Football stand-out looks to continue winning ways

BY DAN NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Big-name colleges are already expressing interest in the talents of Knowshon Moreno, a junior at Middletown High School South. Mention Knowshon Moreno’s name anywhere in Middletown, or anywhere in New Jersey, and it conjures up images of the junior running back tearing through opposing defenses on his way to another big gain.

That’s how it’s been for three seasons, since Knowshon came on the Middletown High School South scene as a freshman. But making plays on the field is not all Knowshon has been known to do to his opponents. He can also make it happen in the blink of an eye on the board as well.

“Sometimes, before practice, we’ll play chess,” Knowshon said. “It’s just something we like to do to keep things relaxed.”

Knowshon labels himself as a “pretty good player” if asked. Poll anybody else and “pretty good” would be pretty much an understatement.

The shifty tailback is well on his way toward rewriting the state record books. Following Friday’s 7-0 state playoff semifinal win over Long Branch, Knowshon had 4,273 career rushing yards, 2,260 yards short of the record set last year by Keyport’s Kenny Cattouse. If Knowshon can continue this kind of performance next season, that record will be well within his reach. He also came out of Friday’s game with 560 career points, just 96 points behind the state mark.

For the season, Knowshon has 220 points, 34 points behind the state mark set in 1976, and his 92 touchdowns this season is approaching the state mark of 101 set in 1996.

With the win over Long Branch Friday, and the promise of another two games (on Thanksgiving against Middletown North and the Central Jersey Group III championship game next week), the single-season records for points could be in danger.

As for school records, not something to be taken lightly at a school with such a rich football tradition, Knowshon already owns the records for most rushing yards (420) and touchdowns (seven) in a game. He actually shares the single-game touchdown record with legendary Eagle Stephen Michael Pitts, who accomplished the feat in 1989. It is Pitts’ career rushing record that Knowshon is chasing and should surpass it next year. Following Friday night’s game, Moreno was just 611 yards shy of Pitts’ total.

“Since I have been here, he’s been the best player we’ve had,” seventh-year head coach Steve Antonucci said. “He’s a top-level competitor on the field, and I’m sure he’ll be that way once he gets to college.”

Although only a junior, Moreno is already starting to get plenty of correspondence from college coaches who would love to have his services at the next level.

“I’d say about 20 schools are in the mix right now, and that number will probably go even higher as time goes by,” Antonucci said. “Many of the schools involved are top-level Division 1 programs like Florida State, Virginia and Maryland.”

While the college programs want him for his athletic ability, Knowshon knows his academics will be a priority as well.

“What I’m learning here at Middletown will prepare me for what happens in college. I think the teachers at this school are good, and they’ve been able to help me a lot along the way,” Knowshon said.

A day in the life of a big-time high school athlete does not commence with afternoon football practice. It starts well before the first snap of the ball or the first instructions yelled out by Antonucci.

“I get up each day around 6:20 and go right to school. After that, we have practice until about 5:30,” Knowshon explained. “Then I do my homework (math is his favorite subject) and relax a bit. I normally go to bed around 10.”

“Once he gets to college, Knowshon has two goals, to get a college education and to be able to play football,” Antonucci said. “I really want him to have the full college experience.”

Knowshon has taken the PSAT and is preparing to take the SAT later this year, while handling his regular course load. What separates him from the rest of his classmates is that everybody is watching him — opponents, college coaches and even Knowshon himself.

“I realize that everybody expects this team to go undefeated again this year, and it’s a big goal for us,” Knowshon explained. “I’ve been working hard at everything I do this year, school and football. It’s not tough for me because I’ve been used to that for a while now.”

It also helps that Knowshon’s personality is jovial and easygoing, something that is not lost on those around him.

“In the hallways, people always are around him,” Antonucci said. “People outside of our school may know him for football, but inside, he’s just a well-liked person because he’s so friendly.”

“I need to continue to work hard, and hopefully things work out for us. Right now football is the big thing for me, and I want to help our team win,” Knowshon said. “At the end of the season, I want to be able to say that we’re state champions.”