Weekend of 9/25 + 9/26

Scanning the high school football scene with Ed Sarluca:

Offensive football was the name of the game in week 3, with no fewer than 12 teams putting up 30 points or more. This will not make defensive co-coordinators too happy as they begin to prepare for these teams down the road. Leading the offensive explosion was Asbury Park(2-0), who put up 53 in a blowout win over Mater Dei. The Raiders of Toms River East(3-0) put 48 on the board against cross town rival TR South. These two teams remained undefeated, with big games coming up for both teams. Mid South(3-0) continues undefeated, and scored 38 points in their shutout win over Jackson Liberty. Mid South now gets to avenge a loss last year in CJ Group 3 finals vs. Freehold Boro, as they host the Colonials on Friday night at home. That one will be on the radio, if you can’t make it to the game.(1160am, 1310 am, as well as 105.7 the Hawk Also for out of area fans, you can follow us on shoresportsnetwork.com.

The big game of week 3 was the blowout victory by Matawan over Raritan(30-7). In a game most people thought would be a close, the Huskies led from start to finish and proved that they are the real deal in 2009. Holding Raritan ace RB Jessie Raymond to 75 yards and Notre Dame bound Bennett Jackson to 5 catches for 57 yards, the Huskies used their outstanding QB Jared Allison( 1TD run & 1TD pass) and McArthur Underwood(82 run for TD) as big play weapons in a statement type game of the early season. Matawan now gets to revenge a 2008 loss to RBC, which still bothers Matawan. Look for them to take care of business this Friday at RBC.

The Toms River East Raiders ran wild over the under-manned TR South Indians. Playing without key personal, the Indians(0-3) were no match for the explosive Raiders. Nico Steriti, who was my pre-season choice for player of the year, certainly did nothing to hurt his chances at winning that award. All Nico did was run for 3 TDs(4, 1, & 30 yds.), catch a TD pass of 22 yds., from QB Charlie Diskin, and scored on defense as he returned an interception for 102 yards. Those 5 TDs, give him 10 on the year, in 3 games. This week, the Raiders travel to Brick and can just about wrap up the Constitution Division title, with a “W” against the 2-1 Dragons.

TR North(2-0) continues to win, with a methodical 19-0 victory over winless Manalapan. They used 2 interception returns for TDs and now set their sights on the undefeated Rebels of Howell(3-0). That game has been set for Sat. night at 7pm at North, so it’s a good chance for everyone around the shore to see a football game that will pit the brute force and power of the Mariners vs. the finesse air attack of Howell. There are no programs around the state, which are polar opposites of each other, than these 2 teams.

Ocean(3-0) continues to use a stingy defense and timely scoring, as they march through their schedule. Games against Long Branch(3-0) and Matawan(3-0), which will both be on the road, loom in Oct. as Liberty Conference deciders.

Manasquan(2-0) took care of Holmdel(1-2) early and often as they ripped the Hornets 35-0 on Sat. afternoon. The Big Blue will play the season without 1500 yard rusher Lorenzo Venable, who has quit the team. With Jimmy Stovall and Zach Ogden running from the tailback position, they have not seen any drop off from the production they are used to getting from their running game. The “Squan” travel to undefeated Pinelands(2-0) this Friday night in a big National Division game.

Rumson(3-0) is the team that is flying under the radar. They will get a chance to fly high this week, when they visit Asbury Park(2-0) in a key Patriot Div. game. QBs Sean Burke and Mike Villapiano are 2 names you better become familiar with, because they can play. Burke returns from a broken ankle that occurred last year in mid-season, and caused him to miss half the season. Tucker Smith is one of the shores top kickers. There could be a lot of fireworks on Sat afternoon.

One player I would like to mention is Kevin Carter from Mon Don. This receiver turned into an option QB has picked up the offense rather well. All he has done in Mon Don’s 1-1 start is rush for 494 yards, score 7 TDs and throw for 2 TDs. Not bad for a converted receiver. I would say that he and Mike DiGuilmi(Brick Mem.) have adjusted well to running the triple option attacks of their respective teams.

Quotable Quotes:

“It doesn’t get any better defensively. All the credit goes to Al (Tirpack). He does a great job preparing the kids to play week to week” (Chris Barnes-Wall(2-0) in their 35-0 win over South Plainfield.)

“They’re both hard-workers. They’re both going to give you everything they can give. Neither one is blessed with many physical attributes, but they understand their role.” (Head Coach Pete Cahill-Manasquan on RBs Zach Ogden and Jimmy Stovall)

“It wasn’t pretty, but this is our second road game, without playing at home, and we came into this off a bye week, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. We certainly didn’t execute well offensively. Demetri(Davis) ran the ball well but when we had other things opening up for us we didn’t connect.” (Head Coach Chip LaBarca-TR North on his team’s 19-0 win at Manalapan)

This and that:

Congratulations to Skip Edwards of SJ V, who picked up his first victory(28-21 over Point Boro), at that school.

Point Pleasant Boro is off to a 0-3 start. Playing without 2 way star Zach Hayden, they lost to SJ V 28-21 last week. This week they get a hungry Raritan team eager to get back on the field after their loss to Matawan.

Brick Memorials(2-1) offense is one of the best in the shore. They run for 328 yards a game, while averaging 393 yds. a game. If they get their defense straightened out, watch out for this team.

Neptune vs. Wall this week at Neptune—a big game for both teams.

Brick(2-1) shutout previously unbeaten Mid North 3-0 on Friday night. A 25 yard field goal by Brick’s Pat Kearns won it for Pat Dowling’s Dragon’s.

Long Branch’s Miles Shuler returned for the Wave in their 20-7 win vs. Monmouth. He ran for 2 TDs and threw for 1 score.

Top Ten:
1-Middletown South(3-0) Money is on the table this week vs. Freehold Boro, who defeated the Eagles at Rutgers in last year’s CJ G 3 finals.
2-Howell(3-0) Easily their biggest game in 2 years as they travel to TR North on Saturday night.
3-Ocean(3-0) Defense is excellent, offense has Brandon Robinson.
4-Matawan(3-0) Game-breakers up and down the lineup. McArthur Underwood is a star in the making!
5-TR East(3-0) Nico(sr) and Mario(soph) are the last of the 4 Steriti brothers. Shore conf. coaches can breathe a sigh of relief.
6-Manasquan(2-0) Will the loss of Venable bring this team together—I think so!
7-TR North(2-0) Their 19-0 win last week sets up a battle in American Div. vs. Howell (Sat. night at 7pm).
8-Long Branch(3-0) Ocean shutout Manchester last week, the Wave may make it 2 weeks in a row that Hawks don’t score. QB Miles Schuler is back and healthy.
9-Asbury Park(2-0) Scored 53 last week. A tougher opponent in Rumson this week.
10-Brick Memorial(2-1) Only team in top ten with a loss. Hard to keep them out with the offense they have produced in 3 weeks. Lone loss to Sayreville is 3-0 in early season.

Just missed:
Rumson(3-0)-win and you’re in next week!
Neptune(2-1) Danger ahead in unbeaten Wall(2-0)
Keyport(2-0) Another team under the radar.
Freehold Boro(2-1) Chance to hop back into top ten with a “W” at Mid South.
Raritan(2-1) One loss does not define this good team.

Join us at Boston’s this Thursday night for 2 hours of high school football at 6-8pm. Freehold Boro vs. Mid South (Friday 7pm on 1160am, 1310am, and 105.7fm the Hawk) or shoresportsnetwork.com.