Some thoughts from Saturday afternoon games

Holmdel's 10-7 win over Manasquan was no fluke. The Hornets, who showed they meant business right from the start with a 73-yard, eight-play drive in the first 2:47 of the game, were the better team on both sides of the line of scrimmage. . Hornets' senior quarterback Ryan Haslett was probably the best athlete on the field. He did a good job at both running the ball and pitching on the option. The Hornets also were, for the most part, able to contain Manasquan running back Chaz Coursey. That means Manasquan's offensive line, led by Rutgers University recruit, Art Forst, a 6-foot-8, 305-pound right tackle, and Travis Fink, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound left tackle, was not able to dominate the Holmdel defensive front.
Also, Howell's 28-26 win over Colts Neck shows the Rebels are picking up offensively right where they left off the past two seasons even though quarterback Sean O'Reilly, an Asbury Park Press All-Shore selection last year, is now at Wagner College. O'Reilly's replacement, Tim Lamirande is not much of a dropoff from O'Reilly, if at all. Howell also has a great receiving corp in Brian Battaglia and Chance Carrick. Look for Howell to be right there in the Constitution Division race.
Odd stat from the Rumson-Asbury Park game. Asbury Park rushed for 351 yards, and lost by three touchdowns.
Toms River East's 48-0n win over Freehold Township shows the Raiders are probably not missing a beat even though quarterback Jared Morris and running back Brady Doyle have graduated.