Weekend of 11/19 + 11/20

Scanning the High School Football scene with Ed Sarluca:



It was a banner day for the shore conference which sets them up for multiple championships on the weekend of Dec 3rd and 4th,2010. Led by 2009 champ Matawan, who disposed of Manasquan on Sat. night by a 26-14 score, the shore will have 7 schools alive on that weekend. Lacey also took care of business in SJ 3, with a 34-14 pasting of Winslow Twp. Mid South had some anxious moments but held on to a 21-13 victory over Hamilton West, while Brick Memorial shut out their 4th opponent of the year in a 37-0 rout of previously 8-1 North Brunswick, in CJ Group 4 The Stangs will play in their 3rd finals in a row, and 5th in the last 7 years, on Sat night(7PM) at Rutgers. Rumson, a 36-0 winner over Carteret, has the task of taking on Matawan in the CJ 2 finals. That one will be played at Kean University on Sat afternoon(3PM). Freehold, won perhaps the best game of the weekend, by edging Wall 20-14. The Colonials will match up with Mid South in CJ 3. Shore Reg looks to be a big favorite in CJ 1coming off their 31-7 victory over the Red Raiders from Keyport. It was the second time the Blue Devils beat them this year. So with 2 all-shore match-ups(CJ 2 and 3) we are guaranteed to have at least 2 winners. We had 2 last year(Asbury Park and Matawan).



Here are the dates, times and places for the finals involving shore conference teams:



Sat-Dec 4th at Kean University: 3PM start Rumson at Matawan(CJ 2)



Sat-Dec 4th at Rutgers University: 10AM- Shore vs Dunellen(CJ 1)

1PM- Freehold Boro at Mid South(CJ 3)

7PM- Sayreville vs Brick Memorial(CJ 4)

Sat-Dec 4th at Lacey Twp.: 1PM- Delsea vs Lacey(SJ 3)



Here's a list of titles won by these participates followed by over-all all time State winners:



Mid South--9

Shore--4

Matawan--4

Lacey--3

Brick Memorial--2

Sayreville--1

Freehold Boro--1

Dunellen--1

Rumson--0


Most State Titles:

1. St. Joseph of Hammonton (19)
2. Pope John (18)
3. Paulsboro (16)
4. St. Joseph of Montvale (14)
5. Bergen Catholic (13)
6. Manasquan (11)
7. Union (10)
8. (tie) Delsea (9)
8. (tie) Don Bosco Prep (9)
8. (tie) Middletown South (9)
8. (tie) South River (9)




Lets look at last weeks game:


Matawan(10-0) was a one man show on Sat. night. It was their main man, Jared Allison, who completely dominated a game which Manasquan(8-2) would have won, if not for Allison. It was a battle of stars, as Squan's Tariq Turner(181 yds/2 TDs), also put on a show for all to see. All Mr. Allison did was run a punt back 84 yards, run one in from 25 yards and finally to win it, he had a spectacular 92 yard TD run. Turner had 2 TDs of 58 and 15 yards to go with his 181 yards. I was on the fence whether to go to this one, as I attended the Freehold Boro, Wall game in the afternoon, but am I glad I did. Turner has me believing he is an all-shore RB, and Allison must be on that team in some capacity. Maybe not the QB, but there are other positions to slot him. Matawan now plays SJ Vianney(4-5) at 1PM on Sat. afternoon, while Squan will have another big one with Wall(7-3), on Thanksgiving morning, at home. These 2 will play for the C-Central title. Manasquan wins it outright with a "W", Wall ties with a win.

Lacey(11-0) used 247 running yards and another 46 through the air, to easily beat Winslow(6-4), 34-14. Craig Ciccardo Jr(96 yds./2TDs) and Jake Dabal(84 yds./1TD) led the Lions on the ground, as they now shoot for their 4th title in their history. In this one, the Lions faced University of Pitt QB recruit Bill Belton(31 for 45/281 yds./2TDs), and did a pretty nice job against him. Lacey will face Delsea at home on Dec 4th at 1PM.

Brick Memorial(9-2) again exerted a defense that has carried them all year. Their 4th shut-out of the year produced 5 turnovers(3 int. and 2 fumbles) over, what was the 20th in the State, 8-1, North Brunswick Raiders. The difference Friday night was the Mustang offense came to play also. QB Mike DiGuilmi(83 rushing yds./3TDs) ran the Stang option attack to perfection as the Stangs rolled up 304 yards rushing. Soph RB Anthony Miller(112 yds./1 TD) also had a big game for Brick Mem. They will face Sayreville (10-1) on Sat. Dec 4th, 7PM at Rutgers.

In other action, Mid South(8-2) struggled somewhat, but beat Hamilton West(7-3) 21-13. The Eagles used RBs Andrew Suarez and Kyle Bunge for 293 yards and 3 TDs, but fumbled twice and threw an int. to keep this one close. This will be 3 straight final appearances for the Eagles, as they look for their 10th title.

Rumson(8-2) of all the teams still left, has the toughest of assignments on Turkey Day weekend, as they face a angry RBC(7-2) team. They must focus on this one before they worry about Matawan on championship weekend. They cruised to a 36-0 victory, as QB Mike Villapiano ran for 119 yds and threw 2 TD passes , to lead the Bulldogs. This one was so dominate that Rumson ran 40 plays in the first half to Carteret's 14. Villapiano was also 16 for 21/161 yds. and 2 TDs, passing.

Shore Reg(9-1) must focus on Point Beach in a Thanksgiving Day game and then look to Dunellen HS in the finals at Rutgers University. A 31-7 win over Keyport(8-3) got the Blue Devils into the finals. It was the second time this season they have defeated the Red Raiders.

Freehold( 8-2) won their 8th straight game with their 20-13 win over Wall. It was the Colonial defense who won this one, as they held Wall running game to 28 yards, and Wall's outstanding passing game to 88 yards. When you put up numbers like that you usually win football games, but that was not the case Sat. Wall hung with Freehold, despite the 259 yds. rushing Freehold had and the 70 yds. passing, but 3 interceptions kept it close, until Freeholds Sterry Codrington ran one in from 61 yds. for the winning score. Codrington ran for 150 yards on the afternoon. Short turn-around for the Colonials, as they play Wed night at Freehold Twp., before the Mid South final.

Manalapan's lost to Sayreville surprised most shore observers, but the Bombers used a 99 yd. interception return against Mike Bimonte, to turn the complextion of their semi-final contest and win it 32-20. Manalapan(7-3) was going in for a 14-2 lead, when the pick occurred and the Braves never recovered. Manalapan now plays Marlboro for the outright A-North title. A loss will tie them with Mid South assuming they beat Mid North on Turkey Day.
Josh Fiskser was held to 70 yards, the first time under a hundred all year. Bimonte did throw for 293 yds. in the losing effort.

Barnegat(5-5) got bombed early and often down in West Deptford. It was ugly in the 56-7 loss. Barnegat needs a victory over Pinelands for winning record in 2010. It also concludes outstanding careers of Nick San Giacomo and Mike DeTroia. SanGiacomo was picked 5 times(2 returned for TDs) on Friday down in Deptford. None the less, he has had a record setting career for the Bengals.

Week 12 top Ten:

1-Matawan(10-0) The huskies won a tough one vs. Manasquan and find themselves in the CJ 2 final for the second year in a row. Next up- SJ Vianney on Sat at Matawan 1PM

2-Lacey(11-0)-Would have been a popular choice down south to move Lacey to #1, but I'll wait and see what happens in the finals. Next up-Delsea in SJ 3 final.

3-Middletown South(8-2)-The Eagles looking for title #10 in CJ 3. Next up Mid North on Turkey Day at the Lions home field.

4-Brick Memorial(9-2)-The Mustangs stingy defense could be the best in the shore! Next up Sayreville at Rutgers in CJ 4 final.

5-Freehold Boro(8-2)-Beat Wall to get the CJ 3 final. Must come back on a short turn around against rival freehold Twp. on Wed night on the road.

6-RBC(7-2)-The Caseys will have a chance against a playoff finalist in Rumson on Thanksgiving Day at Rumson.

7-Manalapn(7-3)-The Braves season will end on Turkey Day against Marlboro. It's not the ending they were looking for.

8-Manasquan(8-2)-Will not get a chance to win title #12 this year. They gave Matawan all they could handle on Sat night. Next up Wall on Turkey Day at home. WOBM radio broadcast at 10:45am.

9-Rumson(8-2) Impressive win vs. Carteret gets them the #9 spot. RBC travels to Rumson on Thanksgiving Day.

10-Shore(9-1) Another impressive win vs. Keyport to get them to Rutgers for a shot at the CJ 1 title. Next up Point Beach at Beach Thanksgiving morning.

Just outside looking in:

Wall(7-3)-A big chance at redemption vs. Manasquan and a piece of C-Central title.
TR North(6-3)-A season of what could have been. Demetri Davis concludes an outstanding senior year.
Keyport(8-3)-An 8 win season for the Mike Ciccotelli led Red Raiders.
Howell(5-4)-Junior QB Ryan Davies has set numerous records this year for the Rebels.

Some of the more interesting games over Thanksgiving weekend:

TR South(0-9) vs Lakewood(2-7)- Piners looking for 3rd win for Warren Wolf, after winning 0 last year.

RBC(7-2) at Rumson(8-2)-Interesting in the fact that Rumson has another to play. remember a few years back when Rumson was in same position??

Asbury Park(5-4) at Neptune(5-4)-Don Sofilkanich faces his old team.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!