Scanning the High School Football scene with Ed Sarluca:
The Shore Conference has 7 divisions and you play for a championship in each. This year the powers that be went back to the traditional A, B, C, divisions that had been changed a few years back after 9/11.
We have played 7 weeks of football and we now have begun to crown champions. This week, Brick Memorial(A-South) and Lacey(B-South), won out-right championships. Matawan(A-Central) and Manalapan(A-North) have clinched at least a tie, and just need to win their remaining game to win their divisions out-right. Manalapan need to beat a 2-4 Marlboro, and Matawan needs to defeat 3-3 St John Vianney. Both of those games will take place after 2 rounds of the State championship have been played. That's a story for another day, so don't get me started on that archaic scenario. Lets take a closer look at the 2 teams that have claimed their championships.
Lacey(7-0) and currently #2 in Shore) easily defeated winless Central 42-6. Playing without one of their key play-makers in Jarrod Malzon, who is nursing an ankle injury, the Lions used a blocked punt by Dave Vieira, which he himself returned for a 46 yd. TD, to take a 14-6 lead and they never looked back. Ironically, Molzon just last week, blocked a TR East field goal and returned it for a TD, in hard fought victory over the Raiders. QB Craig Cicardo leads the Lions offense along with RB Jake Dabal and Malzon, when he's healthy, and they were at the top of their game Friday night as Lacey took the title home. Cicardo threw for 3 TDs and Dabal ran for 2 scores to put the game away. Lacey leads this intense rivalry 22-7. Lacey now begins a 2 game regular season stretch which will test the Lions and their #2 ranking. They get Neptune and Middletown South before they start their South Jersey Group 3 title run. Only the first 8 games count toward playoff calculations, so the Mid South game will have no bearing on Lacey's playoff numbers.
The other big game was Brick Memorial's(6-1) exciting win over TR North(5-2) by a 14-10 final score. The Mustangs used a 5 yard TD run by QB Mike DiGuilmi with 4:19 left in regulation time, to take the 14-10 lead, and then hung on as the Mariners would not die. Demetri Davis, who was great all night, led North down the field and they had a chance to win it, but the Stang defense held on a 4th down pass attempt, to clinch the victory. The Memorial defense, co-ordinated by Pete Brennan, has been great all year; and Friday night, against a very good North offense, they played another great game. Led by nose guard Will Wowkanyn, who is a very real defensive player of the year candidate, DTs Russ Clayton and Rich Kuhn, a LB crew of Jarred Eccles, Vincenco Diodato, Matt Hoffman, and Logan Smith, secondary players like Shane Panuska, Ray Contrucci and Tom Tressito, and Mike Acquaviva, this is a defense which is one of the best at the shore. They are in the middle of a 4 game stretch that includes upcoming games against Manalapan and Howell. Last week they lost to Middletown South, 13-3. The Stangs are looking to get to their 3rd Central Jersey Group 4 Championship game final in a row. They have 2 CJ Group 4 championships, the last one in 2008.
Congrats to Coach Steve Sciarappa and his Mater Dei Prep team, who won their first game of the year, a 7-6 victory over Point Beach. It was their first win over a shore conference team in almost 4 years! An apparent tipped block of a Beach field goal attempt with 10 seconds left, preserved the win for the Seraphs.
Pinelands and Manchester were involved in a 2 overtime shootout on Friday night. Pinelands prevailed 41-40, as Manchester's Joe Johnson, was stopped on a 2-point attempt, on the 1 yard line in OT #2. This game featured two of the premier backs in the shore this year: Matt McLain of Pinelands and Joe Johnson of the Hawks. McLain, in the victory, ran for 236 yards and 2 TDs, while Johnson ran for 357 yards and 3 TDs. The two backs combined for 66 carries on the night. Pinelands WR Jacob Hartman caught 2 TD passes from QB Mike Keller, to help on offense. McLain now has a school single season record of 1533 yards, with at least 4 games still to play. Johnson, a junior, has 1091 yards on the year, as the Hawks and Pinelands both look to make a run in the playoffs.
Manalapan used RB Josh Firkser early and often in their 54-27 pasting of Howell. Firkser ran for 317 yards and 7 TDs(both school records), as the Braves clinched, at least a tie, for the A-North title. The Braves only have to defeat Marlboro on Turkey week to win it outright. The Braves rolled up 430 yards on offense, while holding Howell to (-36) yards rushing and limiting star QB Ryan Davies to 3 TD passes. Davies, now has 29 TD passes on the year as he looks to shatter all the passing records in the shore conference, for a single season. The Braves get a shot at the top team in A-South, as they travel to Brick Memorial on Friday night.
Wall(4-2), made it 4 in a row as they shut down Mon Don 33-6. Wall was efficient on the ground, with 276 yards, and controlled this one from start to finish. The Knights are on a collision course, with Manasquan, on Turkey Day,for the C-Central title.
Speaking of Manasquan, RB Tariq Turner, returned from an ankle injury, and ran for 290 yards and scored TDs on runs of 72, 65, and 83 yds. That gives Turner 1035 yards on the year to go with his 12 TDs. Manasquan(5-1) plays at Holmdel and home against winless Lakewood, before the playoff cutoff date. Looks like another run at a title for the Big Blue Warriors.
Rumson(5-2) is playing very well now, and won 21-20 vs. Raritan this past weekend. The Bulldogs had to rally with 2 second half TDs to win this one, and make it 3 wins in a row. QB Mike Villapiano, who had 3 turnovers in the first half, played much better in half number 2 and led them to the victory. RB Conner Riley had the game winner(26 yds.), at the 3:41 mark of the 4th quarter, and kicker Ben Albainy's extra point gave them the win. Bye week for the Bulldogs, and then a big non-conference match-up with Asbury Park, on playoff cutoff week.
Bad loss for Keyport(5-2) against Carteret--31-28. The Red Raiders were in good shape in CJ Group 1, now with the loss, they must sweat it out. They have a bye week and then face a 3-4 Highland Park team that Shore Reg. beat, 42-25, this past week. 6-2 will give them a shot in the playoffs.
With Mater Dei winning, the winless teams has shrunk to 4. Lakewood, Keansburg, Central and TR South have yet to taste victory in 2010. Central plays at Lakewood this week, so that number gets reduced by 1 this week.
Top Ten-week 8:
1-Matawan(7-0)- Clinched A-Central title with their 49-14 win over Holmdel.
2-Lacey(7-0)-Won B-South title with their 42-6 beating of Central.
3-Manalapan(5-1)-Clinched a tie in A-North, with their 54-27 victory over Howell. Play at Brick Memorial Friday night.
4-Middletown South(5-1)-Was idle this week, return with non-conference game against Brick, and then in 2 weeks, play Lacey, in a huge non-conference game.
5-Brick Memorial(6-1)-Won A-South title with a hard fought 14-10 victory over rival TR North. Homecoming night Friday night as they host Manalapan.
6- Freehold Boro(4-2)-A deserving bye week for Freehold as they come back with Colts Neck this week.
7-RBC(5-1)-A little more convincing win vs. Monmouth(48-6). Was this was the real Casey team?
8-Manasquan(5-1)- I am a believer of the Warriors and Tariq Turner. At Holmdel this week.
9-Neptune(4-2)-Nice win vs. Ocean by a 33-21 score. Charlie Davis continues to lead the Fliers.
10-TR North(5-2)- I know Howell beat North on opening night, but the Mariners get my #10 spot over the Rebels, because I think they are playing much better at this point of the season.
Just missed Top Ten:
Shore( 5-1) Continue, what could be, an outstanding season.
Howell(4-3) Still a dangerous team.
Wall(4-2) Have won 4 in a row, and are rolling.
Rumson(5-2) Have won 3 in a row.
Barnegat(4-2) Have righted the cage after facing Matawan and Lacey in back to back weeks.
Pinelands(4-2) Huge win vs. Manchester in double OT. RB Matt McLain is one of top stories of year.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Weekend of 10/8 + 10/9
Scanning the High School Football scene with Ed Sarluca:
Week 5 has come and gone and the top 3 remain the same. Lacey, Matawan and Brick Memorial all continue unbeaten in 2010. As a matter of fact, they are the only 3 teams without a loss, as we turn the corner of this season and head to the playoffs. Lacey, my #1 team, has clinched at least a tie in the B-South. They are only a win away from winning it outright, and that will be decided vs. Central Reg in a few weeks. Lacey beat a pretty good Barnegat team 28-7 on Friday night, in a game we did on the Shore Sports Network. Matawan,struggled again on defense against Long Branch, but hung on for a 34-31 win, while Brick Memorial had the easiest of times vs. TR South in a 35-0 blowout of the win less Indians. On the other side of the fence, there are still 7 teams that have yet to break into the win category. They are Freehold Twp., Lakewood, Mater Dei Prep, TR South, Keansburg, Central and Ocean. Only Ocean is a surprise here, as they were predicted to make a run in B-North. Keansburg plays Mater Dei, Lakewood plays TR South, so somebody gets a win there. Freehold Twp. plays Marlboro and Mid North; they are winable games. Central plays Lakewood, someone wins here. Ocean has a shot against Brick this week, but their last 3 are tough ones, in Neptune, RBC and Monmouth, so they better get that "W" this week. Of course, all these teams will play a 10th game, against a still undetermined team assigned by the State as we start the playoffs.
Let's look at the playoff possibilities as we get to week 6.
Last year the shore won 2 championships(Matawan and Asbury Park). I say we win at least that many again this year, with the possibility of 5. My prediction will probably change, but after 5 weeks, that what I see. Lets look down the road.
Central 4 has Brick Mem., Manalapan, and Howell who should make it.
Central 3 has Mid South, Neptune, Freehold Boro and Wall who have a shot.
Central 2 has Matawan, Monmouth, Manasquan, Rumson, Holmdel, Long Branch, Raritan and Red Bank who are all still alive. This section will become a littler clearer in the next 2 weeks.
Central 1 has Shore, Asbury Park and Keyport who should make it.
South 4 has has TR North, Southern and TR East who have a shot. The winner of this weeks Southern vs TR North game gets a foot in the playoff door.
South 3 has Lacey and Jax Liberty who are still alive.
South 2 has Barnegat and Manchester who will have a shot.
Non. Pub. 4 has RBC
Non. Pub. 3 has Mon Don if they can qualify with 4 wins(they have 2 now), Point Boro, Wall and Freehold await. They have to beat 2 of them.
More to follow in the next few weeks as the playoff picture becomes a little clearer.
Week 6 Top Ten:
1-Lacey(5-0)- It wasn't a very pretty win, but you know what they say; any win is a good win. Lacey's 28-7 win over previously unbeaten Barnegat(3-1) keeps them on top of the Shore Sports Network top ten. With the Bengals down 21-7 late in the 3rd quarter, Jarrod Molzon's picked off a Nick SanGiacomo pass and returned it 95 yards for a TD, which iced the victory, for the Lions. SanGiacomo left the game following that play, with a hip pointer injury, and the Bengals were done for the night. It was a good effort for the Bengals, however they just could not capitalize on 4 Lacey turnovers, as they suffered their first loss of the year. As a reward for the loss, they get to play the #2 team in my poll--Matawan(5-0) this coming week. Not an easy 2 weeks for the upstart Bengals, but after this week the schedule settles down, so I expect them to make a run at the South Jersey Group 2 State title. Lacey moves up in class and plays TR East(2-2), in a big quality point non-conference game for both teams.
2-Matawan(5-0)-The defense of both Long Branch and Matawan took the weekend off, as the Huskies won a close one,34-31. Playing without outstanding RB McArthur Underwood, who was out with a broken rib, Matawan built up a commanding lead, only to see the Green Wave come back to make it close. Miles Shuler, the outstanding QB from Long Branch ran for 129 yds. and threw for another 108, as he tried to lead the Wave back, with 3 fourth quarter TDs(2 in the air and one on the ground). It was too little, too late for Long Branch, as the Huskies continue undefeated. Up next is Barnegat in a non-conference tilt.
3-Brick Memorial(5-0)-The Mustangs put up 35 first half points and cruised to their 5th in a row against a Toms River South team that has been decimated with injuries and mistakes. Using 5 different players to score TDs, the Stangs churned out 282 yds. on offense(mostly in 1st half), and held South to just 134 total yds.(mostly in 2nd half). Pulling their starters in the second quarter and playing the entire second half with the "mercy" rule in effect, the Mustangs now set their sights on a visit to the "swamp" and Middletown South(4-1), this Friday night at 7PM. A big non-conference game, with many State power points on the line, the Stangs outstanding defense(1 TD given up in 5 games) will be tested by Andrew Suarez and the Eagle offense. This begins a stretch of difficult games for Brick Memorial, that includes Mid South, TR North, Manalapan and Howell, all top ten teams having outstanding seasons, as are Mustangs. A combined record of 15-4 for those teams will surely challenge the Stangs.
4-Manalapan(3-1)-The Braves(bye week) move to the 4th spot because RBC lost their first game of the year to Freehold Boro in OT, 26-25. Manalapan has been led by RB Josh Firkser and QB Mike Bimonte. Bimonte has verbally committed to Rutgers University and Firkser led the shore in rushing yds.(744) after 4 weeks. The Braves play a cross-over game vs. Old Bridge this week.
5-Middletown South(4-1)-The Eagles have put up back to back wins after losing to Mananapan 35-28 in week 2, for their only loss of the year. Andrew Suarez has become the primary RB and is beginning to ge comfortable in that roll. He ran for 103 yds. and scored 2 TDs as the Eagles cruised to a 42-19 win over Marlboro. Kyle Bunge and backup QB Howie Brey also played well for the Eagles as they led this one 35-14 at the half. This was one of those sandwich games for Mid South, as they had played Howell last week and play Brick Mem., this week. To look ahead would have been easy, but Head Coach Steve Antonucci has them playing as good as they have all year. It will be the battle of option football, this week, when the Mustangs invade the "swamp".
6-Howell(4-1)-Coming off a 38-14 loss to Mid South, last week, the Rebels came back with a vengeance and a 54-19 pasting of Middletown North(1-4). Ryan Davies threw for 8 TD passes, 5 of them to Mike Clark, as they scored early and often and took a 47-12 lead after 3 quarters. Clark, has become the primary target of Davies and the 2 have combined for 21 catches and 11 TDs in the first 5 games. Davies numbers are off the chart--94-127 for 1723 yds.(344/game), and 25 TD passes. Only Mid South has been able to somewhat slow him up, and he still threw for 349 yds. in that loss. The Rebels have a big cross-over game vs. East Brunswick(3-1), the defending Central Group 4 champions. This game is a possible preview for Howell, Manalapan and Brick Memorial, all of which should make the field in CJ 4 this year. Of course Howell will also play at Manalapan(week 7) and Brick Memorial(week 9), before the playoff cutoff date. Big games for sure.
7-Freehold Boro(3-2)-The Colonials make the biggest of jumps into the top ten, with their thrilling 26-25 OT win over previously unbeaten RBC(3-1). Mike Hembling went from goat to hero as he kicked the extra point in OT to win it for freehold. Hembling had missed an extra point after a last min. TD in the 4th quarter which would have given Freehold the win in regulation. That's 3 wins in a row for the Colonials, who blocked a Ryan Spahr extra point after RBC had scored first in OT, to set up Hembling's game winner. freehold Boro opened the season with back to back losses to Matawan and Monmouth, but they have recovered to win 3 straight and get themselves back into the B-North race. Another tough one for them this week, as they travel to Long Branch(2-3, but very dangerous), on Friday night at 6PM.
8-RBC(3-1)-Tough one for the Caseys, as they drop a 26-25 OT thriller to Freehold Boro. A missed extra point in OT did the Caseys in, as they outgained the Colonials(364 yds. to 245 yds.), but came out on the losing end. A costly running into the kicker penalty at the 3:06 mark of the 4th quarter, gave the ball back to the Colonials, and they scored, but missed the extra point, to send it into OT. In OT, RBC scored first, missed the point, only to see Derrick Bender score from 22yards out and Mike Hembling kick the extra point to win it. RBC travels to Colts Neck for a Sat. afternoon game this week.
9-TR North(4-1)- It wasn't easy for the Mariners, but they pulled out a hard fought 14-6 win over the 1-4 Cougers of Colts Neck. QB/CB Demitri Davis iced it with his second interception of the game, which came on a third down call, from the North 1 yard line, with little time left. Davis, who is getting better each week, also ran for 133 of his 159 rushing yards in the second half to lead the Mariners on offense. Davis scored both of the Mariner TDs in the 2nd half to win it and give the Mariners their 4th straight win. Up next for North is a trip to Southern Reg. next Friday night, which is our game of the week. 2 weeks ahead is a trip to Brick Mem, which very well may decide the A-South championship.
10-Manasquan(4-1)-A hard fough 7-6 win over previously unbeaten Shore Reg.(3-1), get the Warriors into the top ten for the first time this year. A blocked extra point in the first quarter and a missed field goal, from 32 yards in the 4th quarter, did the Blue Devils in, as they could not survive and they pick up their first loss of the year. Manasquan, playing without their leading rusher in Tariq Turner(injured in 1st quarter), for 3 quarters, just couldn't put together any offense, but came away with the win anyway. Turner ran for 300 yards last week vs. Metuchen, and was on his way to another big night, with 93 yards rushing in the 1st quarter, and then the injury(ankle), occurred. Manasquan controlled the ball for most of the 1st half, after Shore scored on their first possession. Shore ran the ball only 4 times in the last 16 minutes of the 1st half. Next up for Squan is a bye week, before Jackson Liberty comes calling on Oct 23rd.
Just outside looking in:
Shore(3-1) Good enough to be in top ten, but no room.
Keyport(4-1) They are rolling now.
Barnegat(3-1) After seeing them live, they are the real deal.
Asbury Park(4-1) Nice recovery after their first loss.
TR East(2-2) The Raiders will be heard from before this season ends.
Neptune(2-2) A dangerous 2-2 team.
Week 5 has come and gone and the top 3 remain the same. Lacey, Matawan and Brick Memorial all continue unbeaten in 2010. As a matter of fact, they are the only 3 teams without a loss, as we turn the corner of this season and head to the playoffs. Lacey, my #1 team, has clinched at least a tie in the B-South. They are only a win away from winning it outright, and that will be decided vs. Central Reg in a few weeks. Lacey beat a pretty good Barnegat team 28-7 on Friday night, in a game we did on the Shore Sports Network. Matawan,struggled again on defense against Long Branch, but hung on for a 34-31 win, while Brick Memorial had the easiest of times vs. TR South in a 35-0 blowout of the win less Indians. On the other side of the fence, there are still 7 teams that have yet to break into the win category. They are Freehold Twp., Lakewood, Mater Dei Prep, TR South, Keansburg, Central and Ocean. Only Ocean is a surprise here, as they were predicted to make a run in B-North. Keansburg plays Mater Dei, Lakewood plays TR South, so somebody gets a win there. Freehold Twp. plays Marlboro and Mid North; they are winable games. Central plays Lakewood, someone wins here. Ocean has a shot against Brick this week, but their last 3 are tough ones, in Neptune, RBC and Monmouth, so they better get that "W" this week. Of course, all these teams will play a 10th game, against a still undetermined team assigned by the State as we start the playoffs.
Let's look at the playoff possibilities as we get to week 6.
Last year the shore won 2 championships(Matawan and Asbury Park). I say we win at least that many again this year, with the possibility of 5. My prediction will probably change, but after 5 weeks, that what I see. Lets look down the road.
Central 4 has Brick Mem., Manalapan, and Howell who should make it.
Central 3 has Mid South, Neptune, Freehold Boro and Wall who have a shot.
Central 2 has Matawan, Monmouth, Manasquan, Rumson, Holmdel, Long Branch, Raritan and Red Bank who are all still alive. This section will become a littler clearer in the next 2 weeks.
Central 1 has Shore, Asbury Park and Keyport who should make it.
South 4 has has TR North, Southern and TR East who have a shot. The winner of this weeks Southern vs TR North game gets a foot in the playoff door.
South 3 has Lacey and Jax Liberty who are still alive.
South 2 has Barnegat and Manchester who will have a shot.
Non. Pub. 4 has RBC
Non. Pub. 3 has Mon Don if they can qualify with 4 wins(they have 2 now), Point Boro, Wall and Freehold await. They have to beat 2 of them.
More to follow in the next few weeks as the playoff picture becomes a little clearer.
Week 6 Top Ten:
1-Lacey(5-0)- It wasn't a very pretty win, but you know what they say; any win is a good win. Lacey's 28-7 win over previously unbeaten Barnegat(3-1) keeps them on top of the Shore Sports Network top ten. With the Bengals down 21-7 late in the 3rd quarter, Jarrod Molzon's picked off a Nick SanGiacomo pass and returned it 95 yards for a TD, which iced the victory, for the Lions. SanGiacomo left the game following that play, with a hip pointer injury, and the Bengals were done for the night. It was a good effort for the Bengals, however they just could not capitalize on 4 Lacey turnovers, as they suffered their first loss of the year. As a reward for the loss, they get to play the #2 team in my poll--Matawan(5-0) this coming week. Not an easy 2 weeks for the upstart Bengals, but after this week the schedule settles down, so I expect them to make a run at the South Jersey Group 2 State title. Lacey moves up in class and plays TR East(2-2), in a big quality point non-conference game for both teams.
2-Matawan(5-0)-The defense of both Long Branch and Matawan took the weekend off, as the Huskies won a close one,34-31. Playing without outstanding RB McArthur Underwood, who was out with a broken rib, Matawan built up a commanding lead, only to see the Green Wave come back to make it close. Miles Shuler, the outstanding QB from Long Branch ran for 129 yds. and threw for another 108, as he tried to lead the Wave back, with 3 fourth quarter TDs(2 in the air and one on the ground). It was too little, too late for Long Branch, as the Huskies continue undefeated. Up next is Barnegat in a non-conference tilt.
3-Brick Memorial(5-0)-The Mustangs put up 35 first half points and cruised to their 5th in a row against a Toms River South team that has been decimated with injuries and mistakes. Using 5 different players to score TDs, the Stangs churned out 282 yds. on offense(mostly in 1st half), and held South to just 134 total yds.(mostly in 2nd half). Pulling their starters in the second quarter and playing the entire second half with the "mercy" rule in effect, the Mustangs now set their sights on a visit to the "swamp" and Middletown South(4-1), this Friday night at 7PM. A big non-conference game, with many State power points on the line, the Stangs outstanding defense(1 TD given up in 5 games) will be tested by Andrew Suarez and the Eagle offense. This begins a stretch of difficult games for Brick Memorial, that includes Mid South, TR North, Manalapan and Howell, all top ten teams having outstanding seasons, as are Mustangs. A combined record of 15-4 for those teams will surely challenge the Stangs.
4-Manalapan(3-1)-The Braves(bye week) move to the 4th spot because RBC lost their first game of the year to Freehold Boro in OT, 26-25. Manalapan has been led by RB Josh Firkser and QB Mike Bimonte. Bimonte has verbally committed to Rutgers University and Firkser led the shore in rushing yds.(744) after 4 weeks. The Braves play a cross-over game vs. Old Bridge this week.
5-Middletown South(4-1)-The Eagles have put up back to back wins after losing to Mananapan 35-28 in week 2, for their only loss of the year. Andrew Suarez has become the primary RB and is beginning to ge comfortable in that roll. He ran for 103 yds. and scored 2 TDs as the Eagles cruised to a 42-19 win over Marlboro. Kyle Bunge and backup QB Howie Brey also played well for the Eagles as they led this one 35-14 at the half. This was one of those sandwich games for Mid South, as they had played Howell last week and play Brick Mem., this week. To look ahead would have been easy, but Head Coach Steve Antonucci has them playing as good as they have all year. It will be the battle of option football, this week, when the Mustangs invade the "swamp".
6-Howell(4-1)-Coming off a 38-14 loss to Mid South, last week, the Rebels came back with a vengeance and a 54-19 pasting of Middletown North(1-4). Ryan Davies threw for 8 TD passes, 5 of them to Mike Clark, as they scored early and often and took a 47-12 lead after 3 quarters. Clark, has become the primary target of Davies and the 2 have combined for 21 catches and 11 TDs in the first 5 games. Davies numbers are off the chart--94-127 for 1723 yds.(344/game), and 25 TD passes. Only Mid South has been able to somewhat slow him up, and he still threw for 349 yds. in that loss. The Rebels have a big cross-over game vs. East Brunswick(3-1), the defending Central Group 4 champions. This game is a possible preview for Howell, Manalapan and Brick Memorial, all of which should make the field in CJ 4 this year. Of course Howell will also play at Manalapan(week 7) and Brick Memorial(week 9), before the playoff cutoff date. Big games for sure.
7-Freehold Boro(3-2)-The Colonials make the biggest of jumps into the top ten, with their thrilling 26-25 OT win over previously unbeaten RBC(3-1). Mike Hembling went from goat to hero as he kicked the extra point in OT to win it for freehold. Hembling had missed an extra point after a last min. TD in the 4th quarter which would have given Freehold the win in regulation. That's 3 wins in a row for the Colonials, who blocked a Ryan Spahr extra point after RBC had scored first in OT, to set up Hembling's game winner. freehold Boro opened the season with back to back losses to Matawan and Monmouth, but they have recovered to win 3 straight and get themselves back into the B-North race. Another tough one for them this week, as they travel to Long Branch(2-3, but very dangerous), on Friday night at 6PM.
8-RBC(3-1)-Tough one for the Caseys, as they drop a 26-25 OT thriller to Freehold Boro. A missed extra point in OT did the Caseys in, as they outgained the Colonials(364 yds. to 245 yds.), but came out on the losing end. A costly running into the kicker penalty at the 3:06 mark of the 4th quarter, gave the ball back to the Colonials, and they scored, but missed the extra point, to send it into OT. In OT, RBC scored first, missed the point, only to see Derrick Bender score from 22yards out and Mike Hembling kick the extra point to win it. RBC travels to Colts Neck for a Sat. afternoon game this week.
9-TR North(4-1)- It wasn't easy for the Mariners, but they pulled out a hard fought 14-6 win over the 1-4 Cougers of Colts Neck. QB/CB Demitri Davis iced it with his second interception of the game, which came on a third down call, from the North 1 yard line, with little time left. Davis, who is getting better each week, also ran for 133 of his 159 rushing yards in the second half to lead the Mariners on offense. Davis scored both of the Mariner TDs in the 2nd half to win it and give the Mariners their 4th straight win. Up next for North is a trip to Southern Reg. next Friday night, which is our game of the week. 2 weeks ahead is a trip to Brick Mem, which very well may decide the A-South championship.
10-Manasquan(4-1)-A hard fough 7-6 win over previously unbeaten Shore Reg.(3-1), get the Warriors into the top ten for the first time this year. A blocked extra point in the first quarter and a missed field goal, from 32 yards in the 4th quarter, did the Blue Devils in, as they could not survive and they pick up their first loss of the year. Manasquan, playing without their leading rusher in Tariq Turner(injured in 1st quarter), for 3 quarters, just couldn't put together any offense, but came away with the win anyway. Turner ran for 300 yards last week vs. Metuchen, and was on his way to another big night, with 93 yards rushing in the 1st quarter, and then the injury(ankle), occurred. Manasquan controlled the ball for most of the 1st half, after Shore scored on their first possession. Shore ran the ball only 4 times in the last 16 minutes of the 1st half. Next up for Squan is a bye week, before Jackson Liberty comes calling on Oct 23rd.
Just outside looking in:
Shore(3-1) Good enough to be in top ten, but no room.
Keyport(4-1) They are rolling now.
Barnegat(3-1) After seeing them live, they are the real deal.
Asbury Park(4-1) Nice recovery after their first loss.
TR East(2-2) The Raiders will be heard from before this season ends.
Neptune(2-2) A dangerous 2-2 team.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Weekend of 10/1 - 10/2
Interesting week 4 to say the least. The big one took place on Sat. night in Howell, as the Middletown South Eagles(3-1) came to town with a chip on their shoulder, to play the undefeated Rebels and their run and shoot offense that had been unstoppable in the first 3 weeks. After a very moving pre-game ceremony, led by Head Coach Cory Davies, to honor the sudden death of 3 members of the "Howell football family", the teams took the field and played with mutual respect for each other. Middletown South had a terrific game plan, which they executed without mistakes, to come away with a 38-14 victory. The offensive line was the difference for the Eagles, and although they were without starting QB Scott Meeker, Howie Brey stepped in and they never missed a beat. Defensively, the Eagles were better, no doubt, sacking Howell QB Ryan Davies 8 times and holding him to 1 TD pass on the night. He had thrown for 16, in 3 games, prior to Sat night. Packed house, beautiful night, moving ceremony, and a good football game, it doesn't get any better than that.
In another game I was at the Blue Devils of Shore(3-0) upset the Bishops of Asbury Park(3-1), 14-7. Shore was in complete control of this one from start to the 3 min mark of the 4th quarter. They led 14-0, before Asbury began their comeback, which saw them score once, and drive for a game tying TD, until Evan Ruane intercepted a Jay'von Britt pass with seconds left to ice it for Shore. They now lead the B-Central, having beaten the 2 top threats, in Keyport and Asbury Park, and should cruise to a title.
Lacey(4-0), my new #1 team(see top ten below) cruised to a 41-6 win over Manchester. The Lions have a big one this week as they travel to 3-0 Barnegat and face Nick SanGiacomo, one of the leading QBs in the State. SanGiaComo is headed to Tulane University next fall and I am sure he watched his future school beat Rutgers on Sat. afternoon in New Brunswick.
In some other games to not:
Freehold Boro(2-2) beat Neptune(2-2) in OT, as Mike Hembling kicked a 33 yd. field goal to win it for Freehold Boro. Neptune did not attempt a field goal from the 4 yd. line, which would have sent the game into a second OT, but instead went for the TD and was stopped by the Freehold "D".
Brick(1-3) recorded their first win of the year against Central(0-4), by a 23-7 score.
Ocean(0-4) loss their 4th straight, in what has been a very disappointing year for the "Big Red". Colts Neck(1-3) beat them 21-7
Jax Liberty(2-2) bounced back with a win over Mon Don(1-3) by a 13-6 score. Interesting fact; Mon Don's, starting Sophomore QB(Trevor Signorino), is Ron Signorino Jr's son and also the grandson of Hall of Famer, Ron Signorino Sr. Both Jr and Sr coach at Mon Don, therefore, making the threesome a rare combination of a family unit on the same team. You won't see that on to many teams around the country.
Red Bank(2-2) beat unbeaten Holmdel(3-1) 24-21, as Casey Calmon kicked the game winner(26 yds.), with no time left. My apologies to Casey, as I had the wrong name last week, when he kicked a 49 yarder.
Point Beach(2-2) had a nice shutout win(28-0) over win less Keansburg(0-4). Tyler Fioretti ran for 175 yds. including TD runs of 83 and 67 yds. Kyle Samarantano also went 80 yds. for a score, as the Gulls dominated the Titans.
The East Raiders(2-2) are getting healthy and that's good news for Charlie Diskin. QB Joe Claizio came back after a week(concussion), and scored the winning TD in the final min to defeat Jackson(1-3), 14-7.
Keyport(3-1) put up 41 pts. and look like a good bet to make the Central 1 playoffs. They beat win less Mater Dei Prep, 41-0.
Wall(2-2) beat Point Boro(1-3) 49-24 in anything but a defensive struggle. Junior QB Steve Cluley threw for 172 yds. and 3 TDs.
Top Ten week 5:
1-Lacey(4-0)-This was not an easy task to move Matawan out of the top spot, but I honestly feel that the Lion's are the best of the best at this point. Another easy win over Manchester(41-6), the Lion's have given up only 13 points in their 4 wins, which ties them with Brick Memorial, for fewest points given up in the shore. Perhaps, my reasoning for moving the Lion's up to the top spot, was to give Barnegat a little more incentive this week, as they now face #1 Lacey.
2-Matawan(4-0)-With no disrespect for Matawan, they move down a spot, even though they won Sat. night over Rumson(2-2) by a 48-21 score. Here is my reasoning for the drop: They gave up 371 yards of total offense to Rumson, including 19 first downs(which shows that Rumson controlled the ball at times during the game). The Huskies did roll up 463 yds. of their own, and did put up 48 pts., but I just felt it was time to elevate the Lions and drop the Huskies one spot. Matawan gets a Green Wave team, smarting from 2 straight losses, this week.
3-Brick Memorial(4-0)-Another shutout for the Mustangs as they continue to show a much improved defense in 2010. As mentioned above, they have given up only 13 pts., 6 of those points can be attributed to the seconds, in a blowout win(35-6) vs. Jackson. While the offense has not been what Walt Currie wants it to be, they have scored 110 pts.(27 1/2 per game), and they have displayed a variety of players that can contribute. QB Mike DiGuilmi, RB/kicker Jordan Lodice, RB Shane Panuska, RB Vince Diodato, RB Jahaad Howard, WR Dylan Walsh, have all been a part of the offense in different weeks. The Stangs look for win #5 against T R South next week.
4-RBC(3-0)-Another team making a claim for #1 are the Casey's. They completely outplayed Long Branch, on their way to a 45-6 victory. 196 rushing yards and 4 TDs, from RB Andrew Casten, included TD runs of 59 yds. twice and 26 and 14 yds. Head Coach Jim Potela credited his defensive line of Josh Klecko, Joe Coscarelli, Matt Paolillo, and Doug Whitlock, for putting the pressure on sprint champion/ QB Miles Shuler for the defensive effort his team had on Long Branch. QB Ryan Spahr, has played well in leading the offense, with TE Jack Tabb, being his main target. RBC gets a very hot Freehold Boro team, who have won 2 straight, on Sat afternoon, on the road.
5-Manalapan(3-1)-The Braves move up 2 spots from #7 last week, with their hard fought 20-14 win over win less Freehold Twp. Josh Firkser ran for 196 yds. and scored twice in the win. Manalapan had built a 14-0 lead, only to see Freehold Twp. come back with 2 TDs, to tie it in the 4th quarter. That's when Reggie Hodge-Grant answered with a 79 yard KO return to the 12 yd. line, to set up Firkser's second TD and game winner. Bye week for the Braves, as they get ready for some tough games in the second half, as Howell. Brick Mem., and TR North await.
6-Middletown South(3-1)-Just when you thought the Eagles were in a little bit of injury trouble, they show you what type of "program" they have, with a 38-14 victory over previously unbeaten Howell. Playing without starting QB Scott Meeker(broken fibula) and starting LB Matt Saulnier(dislocated knee), the Eagles used good old fashion smash mouth, run the ball at you, football to delight the faithful fans who made the trip to Howell. I, also witnessed close up, what this years Eagle team is all about. Using 7 offensive line-men up front for much of the time(no TE-all line-men) and one wide-out(Taylor Rodgers), Tail Back Andrew Suarez, was the beneficiary of the big guys up front, as he ran for 137 yds., including a 40 yd.TD. Suarez, coming back from a season ending knee injury, last year, was turned loose for the first time this year, and he responded with flying colors. He also ran back a KO for 86 yds. which broke Howell's back in the first half, and on defense, he played corner against the dymanic Howell run and shoot offense. Yes, a full night of football for Suarez and the rest of the Eagles, and they once again, as if they had to, show the shore, that they are not quite dead, just yet. Marlboro(1-2), next up for the Eagles.
7-Howell(3-1)-The Rebels, on a night they honored their fallen hero's, in a tear filled pre-game ceremony, just couldn't respond to the Eagle attack on offense, and the relentless pressure that the Middletown South defense put on QB Ryan Davies. Davies, who came in as the shore's leading QB, was sacked 8 times, for 76 yds. of losses. He did throw for 349 yds. and a TD, but was constantly under pressure from the Eagles. Seeing a variety of coverages and blitz packages, the Eagle "D" came up big, and all those in attendance were impressed. Howell, did put up a fight, but too many 1st half points did them in. Howell will entertain Middletown North(1-3) on Friday night.
8-TR North(3-1)-The Mariners have run off 3 straight wins behind their leader and QB Demetri Davis. With these wins they enter the top ten for the first time this year. Davis ran for 149 yds. and 3 TDs propelling the Mariners to an easy 42-10 win over cross town rival TR South. The Mariners have won the "civil war" 9 straight years, even though the Indians lead the overall series 23-15-1. Davis, running out of the spread offense, which was created for him, by Head Coach Chip LaBarca Jr. gets more comfortable each week. The Mariners are on a roll right now, and it couldn't come at a better time, as they have some big games coming up. Up-coming is Colts Neck this week, then Southern, before what should be, for all the marbles in A-South, a trip to the Mustangs on Oct 22nd.
9-Shore(3-0)-Another new-comer to the top ten are the Blue Devils. They won at Asbury Park, and that just doesn't happen very often. The Bishops had not lost to a Group 1 school since 2006 and it was Shores first win over the Bishops since Sept. 16th of 2006. Playing a very dangerous Asbury Park team, the Devils used a Evan Ruane interception to ice the game with seconds left. Asbury was mounting a fourth quarter comeback, which saw them score at the 2:32 mark of the quarter, to cut the lead to 14-7, and then they got the ball back with 1:38 left, and were moving downfield, before Ruane's pick. Running behind Mark Coleman(85 yds.), Pat Maggio(62 yds.) and a 23 yd. TD pass to Maggio from Ruane, the Devils now are in the drivers seat for the Class B-Central title. Interesting non-conference match-up with Manasquan this week.
10-Barnegat(3-0)-The Bengals were idle this week, but hop into my top ten this week with their undefeated record. They have a pressure game this week against my #1 team, Lacey, in a home-coming contest that is one of the biggest Barnegat has played in their young existence. Everyone is waiting to watch QB Nick SanGiacomo go up against one of the top defenses in the shore, in Lacey. Are the Bengals ready for this one? We shall see, in person, as this is our game of the week, and we will broadcast this one on Friday at 7PM, on the "Hawk"(105.7FM).
Just on the outside looking in:
Manasquan(3-1) have a chance to jump in vs. Shore this week.
Keyport(3-1) Always a team to watch in Group 1.
TR East(2-2) The Raiders are getting their injured back and are a dangerous team.
Asbury Park(3-1) Not used to losing, they will be back.
Neptune(2-1) Best 2-2 team in shore, without a doubt.
Freehold Boro(2-2) Have come back from 0-2 start.
In another game I was at the Blue Devils of Shore(3-0) upset the Bishops of Asbury Park(3-1), 14-7. Shore was in complete control of this one from start to the 3 min mark of the 4th quarter. They led 14-0, before Asbury began their comeback, which saw them score once, and drive for a game tying TD, until Evan Ruane intercepted a Jay'von Britt pass with seconds left to ice it for Shore. They now lead the B-Central, having beaten the 2 top threats, in Keyport and Asbury Park, and should cruise to a title.
Lacey(4-0), my new #1 team(see top ten below) cruised to a 41-6 win over Manchester. The Lions have a big one this week as they travel to 3-0 Barnegat and face Nick SanGiacomo, one of the leading QBs in the State. SanGiaComo is headed to Tulane University next fall and I am sure he watched his future school beat Rutgers on Sat. afternoon in New Brunswick.
In some other games to not:
Freehold Boro(2-2) beat Neptune(2-2) in OT, as Mike Hembling kicked a 33 yd. field goal to win it for Freehold Boro. Neptune did not attempt a field goal from the 4 yd. line, which would have sent the game into a second OT, but instead went for the TD and was stopped by the Freehold "D".
Brick(1-3) recorded their first win of the year against Central(0-4), by a 23-7 score.
Ocean(0-4) loss their 4th straight, in what has been a very disappointing year for the "Big Red". Colts Neck(1-3) beat them 21-7
Jax Liberty(2-2) bounced back with a win over Mon Don(1-3) by a 13-6 score. Interesting fact; Mon Don's, starting Sophomore QB(Trevor Signorino), is Ron Signorino Jr's son and also the grandson of Hall of Famer, Ron Signorino Sr. Both Jr and Sr coach at Mon Don, therefore, making the threesome a rare combination of a family unit on the same team. You won't see that on to many teams around the country.
Red Bank(2-2) beat unbeaten Holmdel(3-1) 24-21, as Casey Calmon kicked the game winner(26 yds.), with no time left. My apologies to Casey, as I had the wrong name last week, when he kicked a 49 yarder.
Point Beach(2-2) had a nice shutout win(28-0) over win less Keansburg(0-4). Tyler Fioretti ran for 175 yds. including TD runs of 83 and 67 yds. Kyle Samarantano also went 80 yds. for a score, as the Gulls dominated the Titans.
The East Raiders(2-2) are getting healthy and that's good news for Charlie Diskin. QB Joe Claizio came back after a week(concussion), and scored the winning TD in the final min to defeat Jackson(1-3), 14-7.
Keyport(3-1) put up 41 pts. and look like a good bet to make the Central 1 playoffs. They beat win less Mater Dei Prep, 41-0.
Wall(2-2) beat Point Boro(1-3) 49-24 in anything but a defensive struggle. Junior QB Steve Cluley threw for 172 yds. and 3 TDs.
Top Ten week 5:
1-Lacey(4-0)-This was not an easy task to move Matawan out of the top spot, but I honestly feel that the Lion's are the best of the best at this point. Another easy win over Manchester(41-6), the Lion's have given up only 13 points in their 4 wins, which ties them with Brick Memorial, for fewest points given up in the shore. Perhaps, my reasoning for moving the Lion's up to the top spot, was to give Barnegat a little more incentive this week, as they now face #1 Lacey.
2-Matawan(4-0)-With no disrespect for Matawan, they move down a spot, even though they won Sat. night over Rumson(2-2) by a 48-21 score. Here is my reasoning for the drop: They gave up 371 yards of total offense to Rumson, including 19 first downs(which shows that Rumson controlled the ball at times during the game). The Huskies did roll up 463 yds. of their own, and did put up 48 pts., but I just felt it was time to elevate the Lions and drop the Huskies one spot. Matawan gets a Green Wave team, smarting from 2 straight losses, this week.
3-Brick Memorial(4-0)-Another shutout for the Mustangs as they continue to show a much improved defense in 2010. As mentioned above, they have given up only 13 pts., 6 of those points can be attributed to the seconds, in a blowout win(35-6) vs. Jackson. While the offense has not been what Walt Currie wants it to be, they have scored 110 pts.(27 1/2 per game), and they have displayed a variety of players that can contribute. QB Mike DiGuilmi, RB/kicker Jordan Lodice, RB Shane Panuska, RB Vince Diodato, RB Jahaad Howard, WR Dylan Walsh, have all been a part of the offense in different weeks. The Stangs look for win #5 against T R South next week.
4-RBC(3-0)-Another team making a claim for #1 are the Casey's. They completely outplayed Long Branch, on their way to a 45-6 victory. 196 rushing yards and 4 TDs, from RB Andrew Casten, included TD runs of 59 yds. twice and 26 and 14 yds. Head Coach Jim Potela credited his defensive line of Josh Klecko, Joe Coscarelli, Matt Paolillo, and Doug Whitlock, for putting the pressure on sprint champion/ QB Miles Shuler for the defensive effort his team had on Long Branch. QB Ryan Spahr, has played well in leading the offense, with TE Jack Tabb, being his main target. RBC gets a very hot Freehold Boro team, who have won 2 straight, on Sat afternoon, on the road.
5-Manalapan(3-1)-The Braves move up 2 spots from #7 last week, with their hard fought 20-14 win over win less Freehold Twp. Josh Firkser ran for 196 yds. and scored twice in the win. Manalapan had built a 14-0 lead, only to see Freehold Twp. come back with 2 TDs, to tie it in the 4th quarter. That's when Reggie Hodge-Grant answered with a 79 yard KO return to the 12 yd. line, to set up Firkser's second TD and game winner. Bye week for the Braves, as they get ready for some tough games in the second half, as Howell. Brick Mem., and TR North await.
6-Middletown South(3-1)-Just when you thought the Eagles were in a little bit of injury trouble, they show you what type of "program" they have, with a 38-14 victory over previously unbeaten Howell. Playing without starting QB Scott Meeker(broken fibula) and starting LB Matt Saulnier(dislocated knee), the Eagles used good old fashion smash mouth, run the ball at you, football to delight the faithful fans who made the trip to Howell. I, also witnessed close up, what this years Eagle team is all about. Using 7 offensive line-men up front for much of the time(no TE-all line-men) and one wide-out(Taylor Rodgers), Tail Back Andrew Suarez, was the beneficiary of the big guys up front, as he ran for 137 yds., including a 40 yd.TD. Suarez, coming back from a season ending knee injury, last year, was turned loose for the first time this year, and he responded with flying colors. He also ran back a KO for 86 yds. which broke Howell's back in the first half, and on defense, he played corner against the dymanic Howell run and shoot offense. Yes, a full night of football for Suarez and the rest of the Eagles, and they once again, as if they had to, show the shore, that they are not quite dead, just yet. Marlboro(1-2), next up for the Eagles.
7-Howell(3-1)-The Rebels, on a night they honored their fallen hero's, in a tear filled pre-game ceremony, just couldn't respond to the Eagle attack on offense, and the relentless pressure that the Middletown South defense put on QB Ryan Davies. Davies, who came in as the shore's leading QB, was sacked 8 times, for 76 yds. of losses. He did throw for 349 yds. and a TD, but was constantly under pressure from the Eagles. Seeing a variety of coverages and blitz packages, the Eagle "D" came up big, and all those in attendance were impressed. Howell, did put up a fight, but too many 1st half points did them in. Howell will entertain Middletown North(1-3) on Friday night.
8-TR North(3-1)-The Mariners have run off 3 straight wins behind their leader and QB Demetri Davis. With these wins they enter the top ten for the first time this year. Davis ran for 149 yds. and 3 TDs propelling the Mariners to an easy 42-10 win over cross town rival TR South. The Mariners have won the "civil war" 9 straight years, even though the Indians lead the overall series 23-15-1. Davis, running out of the spread offense, which was created for him, by Head Coach Chip LaBarca Jr. gets more comfortable each week. The Mariners are on a roll right now, and it couldn't come at a better time, as they have some big games coming up. Up-coming is Colts Neck this week, then Southern, before what should be, for all the marbles in A-South, a trip to the Mustangs on Oct 22nd.
9-Shore(3-0)-Another new-comer to the top ten are the Blue Devils. They won at Asbury Park, and that just doesn't happen very often. The Bishops had not lost to a Group 1 school since 2006 and it was Shores first win over the Bishops since Sept. 16th of 2006. Playing a very dangerous Asbury Park team, the Devils used a Evan Ruane interception to ice the game with seconds left. Asbury was mounting a fourth quarter comeback, which saw them score at the 2:32 mark of the quarter, to cut the lead to 14-7, and then they got the ball back with 1:38 left, and were moving downfield, before Ruane's pick. Running behind Mark Coleman(85 yds.), Pat Maggio(62 yds.) and a 23 yd. TD pass to Maggio from Ruane, the Devils now are in the drivers seat for the Class B-Central title. Interesting non-conference match-up with Manasquan this week.
10-Barnegat(3-0)-The Bengals were idle this week, but hop into my top ten this week with their undefeated record. They have a pressure game this week against my #1 team, Lacey, in a home-coming contest that is one of the biggest Barnegat has played in their young existence. Everyone is waiting to watch QB Nick SanGiacomo go up against one of the top defenses in the shore, in Lacey. Are the Bengals ready for this one? We shall see, in person, as this is our game of the week, and we will broadcast this one on Friday at 7PM, on the "Hawk"(105.7FM).
Just on the outside looking in:
Manasquan(3-1) have a chance to jump in vs. Shore this week.
Keyport(3-1) Always a team to watch in Group 1.
TR East(2-2) The Raiders are getting their injured back and are a dangerous team.
Asbury Park(3-1) Not used to losing, they will be back.
Neptune(2-1) Best 2-2 team in shore, without a doubt.
Freehold Boro(2-2) Have come back from 0-2 start.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Weekend of 9/25 In Review
Scanning the High School football scene with Ed Sarluca:
It's hard to believe that we are already in week 4 of the High School football season. You prepare so long and hard during the summer and early fall and before you know it it's week 4. It goes by so quickly, and a good start is important to every team that has playoff aspirations. There are only 10 teams that are still undefeated, as we get into mid-season, when coaches start to look around at other teams in their State bracket. Yes, it's never too early to start thinking about making a run in the playoffs. Although most coaches will tell you, we can't worry about that now, I guarantee you, from past experience, one eye is on who is winning and losing, in your bracket. With that in mind, lets look at the major games of week 3:
Matawan(3-0) made a major statement, that we are still #1, and the team to beat again this year. They demolished a then undefeated Raritan team 45-6. Jared Allison, Cassius Williams McArthur Underwood and Keith Beaty are the big guns for the Huskies.
Lacey(3-0) is on a mission this year. They held Matt McClain(Pinelands RB) to 79 yds. rushing after he had over 300 in each of his first 2 games this year. There are no faults on this team! The offense, defense and kick game are all primed to take it all this year.
Neptune(2-1) proved to everyone that they are a different team under Don Sofilkanich, then they were in past years. They came back from a tough loss vs. RBC to defeat a very good Long Branch team 27-11. It's not easy to go to Ippolito Field and win there, and thats what the Fliers did. There are many weapons on this years team. RB Charles Davis, QB Jaheem Woods and LB Matt Gannon are just a few key bullets in the gun.
Brick Memorial(3-0), playing with some injured players and some sickness that went around camp this week, used a stingy defense and a Mike Diguili 4 yd. TD run in OT to beat TR East. The Raiders, who themselves, were playing without starting QB Joe Clarizio, and several other key starters, who were injured, got outstanding efforts from RB Mario Steriti and fill-in QB Joe Funicelli. to make it close , before the Stangs came back and won it in OT.
Manalapan(2-1) seems to have solved their coaching problems and cruised past Mid. North, 35-0.
Middletown South(2-1) lost their starting QB Scott Meeker to an injury in the 2nd quarter, but backup QB Howie Brey, came in and threw a 38 yd. TD pass to get by Freehold Twp. 17-0.
Freehold Boro(1-2) beat Ocean(0-3) in the battle of 0-2 teams. This has got to be a big disappointment for the "Big Red" to start 0-3. Freehold seem to have righted the ship and will be troublesome to B-North foes.
Congratulations to Red Bank's soph Cooper Gettis, who kicked a 49 yd. field goal in Red Bank's 9-3 loss to Rumson. Jarod Molzon(Lacey) had kicked a 49 yarder last week against Brick.
Point Boro(1-2) got it's first win of the year with a 21-8 victory over Jackson Liberty. Liberty(1-2) had upset Wall last week and everyone thought they were on their way to their first winning season ever, but this game sets them back to square one. C-Central rivals Manasquan and Mon Don will be challenges if Liberty wants to take that next step. Boro got 2 TD catches from Maryland bound Ryan Malleck from backup QB Chuckie Krohn to win it.
TR North(2-1) improves each week and continues to get solid play from QB Demitry Davis. They beat Jackson(1-2) 28-6 this past week, as Davis ran for 3 TDs and threw for another. We will see the Mariner's this week in our game of the week on Friday night as the annual "Civil War"(TR South) takes place. Throw the records out for this one, but North certainly has the edge.
Brick(0-3) did finally get a score, but lost again 33-14 to Manchester. Brick had been shut-out in their first 2 games. Two win less teams(Central 0-3)), face each other this week, so the loser of this one, may be looking at a dismal season.
Keyport(2-1) put up 61 pts. vs. next door neighbor Keansburg. The Burg had a bad day offensively, to say the least. The Red Raiders held them to (-4) total yds., while running for 386 yds themselves. Keansburg has given up 181 points in 3 games---that's 60.3/game---OUCH!
Howell(3-0) has put up 142 points in 3 games(47.3/game).
Lacey(3-0) has given up 7 total points in 3 games(2.3/game)
Freehold Twp.(0-3) has not scored in 2010.
Mater Dei(0-3) has only given up 61(20.3/game) points in their 3 loses, but have only scored 7 total pts.
Brick Memorial(3-0) has given up 13 points(1 TD by 1st unit) in their 3 wins. Last year they gave up 62 points in their first 3 games.
Top Ten: Week 4
1-Matawan(3-0)-Well I was waiting for the Huskies to have a statement game and it happened Friday night. A 45-6 pasting at the hands of previously undefeated Raritan proved to everyone that Matawan is still very deserving of the top spot in the poll. They had 4 TDs of 44 yards or more. Cassius Williams ran for 136 yds. and 2 TDs(one of which was a 95 yd. run), Keith Beaty added 73 yds. and a TD, QB Jared Allison threw a 44 yd. TD pass, and RB McArthur Underwood ran one in from 48 yds. Everybody involved and everyone contributing, thats the way head man Joe Martucci likes it. Matawan ran for 315 yds. on the night while holding Raritan to 100 yds. of total offense and only 4 first downs. Next up for the Huskies is a solid 2-1 Rumson team, next Sat. night at Matawan.
2-Lacey(3-0)- The Lions were tested this week by the shores leading rusher, Matt McClain, of Pinelands. McClain came into the game with 659 yards in his first 2 weeks of actions, however it was a Lion defense he was facing in week 3. Well, a 42-0 rout by Lacey, holding McClain to 79 yds. rushing, and the Lions had another dominating win. Lacey rushed for 256 yds. in the first half alone, before pulling the dogs, as they played the second half under the "mercy" rules. That occurs when you are up by 35 or more points in the second half and Lacey had that lead(35-0) at halftime. Jarrod Molzon led the way with 91 yds., Jake Dabal had 69 yds. and QB Craig Cicardo Jr. had 45 yds and 3 TDs to lead the Lions. Lacey gets another 2-1 team in Manchester this week, before their big one, on the road, vs the 3-0 Bengals of Barnegat(bye week) on Oct. 8th.
3-Brick Memorial(3-0)-The Mustangs played a thriller on the road at Toms River East. Coming from behind, after trailing at halftime by a 7-0 score, the Stangs used a 3rd quarter TD by Vincenzo Diodato from 4 yds. out to tie it at 7, and then in overtime, a Mike DiGuilmi 4 yd. QB sneak to win it for the Mustangs and go to 3-0 on the year. East, playing with backup QB Joe Funicelli(starter Joe Clarizio was out with a concussion), had taken a 7-0 lead into the locker room on a Mario Steriti 3 yd. TD run. The Raiders actually had a chance to win it in regulation, but they missed a 22 yd. field goal at the 2:58 mark of the 4th quarter. DiGuilmi, playing with an injured ankle himself, ran for 107 yds and threw for 47 more to lead the Stangs on offense, while NT Will Wowkanyn, continues to dominate on the defensive side. The Rams of Southern(2-1) visit the Mustangs on Friday night.
4-RBC(2-0)- The Caseys were able to scout Long Branch(RBC bye week), who they will entertain this Friday night. Long Branch lost that Sat. game to Neptune, who RBC had beaten in week 2, so they were able to see a Green Wave team that gave the Fliers all they could handle. This is a big one in the very tough B-North division.
5-Howell(3-0)- The Rebels and QB Ryan Davies continue to roll and fly through the airways with an easy 41-6 win over Marlboro. Davies threw 4 more TD passes(16 in 3 games), 2 of them going to the very dangerous Mike Clark. Clark, seems to be Davies favorite receiver, but with Ryan Handy, Eli Blue and Benton Burdin, you cannot just concentrate on him, and that's what makes the Rebels so tough. Interesting game this week vs. Middletown South(2-1). A great offense vs. an excellent defense, in what may go a long way in determining the A-North title.
6-Neptune(2-1)- The Fliers passed a big test on Sat. afternoon. Coming off a very tough last second loss to RBC in week 2, they had to face a 2-0 Long Branch team, who was looking to make a statement that they too are contenders in the B-North. The Fliers won it 27-11, as they ran for 224 total yards, with Charles Davis(76yds.) and Jaheem Woods(72yds.) leading the way. Long Branch could not run the ball on the Fliers and that made life tough for LB QB, Miles Shuler. Shuler did throw for 175 yds. Neptune gets Freehold Boro who shut out Ocean Twp. 38-0 on Sat.
7-Manalapan(2-1)- The Braves seem to have righted the ship and won easily over Mid North 35-0. It was the 2 big guns for the Braves, Mike Bimonte(131 yds. passing & 3 TD passes) and Josh Firkser(162 rushing yds. & 3 TDs), that led them to the big victory. Manalapan, with their coaching situation behind them, has an easy one this week in win less Freehold Twp., but has Howell, Brick Mem.,and TR North coming up in second half of their season.
8-Middletown South(2-1) The Eagles didn't exactly light up the scoreboard against win less Freehold Twp(0-3), but they did hold them defensively to 5 first downs and 60 total yds., in their 17-0 win. The important news here, is that starting QB Scott Meeker was injured in the 2nd quarter and did not return. This bares watching as you can not lose #1 and be a better football team. Howie Brey replaced Meeker and did throw a TD pass to all-shore receiver Taylor Rodgers for 38 yds. A huge one this week as the run and shoot Howell Rebels(3-0), entertain the Eagles.
9-Asbury Park(3-0) Whenever you win 3 championships in a row and continue to win this year, you will remain in my top ten. They wore down a good Point Beach team and won by a 21-7 score. The score would have been more if it wasn't for 5 consecutive fumbles in the 1st half. This has to be fixed, if the Bishops want to take a shot at 4 in a row. QB Jay'von Britt continues to lead the Bishops, but they must solve the turnover problems(7 fumbles-lost 4), if they are to beat Shore(2-0) this Sat. afternoon(12 noon) at Asbury Park.
10-Long Branch(2-1) The Green Wave put up a good fight vs. Neptune, but came away with a 27-11 loss. Miles Shuler did throw for 175 yds., but the in-ability to get the run game going, puts too much pressure on Shuler. Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier for the Wave as they face RBC(2-0) and Matawan(3-0) in the next 2 weeks. It's make or break time for the Green Wave.
Just outside looking in:
Monmouth(3-0) A tremendous start for the Falcons and head coach Sal Spampanato. The Falcons have some good players and give everyone else in the B-North fits.
Shore Reg.(2-0) The Blue Devils have a chance to crack the top ten with a win over Asbury Park this week.
Barnegat(3-0) QB Nick San Giacomo is the real deal and receiver Mike DeTroia is a big time pass catcher. On a bye this week, as they get ready for Lacey in 2 weeks.
Holmdel(3-0) Would anyone have predicted a 3-0 start for the Hornets? They only won 3 games in the last 2 seasons! Coach Frank Papalia has them playing well. QB Mike Cantelli is their leader.
It's hard to believe that we are already in week 4 of the High School football season. You prepare so long and hard during the summer and early fall and before you know it it's week 4. It goes by so quickly, and a good start is important to every team that has playoff aspirations. There are only 10 teams that are still undefeated, as we get into mid-season, when coaches start to look around at other teams in their State bracket. Yes, it's never too early to start thinking about making a run in the playoffs. Although most coaches will tell you, we can't worry about that now, I guarantee you, from past experience, one eye is on who is winning and losing, in your bracket. With that in mind, lets look at the major games of week 3:
Matawan(3-0) made a major statement, that we are still #1, and the team to beat again this year. They demolished a then undefeated Raritan team 45-6. Jared Allison, Cassius Williams McArthur Underwood and Keith Beaty are the big guns for the Huskies.
Lacey(3-0) is on a mission this year. They held Matt McClain(Pinelands RB) to 79 yds. rushing after he had over 300 in each of his first 2 games this year. There are no faults on this team! The offense, defense and kick game are all primed to take it all this year.
Neptune(2-1) proved to everyone that they are a different team under Don Sofilkanich, then they were in past years. They came back from a tough loss vs. RBC to defeat a very good Long Branch team 27-11. It's not easy to go to Ippolito Field and win there, and thats what the Fliers did. There are many weapons on this years team. RB Charles Davis, QB Jaheem Woods and LB Matt Gannon are just a few key bullets in the gun.
Brick Memorial(3-0), playing with some injured players and some sickness that went around camp this week, used a stingy defense and a Mike Diguili 4 yd. TD run in OT to beat TR East. The Raiders, who themselves, were playing without starting QB Joe Clarizio, and several other key starters, who were injured, got outstanding efforts from RB Mario Steriti and fill-in QB Joe Funicelli. to make it close , before the Stangs came back and won it in OT.
Manalapan(2-1) seems to have solved their coaching problems and cruised past Mid. North, 35-0.
Middletown South(2-1) lost their starting QB Scott Meeker to an injury in the 2nd quarter, but backup QB Howie Brey, came in and threw a 38 yd. TD pass to get by Freehold Twp. 17-0.
Freehold Boro(1-2) beat Ocean(0-3) in the battle of 0-2 teams. This has got to be a big disappointment for the "Big Red" to start 0-3. Freehold seem to have righted the ship and will be troublesome to B-North foes.
Congratulations to Red Bank's soph Cooper Gettis, who kicked a 49 yd. field goal in Red Bank's 9-3 loss to Rumson. Jarod Molzon(Lacey) had kicked a 49 yarder last week against Brick.
Point Boro(1-2) got it's first win of the year with a 21-8 victory over Jackson Liberty. Liberty(1-2) had upset Wall last week and everyone thought they were on their way to their first winning season ever, but this game sets them back to square one. C-Central rivals Manasquan and Mon Don will be challenges if Liberty wants to take that next step. Boro got 2 TD catches from Maryland bound Ryan Malleck from backup QB Chuckie Krohn to win it.
TR North(2-1) improves each week and continues to get solid play from QB Demitry Davis. They beat Jackson(1-2) 28-6 this past week, as Davis ran for 3 TDs and threw for another. We will see the Mariner's this week in our game of the week on Friday night as the annual "Civil War"(TR South) takes place. Throw the records out for this one, but North certainly has the edge.
Brick(0-3) did finally get a score, but lost again 33-14 to Manchester. Brick had been shut-out in their first 2 games. Two win less teams(Central 0-3)), face each other this week, so the loser of this one, may be looking at a dismal season.
Keyport(2-1) put up 61 pts. vs. next door neighbor Keansburg. The Burg had a bad day offensively, to say the least. The Red Raiders held them to (-4) total yds., while running for 386 yds themselves. Keansburg has given up 181 points in 3 games---that's 60.3/game---OUCH!
Howell(3-0) has put up 142 points in 3 games(47.3/game).
Lacey(3-0) has given up 7 total points in 3 games(2.3/game)
Freehold Twp.(0-3) has not scored in 2010.
Mater Dei(0-3) has only given up 61(20.3/game) points in their 3 loses, but have only scored 7 total pts.
Brick Memorial(3-0) has given up 13 points(1 TD by 1st unit) in their 3 wins. Last year they gave up 62 points in their first 3 games.
Top Ten: Week 4
1-Matawan(3-0)-Well I was waiting for the Huskies to have a statement game and it happened Friday night. A 45-6 pasting at the hands of previously undefeated Raritan proved to everyone that Matawan is still very deserving of the top spot in the poll. They had 4 TDs of 44 yards or more. Cassius Williams ran for 136 yds. and 2 TDs(one of which was a 95 yd. run), Keith Beaty added 73 yds. and a TD, QB Jared Allison threw a 44 yd. TD pass, and RB McArthur Underwood ran one in from 48 yds. Everybody involved and everyone contributing, thats the way head man Joe Martucci likes it. Matawan ran for 315 yds. on the night while holding Raritan to 100 yds. of total offense and only 4 first downs. Next up for the Huskies is a solid 2-1 Rumson team, next Sat. night at Matawan.
2-Lacey(3-0)- The Lions were tested this week by the shores leading rusher, Matt McClain, of Pinelands. McClain came into the game with 659 yards in his first 2 weeks of actions, however it was a Lion defense he was facing in week 3. Well, a 42-0 rout by Lacey, holding McClain to 79 yds. rushing, and the Lions had another dominating win. Lacey rushed for 256 yds. in the first half alone, before pulling the dogs, as they played the second half under the "mercy" rules. That occurs when you are up by 35 or more points in the second half and Lacey had that lead(35-0) at halftime. Jarrod Molzon led the way with 91 yds., Jake Dabal had 69 yds. and QB Craig Cicardo Jr. had 45 yds and 3 TDs to lead the Lions. Lacey gets another 2-1 team in Manchester this week, before their big one, on the road, vs the 3-0 Bengals of Barnegat(bye week) on Oct. 8th.
3-Brick Memorial(3-0)-The Mustangs played a thriller on the road at Toms River East. Coming from behind, after trailing at halftime by a 7-0 score, the Stangs used a 3rd quarter TD by Vincenzo Diodato from 4 yds. out to tie it at 7, and then in overtime, a Mike DiGuilmi 4 yd. QB sneak to win it for the Mustangs and go to 3-0 on the year. East, playing with backup QB Joe Funicelli(starter Joe Clarizio was out with a concussion), had taken a 7-0 lead into the locker room on a Mario Steriti 3 yd. TD run. The Raiders actually had a chance to win it in regulation, but they missed a 22 yd. field goal at the 2:58 mark of the 4th quarter. DiGuilmi, playing with an injured ankle himself, ran for 107 yds and threw for 47 more to lead the Stangs on offense, while NT Will Wowkanyn, continues to dominate on the defensive side. The Rams of Southern(2-1) visit the Mustangs on Friday night.
4-RBC(2-0)- The Caseys were able to scout Long Branch(RBC bye week), who they will entertain this Friday night. Long Branch lost that Sat. game to Neptune, who RBC had beaten in week 2, so they were able to see a Green Wave team that gave the Fliers all they could handle. This is a big one in the very tough B-North division.
5-Howell(3-0)- The Rebels and QB Ryan Davies continue to roll and fly through the airways with an easy 41-6 win over Marlboro. Davies threw 4 more TD passes(16 in 3 games), 2 of them going to the very dangerous Mike Clark. Clark, seems to be Davies favorite receiver, but with Ryan Handy, Eli Blue and Benton Burdin, you cannot just concentrate on him, and that's what makes the Rebels so tough. Interesting game this week vs. Middletown South(2-1). A great offense vs. an excellent defense, in what may go a long way in determining the A-North title.
6-Neptune(2-1)- The Fliers passed a big test on Sat. afternoon. Coming off a very tough last second loss to RBC in week 2, they had to face a 2-0 Long Branch team, who was looking to make a statement that they too are contenders in the B-North. The Fliers won it 27-11, as they ran for 224 total yards, with Charles Davis(76yds.) and Jaheem Woods(72yds.) leading the way. Long Branch could not run the ball on the Fliers and that made life tough for LB QB, Miles Shuler. Shuler did throw for 175 yds. Neptune gets Freehold Boro who shut out Ocean Twp. 38-0 on Sat.
7-Manalapan(2-1)- The Braves seem to have righted the ship and won easily over Mid North 35-0. It was the 2 big guns for the Braves, Mike Bimonte(131 yds. passing & 3 TD passes) and Josh Firkser(162 rushing yds. & 3 TDs), that led them to the big victory. Manalapan, with their coaching situation behind them, has an easy one this week in win less Freehold Twp., but has Howell, Brick Mem.,and TR North coming up in second half of their season.
8-Middletown South(2-1) The Eagles didn't exactly light up the scoreboard against win less Freehold Twp(0-3), but they did hold them defensively to 5 first downs and 60 total yds., in their 17-0 win. The important news here, is that starting QB Scott Meeker was injured in the 2nd quarter and did not return. This bares watching as you can not lose #1 and be a better football team. Howie Brey replaced Meeker and did throw a TD pass to all-shore receiver Taylor Rodgers for 38 yds. A huge one this week as the run and shoot Howell Rebels(3-0), entertain the Eagles.
9-Asbury Park(3-0) Whenever you win 3 championships in a row and continue to win this year, you will remain in my top ten. They wore down a good Point Beach team and won by a 21-7 score. The score would have been more if it wasn't for 5 consecutive fumbles in the 1st half. This has to be fixed, if the Bishops want to take a shot at 4 in a row. QB Jay'von Britt continues to lead the Bishops, but they must solve the turnover problems(7 fumbles-lost 4), if they are to beat Shore(2-0) this Sat. afternoon(12 noon) at Asbury Park.
10-Long Branch(2-1) The Green Wave put up a good fight vs. Neptune, but came away with a 27-11 loss. Miles Shuler did throw for 175 yds., but the in-ability to get the run game going, puts too much pressure on Shuler. Unfortunately it doesn't get any easier for the Wave as they face RBC(2-0) and Matawan(3-0) in the next 2 weeks. It's make or break time for the Green Wave.
Just outside looking in:
Monmouth(3-0) A tremendous start for the Falcons and head coach Sal Spampanato. The Falcons have some good players and give everyone else in the B-North fits.
Shore Reg.(2-0) The Blue Devils have a chance to crack the top ten with a win over Asbury Park this week.
Barnegat(3-0) QB Nick San Giacomo is the real deal and receiver Mike DeTroia is a big time pass catcher. On a bye this week, as they get ready for Lacey in 2 weeks.
Holmdel(3-0) Would anyone have predicted a 3-0 start for the Hornets? They only won 3 games in the last 2 seasons! Coach Frank Papalia has them playing well. QB Mike Cantelli is their leader.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Weekend of 9/18 In Review
Old Mother nature wrecked havoc on the high school football schedule this weekend. Because of the Jewish holidays and the horrific thunder storm that ripped through the the shore, early Thursday night, games were spread out from Thursday to Sunday, which made for a very interesting week for coaches, players and fans. With games being postponed with visiting teams already at game sites, scheduling problems for district athletic directors were a major concern around the state.
My #1 team(Matawan) did manage to get their game in on Thursday night, because the game was played on the newly turfed field at Count Basie field in Red Bank and although the rain continued, the lightning had stopped. They won that game handily, 28-7, and continue to lead the pack of good teams in the shore. Another crazy example of how storms can disrupt a schedule was at Monmouth Reg., where visiting Freehold Boro had their scheduled 7PM Thursday night start poostponed to 11:30AM Friday morning. There were less people in attendance then you would see at a pre-season scrimmage. Students were in school and not allowed to attend, parents were, of course, at work, there were no cheerleaders, no band and no public address announcer! I, of course, was there to witness a good football team, Monmouth, take it to Freehold Boro 27-19 and up their record to 2-0 on the early season. This allowed me to get to Lakewood to see Mon Don take on the Warren Wolf led Piners in a 3PM game. Mon Don won that one, 35-16, as they evened their record at 1-1 and dropped Lakewood to 0-2. While it was good to see Warren Wolf back on the sidelines, I observed a coach who has taken a backseat to his assistants. While still in control, it was Tommy Carrol and Al LaMura who did most of the coaching on the Piner sideline. Many old Brick football players and coaches were in attendance watching the legend once again, lead a team onto the field, to go to war. The Warren Wolf led Brick program was what other programs strives to be for so many years, and it is very tough to sit back and watch the proud dean of all coaches try to turn around a Lakewood program with few players to work with. I wish only the best of health and success to Warren as he tries to work things out.
After that game, we had our broadcast game of the week at Brick as the Dragons entertained the very good Lions of Lacey. This was a blowout from beginning to end, in a 38-0 rout by Lacey. The Lions are a top ten team in the State and perhaps the best team in the shore. They are my #2 team this week and a little slip-up by Matawan is all Lacey needs to claim the top spot. By the way, up 35-0, in the last minutes of the game, Lacey's Jarrod Molzon, kicked a 49 yard field goal to make it 38-0. I personally didn't like that one, and I'm sure the Dragons will put that one in the memory bank, for sometime in the future. I can understand what head coach Lou Vircillo was trying to do, get Molzon, what is believed to be, a school record for field goal length, but maybe a punt or a 4th down try by the backups, who were in the game at the time, might have been a better move.
The 3 year home winning streak at the "swamp" is over, as the Braves of Manalapan upset the Middletown South Eagles 35-28, in a Sunday contest. It was Oct. of 2007, that the Eagles last lost a home game, so the victory by Manalapan was even more stunning. Throw in the coaching turmoil during the week leading up to the game and you have a major happening. Manalapan ex head coach Tom Gallahue resigned his assistant principals job when he was told he could not have any interaction with the football team. Ed Gurrieri was appointed head coach on September 13th, but Gallahue was still working with the team, until the board stepped in and told him he couldn't do that. His commitment to this years team cannot be questioned, as he is giving up much money to go back to the classroom. This was enough incentive for the Braves to be sky high as they sprinted onto the swamp in Middletown. 5 turnovers by Mid. South in the 1st half did the Eagles in, and Manalapan jumped out to a 20-14 lead in the 1st half. Josh Firkser ran for 224 yds. and 3 TDs(1 via a Mike Bimonte pass) to lead the Braves. Two of his TDs were for 51 and 71 yds. Mid. South QB Scott Meeker threw 4 picks on the afternoon, one of which was returned for a 40 yd. TD. Yes, a huge win for the Braves, and a tough loss for the proud Eagles.
In the big game of the weekend, RBC scored in the last 12 seconds of their game with Neptune to win it 14-7. Jack Tabb caught a 35 yard TD pass for the game winner, and RBC become the early contender in the very tough B-North division, along with Long Branch, who is 2-0 to start the season. This is a division where anyone can beat anyone on any given week, so the Casey's, who have a bye this coming week, can celebrate the huge win, get healthy, and get ready for Long Branch on Oct 1st.
On Sat. night I attended the Brick Memorial vs Jackson game and expected to see a close contest. What I saw surprised me and everyone else that witnessed the complete domination by the Mustangs, in a 35-6 rout. This is a pretty good Jackson team, who were coming off their upset win against Manalapan in week 1. The Stangs scored early and often on their way to a 28-0 halftime lead and then scored early in the 3rd quarter to make it 35-0 and put the "mercy" rule in effect. A TD, late in the game, against the Memorial backups, was the only blemish which prevented their second straight shutout. The Raiders of East will get a shot at Memorial this week in our game of the week, Friday night at 7PM on the Hawk(105.7 FM).
Other impressive 2-0 starts around the shore:
Barnegat got 265 yds. passing and 3 TDs from Nick SanGiacomo, who also ran 1 in as the Bengals beat a game Manchester team, 35-27.
Shore Reg beat Keyport 40-14 as Pat Maggio scored 3 times and ran for 101 yds. Shore has scored 96 pts. in 2 weeks.
Asbury Park put up 64 pts. in a rout of Keansburg, as they led this one 57-0 at the half. Jay'von Britt and Marquise Johnson led the Bishops to the easy win. The Bishop "D" was a fantasy football dream as they scored 3 times on defense and also ran a punt back for a TD. Asbury and Shore in 2 weeks for a possible title in B-Central.
Pinelands received 337 yds. from Matt McClain, who for the second consecutive week, broke the school record for running yds. in a game. Last week he ran for over 300 yds. to set a new record and he broke the record again this week, in a 48-20 rout of Central Reg. Running lanes may be a little tougher this week, as the Cats travel to Lacey for an important B-South game.
Holmdel, led by senior QB Mike Cantelli, beat (0-2) Point Boro 31-21. Congratulations must go to head coach Frank Papalia, as he has developed Cantelli to be a top notch QB and a true leader of this team. Cantelli threw for 239 yds. and rushed for another 90. He was involved in 4 TDs on the day(2 via pass, 1 rushing and he ran a kick back 62 yds. for a TD).
Howell QB Ryan Davies, coming off a record breaking 1st week, threw for 291 yds. in their easy 47-0 victory over winless Freehold Twp. 5 of those passes went for TDs, giving him 12 in 2 games. Pretty good start for the 2-0 Rebels.
Raritan upset Manasquan 24-18, as they scored in the last 26 seconds to win it. Converting twice on 4th down during the winning drive, QB Jared Gurczeski, led the Rockets to the win with a 20 yard TD pass to Kevin Furlong, for the game winner. Raritan gets a shot at Matawan this coming week.
Week 3 Top Ten:
1-Matawan(2-0) The Huskies were the only winner on a rainy Thursday night in the only game played. Red Bank was the victim, 28-7. McArthur Underwood ran for 215 yds. and scored twice. They travel to Raritan this week.
2-Lacey(2-0) The Lions easily beat Brick 38-0 on Friday night. Craig Cicardo Jr threw 3 TD passes for Lacey, who proved they are not one dimensional, with the run. They must face a RB in Pinelands Matt McClain who has rushed for over 300 yds. in each of his teams 2 wins.
3-Brick Memorial(2-0) The Mustangs dominated a 1-0 Jackson Memorial team before winning 35-6. The defense has played great in their first 2 games and must continue that play, as they travel to 1-1 Toms River East(a 16-0 loser to Sayreville) in our Shore Sports Network game of the week on Friday night. QB Mike DiGuilmi leads the Mustangs on offense, and he has a multitude of backs to hand the ball to. Sprint champion Jihaad Howard, Shane Panuska, Jordan Lodice, Vinny Diodato and Jared Eccles are a few of those RB who can carry the ball.
4-RBC(2-0) A very impressive come from behind 14-7 victory over Neptune on Friday night keep the Caseys in the top 5. TE Jack Tabb, with Greg Schiano(Rutgers Head man) watching from the endzone, caught a 35 yd TD pass from Ryan Spahr for the dramatic win. Bye week for them this week, which allows them 2 weeks to get ready for 2-0 Long Branch on Oct 1st.
5- Howell(2-0) QB Ryan Davies continues to put up insane #s via the run and shoot offense of head coach and father Cory Davies. 5 more TD passes this week, to go with his 7 last week and the Rebels are off to a 2-0 start. Mike Clark(5 catches for 154 yds.) looks to be the main target for Davies. Next up is 1-0 Marlboro, who had a bye this week, and were seen in attendance watching the air show!
6-Long Branch(2-0) The Miles Shuler led Green Wave defeated Ocean(0-2) on Friday. Shuler accounted for 240 yds. of the 250 yds. LB had. Big game this week at home on Saturday vs. Neptune(1-1), who come off the tough loss to RBC.
7-Neptune(1-1) Must keep the Fliers in my top ten after their heart-breaking loss to RBC in the last minute of Friday nights game. The Fliers led this one 7-6 until the final 12 seconds. They have a big chance at showing everyone that they are for real, this year, as they get 2-0 Long Branch this week. Ike Calderone and Jaheem Woods lead the Fliers.
8-Manalapan(1-1) Huge win for the Braves on Sunday against Mid South at the "swamp". Josh Firkser ran for 224 yds. against a tough Eagle defense and Tom Barber returned an interception 40 yds. to lead the Braves. Next up Middletown North(0-2) who looks to be in trouble this year.
9-Middletown South(1-1) Tough loss for the Eagles, as they committed 5 turnovers in the 1st half to hand Manalapan the game on Sunday. They led 14-7, as they scored on their first 2 possessions, only to turn it over 5 consecutive times after that, and they never recovered. QB Scott Meeker did throw 4 TDs, but also had 4 picks.
10-Asbury Park(2-0) The Bishops deserve the final spot this week, as they put up 64 points this week, against hapless Keansburg(0-2). Jay'von Britt, Marquise Johnson and Taj Hammary led the Bishops to the 64-6 win. Next up Point Beach, on Friday night. Beach coaches, who had a bye week, saw the onslaught and were, needless to say, very very impressed with the speed of the Bishops. they must slow them down to have a chance Friday night.
Just on the outside looking in:
Raritan(2-0) Nice win over Squan this week.
Barnegat(2-0) Nick SanGiacomo continues to lead the Bengals.
Monmouth(2-0) Very impressive win over Freehold Boro on Friday morning.
Pinelands(2-0) Matt McClain is the leading rusher in the shore after 2 weeks.
My #1 team(Matawan) did manage to get their game in on Thursday night, because the game was played on the newly turfed field at Count Basie field in Red Bank and although the rain continued, the lightning had stopped. They won that game handily, 28-7, and continue to lead the pack of good teams in the shore. Another crazy example of how storms can disrupt a schedule was at Monmouth Reg., where visiting Freehold Boro had their scheduled 7PM Thursday night start poostponed to 11:30AM Friday morning. There were less people in attendance then you would see at a pre-season scrimmage. Students were in school and not allowed to attend, parents were, of course, at work, there were no cheerleaders, no band and no public address announcer! I, of course, was there to witness a good football team, Monmouth, take it to Freehold Boro 27-19 and up their record to 2-0 on the early season. This allowed me to get to Lakewood to see Mon Don take on the Warren Wolf led Piners in a 3PM game. Mon Don won that one, 35-16, as they evened their record at 1-1 and dropped Lakewood to 0-2. While it was good to see Warren Wolf back on the sidelines, I observed a coach who has taken a backseat to his assistants. While still in control, it was Tommy Carrol and Al LaMura who did most of the coaching on the Piner sideline. Many old Brick football players and coaches were in attendance watching the legend once again, lead a team onto the field, to go to war. The Warren Wolf led Brick program was what other programs strives to be for so many years, and it is very tough to sit back and watch the proud dean of all coaches try to turn around a Lakewood program with few players to work with. I wish only the best of health and success to Warren as he tries to work things out.
After that game, we had our broadcast game of the week at Brick as the Dragons entertained the very good Lions of Lacey. This was a blowout from beginning to end, in a 38-0 rout by Lacey. The Lions are a top ten team in the State and perhaps the best team in the shore. They are my #2 team this week and a little slip-up by Matawan is all Lacey needs to claim the top spot. By the way, up 35-0, in the last minutes of the game, Lacey's Jarrod Molzon, kicked a 49 yard field goal to make it 38-0. I personally didn't like that one, and I'm sure the Dragons will put that one in the memory bank, for sometime in the future. I can understand what head coach Lou Vircillo was trying to do, get Molzon, what is believed to be, a school record for field goal length, but maybe a punt or a 4th down try by the backups, who were in the game at the time, might have been a better move.
The 3 year home winning streak at the "swamp" is over, as the Braves of Manalapan upset the Middletown South Eagles 35-28, in a Sunday contest. It was Oct. of 2007, that the Eagles last lost a home game, so the victory by Manalapan was even more stunning. Throw in the coaching turmoil during the week leading up to the game and you have a major happening. Manalapan ex head coach Tom Gallahue resigned his assistant principals job when he was told he could not have any interaction with the football team. Ed Gurrieri was appointed head coach on September 13th, but Gallahue was still working with the team, until the board stepped in and told him he couldn't do that. His commitment to this years team cannot be questioned, as he is giving up much money to go back to the classroom. This was enough incentive for the Braves to be sky high as they sprinted onto the swamp in Middletown. 5 turnovers by Mid. South in the 1st half did the Eagles in, and Manalapan jumped out to a 20-14 lead in the 1st half. Josh Firkser ran for 224 yds. and 3 TDs(1 via a Mike Bimonte pass) to lead the Braves. Two of his TDs were for 51 and 71 yds. Mid. South QB Scott Meeker threw 4 picks on the afternoon, one of which was returned for a 40 yd. TD. Yes, a huge win for the Braves, and a tough loss for the proud Eagles.
In the big game of the weekend, RBC scored in the last 12 seconds of their game with Neptune to win it 14-7. Jack Tabb caught a 35 yard TD pass for the game winner, and RBC become the early contender in the very tough B-North division, along with Long Branch, who is 2-0 to start the season. This is a division where anyone can beat anyone on any given week, so the Casey's, who have a bye this coming week, can celebrate the huge win, get healthy, and get ready for Long Branch on Oct 1st.
On Sat. night I attended the Brick Memorial vs Jackson game and expected to see a close contest. What I saw surprised me and everyone else that witnessed the complete domination by the Mustangs, in a 35-6 rout. This is a pretty good Jackson team, who were coming off their upset win against Manalapan in week 1. The Stangs scored early and often on their way to a 28-0 halftime lead and then scored early in the 3rd quarter to make it 35-0 and put the "mercy" rule in effect. A TD, late in the game, against the Memorial backups, was the only blemish which prevented their second straight shutout. The Raiders of East will get a shot at Memorial this week in our game of the week, Friday night at 7PM on the Hawk(105.7 FM).
Other impressive 2-0 starts around the shore:
Barnegat got 265 yds. passing and 3 TDs from Nick SanGiacomo, who also ran 1 in as the Bengals beat a game Manchester team, 35-27.
Shore Reg beat Keyport 40-14 as Pat Maggio scored 3 times and ran for 101 yds. Shore has scored 96 pts. in 2 weeks.
Asbury Park put up 64 pts. in a rout of Keansburg, as they led this one 57-0 at the half. Jay'von Britt and Marquise Johnson led the Bishops to the easy win. The Bishop "D" was a fantasy football dream as they scored 3 times on defense and also ran a punt back for a TD. Asbury and Shore in 2 weeks for a possible title in B-Central.
Pinelands received 337 yds. from Matt McClain, who for the second consecutive week, broke the school record for running yds. in a game. Last week he ran for over 300 yds. to set a new record and he broke the record again this week, in a 48-20 rout of Central Reg. Running lanes may be a little tougher this week, as the Cats travel to Lacey for an important B-South game.
Holmdel, led by senior QB Mike Cantelli, beat (0-2) Point Boro 31-21. Congratulations must go to head coach Frank Papalia, as he has developed Cantelli to be a top notch QB and a true leader of this team. Cantelli threw for 239 yds. and rushed for another 90. He was involved in 4 TDs on the day(2 via pass, 1 rushing and he ran a kick back 62 yds. for a TD).
Howell QB Ryan Davies, coming off a record breaking 1st week, threw for 291 yds. in their easy 47-0 victory over winless Freehold Twp. 5 of those passes went for TDs, giving him 12 in 2 games. Pretty good start for the 2-0 Rebels.
Raritan upset Manasquan 24-18, as they scored in the last 26 seconds to win it. Converting twice on 4th down during the winning drive, QB Jared Gurczeski, led the Rockets to the win with a 20 yard TD pass to Kevin Furlong, for the game winner. Raritan gets a shot at Matawan this coming week.
Week 3 Top Ten:
1-Matawan(2-0) The Huskies were the only winner on a rainy Thursday night in the only game played. Red Bank was the victim, 28-7. McArthur Underwood ran for 215 yds. and scored twice. They travel to Raritan this week.
2-Lacey(2-0) The Lions easily beat Brick 38-0 on Friday night. Craig Cicardo Jr threw 3 TD passes for Lacey, who proved they are not one dimensional, with the run. They must face a RB in Pinelands Matt McClain who has rushed for over 300 yds. in each of his teams 2 wins.
3-Brick Memorial(2-0) The Mustangs dominated a 1-0 Jackson Memorial team before winning 35-6. The defense has played great in their first 2 games and must continue that play, as they travel to 1-1 Toms River East(a 16-0 loser to Sayreville) in our Shore Sports Network game of the week on Friday night. QB Mike DiGuilmi leads the Mustangs on offense, and he has a multitude of backs to hand the ball to. Sprint champion Jihaad Howard, Shane Panuska, Jordan Lodice, Vinny Diodato and Jared Eccles are a few of those RB who can carry the ball.
4-RBC(2-0) A very impressive come from behind 14-7 victory over Neptune on Friday night keep the Caseys in the top 5. TE Jack Tabb, with Greg Schiano(Rutgers Head man) watching from the endzone, caught a 35 yd TD pass from Ryan Spahr for the dramatic win. Bye week for them this week, which allows them 2 weeks to get ready for 2-0 Long Branch on Oct 1st.
5- Howell(2-0) QB Ryan Davies continues to put up insane #s via the run and shoot offense of head coach and father Cory Davies. 5 more TD passes this week, to go with his 7 last week and the Rebels are off to a 2-0 start. Mike Clark(5 catches for 154 yds.) looks to be the main target for Davies. Next up is 1-0 Marlboro, who had a bye this week, and were seen in attendance watching the air show!
6-Long Branch(2-0) The Miles Shuler led Green Wave defeated Ocean(0-2) on Friday. Shuler accounted for 240 yds. of the 250 yds. LB had. Big game this week at home on Saturday vs. Neptune(1-1), who come off the tough loss to RBC.
7-Neptune(1-1) Must keep the Fliers in my top ten after their heart-breaking loss to RBC in the last minute of Friday nights game. The Fliers led this one 7-6 until the final 12 seconds. They have a big chance at showing everyone that they are for real, this year, as they get 2-0 Long Branch this week. Ike Calderone and Jaheem Woods lead the Fliers.
8-Manalapan(1-1) Huge win for the Braves on Sunday against Mid South at the "swamp". Josh Firkser ran for 224 yds. against a tough Eagle defense and Tom Barber returned an interception 40 yds. to lead the Braves. Next up Middletown North(0-2) who looks to be in trouble this year.
9-Middletown South(1-1) Tough loss for the Eagles, as they committed 5 turnovers in the 1st half to hand Manalapan the game on Sunday. They led 14-7, as they scored on their first 2 possessions, only to turn it over 5 consecutive times after that, and they never recovered. QB Scott Meeker did throw 4 TDs, but also had 4 picks.
10-Asbury Park(2-0) The Bishops deserve the final spot this week, as they put up 64 points this week, against hapless Keansburg(0-2). Jay'von Britt, Marquise Johnson and Taj Hammary led the Bishops to the 64-6 win. Next up Point Beach, on Friday night. Beach coaches, who had a bye week, saw the onslaught and were, needless to say, very very impressed with the speed of the Bishops. they must slow them down to have a chance Friday night.
Just on the outside looking in:
Raritan(2-0) Nice win over Squan this week.
Barnegat(2-0) Nick SanGiacomo continues to lead the Bengals.
Monmouth(2-0) Very impressive win over Freehold Boro on Friday morning.
Pinelands(2-0) Matt McClain is the leading rusher in the shore after 2 weeks.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Scanning The Scene: Weekend of 9/10-9/11/10
Scanning the High School Football scene with Ed Sarluca:
With week one in the books, this looks like every week will look like 4th of July with offensive explosions all around the shore. With good weather and packed house around the shore there was plenty of action to make fans happy. Lets look at just a few of the many good games of week 1.
Lets start with Neptune and new head coach Don Sofilkanich. All they did was put up 62 points against an under-maned Bishop Ahr team, which may get coach a raise in week 1. Rutgers bound Charlie Davis scored early and often(3 times), and put this one out of reach early.
Howell unveiled the latest, of what has been all-shore caliber QBs, when Ryan Davies(who happens to be head coach Cory) made his debut on Saturday night. All Ryan did was throw for 454 yards and 7 TDs. To make it more impressive, he did it against TR North. Nobody has done that to North in quite sometime. 6 different receivers caught his passes. You have heard of receiver and kicker Ryan Handy(he's the lone returner), but Mike Clark(3 TD catches), Jack Gailing, Benton Burdin---who are these guys and where do they find them? Opponents better learn their names, I warn you.
Barnegat's QB Nick SanGiacomo, not to be outdone by Davies, threw for 407 yards and 4 TDs in their upset win over Rumson 34-27. Nick has verbally committed to Tulane Univ. already, but there will be other offers, as this strong armed QB is getting better every week.
In another defensive nightmare, Middletown South threw up 58 on a pretty good Ocean Twp. team. QB Scott Meeker leads the Eagles for the second year in a row. You can read about him below in my Top Ten for this week. Mid. South seems to me, to be playing with a chip on its shoulder this year, still smarting from the finals last year, when Monroe took them down at The College of New Jersey. Why do I believe that they will be back there this year with a different ending?
Keyport HS wins 48-21 over Metuchen, and they pulled the horses in and didn't score in the 4th quarter. Mike Konish and Lamar Hill look like good ones for the Red Raiders. By the way, how old is Mike Ciccotelli, the Red Raider head man? Well I know how old I am, and he replaced me when I left Keyport in 1973 to go to TR North! All Mike does is win, so why should he retire. Keep the "Ws" coming Mike.
In a year where picking an all-shore team will be impossible, Miles Shuler of Long Branch, just might be the best of the best. He led Long Branch to an easy 34-14 win over Colts Neck.
Asbury Park continues to roll along for new old head coach, Matt Ardizzone, who was the head man in 2006 and an assistant from 2007-2009. They beat Highland Park 34-12 as Marquise Johnson leads them this year. he scored 4 times in the win.
Pinelands scores 50 points, as Matt McLain runs for 322 yds. and 4 TDs, including a 90 yarder. I guess I have to mention that they gave up 36 points to Mon Don, in another game that makes defensive coordinators go home at night and throw their playbook away and start over. If only we could get Bob Fiocco to come out of retirement and have a seminar on defensive football! I'll sell the tickets.
In the high-lite game of the week, Lacey beat Wall 27-7. If you didn't thing Craig Cicardo should be mentioned with the great QBs of the state this year, think twice, because he belongs in the conversation. He is the leader of this team and his play could very well make this a memorable one for the Lions.
Brick Memorial's shutout effort over Brick, 34-0, cannot sit well in Dragon territory. They were expected to be better this year and although 1 game does not make a season, the Dragons must now face Lacey, a top ten team in the state! can Coach Dowling keep them together after an 0-2 start. We'll keep our eyes on them. Meanwhile the Stangs continue to run the town under Walt Currie. His offensive game plans continue to give teams nightmares when trying to defense the option attack. The Stangs are shooting for their 5th trip to the finals in the last 8 years. Under Fred Sprengle and Walt Currie, the Stangs are looking for their 5th trip to the state finals in the last 8 years.
Yes a very interesting 1st week of football and if week 1 is any indication, it's going to be a wild year.
Week 2 Top Ten:
1-Matawan(1-0) After a slow start(3-2) halftime lead) the Huskies scored 19 4th quarter points on their way to a 22-12 win over a game Freehold Boro team. perhaps the most interesting aspect of this game was the emergence of freshman QB Kashaun Barnes, who threw 2 TD passes in that 4th quarter, as he replaced Jared Allison, who went down with leg cramps. We all knew this kid could play and now we have seen it when it counts. Week 2 brings a visit to Red Bank on Thur night.
2-Lacey(1-0) A very impressive win for the Lions in one of the marquee games of week, as they beat Wall 27-7 behind the very talented QB Craig Cicardo Jr. Cicardo threw an 80 yard TD pass and ran one in from 1 yard, to lead the Lions. He also rushed for 114 yards, while throwing for 128. Jared Molzon also played well for the Lions who visit Brick on Friday night in a game we will broadcast on the Shore Sports Network.
3-Middletown South(1-0) The Eagles move up 2 spots after demolishing a pretty good Ocean team 58-13. They rolled up 487 yards of total offense on route to the rout. QB Scott Meeker threw 4 TD passes and ran one in to lead the Eagles offensively. This is a team with many weapons and seems to be playing with a chip on their shoulder after the tough loss in last years State finals. Watch out for the Eagles in 2010. Upset loser, but dangerous Manalapan, visits the "swamp" on Thursday night.
4-Brick Memorial(1-0) The "Stangs" were firing in all phases of the game on Friday as they threw a zero at Brick. Holding the Dragons to 26 yards of offense and 1 first down in the 1st half, the Mustangs led by nose guard Will Wowkanyn, showed everyone that this is not a one dimensional offensive team. With a variety of play-makers back on defense, if the Stangs play defense like this all year and get the solid offense that has been a trademark of Walt Currie, they will be tough to handle in 2010. Tougher test Thursday at Jackson, who upset Manalapan over the weekend.
5-Neptune(1-0) The Fliers move up this week with their 62-0 pasting of Bishop Ahr. Charlie Davis returned a punt 50 yds. the first time he touched the football, and that set the tone of the night. 3 TDs later on runs of 10, 27 and a 95 yd. kickoff return and Davis was done for the night. Don Sofilkanach's 1st game as Flier head coach will be tough to forget, but the Fliers don't have too much time to savor it, as they have a date with RBC on Friday night at home.
6-RBC(1-0) As mentioned above, the Casey's travel to Neptune in the high-lite game of week 2. They ventured into the A-South and christened their new turf field as they took care of Southern Reg. fairly easily and recorded a 34-7 win. Andrew Casten rushed for 206 yds. and 3 TDs on a night when the Casey's came out pumped up and proved they are a solid contender in the B-North race. It should be a battle, which very well may decide the championship in the division.
7-Howell(1-0) The Rebels were the most impressive team I saw this weekend! QB Ryan Davies, of Howell, threw for 454 yds. and 7 TDs. Those are amazing #s and if I didn't witness it in person, I wouldn't have believed it. Who did the Rebels pound 48-17--none other than one of the top defensive units of the last 5 years--Toms River North. You just don't do that to the Mariners, plain and simple. The receivers names have changed, but the run and shoot offensive philosophy of the Rebels just gets better with age. I apologize to the Rebels for leaving them out of my thought last week. You made me a believer Saturday night. Short turn around for them as they visit Freehold Twp. on Thursday night.
8-Toms River East(1-0) The Raiders opened up against cross town rival TR South and had some things to prove. They handled the Indians rather easily 40-10, but the score was probably not indicative of the effort the Indians game. For 23 minutes of the 1st half the score was 7-3 Raiders. A double pass with a lateral in the middle gave the Raiders a TD as Mario Steriti threw to Dan Wasilick for 23 yds. with just 47 seconds left before half. that TD seem to take the starch out of South. The Raiders dominated the 2nd half with QB Joe Clarizio showing everyone there, that the Raiders can throw the football this year. It gets a little tougher for them as they have to travel North on the parkway to perennial power Sayreville on Sat. night.
9- Manasquan(1-0) Trailing 11-0 to Point Boro in the 1st half and doing nothing offensively. The Big Blue Warriors scored 3 second half TDs to defeat Boro 21-11. Tariq Turner's int. return for a 32 yard TD nailed down the victory. QB Tyler Saito has a very strong arm, and Zack Ogden is a nice change of pace RB to go with Turner. Squan looks to be in the thick of things in the C-Central division. Manasquan get Raritan on Sat. this week.
10-Jackson(1-0) The Jags get the last spot this week over Long Branch, because of their 15-8 victory over previous #7 Manalapan. The Jags used 116 yards rushing from Junior Brandon Winston, who may be more famous for what he does on a wrestling mat, and came from behind for the win. Jackson has had a rough few years of late for a program that always wins, but this year may vault them back to the top of A-South. They will get a real test Thursday night, at home, when the Stangs of Brick Memorial come visiting.
Teams that are just outside: Long Branch(1-0), Barnegat(1-0) Shore(1-0) Asbury Park(1-0)
With week one in the books, this looks like every week will look like 4th of July with offensive explosions all around the shore. With good weather and packed house around the shore there was plenty of action to make fans happy. Lets look at just a few of the many good games of week 1.
Lets start with Neptune and new head coach Don Sofilkanich. All they did was put up 62 points against an under-maned Bishop Ahr team, which may get coach a raise in week 1. Rutgers bound Charlie Davis scored early and often(3 times), and put this one out of reach early.
Howell unveiled the latest, of what has been all-shore caliber QBs, when Ryan Davies(who happens to be head coach Cory) made his debut on Saturday night. All Ryan did was throw for 454 yards and 7 TDs. To make it more impressive, he did it against TR North. Nobody has done that to North in quite sometime. 6 different receivers caught his passes. You have heard of receiver and kicker Ryan Handy(he's the lone returner), but Mike Clark(3 TD catches), Jack Gailing, Benton Burdin---who are these guys and where do they find them? Opponents better learn their names, I warn you.
Barnegat's QB Nick SanGiacomo, not to be outdone by Davies, threw for 407 yards and 4 TDs in their upset win over Rumson 34-27. Nick has verbally committed to Tulane Univ. already, but there will be other offers, as this strong armed QB is getting better every week.
In another defensive nightmare, Middletown South threw up 58 on a pretty good Ocean Twp. team. QB Scott Meeker leads the Eagles for the second year in a row. You can read about him below in my Top Ten for this week. Mid. South seems to me, to be playing with a chip on its shoulder this year, still smarting from the finals last year, when Monroe took them down at The College of New Jersey. Why do I believe that they will be back there this year with a different ending?
Keyport HS wins 48-21 over Metuchen, and they pulled the horses in and didn't score in the 4th quarter. Mike Konish and Lamar Hill look like good ones for the Red Raiders. By the way, how old is Mike Ciccotelli, the Red Raider head man? Well I know how old I am, and he replaced me when I left Keyport in 1973 to go to TR North! All Mike does is win, so why should he retire. Keep the "Ws" coming Mike.
In a year where picking an all-shore team will be impossible, Miles Shuler of Long Branch, just might be the best of the best. He led Long Branch to an easy 34-14 win over Colts Neck.
Asbury Park continues to roll along for new old head coach, Matt Ardizzone, who was the head man in 2006 and an assistant from 2007-2009. They beat Highland Park 34-12 as Marquise Johnson leads them this year. he scored 4 times in the win.
Pinelands scores 50 points, as Matt McLain runs for 322 yds. and 4 TDs, including a 90 yarder. I guess I have to mention that they gave up 36 points to Mon Don, in another game that makes defensive coordinators go home at night and throw their playbook away and start over. If only we could get Bob Fiocco to come out of retirement and have a seminar on defensive football! I'll sell the tickets.
In the high-lite game of the week, Lacey beat Wall 27-7. If you didn't thing Craig Cicardo should be mentioned with the great QBs of the state this year, think twice, because he belongs in the conversation. He is the leader of this team and his play could very well make this a memorable one for the Lions.
Brick Memorial's shutout effort over Brick, 34-0, cannot sit well in Dragon territory. They were expected to be better this year and although 1 game does not make a season, the Dragons must now face Lacey, a top ten team in the state! can Coach Dowling keep them together after an 0-2 start. We'll keep our eyes on them. Meanwhile the Stangs continue to run the town under Walt Currie. His offensive game plans continue to give teams nightmares when trying to defense the option attack. The Stangs are shooting for their 5th trip to the finals in the last 8 years. Under Fred Sprengle and Walt Currie, the Stangs are looking for their 5th trip to the state finals in the last 8 years.
Yes a very interesting 1st week of football and if week 1 is any indication, it's going to be a wild year.
Week 2 Top Ten:
1-Matawan(1-0) After a slow start(3-2) halftime lead) the Huskies scored 19 4th quarter points on their way to a 22-12 win over a game Freehold Boro team. perhaps the most interesting aspect of this game was the emergence of freshman QB Kashaun Barnes, who threw 2 TD passes in that 4th quarter, as he replaced Jared Allison, who went down with leg cramps. We all knew this kid could play and now we have seen it when it counts. Week 2 brings a visit to Red Bank on Thur night.
2-Lacey(1-0) A very impressive win for the Lions in one of the marquee games of week, as they beat Wall 27-7 behind the very talented QB Craig Cicardo Jr. Cicardo threw an 80 yard TD pass and ran one in from 1 yard, to lead the Lions. He also rushed for 114 yards, while throwing for 128. Jared Molzon also played well for the Lions who visit Brick on Friday night in a game we will broadcast on the Shore Sports Network.
3-Middletown South(1-0) The Eagles move up 2 spots after demolishing a pretty good Ocean team 58-13. They rolled up 487 yards of total offense on route to the rout. QB Scott Meeker threw 4 TD passes and ran one in to lead the Eagles offensively. This is a team with many weapons and seems to be playing with a chip on their shoulder after the tough loss in last years State finals. Watch out for the Eagles in 2010. Upset loser, but dangerous Manalapan, visits the "swamp" on Thursday night.
4-Brick Memorial(1-0) The "Stangs" were firing in all phases of the game on Friday as they threw a zero at Brick. Holding the Dragons to 26 yards of offense and 1 first down in the 1st half, the Mustangs led by nose guard Will Wowkanyn, showed everyone that this is not a one dimensional offensive team. With a variety of play-makers back on defense, if the Stangs play defense like this all year and get the solid offense that has been a trademark of Walt Currie, they will be tough to handle in 2010. Tougher test Thursday at Jackson, who upset Manalapan over the weekend.
5-Neptune(1-0) The Fliers move up this week with their 62-0 pasting of Bishop Ahr. Charlie Davis returned a punt 50 yds. the first time he touched the football, and that set the tone of the night. 3 TDs later on runs of 10, 27 and a 95 yd. kickoff return and Davis was done for the night. Don Sofilkanach's 1st game as Flier head coach will be tough to forget, but the Fliers don't have too much time to savor it, as they have a date with RBC on Friday night at home.
6-RBC(1-0) As mentioned above, the Casey's travel to Neptune in the high-lite game of week 2. They ventured into the A-South and christened their new turf field as they took care of Southern Reg. fairly easily and recorded a 34-7 win. Andrew Casten rushed for 206 yds. and 3 TDs on a night when the Casey's came out pumped up and proved they are a solid contender in the B-North race. It should be a battle, which very well may decide the championship in the division.
7-Howell(1-0) The Rebels were the most impressive team I saw this weekend! QB Ryan Davies, of Howell, threw for 454 yds. and 7 TDs. Those are amazing #s and if I didn't witness it in person, I wouldn't have believed it. Who did the Rebels pound 48-17--none other than one of the top defensive units of the last 5 years--Toms River North. You just don't do that to the Mariners, plain and simple. The receivers names have changed, but the run and shoot offensive philosophy of the Rebels just gets better with age. I apologize to the Rebels for leaving them out of my thought last week. You made me a believer Saturday night. Short turn around for them as they visit Freehold Twp. on Thursday night.
8-Toms River East(1-0) The Raiders opened up against cross town rival TR South and had some things to prove. They handled the Indians rather easily 40-10, but the score was probably not indicative of the effort the Indians game. For 23 minutes of the 1st half the score was 7-3 Raiders. A double pass with a lateral in the middle gave the Raiders a TD as Mario Steriti threw to Dan Wasilick for 23 yds. with just 47 seconds left before half. that TD seem to take the starch out of South. The Raiders dominated the 2nd half with QB Joe Clarizio showing everyone there, that the Raiders can throw the football this year. It gets a little tougher for them as they have to travel North on the parkway to perennial power Sayreville on Sat. night.
9- Manasquan(1-0) Trailing 11-0 to Point Boro in the 1st half and doing nothing offensively. The Big Blue Warriors scored 3 second half TDs to defeat Boro 21-11. Tariq Turner's int. return for a 32 yard TD nailed down the victory. QB Tyler Saito has a very strong arm, and Zack Ogden is a nice change of pace RB to go with Turner. Squan looks to be in the thick of things in the C-Central division. Manasquan get Raritan on Sat. this week.
10-Jackson(1-0) The Jags get the last spot this week over Long Branch, because of their 15-8 victory over previous #7 Manalapan. The Jags used 116 yards rushing from Junior Brandon Winston, who may be more famous for what he does on a wrestling mat, and came from behind for the win. Jackson has had a rough few years of late for a program that always wins, but this year may vault them back to the top of A-South. They will get a real test Thursday night, at home, when the Stangs of Brick Memorial come visiting.
Teams that are just outside: Long Branch(1-0), Barnegat(1-0) Shore(1-0) Asbury Park(1-0)
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