 16 Touchdowns, only 5 Interceptions, and his longest pass was 67 yards, on September 20 against Jackson Liberty to Marquis Goins, Jr.
Lunn has 3,907 yards in his career, just short of the 4,000 milestone.
Freshman QB Trevor Freyer got some playing time as well, with 85 yards, 5/13 Attempts, 1 Interception, and a long pass of 24 yards.
Marquis Goins, Jr. led the Hawks in receiving yardage, with 665 yards on the season.
The Hawks also made history by claiming their first outright division title this season. In 2020, they were the Co-Patriot Champions, a title they shared with Lacey. In the gymnasium of Manchester Township High School, the “Home of the Hawks”, on the wall are many blue and gold banners, which were won throughout the 49 years of Hawk athletic programs. However, there’s only one banner for football, and it wasn’t even a solo championship. Due to the hard work of all players and coaches, 49 years after the first Hawks football game, a blue and gold banner will be on the wall for a stand-alone football title.
In a statement to The Talon, Hawks Head Coach Tommy Farrell said “It is an absolute honor being the head football coach of this program. The young men have been putting in the work day in and day out, on and off the field. You talk about pressure? We live in pressure. That’s where we thrive. Four fourth-quarter comebacks aren’t just happenstance. They worked for it. We were all supposed to be here together for the 2024 season, it was destiny.”
Coach Farrell started coaching the Hawks in 2022, who had winning records prior, but were nothing like they are now. In 2022, they had a 3-7 record, but the Hawks learned from their mistakes. In 2023, they went 8-3. Whatever Farrell is doing, it works, and it works well. Both him and the players have put dedication into the game, and they are soaring above previous records. The sky’s the limit for the Hawks, and they hope to maintain their momentum into next season.
Hawks 2024 Record/Schedule:
August 29 “Battle at the Beach” @ West Deptford W 26-21
September 6 @ Southern L 26-0
September 13 vs. Pinelands W 30-26
September 20 vs. Jackson Liberty W 15-9
September 27 vs. Barnegat W 24-12
October 5 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven L 42-7
October 12 @ Lakewood W 42-12
October 18 @ Point Pleasant Beach W 42-14
October 25 @ Monmouth W 42-12
**November 1 vs. West Deptford W 30-29**
**November 8 @ Point Pleasant Boro L 49-14**
Final Record: 8-3 (ties all-time school record)
**indicates playoff games**
