11-8-16 Issue - 19 Volume VIII Shore Sports Network Journal by Shore Sports Network Journal

November 8, 2016 Volume-VIII Issue-19

The first thing fans, players, coaches & parents want to know after the big game is always,

”Is this going to be on ?”

?”

Shore Sports Network has established itself as a leader in scholastic sports coverage in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing more video highlight clips, in-depth reporting, feature stories and regular updates than ANY OTHER OUTLET in the area.

Shore Sports Network Web Site Features

n Get Video Highlights of all the important games that Shore Conference fans will be talking about. n Catch up on the action you might have missed n Watch video clips of everything from the action early in the event to the big finish as well as video interviews with various athletes. n www.shoresportsnetwork.com is the most visited sports site in the Shore Conference during the scholastic year n Follow us on Twitter (over 16,000 followers) and Facebook, we keep fans posted on the latest scores and news

n Established leading portal for local high school coverage.

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KevinWILLIAMS Shore Sports Network Director k ev i n . w i l l i am s @ t ow n s qu a re m ed i a. c om

Shore Sports Network Director High School Division s t ev e. m e y er @t own s qu a re m ed i a. co m 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 4 6 0

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

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e part of a tradition that reaches a large and enthusiastic audience from Monmouth and Ocean counties by having your business featured in our SPECIAL THANKSGIVING ISSUE. This detailed full color issue put together by the SSN staff will feature the rosters of all the teams playing on November 23th and 24th. The issue, which will be handed out to all attendees at each game as well as distributed to all Jersey Mike’s & Supper WAWA locations throughout Ocean & Monmouth counties, will serve as a keepsake for all the players, coaches and families involved. Not only is the program a chance for your business to reach a wide and passionate audience, it is a chance to become a permanent part of a lasting memory for many members of the Shore Conference community.

SteveMEYER

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Three Wins to Glory: Shore Football Teams Begin NJSIAA Championship Quests

By Bob Badders – Senior Managing Editor

and three touchdowns. The Lions have six games against playoff teams, including wins over Wall and Howell. They have captured three sectional titles in program history with their last championship coming in 1996.

fter 10 weeks of regular season football the playoffs have arrived with 25 Shore Conference teams looking to bring home the ultimate prize of an N J S I A A s e c t i o n a l c h a m p i on s h i p . The Shore has had a record six state champions crowned in back-to-back seasons, and with teams having qualified in 10 different sections, including eight teams seeded either No. 1 or No. 2, there’s a solid chance the record book will have to be amended in early December. There are a few heavy favorites, a handful of darkhorses and some long shots among area teams. Let’s take a look at each playoff bracket involving Shore Conference teams and breakdown what to expect over the next four weeks.

North 2, Group IV 8-JFK Iselin at 1-Middletown South 5-Sayreville at 4-Phillipsburg 6-Colonia at 3-Summit 7-Woodbridge at 2-Middletown North

Middletown South is the prohibitive favorite and opens up with JFKIselin (4-5), who is coached by former Keyport standout Pete Christathakis. The Mustangs have lost three in a row. Middletown North hosts Woodbridge (5-4) in the first round, which conversely enters on a three-game winning streak.

Middletown South Middletown South and Middletown North are the two Shore teams in this section and they are also the top two seeds. Middletown South (6-2) had its 17-game winning streak snapped with a Week 7 loss to Toms River North, then dropped its second straight game with a loss to St. John Vianney. Both those teams are 90 and ranked in the top 10 in New Jersey, so it’s not as if they are bad defeats. The Eagles bounced back with a dominating 22-3 win over South Jersey Group III No. 1 seed Wall to regain some momentum heading into a postseason where they’ll try to win their 11th sectional title. Middletown North is also 6-2 and enters the playoffs off a 32-8 win over Ocean where senior quarterback Donald Glenn threw for 357 yards

It seems obvious considering their seeds, but Middletown North and Middletown South have a great shot at meeting in the final. Each should have no issue in their opening game. Middletown South is looking at a semifinal game against either Phillipsburg or Sayreville. A game against the Stateliners would be a rematch of last season’s sectional final, and there the Eagles showed their defense is tailormade to stop Phillipsburg’s rushing attack. Sayreville is much improved and has a very good quarterback in Jayson DeMild, so the Bombers could be a tough out. Middletown North’s semifinal opponent would be either Colonia (5-4) or Summit (7-2). Colonia enters on a four-game winning streak while Summit was just blown out by high-flying Somerville, 42-7. Middletown North has played a much better schedule than either team and that will be a major factor. Red Bank Catholic is a common opponent with Colonia, and the Patriots lost 35-0 while Middletown North fell 30-27 on a last-minute field goal. Summit is a storied program with 12 finals See

Playoff

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P l a y o f f from page 3 appearances and eight sectional titles, but this isn’t one of its vintage groups and they have been banged up this season. If the Eagles and Lions do reach the final it would make for an interesting two weeks as the teams are also Thanksgiving rivals. Middletown South would be the favorite in both games, but this is the best team Middletown North has had in many years, so it could be a classic if they do indeed square off for a state championship.

Central Jersey Group V 8-New Brunswick at 1-Manalapan 5-South Brunswick at 4-Freehold Twp. 6-Hillsborough at 3-Old Bridge 7-Hunterdon Central at 2-Piscataway

Manalapan Manalapan is the No. 1 seed with Freehold Township as the No. 4 seed. The Braves stamped themselves as the favorite when they beat No. 2 seed Piscataway 21-10 at Rutgers in Week 8, and they are looking to finish off the program’s first 12-0 season and bring home their second sectional title. Freehold Township (7-1) is making back-toback playoff appearances for the first time in school history and is looking for its first postseason win in program history. That would also give the Patriots a program single-season record eight wins. Manalapan (9-0) opens with a New Brunswick (4-5) team coached by Don Sofilkanich, who won three straight state titles with Asbury Park from 2007 to 2009 and also coached at Neptune. A win there would set them up for a semifinal game against either Freehold Township or defending sectional champion South Brunswick (6-2). The Braves beat Freehold Township 35-0 last week and allowed less than 100 yards of offense. Manalapan has wins over both teams South Brunswick lost to - Old Bridge (41-0) and Piscataway. As mentioned, Freehold Township has a tough game right away with South Brunswick. The Patriots have a prolific passing offense with quarterback Charles Sabbagh and receivers Adrian Rybaltowski and Anthony Lotti, and have already seen the best the bracket has in Manalapan. A win in the first round would be historic for the program. Lurking on the other side of the bracket is Piscataway along with Old Bridge, Hillsborough and Hunterdon Central. Manalapan would be favored over any of those teams, but a rematch with Piscataway seems likely. The Braves’ offense is balanced with quarterback Luke Corcione and running back Naim Mayfield leading a very deep group of playmakers. Its defense has been great all season, as well, and has plenty of standouts. It won’t be a cakewalk, but the title is Manalapan’s for the taking.

Central Jersey Group IV 8-Neptune at 1-Brick 5-Freehold at 4-Pennsauken 6-Jackson Memorial at 3-Nottingham 7-Moorestown at 2-Allentown

A bracket filled with Shore teams has Brick as the No. 1 seed, Freehold at No. 4, Jackson Memorial at No. 6 and Neptune at No. 8. Brick, Allentown and Nottingham were all tied with 115 power points, but the Dragons won the tiebreaker for the top seed based on strength of schedule. The Dragons are 6-3, but the combined record of the opponents they lost to - Toms River North, St. John Vianney and Central - is 25-2. The Dragons are certainly battletested. They’ll be a big favorite over a 2-6 Neptune team that has lost three straight. They would see the winner of Pennsauken and Freehold in the semifinals and would also be favored there as they go for their eighth sectional title. Freehold started 0-4 but closed the regular season with five straight wins to remarkably earn a top-five seed. The Colonials’ entire season changed when they decided to move junior running back Ashante Worthy to quarterback and install a spread scheme. In five games at quarterback he’s had three 300-yard rushing games and two games with seven total touchdowns. He has 1,416 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns, 661 yards passing and 6 touchdowns plus a kickoff return touchdown and an interception return for a touchdown. He is the kind of game-breaking player that can key an upset and lead the Colonials on a run. The team no one wants to see is two-time defending champion Jackson Memorial, and unfortunately for Nottingham that’s who comes to town in the quarterfinals. It’s been an up-and-down season for the 5-4 Jaguars, but they come in hot having won three in a row. All their losses are to playoff teams (Central would have been the No. 4 seed in South Jersey Group IV but was disqualified), so that is important to note. Jackson has the state’s leading rusher in senior Mike Gawlik, who leads the state with 1,803 yards rushing. He has posted two 300-yard rushing games this season and plays his best in big games. The Jaguars have been at their best in the playoffs over the last two seasons, so it’s safe to expect they’ll be ready to go. The team to watch out for is Allentown, which has arguably its best team ever with quarterback Jordan Winston and stud linebacker/tight end Rick Mottram leading the way. A semifinal between the No. 2 Redbirds and Jackson Memorial would be a great one.

Central Jersey Group III 8-Rahway at 1-Somerville 5-Cranford at 4-Rumson-Fair Haven 6-Lawrence at 3-South Plainfield 7-Carteret at 2-Ewing

Central Jersey Group II 8-Raritan at 1-Lincoln 5-Bernards at 4-Point Boro 6-A.L. Johnson at 3-Manasquan 7-Harrison at 2-Roselle Defending sectional champion Raritan, a Manasquan team returning to the playoffs after two years out and a surprising Point Boro squad represent the Shore Conference here. In having three of the eight teams, the Shore has a good chance to come away with a championship, but the three qualifiers have plenty of work to do. Raritan vs. Lincoln is the best No. 8 vs. No. 1 matchup in any bracket, and is a rematch of last season’s epic final where a 6-5 Raritan squad stunned an 11-0 Lincoln team, 28-26. Now the Lions get another crack at the Rockets, and will do so on their home field. To say they are out for revenge would probably be putting it mildly. Even so, this year’s Lincoln team is nowhere near the juggernaut it was last season. The Lions are 5-3, and earned the No. 1 seed mostly because of the new power points regulations that give extra points - even in losses - to teams that play the North Jersey Super Football Conference United Red and White division catholic schools. Their 47-6 loss to St. Peter’s Prep helped them jump undefeated Roselle for the top spot. Makes total sense, right? One of their wins is a forfeit, and they enter having lost two straight. Raritan, on the other hand, has won five games in a row after an 03 start. Senior quarterback Marc Carnivale and senior running back Vito Aleo have led the offense, while UConn-bound senior linebacker Ryan Dickens leads the defense. This should be an intense game. The Point Boro-Bernards game is difficult to predict. Bernards has solid wins over Shabazz and Bound Brook. Point Boro is 8-1 and the Class B South champion, but when it had to play a higher caliber opponent it lost 41-7 to Ocean. Manasquan is enjoying a resurgent season and is looking to win the program’s 12th sectional title. The Warriors should get past Johnson (5-3) in the first round, but their likely semifinal opponent, Roselle (80), is averaging a state-high 51 points per game. The Rams have scored 60 or more points three times. They don’t play nearly as difficult a schedule as Manasquan, however. The Warriors are 7-1 with the tried and true Manasquan way of a power running game and stingy defense. Quarterback Jerry Maher and running back Connor Morgan both missed their Week 9 win over Red Bank Catholic, so they’ll need them back to make a run.

Fourth-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven is the only Shore Conference team in what is usually a section stocked with local teams. The Bulldogs are the defending champions and trying to become the third Shore Conference team to win four straight state titles. To do so, Rumson will have to beat a very good Cranford team in the first round and then an undefeated Somerville team with a ridiculous offense and one of the state’s best quarterbacks in Nick Couzzi just to reach the final. You can never discount Rumson when its defense is coached by Jerry Schulte, who is now the head coach along with remaining the defensive coordinator. The Bulldogs’ defensive performances in the playoffs under Schulte have been nothing short of legendary, so they’ll relish the challenge of stopping a high-powered offense. Cranford is 7-2 with losses to Somerville and Rahway, and has won six straight games following a 1-2 start. Somerville is 9-0 and is coached by former New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek. The Pioneers are averaging 50.4 points per game and have won every game by at least 20 points. Couzzi has insane numbers and is to the MidState 38 Conference what Toms River North’s Mike Husni is to the Shore Conference with 2,251 yards passing and 30 touchdowns and 823 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Watching senior linebacker Mike Ruane lead Rumson’s defense into Somerville for a semifinal game would be great theater. If Rumson can reach the final it would certainly be the favorite.

Manasquan

Central Jersey Group I 8-Keansburg at 1-Shore 4-New Egypt at 5-Asbury Park 6-Manville at 3-Keyport 7-Florence at 2-Point Beach See

Playoff

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P l a y o f f from page 5 With five of the eight teams hailing from the same division in the Shore Conference, this may as well be labeled the Class B Central tournament. New Egypt, Manville and Florence will have something to say about that, but it would be stunning if a Shore team didn’t win this section. Shore has a 42-0 win over Keansburg already this season, so you can pencil in the Blue Devils to reach the semifinals. It could very well be an all-Shore Conference final four with Asbury Park the only team not technically favored to win in the first round. The Blue Bishops will be a big test for a New Egypt team that has just one playoff victory in its history. The Warriors are coached by former Barnegat assistant Steve Fence. If it ends up being Shore vs. Asbury Park and Keyport vs. Point Beach in the semifinals, all bets are off. Keyport would probably be considered the favorite since it has wins over Shore, Asbury Park and Point Beach, but every game between the four teams was close and they are all fairly even. Shore is trying to win its third straight state title and eighth overall. The Blue Devils would be the sixth (or seventh if Jackson Memorial wins Central Jersey Group IV first) Shore Conference team to win three in a row. Keyport has six sectional titles with the last coming in 2002, Asbury Park also has six and won three in a row from 2007 to 2009, and Point Beach won its only title in 2013 by beating Shore in a thriller. Buckle up.

around with Naz Brantley, Dan Cacciatore and Ryan Mazik all over 25 receptions on the year. Brantley has a team-high 571 yards and 10 touchdowns on 29 catches while Cacciatore leads the team in catches with 33 for 373 yards and 5 scores. Running back Nick Chambers has 684 yards and nine touchdowns. The Rebels have a difficult road game at Vineland (7-1) to start, and the winner then has to face Toms River North, so the path is extremely tough. Howell lost to Toms River North 58-33 in Week 4. Southern rallied from an 0-3 start to the season to qualify with a 54 record. The Rams have seen Toms River North and even have a win over Jackson Memorial, but Rancocas Valley will be a major challenge in the first round. You wouldn’t think so by looking at the seeds, but No. 6 Cherokee is the biggest obstacle in Toms River North’s path. The Chiefs are a perennial title contender and even at 5-3 will be a tough out in the playoffs.

St. John Vianney

Non-Public Group II Wall Township

Wall hasn’t reached a sectional final since losing to the Knowshon Moreno-led Middletown South team in 2004, and last won a state crown in 2002. Lakewood’s only sectional title came in 1986.

Undefeated and Shore Sports Network No. 1 Toms River North leads a trio of Shore Conference teams in what is routinely one of the toughest public school brackets in New Jersey. The Mariners are 9-0 and the defending champions, and enter as a sizable favorite to repeat and secure the program’s second 12-0 season. An offense led by senior quarterback Mike Husni is averaging 47.5 points per game. Husni is the first Shore Conference quarterback to run and throw for over 1,000 yards each in three straight seasons, and enters the playoffs with 1,683 yards passing and 21 touchdowns and 1,233 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. He’s pretty good. Senior running back Parker Day has an oh-by-the-way 1,055 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns and is averaging 9.3 yards per carry. Senior wide receivers Bryce Watts and Darrion Carrington are each averaging over 25 yards per reception with Carrington taking in 27 passes for 703 yards and 13 touchdowns and Watts, a Rutgers recruit with 4.35 speed, catching 27 passes for 695 yards and 7 touchdowns. Howell has found its identity under third-year head coach Luke Sinkhorn with an up-tempo run-pass option offense led by quarterback Eddie Morales. The junior is coming off a monster 303-yard, sixtouchdown performance in a 50-34 win over Marlboro and has thrown for 1,745 yards and 22 touchdowns this year. He spreads the ball

St. John Vianney has a brutal road to its first title since 1980 with fellow unbeaten Camden Catholic in the first round. The winner there gets a state No. 1 St. Joseph (Montvale), which will also be rested because of a first-round bye. Even though the Lancers are undefeated, they have the most difficult road to a title of any Shore Conference team. Everything they have done throughout the offseason and regular season has been geared to this moment, so they will be ready. Can the shock the state?

8-Camden at 1-Wall 5-Hamilton West at 4-Lakewood 6-Seneca at 3-Delsea 7-Pemberton at 2-Burlington Township

Top-seeded Wall and fourth-seeded Lakewood are the Shore’s entrants in the bracket. The Crimson Knights have lost two of three after a 5-0 start, but have the goods to win it all. Lakewood needed a win over Pinelands last week to secure a spot, but doing so gave the Piners a home game in the first round.

Toms River North

That is the biggest question surrounding the local teams in NonPublic Group III. The 9-0 Lancers are the No. 5 seed, while Red Bank Catholic (5-4) is the No. 6 seed. The Caseys are a young team that will have to go up to Sussex County to take on a battle-tested Pope John squad. Even with a win there, they will likely get defending sectional champion DePaul in the semifinals.

South Jersey Group III

South Jersey Group V 8-Atlantic City at 1-Toms River North 5-Howell at 4-Vineland 6-Cherokee at 3-Millville 7-Southern at 2-Rancocas Valley

After losing in the semifinals two years ago and falling in the championship game last season, is this the year St. John Vianney finally breaks through?

Wall has a pretty good path to the final as the top seed. The Crimson Knights are a senior-laden team that has been led by its offense line and running back Sean Larkin. Junior quarterback Eddie Scott has also had a breakout year while senior wide out R.J. Janeczek offers big plays in the passing game. Lakewood could win its first-round game but would be a very big underdog against Wall in the semifinals. Standout junior quarterback Zyhier Jones missed the win over Pinelands with an injury, and if he remains out the Piners are in trouble. Burlington Township is 7-1, but the team to worry about on the other side of the bracket for Wall is third-seeded Delsea. This isn’t a powerhouse Crusaders team at 5-4, but the Sal Marchese-led program knows how to win in the postseason. All they’ve done is make 16 state finals and win 13 titles.

Non-Public Group III 1-St. Joseph (Montvale), bye 5-St. John Vianney at 4-Camden Catholic 6-Red Bank Catholic at 3-Pope John 7-Bishop Ahr at 2-DePaul

8-Immaculata at 1-Hudson Catholic 5-Montclair Kimberley at 4-Holy Spirit 6-Holy Cross at 3-St. Joseph (Hammonton) 7-St. Anthony at 2-Mater Dei Prep Mater Dei Prep hasn’t been talked about much this season because it hasn’t played in many big games and has also bludgeoned every opponent it’s faced. The time is now to pay attention to a Seraphs squad that is having a historic season. Under first-year head coach Dino Mangiero, who came in with a championship pedigree from his time at Brooklyn’s Poly Prep and as a former NFL defensive lineman, the Seraphs (9-0) captured their first division title in program history by winning Class B Central and set the program record for wins in a season. The first sectional title in program history may be next. Hudson Catholic is the top seed, but that is again thanks to the new power points rules. The Seraphs are the only undefeated team in the section. Third-seeded St. Joseph (Hammonton) has to be considered the favorite since it wins the bracket pretty much every year, and No. 4 Holy Spirit is also an annual contender. Mater Dei, however, is as talented as either of them with junior quarterback George Pearson, senior wide out Eddie Lewis and senior running back/linebacker Marvin Pierre. Are the Seraphs deep enough and experienced enough is the question. They could be a year away, or this could be the season the budding powerhouse realizes its potential.

Photos by: Mark Brown www.b51photography.com

Ray Rich Photography www.rayrichphotography.smugmug.com Doug Bostwick www.SportShotsWLB.com Robert Samuels www.boofacephotography.com

GATEWAY TOYOTA’S “KICK FOR THE WIN” promotion concluded October 28th with a solid attempt by Bruce Gmahle of Point Pleasant to drive away in a 2016 Toyota Tundra 4×4 Double Cab. Bruce was one of 7 weekly winners at high school football games this fall as part of the contest sponsored by Gateway Toyota of Toms River in partnership with 105.7 The Hawk and the Shore Sports Network.

ateway Toyota of Toms River is teaming up with the Shore Sports Network and 105.7 The Hawk this fall to sponsor the only weekly show devoted exclusively to Shore Conference High School Football. Every Thursday from 7-8pm tune in as hosts Kevin Williams, Ed Sarluca and Bob Badders talk with coaches and players from local team and discuss what’s going on throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties.

He was then randomly selected that night as the final contestant and at halftime of the Toms River South at Toms River North game had one chance to kick a 40-yard field goal and drive away in the brand new Tundra. With Gateway Toyota General Manager Rick Cardwell and Sales Manager Mario Markou on the field and ready to hand Bruce the keys he gave it a good boot but came up short. Bruce had already won a $105 gift card from the auto dealership and picked up a prize package that included several restaurant gift certificates, Toyota swag and four tickets to this week’s Indiana-Rutgers football game. Good job Bruce and thanks for being a great sport. Gateway Toyota thanks all of those who signed up during “Kick for the Win” and Rick and Mario invite you to stop by and see them when you’re in the market for a new or used vehicle.

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B y Matt Manley - Senio r S taff Writ er

a ch wee k , Sh or e Sp or ts N e twor k S oc ce r Wr it er M a tt Ma n le y r e co gni ze s th e top p e rf or m e rs in S hor e C onf e r e nc e boys s occ e r wit h t he N e ur oph y ch ology Re h abi lita t ion S er vi ce s Pla y e rs of t he We e k. S hor e Sp or t s N e two rk will t ab a P la ye r of t he We ek in e ac h o f th e s ix S hor e Co nf e r en c e di vis ion s , wit h on e of t hos e si x t a kin g t he ove r a ll NR S Pla y e r o f th e We e k. With the season beginning on Thursday, Sept. 8, the first two Players of the Week features were drawn from short weeks - Sept. 8 through Sept. 13 and Sept. 14 through Sept. 17. For the remainder of the season, the Players of the Week will be based on games played from Monday through Sunday and each week's selections will be revealed on Monday on shoresportsnetwork.com.

Week-8

Class A South

O ct. 31 to N ov. 5

Dom Pizzi, Toms River South

Rumson-Fair Haven

After saving two huge penalty kicks to deliver his team a shootout win over Long Branch in the Central Jersey Group III opening round, Pizzi pitched a pair of shutouts in Toms River South’s next two games – a 2-0 win over Steinert in the sectional quarterfinals and a 3-0 win over Wall in the semifinals.

Carson Greengrove

A South Honorable Mention: Mitch Reed, Toms River North; Joe Swanton, Toms River North; Tom Ruscitti, Central; Matt Babcock, Toms River South; Tyler Egnatuk, Toms River South

Before the start of the NJSIAA To u r n a m e n t , t h e 2 0 1 6 R u m s o n - F a i r Haven boys soccer team was going to be remembered for the Bulldogs earning their biggest win in a game that turned out not to count. Instead, it will be remembered for winning the games that count the most. The Bulldogs are going to play for a sectional title on Thursday thanks to road wins over No. 4 seed North Plainfield, No. 5 Spotswood and No. 9 Holmdel. Greengrove ignited the playoff run performance in a 3-1 win over North p l a y o f f o p e n e r, t h e n e x t e n d e d i t w i t h in a 2-1 win over Spotswood quarterfinal round.

Class B North Dan Frisch-Harmon, Wall Frisch-Harmon buried two goals in a 5-0 rout of Hamilton West in the opening round of the Central Jersey III Tournament and followed that up with the deciding goal in a 1-0 win over Moorestown. Frisch-Harmon’s stellar four-year career came to an end Monday when the Crimson Knights fell to Toms River South in the sectional semifinals.

with a two-goal Plainfield in the the golden goal i n T h u r s d a y ’s

B North Honorable Mention: Stiviny Da Silva, Long Branch; Tom Amato, Ocean; Justin McKenna, Middletown North; Scott Weigel, Middletown North

A Central Honorable Mention:

Class B Central

Anthon y Arena, Holmdel; Jacob Labinger, Ma ta wan; John Caraca ppa, St. John Vianney

Fenelson Etienne, Asbury Park

Divisional Players of the Week Class A North P.J. Ringel, Marlboro Not only has Ringel scored three goals in three state tournament games – including two of Marlboro’s three golden goals – but he has done so while mourning his father, who passed away the day before the team’s state tournament opener on Oct. 31.

The Blue Bishops faced sudden death elimination in two of their three state playoff games and Etienne delivered a golden goal in both games. He scored the overtime winner in a 1-0 win over Middlesex in the Central Jersey Group I opening round and his second goal of Monday’s win over South River gave the Bishops the win with 5:30 left in the second overtime period. B Central Honorable Mention: Joey Johnson, Asbury Park; Brendan Hueth, St. Rose; Brendan Wall, Ranney

A North Honorable Mention: Rocky Garretson, Manalapan; Matt Mawson, CBA; Louis Reale, Colts Neck

P h o t o b y : Doug Bostwick

www.SportShotsWLB.com

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Class B South Mason Remondelli, Point Boro The Panthers endured another heartbreaking postseason loss when they conceded the go-ahead goal in the 76th minute against Haddonfield on Thursday, but the South Jersey Group II tournament was a showcase for Remondelli. The senior captain scored a goal and assisted another in the opening-round, then posted two goals in the quarterfinal win over Collingswood. B South Honorable Mention: Kieran Sundermann, Pinelands; Denilson Salgado, Pinelands; Matt Kimak, Point Boro

W eek-7 O ct. I7 to O ct. 23 Marlb oro

P. J . R i n g e l

W eek-6 O ct. I0 to O ct. I6

W eek-5 O ct. 3 to O ct. 9

W eek-4 S ept. 26 to O ct. 2

Toms River North

Southe rn

Manasquan

Nico Garcia

Joe Kiernan

Dulio Guerrero

W eek-3 S ept. I9 to S ept. 25

W eek-2 S ept. I4 to S ept. I7

W eek-I S ept. 7 to S ept. I3

Holmdel

Asbury Park

Pi nelands

Anthony Arena

Devensky Joinvilmar

Matt Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell

ess than two weeks remain in the 2016 soccer season, so there is very little time and opportunity left for teams to make their final cases for positioning in the Shore Sports Network Top 10. The top two spots in the rankings are basically settled, but there remain enough suitors for spots three through five for the last 13 days of the season to remain intense.

C hristia n B r others A ca demy

(21-1, 13-1) Last Week: 1

The Colts are the overwhelming favorite to come out of the South Jersey Non-Public A bracket, but give St. John Vianney credit for getting to the second half against CBA in a scoreless deadlock. CBA ultimately beat the Lancers for the fourth year in a row in the state playoffs, but the scoreless 40 minutes was a reminder that the Colts still have the bulls-eye on their collective back and that does make life a little tougher.

M arlboro (19-2-1, 12-1-1) Last Week: 2

On the surface, last week’s overtime wins in the state tournament following an SCT final loss to CBA were a little troubling because Marlboro squandered two-goal leads in both games. Considering the circumstances, however, those were two major character wins for the Mustangs, who played with heavy hearts during the week in the wake of the passing of senior P.J. Ringel’s father.

F r e e h o l d To w n s h i p (12-7-1, 8-5-1) Last Week: 4

The Patriots’ season came to an end with a lopsided 5-0 loss to Hunterdon Central, the No. 1 seed in the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs, in Thursday’s sectional quarterfinals. Despite the loss, the Patriots had a fine season considering they entered the year trying to replace 14 seniors from the 2015 roster and do so under a first-year head coach. The graduation of Adrian Barajas will be a big loss, but Freehold Township has a young core returning off of this year’s trip to the SCT semifinals.

T om s R iver N orth .

(14-6, 11-3) Last Week: 8

With their run to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, the Mariners vault into the top-five as the season draws to a close. Toms River North lost to No. 2 Williamstown in the quarterfinals of the always-difficult South Jersey Group IV bracket and finished second in the Class A South standings, but land higher than Toms River South in the rankings for the time being. In games against common opponents, Toms River South was 12-2-1 while Toms River North was 13-3, so factoring in the deep SCT run, the Mariners have a strong case to be ranked ahead of their crosstown rivals.

M i d d l e t o w n No r t h (13-4-2, 11-3-0) Last Week: 3

The Lions were overmatched against Marlboro, but in their defense, they played without junior Liam McGregor, who is one of the team’s top offensive threats. Middletown North has been the best B North team over the course of the year and the Lions are one home win away from playing in a sectional final.

M atawa n ( 13-3-3, 7-2-3) Last Week: 5

The Huskies still have a chance to land a topfive spot to end the season if they can win a competitive Central Jersey Group II bracket. An SCT loss to CBA is no reason to knock Matawan down all that far and the Huskies can make up for it by earning a shot at Delran – the current No. 1 team in N.J. – in a potential Group II semifinal.

T oms R ive r S outh

Co l t s N e c k

(9-9, 7-7) Last Week: Not ranked

Class A North has proven to be leaps and bounds better than any other division in the Shore Conference and the five A North teams that have had strong years should be mentioned in the top 10. Colts Neck left some results on the table and finished the year an even .500, but considering six of their nine losses came against Marlboro and CBA, that’s not all that bad. They also split the series with No. 3 Freehold Township and beat red-hot Manalapan twice.

Manala pan (11-8-2, 6-8-0) Last Week: Not ranked

A North was so good this year that Manalapan could not qualify for the Shore Conference Tournament while playing in the division but is now in the top 10 on the heels of a big state tournament run. The Braves won a penalty-kick shootout against Princeton – the No. 2 seed in the Central Group IV bracket and a one-loss team – and followed up that upset with a win at Old Bridge. If the Braves don’t win another game, it will be because they lost to another A North team on Monday in Marlboro.

(14-3-2, 12-1-1) Last Week: 7

While the Indians are currently behind rival Toms River North in the rankings despite winning the A South title, they have a chance to climb since they are still playing in the NJSIAA Tournament. The only problem is the Central Jersey III bracket does not look strong at the moment, so in order to make a serious move up the rankings, the Indians may have to find themselves in the Group III final again this year.

Dr o p p e d O u t Pi nel a nd s ( 16- 5, 12- 2) L as t W eek: 9 - Although there will be some lamenting over what could have been this year had Matt O’Connell stayed healthy, the Wildcats have a solid group coming back next year. Jackson Memorial (11-9-1, 7-7-0) Last Week: 1 0 The Jaguars could not muster the same magic in the South Jersey Group IV bracket that they did in the Shore Conference Tournament.

P t. P leasant B oro

Top 10 Watchlist

(18-3, 13-1) Last Week: 6

Wall (14-5-3, 9-2-3)

A 4-1 loss to Toms River South in a tune-up game between the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments has to keep the Panthers at No. 8, but they have a chance to make that a throwaway result by winning the South Jersey Group II title. That would likely require beating No. 1 Delran.

Central (13-5-2, 9-4-1) Holmdel (9-6-3, 6-5-1) Asbury Park (16-3-1, 12-0-0) Raritan (13-3-4, 7-2-3) Ocean (14-5, 11-3)

FOR SSN ADVERTISING INFORMATION C o n t a ct : S t e v e n M e y e r 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 46 0

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By Matt Manley - Senior Staff Writer

arlboro senior P.J. Ringel

knows that feeling he gets when his father is watching. When his son played on the basketball court or the soccer field, that’s what Jack Ringel – an accomplished high school basketball coach himself - did.

More than a week after Jack passed away in a car accident, Ringel can still feel his father watching him, although judging by the way Marlboro has won its three NJSIAA Tournament games, it appears Ringel’s father isn’t so much watching the games as much as he is intervening in them. Monday against Manalapan in the Central Jersey Group IV semifinal, for the second time in three state tournament games, Ringel scored the golden goal in overtime to give Marlboro a 1-0 win and earn the Mustangs a spot in a sectional final for the first time in 12 years. The 20-yard, right-footed volley to the far right corner of the goal six minutes into overtime Monday was just the latest in Ringel’s season-long list of heroics, which have taken on a whole new meaning since the morning of Oct. 30.

“It’s never going to be the same as it was,” Ringel said. “But I can go into games now and know I can play my game and he’s up there watching me. He’s behind me and pushing me in everything I do. The first game (after his father’s death) was bad, but I’m more focused now that I’ve had some time to process everything.” Ringel’s goal Monday was his 21st of the season and the 29th of his career, which ranks second in the history of the program. “Regardless of what’s happened to him personally, he’s a special kid,” Santos said of Ringel. “He’s put us on his back in a lot of games this year and it’s carried over to the postseason.” Upon learning of the tragic news on that Sunday afternoon, Marlboro boys soccer coach Dave Santos and athletic director Dave Ryden explored the possibility of postponing the team’s NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV opening-round game against Colts Neck on Oct. 31 by one or two days.

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Perhaps another son of another father might have needed the extra time to process what happened, but P.J. Ringel and his family thought the best thing to do during a sad, uncertain time was to play. One day after losing his father, Ringel scored two goals, including an overtime winner, to lift Marlboro to an emotional, 3-2 win over Colts Neck and extend its outstanding season while also honoring his late father. "This is something we're all feeling," Marlboro coach Dave Santos said after the Colts Neck win. "This is a really tight-knit group and P.J. is an emotional leader for us, so it's hard to see him and his family have to go through something like this. I think all the guys and the coaches just wanted to show him that we're there for him.” Jack Ringel, 67, was a legendary basketball coach at Grady High School in Brooklyn, where he coached, among others, former Rutgers star and NBA guard Quincy Douby. In 24 seasons as the Grady coach, he won three city championships and one N.Y. state title and was honored as a New York state high school basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Santos said the team spent time with Ringel and his family on the day of the accident and have honored their teammate's late father with black armbands and written initials and other various messages on parts of their uniform. Prior to the first-round game on Oct. 31, both Marlboro and Colts Neck, as well as those in attendance, shared a moment of silence to honor Jack Ringel. Following the game, the two officials presented Ringel with the game ball. The team also sported warm-up shirts with Ringel’s No. 13 on the back and the initials “J.R. Ringel” to honor the late basketball coach. Marlboro also won its sectional quarterfinal game against North Brunswick on Nov. 3 on an overtime golden goal. Ringel decided to play in that game as well and was held without a goal, but junior Zach Scarpa picked up his senior teammate by scoring the overtime winner to help Marlboro advance.

See

Ringel

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R i n g e l from page 15

“I didn’t even notice it in the first state game,” Ringel said of his back. “I’ve been feeling it a little more each game, so I’ll just have to rest up and get ready to play (in the final).”

“Last Monday was my most difficult day as a coach in 27 years of coaching soccer,” Santos said. “The heavy heart and the somber attitude made it really hard to try to focus on playing a game. Thursday was a little Ringel is a two-sport star at better and (Monday) I felt a lot better Marlboro and only plays about the team’s mood.” According to Santos, many of his players have been battling through nagging injuries as a result of a packed schedule. Marlboro reached the Conference Shore T o u r n a m e n t championship on Oct. 29 and began its state tournament run two days later. Ringel, for his part, is battling discomfort in his back, which he said he first felt in the SCT semifinals against Freehold Township on Oct. 27.

soccer three months out of the year. He plays basketball yearround and since he has not yet had a chance to pay tribute to his on the father f a m i l i a r hardwood, he has done so on the soccer pitch instead. "Jack was a basketball guy, so I told the guys before overtime, if we're going to put on a show for P.J.'s father, he's not going to want to look down and watch a boring 20 soccer game,” Santos said after the Colts Neck win. “He wants to see some scoring and some action.

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"Sure enough, it was P.J. who got the goal, but that's P.J. He lives for big moments, this is obviously but something much different. It really was an incredible moment for him on a really tough day." A week later, Ringel again played the role of hero while continuing to live the life of a grieving son and making both look easier than they actually are.

“(The support from friends) has kind of filled a hole that I noticed when my dad first passed away,” Ringel said. “These guys (the Marlboro players) are always with me. I’ve got my basketball friends. I’ve got my close friends outside of sports helping me to be the best person I can be.” Photos by:

Larry Murphy

Defense Leads CBA to Second Straight SCT Crown B y Mat t Manley - Senio r S taff Writ er

very single Christian Brothers Academy soccer player was practically foaming at the mouth to face the one team that beat them this season, and the Colts got their chance against Marlboro in the Shore Conference Tournament Championship game at Central Regional High School. One Colt, in particular however, was especially eager to face the Mustangs on Saturday night and he proved it on the field. Scott Misson – who sat out CBA’s loss to Marlboro 10 days earlier because of a red card from the previous game – led a suffocating defensive effort and fellow center back John Askin contributed a goal as the CBA back four stole the show in a 2-0 win over the Mustangs. The championship is the second straight for CBA and the 10th overall for the program – nine of which are outright titles. “It meant the absolute world to me to get another shot because this was the finals,” Misson said. “Especially against these guys (Marlboro), who we definitely want to play. It’s the best feeling in the world.” Misson drew a red card in the final minute of a 5-0 win against Manalapan two days prior to the loss to Marlboro and had to serve the requisite two-game

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suspension. “I can’t describe how much it hurt to have to watch us lose, especially since we had our mind set on trying to have a perfect season,” Misson said. “To see our team fall and knowing I was leaving a big hole in our defense was tough and I definitely wanted another chance to help the team win.” CBA fell victim to two goals by Marlboro senior P.J. Ringel in the 3-1 loss on Oct. 19, but responded by keeping him under wraps on Saturday. Misson’s presence made the difference this time around and with their leader back in the fold, the Colts

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forced Marlboro to create what few threats it had via throws, free kicks and corners. Goalkeeper Aeden Boriotti saved two shots – both on those set pieces – to help his cause in the shutout. “We know P.J. Ringel is one of the most athletic and talented strikers in the Shore Conference,” Misson said. “It was our job to defend him first. They like to play him through balls and give it to him in the air, so we just had to have a body on him at all times.” “We learned the hard way that athleticism was a big part of their game and we really had to take note of that,” CBA senior Matt Mawson said. “We really had to hold down P.J. and their center backs are really athletic as well. We had to keep the ball on the ground offensively and we tried to keep the ball out of the air for them.” The defense was rewarded in the 55th minute with the score already 1-0 in favor of CBA. Senior Ryan Nigro took a free kick from 25 yards out and initiated a set play by sliding the ball to senior right back Tom Judge heading toward the endline. Judge slid a firm cross on the ground toward the goal and his fellow defender, Askin, finished the play off by poking it into the net. “Earlier in the first half, coach (Tom Mulligan) told me, ‘Go up. Get a goal,'” Askin said. “I didn’t get it then, but I had a feeling I was going to get one tonight. Judge made a great run and played a perfect cross and all I

had to do was knock it in.”

Dave Santos.

In a starting lineup that features 10 seniors, Askin is the lone junior of the 11. He is one of three players in the starting lineup that saw significant increase in minutes this season and in Askin’s case, it was a jump from the varsity bench to the spotlight of playing for one of the top teams in N.J.

“I think (the loss) kept the team really tuned in and focused tonight,” said Mulligan, who is in his first year as the head coach of the CBA varsity team. “They were focused for the whole eighty minutes. We defended for eighty minutes and we attacked for eighty minutes.”

“I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids to play with,” Askin said. “All these guys work hard and we push each other. It’s sad they won’t be around next year, but it just makes us want to enjoy this year.” CBA opened the scoring in the 15th minute on a textbook give-and-go between Mawson and fellow senior Patrick Kollman. Mawson fed Kollman, who gave the ball right back to Mawson off an overlap. The senior beat one defender and tucked a low, left-footed shot into the left corner of the goal. Mawson – who scored a goal and two assists in Thursday’s semifinal win over Toms River North – nearly added a second goal late in the second half, but Marlboro keeper James Weinberg delivered one of his four saves by stuffing the low strike. Marlboro’s last Shore Conference title came in 2009, when the Mustangs became the first and only team to beat CBA in an SCT final. CBA led that game, 1-0, at halftime as well, so while the Mustangs trailed at half on Saturday, the script was a familiar one for coach

CBA would not let history repeat itself however, as the Colts relegated Marlboro to playing long balls to Ringel and forcing them to play for set pieces to create chances. It was a far cry from the two regular-season meetings, the first of which ended with a 1-0 CBA win in overtime. Ringel nearly won that game in regulation with a breakaway opportunity and later made CBA pay in the second meeting between the teams. After winning its second straigth SCT title, CBA will prepare to make its pitch for a state championship for the first time since going 21-0 in 2011. “We have a great group of seniors,” Mawson said. “Everyone works so hard and we’re also talented. I just love playing on this team and I want to keep it going.”

by:

Matt Manley www.shoresportsnetwork.com

FOR SSN ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com

Tagliaferri Leads Colts Neck to Second Straight SCT Title B y Mat t Manley - Senio r S taff Writ er

hen he had a chance to reflect on what his Colts Neck girls soccer team had just accomplished on Saturday night at Central Regional High School, Doug Phillips praised the collective unit b ut had to pay tri bute to the onc ein-a -genera ti on player tha t once again ca rri ed the program to a Shore Conference Tournament champ ionship. “We had a good team,” Phillips said. “But what she does is magic.” “She” is Frankie Tagliaferri and she scored two goals on laser-precision free kicks in the second half Saturday to lead Colts Neck to a 3-0 win over No. 2 seed Freehold Township for the Cougars’ second consecutive Shore Conference Tournament title. “For a player like Frankie – who is going to go down as arguably the greatest player in the history of the Shore Conference – for her to put a stamp on her career by winning another Shore Conference Tournament and doing what she did today against a great soccer team is an incredible statement,” Phillips said. Tagliaferri’s first free kick goal put her team ahead 1-0 in the 50th minute and she capped the scoring by bending a 22-yard free kick to the upper far corner of the goal in the 66th. Colts Neck had recently dodged a near miss by Freehold Township’s Jada Colbert on a clean look from the right side of the 18-yard box when Tagliaferri drew a foul within five yards of the 18-yard box. On the ensuing free kick, Freehold Township set up its wall and Tagliaferri proceeded to bend the ball around the right side of the wall and inside the near post. “A lot of players want to try to take that shot to the upper 90 on the left side of the goal,” Tagliaferri said. “I always try to practice curving it around the right side of the wall because

the goalie isn’t on that side and if I get it past the wall, it’s basically an automatic goal.” Sixteen minutes later, with her team now ahead 2-0, Tagliaferri had a chance to put the game on ice with a free kick from 25 yards out on the left side. She bent a shot that hooked just inside the far right post and also dipped just under the crossbar for a picturesque finish. Over her four varsity seasons at Colts Neck – particularly the past three – Tagliaferri has been at her best on the biggest stages: each of the last three Shore Conference Tournaments, as well as last year’s NJSIAA Group III final against nationally-ranked Northern Highlands. But goals like the ones she scored Saturday, according to Tagliaferri herself, are the types of plays that are developed when no one is watching. “Those are the kinds of shots I practice over and over again when no one is around,” Tagliaferri said. “You make those shots by practicing them as much as possible.” Sophomore Kristi Mikula scored the second Colts Neck goal in the 54th after Kayla Lee played her through the back line. Mikula ran the ball down and slid it past Freehold Township keeper Angela DeCicco. “I guess I just saw an opening up the line,” Mikula said. “Kay played a great ball over and I was able to run onto it and get behind the defense, and then I was fortunate to get it past the goalie.” During first half Tagliaferri earned Colts Neck’s only dangerous opportunity while the rest of the outside attackers and forwards were not able to recognize the open runs with Tagliaferri occupying multiple defenders and Lee playing quality passes through the defense. Miklua began to find that room in the second half and, on her goal, took full advantage of the space Freehold Township conceded while accounting for Tagliaferri. “The conversation came up with Kristi at halftime where I told her, ‘Kris, when Frank gets the ball and turns, you’ve got to get vertical earlier,'” Phillips said. “She’s drawing so much attention that that space is on. Kristi’s only a sophomore and she’s a natural outside mid for her club team. We’ve needed her more as a forward, and she can really run.” On Tagliaferri’s one first-half chance, Patriots defenders Sarah Hughes and Kiersten Reszkowski closed off the far post shot to Tagliaferri’s left and forced her to shoot the ball inside the near post, where DeCicco planted herself to cover

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the most vulnerable part of the goal. Since returning from the U-17 World Cup in Jordan, Tagliaferri has 18 goals in seven games. Colts Neck earned the No. 5 seed while playing most of the season without her and is 7-0 since her return. Over the last three years, Tagliaferri has led Colts Neck to two SCT titles, a runner-up in 2014 – when she missed the SCT final due to a U-17 National Team commitment – and two consecutive Group III title appearances, including the win last year. She will also graduate as the program’s all-time leading scorer and regarded by many as the best Shore Conference girls soccer player since Christie Rampone played at Point Boro. With the accolades Tagliaferri has racked up, she has made a strong case as the best high school player in Shore Conference history, regardless of what her collegiate career at Penn State holds. “It’s a completely different feeling winning here than winning overseas,” Tagliaferri said. “Playing in the World Cup, it’s playing for a different reason with a different group. Here, it’s for my school, it’s with my best friends, my family comes out to see me play and it’s amazing to feel the support.” “She has a real legacy she’s leaving behind,” Phillips said of Tagliaferri. “She’s the leading scorer in program history. She’s going to be talked about for years to come.”

o changes to the top 10 this week as the rankings held on the final week of the regular season. Every division title was wrapped up outright except for Class B North where Middletown South clinched at least a share.

It was also do-or-die for several teams hoping to secure a postseason berth, and when the dust settled 25 Shore Conference teams in 10 different sections qualified for the 2016 NJSIAA playoffs. The Shore has had a record six state champions in each of the last two seasons, and with eight teams seeded either No. 1 or No. 2 this season the record could be broken yet again. Now let’s get to the latest T&T Coast Shore Conference Football Top 10 with just four weeks of football remaining.

4 I

To m s R i v e r N o r t h

(9-0). Last week: No. 1

Senior quarterback Mike Husni ran for 213 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 167 yards and a touchdown in a 34-7 win over Central that clinched the Class A South division title. Senior running back Parker Day ran for 103 yards and a touchdown and senior wide receiver Darrion Carrington caught five passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Next game: The Mariners are the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group V playoffs and host Atlantic City in the first round on Friday night November 11th.

M analapan

. (9-0). Last week: No. 2

Junior running back Naim Mayfield ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns and the defense held Freehold Township’s high-flying passing offense under 100 yards and recorded seven sacks in a 35-0 win that clinched the Class A North division title. Junior quarterback Luke Corcione tossed a touchdown pass to junior wide out Scott Scherzer and junior fullback Chris Maksimik added a rushing touchdown. Sophomore linebacker Tommy Pearce returned after missing three games with a shoulder injury to make a game-high nine tackles, while Lazarus Marquez and Mike Cardinale each had two sacks.. Next game: Manalapan is the No. 1 seed in the Central Jersey Group V playoffs and hosts New Brunswick in the first round on Friday night.

S t. J ohn V ianney (9-0). Last week: No. 3

Senior running back Chris Chukwuneke ran for 215 yards and four touchdowns while junior Johnny Buchanan made 11 tackles and ran for two touchdowns in a 42-3 win over Monmouth Regional that clinched the Class A Central division title. Next game: The Lancers are the No. 5 seed in the Non-Public Group III playoffs and will travel to face fellow unbeaten Camden Catholic in the first round on Saturday night.

M iddletown S outh (6-2). Last week: No. 4

The Eagles snapped a two-game losing streak with a ferocious defensive effort that keyed a 22-3 win over Wall to clinch at least a tie for the Class B North division title. Junior Jake Krellin had three sacks and five tackles for a loss or no gain, senior linebacker Kevin Higgins made 12 tackles with two sacks, two tackles for a loss and an interception return for a touchdown and Will Gulick also had three sacks. Sophomore running back Anthony Summey added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Next game: Middletown South is the No. 1 seed in the North 2, Group IV playoffs and begins its title defense on Friday night versus JFK-Iselin.

W all

(6-2). Last week: No. 8

A 30-yard field goal by Aidan Mulreed was the only score the Crimson Knights could muster in a 22-3 loss to Middletown South. Next game: The Crimson Knights are the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group III playoffs and host Camden in the first round on Friday night.

C en t r a l

R um s o n - F a ir H a ve n

(6-2). Last week: No. 5

Needing a win to get into the playoffs, the Bulldogs dominated Carteret 35-6 to clinch the No. 4 seed in the Central Jersey Group III bracket. Senior quarterback Mike O’Connor accounted for four total touchdowns and the defense did not allow a touchdown for the sixth time this season. Next game: Rumson is going for its fourth straight state title and begins its quest at home versus Cranford on Friday night.

M a n a s q ua n (7-I). Last week: No. 6

Sophomore running back Canyon Birch stepped in for injured starter Connor Morgan and ran for 190 yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries to lead the Warriors to a 32-21 win over Red Bank Catholic. Junior Tommy Antonucci started at quarterback in place of senior Jerry Maher and threw a touchdown pass to senior tight end Adam Schreck. Senior Damaso Jaime added a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown. Next game: Manasquan is the No. 3 seed in the Central Jersey Group II playoffs and will host A.L. Johnson in the first round on Saturday afternoon.

M i dd l et o w n N o r t h

(6-2). Last week: No. 7

Senior quarterback Donald Glenn threw for 357 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore running back Connor Robbins had two touchdown runs in a 32-8 win over Ocean. Dwight Wilkerson, Brendan Kube and Connor Welsh each had touchdown receptions. Next game: The Lions are the No. 2 seed in the North 2, Group IV playoffs and host Woodbridge in the first round on Friday night.

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(7-2). Last week: No. 9

Sophomore quarterback Joe Fowler tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Blake Horgan and senior running back Mike Bickford closed out his great career with 87 yards rushing in a 34-7 loss to Toms River North. The Eagles would have been the No. 5 seed in the South Jersey Group IV playoffs, but were disqualified from the postseason after a Week 1 game against Toms River East where they had three players ejected. Next game: Season complete.

M a t er D ei P r ep

(9-0). Last week: No. 10

The Seraphs routed Point Beach 41-0 to pitch their third straight shutout, set a program single-season record for wins and clinch the Class B Central division title, the program’s first division championship. Next game: The Seraphs are the No. 2 seed in the Non-Public Group II playoffs and host St. Anthony on Saturday afternoon. Mater Dei has never won an NJSIAA sectional title.

Other teams to watch: Raritan (5-3) Keyport (8-1) Howell (5-4) Jackson Memorial (5-4)

or the second time this sea son, Jackson Memorial senior r unning back Mike Gawlik ha s be en voted Pla yer of the W eek afte r a gar gantua n 32 3-yar d, 3- touchdo wn per form ance on a wh opping 40 car rie s i n a c rucia l 2 7-13 vi ctory over Ol d Br idge tha t se cured a pl ayof f s pot fo r th e two -tim e de fending C entra l Je rs ey Gr oup IV ch amp ion Ja guars . Gawlik’s record-setting season continued with another monster effort as he eclipsed the 300-yard plateau for the second time this season. He had touchdown runs of 89, 2 and 12 yards, converted a two-point conversion and also had an interception on defense where he stars at safety. Already an alltime great for the Jaguars, Gawlik will go down as the greatest in Jackson history if he keeps up this pace. He has 1,620 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, plus two receiving touchdowns, on an average of 8.7 yards per carry this season. The way he has been breaking off long runs he is potentially one away from breaking the Jackson Memorial singleseason record of 1,685 set by Will Clayton in 2003, according to Jackson Memorial historian Jim Colbert. He is also two

touchdowns shy of the program single-season record of 22 set by Nick Castellano in 2001. The Jaguars have had an up and down season with a 4-4 record, but seem to be picking up momentum at the perfect time. Just like it has been for opposing defenses trying to stop Gawlik, the vote for the Week 8 Player of the Week was no contest as the Jaguars fans voted early and often to secure 74.42 percent of the vote. Point Beach’s Cody Liguori was second with a big defensive game in a shutout over Highland Park. Central’s Mike Bickford, Toms River North’s Mike Husni and Freehold’s Ashante Worthy also had huge statistical games in leading their respective teams to victory.

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J a c k s o n M e m. S r . R B.

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10/8/i6

Wall. Sr. RB.

Sean Larkin

Week-4

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Po int Beach. Jr. QB.

Luke Frauenheim

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Mater Dei Prep. Jr. QB.

George Pearson

Week-2

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Southern. Jr. RB.

Wall. Sr. RB.

Matt Barnett

Sean Larkin

Mike Gawlik

Week-6 Photos by: Mark Brown www.b51photography.com

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R e d B a nk C a t h o l i c . J R . Q B .

Jackson Mem. Sr. RB.

Nick Brusca

Mike Gawlik

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Fri

Nov. 11 Atlantic City

Toms River North

Thr

Nov. 24 Wall

Manasquan

(7pm) (11am)

NJSIAA Playoffs

TBD

Schedule is subject to change

All games to be broadcast on News Talk Radio & streamed live

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