Weekend of 11/5 + 11/6, 2009

Scanning the High School Football Scene with Ed Sarluca:

Let the playoffs begin.

No fewer than 18 schools will begin their quest to become state champions. The shore is well represented with 3 programs earning top seeds; Middletown South(CJ3), Asbury Park(CJ1) and Matawan(CJ2). Mid. South’s road to the finals may include #4 seed, Neptune, in round 2. Ocean(#3) is in the bottom bracket in this group, and has lost 2 of their last 3 going in. Asbury draws Shore Reg. in a rematch of a week 1 game won by AP, 13-10. The very tough South Jersey Group 4 will have 2 shore powers in TR East(#3) and TR North(#5). The good thing about their seeds is that, if they win, East and North will not meet until the finals.

The rampaging Lacey Lions, winners of 6 in a row, with 5 shutouts, received a #3 seed and have an excellent chance of getting to the finals. Hammonton is the #1 seed here. Brick Memorial, the defending CJ4 champ, won a big game on Friday night(37-34 vs. East Brunswick), to qualify as a #6 seed, and will have to win on the road, if they are to get their 3rd championship. To me, Howell(#2) is the team to beat in that section and with wins by them and BM, they would meet in the semi’s. Middletown North(#8) will also compete in this Group. Manasquan(#3), draws a shore opponent in Keyport. This will not be easy for the defending CJ2 champs, as they would probably get Rumson in round 2 if they escape Keyport.

This Group also has Matawan(#1), Raritan(#5), Long Branch(#4) and Rumson(#2) in it. Bet the house, that a shore school will win this section. RBC(#8) will get the #1 team in the state(Don Bosco), in the 1st round of Non-Public 4.

If I had to make some picks here in the 1st round, I would say there are 6 possible winners out there to take home the trophy on the weekend of Dec.4,5,6. More than likely, 3 or 4 will be celebrating. Let’s see how week 1 plays out, and next week I’ll tell you who will survive the 3 rounds.

A quick review of week 9:
The undefeated! Middletown South(8-0) and Rumson(8-0) had byes and were able to rest up for the States. TR East(8-0) easily defeated Old Bridge by a 41-21 score, as Nico Steriti continues to have a huge year, with 4 more TDs. By the way, the Raiders lead the shore in points scored with 283, that’s 35 points per game. Enough said!

Manasquan was knocked from the unbeaten ranks by Long Branch by a 21-14 score. Unfortunately, the story of this game was not who played well, but who did not play for the Blue Warriors. Manasquan sat 8 key players, due to breaking of team rules. Some of those who did not play were; C.J. Davis(starting QB), Neal Sterling(Receiver and DB), Dan Sullivan(DE), Ryan Dullea(Center), Kevin Callahan(Receiver/DB).

I am not taking anything away from Long Branch’s victory, but obviously these players could have made a difference. I credit head coach Pete Cahill for the fortitude to make this tough decision. All are expected to play this week. Long Branch also had to deal with problems of their own. QB Miles Schuler missed most of the week of practice, as he attended the funeral of his grandmom in California. Also Billy George, did not practice all week with a badly bruised bone in his knee. Both players played Friday night and Schuler was the difference, as he ran for 195 yards, including a 84 yard TD run, and passed for 116 yards including a TD of 55 yards to Ezra Kelly.

Head Coach Pete Cahill, said it best; “Miles is a legitimate Division 1 kid. He’s the second fastest kid in New Jersey”.

1 loss teams!
TR North had to sweat a little vs. Jackson, but a 4th quarter rally earned them a 17-7 victory. North’s defense, co-ordinater by Dave Oizerowitz, continues to play lights out. They have given up only 21 points all year, and as the old saying goes, DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS. It won’t be easy for the Mariners in SJ4, with the likes of Cherokee(possible 2nd round opponent) and cross town rival TR East, but the Mariners have been there before and know what it takes to win the whole thing.

By the way, don’t forget, the Raiders and Mariners have a date on Thanksgiving. Could they play 2 weeks in a row? Howell had an easy tune-up with Southern(37-19), as Jimmy Ryan threw for 387 yards and 4TDs. With the summer weather we are experiencing, the Rebels just may go a long way in CJ 4. Matawan ran for 399 yards as they rolled over Bishop Ahr 52-29. They got them the #1 seed in CJ 2. The Huskies are hot at the right time of the year. Manasquan and Asbury Park are the other 1 loss teams and they were mentioned up top.

How about Mon Don’s game! They put 73 points on the board against Metuchen, who by the way scored 45 on their own. QB Kevin Carter had himself a career day running for 210 yards and passing for 141 more yards. Carter ran for 5 TDs and threw for another. All in all the 2 squads combined for 1,101 yards of offense with 713 in the first half and 31 first downs. Yes, the defensive co-ordinators, missed the bus for this one! The scoreboard ground crew was last seen putting new lights in the board, as some blew out after this one.

Let’s give Calvin Thompson and his Point Pleasant Boro Panthers some credit. They opened the season with 4 straight losses, included in that streak was a 7 point loss, a 3 point loss and another 7 point loss. Very easily they could have packed it in at that point. Now they stand at 3-5, with 2 winnable games left, they could finish at 5-5. That would be quite an accomplishment for the Panthers. Nice job keeping them together.

Top Ten-week of Nov. 9th.
1-Middletown South(8-0) #1 seed in CJ3. Looking for another championship to put in their trophy case.
2-TR East(8-0) #3 seed in SJ 4. The Raiders are looking for their 1st State championship in school history. This is a tough group, but I believe the Raiders are ready to take the next step.
3-Howell(7-1) #2 seed in CJ 4. Open against Montgomery who is 5-4 on the season.
4-TR North(7-1) Great defense, must be tough on the road in playoffs. #5 seed in SJ 4.
5-Matawan(7-1) Only loss to RBC. The Huskies are for real. #1 seed in CJ 1.
6-Rumson(8-0) They have answered all comers. Now they begin their second season. #2 seed in CJ 2.
7-Lacey(6-2) Hottest team in shore right now. 6 straight wins and 5 shutouts in a row. #3 seed in SJ 3.
8-Manasquan(7-1) Perfect season over with loss to Long Branch last week. Sometimes losses are good, we shall see.
9-Long Branch(6-2) I know they just beat the team up above, but they have 2 losses to Ocean and Matawan. They are battle tested, with most of their games close and that will aid them down the line.
10-Asbury Park(7-1) Looking for 3 in a row in CJ 1. They are top seed and that will get them 2 home games and maybe 3 depending on where they play for the championship.


Just missed: RBC(5-3), Ocean(6-2), Raritan(6-2), Keyport(6-2), Wall(6-2)and Neptune(6-2)
The Shore Sports Network will broadcast the Washington Twp. at TR East 1st round game Friday night at 7pm at the home of the Raiders. Also join us on Thursday night for 2 hours of high school football talk at Boston’s in Toms River. We are on from 6-8pm every Thursday, except Thanksgiving week. Coaches, players, reporters and MU Head Coach Kevin Callahan join us every week. If you can’t come down, tune us in on 1160am or 1310am or on line at shoresportsnetwork.com.