October 28, 2013 Volume-V Issue-18
6 Best Start in 20 Years 9 Ocean's V olker Leads Rumson
Recruiting Tra il 3 The The S to rm 4 Weathering
For The Record Books 10 One
ROAD 12-13 THE TO A TITLE
16 20 23
Pt. Beach Star Commits to Boston College
Holiday Tr aditio n To Celebrate 30th Anniversary Stumpy’s Corner
The first thing fans, players, coaches and parents want to know after the big game is always,
�Is this going to be on
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The Recruiting Trail
Thomson is currently without any offers at the time, but his situation could change very soon. He said he is visiting Delaware on Nov. 9. He currently has accounted for 15 touchdowns for the Red Raiders (5-2) between rushing and passing, and against Keansburg on Oct. 26, he threw for 180 yards, ran for 77 and had four touchdowns between passing and rushing. He also plays linebacker, and had 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown in the win.
NEXT FORST IN LINE Manasquan senior lineman Matt Forst (6-3,
300), who is having a strong season for a 6-1 Warriors team, is still waiting for his first scholarship offer.
Forst, trimmed down during the off-season in effort to making more of an impact this fall.
TRS senior WR Darrius Hart
Toms River South’s Darrius Hart is having an impressive season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior wide receiver/cornerback has been contacted by James Madison, Old Dominion, Monmouth, UMass, and Pittsburgh.
“I took an unofficial visit to Pittsburgh when they played Florida State,’’ Hart said. “It was an entirely different atmosphere going to see a game there then when you go to Monmouth or any smaller school. I don’t feel that there is much of a difference in going to a bigger program or a smaller program. As long as you are able to go out there and perform, that’s all that matters.”
At this time, UMass and Monmouth are Hart’s top choices and both have offered him scholarships.
Toms River South is currently 4-2, rebounding with key victories over Jackson Memorial and Toms River East. Against Jackson Memorial, Hart had a pair of touchdown catches on fade patterns and also had a pair of interceptions on defense.
“My main position I like playing is safety, but I can also see myself playing outside linebacker in college as well,” Hart said. “It all depends on where I go.”
“I am having a much better season,” Forst said. “I am in much better shape than I’ve been in the past and I can feel the difference by the way I’m playing. I was heavier last season (310) and I got down to 285 pounds. I’m currently a solid 300 pounds with more muscle.”
Forst, who has had a sack in three straight games, prefers to play defense at the next level. He is the third of three brothers who have starred for the Warriors, all of them linemen.
“They (Rob and Art) tell me to control what I can control and that's all I can do,’’ Forst said. “They taught me to not get caught up in the stress of the recruiting process and to just play football and everything will take care of itself. That's what I have been doing this season.
I send game highlight films to any coaches I have information for and that's all I can do. I owe a lot to my brothers for that reason and to my offensive line coach (former Temple Owl and Manasquan standout Don Klein) who gave me similar advice. I believe that's why I played better this year than last. I was so worried about college, but now I have the mindset of whatever happens, and that's thanks to them.”
GILLE WITH THREE OFFERS AND COUNTING St. John Vianney senior Justin Gille, a 6-foot5, 235-pound defensive end, has continued to garner interest from FCS and FBC programs. He has offers from Buffalo, Old Dominion and Monmouth, and said New Hampshire has been in regular contact. Due to his commitment to his team, Gille has yet to take any official visits but has made unofficial visits to the three programs that have offered him. He plans on taking an official visit to Monmouth at the end of November. “I have a good relationship with the coaches from Monmouth and have been in contact with them,’’ Gille said. “Coach (Kevin) Callahan came to my school recently to see me and talk to me.”
Manasquan senior lineman Matt Forst
Rob Forst was a two-way lineman from the Class of 2010 who was offered and committed to Rutgers in February of 2010 after committing to Delaware a month prior. In the Class of 2008, Art Forst was a 6-foot-7, 300pound star two-way lineman who was offered by more
The Lancers are currently 2-4, but Gille has displayed his high motor and intensity off the edge in racking up five sacks.
Photos by
Cliff Lavelle
www.clearedge.zenfolio.com
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If you go down the checklist of what a prototypical quarterback should display, Thomson would fit the bill size, intelligence, speed, agility, a strong arm and a huge upside.
Rutgers, Monmouth, Fordham, and Stonehill have expressed the most interest in Matt Forst thus far.
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for a chance to play collegiate football.
than a dozen major programs including Notre Dame and Florida before choosing the Scarlet Knights. He became a starter on the offensive line for Rutgers and earned firstteam All-Big East honors.
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close eye on.
THOMSON: LOOKING FOR A CHANCE TO SHINE Keyport’s 6-foot-5, 225-pound senior Alex Thomson is an outstanding quarterback who is looking
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H ere are a few recruits on the RECRUITING TRAIL to keep a
By Chris Melvin – Shore Sports Network contributor
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Msgr. Donovan Soccer Family Weathers the Storm By Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer
P
aul Kelly Sr. can remember when his son, Paul Jr., was a freshman goalkeeper on Monsignor Donovan in 2010 and starting in net in an NJSIAA Non-Public A first-round game against Christian Brothers Academy, a team that would one year later go 21-0 while sporting eight Division I players.
“He was so terrified, I had to give him a Valium,” Kelly Sr. recalled. “He said to me, ‘Dad, look at these guys. They are incredible. How am I supposed to compete with them?’”
On the night of Oct. 29, 2012, Kelly and his younger brother Matt, now a junior at Monsignor Donovan, experienced a new, far more sobering version of fear. The rush of CBA soccer players charging at his goal paled in comparison to the rush of water from the Atlantic Ocean now flooding into the Kellys’ Lavallette home in the middle of the night. During the days leading up to that night, the weather
forecast for the eastern seaboard of the U.S. grew increasingly more dangerous and those living in coastal areas in New Jersey were told to evacuate their homes and seek sanctuary inland.
Located near the center of New Jersey’s string of barrier islands that stretch from Sea Bright in northern Monmouth County to Long Beach Island in southern Ocean County, Lavallette was a prime target for what would turn out to be New Jersey’s storm of the century. With the Atlantic Ocean and Barnegat Bay on either side of the small beach town, the worst-case scenario was potentially catastrophic.
Despite the warnings, Paul Kelly Sr. and his family stayed at home, preparing to ride out the storm.
“We had discussions about what we wanted to do and we all decided, unanimously, that the best thing for us was to stay and ride out the storm,” said Paul Sr., who owns Kelly’s Sunoco Station and Auto Repair in Lavallette. “This is our home, my business is right down the street from me, and my thought was that I needed to be here to make sure everything was okay with our home and the station.”
“I remember everyone was saying the same stuff about (Hurricane) Irene the year before and that was a blowover,” Paul Jr. said. “We figured it would probably similar
Paul Kelly Jr.
to that, but obviously it was much worse. Still, I think we did the right thing because we were able to save ourselves a lot of damage, and we were able to help out a lot more than we could have if we had left.” The Kelly residence is as much a soccer shrine as it is a
“I looked outside and saw this pink stuff floating on top of two-to-three feet of water on the side of the property,” Paul Sr. said. “I knew that if we didn’t get the oil away from the house, it could do some real damage. The boys and I went outside and we used shovels to push the oil away, and we created this kind of river that allowed the oil to float away.”
“The place was an absolute mess,” Paul Sr. said. “It was amazing because I’m looking around with no clue where to begin, and Matt jumps in and takes control. He said, Monsignor Donovan goalie Paul Kelly Jr. ‘We’re going to start with the bathroom and get that cleaned up so we can use it while we’re working. Then we’ll get to the inside and work our way out.’” Immediately after the storm hit, Paul Jr. and Matt Kelly went out to survey the damage around town, jumping in Eventually, the town had to shut off the gas throughout kayaks to navigate their way through a town that was hard the island so that clean-up efforts could continue and with to recognize with so much water. chilly November air replacing the crisp temperatures of October, it was time for the Kellys to leave their house. “Our cousin told us about the water in Ortley,” Matt said. “He tried to come on his bike and it just got stuck in “It was really hard to leave that day because we really like four feet of water so we ended up getting in our didn’t know if we were going to come back,” Paul Jr. kayaks to go look at everything, and it was pretty said. “I thought there was a chance that this would be the incredible.” last time I saw my house, so that was tough.” Despite the water, the boys could see that the town was “When we were getting ready to leave, Paul said to me, still standing, but they also began to get word of the ‘I’m not leaving unless you promise me we’re coming damage to Ortley Beach, which is just several blocks back,’” Paul Sr. said. “At that point, I made it my goal to north of Lavallette and where the Kelly’s oldest daughter, make sure I did everything I could to get everything back: Kelly Fischer, lived with her husband. the business, the house, everything. The thing that impressed me was that the boys were out with me “When my daughter called and told me they needed help, I thought I’d just jump in the truck and go pick them working every day, sometimes 13 or 14 hours. I would tell them to take the day off, and they wouldn’t have it.” up,” Paul Sr. said. “The roads in Lavallette were drivable at this point, so I didn’t think too much of it. Once I got The Kellys initially stayed with the family of into Ortley, I couldn’t believe it. There were telephone Monsignor Donovan senior Matt Migdon until they could poles down in the middle of the road. Entire houses were just lying in the middle of the highway. Eventually I made find a temporary residence that was slightly more stable and less of an intrusion on another family. The family of it to her, but here I thought everything was fine and 13 another player, now-graduated George Bardis, referred blocks to the north, it looked like this.” the Kellys to a residence that was uninhabited during the winter months while the owner was in Florida. The The force of the storm surge was so severe in the area property was conveniently located less than a half-mile just north of Lavallette that a new inlet between the ocean from the high school and with nothing much to do in and the bay formed in Mantoloking. Entire houses were Toms River, at least according to the Kelly boys, they lifted off their foundation and washed away. Even south spent their time in their new town with their soccer of Lavallette in the popular tourist town of Seaside Park, the damage was substantial on the commercial boardwalk. family. The now-iconic shot of the roller coaster sitting in the “The team was like a family for us when we were living Atlantic Ocean following the storm was a scene the Kelly
In addition to the support it got from the soccer team, the family also got financial support from the school. Monsignor Donovan gave Paul and Matt each three months of free tuition while their father got his business back up and running.
While the Kellys lived in Toms River, they did not spend the majority of their waking hours there. Instead, Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Matt worked entire days in Lavallette, mostly at the family Sunoco station but also around the community. Groups like the Salvation Army, FEMA and other private charitable entities descended upon the town to offer help and despite the fact that their family was one of those in need, the Kelly boys did as much giving as they did receiving, according to their father. Paul even took requests via Twitter and Facebook from people who could not get to their houses and wanted him to take pictures of their damaged property.
“These are the kind of people I wanted my sons to be around,” Paul Sr. said. “As much as you never want your family to go through something like this, what a great opportunity for my two sons to be around people whose job it is to help people. Here they were, out of their house, and yet they were more concerned about helping people worse off than them.” As one would expect, the experience left a distinct mark on the young men of the family. A year later, Paul Sr. turned down an invitation to an upcoming party on the anniversary of the storm so that he and his family could recreate the one fond memory of the night.
The night of the storm, Laurie Kelly prepared a simple spaghetti dinner for her husband and her boys, a moment Paul Jr. highlighted in an essay he wrote for his college application process. “We were driving to a game somewhere and my wife read me his college essay in the car and I had to pull over,” Paul Sr. said.
“It was important just to get back to normal and just sitting around as a family, even in the dark, because it makes you feel like everything is going to be all right,” Paul Jr. said. “It was definitely a crazy experience that I’ll never forget, but the big thing is everything worked out. It’s definitely made me a better person and it’s made me appreciate what I have.”
Paul Kelly is still deciding on his college choice, with St. Joseph’s University and Monmouth University the front-runners. Kelly is a four-year varsity starter and has been one of the top keepers in the Shore Conference over the last two seasons, but soccer is not driving his decision. Kelly is an avid surfer and would like to remain stay somewhere close to the ocean while focusing on school, even if it means the end of his impressive soccer career.
If the most powerful storm of the last 100-plus years couldn’t keep Kelly away, it’s hard to imagine much else will.
Action Photo by
Bill Normile www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
10/28/13
“Soccer has been such an important part of our lives and without soccer, I don’t know where we’d be,” Paul Sr. said. “The boys had all of their equipment in that garage, so when the team went back to practice, they didn’t have anything. Every player on the team donated something so that Paul and Matt could play – cleats, shorts, gloves, shin guards, you name it. It was a totally humbling experience.”
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Despite the widespread damage in Lavallette and neighboring towns, the Kelly’s house remained inhabitable for six days following the storm. Paul Sr. and his sons went to the Sunoco Station to begin cleanup on what Paul Sr. estimates was well over $100,000 in damage, just to his shop. With damaged equipment, debris throughout the lot and cars missing from the property after washing away, it was hard to know where to begin the clean-up effort.
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“When the storm was first starting, we went up to watch the waves and we saw them crashing against the pier,” Paul Jr. said. “At that point, we were thinking, ‘Aw man, this is going to be bad.’”
in Toms River,” Paul Jr. said. “The first day we went to practice, we got a ride from the Migdons and when we got to the field, everybody just started cheering and jumped on top of us in a dogpile. They made us feel at home whenever we were at practice.”
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When the storm finally passed, the foundation of the house was still intact, the property still inhabitable and the family safe, a trifecta in which not every victim of the storm could take comfort. The garage, however, was submerged in five feet of water and the three-onthree soccer pitch was now – like most of the island – part of the Atlantic Ocean. Making matters worse, two days after the storm, oil from a business oil tank had flipped over and spilled 300 to 400 gallons of oil that had now begun to run into the water on the side of the Kelly’s property, according to Kelly Sr.
boys could envision when the storm first started.
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home. The Kelly men call their garage a “soccer man cave,” an appropriate name considering the number of trophies, pictures and soccer equipment that make up the room. On the side of the property is a field that the Kelly boys use as a soccer field for 3-on-3 games with anyone who cares to join.
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Charlie Horse: Volker Leads RFH to 6-0 Start
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By Scott Stump – Managing Editor
umson-Fair Haven running back Charlie Volker showed flashes of his potential in limited work last season, but he has taken it to a whole new level in his junior year.
Volker continued his outstanding season and went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark with 244 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries to power a 42-7 nondivisional win over host Monsignor Donovan (3-3) on Saturday afternoon. He now has 1,130 yards rushing after having run for 246 yards a week earlier in a win over Raritan for the undefeated Bulldogs (6-0), ranked No. 5 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10.
He also has been a workhorse, averaging 23 carries per game after only seeing a handful of carries last season. Rumson ran the ball 57 times on Saturday for 324 yards. “I just worked hard in the offseason, practicing and lifting every day to get ready,” Volker said.
“We knew he was special last year,” said Bulldogs coach Bryan Batchler. “You watched the film on him last year, you saw him run track, you saw him in the weight room just getting stronger and stronger, and he’s just a special kid. He’s the best back I’ve seen in the nine years I’ve been here. Obviously, I was (previously) on the RBC staff with (current Indianapolis Colts running back) Donnie Brown, and that’s the only kid I’ve seen who’s better as far as those I have coached.” Volker’s performance complemented another dominant effort by Rumson’s defense, which has yet to allow more than one touchdown in any game this season. The Bulldogs forced two turnovers and held the Griffins to 101 total yards, 53 of which came on senior quarterback Vinny Grasso’s touchdown run in the second quarter for Monsignor Donovan’s lone score. Rumson set the tone from the outset, forcing a three-and-out on defense to start the game and then taking a 7-0 lead with a four-play, 36-yard drive on its first possession. Junior quarterback Chase Caruso scored on a 1-yard keeper after three straight runs by Volker.
After the defense forced another three-and-out, the Bulldogs made it 14-0 with an eight-play, 57yard drive that featured six carries by Volker, including his eight-yard touchdown run.
Rumson’s defense then came up with a third straight stop thanks to a hit for no gain on third down by junior Ben Eisenstadt, but the Bulldogs
gave it back with a fumble at Monsignor Donovan’s 36-yard line that was recovered by senior linebacker Dean Wilk.
The Griffins seized that momentum for their only scoring drive of the game, converting a fourthand-1 with a twoyard run by Grasso and then getting on the board when Grasso burst up the middle for a 53-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 with 6:32 left in the second quarter.
Rumson then took the wind out of the home team with a 13-play, 71-yard drive that featured nine runs by Volker and ate up the remainder of the half. Volker capped the march with a 23yard touchdown run on fourth-and-3 with only 15 seconds left in the second quarter for a 21-7 lead.
By that point, Volker was in striking distance of the singlegame school record of 303 yards rushing set by Chris Jacoubs in the early 2000s, but Volker’s day was done with Rumson in control and bigger things on the horizon.
“I understand what the coaches are doing, and if it’s time to take me out, it’s time to take me out to look toward future games, but it would be nice to break that,” Volker said.
Back-up quarterback Max Mullaney found junior wideout Murray McHeffey for a 44-yard touchdown on a screen pass late in the fourth Rumson junior RB Charlie Volker quarter for the final margin of victory. The Bulldogs now have Monmouth (2-4) next week before a huge Class A Central showdown “There were wide-open lanes all day,” Volker said with No. 8 Manasquan that has major state playoff about the performance of his offensive line. seeding implications. Rumson then dominated the second half, holding Monsignor Donovan to 11 total yards after the break, to run away with the win. After a tackle for a loss by senior defensive lineman Kevin Clayton stuffed Monsignor Donovan’s first drive of the second half, Rumson went 42 yards in five plays, helped by a roughing-the-passer call on third down, to grab a 28-7 lead on a 9-yard touchdown run by Volker with 4:21 left in the quarter. Eisenstadt pounced on a fumble on Monsignor Donovan’s ensuing possession to put the Bulldogs in business at the Griffins’ 21-yard line. Three straight runs by Volker, capped by his 4-yard touchdown, made it 35-7 late in the third quarter.
“We’ve got to keep getting better,” Batchler said. “I kept telling them, ‘Let’s put a full game together,’ and that’s why you see we leave our starters out there as much as we can and try to be smart about it. We’re here to get work, and get better.”
Photo by
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
by:
Scott Stump
www.shoresportsnetwork.com
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“We know Long Branch’s defense is excellent, so we felt to get a second score was huge,” Klein said.
Jordan Rodriguez replaced Shabazz Shuler at Sophomore running back Tyler Thompson ran for quarterback in the second 155 yards and a touchdown and senior Cole Mehr half for Long Branch, and caught and ran for touchdowns to make another was finally able to lead the superb defensive effort stick as the Spartans, ranked Green Wave into the end “We focus on both sides No. 4 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10, topped zone in the fourth quarter. of the ball, but a little No. 10 Long Branch 21-6 in a Shore Conference The Wave started from their more on our defense Class B North game. own 30-yard line with 9:53 because we know we have left in the game and marched some very good players The Spartans (6-0, 4-0) took a major step toward into Ocean territory with and we can get it done,” securing the division title by handing the Green some grinding runs by said junior Wave (5-2, 3-1) their first divisional loss while Dahmiere Willis, Deon quarterback/defensive moving to 6-0 for the first time since Shore Williams and Rodriguez. Conference great Eddie Conti was running the show back Royal Moore. Long Branch eventually in 1993. As the Spartans churn faced a third-and-9 from the toward the playoffs, their Ocean 44, and scored when “Obviously when you’re area of focus has been on Rodriguez hit senior Myson 6-0 – and it hasn’t been improved efficiency on Pennington down the seam Senior LB Dan Loizos done in a long time here offense, specifically in for a 44-yard touchdown – it’s a big deal,” said the passing game. Ocean with 6:02 left in the game. Ocean head coach Don isn’t going to throw the ball a lot, but when it does The snap and hold were not executed properly on Klein. “Nobody is it expects to hit some big plays. Moore gave the PAT, but Long Branch was on the board at 14-6. happier than I the Spartans exactly that late in the first am, but our With only six minutes left, Long Branch was half when he avoided a sack and found goals are going to need a big play to get the ball back and try Mehr wide open behind the defense more than to score again with a twofor a 42-yard that. We’re point conversion against touchdown that here to win a Ocean’s stingy defense. enabled Ocean to Instead, the Spartans marched take a 7-0 lead championship, 65 yards in nine plays to put into the half. and we haven’t the game away when Mehr done that yet. “It was a hitch-andtook a sweep across the goal We knew it flag for Cole, and on line from six yards out with was a big the play before, the 1:51 to play. football corner dropped off game Ocean’s victory over a 5when he saw me about and win Long Branch team gives to be sacked,” Moore it a significant power point said. “It happened again haul that should help the and I saw Cole break off Spartans earn a top-two seed and was able to hit we’re in the NJSIAA Central Jersey him.” happy we won it, but Group III bracket. The there’s more to do.” That was all the Spartans can also lock up the scoring Ocean would B North title by beating Wall Class B North is a need. The Spartans (3-3) and Freehold (0-5) in division of defense, held Long Branch to the next two weeks. and no team has 38 total yards over defended better than “We’re 6-0 but we haven’t the first two the Spartans. Senior won a championship, and we quarters, and linebackers Dan still have a lot to improve although the Green Loizos and Mike on,” Moore said. “But being Wave would push Halawani led the where we are right now back in the second charge defensively in means a lot. I’ve been half, it wasn’t limiting Long waiting for this team since I enough. Branch’s running was a freshman.” game and holding Ocean the Green Wave increased its under 200 total lead on the third Junior QB/DB Royal Moore yards. It was the play of the third fifth straight game quarter when David Thorne Ocean has held teams Thompson broke free on a 67-yard www.davethorne.smugmug.com to seven points or less. touchdown for a 14-0 lead. Thompson had 50 yards at the break and went “We knew coming over 100 by quickly hitting a big by: lane inside before outrunning the Sophomore RB Tyler Thompson Bob Badders Green Wave defense for the www.shoresportsnetwork.com
10/28/13
touchdown. With a two-score lead, Ocean was in complete control.
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into the season we had a chance to be special defensively,” Klein said. These kids want to establish themselves as a premier defense, and every week they’ve come out with a dominant effort. The kids are going out and executing at a very high level, and having that gives a team a lot of confidence.”
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ith a dominant defense and a dynamic backfield, Ocean knew it had a chance to accomplish something special this season. At the midway point of the season after Friday night’s showdown with Long Branch, the Spartans’ goals are starting to become reality.
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By Bob Badders – Senior Staff Writer
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Ocean in Driver’s Seat in B North After Downing Long Branch
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Jackson Memorial Football: One for the Record Books
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By Art Gordon – Shore Sports Network contributor
ackson Memorial made a return to old-fashioned Jaguars football in its running game on Friday night, and the result was an offensive performance for the record books in a wild 62-44 win over Lacey in Class A South.last season’s game.
The Jaguars (4-2, 4-1) gave the new scoreboard at John J. Munley Field a workout and set a singlegame school record for points with a ground game that rushed 45 times for an eye-opening 507 yards, including a career-high 308 yards on 27 carries by senior tailback Khani Glover. He joined Aaron Edwards (308 yards in 1996) as the only other running back in Jackson Memorial history to go over 300 yards rushing in a game.
“We wanted to run downhill and right at them,’’ Glover said.
“Tonight we switched it up, going back to old-school Jackson football by going right at them,’’ said senior running back Ken Bradley, who also had a big game with 128 yards rushing and a career-high five touchdowns on 13 carries.
The Jaguars needed it to hold off a stellar offensive effort by the Lions (5-2, 3-2), ranked No. 7 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10. Senior quarterback Tom Kelly was 23-for-30 for 328 yards and four touchdowns passing, and junior wideout Mike Bocchini had eight catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
Jackson’s unstoppable running game was the difference, as Glover and Bradley continually ran hard and very seldom went down on first contact.
Senior RB Ken Bradley
There were still four minutes left until halftime, so there was plenty of time left for both sides to keep scoring.
Lacey went into its bag of tricks for their next score when senior all-purpose star Christian Turtela took a jet sweep handoff from Kelly but pulled up and lofted a pass to a wide-open Mike Bocchini for a 35-yard touchdown pass. It marked the second game in a row where Tutela has thrown a touchdown pass on a trick play.
Bradley answered when he dove into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 36-22 when the smoke cleared at the end of the first half.
Junior QB Joe Demaio
“The coaches continually emphasize to be a Jag back, we don’t go down easy,’’ Bradley said. “No arm tackles.”
“It was not what I expected coming in, but it’s A South, so anything goes,” said Jackson head coach Walt Krystopik.
Photo by
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
“We went to old-time Jackson football with our tackles hands down on the ground so they could come off the ball with some power,’’ said junior two-way lineman Glen Kipila.
Jackson wasted no time in getting going, taking the opening kickoff and scoring in just three plays, with Glover going the last 49 yards for the first of his three touchdowns for an early 6-0 lead.
The Jaguars then sacked Kelly twice on the Lions’ first drive, and the snap on the ensuing punt sailed out of the end zone for a safety and an 8-0 lead.
On the first play after the free kick, Glover ran 46 yards to the Lacey 4-yard line, only to have Jackson fumble on the next play. However, under pressure from a Jackson Memorial rush that hounded him all night and had numerous hits, Kelly’s pass was tipped numerous times and finally intercepted by senior linebacker Mike Petrizzo at the Lacey 11-yard line.
“We switched this week to a three-man front with a nose tackle to put a little more pressure on Kelly,’’ Kipila said.
Two carries by Glover, and the Jaguars had a 15-0 lead halfway through the first quarter.
Fri
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(G ames to be broadcast on 105.7FM & 1160/1310AM) Jackson Memorial
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Manasquan
The Lions answered, going 61 yards in 7 plays, with
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NJSIAA Championship Playoffs - TBD
Lacey stormed back, going 76 yards in six plays to get on the scoreboard on a 1-yard run by Kelly. The big play was a wide receiver screen to Justin Longo, as the Lions caught the Jaguars in a blitz for a long gain to help trim the lead to 15-7.
After Lacey forced Jackson to punt for the only time in the game, the Lions fumbled it, giving the Jaguars the ball at Lacey’s 6-yard line. After a holding penalty pushed it back to the 15-yard line, junior quarterback Joe DeMaio threw a 15-yard pass on a waggle play to Brody Graham for the score. Jared Calhoun made the second of his six extra points with 1:09 left in the first quarter, pushing the lead to 22-7.
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Jackson “slowed” the game down, taking six plays and three minutes to close out the win when Bradley ran for a 20-yard touchdown and a 62-44 lead. The 62 points topped Jackson’s previous high of 59 set in a win over Freehold Township in 2001.
Bradley answered two plays later, going 47 yards for a touchdown, and then Lacey matched it with its own two-play drive that ended when Kelly hit Tutela for a 23-yard touchdown.
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On Jackson Memorial’s first play from scrimmage following Bocchini’s touchdown, Glover raced 61 yards for a score, breaking two tackles along the way. Trying to duplicate Glover’s feat, Kelly found Bocchini for a 75-yard touchdown pass as Bocchini darted through the defense and outraced defenders for his third touchdown of the night.
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“I’m a big back,’’ Bradley said. “I like to put people on the ground by blocking. Tonight we switched it up, going back to our traditional one tight end and two running backs formations.”
The offensive explosion then hit full tilt, with Lacey scoring on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 2yard pass from Kelly to Bocchini. This would be the start of a 35-point explosion in just under four minutes of play on only eight total plays by both sides.
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The offensive showcase continued when the Jaguars drove 72 yards in 13 plays, with Bradley breaking tackles on a 22-yard run for the first of his five touchdowns on the night and a 29-14 lead.
After a well-deserved rest for the scoreboard operator, Lacey went three-and-out on its first possession of the second half and punted for the only time in the game. Jackson then pushed its lead to 43-22 on another 1-yard touchdown run by Bradley.
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Kelly bootlegging and pulling up to find tight end Isaiah Brown for the score from 3 yards out.
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By Scott Stump – Managing Editor
ith Shore Conference teams having played at least six games, it’s time to catch up on everything that has happened and take a look at what is coming up down the stretch in the Shore Sports Network Midseason Report.
Manalapan has won this division the last three years, and a 48-18 win over Colts Neck on Oct. 25 all but mathematically means it will be four in a row for the Braves. They have won 20 straight divisional games, and just have to take care of business against Howell (3-3) and winless Marlboro to lock up yet another division crown. They look to become the first Shore Conference team to win four straight division titles since
Manalapan RB Tyler Leonetti
Middletown South won seven straight from 19992005.
No. 1 Red Bank Catholic is rolling along toward its sixth division title in seven years, having dominated every team in its path thus far. If Manasquan beats Rumson-Fair Haven next month, that will all but seal the title for the Caseys. RBC has beaten Rumson 10 straight times in their Thanksgiving game, so if it comes down to that for the division title, the Caseys have a decisive edge there as well. The main intrigue seems to be which public school team will take second to RBC – Rumson or Manasquan?
Brick also controls its own future because the Green Dragons will win the division if they go 2-0 against the remaining slate of Lacey and Jackson Memorial. The Jaguars have Southern and Brick remaining, so they can win the division if they go 20. Meanwhile, Toms River South, Lacey and Brick Memorial are one game out of first. They all will have a shot to get a win over a division leader and then may need help by one or two of the other firstplace teams to lose. It all adds up for a slate of compelling games right to the finish.
The wildest division race of them all in the Shore, this should come down to state playoff cutoff weekend next month.
Barnegat QB Cinjun Erskine
Ocean RB Tyler Thompson
Just like last year, this appears to be a collision between Point Beach and Shore Regional on Thanksgiving that decided the title. The Garnet Gulls took it home last year, so Shore will be eager to take that title back to West Long Branch.
Manalapan has the goods to win Central Jersey Group V for its first state title, but faces a rugged field of contenders.
Colts Neck, Brick and Middletown South are certainly contenders in a Central Jersey Group IV bracket that does not appear to have one heavy favorite. Last year’s Central Jersey Group III champion, Nottingham, is an obstacle, but all three Shore teams should be in the mix. Middletown South has reached the sectional finals in 10 out of the last 12 seasons, while Colts Neck has never made a state final and Brick’s last state championship came back in 1994.
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Unbeaten Barnegat is alone in first place and its main obstacle to locking down its second division title in program history looks to be its game at Lakewood on Nov. 2.
Manasquan and Barnegat could very well meet in the South Jersey Group III final, with defending champion Delsea as the main challenger. If Manasquan beats Rumson, it will most likely secure the No. 1 seed, while Barnegat could be in line for No. 2 if it remains unbeaten at the state cutoff.
Southern has a loaded bracket in South Jersey Group V, and Lacey and Toms River South are underdogs in a South Jersey Group IV bracket headlined by defending champion Timber Creek.
Red Bank Catholic will go from Goliath in the Shore to David in Non-Public Group III, which features the No. 1 team in New Jersey, defending champion St. Joseph-Montvale, as well as strong teams at Delbarton and Pope John XXIII.
Ocean stamped itself as the front-runner to win the Central Jersey Group III title, which would be its first since 2005, after beating Long Branch. The other main contenders, Lawrence and Hopewell Valley, have either never won a playoff game or never even made the playoffs. There is a good bet it could be an Ocean-Long Branch rematch for the championship depending on how the seedings shake out.
A quality crop of running backs are leading the way in this category.
Red Bank Catholic’s Larry Redaelli has been putting up big numbers on relatively limited touches every week because he rarely plays all four
Unbeaten RumsonFair Haven will have Weequahic and Rahway in its way in Central Jersey Group II, with Lakewood as a darkhorse. The Bulldogs lost to Weequahic in the first round last year and are on a mission to get back to the final for the third time in four years.
quarters with RBC up big on the scoreboard. Colts Neck senior tailback Anthony Gargiulo had a solid game in defeat against Manalapan and has been productive all season. Ocean sophomore tailback Tyler Thompson put up 155 yards rushing
RBC RB Larry Redaelli Rumson RB Charlie Volker
Point Beach WR Noah Yates
See
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This division title looks to be in Ocean’s hands after a 21-6 win over Long Branch on Oct. 25 for sole possession of first place and the team’s first 6-0 start since 1993. It will have to take care of business in games against Wall and Freehold to close out the title. Ocean’s last division title came in 2006, when it ended Middletown South’s Shore Conferencerecord 43-game winning streak and its streak of seven straight division championships to win the Federal Division.
Shore, Point Beach and defending champion Florence should once again battle it out for the Central Jersey Group I title.
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Jersey Group IV would make his case.
A player I would stamp as a primary front-runner right now is Lacey senior wide receiver Christian Tutela. A receiving, rushing and even passing threat, his combined numbers make him one of the most productive offensive players in the Shore Conference.
and a touchdown against a tough Long Branch defense for a signature performance and should be right there in the discussion.
Rumson-Fair Haven junior Charlie Volker is having a big statistical season, and big games against Manasquan, Red Bank Catholic and in the postseason would bolster his case. Point Beach junior Joe Wegrzyniak has been productive, and big games against Shore Regional and in the playoffs would be his primary argument. Manalapan tailback Tyler Leonetti missed time with an ankle injury, but he already has a signature game with 162 yards rushing and a touchdown against Colts Neck, and some stellar performances in the playoffs would bring him right back to the front. Long Branch tailback Deon Williams is another possibility, but he splits carries with another talented back in junior Dahmiere Willis, which may put his numbers behind other backs in the conversation.
Brick junior quarterback Carmen Sclafani is on his way to a second straight season of more than 1,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing, a rare feat in Shore Conference history. If Brick surges in the second half and makes a run in Central Jersey Group IV, he should be right there in the discussion. A concussion slowed down Lacey senior quarterback Tom Kelly, but a big finish by him against a tough schedule and in South Lacey
WR Christian
recruit Saeed Blacknall, who is heating up after three touchdown catches against Colts Neck. Toms River South has multiple exciting players, but it’s hard for any specific one of them to compile big numbers because the Indians spread the ball around, which is what makes them so dangerous.
Southern’s Mike Gesicki, a Penn State recruit, could surge right toward the front with a big finish for a team that reached a sectional final last year, and the Jackson same goes for Manalapan wide Tutela receiver and Rutgers
Rumson RB Charlie Volker
Mem. LB Ken
A darkhorse candidate could be Manasquan senior quarterback Tucker Caccavale. If he has some signature games against Rumson and in the playoffs to lead the Warriors to a state final, he would be in the discussion. Another darkhorse is Toms River East senior tailback Matt Gudzak, who has started Bradley putting up huge numbers, and if the Raiders can snag a spot
This is usually harder to determine at this point of the season because it’s often cemented later in the season because, as we all know, defensive wins championships.
Ocean senior linebacker Dan Loizos is a four-year starter who is having a tremendous year for one of the Shore’s best units and is right at the front of the discussion. RBC has a shutdown defense, so it comes down to which player the Caseys would promote for this award. Linebacker Ryan Schoer? Linebacker/defensive end Jamie Gordinier? Defensive end Shawn McCord? Defensive lineman Quenton Nelson?
The Manalapan tandem of senior linebackers Chris Noesges and Matt McCann both deserve consideration. Noesges just had 14 tackles, three sacks and two tackles for a loss in the biggest game of the season against Colts Neck and was a first-team AllShore selection as a junior. Senior noseguard R.J. Krause also deserves mention.
Long Branch has been a shutdown unit, but it remains to be seen which one of its stars it would promote after former linebacker Joscil Jackson won last year’s All Shore Media Defensive Player of the Year honor. Linebacker Connor Mullan and defensive end Hunter Baillie are both in the midst of great seasons along with Williams, who also plays linebacker when he’s not running the ball on offense.
Matawan has been tough to score on but has been a pretty balanced unit without one huge star, just a group of very good players working to make plays. Shore and Point Beach are also similar in that they have great depth on defense with several standouts, so it remains to be seen which ones would be promoted by the coaching staff as the most worthy candidates. Point Beach’s Noah Yates leads the Shore Conference with seven interceptions, so he is emerging as a prime candidate for the Garnet Gulls. I would put Barnegat senior defensive end Greg Moran up there in the conversation, and cornerback Ricky Gerena is also having a strong season along with Bowen. Lakewood sophomore linebacker Amir Tyler has been an impact player along with junior defensive lineman Datrell Reed, but the Piners don’t have that signature win yet to really bolster the resume.
Tom Kelly, Sr., QB, Lacey: He was locked in an unconscious groove to start the season, torching one defense after another, before he suffered a concussion in a win over Toms River South. Junior Conor Davies did a great job filling in for him in that game, but since then, Lacey’s offense has struggled even with Kelly back in the lineup. Part of that is because of injuries throughout the lineup, including a season-ending torn labrum for junior running back George Sayre. Will Pezzollo, Sr., QB, Manasquan: Pezzollo went down with a torn ACL in the second week of the season against Red Bank Catholic. Luckily, the Warriors had a seasoned back-up in senior Tucker Caccavale, who has been outstanding since stepping into the starting lineup.
Manasquan: It’s hard to ever say Manasquan is a surprise, given its history and pedigree. But after a rare 5-5 season, to be 6-1 with a win over a Long Branch team that is right in the mix for the B North title and a 38-0 victory over Middletown South, the Warriors are in a better spot than I think people would have thought in the preseason. They have become a top 10 team again quickly with a chance to make a serious run at the South Jersey Group III championship.
Mater Dei Prep starting 3-0 for its best start since the mid-1980s certainly raised some eyebrows, although the Seraphs have since lost four straight.
Just about every Class A South game
Carmen Sclafani, Jr., QB, Brick: No shock here. He clearly has made a major impact on Brick’s offense and has the Green Dragons right in the thick of the Class A South race, one year after they went 3-7. He suffered a shoulder injury in a win over his old team, Toms River North, on Oct. 26, and if he is out for any extended time, it could throw a major kink into Brick’s playoff plans.
Brick QB Carmen Sclafani
Middletown South at Red Bank Catholic, Nov. 1 at 7
Long Branch at Matawan, Nov. 1 at 7
Barnegat at Lakewood, Nov. 2 at 1
Colts Neck at Middletown South, Nov. 8 at 7
Manasquan at Rumson-FH, Nov. 8 at 7
Photos by:
Bill Normile www.billnormile.zenfolio .com
Cliff Lavelle www.clear edge.zenfolio .com
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Russell Messler, Sr., RB/LB/K, Toms River South: He missed multiple games with a sprained MCL in his knee, and the Indians stumbled without him. His return makes them a dangerous team down the stretch.
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Jackson Memorial linebacker Ken Bradley is a sideline-to-sideline force, but the Jaguars will have to be tougher on defense after giving up 108 points in their last three games. Same goes for Brick linebacker Ray Fattaruso, whose team has struggled at times defensively. Southern linebacker Bailey Bellissimo could be a candidate if the Rams make a deep postseason run, and same goes for Brick Memorial linebacker Jake Lombardo.
A.J. Opre, Sr., RB, Barnegat: Recently becoming the Bengals’ all-time leading rusher, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in the win over Central last week. His loss creates a big void considering he was right in the discussion for a first-team AllShore spot.
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An intriguing possibility could be Barnegat junior Manny Bowen, a dynamic wideout who should now see time at tailback because of a season-ending torn ACL by senior A.J. Opre. Quarterback Cinjun Erskine could also be in the discussion if the Bengals make a run to their first state title.
Middletown South senior defensive lineman Tayler Hendrickson is in the mix, but would need some big games against Colts Neck and in the postseason to leap right to the front of the discussion. Rumson-Fair Haven senior linebacker Tom Martello is having a great season for one of the Shore’s top defenses and deserves consideration, but a broken hand that has kept him out of the lineup could dent his chances. If Manasquan wins South Jersey Group III, one of several candidates could come from that defense.
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in South Jersey Group IV and he can keep it rolling, he will be right there. Howell quarterback Connor McGlynn should have big numbers like most Howell quarterbacks, so it comes down to whether the Rebels can get a signature win or two to put him in the spotlight.
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Pt. Beach’s Matt Farrell Commits to Boston College
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By Scott Stump – Managing Editor
oint Beach senior point guard Matt Farrell, who was a firstteam All-Shore selection as a junior, announced at a ceremony at the Point Pleasant Beach Elks on October 22 that he has verbally committed to Boston College.
Farrell chose Boston College over Monmouth University and Dartmouth. He joins senior teammate Dom Uhl (Iowa) as a Division I commit for Point Beach, and those two join Jackson Memorial forward Eric Carter (Delaware) and Christian Brothers Academy guard Louie Pillari (Navy) among Division I recruits from the Shore Conference Class of 2014. Farrell cited the campus, academics, Boston College coach Steve Donahue and perhaps most importantly, the chance to play in the high-level Atlantic Coast Conference as reasons for his choice.
“(Rice) quoteunquote said if he was in my position, BC and Monmouth, he would’ve chosen BC as well,” Farrell said. “He was the one who actually told me firsthand that he
“I’ve just dreamed at playing at the highest level, playing on ESPN,” he said during his announcement. “My freshman year of high school, I never thought this day would be here. I wanted the challenge. I want to see if I can compete at the highest level, and I know if I go in with the right attitude, I know I can.”
when I have to be, but I want to get guys the ball,” he said.
Farrell is believed to be the first Shore Conference player to commit to a scholarship at an ACC school since former Red Bank star forward Tahj Holden, who played at Maryland and won a national championship in 2002. Former Red Bank guard Casey Peters and former Christian Brothers Academy center Tim Andree were walk-ons at Duke and Notre Dame, respectively, and former CBA guard Todd Billet started his career at Rutgers before transferring to Virginia.
Boston College was the highestlevel program to offer Farrell, which gave him the belief that he can make an impact in the rigorous ACC.
“That kind of made me work harder because that’s a whole different level,” Farrell said afterward. “(Donahue) definitely jumped in and encouraged me to work harder. I like the way he coaches. He put a lot of trust in me and he told me a lot of great things. “I love the way they play. That was a big part of my decision. The way they play, they space it out. All five guys shoot, dribble, pass. They can throw it inside. They usually want to four-out, one-in, they can move it around, everyone shoots it, and they all play together.”
Farrell believes he can compete for time in the rotation as a freshman next season.
“(Donahue) told me he wouldn’t be recruiting me if he didn’t think I could step in right away,” Farrell said. “Right now, their two starting guards are very good, but they are low on the depth chart on guards, so if I get up there and start playing well, I definitely have a shot to play.”
After making his decision, Farrell spoke with Monmouth University coach King Rice, a former guard at North Carolina, to inform him of his choice, and Rice had some complimentary words.
believed I could play there at the ACC level, and he said there’s no doubt in his mind. That was huge coming from him. He’s just a great guy, and he did so much for me and my family.”
The son of St. Benedict’s Prep assistant Bob Farrell, Matt is a fundamentally sound player who sees the floor well, controls the tempo and can shoot it from deep with consistency. “I’m a scoring point guard
Former CBA star Dan Werner initially committed to North Carolina State, but ended up de-committing and eventually playing at Florida in the late 2000s after a coaching change for the Wolfpack. Former Neptune star Taquan Dean played at Louisville in the mid-2000s, which was a Big East school at the time but is now in the ACC. Also, former Lakewood and St. Benedict’s star J.R. Smith, now with the Knicks, committed to North Carolina before making the leap directly to the NBA.
Farrell averaged 15.4 points, 6.7 assists, 4.2 steals and 3.0 rebounds per game for a Garnet Gulls squad that won a school-record 28 games, captured its first NJSIAA Group I title and first NJSIAA sectional title as well as reaching the Shore Conference Tournament final for the first time since 1963.
He had 23 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds against Atlantic City in the Tournament of Champions quarterfinals to cap a brilliant postseason run. For his career, he has 847 points, 368 steals, 193 rebounds and 368 assists as he enters his fourth season as a varsity player.
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A S A M P L I N G O F C U R R E N T A N D F O R M E R M AC A L L - S TA R S
n Thomas Acerra—Monmouth Regional
n Kwame Geathers—Carver’s Bay (SC)
n John McLaughlin—Middletown South
n Tom Gorski—Holmdel
n Knowshon Moreno—Middletown South
n Joey Beggans—Red Bank Regional
n Malcolm Harris—Neptune
n TJ Moriarity—Red Bank Catholic
n Mike Bland—Long Branch
n Carl Howard—Matawan
n Jared Allison—Matawan
n Nick Gialanella—Red Bank Catholic
n Robert Barksdale—Asbury Park
n Tajh Hammary—Asbury Park
n Kaysonne Anderson—Manasquan n David Bergeron—Middletown North n Jared Bradham—Long Branch n Jawann Brown—Matawan
n Chris Bunge—Middletown South n Brian Calder—Colts Neck
n Chris Herring—Matawan
n Jihaad Howard—Brick Memorial
n Anthony Hubbert—Freehold Boro
n Darryl Jackson—Red Bank Reg.
n Bobby Jameson—Matawan
n Shilque Calhoun—Middletown North
n Greg Kafaf—Don Bosco Prep
n Dwayne Chapman—Matawan
n Larry Kelly—Manasquan
n Cleveland Cannon—Long Branch
n Swede Chevalier—The Lawrenceville School
n Allen Choback—Red Bank Catholic
n Joe Cilurzo—Shore Regiona n Dwight Clark—Long Branch
n Jason Corley—Long Branch
n Tom Corley—Matawan
n Rahmir Cottman—Red Bank Regional n Richie Curran—Red Bank Catholic n Charles Davis—Neptune
n Tom Kalieta—Matawan
n Caleb King— Christian Academy (GA) n Terrence King— Long Branch
n Tyler King—Buford H (GA)
n Donald Klein—Shore Reg. n Donnie Klein— Manasquan
n Kyle Leach—Point Pleasant Beach
n Amir Dew—Toms River North
n Frank Lefkowitz—Colts Neck
n Sean Dolan— Red Bank Catholic
n Glennis Lester—Matawan
n Drew Diakos— St. John Vianney
n Joe Lepore—Colts Neck
n Brian Dominianni—Point Beach
n Ron Lewis—Asbury Park
n Glen Ford—Red Bank Catholic
n Christian Martino—Point Pleasant Beach
n Jeremy Fountain—Matawan
n John Masini—Morristown Beard School
n Alex Faherty—Brooklyn Polytech (NY)
n Chris Fortunato—Wall Township
n Tyrone Garland—Matawan
n Wesley Garland—Matawan
n Clifton Geathers—Carver’s Bay (SC)
n Matt Maddox—Manasquan
n Joseph Martucci—Matawan
n Tyron McCalister—Asbury Park
n Eric McCoo—Red Bank Regional
n Terrance McKeller—Long Branch
V i s i t o u r w e b s i t e , w w w. m a c t e s t i n g . c o m
n Joe Mickens—Manchester
n Kevin Moriarity—Shore Regional n Darius Morris—Long Branch n Matt Moulton—Colts Neck
n John Pellegrino—St. John Vianney n Jim Pittenger—Wall
n John Pittenger—Wall
n Stephon Pluviose—Matawan n Mike Postell—Matawan
n Simon Press—Asbury Park n Ryan Quinlan—Wall
n Dave Reeves—RBC
n Charlie Rogers—Matawan
n Jerret Sanderson—Long Branch n Tyler Schmelz—RBC
n Bill Shea—Keyport HS
n Branden Smith— Booker T. Washington (GA) n Chris Stavola—RBC
n Stephen Swift— Red Bank Regional
n Jamuir Taylor—Neptune
n Maurice Turpin—Long Branch
n McArthur Underwood - Matawan
n Tony Vergari— Point Pleasant Beach n Joey Villapiano—Ocean Township
n Scott Wellerson—Point Pleasant Beach
n Kade Weston—Red Bank Regional n Cassius Williams—Matawan
Knowshon Moreno RB Middletown South, University of Georgia, Denver Broncos 1 st Rd Draft Pick
732-741-6112
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Tashjy Sparks Wall Boys Soccer Past Former Team
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By Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer
hen Wall junior Joe Tashjy transferred from Christian Brothers Academy to Wall for this school year, he would have been safe to assume that he would not be facing his former team at any point during the soccer season. Wall and CBA had not played each other since the 2000 season and that was a pick-up game between the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments. Fittingly enough, the arrival of Tashjy to Wall coincided with the first postseason meeting between his current team and his former team since 1998. Eerily enough, the ball was at his feet with the Shore Conference Tournament round-of-16 game on the line.
Tashjy chipped the ball over a CBA wall on a free kick from 30 yards out in the 74th minute and Brendan Barcas headed the wellplaced service the far right corner of the goal for the game-winner in 11th-seeded Wall’s 1-0 win over the No. 6 Colts Saturday at Christian Brothers Academy. “To be honest, I was more dreading this than anything,” Tashjy admitted. “I’m still friends with those guys over there and I have nothing but respect and admiration for Coach (Dan) Keane and Coach (Jeff) Matson. They treated me as well as I could have been treated, so there were no feeling of revenge or wanting to beat them or anything like that. I just wanted to help my team win, whoever it was against and today, it happened to be CBA.”
Wall advances the SCT quarterfinals to play No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven, 1-0 winners over Monsignor Donovan Saturday night. The Crimson Knights will look to advance to their first SCT semifinal since 2004 with one more win on the road. Since a string of four straight ties that put them at 4-1-6, the Crimson Knights have ripped off seven straight wins. “We were just having a lot of trouble finishing goals during that stretch, but that has all changed,” said Barcas, who scored off a free kick that was awarded after freshman Dan Frisch-Harmon drew a foul in the middle of the field. “First of all, we got Tashjy back after he sat 30 days. Having a guy who can hold the ball in the defensive center midfield just opens up the field for the guys who are looking to go forward and it’s allowed us to be more dangerous.” According to Wall coach Garry Linstra, Tashjy was an instrumental part of the preparation for CBA because of his familiarity with the Colts players and style. Tashjy was specifically helpful in preparing for speedy junior forward and Colts leading scorer Russell Romano.
“Joe was real helpful in practice as far as giving our guys an idea of what to expect from their big players,” Linstra said. “With Romano, we knew he was fast and we asked Joe if our center back, Cameron Wenz, could run with him and Tashjy said he could. With that in mind, we didn’t have to completely commit to putting defenders behind him. He did get some chances, but those were the result of some breakdowns in our formation that we corrected.” Tashjy’s input helped his teammates anticipate CBA’s tendencies and when he had a chance to help his team, he went away from his usual practice. Tashjy had taken two shots on free kicks earlier in the game and with CBA anticipating another shot, he decided to change things up.
“Those guys know I’m going to shoot the ball,” Tashjy said. “I did it earlier in the game a couple times and it’s what I’ve always
done on direct kicks, so I was just looking to change it up on them a little bit. They were getting ready for the shot, so I just looked to chip it over top of them and I knew Brendan was going to be there.”
“We were totally on the same page on that play,” Wall junior Joe Tashjy Barcas said. “He didn’t need to give me a look or anything. We knew we were going to try that play at some point, so I set up to make the run and once he played the ball, I went and got it.”
Tashjy scored three goals as a sophomore for the Colts while playing mostly up top in CBA’s formations. After sitting his required 30 days as a transfer who did not change residence, Tashjy has fit into the defensive center midfield role. Meanwhile, the Colts have bounced back from their first ever losing season under Keane by reaching the SCT again with its youngest lineup ever.
“Joe is a great kid and he was a pleasure to have in the program for the time he was here,” Keane said. “His family has been a part of CBA and he made a decision that was best for him and there are never any hard feelings when that happens. I’m glad he’s happy and that he is getting a lot out of playing for Garry and that Garry is getting a lot out of him. It’s worked out well for everybody involved, even though it would have been nice if we won today.”
Each team had scoring chances prior to Wall’s breakthrough with both goalkeepers making key saves. Wall senior Chris Barcas, older brother of Brendan, ripped a screaming shot from 25 yards out that CBA goalkeeper Dave Kral defected just enough to lift the ball up off the crossbar in the 38th minute. That shot by Barcas was Wall’s first shot on goal of the game after CBA had created three shots for itself.
“I thought this game had overtime written all over it,” Tashjy said. “Both teams were possessing in the midfield and we were defending against their possession a lot. When they get the ball, it’s almost like a half-court offense in basketball, they work it around so much. There weren’t going to be a lot of shots and the first team that took advantage of a chance was going to win.”
The Colts made some dangerous runs in the first half, but their best chance to score came in the 53rd minute when Romano broke through the last line of defense for a breakaway against Crimson Knights goalkeeper Jack Wishart. After Romano took a touch toward the goal, Wishart came out to meet the shot and deflected the attempt over the crossbar.
“In situations like that, I know the shooter is supposed to score and I know he’s thinking that, so I just try to put the pressure on
him,” Wishart said. “When I saw Romano coming at me, my first instinct was to charge him, cut down the angle and make him rush the shot.”
Wishart and the defense were able to keep CBA off the scoreboard, with the junior keeper making three saves. He also got help from the defense, especially from Wenz, who ran down Romano early in the first half when Romano had dribbled through the defense and appeared to be in the clear. As Romano wound up for a shot, Wenz stormed from behind and cleared the ball away from Romano’s feet.
Although Wall is still looking to clear the last hurdle before the Shore Conference final four for the first time in nine years, the win over CBA marks the most significant win for the Crimson Knights since they won the NJSIAA Group III title in 2005. Most seasons since 2004 have been like the 2012 campaign, during which Wall lost to Jackson Memorial in the SCT quarterfinal and eventual Group III co-champion Princeton in the Central Group III quarterfinals. Both teams were formidable opponents that were just out of Wall’s reach. Saturday, the Crimson Knights went on the road and defeated a CBA team that, while still the youngest varsity squad in program history, is an overall power in the Shore area.
“This is a huge win for the program,” Linstra said. “We have been losing kids to CBA for years, so this sends a message to kids who are making that decision that they are going to have a chance to play for something at Wall. We’ve started to get some kids to come back and to stay, but it’s an ongoing battle to keep kids here. A win really helps to deliver the message that we have a winner right here.”
Photos by:
Matt Manley
www.shoresportsnetwork.com
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Holiday Tradition To Celebrate 30 th Anniversary
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By Kevin Williams –
t started as an eight-team boys tournament created to replace the Southern Regional Roundball Festival but thirty years later the WOBM Christmas Classic has established itself as one of the state’s premier holiday sporting events. The 7-day, 52-game tournament gets underway on Saturday, December 21 with all games to be played at the Pine Belt Arena on the campus of Toms River High School North. The boys and girls first round will take place on the weekend of December 21-22 and the tournament will then resume on December 26 and run every day until December 30. Back to defend their titles will be the Toms River North boys and the Point Pleasant Boro girls and the field will be very similar to 2012. The only change among the 16 boy’s teams is the return of Monsignor Donovan who will replace CBA, who fell to the Mariners in last year’s championship game. On the girls side longtime force RumsonFair Haven has departed along with Lacey and they have been replaced by Red Bank Catholic and Monsignor Donovan. As the founder and director of the tournament I am sometimes amazed we have stood the test of time. As events such as this have folded over the years we have been able to not only maintain but add elements that make the WOBM Christmas
Classic more than just a lot of games over a weeklong period. The key has been the support we have generated from sponsors, some of whom have been with us from the start. Barnabas Health is once again our presenting sponsor which allows us to provide academic scholarships to student-athletes who participated in the previous year’s tournament and are now college freshman. Businesses like the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, OceanFirst Bank,Vision Financial Services, Inc., Professional Orthopaedic Associates, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center, Wallach’s Farm Market & Deli, IPlay America, Saker ShopRites, Oh What A Bagel, Jersey Coast Appliance, RKE Athletic and Ocean Trophies have been valued partners who helped make the tournament a positive experience
for participants and fans.
I would remiss if I did not offer special praise to the Toms River Regional School District, who has hosted the WOBM Classic for the past ten years in the spacious Pine Belt Arena. We’re looking forward to another great tournament and you’ll read more about the Pearl Anniversary addition in future issues.
#11 #14 #10 #15 #12 #13 #9 #16
(TRN) (TRN) (TRN) (TRN) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA)
Loser “A” Loser “B” Loser “C” Loser “D” Loser “E” Loser “F” Loser “G” Loser “H”
1:00 2:45 4:30 6:15 1:30 3:15 5:00 6:45
#6 #3 #7 #2 #5 #4 #8 #1
vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
#11 #14 #10 #15 #12 #13 #9 #16
(TRN) (TRN) (TRN) (TRN) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA)
Loser “I” Loser “J” Loser “K” Loser “L” Loser “M” Loser “N” Loser “O” Loser “P”
Sunday, December 22 (GIRLS 1st Round)
Thursday, December 26
(BOYS)
2012 Winners Toms River North Boys Team
11:00 12:45 2:30 4:15 6:00 7:45
A C Winners (6-11) Winners (7-10) Winners (5-12) Winners (8-9)
vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
B D (3-14) (2-15) (4-13) (1-16)
(PBA) E (PBA) G Loser “U” Loser “V” Loser “W” Loser “X”
vs. vs.
F H
(TRN) (TRN)
11:00 12:45 2:30 4:15 6:00 7:45
I K Winners (6-11) Winners (7-10) Winners (5-12) Winners (8-9)
vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.
J L (3-14) (2-15) (4-13) (1-16)
(PBA) M vs. (PBA) O vs. Loser “Q” Loser “R” Loser “S” Loser “T”
N P
(TRN) (TRN)
Friday, December 27 (GIRLS)
Saturday, December 28 (BOYS)
11:00 (TRN) 12:45 (TRN) 2:30 4:15 6:15 8:00
Winners (A-B/C-D)
(PBA)
Losers
U vs. V W vs. X Girls Semifinal Girls Semifinal
(PBA) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA)
(Game broadcast on 1160/1310AM) (Game broadcast on 1160/1310AM)
11:00 12:45 2:30 4:15 6:15 8:00
Winners (I-J/K-L) Winners(M-N/O-P) Q vs. R S vs. T Boys Semifinal Boys Semifinal
Winners (E-F/G-H)
Sunday, December 29 (GIRLS)
(PBA)
(PBA) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA) (PBA)
Monday, December 30 (All Games in PBA)
2:00 3:45 5:30 7:30
Boys 3rd Place Consolation Girls 3rd Place Consolation Girls Championship Final Boys Championship Final
Losers
Losers Losers
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vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. .vs. vs.
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#6 #3 #7 #2 #5 #4 #8 #1
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1:00 2:45 4:30 6:15 1:30 3:15 5:00 6:45
(A-B/C-D)
2012 Winners Point Boro Girls Team
(E-F/G-H)
(I-J/K-L) (TRN) (M-N/O-P)
(TRN)
(Game broadcast on 1160/1310AM) (Game broadcast on 1160/1310AM)
(Game broadcast on 1160/1310AM) (Game broadcast on 1160/1310AM)
FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: S t e v e n M e y e r 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 4 6 0
smeyer@allshoremedia.com K e v i n W i l l i a m s 8 4 8 - 2 2 1 - 8 1 6 2 kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com
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30 th Annual WOBM CHRISTMAS CLASSIC: (2013 Tentative Schedule)
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he old saying
He has become essentially a student assistant coach for the Hornets, tutoring their quarterbacks, a group of good athletes who had to be moved to the position out of necessity because of
is that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone, but Tyler Fischer knew exactly what he had in a blossoming football career that was ready to add a new chapter this fall.
“He's got the heart of a lion,’’ Lee said. “The thing I noticed in working with him that a lot of the good quarterbacks have is that they just stay calm. Nothing bothers him, and he stays as calm as can be, which can be a great trait to have. He has stayed positive, and he can still play baseball, so there will be a good ending to a story that started out shaky and scary.” Plus, who knows, maybe this is just the start of a stellar baseball career, or possibly what pushes him to excel in another sport.
When he went in for more corrective surgery in July, the situation escalated to where doctors had to once again conduct an open-heart surgery. This time a mechanical valve was placed in his heart. As a result, he has to be on blood thinners the rest of his life and can no longer play football because a blow to the head could cause bleeding in his brain.
Instead, the game he loves so much was gone forever.
“I put in all this work and it was over,’’ Fischer said. “I was
It’s been particularly frustrating for Fischer to be stuck on the sidelines. The Hornets have struggled to put up points in their 1-6 start with the lineup having to be shuffled because of injuries and Fischer being unable to play, but he has retained a positive outlook. His ability to focus on what he does have instead of what he lost has been an inspiration to those around him. “He’s a person who appreciates everything he’s been given because of all the circumstances he’s had to endure,’’ McElroy said. “I saw a lot of myself in him as far as how much I love the game, and I can only imagine being in his shoes. It’s a constant reminder that regardless of how bad circumstances may seem, I still am fortunate enough to go to work every day and put on a football uniform. You realize how special this game is, and how fast it can go away, so you appreciate every moment.”
That is why it was so devastating when it was all taken away on an operating table this past summer. The Holmdel sophomore had thought a procedure in June had finally corrected an ailment in the aorta of his heart that had resulted in four previous open-heart surgeries beginning when he was six years old. Unfortunately, when he returned for a check-up in July, it was discovered that the procedure did not take and his condition was worsening.
Fischer had trained all summer to take over as Holmdel’s starting quarterback. He previously lived in Southlake, Texas, a high school football mecca, so the game had been part of his life for as long as he could remember. He counts Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Greg McElroy and New York Jets quarterbacks coach David Lee among his friends, and they had helped prepare him for what was going to be a big season for the Hornets.
“I'm 6-4, 275 pounds, and I drive the ball 300 yards off the tee, and he is starting to beat me in golf,’’ his father said. “The kid is an athlete that I could've never been.” One thing that is for sure is that no matter where Fischer’s life takes him, he will refuse to dwell on the negative hand he was dealt this year.
Fischer’s situation. Fischer attends all practices and games, and prepares like any other coach.
“He's so dedicated, and I think mentally and emotionally, it's helping him heal,’’ said Holmdel head coach Frank Papalia. “It puts everything in life in perspective. He would give anything in the world to be out there, and his teammates know it.
“Especially with everything I've been through, I have to be mentally tough,’’ Fischer said. “My mom always told me, 'Mind over matter,' and I just remember being in the hospital and whenever I talked about something positive or thought about something positive, the pain went away. I just put that toward my whole life now.” Photo by
Bill Normile
www.billnormile.zenfolio.com
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“Tyler had to re-channel his energy,’’ said his father, Kai Fischer, who played football at UNLV with Randall Cunningham in the mid-1980s. “He had to turn something into a positive. He couldn't do something physical, so he had to occupy his time, and he always said when he was done playing, he wanted to coach. We just didn’t know that would be after his freshman year of high school.”
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Fischer still will be able to play his other favorite sport, baseball, while wearing special gear to protect him from any hits to the head with the ball. Rather than wallow in the loss of his football career, he has instead continued to embrace the sport.
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“They said I almost died twice on the (operating) table,’’ Fischer said. “It hurt to not be able to play football, but then again, I’m still here, and I’m going to be OK.”
“We had staff meetings at 7 a.m. in the preseason, and he was one of the first people there, taking notes and asking questions. Not many kids would have the perseverance to do that or the mental toughness to do that, even if they're healthy. He has completely embraced it. That's an inspiration to anybody.”
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extremely bummed that I couldn't play football.”
However, the relentlessly positive Fischer also looked at the flipside.
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