11-22-10 Issue 22

November 22, 2010 Vo lu m e - II - I ss u e- 2 1 F r eeh o ld Fo otb al l R e a c he s C J 3 F in al Page 3 Holmdel Soccer Wins Group 3 Crown Page 4 Thanksgiving Football Page 8-9 St. Rose Boys Soccer: State Champs Page 10 Reischel Chooses Rice Page 13 Melvin's Review Page 14 Stumpy’s Corner Page 15

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All Shore Media

November 22, 2010 I Volume-II I Issue-21

is a multimedia company that provides exciting and innovative coverage to high school athletics in the Shore Conference in order to highlight the achievements of local athletes in one of the premier conferences in New Jersey. Whether it’s the star of the team or the last player off the bench, everyone has a story and it is our mission to recognize as many athletes as possible and add to the memories for all of the families, coaches, friends and fans who support Shore Conference sports. Whether in print or on the Web, All Shore Media is your main source for all things exciting in the Shore Conference.

All Shore Media Web Site Features Log on to www.allshoremedia.com regularly to get video highlights of all the important games that Shore Conference fans will be talking about. Catch up on the action you might have missed and watch video clips of everything from the action early in the event to the big finish as well as video interviews with various athletes. If you can’t make it to the game, we’ll bring the game to you, and if you were at the game and want to relive the excitement, www.allshoremedia.com is all you need to get inside the action .

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Volume-2 Issue-21 1 1/ 2 2 / 1 0 Page 3

TWO OuT OF THREE AIn’T BAD: Freehold reaches 2 nd cJ Group III FInal In 3 Years

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor Interceptions, missed field goals, penalties wiping out touchdowns and plenty more adversity to overcome in thrilling fashion meant one thing for Freehold in its state playoff semifinal against Wall - just another day at the office.

"There's no hanging our heads on this team,'' said senior quarterback Sterry Codrington.

Freehold did what it has done all during its current eight-game winning streak handled setbacks, stayed together and made the big plays in the end, and it all added up to a 20-13 win over Wall that punched the Colonials' ticket to their second NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III final in three seasons. Thirdseeded Freehold (8-2) will now face top-seeded Middletown South in the championship game on the first weekend of December at a neutral site, most likely Rutgers, and time to be determined, two years after beating the Eagles to win their first state sectional title in 2008.

"We knew the one thing we couldn't do is argue with each other, and the most important thing we did was stick together,'' said senior Derrick Bender, who had a great allaround game with two interceptions and 117 combined yards of offense. "Every time there was a breakdown, we picked each other up instead of doing the opposite and getting each other down. That's what kept us in the game.''

After Codrington's touchdown run, Freehold's defense, which limited Wall's explosive offense to 117 total yards, forced a three-and-out with 5:58 left in the game. The Crimson Knights then appeared to set themselves up for one more chance to tie it when senior linebacker Connor Caponegro hit Codrington for no gain on third down, but Wall jumped offsides when Freehold was in punt formation, resulting in a first down that kept the drive alive.

At that point, Freehold was only thinking one thing with its bruising offensive line and hard-running junior Jazzmar Clax, who Senior Derrick Bender finished with 61 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

The Colonials overcame their mistakes with ferocious defense and a grinding running game to end Wall's sevengame winning streak. Codrington made the biggest play of them all when he broke off a dazzling 61-yard touchdown run featuring several cutbacks that snapped a 13-13 tie and gave Freehold the lead for good with 7:04 left in the fourth quarter.

"Before the play, coach (Mark Ciccotelli) told me not to go down unless my legs fall off, so I wasn't going down for anything,'' Codrington said. "I picked up a few great blocks in the open field by the wide receivers, and I was able to score.'' "(Codrington) is like having another coach on the field,'' Ciccotelli said. "Yesterday I pulled his report card, and it was all A's and two B's. He's a very bright kid. He understands what everybody is supposed to be doing. Most definitely, he can run. That's for sure.''

A year ago, Codrington was a wide receiver, but on Saturday, the first-year quarterback showed he is the clear leader of Freehold's flexbone offense as he finished with a game-high 149 yards rushing on 20 carries behind a punishing offensive line to persevere on a day in which he threw three interceptions.

Freehold rolled up 262 yards on the ground and 332 total yards, but had to fight to the end against a tough Wall team because of turnovers and miscues.

"We're going back to Rutgers,''' Clax said.

"That's all that was said at that point. They're going to put it on the offensive line's shoulders and my shoulders, we're going to grind it out, and we're going to win the game.''

culminated in a 12-yard touchdown run by Clax. However, Mike Hembling's extra point was off the mark, keeping Wall in the lead with 6:06 left in the first quarter.

Midway through the third quarter Codrington had thrown a pass to Bender that would've been a touchdown, but he dropped it. However, Bender immediately atoned for it when he picked off a pass by Cluley on Wall's ensuing drive after the missed field goal and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown and an eventual 13-7 lead after Hembling's extra point with 1:55 left in the third quarter.

"I knew I owed my team because I missed a touchdown pass that Sterry had thrown, so I had to pick my game up and make a play on defense,'' Bender said.

"Derrick dropped a touchdown pass, I ran right up to him and told him to get the next play, and that's what he did,'' Codrington said.

Wall showed some mettle of its own, coming back with a 10-play, 90-yard scoring drive that was keyed by a 63-yard bomb from Cluley to senior wideout Kyle Janeczek. The drive ended when Cluley burrowed his way into the end zone on third-and-goal from about six inches away. Freehold's defense then came up with a clutch play when it blocked the extra point attempt by junior kicker Tyler Block to keep the score tied at 13 with 8:51 left in the game.

That's what happened, as Clax ran for a pair of first downs, including a 20-yard run in which he broke six tackles, and then Codrington sealed it with an 8-yard run for a first down that allowed Freehold to take a knee at Wall's 15yard line.

Freehold dominated the first half but was staring at a 7-6 halftime deficit despite only allowing 39 total yards by Wall. Crimson Knights' junior defensive back Mike Russo intercepted Codrington at Senior QB Sterry Codrington Freehold's 8-yard line on Freehold's first play from scrimmage in the game, leading to a two-yard touchdown run by senior running back Raul Pola two plays later for a quick 7-0 lead.

The Colonials answered immediately with a six-play, 65yard drive that featured a 33-yard run by Bender and

That's when Codrington responded with his game-winning touchdown run, sending the Colonials back to the promised land after a frustrating 6-4 season in 2009 that was beset by infighting and poor team chemistry.

"It feels great,'' Bender said. "Words can't explain it.''

"It's beautiful because everyone doubted us,'' Clax said. "Sterry came in to play quarterback from wide receiver, I was filling the void of Rakim Thorpe as well as Tezzy Thorpe playing running back and no one really felt we had the type of team that we have now. No one believed, but coach 'Chic' and all our coaches believed in us, even with the 0-2 start. Now we're on an 8-game winning streak, and we're heading back to Rutgers.''

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Volume-2 Issue-21 1 1/ 2 2 / 10 Page 4

new Jersey South Lacrosse Chapter Holds First Annual Coaches Clinic

By Bob Sheridan, All Shore Media Contributor followed coach Flynn with his expertise on the mechanics and fundamentals of face-offs, a very specific and integral portion of the game.

Over 130 boys youth and high school lacrosse coaches, predominantly from both the Monmouth and Ocean county areas, enjoyed a stellar day of learning, camaraderie, unity and development recently at the first annual coaches clinic.

Held at GoodSports in Wall, the New Jersey South Lacrosse Chapter (www.NJSouthlacrosse.org ), a chapter of US Lacrosse, the national governing body of the sport for both boys and girls, hosted the entire event, which featured some of the most recognized and respected clinicians and presenters within the state’s lacrosse community.

Tim Flynn, head varsity lacrosse coach at Mountain Lakes High School and the state’s alltime leader in wins at 523 with seven state championships, motivated the crowd with his speech about creating team dynamics and transition offense.

Chris Eck, Chapter president Dale Oehler (left) worldwith Bob Sheridan renowned faceoff specialist and a member of Team USA,

Jim Davidson, head varsity coach from Summit High School, NJ Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame member, and probably one of the most astute tacticians in the game today, relayed to the attendees his thoughts on riding and clearing/attaining the next pass, in addition to offering his ideas on practice and game day planning.

Starkey from Massive Creative (www.massiveplaybook.com) then spoke about how their company has successfully assisted youth, high schools and sports organizations around the country to raise significant funds for their programs through the use of utilizing the Massive PlayBook e-mail communications platform.

Additionally, the Chapter was sponsored and supported by B and B Coach Tim Flynn Instructing a Trophy from player during one of the clincs Manasquan who donated customized clipboards The event was and pens to all of the attendees. sponsored by Warrior and Brine lacrosse, world leader They also presented engraved desk top boxes, containing of equipment, helmets, uniforms and sticks. Their clocks to all of the featured clinicians and presenters as generosity made the day that much more memorable another gesture of their fast growing friendship and as they offered raffle items throughout the day, and relationship as the Chapter’s preferred vendor of choice. gave every coach a shirt and hat. The best part of all The Chapter will look to offer a similar venue on the girls was having their sales team there, spearheaded by side of the game for their next successful coaches clinic. Any Matt Danowski, a four-time All-American and Team girls youth and high school lacrosse coaches who are USA member. Matt and his team anchored the day by interested, please e-mail Bob Sheridan at discussing team and individual offense followed by a bobsheridan@optonline.net. For more information on the question and answer session on dodging and proper chapter and its activities, please contact Dale Oehler, footwork. Power Tek apparel and Universal Lacrosse president of the chapter, at dale_ oehler@njsouthlax.org. also provided raffle items.

In addition to the on-field demonstrations, Dr. Sharon Wentworth spoke about ACL injury prevention, trainer Cornell Key talked on strength and conditioning, and Dr. Rosemarie Moser addressed the recognition and approaches to concussions. Tricia

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Volume-2 Issue-21 1 1/ 2 2 / 10 Page 6

Bringing it ‘Holm’: Holmdel Boys Soccer Wins Group III Title

By Matt Manley – Staff Writer When Dan Metzger decided to return to play his senior season with the Holmdel boys soccer team, the scenario in which he and his Hornets teammates found themselves against Chatham in the NJSIAA Group III final was just the opportunity the University of Maryland-bound senior had in mind.

Metzger blasted home the game-tying free kick in the 67th minute and his rocket off another free kick in the 70th minute proved to be the winner as Holmdel rallied to stun Chatham 2-1 and capture its first NJSIAA state championship in its first appearance in a final.

Chatham took a 1-0 lead into halftime on a goal from Cornell University recruit Conor Goepel off a pretty set-up by Dylan Tencic, but Holmdel responded by limiting the Cougars' chances over the final 40 minutes to allow its attack to get going. A foul just outside the top of the 18-yard box set up Metzger for his game-tying kick, which he ripped over the Chatham wall and just under the crossbar. Cougars goalkeeper Brian Ballard got his left hand on it, but could not get up fast enough on Metzger's shot.

"I kept saying on the sideline, 'Danny, don't waste this,'" Holmdel coach John Nacarlo said.

"I just wanted him to rip it. I didn't want him to try to bend it around the wall, I just wanted him to tattoo the ball, and that's what he did. That was an amazing shot that he put in."

Another foul near the 18-yard box set up Holmdel with a free kick to the left of the top of the box, and this time, the Hornets went into their bag of tricks, using a play they call Senior Dan Metzger "Freddy." After Matt Sawaged ran through the ball with a dummy, Andrew Zheng played the ball short to Tim Centineo just inside the box. With his back to the goal, Centineo played the ball to the top of the box, where Metzger one-timed a shot to the back right post for the winner with 10:14 left in the game.

"We've been doing Freddy all year, but we never got a goal," Metzger said. "We always came close, but it worked out today."

"It hasn't been working all year, but today was a good day to start," Zheng added.

Chatham struck on a counter-attack in the 36th minute to take the lead. Tencic took the ball near midfield and took off toward the right flag. Goepel overlapped him and Tencic made a back-heel pass to his teammate, who took on a defender, beat him to the left, and hit a low left-footed shot to the far right post to give Chatham a 1-0 lead. The goal was Goepel's 19th of the season and ninth during the state tournament.

Nacarlo said the second half was the "best 40 minutes of soccer" his team has played this year, and Metzger had a big hand in the performance. Because of his heavy training schedule with the New York Red Bulls Academy, Metzger missed five games this season and often headed to academy practice after his high school matches. Nacarlo indicated some concern that the schedule that almost prevented his senior midfielder from playing high school soccer this year was beginning to wear Metzger out. Instead of running out of gas Friday, Metzger saved his best for last in a game in which he played all 80 minutes for the first time this season.

"I was a little nervous before today and texted him before the game and I asked him "Are you all right lately?' because he's looked a little sluggish," Nacarlo said. "He said 'Coach, I'm just tired, that's all it is.' I'm glad he had off from practice yesterday with Red Bull, and all I'll say is, he wasn't tired today."

On the first day of practice this past summer, Metzger and senior sweeper Rishi Desai were not officially on the team, with both players electing to focus their energy on club soccer. Metzger, however, decided a week into practice that he would be able to

play for Holmdel and Desai followed several weeks later to give Holmdel two major pieces to add to an already solid team.

"I'm so happy," Metzger said. "I don't regret anything about (this year). We got to win a state championship with all of our friends that we've been playing with for a long time, so it's a great experience."

Metzger, Desai, Zheng, Sawaged and Marino all came in together as freshman starters on the varsity team in 2007, along with Duke University recruit Sean Davis, who only played that one season with the Hornets. Zheng and Marino were starters for Nacarlo all four years, while Metzger and Desai both elected not to play during their sophomore seasons before returning for both their junior and senior seasons.

"I remember that first year getting kicked out against Nutley," recalled goalie Dan Marino, who saved 35 shots in that game before the Hornets lost in penalty kicks after a scoreless tie. "I thought we were going to win that game and after that it's been my dream to win the whole thing. We had some frustrating moments the last few years, but I'm so happy everything came together at the right time for us.

We've worked hard since day one, and I'm just happy for everyone that's a part of it, especially this group of seniors."

Both Metzger and Desai, along with Davis, told Nacarlo last May they would not be coming out for the school team because of other soccer commitments, but Metzger and Desai changed their minds and the rest is now history.

"I told Danny, 'Hey, this is what you came back for,'" Nacarlo said. "Same thing with Rishi, and you could tell this was the biggest thing for them, to win a state championship. Look at the way Danny played today. You knew it meant so much to him to help not just himself but everybody on this team to get the job done."

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Volume-2 Issue-21 1 1/ 2 2 / 1 0 Page 7

All Shore Media Sports Review www.allshoremedia.com

W

ith the annual Thanksgiving football rivalries upon us, it’s time to take a look at the state of each rivalry while injecting my annual two cents into the discussion of whether Thanksgiving games should be swept aside in favor of a state playoff system that crowns an overall Group champion rather than just sectional champions.

I w ill g et to th at p o in t f ir s t bef or e tak ing a lo ok at th is year ’s b ig g es t games alo ng w ith s ome n ew r iv alr ies th at h av e been cr eated s in ce las t y ear. I am a hu g e f an of th e r ivalr y games , b ut I jus t do n ’t thin k th ey s h o uld b e play ed on Than k s g ivin g an y mo r e. I t g ets magn if ied ever y s eas on b ecaus e o f the s u cces s o f th e S ho r e Conf er ence, as ev er y year ther e is one or mor e teams th at ar e f o r ced to d eal w ith a r egu lars eas on game th at es s en tially mean s no thin g mor e th an br ag g in g r ig hts in th e o ver all s cheme o f th in gs b ef or e that team h as to p lay f o r a s tate champions hip a w eek later.

This year, it will be Rumson-Fair Haven that has to face Red Bank Catholic before taking on Matawan in the Central Jersey Group II final, and thankfully, the Bulldogs will be playing this one at full strength. Three years ago, head coach Shane Fallon played his JV team against RBC in order to preserve his starters for a state final against Carteret and the Caseys ran it up to 61-0. Fallon had to deal with a firestorm because of the anger that decision caused on both sides.

A ls o , M ataw an h as to f ace S t.

J ohn Viann ey b ef o r e p layin g Rums on , and M idd leto w n S o u th tak es o n M idd leto w n N or th bef or e f acin g F r eeh o ld in th e Cen tr al J er s ey G r o u p I I I f inal. F r eeh old als o h as a Than ks g iv in g g ame ag ain s t F r eeho ld Tow n s h ip, and Cen tr al J er s ey G r ou p I f in alis t S h o r e Reg io nal h as to f ace P o in t Beach b ef o r e tak in g o n D un ellen in the ch ampio ns hip game. Th e b ig ges t go al o f all tho s e teams going to th e fin als is to mak e it o ut of th eir Th an ks g iv in g g ames w ith o ut an y majo r in ju ries to k ey p layers , w hich is n ’t th e w ay it s h ou ld be.

Th e teams that are th e h ap pies t ar e th e ones w hos e athletic d ir ector s d id th e rig ht th ing and moved th e Th an ks g iv in g g ames to the regu lar s eas on . B rick M emo rial p lay ed B r ick in the open er, an d Lacey play ed C entral ear lier in th e s eas on , and n o w bo th can f o cu s o n their res p ective s tate final games in s tead o f h av ing to w or ry ab o u t a r an do m r eg ular-s eas on game.

Th e b y e w eek s h o uld b e eliminated and durin g Than k s giv in g w eek , s ectio n al f in als s hou ld be p lay ed . Th en th e G r oup s emif inals can be p layed a w eek later an d then a G rou p f inal in th e s econ d w eek o f D ecemb er, un les s the

Volume-2 Issue-21 11/22/10 Page 8

N J S I A A w ou ld in s tead w ant to s tar t th e s eas o n a w eek ear lier th an no w, w h ich is als o an other aven ue to exp lo r e.

I n ev er y other pr o min ent s p or t, the N J S I A A To ur n ament cr ow ns a G r oup champ io n, an d I d on ’t th ink f oo tb all s h ou ld b e an y d iff er en t.

P lus , th at’s th e w ay it’s do ne in ju s t abo u t ev er y s tate in th e co un tr y. I n add itio n, it w ou ld lik ely b e a s olid r even ue h au l f o r th e N J S I A A to hav e G r ou p f inals .

Tak e all the Th an k s g iving r ivalr ies an d mo ve them to th e w eek en d o f th e s tate play off cuto ff to ad d mo r e ju ice to th e g ame. I mag ine if Wall h ad to b eat M an as q uan to ear n its s tate p layo ff b er th th is s eas on , o r if To ms Riv er N or th an d Toms Riv er Eas t h ad a “w inn er g o es to th e p lay o ff s , los er go es ho me’’ game o n th at w eek en d ? Th o s e p laces w ou ld b e p ack ed , and alr ead y b itter r iv alr ies w o u ld be taken to big ger h eigh ts becau s e th e s tak es o f th e game w o uld b e h ig her.

With all th at s aid , the s y s tem is s till th e s ame f o r n ow. I t als o d o es n’t mean th er e w o n ’t b e s ome excitin g g ames th is Th an k s giv in g , s o let’s take a lo ok at all th e r iv alr ies w h ile clas s if ying them in th e p r oces s .

Th e B est Rivalries Wall vs . M anas quan : Righ t n ow, th is is p r ob ab ly th e bigges t and bes t Th anks g iv in g game o ut ther e b ecau s e b oth teams ar e p er en nially s u cces s f ul. Las t year, Wall beat M an as q uan 3 1- 2 8, on e w eek b ef o r e M anas quan had to play M ataw an in the Cen tr al J er s ey G r ou p I I f inal.

This y ear, b oth teams w er e kno cked out of the s tate p layoff s in the s emif inals , bu t this g ame s till h as p lenty of meanin g. I f M an as q uan w ins , it lo cks up th e o utr ig ht Clas s C Cen tr al title, an d if Wall w ins , th e Cr ims on K nig hts w ill s h ar e th e div is ion title w ith M anas qu an . Th is g ame alw ay s has a h uge cr ow d, an d s ince th e r iv alr y ’s r enew al in 2 00 0, it’s been the b es t of all the S hor e- ar ea Than ks g iv ing g ames on a r egu lar bas is , and it als o has been comp etitive. S ince th e s er ies r es tar ted again in 2 00 0, each team has w on f ive games .

A s b ur y P ar k v s . N eptu ne: Th is is one of th e o ldes t r ivalr ies in the s tate, as it b eg an all th e w ay back in 19 27 betw een tw o pr ogr ams th at hav e h ad v ar iou s per iods of s u s tained s ucces s .

I t als o pits a s mall G r oup I s ch oo l ( A s bu r y

P ar k) again s t a G r o u p I I I s cho ol ( N ep tu n e) , b ut the little g uy has r is en u p in r ecent y ear s to w in tw o out of the las t th r ee g ames . I n 2 0 0 8 , N eptu ne en d ed A s b ur y P ar k’s 2 1- game w in n ing s tr eak w ith a 6 - 0 w in . Th e S car let F lier s lead th e all- time s er ies , 4 1 - 3 7- 4.

This y ear, th e p lot is ev en juicier b ecaus e N eptu ne’s head co ach is D o n S of ilk an ich, w h o lef t A s b ur y P ar k to tak e th e N ep tun e job af ter leading the Blue Bis h op s to th eir th ir d s tr aigh t Centr al J er s ey G r ou p I title las t y ear. H e als o too k tw o as s is tant co ach es w ith h im, s o y o u k now his f or mer play er s at A s bu r y P ar k w ou ld love no thin g mo r e th an to s ting th eir f or mer coach f or leav in g .

Toms River Eas t v s . To ms Riv er N o r th: Th is r ivalr y is go ing into its 3 1s t edition an d has b een one of th e qu ality o nes b ecaus e b o th p r og r ams ar e p er en n ially w in nin g teams . Th e tw o G r o up IV s choo ls ar e alw ays s ome of O cean Coun ty’s b es t, s o th is is us ually a co mp etitive g ame betw een talen ted teams , an d s ometimes h as d ivis io n title imp licatio ns , altho ug h the tw o w er e in d iff er en t d iv is io n s f o r th e p as t f ew year s b ef o r e both beco ming p ar t o f the n ew ly cr eated Clas s A S outh th is year.

Toms River Eas t lead s the all- time s er ies , 1 6 1 3- 1 , an d th is s eas on s ho u ld b e an o th er d ogf ight. N o title is on th e lin e becau s e Br ick M emor ial alw ay s w on Clas s A S o u th, b u t th is s hou ld be an o th er s o lid g r u dg e match.

Golden Oldies M iddletow n N o r th vs . M id dleto w n S o uth : Th is one alw ay s d r aw s a gr eat cr o w d and h as a g ood atmo s pher e, b ut it h as n ’t b een too competitive f o r a w h ile. M id dleto w n S o u th leads the s er ies 22 11 - 1 an d has do min ated in th e p as t d ecade.

This s eas on loo ks to b e n o diff er ent, as th e

Al l Sh or e Me dia Spo rts R evi ew www.allshoremedia.com Eagles enter at 8 - 2 and head ed to th e Cen tr al J er s ey G r oup I I I f inal, w h ile M id d leto w n N o r th is 2- 7 . Th e extr a w r in k le is th at M id d leto w n N or th h ead co ach J oe Tr ezza is a M id d leto w n S o uth g r ad uate and f or mer Eag les p lay er an d co ach .

Red Bank Catholic vs. Rumson-FH: Both of these programs have really risen to prominence in this past decade, but RBC has had a decided advantage in this game in recent seasons.

This year is the same scenario as 2007, when Rumson was playing in the Central Jersey Group II final a week later and RBC was playing its final game of the season. RBC leads the all-time series, 28-24-6 and has won the last seven meetings.

The Caseys are loaded up once again, and this game annually becomes a big deal for them because they play in such a difficult state playoff bracket that the chances of them reaching a final are slim, as they have not won a state playoff game since 1998.

Both teams are ranked in the All Shore Media Top 10, with RBC being the favorite in this game once again, while Rumson hopes to avoid any injuries in order to get ready for Matawan a week later.

Red Bank vs. Long Branch: This is another one of the Shore conference’s oldest rivalries, but it has been lop-sided in Long Branch’s favor in recent years. The Green Wave lead the all-time series, 56-28-3, but there have been some great battles in this one over the years featuring teams that had some of the Shore Conference’s all-time greats.

This game has special meaning to Long Branch head coach Dan George, as the winner is awarded the Ty Lewis trophy, named after the late Ty Lewis, a beloved former Red Bank coach whom George was an assistant under early in his career.

This season, an improved Red Bank squad has a shot at its first win in the series since 2003, and with a young and up-and-coming team, this rivalry may be rejuvenated in the next few seasons. This is also the swan song for star Long Branch senior quarterback Miles Shuler, the Shore’s most highly-recruited player.

Oldie, But Not so Golden Toms River South vs. Lakewood: This game is the granddaddy of them all, as it is now in its 91st year.

However, both programs have struggled mightily in recent seasons, so this game has been an afterthought for everyone but the diehards.

Lakewood is starting to show signs of life under legendary former Brick coach Warren Wolf, as it ended a 33-game losing streak this year and has two victories. Toms River South, meanwhile, enters the game winless and an underdog for the first time in a while after dominating this series for the better part of a decade.

The Indians lead the all-time series, 51-35-4, and to their credit, their fan base is very loyal and always turns out for this game in big numebers regardless of the status of the teams.

Middle of the Pack St. John Vianney vs. Matawan; Manalapan vs. Marlboro; Monmouth vs.

Ocean; Keansburg vs. Mater Dei Prep; Manchester vs. Monsignor Donovan.

These games have been mostly onesided with the exception of the Monsignor Donovan-Manchester match-up, but that game has little luster because it is usually played on the weekend of the state sectional semifinals rather than any time near Thanksgiving. It usually goes down as a footnote in the midst of playoff action.

Matawan, Manalapan, Ocean, and Keansburg have all had the upper hand in their respective rivalries. That should continue for Matawan and Manalapan this season, and Manalapan has the added incentive of clinching the Class A North title outright by beating Marlboro.

Manalapan leads that series, 29-7-2, and Matawan leads that series, 5-1, in what has been a young rivalry.

However, Monmouth and Mater Dei Prep enter their respective games as the favorites for the first time in a few years. Ocean leads the series 12-2 against Monmouth, and Keansburg has a 19-7-1 edge, so we’ll see if the underdogs can claim a victory.

Young and Growing H olmdel v s . Rar itan ; J acks on M emo r ial vs .

J acks o n Liber ty This is just the third edition of the Holmdel-Raritan rivalry, with the Rockets having won the first two, but a competitive Holmdel team looks to give Raritan a run this season between two teams that are now in the same division, Class A Central.

Volume-2 Issue-21 1 1/ 2 2 / 10 Page 9

New or Renewed Colts Neck vs. Howell; Freehold vs.

F r e e h o l d To w n s h i p ; B a r n e g a t v s . P i n e l a n d s ; Shore vs. Point Beach; Central vs. Point Boro F r e e h o l d a n d F r e e h o l d To w n s h i p r e n e w acquaintances for the first time since 2000, as they played each other for 28 years before Freehold was paired up with Colts Neck and F r e e h o l d To w n s h i p p l a y e d H o w e l l .

The Colonials are the heavy favorite against a t w o - w i n F r e e h o l d To w n s h i p t e a m , a s F r e e h o l d will be playing in the Central Jersey Group III f i n a l a g a i n s t M i d d l e t o w n S o u t h a w e e k l a t e r.

Still, Freehold has been caught in this trap b e f o r e , a s i t s o n l y l o s s i n g o i n g 11 - 1 i n 2 0 0 8 was to Colts Neck on Thanksgiving with a state final game against Middletown South looming a w e e k l a t e r.

Colts Neck and Howell is a new rivalry and should be a fun one because most of these players played Pop Wa r n e r t o g e t h e r, a n d now their former teammates at the youth level are their rivals.

Shore-Point Beach and Central-Point Boro are two new

rivalries, b u t t h e y a r e n ’t g e n e r a t i n g m u c h b u z z , a s S h o r e and Point Boro are both heavy favorites against teams that have two or less wins.

Barnegat and Pinelands will play their first g a m e i n t h e r i v a l r y, a n d t h e s e n e a r b y s c h o o l s already have some good rivalries in other sports, and their last two meetings on the football field have been overtime thrillers in r e g u l a r- s e a s o n g a m e s , s o I t h i n k t h i s s e r i e s h a s a lot of potential for excitement. Pinelands also has 2,000-yard rusher Matt McLain, while Barnegat has 2,000-yard passer Nick SanGiacomo.

All Done Brick vs. Brick Memorial; Central vs.

Lacey; Southern vs. Barnegat; Keyport vs.

Shore.

Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty may only be in the third season of their rivalry because

T h e s e h a v e a l l b e e n r e t i r e d , a s L a c e y, B r i c k , Keyport, Brick Memorial and Southern all do not have Thanksgiving games any more.

Hopefully that is the first step in the right direction, and the Shore Conference will follow their lead by moving the rivalry games up to earlier in the season.

Jackson Liberty’s varsity program didn’t even begin until 2007, but this one is already pretty fierce. The Jackson Memorial players take this game very seriously, as they are the big brother to the little brother and the more established program. The Jaguars have won the first two meetings and don’t want to be the first team that loses to the Lions, while the Jackson Liberty players are hungry to show that their program is now the equal or better of their cross-town rivals.

Cliff Lavelle

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Volume-2 Issue-21 11/ 22 /1 0 Page 10

yes We Can-ning: st. rose Wins non-public B Title

By Matt Manley – Staff Writer With one swing of his right leg midway through the first half of his team's NJSIAA Non-Public B championship game against Oratory Prep, St. Rose senior forward Brendan Canning put to rest any fears of another season coming up one win short of a championship.

For once, coach Tim McInerney and his Purple Roses were on the right side of the scoreboard in an NJSIAA championship game.

Canning scored two first-half goals and his shot on goal set up a third score 29 seconds into the second half as the Purple Roses topped Oratory Prep 3-0 at The College of New Jersey to win the Non-Public B championship and end a 22-year championship drought. St. Rose lost last year's championship game 3-0 to Gill St. Bernard's.

"It was perfect," Canning said of Tuesday night's game. "It's everything I could have imagined and more. This is a great feeling right now."

The outright title is the ninth in school history and the first since 1988. St. Rose was 0-5-1 in championship games over the last 10 seasons and 0-4-1 under McInerney. St. Rose shared the title with Morris Catholic in 2002.

an individual effort by Culley. The senior midfielder beat his man around the corner on the left side and split two defenders with a cross to the feet of Canning, who settled the ball and slipped it past goalkeeper Stephen O'Loughlin to the right side netting, the same spot he put his second goal.

Scotto set up the third Roses goal by taking the ball to the end line and sending a cross to the front of the goal. Canning got a foot on the ball and O'Loughlin deflected the shot attempt to the far post. Culley was in position and punched the ball home for his 18th goal of the season. With his twoassist, one-goal game Tuesday, Culley finished the year with 18 goals and nine assists while playing primarily as a center midfielder.

"Our guys were nervous wrecks last year," McInerney said. "They weren't nervous this year. There were 18 seniors out there tonight who experienced last year. They experienced the game and the crowd, and I thought that made a huge difference. (Forward John) Scotto got some early chances, and we might have rushed it, but once Brendan settled that one down, I think we started thinking, Senior Brendan Canning 'Hey, we can win this,' and we started playing better soccer."

With a core of seniors who watched last year's championship slip away over the course of the final 40 minutes, the Roses made sure to keep attacking after Canning's first goal. Canning scored his second goal - his 13th of the season and fifth of the NJSIAA Tournament - off a pretty sequence in the 36th minute that ended with Culley one-timing a pass from Christian Bozinos to a wide-open Canning, who settled the ball with a touch and hit it into the right side of the net. Once Culley scored 29 seconds into the second half, the Roses could sense that the countdown was on.

"Scoring the first goal was very big," Culley said. "Scoring the first goal is always the key in a game like this, and we knew we had to do that to help us get going, especially after falling the way we did last year."

"We just thought about getting one or two more for insurance after that first one," Canning said. "It was still early, and we had to keep attacking."

Canning's first goal came 19:17 into the game off

Andrew Kurtz earned his 11th shutout of the season in goal playing behind a defense anchored

by Cliff Clark, Michael Verga, Nick Hudak and Kyle Sammon. Culley and Bozinos - the latter of whom finished the season with a Shore Conference-best 20 assists controlled the game from the center midfield, while Paul Grodeska and Chris Tuzzio were both active on the outsides. Tuzzio had a shot saved by O'Loughlin that would have made the score 4-0 midway through the second half.

St. Rose won back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1978 after losing in the 1976 championship game, and the fathers of both Canning and Tuzzio played on those championship teams. With Tuesday's victory, Mike and Brendan Canning, and Mike and Chris Tuzzio became the first two father-son combinations to win a state title at St. Rose.

"It's been a long time coming," McInerney said.

"I'm just really happy for these guys because they've worked really hard, and we've had some good teams here, but we just couldn't figure out how to win this game. It's definitely a big relief, and it's good to see these seniors get one."

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Volume-2 Issue-21 1 1/ 2 2 /1 0 Page 11

The Devils’ Work: shore regional Football reaches state sectional Final

By S c o t t S t u m p – M a n a g i n g E d i t o r Shore Regional is the top seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I bracket and was the clear favorite to bring home its first state sectional title since 1997 before the playoffs began, yet the Blue Devils have approached this postseason like they are an underdog out for respect.

The latest evidence in their argument was a 31-7 win over visiting Keyport in the Central Jersey Group I semifinals for their second win of the season over the rival Red Raiders (8-3) and their first trip to the sectional finals since 2001. Three of Shore's biggest stars performed on the big stage, as senior running back Mark Senior Shane Carroll Coleman had 106 yards rushing and two touchdowns, senior wideout/kicker Shane Carroll had a 30-yard field goal and a 61yard punt return for a touchdown, and senior defensive end Evan Ruane had a blocked punt that he recovered for a touchdown to power the victory for the Blue Devils (9-1).

The Blue Devils' defense also limited Keyport's Wing-T offense to 107 yards rushing, including only 34 by 1,200yard rusher Jordan Edmonds, and forced three turnovers.

"We're the best-kept secret in the Shore Conference,'' said head coach Mark Costantino.

"We're one point away from being 10-0 (because of a 7-6 loss to Manasquan), and we use that as motivation, trying to earn our respect,'' said Ruane, who is also the quarterback.

Does Shore have a chip on its shoulder despite its status as the favorite?

"Absolutely,'' Costantino said. "We're not even ranked (in the All Shore Media Top 10). We're like the nobody, and we'll play with anybody. We're a good football team. I'm sick of it.

These kids deserve coverage because they are a great team.

This is a great story.''

The story will continue with a Thanksgiving game against new Turkey Day opponent Point Beach in a bid to wrap up the outright Class B Central title and then will conclude with the CJ I final against thirdseeded Dunellen on the first weekend of December at a neutral site to be determined.

"We've been talking about (making the state final) ever since we were freshmen, and I'm just happy we're finally there for once,'' Carroll said. "Plus, it's my senior year, which makes it even better.''

middle and blocked the punt, recovering his own block at the 2-yard line before scoring with 59.9 seconds left in the half for a 17-7 lead.

"That was a huge momentum shift right before the end of the half,'' Ruane said. "I was just trying to make something happen, and then the ball bounced right in front of me at the 2-yard line.''

The Blue Devils nearly scored on their second possession in the third quarter when senior running back Pat Maggio lofted a halfback pass to a wide open Carroll deep down the field, but Carroll dropped it. Ruane came back with a 32-yard heave to senior Eric Lower to continue the drive, but it ended when Keyport's Alex Micholas intercepted Ruane in the end zone before Ruane laid a booming hit on him to prevent a possible interception return for a touchdown and keep the Red Raiders pinned at their own 20-yard line.

Shore's defense then forced a three-and-out to set up some redemption for Carroll, who returned a line drive punt 61 yards for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead with 1:45 left after his own extra point.

"I was upset when I dropped it, but then when Eric Lauer caught that other big pass after me, the halfback pass wasn't even in my head any more, and I just moved on,'' Carroll said.

"I remember when my brother was a sophomore when they went to the state championship (in 2001), and I remember watching it,'' Ruane said. "It was cool for me.

It still hasn't set in that we're going there. It's unbelievable.''

The Blue Devils set the tone from the outset at Robert E. Feeney Field when Ruane sacked Keyport quarterback Cyrus Williams on third down to kill Keyport's opening drive of the game and then Shore drove 65 yards on 10 plays, scoring on Coleman's 16-yard run for a 7-0 lead. Ruane had another sack to kill Keyport's ensuing drive, and then Shore drove down to Keyport's 8-yard line before settling for a 30-yard field goal by Carroll Senior Mark Coleman for a 10-0 lead with 9:26 left in the third quarter.

Keyport then got something going through the air to get on the scoreboard when it drove 85 yards in nine plays to cut the lead to 10-7 with 5:08 left in the first half. Williams hit senior wideout Mike Konish with three passes on the drive, including a 29-yarder, before finding him on a slant for a 10-yard touchdown to cut into the lead.

The Red Raiders' defense came up with a stop to continue the momentum, but then Ruane got the home crowd roaring with a big play on special teams. With Keyport punting from just outside its own end zone, the 6-foot-4 senior came barreling up the

"I took him aside after he dropped that pass and said, 'Calm down, you're a great player, and you're going to make a great play for us,''' Costantino said. "Then he returned the punt. That's what he does.''

Coleman came up with a fumble recovery to thwart Keyport's next drive, and then the Blue Devils capped the win with a seven-play, 32-yard drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by Coleman to balloon the lead to 31-7 with 8:45 left in the game. Shore finished with 196 yards rushing and only one turnover to reaffirm its status as the team to beat in the bracket.

The win had Costantino holding up his 1997 championship ring that has served as inspiration for his team this season after the game and saying, "It's time to retire this one. I need a new one.''

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2010 FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Thr

(Games to be broadcast on WOBM 1160/1310AM) 11/25 Wall at Manasquan

NJSIAA Playoff Games = TBD BROADCAST CREW Matt Harmon, Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca

(11am)

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Volume-2 Issue-21 11 /2 2/ 10 Page 12

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Volume-2 Issue-21 11 / 2 2 / 10 Page 13

The Journey Continues: reischel To rice

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor Since moving to the United States from Germany before his sophomore year, much of Jarelle Reischel's basketball career has been unorthodox, so it only seemed fitting when the senior swingman announced during a gathering of Point Beach parents and alumni on Nov. 17th that he has committed to Rice University.

Reischel had played it so close to the vest when it came to deciding between Rice, Seton Hall and Penn State that he admitted that he didn't make his final decision until an hour before he took the microphone at Martell's in Point Pleasant Beach and made his decision public by reaching inside his varsity jacket and pulling out a Rice baseball cap to put on his head. The kickoff dinner served as an ultimatum for Reischel to reach a decision because it was the final day of the NCAA's early signing period, and Reischel and head coach Nick Catania did not want his decision dragging out beyond that date.

Reischel had more than 40 scholarship offers, according to Catania, yet turned down the Big East, Big Ten, ACC and other power conferences to play for head coach Ben Braun at a Rice program that plays in Conference USA and has not made the NCAA Tournament since 1970. The player who stuck it out at a small public high school with no major basketball tradition instead of transferring, the player who didn't get caught up in all the recruiting hype, decided to go a nontraditional route.

"I would say I followed my heart,'' he said. "It could be easy for me to pick the highest-level school that's recruiting me and go to the Big Ten or go to the Big East and not be happy. For me, the most important factor was to be happy, and to go with my gut. Rice was the spot.

"Today was really stressful. I got millions of texts and calls asking where am I going to go and what am I going to do. I was just happy to get it over with.''

want to quit, and he had a vision to change the program. I believe in that.

"I wanted to change the program. I didn't want to go somewhere and just fit in. I wanted to go somewhere and be kind of 'The Man' and be a big part of the program.''

Reischel's choice could also be construed as not being sure if he can hack it with the big boys in a major conference, but that is not the case.

"That was addressed,'' Catania said.

"At first he was like, 'Bring it on,' when that was brought up, but then it became more about the best fit for him. This was more of a decision to do what he did at Point Beach. He said, 'I want to go in there (to Rice), and I want to be 'The Man,' and take that pressure that comes with that.''

Reischel, along with nowgraduated Jordan Wejnert, helped lead the Garnet Gulls to a single-season school record 20 wins, the Class B Central title and their first state sectional final appearance in school history, which ended with a loss to Woodbury in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I championship game. A once-dormant fanbase has come alive with "The Gulls' Nest'' student section and packed houses for big games, leading Point Beach athletic director Ellen Magliaro to joke at the dinner that she didn't used to have to even have a police officer at home games and now needs at least two.

Much of that is due to the presence of the exciting Reischel, the type of player who has really never been seen at a place like Point Beach.

Reischel is a 6-foot-6, 210-pound swingman who was selected as the All Shore Media Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2009-10 after averaging 22.7 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in 26 games, and shooting 79.1 percent from the foul line on 187 attempts. He also averaged 4.4 steals, 4.1 assists and 2.1 blocks per game. He sees a similar situation at Rice to the one he entered at Point Beach in 2008 when he moved from Frankfurt, Germany, where he grew up the son of a father in the U.S. military, to live in Lavallette with a friend of his father's in order to attend college in the United States.

"One of his biggest things is that he's loyal,'' Catania said. "Most kids that would've walked into our gym when he was a sophomore would've walked in and walked out. He stayed and said, 'You know, I believe in this program, and I believe in what we want to do.' Everyone else in the whole Shore Conference was thinking he was crazy.''

Point Beach had not won a division title since 1968 and was frequently at the bottom of the standings as a small Group I school, yet Reischel resisted the siren call of the powerhouse parochial and prep school programs around New Jersey to stick with the Garnet Gulls and take them to prominence.

He hopes to replicate that experience at Rice.

"It definitely was a challenge,'' Reischel said about when he first arrived at Point Beach. "I thought about transferring, and people were always asking me about transferring, but I think one thing that is really special about me is that I don't like to quit. Once I start something, I don't want to quit. I saw that coach Nick (Catania) was the same type of person as me - he doesn't

Wejnert, who transferred from Ramsey High School to Point Beach before his senior year and will play this winter at prep school, is believed to be the program's first Division I recruit in history. He is signed with the University of Maryland-Baltimore County for 2011-12, and Reischel follows right on his heels as a Division I product. Reischel also joins Monsignor Donovan guard Sean Grennan (Davidson) and Christian Brothers Academy forward Matt McMullen (Colgate) as Division I recruits from the Shore Conference Class of 2011. Lakewood senior swingman Jarrod Davis has multiple Division I offers but is uncommitted, and Middletown North senior forward Shilique Calhoun has offers from Wagner and St. Peter's but also has double-digit Division I football offers as a tight end/defensive end.

Reischel may not do one thing exceptionally well yet, but he is very sound in every aspect of the game, whether it's shooting, scoring, defense, ballhandling or rebounding. He projects as a two-guard for the Owls who

will play on the wing. An area that has been questioned is his toughness and the level of competition he has faced. This past summer, he played with a different AAU team based out of New York City to increase the level of players he was matching up with.

He also has no issues in the work ethic department. Catania said that Reischel spends his Friday nights working on his jumper at The Atlantic Club in Manasquan, and that the first question he asked in every college visit following the head coach's spiel was, "Can I get in the gym any time I want?''

Catania has also ensured that Reischel and the Garnet Gulls will have high-level competition outside of the small-school Class B Central this season, as Point Beach has scrimmages against national power St. Patrick's, CBA and another state power, St. Peter's Prep. It also will be in several showcase events, including the Battle on the Boardwalk against Grennan and Monsignor Donovan, the Izod Classic and the PrimeTime Shootout.

One thing that is for sure is that the Garnet Gulls and Reischel have come a long way since he boarded that plane from Germany back in the summer of 2008.

"Growing up in Germany and coming to the United States, my goal was to play college basketball, no matter where,'' he said. "I had no idea about Division I, Division II or Division III. I had no idea about levels. I'm just really thankful and blessed for the situation I'm in now. I came over from Germany, thousands of miles away, and it worked out. It's crazy.''

He also has no fear about going all the way to Houston from tiny Point Pleasant Beach, as he already has gone far from home once and flourished.

"I was definitely upset leaving Frankfurt and my friends,'' he said. "I think you have to leave sometimes to reach your goals, and that's what's going to happen here. To reach my goals, I would do whatever it takes. I left my family once, and I am doing it again to reach my dreams.''

Those dreams have followed a nontraditional route to success, one not often seen in the ego-saturated world of high school recruiting, where television appearances, NCAA Tournament bids and NBA contracts are the currency that usually sells most high school players on a certain school.

"It's refreshing,'' Catania said. "There are definitely some coaches out there who are shocked.''

"I'll be going in there to make a big impact as a freshman, just like I did in my first year at Point Beach,'' Reischel said. "If you look at college basketball, it's not necessarily all big-name programs that win big games - Butler came out of nowhere last year and made the finals. It doesn't matter the high level of the league, it's just the commitment of the system, the right players and good coaching. I feel that Rice has all of that.''

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RBC’s Casten Can Play with the Best “The senior tailback/defensive back displays all the tools that you find in a top player - good size, quickness, vision and the will to win. That’s why he holds offers at this time – he has the IT FACTOR.” Christopher Melvin – HS Football Recruiting Analyst – ELITERECRUITS.COM shiftiest back that we’ve faced, but he was the hardest runner and most productive. To run for over 200 yards against our defense, you have to be good, and he is definitely that. He was impressive.”

When it comes to impressive high school football players in the Shore Conference, the list goes on and on.

On that list you are destined to run across the names Jared Allison (Matawan), Jarrod Molzon (Lacey), Miles Shuler (Long Branch), Mike DeTroia (Barnagat), Josh Firsker (Manalapan), Mike Bimonte (Manalapan), Andrew Suarez (Middletown South), DaQuan Kenney (Lakewood), Derrick Bender (Freehold Boro), Matt McLain (Pinelands), Steve Cluley (Wall), Ryan Davies (Howell), Joe Johnson (Manchester), Kalyph Hardy (Central), Charles Davis (Neptune), Monwell Brown (Manchester), Sterry Codrington (Freehold Boro) and a host of others.

The multitasking Casten lined up at running back, quarterback in the Wildcat formation, punter, place kicker, defensive back and also kicked off. He accumulated 232 yards on 21 carries, scored three touchdowns, kicked two extra points, ran in a 2-point conversion, intercepted a pass, and punted four times for 143 total yards.

“I was happy about the way I played and the way our team came out ready to play, never folded and competed for 48 minutes,” said Casten, who is also a stand-out in the classroom with a 4.3 grade-point average and a class ranking of eight out of 260 students. “We walked away holding our heads high, as we felt Bergen Catholic respected our play when the game was over.’’

On the season, Casten has accounted for 1,362 rushing yards on 180 carries with 21 touchdowns with one game still remaining on Thanksgiving against Rumson-Fair Haven. He has also hauled in 13 catches for 140 yards and two more scores and kicked 21 PATs. On defense at safety, Casten had made 45 tackles, intercepted two passes, broke up 13 pass attempts, recovered a fumble, and blocked a PAT. Also, he has averaged 36.5 yards per punt, and booted five touchbacks as a kicker.

“To run for over 200 yards against our defense you have to be good, and he is definitely that.’’ Bergen catholic senior shutang Mungwa, a stanford-bound defensive back.

But at the top of that list, you’ll find Red Bank Catholic senior R B C 's A ndr e w C a s t e n running back/defensive back Andrew Casten.

In the first round of the NJSIAA playoffs, Red Bank Catholic faced one of the best teams in the region in Bergen Catholic, and the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Casten utilized his skills and 4.55 speed to keep the Crusaders on their heels.

Year in and year out, Bergen Catholic has the luxury of being equipped with Division I talent, and it is no different this year with running back Karl Bostick (Akron), defensive back Shutang Mungwa (Stanford), quarterback/receiver Tanner McEvoy (undecided with numerous Division I-A offers), and all-around athlete Cameron Dickerson (Northwestern).

“Coming into the game knew we were the underdogs, as just about everyone was picking Bergen Catholic to win,’’ said Casten, who has offers from Monmouth University and Wagner right now. “We were not intimidated this year, as we had scrimmaged BC in the preseason and held our own. We knew we could play with the powerhouses of North Jersey, and we were determined to make a statement (win or lose).”

Despite a 65-34 loss to the Crusaders, Casten created a game film reel that will undoubtedly leave college recruiters impressed.

“I believe that I was more prepared for this game because it was such a big game and just about no one gave us a chance to win the game,’’ Casten said. “Having a game on that stage and playing well definitely gives me confidence about my ability. It proves to me that I can play with anybody.’’

Casten’s competition felt the same way: “He ran the hardest out of all the runners we’ve faced this year,’’ said the Stanford-bound Mungwa. “He wasn’t the

“I am a competitive person, in the classroom and on the field/court, no matter what sport or activity,’’ , said Casten, who is also being recruited by Harvard, Bucknell, and Princeton. “I train to be the best, to win and succeed. I also challenge my teammates to do the same.

As a junior, Casten carried the ball 152 times for 1,079 yards, made 54 tackles, intercepted 3 passes, blocked an extra point and kicked four field goals (42, 33, 32 and 28 yards).

Centers Of Attention: Linemen don’t tend to get much love from the media, so here you go. The Shore has some of the most impressive centers in the state in Jackson’s 6-foot-4, 300-pound Joe Nolan and 6-foot-3, 290-pound Kevin Gallogly of Holmdel. Both players have the skills to play at the Division I-A level and colleges are becoming aware of that.

Despite possessing the skills to be an impressive collegiate defensive end or linebacker, St. John Vianney’s 6-foot-3, 220-pound Sean Tobin has one of the quickest longsnapping releases that you’ll find anywhere.

Carrington To Wagner: Toms River North’s 6-foot-1, 180pound receiver/returner Anthony Carrington made an oral committment to play for the Football Championship Subdivision Wagner Seahawks in 2011.

TRN’s Anthony Carrington Carrington, who has 22

catches for 405 yards and a 45-yard interception return as a defensive back with a game remaining for the Mariners in a run-oriented offense, still mangaged to reel in offers from Wagner and Monmouth and has schools like Youngstown, UConn, Temple, Stony Brook and others still seeking his film.

Following a junior season at Lakewood that left left him stationary on the sideline with a broken leg, Carrington was back in full swing this past spring and summer performing at camps and combines.

“I am grateful for the Shore’s Best Football Camp, Dr. Daniel Fox (who performed the necessary surgery on his injury), and my trainer Cornell Key for getting me ready for my senior season,” Carrington said. “I just sent my film out to those other schools who are requesting. I am content with what Wagner has to offer me. I love the coaches up there and the passing offense that they run.”

Wagner has also offered the likes of Red Bank Catholic’s Andrew Casten and Matawan’s Jared Allison.

“I’ve only really played two seasons of football so I have a lot of football ahead of me,” Carrington said.

Top-Ranked Lions Facing Division I-A Talent: You can argue and debate the point of what team is the TOP team in the Shore, and it can go on forever. But when it comes to facing top talent, coach Lou Vircillo and his Lacey Lions have done that and then some. In the past two weeks, the 11-0 Lions have faced a team that included at least three Division I-A football players on its current roster.

In the first round of the South Jersey Group III Tournament, Lacey defeated Timber Creek, 27-6. The Chargers had South Carolina-bound receiver/returner Damiere Byrd, Pittsburgh-bound linebacker Quinton Alston and 6-foot-2, 235-pound inside linebacker Quanzell Lambert, who has already hauled in offers from Rutgers, Maryland, South Carolina, and Iowa.

In the SJ Group III semifinal, the Lions handed Winslow Township a 34-14 loss. The Eagles were equipped with electrifying Pittsburgh-bound quarterback Bill Belton, athlete DeVante Waugh (who holds 7 offers), and 6-foot-2, 190pound Rob Mahan (undecided), along with two Division Ibound juniors in receiver/defensive back William Johnson Jr. and 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive tackle Razahn Howard.

Winslow happens to be the same school that current New York Jets running back Shonn Greene hails from in addition to Rutgers linebacker Kailil Glaud, defensive back Brandon Jones and University of Cinninati starting cornerback Reuben Johnson.

Look for Lacey to have at least two Division I recruits for the Class of 2012 with 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman Tyrell Smith and 6-foot-3.5, 215-pound linebacker/tightend Jordan Powell, both of whom played in spectaclur fashion against top competition along with their teammates.

Photos by:

Cliff Lavelle

ww w. cle aredge .zenfol io .com

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H

e wasn’t sporting the gaudy sunglasses or the loud wardrobe.

He wasn’t standing there aloof until the cameras started flashing or taking video and then mugging with the kids to make it look good.

When I walked into the Frozen Ropes baseball facility on Nov. 21, it was good to see that for as much as things have changed for former Red Bank Catholic star Ryan Kalish, not a whole lot else has changed. He might be an outfielder with the Boston Red Sox now, but he was sitting with a group of children, teaching them about baseball like any of the other former Shore Conference standouts who are always at Frozen Ropes.

“This is what you live for,’’ Kalish said before smiling.

“You try and help out the kids.’’

Kalish was called up to The Show this past summer, playing for the team his father grew up rooting for. He hit .252 with 10 stolen bases in 53 games as an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, and had memorable moments like a grand slam in Yankee Stadium shortly after he joined the team from Triple-A for his first career home run.

With my mind and my cell phone clogged with all the fallout from Matawan’s beyond-questionable behavior at the end of its state playoff win over Manasquan a night earlier, it was good to see something positive to wipe those thoughts right out. Kalish worked with individual groups of kids ranging from pre-Little Leaguers to high schoolers on the second day of the clinic he gave to about 120 total players over two days.

They all sported T-shirts with Kalish’s number, 55, and his name across the back, but if you didn’t know who he was, you would not have been able to immediately pick out the major-leaguer in everyone’s midst. Yes, he has had success, but in his mind, it’s just getting started, and there’s no need to go shouting from rooftops about it. His mere presence said enough, as many former stars who make it in the big leagues often become scarce in their hometowns once they have hit the big time.

“You’ve got to enjoy it for a second, but you want more,’’ he said. “You’ve got to be hungry.

I have really trained my life to be very even.

I’m not really trying to get too high or too low. I got my first home run at Yankee Stadium, but hopefully there will be plenty more. I don’t want just one, and that’s the attitude I have.’’

It’s still surreal for the 22-year-old Kalish, who was a ninth-round pick of the Red Sox in 2007, to know that he is a role model to younger players.

“I still look up to people, and it’s kind of crazy to think that kids look up to me now,’’ Kalish said. “To be around them all day, it’s just awesome.’’

It’s not just the Little Leaguers who are barely taller than their baseball bat who are inspired by him, either. Another professional baseball player who was on hand at the clinic would love nothing more than to follow Kalish’s footsteps.

With that early taste of relative Jayson Hernandez and Ryan Kalish on the right success, it could have been easy for Kalish to come “It’s great, especially seeing guys that you grew up playing home with a much different ego than when he left, but his with,’’ said former St. Rose and Rutgers catcher Jayson first instinct is still giving back rather than putting a Hernandez, who was drafted by the Red Sox in the 41st Lamborghini in his driveway. round this past summer. “We all grew up playing on the “I don’t plan on getting complacent, and in my own eyes, I same all-star teams, and we were Shore Conference players. feel like I haven’t done that much yet,’’ Kalish said.

We all knew each other, so it’s really inspiring to see Ryan excel the way he’s excelling. It’s cool, too, because I get

Volume-2 Issue-21 11 / 2 2 / 10 Page 15 firsthand knowledge and insight into how everything goes.’’

One thing that always interests me when I see young professional athletes from the Shore area is wondering how they will turn out if it all gets taken away tomorrow, or if things simply don’t work out, and they can’t stick in the big leagues. That’s where Kalish reminds me very much of his former RBC football teammate, Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown.

Their first instincts have always been to work hard and give back to the community since they became professionals. They just have that aura of success around them to the point where even if they don’t achieve the ultimate pinnacle in their respective sports, they will just be successful in another profession because of the way they carry themselves, the way they work, and the way they treat people. That is not the norm, either, as there are some others that I think would be lost if their sport was taken away from them tomorrow.

I also think much of that success is who you surround yourself with.

Kalish’s parents and his younger brother Jake, who is currently playing at George Mason, were both in attendance at the clinic as well as old friends like RBC baseball coach Buddy Hausmann and Rumson baseball coach Kevin James.

No entourage, no new group of friends.

When I walked in there, all I had echoing in my head was the consensus on Matawan’s actions from the night before when the Huskies threw for the end zone on the final play instead of taking a knee up by 12 and then the band started mockingly playing the Manasquan fight song, which I’ve never heard of another band ever doing in the modern history of this area. While I expected a lot of angry bile from coaches and fans about Matawan, much of what I got was, “Some things never change.’’

When I left Frozen Ropes after seeing Kalish giving back to younger players and talking humbly about how he still has done nothing yet, I had the same refrain ringing in my head.

Just for much different reasons.

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Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 smeyer@allshoremedia.com

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Volume-2 Issue-21 11/ 22 /1 0 P age 16