Weekend of 10/15-10/10

Scanning the High School football scene with Ed Sarluca:



Lets start week 6 results with, what turned out to be, a great defensive football game. Middletown South held Brick Memorial to 106 yards of total offense and knocked off the previously unbeaten Mustangs, 13-3. Brick Memorials defense was almost as good, as the Eagles had only 146 yards on the night, but it was turnovers that determined this one. The Stangs had lost 3 fumbles and a pass interception, one of which occurred on the games first play from scrimmage, which the Eagles converted into a TD, just 1:38 into the game. That was the only time anyone managed to get into the endzone. Middletown South, also fumbled 7 times, but lost only one of those fumbles. That was the difference. Two things came out of this game; the Eagles will be very tough in Central Jersey Group 3 playoffs, and the Stangs have a good enough defense to make a good run in Central Jersey Group 4. Last year both teams lost in the finals of their respective groups. I think the old adage,offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships, holds true to these 2 teams.



In another great game on Saturday afternoon, Neptune beat Monmouth 21-19. In this one the Fliers proved that they will also will be a contender in CJ Group 3, with Mid South. They went to their big back Charles Davis in this one, and he produced big time. Davis was hurt just before halftime, and it looked as if he was done for the day, and so was Neptunes chances. The score was 14-10 Neptune at that point, and Davis thought he had broken a bone in his leg, but doctors said in the locerroom, that it was a severe bone bruise and it was up to him in the 2nd half. Well, Davis was in there on play #2 of the 2nd half and latter that quarter his TD run of 59 yards, gave Neptune a 21-13 lead, they never reliquished. This sets up the Fliers(3-2) for a possible run in the playoffs. They have Ocean(1-5) next week, but a tough non-conference battle with unbeteaten Lacey on Oct. 30th, then finish with Colts Neck(1-5), before the cut-off date. They have to win 2 of those games to have a chance.



TR North continues to roll, after an opening season loss to Howell. 5 in a row for the Mariners(5-1), with an easy 27-7 victory over Southern(2-3), and it sets up an A-South championship contest this Friday with Brick Memorial. The Mustangs can win it outright with a win, while North still would have to beat TR East on Turkey Day for the title. Even though the Shore Sports Network will be working the Lacey at Central game on Friday, I will be a special correspondent at the BM vs TRN game and give live up-dates from Memorial. It's the first time we have tried something like this, hope we can work it out.



Manalapan continues to roll with a 40-8 win over Middlesex County representive Old Bridge(2-3). These cross-over games continue to be dominated by the Shore, and this was another indication of their dominace. Mike Bimonte threw for 196 yds. and a pair of TDs, and Josh Firkser scored 3 TDs on his way to 122 yds on the night. The Braves are still unbeaten in A-North and have their big one with Howell this week at home. Manalapan(4-1) have already beaten Mid. South earlier this year.



Freehold Boro(4-2) continues to be the hottest team in the Shore, as they made it 4 in a row, with a 33-7 pasting of Long Branch. The Colonials are led by QB Sterry Codrington, RB Derrick Bender and Rec. Jazzmar Clax. After having won 2 straight OT games(RBC and Neptune), they won this one with a 26 point second half. Bye week this week, then Colts Neck and Mon Don before cutoff date. This is another CJ Group 3 participant. Think that's a tough bracket?



Manchester(4-2) has been one of the big surprises of the year. They beat a pretty tough Jackson Liberty team on Friday as RB Joe Johnson had himself a career night in the 30-14 victory. Joe ran for 225 yds and 4 TDs to lead the Hawks. That could very well get you on the Saint Barnabas Health Care System Thursday night football show. Congrats to Head Coach Gerald O'Donnell and his Hawks.



Ocean(1-5), a 27-0 winner over Brick(2-4) and Freehold Twp(1-4), a 14-0 winner over Marlboro, broke into the win column for the first time this year.



Rumson(4-2) had a big win over Holmdel by a 35-7 score. The Bulldogs have set themselves up for a CJ Group 2 playoff berth and a possible rematch with Matawan.



Keyport(5-1) beat Asbury Park(4-2), 26-7. The Red Raiders used a 93 yd. TD run by Jordan Edmonds with 4:49 left to clinch the win. Keyport, Shore and Asbury, all play in CJ Group 1 and have faced each other already this year, and could very well face each other again in the playoffs.



Lets look at this weeks Top Ten:



1-Matawan(6-0)-Well now you know I'm a flip-flopper. I had moved Matawan out of the top spot 2 weeks ago, but as you can see, I am not afraid to move them right back up there. Lacey has some-what struggled the last 2 weeks vs. Barnegat and TR East, and although they won those games and remain unbeaten, I used the common opponent card here. Matawan routed Barnegat 49-14, while Lacey beat them 28-7 2 weeks ago. I know the Lion fans will be mad at me, but I can handle the heat. Matawan is on a mission to win their second consecutive championship and I don't think anyone stands in their way.



2-Lacey(6-0)- It's tough to drop to #2 off a 27-0 shutout of a Group 4 school like TR East, but I was at this game and the score is no indication of what happen. Sure the Lion "D" was tough and held East to only 133 yds and held Mario Steriti to just 32 of those yds., but the score was 0-0 with just a few seconds left before half, when one of the freakish plays of the year occurred. Jarrod Molzon was attempting a 42-yard field goal into a stiff wind and the Raiders blocked the kick. The ball rolled behind the LOS(25 yd. line) and was picked up by Molzon and run in for a 34 yard TD to make it 7-0 at the half. The Raiders were stunned, and they never recovered. Good teams make their own breaks, but the Raiders certainly deserved a better fate. Lacey will play for an outright B-South championship this Friday night vs. Central.



3-Manalapan(4-1)-The Braves have settled down and are on their way to what could be their most successful season ever. The Braves have been to the CJ Group 4 finals once(a loss to Brick Mem.), and they are looking to make a return trip this year. They face a big test this week when the throw happy Rebels of Howell come to visit on Friday night.



4-Middletown South(5-1)- See write-up above for the Eagles, but after a second week loss to tough Manalapan, they have settled down, regrouped, gotten their starting QB Scott Meeker back from a broken leg, and are on their way to another shot in CJ Group 3. For their Brick Mem. win, they get a bye week.



5-Brick Memorial(5-1)-Can't drop the Stangs too far down, as they proved they have the defense to go all the way this year. The loss to Mid South was tough to absorb, but head man Walt Currie will rally the troups for this weeks A-South championship game with TR North. It's a pretty easy fix in Stang land, the Memorial offense must get better. Mike DiGuilmi must make better reads in the Stang triple option attack and they must take care of the ball. 4 turnovers vs. Mid South cost Memorial the ballgame. Next up, at home, Friday night, vs. TR North with a championship on the line.



6-Freehold Boro(4-2)-Hottest team in shore as we go to week 7. They have won 4 in a row, including Neptune, RBC and Long Branch in consecutive weeks. That is quite an accomplishment after opening with 2 losses. Bye week this week and then two sub .500 teams in Colts Neck and Mon Don.



7-TR North(5-1)-Another hot team, with 5 in a row. QB Demetri Davis is the Mariners all everything. He plays "O", "D", special teams, sells programs before the game, and I thought I saw him drive the bus to Southern last Friday night! Seriously, this kid is an all-shore player. Where they put him remains to be seen, but he belongs on the team. The running game is one of the tops in the shore, with Davis, RB Cody Groves, RB Chris Hunter all contributing on a weekly basis. They rolled up 337 yds. against Southern Reg., as they cruised to a 27-7 win last Friday. Wide-out Anthony Carrington, provides a deep pass threat, that must be respected, even though he has only caught a few passes. Next up, they travel to Brick Mem. for an important class A-South game.



8-RBC(4-1)- The Casey's struggled again in their 14-7 win over a 1-5 Colts Neck team. It wasn't until RB Andrew Casten ran one in from 6 yards out with 4:15 left, that the Casey's could celebrate. Casten only ran for 54 yards on the day, but his TD capped the come-from behind win for RBC. The Casey's have a tough one at home Friday night when Monmouth Reg. come calling.



9-Manasquan(4-1)-The Warriors had a bye last week and were able to scout Jackson Liberty, who they play this week. They are coming off a hard fought 7-6 win over Shore 2 weeks ago.



10-Howell(4-2)-The Rebels offense was kept off the field by the defending CJ Group 4 champions, East Brunswick Bears. The Bears did not attempt a pass in their 21-13 win over the Rebels. They did however run for 276 yards and 17 first downs. Long, time consuming drives is the game plan to beat Howell and East Brunswick did that very well. Keeping Ryan Davies off the field, seems to be the only way to beat the Rebels, as he has eye-popping #s when they are able to throw. Davies only had 91 yds. in the air, and 1 TD pass. He had thrown for 25 TD passes in his previous 5 games. It doesn't get any easier for the Rebels, as they go to #3 Manalapan(4-1), who seem to be getting better each week.



Just outside looking in:



Shore(4-1) Nice convincing win vs. 4-2 South River by a 48-7 score.



Keyport(5-1) Another hot team who beat 3 time champion Asbury Park, 26-7.



Neptune(3-2) Can play with anyone. Charles Davis is the real deal.



Rumson(4-2) Nice win over Holmdel.



Manchester(4-2) 5'7' junior RB Joe Johnson is leading the Hawks to a playoff berth.



Wall(3-2) 3 in a row for the Knights have set them up nicely for second half of season.