Weekend Of 11/13 - 11/15

Scanning the High School Football Scene with Ed Sarluca:

We started with 18 and we are down to 12, as the first week of the State H.S. playoffs are off and running. With 12 getting by, I would consider it a very successful opening weekend to the 2009 playoffs. There are 3 #1 seeds still alive (Middletown South(9-0), Asbury Park(8-1) and Matawan(8-1)). We are guaranteed at least 1 State winner(CJ 2), where the 4 teams who remain are all from the shore. There will be 3 rematches in the semi-finals. CJ 4 will have an all-shore matchup in the bottom bracket, as Howell(8-1) and Brick Memorial(5-4) will play again this year. Howell won a 37-27 game in Oct. Middletown South and Neptune(7-2) will have a second game in CJ 3, with Mid South having beaten Neptune 16-0 earlier this year. As a matter of fact, Neptune has not beaten Mid South since 1998. Matawan and Raritan(7-2) will go at it again in CJ 2. Matawan won by 30-7 the first time they played. These games show the excellence in shore football, as all except Raritan, beat out of area teams on their way to the semi’s. Rumson(9-0) will put its undefeated record up against a very good Manasquan(8-1) team. This very well may be the best matchup of the weekend, as they are 2 evenly matched teams. Lacey(7-2), had its un-scored upon streak broken on Sat., but prevailed 33-14 over Pemberton. Toms River East(9-0), try’s to win its first championship ever, and they will have to do it on the road, as they travel to #2 seed Egg Harbor(9-0). Ocean(7-2) will travel to Monroe in another CJ 3 game, and Asbury Park(8-1) looks for their 3rd championship in a row in CJ 1 and gets Brearley in the semi’s. We know now, all of these teams are well coached, and are playing their best football of the year, at the right time. The high level of shore football excellence is clearly evident with the quality of the remaining teams. Let’s look how they got there:

Perhaps the biggest upset of the week occurred in Hunterdon Central as the 5-4 Mustangs of Brick Memorial, seeded #6, shocked the #3 seed by a 21-17 score. With time running out, a Mike DiGuilmi to Cody Cutter 40 yard TD pass with 19 seconds remaining was the game winner for the “Stangs”. The Mustangs ran for 410 yards on the night and dominated the Red Devils, but needed the TD pass to win it. The Mustangs seem to rise to the occasion in the playoffs and are the defending CJ 4 champs. It won’t be easy for them to get to the finish line, as they must get by 2 opponent that have beaten them already; Howell and probably #1 seed Sayreville. None the less, Brick Memorial will not be an easy out for either team.

Raritan used 2 picks by Kevin Furlong, both of which, were returned for TDs to upset the #4 seed Green Wave of Long Branch 28-7. Jessie Raymond(174 yards) proved why he is one of the top backs in the shore, as he tore through the Wave repeatedly. Notre Dame bound Bennett Jackson hit a “rocket” screen for 67 yards and a touch, after he had a 91 screen pass called back. Jackson also kicked field goals of 35 and 37 yards. Next up, Raritan gets a rematch with Matawan, who defeated them 30-7 on Sept 25th. Raritan has 1 title in the trophy case, 2004 when they won CJ 2.

In a driving rain storm on Friday night, the Raiders of TR East used Nico Steriti not once, nor twice, but 45 times for 206 yards and 3 TDs. Nico was my pre-season player of the year, and he certainly has made me look good, as he scored his 26th, 27th and 28th TD of the year. Sr. QB Charlie Diskin threw a 23 yard TD to Anthony Chiacchio, to put the game away in the 4th quarter. With winds howling at 40-50 miles per hour and the rain driving sideways into the faces of the Raiders, Diskin hit for 3 of 4 passes in key situations of the game to aid the running of Steriti. #2 seed, Egg Harbor(9-0), is next for the #3 seed Raiders, as they try to win their first championship in the 30 year history of East. If Nico has anything to say about that, the trophy may very well be sitting in the East showcase come December.

The Bishops of Asbury Park may have found a new way to get the ball to power runner George Stephens. As Stephens is closing in on 1000 rushing yards, it was his pass catching ability( 120 yards) on Sat afternoon that led them to a 22-6 win over Shore Reg. Stephens accounted for all 3 TDs vs. Shore, 2 on the ground and 1 in the air. The win was the second time Asbury has beaten Shore(13-10 on opening day) and put them one step closer to their 3rd consecutive CJ 1 championship. Quite a feat for a program that struggled to a 1-9 record 4 years ago. Next up is David Brearley, at home, on Sat. afternoon.

Matawan, the top seed in CJ 2, easily beat New Brunswick on Sat. night 37-13. The Zebra’s had come into this one a hot team and Matawan jumped all over them and never let up. QB Jared Allison ran for 2 TDs and threw 2 TDs to lead the Huskies to the easy victory. Matawan is peaking at the right time, but will have to continue to play well, as Raritan will test them this week. The Huskies took no prisoners(30-7) the first time around, and revenge is on the minds of the Rockets. Matawan is looking for their first title since 1992.

Rumson remains unbeaten with a shutout win over A.L. Johnson 23-0. Always reliable John Riley, ran for 117 yards and a TD and the Bulldog defense held A.L. Johnson to 3 first downs and 50 total yards. The Rumson “D” was so dominate, that Johnson did not have a first down in the 2nd half. They recorded 4 sacks, had 2 turnovers and blocked a punt. Now you see why this team is undefeated! It doesn’t get any easier for them, as 11 time State Champions, Manasquan comes to town on Friday night. Rumson has never won a State title. The Shore Sports Network will broadcast that one on 1160 WOBM AM and Fox Sports 1310 am as well as 105.7 The Hawk.

Lacey, although scored upon, got it going big in the 2nd half, and cruised to a 33-14 win over Pemberton. Jarrod Molzon(213 yards) filling in for Jake Dabal(167 yards) had himself a huge 2nd half, after Dabal left with a pulled muscle in his side. These 2 RBs are only juniors as is QB Craig Cicardo, so the Lions are set for next year, but they aren’t thinking about next year just yet. They have their eyes on the prize this year and are playing very well at the right time. The Lions travel to Timber Creek this week for the semi-finals.

Neptune put 51 on the board vs. Lawrence, as RBs Ike Calderone(118 yards) and Charlie Davis(111 yards) led the Flier attack. Neptune led 37-7 at the half and cruised in the 2nd half and gets a rematch with a team they haven’t beaten since 1998, Middletown South. That streak includes a 16-0 win this year. Neptune last won the state title in 1986.

Playing without their starting QB C.J. Davis, due to disciplinary reasons, Manasquan defense came up big in a 14-7 victory over Keyport on Sunday. Soph QB Tyler Saito filled in admirably for Davis as he threw for 126 yards and had a rushing TD for the Blue Warriors. Manasquan will look for their shore leading 12th championship as they continue the run in CJ 2, when they travel to Rumson on Friday night.

Middletown South, the #1 seed in CJ 3, demolished West Windsor North by a 43-6 score. Kyle Bunge ran for 141 yards and 3 TDs to lead the Eagles to the easy victory. The Eagles have not won the whole thing since 2006, losing to Freehold Boro in last year’s final.

Howell Twp. the #2 seed in CJ 4 playing on Monday night due to field conditions, which didn’t look too bad to me, beat an undermanned Montgomery team 41-18. Jimmy Ryan, the shore’s best QB, threw for 5 TD passes in only 3 quarters of action, as the Rebels parlayed turnovers and field position, into points and more points. Howell continues next Sat. night, at 6pm, against Brick Memorial, a team it beat 37-27 earlier in the year.

Ocean, last won a State title in 2005 under Sal Spampanato, looks to win one with Coach Don Klein, in CJ 3. The shutout victory over Steinert(35-0) gets them to the semi’s against a good Monroe team on the road. Brandon Robinson, Greg Moore and Christian Bailoni, R.J. D’Apolito and Kevin Rodgers lead the “Big Red” in their quest.

Losing last weekend were Toms River North, who put up a game effort vs. Williamstown, who won their first ever state tournament game, 21-13, and Middletown North, who lost to #1 seed Sayreville in CJ 4 by a 21-0 score.

Top Ten-Week 10(Nov. 17th)
1-Middletown South(9-0) Impressive as ever in 1st round. Get a rematch with Neptune(16-0-first time around) who have not beaten them since 1998, enough said!
2-Toms River East(9-0) Got the job done vs. Wash Twp. in horrendous weather on Friday night. Nico Steriti(45 carries for 206 yds. and 3 TDs) proved to everyone he is a candidate for “Player of the Year”.
3-Howell(8-1) finally played their 1st round game after 2 postponements(why the second one on Sunday is a mystery??). Their reward, a rematch with Playoff savvy defending CJ Group 4 champions, Brick Memorial, a 21-17 winner over previously unbeaten, 9-0, Hun. Cen.
4-Matawan(9-1) The Huskies have made a statement that this could be their year back to the championship, which has eluded them, since 1992. They get Raritan, who they have defeated already 30-7, earlier this year.
5-Rumson(9-0) Anyone unbeaten at this point deserves a top 5 spot. The “Dawgs” have answered every caller and now host Manasquan who have won 11 championships in their storied history. This is the game of the week!
6-Toms River North(7-2) The Mariners suffered their 2nd loss of the year vs. Williamstown on Sat. night(21-13). I witnessed the problem that has plagued North throughout the year; a failure to get the ball into the end zone. Drew Kollman was the best player on the field, but he was not enough as the Mariners now set their sights on cross-town rival TR East on Friday Nov. 27 at 7pm at East.
7-Manasquan(-8-1) In a game played on Sunday, the Warriors playing with a back-up at QB, beat Keyport 14-7. This 1st round win gets them a trip to unbeaten Rumson, on Friday night, in the game of the week in the shore.
8-Raritan(7-2) Because of the rain this weekend, I was also able to see this postponed game vs. Long Branch. They were the better team on the field Sat afternoon, as they won 28-7. A rematch with Matawan awaits the Rockets, which will be played Sat. night at 6PM.
9-Lacey(7-2) The Lions scoreless string was snapped, but they took care of Pemberton 33-14 on Sat. afternoon. They now travel to Timber Creek for a semi-final contest.
10-Asbury Park(8-1) The Bishops are more than capable of getting their 3rd straight CJ Group 1 championship this year. Up next is Brearley at home Sat. afternoon at noon.


Just outside looking in:
Ocean(7-2)- Still alive in tough CJ 3. Must visit tough, Monroe HS, this Friday night at 7PM.
Neptune(7-2) they better be ready, as Middletown South awaits a visit on Friday night.
Brick Memorial(5-4) The Mustangs know how to win in the playoffs. Their tough Group 4 schedule has helped them out.
Long Branch(6-3)- I’ll keep them in the almost top ten. One game remains, and that should be a “W” on Turkey day vs. Red Bank.

We received many complimentary comments on our Thursday night interview with Ron Signorino Sr. In case you would like to hear it again, or may have missed it the first time, check it out on line on the audio page at shoresportsnetwork.com, where every Thursday football shows can be heard.

This week at Boston’s we will have on site, none other than the legendary Warren Wolf. Also on the phone line will be former RBC player and now Temple University Head Coach, Al Golden. This is sure to be a great 2 hours of football talk. We will breakdown the 1st round of the State games and look to the semi’s this weekend. That’s Thursday night at 6-8PM at Boston’s Sports bar and Restaurant on the corner of Fischer and Hooper Ave in Toms River.