10/29/18 Volume-X Issue-19 2018 Shore Conference Tournament Soccer Champions

October 29, 2018 Volume-X Issue-19

Shore Sports Network Kevin WILLIAMS

Shore Sports Network Director kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com

Shore Sports Networkn Director High School Division 2

S hore Sports Network Journal

is published by: Townsquare Media 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753

Steve MEYER

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com.

Senior Content Providers BobBadders // bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com MattManley // Mmanley21@gmail.com

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Copyright 2018 Townsquare Media . All rights reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Shore Sports Network is prohibited

2 0 1 8 Melting Pot Friday Night Lights Tee Shirt Toss

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he Shore Sports Network is delighted to partner with The Melting Pot of Red Bank & Awards of Brick for this year’s Tee-Shirt Toss.

Each week between the first and second quarters of our Jersey Mike’s Game of the Week broadcast we toss Shore Sports Network/Melting Pot tee shirts into the home stands which have become quite popular, especially with the student sections. One Tee Shirt will have a special $25.00 Melting Pot Gift Certificate that a lucky fan will receive.

The SSN would like to thank The Melting Pot of Red Bank for sponsoring this weekly promotion & Awards of Brick for the teeshirts which will continue throughout the season. Visit the Melting Pot at 2 Bridge Ave., Red Bank.

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very week this regular season, Jersey Mike’s and Shore Sports Network will be selecting a Team of the Week based on its performance over the past weekend.

RBC and Rumson both came into the game undefeated with the Caseys occupying the No. 1 spot in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 and the Bulldogs checking in at No 3. RBC started strong by forcing a three and out on defense and then driving 59 yards for the game’s opening score when senior quarterback Steve Lubischer threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver M.J. Wright. The Caseys’ lead grew to 14-0 in the second quarter when Lubischer connected with junior wideout Sean Rossback for a 15-yard touchdown.

Rumson blocked a field goal attempt on the final play of the first half and then recovered a fumble on the first possession of the third quarter to keep RBC’s lead at 14-0. The Bulldogs then rallied with two scores during a wild final five minutes. A short touchdown run by Alex Maldjian with 4:35 left made it 14-7 and, following an interception by Ryan Ruane, Maldjian broke free for an 84-yard touchdown run to pull Rumson to within one point with just under three minutes to play.

That’s when Red Bank Catholic senior Jaden Key made the play of the game by knifing off the edge to get his hand on the extra-point try and deflect it wide of the goal posts, keeping the Caseys in front, 14-13.

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he Jersey Mike’s Team of the Week for Week 7 is Red Bank Catholic, which remained undefeated with an epic 14-13 victory over Rumson-Fair Haven in one of the best games alltime between the longtime rivals. Shore Sports Network was at practice Tuesday to present the Caseys and head coach Frank Edgerly with a special game ball and a $500 Jersey Mike’s gift card.

The madness didn’t end there as Rumson recovered the ensuing onside kick, but three plays later RBC senior defensive end Gino Tartamella intercepted a screen pass to give the Caseys the ball back. Senior kicker/punter Ryan O’Hara made another big play when he fielded a bouncing snap and barely got away a punt to avoid a sack. RBC’s defense then held on for the win as a 42-yard field goal attempt by Rumson as time expired was no good.

In Week 8, RBC concluded the regular season with a 38-28 comeback win over Middletown North to move to 8-0. The victory over the Lions cemented the Caseys as the No. 1 seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 playoffs. They will receive a first-round bye and on Friday, Nov. 9 will face the winner of the first-round game between Pope John and St. John Vianney.

led the way with 15 tackles and an interception, Joe DeVito had a 93-yard interception return for a touchdown and Yaron Moore helped the defensive line stifle Jackson Memorial's running game.

With Jackson Memorial driving inside Liberty territory in the first quarter, Simonson intercepted a pass at his own 23-yard line and returned it 50 yards into Jackson territory. The play set up Jake Bosco for a 7-yard touchdown run on a wide receiver reverse to stake the Lions to a 7-0 lead.

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he Jersey Mike’s Team of the Week for Week 6 is Jackson Liberty, which shocked previouslyundefeated Jackson Memorial, 14-0, for its firstever win over its district rival. Shore Sports Network was at practice Tuesday to present the Lions and head coach Jim Sharples with a special game ball and a $500 Jersey Mike’s gift card.

The host Lions entered the game with only one win and as a heavy underdog to a Jaguars team that was undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10. Liberty turned the tables with a phenomenal defensive performance to record its second shutout of the season and pull off a historic win. Senior linebacker Shane Simonson

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Liberty’s defense came through again in the second quarter when Memorial had moved inside the 10-yard line. DeVito stopped in front of a Jaguars receiver and picked off the pass at the 7-yard line, returning it 93 yards for a touchdown to put the Lions up 14-0. The defense continued to hold down the Jaguars in the second half to deliver the season’s top upset and author a moment the players will never forget.

"We played unbelievable defense; they have not scored an offensive touchdown versus us in two years," Sharples said. "(Defensive coordinator) Jeff Schmidt did an awesome job preparing the kids for what Memorial does. The kids were flying around and playing with emotion. It was really amazing. The student body rushed the field. It was just a great moment."

5 Week holmdel

21-11 Donovan Catholic

4 Week Freehold Twp. 16-14 Over TR North

3 Week Neptune

20-14 over Colts Neck

2 Week Pinelands

26-22 over Matawan

1 Week TR North

15-14 Over Manalapan

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2018 NJSIAA football playoff brackets

By Bob Badders - managing Editor

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he New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association has released its brackets for the 2018 state playoffs and 24 Shore Conference teams in nine different brackets have qualified.

The new and controversial process for seeding playoff qualifiers involves a new number: the United Power Rank. The UPR is a combination of 40 percent power points and 60 percent the Born Power Index, which is a mathematical equation developed by retired math teacher Bill Born.

The process also involved taking the top 16 teams in each super section (North 5/South 5, North 4/South 4, etc.). The 16 qualifiers were then split into the traditional North 1, North 2, Central and South sections based on the NJSIAA’s geographical northing numbers. Most teams remained in sections they have traditionally played in but some shifted, most notably Paulsboro moving to Central Jersey Group 1.

atop the CJ-4 bracket while Red Bank Catholic earned the coveted top spot and a first-round bye in Non-Public Group 3. Manasquan (CJ-2), Rumson-Fair Haven (CJ-3) and Middletown South (CJ4) each earned No. 2 seeds.

The Non-Public Group 3 and Non-Public Group 4 brackets were seeded differently to the public school and Non-Public Group 2 brackets. The teams were ranked by their UPR but since all teams in those groups qualify the final pairings were determined by a seeding committee.

The playoffs begin on Friday, Nov. 2 with the first round. The sectional semifinals will be played on Friday, No. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10. The public sectional finals will be played on Friday, Nov. 16 and Saturday, Nov. 17 at the site of the higher seeded team. The sectional finals were previously played at neutral sites. The Non-Public group finals and the public bowl games will be played across two weekends: Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24 and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Those games will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

Here are the 2018 NJSIAA football playoff brackets and schedule involving Shore Conference teams.

Defending Central Jersey Group 4 champion Long Branch and undefeated Red Bank Catholic are the two Shore Conference teams to earn No. 1 seeds. The Green Wave will begin their title defense

NON-PUBLIC GROUP 3 1-Red Bank Catholic (bye) 5-Pope John at 4-St. John Vianney - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Donovan Catholic at 3-Mater Dei Prep - Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.

7-Bishop Ahr at 2-DePaul - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 5 8-Hillsborough at 1-Sayreville - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

5-Manalapan at 4-Hunterdon Central - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Edison at 3-South Brunswick - Friday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m.

2-Trenton at 2-North Brunswick - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 4 8-Middletown North at 1-Long Branch - Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

5-Brick Memorial at 4-Freehold – Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.

6-Jackson Memorial at 3-Brick – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

7-Northern Burlington at 2-Middletown South – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 3 8-Raritan at 1-Somerville – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

5-Nottingham at 4-Holmdel – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Allentown at 3-Red Bank – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

7-Ocean at 2-Rumson-Fair Haven – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 2 8-South River at 1-Hillside – Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.

5-Bernards at 4-Lincoln – Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.

6-Shore at 3-Cinnaminson – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

7-Delaware Valley at 2-Manasquan – Saturday, Nov. 3, 2 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 1 8-Keyport at 1-Willingboro – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

5-Middlesex at 4-Florence – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Asbury Park at 3-Woodbury – Saturday, Nov. 3, 10:30 a.m.

7-Maple Shade at 2-Paulsboro – Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.

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SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 5 8-Washington Township at 1-Williamstown – Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.

5-Toms River North at 4-Vineland – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Kingsway at 3-Lenape – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

7-Eastern at 2-Rancocas Valley – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 3 8-Oakcrest at 1-Burlington Township – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

5-Timber Creek at 4-Wall – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Triton at 3-Woodrow Wilson – Saturday, Nov. 3, 1 p.m.

7-Deptford at 2-Delsea – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 2 8-Sterling at 1-Haddonfield – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

5-Cedar Creek at 4-Pleasantville – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

6-Barnegat at 3-West Deptford – Friday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.

7-Collingswood at 2-Camden – Saturday, Nov. 3, 3 p.m.

Award-winning broadcasters Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca and Bob Badders cover the entire Shore Conference from Matawan to Pinelands. Broadcast live each week the show features players, coaches and a preview of upcoming games.

Wednesday, 7-8pm on 105.7 The Hawk, www.1057thehawk.com & www.shoresportsnetwork.com.

The only weekly radio and online show that covers Ocean and Monmouth County High School Football

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very week this regular season, Circle Chevy, The W ind M ill and Shore Sports Network will be selecting a Team of the Week based on its performance over the past week. year history of the tournament have featured four teams as good as the 2018 semifinalists.

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ot many Shore Conference Tournament semifinals in boys soccer through the 35-

Top-seeded Holmdel entered the tournament undefeated coming off a dominant run in 2017, traditionally-strong Christian Brothers Academy was 14-3 heading into the semis with the conference's toughest schedule and Jackson Memorial was a 13-1 juggernaut with the second-best goal differential in the conference behind Holmdel.

Man for man, Ocean stacked up with those three teams but the Spartans entered the semifinals without a standout result on its resume and hoping that the best was still yet to come.

Just as planned, the Spartans best was yet to come and it came at the perfect time.

Ocean shocked top-seed Holmdel on penalty kicks after a classic 2-2 game, then stunned CBA with a 93rd-minute golden goal by Leo Montesinos to win the Shore Conference Tournament as the No. 4 seed in the most dramatic of fashions.

With its run through the tournament and wins over two of the state's best in the last two games, Ocean was the runaway choice as the Week 6 Circle Chevy Boys Soccer Team of the Week.

What made Ocean's triumph over Holmdel even sweeter was just how ugly its outing against Holmdel was in last year's SCT championship game. Holmdel won its first ever SCT title in 2017 by routing Ocean, 7-1, on Ocean's home field.

This year, however, Ocean got its revenge thanks to two goals within a span of

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he Toms River North girls soccer team advanced to the semifinals of, arguably, the toughest conference tournament in the state in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017 with two talented groups - including a 2016 squad that won the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV championship.

This year's team entered with similar hopes, but a much younger, inexperienced roster than the Mariners boasted in either of the past two years.

Toms River North's youth turned out to be a footnote during the Mariners' first run to a Shore Conference Tournament championship since 2012, which ended with a 10 win over Red Bank Catholic on Wednesday. For winning the conference championship in program history, Toms River North is the Circle Chevy Week 5 Team of the Week.

The No. 5 seed in the tournament, Toms River North took down St. John Vianney, high-

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ollowing an overtime loss to Freehold Boro on Oct. 1, the Colts Neck boys soccer team was 25 with four losses by one goal to Shore Conference Tournament qualifying teams and another 3-0 loss at the hands of undefeated Holmdel.

The Cougars' postseason prospects looked grim, but the schedule was about to turn in Colts Neck's favor.

Then, Colts Neck's bad fortune on the soccer field became a pittance when the players learned of the death of recent Colts Neck graduate Cory Aufiero. Armed with new perspective and motivation, the Cougars turned in their best effort of the season in a 4-0 win over Wall one day after the majority of the team attended Aufiero's funeral.

The following week, needing two wins to qualify for the Shore Conference

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three minutes by Santieno Harding and James Schutz, which turned what seemed to be a comfortable 1-0 Holmdel lead into an upset-in-the making midway through the second half.

Holmdel would tie the game on a penalty kick, but the remaining good fortune on penalty kicks belonged to goalkeeper Max Winters and the Spartans. Winters stopped two shots in the round of penalties, including one by reigning Shore Sports Network Player of the Year and Monmouth University commit Anthony Arena. Arena converted the equalizing Holmdel penalty kick in the 74th minute.

As much as the Holmdel win was a validation for the senior-heavy Spartans, they were just getting started. Ocean battled CBA to overtime without allowing a goal and with CBA dominating possession and the shot count, it appeared the best Ocean could hope for was a tie and a co-championship to be shared with the Colts.

The Spartans would have none of that. Harding took on two defenders to earn a throw-in near the CBA goal early in the second overtime to set up the memorable finish.

Senior Luke Yates uncorked a throw toward the front post, senior defender Brent Gaber pushed up and flicked a header back toward the far post and Montesinos - a transfer from Shore Regional - skied in for the header that won the Ocean its fifth ever SCT title and first since 2012.

Ocean will try to keep its roll going in the upcoming NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Tournament, in which the Spartans are seeded No. 2. Ocean last won the section in 2015 and lost in last year's sectional final to Toms River South. scoring Shore and No. 1 Middletown North to get to the final. Once there, the Mariners shut down the Caseys attack ended a four-game shutout streak by RBC when sophomore Alexa Peto buried a 12-yard strike in the 28th minute of the championship game.

Peto was a source of offense throughout the tournament, scoring a goal each in the wins over St. John Vianney, Shore and RBC while also assisting the first of Toms River North's two goal in the semifinal win over Middletown North.

Despite the youth on the roster, Toms River North did get a big boost from its senior quartet in the lineup during the run. Marisa Tava was instrumental in running the attack and scored in the wins over SJV and Shore. Jaszmin Brown was the standout vs.

Middletown North and headed in the game-winning goal in the 76th minute off a cross from fellow senior midfielder Madison Bennert. Morgan Curtis also assisted the gamewinner by Peto in Wednesday's final - her second assist of the tournament.

The Mariners will try to orchestrate another surprise run when the NJSIAA Tournament begins on Tuesday. Toms River North is the No. 6 seed in South Jersey Group IV and will begin a quest for a third straight appearance in the sectional final when it hosts Egg Harbor.

Tournament, Colts Neck beat both Middletown South and Middletown North to secure a spot in the tournament and with it, the Circle Chevy Team of the Week Award for Week 5.

The 2-0 win over Middletown South knocked the Eagles out of the tournament and the second win cooled off a Lions team that had just snapped an eight-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over Howell and Matawan.

Once in the tournament, Colts Neck made the most of the opportunity as the No. 23 seed by knocking off No. 10 Pinelands on the road, 3-2, in the opening round of the tournament on a golden goal by senior Ethan Kilmnick . The Cougars nearly did it again in round two, but No. 7 Manalapan scored late to win a thrilling, 3-2 match.

Senior Brooks Condon was Colts Neck's golden boot during the run, scoring a goal each in the wins over Wall, Middletown South, Middletown North and Pinelands, as well as one in the loss at Manalapan.

Colts Neck will try to continue its second-half surge as the No. 5 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Playoffs, which begin on Monday, Oct. 29.

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very week this regular season, Shore Conference football fans will have their chance to vote for the Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey/ Shore Sports Network Football Player of the Week on our websit.

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eek

7 Player of the Week winner

is M a r l b o r o s e n i o r

running back/defensive back D o n t r e l l A l s t o n ,

who ran for a career-high 202 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries and also had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown to lead the Mustangs to a 26-14 upset win over district rival Freehold Township.

Township closed the gap to 19-14 in the third quarter but Alston and Marlboro responded with a 49-yard touchdown to put the game away. Alston also had a 4yard touchdown run as Marlboro defeated Freehold Township for the first time since 2012.

Alston followed up his award-winning game by rushing for a new career-high of 226 yards and scoring three touchdowns in a 47-14 win over Matawan in Week 8. He has four 100-yard games on the season with a total of 996 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in eight games.

Alston won the fan poll comfortably with 25.57 Alston’s 35-yard pick-six in the second quarter percent of the votes to beat out Raritan’s Steve tied the game at seven and was the first of three Coponi, Brick’s Anthony Prato and Freehold’s Sha’Kim consecutive Marlboro touchdowns that gave the Shuler.

Mustangs a 19-7 halftime lead. Freehold

Marlboro sr. RB/DB dontrell alston

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eek 6 Player of the Week winner

is Ocean senior linebacker

Ryan Moran , who

had a historic game on defense and also scored a touchdown to help the Spartans to a thrilling 27-21 victory over Point Boro.

Moran ran for 49 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and also had an eight-yard reception, but it was his performance at linebacker that set him apart. With nine solo tackles and 16 assists, including two tackles for loss, Moran recorded a school single-game record 25 tackles against Point Boro’s triple-option offense.

Ocean pulled off the victory in dramatic fashion when junior quarterback Robbie Nungesser scrambled and threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Holden Lowe with four seconds left in regulation. The pass was initially ruled incomplete, but the officials utilized the NJSIAA’s first-year replay format and overturned the call, saying Lowe did indeed get a foot in bounds with possession.

Moran has a team-high 78 tackles this season with four tackles for loss and one interception. He won the POTW poll with 21.46 percent of the votes in a close race with Toms River East’s Frankie Giannetti, Monmouth’s Dayshawn Porter and Central’s Darius Martorano. Ocean has qualified for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 seed and will take on second-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven on Friday, Nov. 2.

Moran’s 25 tackles broke the previous record of 23 set by linebacker Danny Loizos against Warren Hills in 2013. His 7-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Ocean a 14-0 lead.

W eek 5

Ocean sr. Linebacker Ryan Moran

W eek 4

Donovan Cath so. RB/LB Dominick Nocero

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W eek 3

Brick sR. QB/DB Jimmy Leblo

Midd South jr. Running Back Vinny Condito

W eek 2

TR North so. quarterback Jake Kazanowsky

W eek 1

Brick sr. linebacker Rich Tallmadge

W eek 0

RBC sr. defensive end Gino Tartamella

he Jersey Mike’s Game of the Week returns to the Shore Sports Network this fall with the regular season broadcast schedule to begin on Friday, September 7 when Jackson Memorial takes on Southern Regional, 7:00pm at Southern Regional High School.

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and the annual Thanksgiving Day meeting between rivals Manasquan and Wall. As in the past, coverage will include NJSIAA Playoff games right through to championship weekend in e a r l y D e c e m b e r. A l l g a m e s c a n b e h e a r d on 92.7 WOBM and will be streamed live on shoresportsnetwork.com and through the new Shore Sports Network app.

Matt Harmon is back as the play-byJersey Mike’s Subs returns as the title sponsor of the game broadcasts and will play voice of the game broadcasts and a l s o s p o n s o r t h e p o p u l a r Te a m o f t h e w i l l b e j o i n e d b y l o n g t i m e p a r t n e r s K e v i n Williams and Ed Sarluca. The trio have Week program throughout the season. been together for nearly 20 years calling The schedule includes a weekly Friday Shore Conference football games in night b r o a d c a s t , O c e a n a n d M o n m o u t h C o u n t y.

Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday *Thr

8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 9/28 10/5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/2 11/22

*Game to be broadcast on 1160/1310AM)

Brick Memorial Jackson Mem. Wall T.R. East Middletown South Rumson-Fair Haven T.R. South T.R North Point Boro NJSIAA Playoffs Wall NJSIAA Playoffs

49 14 6 35 35 13 0 48 7

at at at at at at at at at (TBD) at TBD

Central Southern Jackson Mem. T.R. South Central Brick T.R. North T.R. East Donovan Cath.

Manasquan

0 0 12 24 0 0 42 7 28 (11am)

Schedule is subject to change Engineer/Producer: Brad Burascano

All games broadcast on 92.7 wobm and streamed live at shoresportsnetwork.com and on the FREE Shore Sports Network App

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By Matt Manley - Senior Staff Writer

Cent ral Jersey

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our Shore Conference teams venture into a challenging Central Jersey Group IV bracket, Point Beach tries to slay Highland Park in Group I, Holmdel looks to repeat as the heavy favorite in Group II and the Shore has overwhelming odds in favor of bringing home a championship in Group III. All that, plus more in a preview of the Central Jersey brackets in the NJSIAA Tournament, which kicks off on Monday Oct. 29th.

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS ROUND ONE

QUARTERFINALS

(1) Neptune over (16) Red Bank

(5) South Plainfield over (13) Voorhees

DEFENDING CHAMPION: No. 13 Princeton

(9) Northern Burlington over (8) Freehold Boro

(3) Delaware Valley over (6) Raritan

TOP SEED: Hunterdon Central

(5) Colts Neck over (12) Brick

(10) Carteret over (2) Roselle

FAVORITE: Hunterdon Central.

(4) Steinert over (5) Hamilton West

SEMIFINALS

DARKHORSE: No. 12 West Windsor-Plainsboro South

(3) Wall over (14) Middletown North

(1) Holmdel over (5) South Plainfield

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS ROUND ONE

(11) Hopewell Valley over (6) Allentown

(3) Delaware Valley over (10) Carteret

(7) Lakewood over (10) Burlington Twp.

CHAMPIONSHIP

(1) Hunterdon Central over (16) Sayreville

(2) Ocean over (15) Nottingham

(1) Holmdel over (3) Delaware Valley

(8) Monroe over (9) Manalapan

QUARTERFINALS

(12) West Windsor-Plainsboro South over (5) New Brunswick

(1) Neptune over (9) Northern Burlington

Central Jersey Group I

(4) West Windsor-Plainsboro North over (13) Princeton

(4) Steinert over (5) Colts Neck

(3) Hillsborough over (14) Middletown South

(11) Hopewell Valley over (3) Wall

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 8 Point Beach, No. 16 Henry Hudson

(6) East Brunswick over (11) North Brunswick

(2) Ocean over (7) Lakewood

(7) Freehold Twp. over (10) Marlboro

SEMIFINALS

(2) South Brunswick over (15) Edison

(4) Steinert over (1) Neptune

QUARTERFINALS

(2) Ocean over (11) Hopewell Valley

(1) Hunterdon Central over (8) Monroe

CHAMPIONSHIP

(4) West Windsor-Plainsboro North over (12) West WindsorPlainsboro South

(2) Ocean over (4) Steinert

(3) Hillsborough over (6) East Brunswick

Central Jersey Group II

(7) Freehold Twp. over (2) South Brunswick

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 1 Holmdel, No. 6 Raritan, No. 11 Monmouth, No. 14 Shore

Central Jersey Group IV SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 7 Freehold Twp., No. 10 Marlboro, No. 14 Middletown South

SEMIFINALS

(1) Holmdel over (8) Metuchen

DEFENDING CHAMPION: No. 1 Highland Park TOP SEED: Highland Park FAVORITE: Highland Park DARKHORSE: No. 6 New Egypt

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS ROUND ONE (1) Highland Park over (16) Henry Hudson (8) Point Beach over (9) Middlesex (5) Bound Brook over (12) Roselle Park (4) Riverside over (13) Stem Civics

(1) Hunterdon Central over (4) West Windsor-Plainsboro North

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Holmdel

(3) Florence over (14) Edison Academy

TOP SEED: Holmdel

(6) New Egypt over (11) South Hunterdon

(3) Hillsborough over (7) Freehold Twp.

FAVORITE: Holmdel

(7) Piscataway Tech over (10) Woodbridge Academy

CHAMPIONSHIP

DARKHORSE: No. 10 Carteret

(2) Manville over (15) Burlington City

(3) Hillsborough over (1) Hunterdon Central

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS ROUND ONE

QUARTERFINALS

(1) Holmdel over (16) Hillside

(5) Bound Brook over (4) Riverside

(8) Metuchen over (9) Robbinsville

(6) New Egypt over (3) Florence

(5) South Plainfield over (12) Governor Livingston

(2) Manville over (7) Piscataway Tech

(13) Voorhees over (4) Rahway

SEMIFINALS

DEFENDING CHAMPION: TR South (now in South Jersey)

(3) Delaware Valley over (14) Shore

(1) Highland Park over (5) Bound Brook

TOP SEED: Neptune

(6) Raritan over (11) Monmouth

(6) New Egypt over (2) Manville

FAVORITE: Ocean

(10) Carteret over (7) Spotswood

CHAMPIONSHIP

DARKHORSE: No. 11 Hopewell Valley

(2) Roselle over (15) A.L. Johnson

(1) Highland Park over (6) New Egypt

Central Jersey Group III SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 1 Neptune, No. 2 Ocean, No. 3 Wall, No. 5 Colts Neck, No. 7 Lakewood, No. 8 Freehold Boro, No. 12 Brick, No. 14 Middletown North, No. 16 Red Bank

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(1) Highland Park over (8) Point Beach

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By Matt Manley - Senior Staff Writer

South and North Jersey 2

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ackson Memorial, Southern and Howell hope to land a knockout punch against one of the state's best, underdog Toms River South pursues a fourth straight sectional title, Manasquan plays with some of Group II's best and Matawan aims for another Cinderella run - all that and more in a preview of three South Jersey sections and one North Jersey bracket that include teams from the Shore.

ROUND ONE

QUARTERFINALS

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 2 Jackson Mem., No. 4 Southern, No. 5 Howell, No. 10 TR North

(1) Triton over (16) Deptford

(1) Bordentown over (8) Pleasantville

(9) Toms River East over (8) Moorestown

(4) Manasquan over (12) Cedar Creek

DEFENDING CHAMPION: No. 1 Washington Twp.

(5) Lacey over (12) Absegami

(3) Haddonfield over (6) West Deptford

TOP SEED: Washington Twp.

(4) Seneca over (13) Hammonton

(2) Delran over (10) Middle Twp.

(3) Mainland over (14) Winslow

SEMIFINALS

(11) Toms River South over (6) Pinelands

(4) Manasquan over (1) Bordentown

(7) Cherry Hill West over (10) Highland

(2) Delran over (3) Haddonfield

(2) Ocean City over (15) Timber Creek

CHAMPIONSHIP

QUARTERFINALS

(2) Delran over (4) Manasquan

South Jersey Group IV

FAVORITE: Washington Twp. DARKHORSE: No. 14 Shawnee

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS ROUND ONE (1) Washington Twp. over (16) Millville (8) Egg Harbor over (9) Atlantic Tech (12) Rancocas Valley over (5) Howell (4) Southern over (13) Lenape (14) Shawnee over (3) Williamstown (6) Eastern over (11) Clearview (10) Toms River North over (7) Kingsway (2) Jackson Memorial over (15) Vineland

QUARTERFINALS

(1) Triton over (9) Toms River East (4) Seneca over (5) Lacey

North Jersey 2, Group III

(11) Toms River South over (3) Mainland

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 12 Matawan

(2) Ocean City over (7) Cherry Hill West

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Mendham

SEMIFINALS

TOP SEED: Irvington

(4) Seneca over (1) Triton

FAVORITE: Mendham

(2) Ocean City over (11) Toms River South

DARKHORSE: No. 13 Summit

CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS

(2) Ocean City over (4) Seneca

ROUND ONE

(1) Washington Twp. over (8) Egg Harbor (12) Rancocas Valley over (4) Southern (14) Shawnee over (6) Eastern

South Jersey Group II

(2) Jackson Memorial over (10) Toms River North

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 4 Manasquan, No. 15 Barnegat, No. 16 Point Boro

SEMIFINALS

DEFENDING CHAMPION: No. 2 Delran

(1) Washington Twp. over (12) Rancocas Valley

TOP SEED: Bordentown

(2) Jackson Memorial over (14) Shawnee

FAVORITE: Delran

CHAMPIONSHIP

DARKHORSE: No. 12 Cedar Creek

(2) Jackson Memorial over (1) Washington Twp.

South Jersey Group III SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 5 Lacey, No. 6 Pinelands, No. 9 TR East, No. 11 TR South DEFENDING CHAMPION: Mainland TOP SEED: Triton FAVORITE: Mainland

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS

(8) Chatham over (9) Cliffside Park (5) Nutley over (12) Matawan (13) Summit over (4) Ferris (3) Millburn over (14) Woodbridge (6) Parsippany Hills over (11) JFK Iselin (7) Somerville over (10) Cranford (2) Mendham over (15) Orange

QUARTERFINALS

ROUND ONE

(8) Chatham over (1) Irvington

(1) Bordentown over (16) Point Boro

(5) Nutley over (13) Summit

(8) Pleasantville over (9) Delsea

(3) Millburn over (6) Parsippany Hills

(5) Cinnaminson over (12) Cedar Creek (4) Manasquan over (13) Haddon Heights (3) Haddonfield over (14) Collingswood (6) West Deptford over (11) Oakcrest

DARKHORSE: Toms River South

(10) Middle Twp. over (7) Sterling

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS

(2) Delran over (15) Barnegat

14

(1) Irvington over (16) Payne Tech

(2) Mendham over (7) Somerville

SEMIFINALS (8) Chatham over (5) Nutley (3) Millburn over (2) Mendham

CHAMPIONSHIP (3) Millburn over (8) Chatham

15

By Gregg Lerner - SSN Staff Writer

F

Operating in a manner that emphasized the core of what makes each so integral, Peto and Royson rose to the occasion on Wednesday night, each doing what she does best to spark fifth-seeded Toms River North to a 10 shutout over third-seeded Red Bank Catholic for the Shore Conference Tournament championship.

rom a positional standpoint, Emily Royson and Alexa Peto couldn’t be further removed with little common ground in between.

The Toms River North teammates conduct their admirable work on the soccer pitch at opposite ends of the spectrum. Royson is the anchor of the Mariners’ defense, an ultra-alert junior central defender entrusted to maintain the line of communication essential to the rigid structure of a three-back unit. Peto injects electricity at the apex of the attack with a blend of physicality, acceleration and laser-like finishing power, making an opposing defense shutter every time the sophomore striker lurks inside the final third.

Peto produced the lone strike of the match in the 28th minute and Royson teamed with junior Jamie Wyckoff, freshman Faith Wavershak and s o p h o m o r e keeper Cameron Kennett to preserve the one-goal advantage over the balance of the match to secure the first SCT crown for Toms River North (12-3-1) since 2012.

One is intent on assuring balls stay out of the back of the net, the other undeniably fixated on burying a shot in that exact location. Yet, the common thread that intertwines the two is arguably the most significant element within their distinctively different assignments.

“It was so important to take advantage of this opportunity,” noted Royson of seizing the chance to claim the title. “We lost a lot of good seniors from a year ago and some didn’t think we’d make it this far. It was great to get to the finals and even better to win it.”

Each has a comfortable embrace of the opportunity to possess on the ball, certainly a credit to their adhesive touch, but also due in large part to unflappable poise perfectly suited for intense circumstances.

Toms River North withstood intense pressure Emily Royson from Red Bank Catholic (143), which had a seven-game win streak snapped, in the initial five minutes before finding their rhythm. A minute after Kennett denied a 16-yard bid from RBC senior forward Sofia Giamanco, the Mariners went on the offensive.

“They both play with such great composure,” said Toms River North coach Tom Miller. “Emily is the backbone who stepped up on defense and Alexa has been playing out of her mind up top.”

Alexa Pet o

Marisa T ava See

16

TR North

page 18

By Matt Manley - Senior Staff Writer

L

eonardo Montesinos transferred to Ocean Township High School from Shore Regional before the current school year as the potential final piece to the Ocean boys soccer team's championship puzzle.

touches on the ball in practice and outside of practice - it all pays off. We couldn't have done it without our fans, the coaches, our parents - it's indescribable."

Montesinos was a three-year starter at Shore and an All-Shore selection as a junior last year. The senior center midfielder moved over the summer, enrolled at Ocean and joined a group of players that he has played with in the club ranks.

"Last year, I didn't really know any of the players (on Shore) and I was trying to fit in," Montesinos said. "The chemistry wasn't really there. These guys, I have played with them my whole life. The way that we have chemistry is unbelievable. We have been playing since we were eight years old and when I came here, I fit in perfectly."

On Wednesday night Oct. 23rd in the Shore Conference Tournament championship game against Christian Brothers Academy, that last piece of the puzzle was also the last man to touch the ball in one of the great finishes in the history of the SCT.

"I was flipping through the physical sheets before the season and I saw his name and it jumped out at me," Ocean coach John Terlecsky said. "I knew who he was, I knew the kind of player he was and I knew he was familiar with our guys from travel ball.

From day one, he has fit right in. We never had to worry about getting him acclimated because he really gave us what we needed in the middle and he embraced that roll right away."

Montesinos headed in the golden goal 3:05 into the second overtime period to stun third-seeded CBA, 1-0, and set off a chaotic celebration along the Ocean sideline as the No. 4 Spartans celebrated their fifth conference title and first since 2012.

"It's my first year here and I can't believe (the tournament) ended like this," Montesinos said. "I love my teammates, I love everyone here - Ocean is just amazing. To do it with them means the world."

Seven of Ocean's starters were starters on last year's SCT runner-up team with current starters Gaber and senior Andrew Shaw contributing off the bench. Ocean earned a measure of redemption for last year's 7-1 championship loss to Holmdel by beating the Hornets on penalties in Monday's semifinal and completed that redemption tour by winning the same Shore Conference Tournament that ended in such horrible fashion last season.

The championship-clinching goal came off a throw-in from senior Luke Yates and a flicked header by senior defender Brent Gaber. Yates's throw reached the near post and Haber sent the header to the back post with CBA goalkeeper Eric Wnorowski covering the near side of the goal. Montesinos charged toward the far side of the frame and slammed in an uncontested header to turn a potential anticlimactic, scoreless draw into one of the great finishes in the tournament's 35-year history.

Montesinos was one Ocean player who had no connection to last year's season and his presence proved to be the difference for the Spartans - a newcomer scoring the game-winner off an assist from a senior who came off the bench last season.

"I can't really describe what I am feeling right now," said Yates, one of Ocean's captains. "Seventeen years of work, of running sprints, of extra

Max Wint ers leonardo Mont esinos

See

Ocean

page 20

17

TR North

from page 16

The Caseys momentarily thwarted a counterattack by knocking a ball out of box only to have senior midfielder Morgan Curtis nodded a header forward to Peto, who gathered and fired a blast for her third goal of the tournament and ninth of the season.

“It’s so important,” Royson said of the Mariners’ seamless transitions from third to third. “It’s great that we have those people in place and everyone playing so well together.”

Through that unity, Toms River North completed an impressive run to the championship, one that included triumphs over fourth-seeded Shore and top-seeded and previously-unbeaten Middletown North en route to the final destination.

“I brought it down, took a little touch and shot it,” described Peto. “There were two or three defenders around me but I shot it as quick as I could. I thought it might go wide but I got lucky.”

“Once we saw the draw, we knew it was going to be tough but the girls believed from the start that we could do it,” shared Miller. “To go through Shore, Middletown North and RBC…that’s a fabulous run.”

Staked to the lead, Toms River North continued to assert itself over the balance of the first half. Through ideal spacing of the field, it compiled a 7-2 edge in shots, an advantage that took an about face over the final 40 minutes.

Jamie Wyckoff Aggressively in search of an equalizer, Red Bank Catholic made some dangerous ventures to goal following intermission. Danielle Borrino’s crack off a 20-yard restart whistled over the crossbar in the 57th minute and Julia Rafaniello manufactured a pair of menacing shots, the first in the 58th off some slick maneuvering that ended with Kennett snuffing the threat and the second on a deft cut off the left wing in the 72nd that glanced off the woodwork.

“At first, they were pressing us and we got compacted and couldn’t get out,” noted Miller.

“Once we figured it out and it opened up, we could do our thing.”

Toms River North utilized a strong spine down the middle of the park. From Kennett and Royson in the back, through Curtis and Jazmin Brown in the midfield and up to Peto and versatile Marisa Tava, the Mariners had a firm foundation centralized and ceaselessly active.

18

Fait h Wavershak Photos by:

Paula Lopez

WWW.PALIMAGES.COM

19

Ocean from page 17 "In addition to locking down the middle and going toe-to-toe with guys like (Holmdel's) Joe Arena and (CBA's) Dom Bellomo, it's just his attitude," senior goalkeeper Max Winters said. "He plays with a lot of confidence and he is constantly working at 100 percent and it rubs off on everybody. He works harder than anybody and it's fitting that he is the guy who won it for us."

Ocean took only five shots prior to the Montesinos winner and none of them were on frame. CBA dominated possession and outshot the Spartans, 19-6, but could not conquer Winters, who saved 10 shots to earn the biggest shutout of his three-year varsity career.

"Moments like this are why we put in all the extra work, the extra running in the offseason," Winters said. "No one wants to do that stuff, but when you have a moment like this, it makes it all worth it."

Offensively, Ocean was far less dangerous on Wednesday than it was in the regular season game vs. CBA. Senior forward Santieno Harding - who had scored three goals in Ocean's last two SCT wins - got off two off-target shots while battling through double-and-triple-teams throughout the night.

"Realistically, CBA is great with the ball, great moving the ball," Montesinos said. "We knew it was going to be hard because they had three guys on our striker, but we sat back, waited for those set-piece plays, looked for our opportunities and we won."

A number of Ocean's seniors were on hand as freshmen in 2015 when CBA beat the Spartans, 2-0, in the SCT finals. On Wednesday, those seniors helped Ocean hand CBA just its second ever loss in 12 SCT final appearances.

The Colts best chance was a curving shot by senior Dominic Bellomo that drilled the corner of the crossbar and right post in the 64th minute.

Winters also denied Bellomo on a dangerous shot in the first overtime with a diving save and earlier made a lunging stop on a first-half rip from CBA senior Jack Gill.

Ocean, for its part, evened its record in the championship game at 5-5 with its win. The 10 appearances in the final are second only to CBA and the five outright championships match Jackson Memorial for second all-time.

Terlecsky was a senior on Ocean's first Shore Conference Tournament championship team in 1994, when longtime head coach Tom Reilly won the first of his four conference titles at the head of the program. Terlecsky served as an assistant under Reilly and took over for his mentor last season.

With Ocean conceding so much possession and so many shots, it might have been easy for the Spartans to settle in and hold down the fort long enough to earn a draw to share the title. That, however, was not the message in the Ocean huddle.

"In the last huddle before second overtime, after we just packed in and survived that first one, I was the one who said, 'I don't want a co-championship,'" Winters said. "That's not what we worked for. That's just the kind of kid I am - I am a competitor and that's the reason you play. I knew we had it in us. Our chances were few but we just had to capitalize on one."

"In the huddle, we said, 'We don't want to share it with anybody,'" Montesinos said. "We wanted to be the champs and we pulled through."

"It's really full circle for me because I was a senior when this program won our first title under coach Reilly on this very same field (at Point Boro)," Terlecsky said.

"It's a very surreal moment and this one is all about these kids and these seniors."

Luke Yat es

Ocean was the first team to face CBA twice in 2018 and learned a great deal from its 3-2 loss to the Colts on Sept. 29. In that game, CBA scored twice in the first 14 minutes and after Ocean rallied to tie it in the 64th, the Colts needed only three minutes to regain the lead.

"Our big concern was Joe Lozowski," Terlecsky said, speaking of CBA's senior midfielder. "We tried to keep numbers and a defensive attitude on his side of the field, which I think hurt us getting forward.

I was trying to position (James) Schutz to attack their back line in the corners and that was difficult because (Lozowski) was presenting problems all night. I wanted to keep two guys in his vicinity because he was the key piece to stop."

Although the Spartans struggled to generate offense, the defense and Winters were on their game for the duration. Gaber, senior captain Zach Sintic, Elias Brandimarte and Mark Mauro contributed to the effort on the back line while Yates, Montesinos, senior James Schutz and junior Rob Lopes battled in the midfield.

Ocean was just the fifth team to hold CBA without a goal in the first half and the Colts dropped to 14 in such games.

"Max, like always, came up huge time and time again and our defense stepped up big again, just like they always so," Yates said. "I know there are some great teams out there, but I'll take my defense over anybody's."

Sant ieno Harding

The parallels don't stop there for Ocean, whose 7-1 loss to Holmdel was not even its worst SCT championship loss.

The Spartans lost to Manalapan, 8-0, in the 2000 championship game and just like they did against Holmdel this year, they beat Manalapan the following year in the semifinals before beating Colts Neck to win the championship.

"I didn't realize how much the Holmdel loss hurt them," Terlecsky said. "I always focus on bouncing back and going to the next game, but to see how much investment they put into that game to get that result affected them. They exhausted themselves emotionally to beat Holmdel the other night and we were tired tonight. So to watch them show the heart and the character to pull this one our when we were almost running on fumes was special to watch."

Photos by:

Paula Lopez

WWW.PALIMAGES.COM

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21

By Matt Manley - Senior Staff Writer

Non- Public A

C

and

B

BA looks to repeat in Non-Public A while St. Rose and Ranney hope to make noise as underdogs in Non-Public B. That, plus more while previewing the South Jersey Non-Public brackets.

South Jersey Non-Public A

SEMIFINALS

(4) Moorestown Friends over (13) Holy Spirit

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 1 CBA, No. 6 Donovan Cath., No. 8 RBC, No. 9 SJV.

(1) CBA over (5) Bishop Eustace

(3) Rutgers Prep over (14) Calvary Christian

(2) St. Augustine over (3) Notre Dame

(6) Holy Cross over (11) Timothy Christian

DEFENDING CHAMPION: CBA

CHAMPIONSHIP

(10) Ranney over (2) Gloucester Catholic

TOP SEED: CBA

(1) CBA over (2) St. Augustine

QUARTERFINALS

FAVORITE: CBA

(1) Immaculata over (8) Trenton Catholic

DARKHORSE: No. 5 Bishop Eustace

South Jersey Non-Public B

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS

SHORE TEAMS IN THE FIELD: No. 9 St. Rose, No. 10 Ranney

ROUND ONE

DEFENDING CHAMPION: No. 4 Moorestown Friends

(9) St. John Vianney over (8) Red Bank Catholic

TOP SEED: Immaculata

(6) Donovan Catholic over (11) Bishop Ahr

(5) Wardlaw-Hartridge over (1) Immaculata

FAVORITE: Immaculata

(7) Paul VI over (10) Camden Catholic

(6) Holy Cross over (10) Ranney

DARKHORSE: Ranney

CHAMPIONSHIP

ROUND-BY-ROUND PREDICTIONS

(5) Wardlaw-Hartridge over (6) Holy Cross

QUARTERFINALS (1) CBA over (9) St. John Vianney (5) Bishop Eustace over (4) St. Joseph Metuchen (3) Notre Dame over (6) Donovan Catholic (2) St. Augustine over (7) Paul VI

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ROUND ONE (8) Trenton Catholic over (9) St. Rose (5) Wardlaw-Hartridge over (12) Wildwood Catholic

(5) Wardlaw-Hartridge over (4) Moorestown Friends (6) Holy Cross over (3) Rutgers Prep (10) Ranney over (2) Doane Academy

SEMIFINALS

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Elsewhere, one of the Shore Conference’s two undefeated teams went down as No. 2 Mater Dei Prep fell to Connecticut’s Cheshire Academy, 34-33. Given it was a one-point nonconference loss to a team that has postgraduate studentathletes, the Seraphs stay put in the two-hole. Top-ranked Red Bank Catholic narrowly avoided being shocked by one-win Middletown North, but junior running back Kevin Degnan delivered a huge game and clutch touchdown runs filling in for injured starter Billy Guidetti to keep the Caseys rolling.

T

he final week of the regular season featured teams battling to both qualify for the NJSIAA playoffs and for postseason positioning. There was only one matchup of ranked teams in Week 8 but it delivered an upset as Middletown South knocked off Rumson-Fair Haven, 14-7, in a defensive battle at The Swamp.

The Eagles’ victory clouds the picture a bit in that they were coming off a loss to St. John Vianney in Week 7 and entered last week ranked No. 8, but rebounded to beat then-No. 3 Rumson. How far the Eagles rise and how far to the Bulldogs fall is the biggest question. At this point in the season head-to-head results cannot be the be-all, end-all. There are simply too many winloss triangles for that to make sense. Body of work, quality wins and strength of schedule are all important factors and the decisions aren’t easy.

Red Bank Catholic (8-0) Junior running back Kevin Degnan came up huge in the absence of starter Billy Guidetti, delivering 201 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 17 carries, including the go-ahead 74-yard touchdown run with 5:22 left, as the Caseys held off an upset bid from Middletown North in a wild 38-28 win. Degnan added a 20-yard touchdown run with 1:49 left to ice the game and also had a 2-yard touchdown run in the first half. Senior quarterback Steve Lubischer threw a pair of touchdown passes to junior tight end Charlie Gordinier and senior Ryan O’Hara kicked a 30-yard field goal. This week: The Caseys are the No. 1 seed in the Non-Public Group 3 playoffs and will have a bye into the semifinals. They await the winner of the first-round game between Pope John (17) and St. John Vianney (4-4).

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No. 4 Long Branch, No. 6 Manasquan, No. 7 Brick, No. 9 Toms River North and No. 10 Holmdel all picked up wins without any major drama, while No. 5 Red Bank had its bye week. It wasn’t a matchup that had any implications on the Top 10, but Toms River South picked up a big 13-7 overtime win over a Barnegat team that entered the week 6-1. The Indians had lost their first six games but have now won two in a row.

The NJSIAA playoffs begin on Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3 and 24 Shore Conference teams in nine different brackets will begin their quest for a state championship. Red Bank Catholic is the No. 1 seed in the Non-Public Group 3 playoffs and gets a coveted first-round bye, while defending champion Long Branch is the top seed in Central Jersey Group 4. Middletown South (CJ4), Rumson (CJ-3) and Manasquan (CJ-2) each earned No. 2 seeds in their respective brackets.

The postseason will have a major impact on the rankings in the final few weeks, especially in the Central Jersey Group 4 bracket where seven of the eight teams are from the Shore. There’s also a chance Red Bank Catholic and Mater Dei could meet in the Non-Public Group 3 final with both a state title and the No. 1 ranking on the line.

The postseason is here, and it’s time to strap in and get ready for the ride.

Mater Dei Prep (8-1)

Brick (6-2)

Long Branch (7-1)

Manasquan (6-1)

Rumson-Fair Haven (6-2)

Toms River North (6-2)

Red Bank (6-1)

Holmdel (7-1)

Middletown South (6-2)

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Did You Know Presented by: Brielle Orthopedics

T

he MCL is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee!

This structure may be injured either without contact during a cutting movement or when hit on the outside of the knee. n There is a general grading system from 1-3 and the higher the grade the more likely a secondary injury to the anterior cruciate ligament aka ACL. n Patients often report feeling a pop in the medial joint line, pain when walking, bruising, and a small amount of swelling. n This injury is most often treated with nonoperative treatment including NSAIDs, r e s t , b r a c i n g , a n d t h e r a p y. n Returning to sport ranges from one to eight weeks.

How Can MCL Injury be Prevented?

A few recommendations to help prevent a Medial Collateral Ligament Injury include: n Improve conditioning and strengthen the hamstrings. It has been proven that exercising regularly to strengthen the hamstrings and surrounding structures around the knee is very effective in decreasing the risk of a MCL Injury n Wear appropriate safety equipment, such as a knee brace, while participating in certain high impact sports, like American football, soccer, cricket, or basketball. Individuals, who participate in such sports, should ensure that any safety equipment worn is properly adjusted and correctly fitted to provide support for the knee n Warming-up prior to exercising n Use proper technique when exercising so that there is a decreased stress on the knee

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William J. Gallagher, MD Board certified fellowship trained primary care sports medicine

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E

very week this regular season, Shore Sports Network & Surf taco will be selecting a boys & girls player of the week based on there performance over the past week. Surf taco will present the winners with a surf taco backpack and a $25 gift card.

WEEK-7: TR NORTH Sr. Marisa Tava

WEEK-7: OCEAN Sr. Santieno Harding

I

t’s hard to make the case that any player in the Shore Conference Tournament is playing better than Harding has for Ocean.

The senior forward scored three goals and two assists in the Spartans' first three tournament games, including a two-goal game in a 3-0 Ocean win over Raritan and two huge plays that led to the Spartans’ two goals in the result over Holmdel. In that win over the top team in the tournament, Harding scored the equalizer and assisted a go-ahead goal by James Schutz.

Although he did not score in Ocean's thrilling, 1-0, overtime win over Christian Brothers Academy, Harding dug deep during the second overtime to make a run against CBA's hounding back line and forced a throw-in.

Luke Yates then launched the throw that led to Leo Montesinos's golden goal.

Harding won the latest Player of the Week with 28.8 percent of the vote - the first week with new voting rules.

Justin Goldberg of Manalapan came in second with 20 percent.

I

t took a total team effort for Toms River North to win the Shore Conference Tournament for the first time since 2012, so it was hard to pick just one Mariner to recognize for the run.

Junior Emily Royson moved to center back to solidify the defense, sophomore Alexa Peto came up with a key play in both wins over Shore and Middletown North and Jaszmin Brown scored the game-winner against the Lions on Saturday.

Tava, however, got the nod as the Player of the Week nominee and ultimately the votes to win it. She continued to control the midfield and the attack with Royson moving back and being involved in so many key plays for the Mariners. The senior midfield recorded a goal and an assist both vs. St. John Vianney and Shore in Toms River North’s first two tournament games and beat a host of Middletown North defenders to initiate her team’s first goal on Saturday in the semifinal win over Middletown North.

Tava won this week's award with 43.9 percent of the vote, well ahead of runner-up Emily Clayton of Wall (15 percent).

WEEK-6: SOUTHERN Jr. Karagan Bulger

WEEK-6: CBA Sr. Dominic Bellomo

C

BA found itself in a must-win game at Freehold Township with the outright Class A North championship on the line and the Colts left no doubt with a 4-1 win. Bellomo set the tone early in that one by scoring the first two goals of the game, including one directly off a corner kick.

Bellomo also dished out an assist in a 3-0 win over East Brunswick on Saturday, the second of two convincing wins over quality opponents during CBA's week. The senior center midfielder has delivered throughout the postseason as a junior.

This week's Player of the Week vote was the most one-sided in the two years of its existence. Bellomo hoarded 79 percent of the more than 42,000 votes cast and his 33,420 votes are by far the most ever for a nominee. Manalapan's Justin Goldberg came in second with five percent of the vote and Jackson Memorial's Joe Schlageter finished right behind him at just under five percent.

WEEK-5: MANASQUAN Jr. Joe Weinstein

M

anasquan continues to be one of the Shore’s streakier teams and it's safe to call its current stretch a winning streak.

After losing three in a row to fall to 5-4, the Warriors won three last week to improve to 8-4 and all three wins were shutouts credited to their junior goalkeeper. Manasquan defeated Raritan 2-0, Monmouth 1-0 and Long Branch 1-0, with both the Monmouth and Long Branch wins coming in overtime. On top of working extra time to record two of the shutouts, Weinstein and the defense kept two hot scorers in Raritan's Jake Fortune and Long Branch's Stiviny Silva off the board.

Weinstein transferred in from Jackson Memorial prior to the school year and has settled in nicely, with 12 goals allowed in 12 games and six shutouts.

Manasquan's goalkeeper won a close three-man race to capture the Week 5 Player of the Week with 20.76 percent of the 11,548 votes cast. Manchester's Blake Weiner finished 66 votes short of Weinstein at 20.19 percent and Toms River South's Danny Caruso collected 19.82 percent to come in third. Marlboro's Brandon Grine also racked up 15 percent of the vote and Fortune came in at 14.5.

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S

outhern’s junior center back has not only led the defense but showed offensive prowess to boot.

Bulger scored a goal in Southern’s 3-0 win over Central to open the week and pitched in a goal and an assist in the Rams’ 3-1 win over Red Bank in the Shore Conference Tournament opening round. Southern also hung around with No. 2 Red Bank Catholic in the SCT round of 16 this week before ultimately falling, 2-0.

Bulger rallied in the final hours of the contest to surpass Wall's Remi Reinhardt and win with 32.3 percent of the 8,523 votes cast.

Reinhardt finished up with 30.3 percent of the vote to take second place this week.

WEEK-5: DONOVAN CATHOLIC Sr. Victoria Gelosi

G

elosi found herself in a goal-scoring groove last week, putting up two goals and an assist in two of Donovan Catholic's three games during that span.

The Griffins entered the week without a win but Gelosi saw to it that they would get in the win column at least once this year with her two goals and one assist in a 4-0 win over Long Branch.

Three days later, Donovan Catholic locked up with Barnegat in a B South clash that carried into overtime and Gelosi's two goals and assist on one by Angela Saliola forced the game to extra time before Barnegat ultimately pulled out the victory.

The Griffins senior won the Week 5 honor with 24.9 percent of the more than 9,100 votes cast to beat out runner-up Gianna Ferigne of Brick (21.6 percent). St. John Vianney goalkeeper Erica Blackburn also made a run at the top spot with 20.5 percent of the vote.

2018 PLAYER OF THE WEEK WINNERS

WEEK-4:

WEEK-3:

WEEK-2:

WEEK-1:

Girls PINELANDS Jr. Aileen Cahill

Girls POINT BEACH Sr. Sarah Shwahla

Girls BARNEGAT Fr. Isabel Guiro

Girls MONMOUTH Jr. Ranya Senhaji

Boys POINT BEACH Sr. Ki Costa

Boys MANASQUAN Sr. Ryan Caruso

Boys FREEHOLD BORO Jr. Isaac Ball

Boys TOMS RIVER EAST Jr. Dane Bodziak

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Wall Township Long Snapper Joseph Shimko officially recognized as a 2019 High School All-American

T

he Shore Conference has an All-American football player, and there’s a good chance it's at a position you wouldn't immediately think of.

Wall senior Joe Shimko is one of the best long snappers in the nation and on Thursday he was officially recognized as a 2019 All-American during a ceremony at Wall High School.

Having been selected to play in the 19th All-American Bowl, representatives from the game presented Shimko with his game jersey and a framed certificate to commemorate the occasion.

“It was pretty cool,” Shimko said.

The All-American Bowl features the nation’s top 100 high school football players separated into East and West teams. The game will take place on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 at the Alamodome in San Antonio and will be nationally televised on NBC at 1 p.m.

Shimko is committed to North Carolina State and is ranked as the No.

1 long snapper in New Jersey and the No. 3 long snapper in the country by 247 Sports. Most long snappers are recruited as preferred walk-ons or receive partial scholarships. Shimko, however, was offered a full scholarship by NC State.

Shimko’s journey to becoming a long snapper is typical in that it was the quickest path to starting at the high school level. Now he’s one of the very best.

“I wanted to play varsity as a sophomore and that was the easiest way to get on the field,” Shimko said. “I’d say by the end of my sophomore year is when I started to get really good at it.”

Shimko hopes to follow the path of two former Shore Conference standouts who are now long snappers in the NFL. Clark Harris, who played at Southern, is the long snapper for the Cincinnati Bengals and Middletown South's Rick Lovato is the long snapper for the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Shimko is also a linebacker for the Crimson Knights, who qualified for the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 3 playoffs as the No. 4 seed. They will host Timber Creek in the first round on Friday, Nov. 2.

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