Rally Round Table games are: Southern/TR North; Lacey/Wall; Colts Neck/Brick; RBC/Neptune. Round table should be on line Thursday morning.
Video and audio highlights of the Southern-Toms River North and Lacey-Wall games will be featured on RallyCast at www.app.com where all Shore Conference results plus many in progress updates will be availablle. The two games will also be broadcast on 1310 AM and 1160AM. Scores and updates may also be accessed via phone on the Asbury Park Press Scoreline at 1-800-822-9770, ext. 4470.
Toms River High School South is running a College Night on Dec. 4. It is open to any high school football player. It is free. We have invited 211 colleges and we have emailed every guidance office and coach in Ocean/Monmouth.
It appears 14 Shore Conference teams have clinched berths in the NJSIAA playoffs and six other Shore teams will clinch playoff berths with wins this weekend, according to unofficial tabulations by the As bury Park Press.
The cutoff date for the NJSIAA playoffs is Saturday. The top eight teams in the pow er rankings with .500 or better records in each of the state's 20 sections qualify. Only a team's first eight games count towards qualification.
Teams that appear to have clinched berths with the section they compete in are as follows: Asbury Park (Central Jersey Group I); Keansburg (CJ I); Holmdel (CJ II); Long Branch (CJ III); Freehold (CJ III); Middletown South (CJ Group III); Howell (CJ IV); Jackson Memorial (CJ IV); Point Pleasant Boro (South Jersey Group II); Lacey (SJ III); Toms River North (SJ IV); Southern (SJ IV); Toms River East (SJ IV) and Red Bank Catholic (Non-Public Group IV).
Rumson-Fair Haven (CJ II); Wall (CJ III); Colts Neck (CJ IV); Brick (CJ IV); Manasquan (SJ II) and Barnegat (South J II) clinch berths with wins this weekend.
New Egypt (CJ I), Matawan (CJ II) and Neptune (CJ III) are all still alive.
Holmdel, Point Boro and Toms River North will likely clinch No. 1 seeds with wins this weekend.
Howell and Southern, which hosts Toms River North Friday night in matchup of the No.‚1 and No.‚ 2 teams in the Asbury Park Press Top 10, both have chances of being No ‚1 seeds.
The following is a brief look at each of the sections.
CJ I
It appears Keansburg (6-1, 33 points) will be the No.‚ 2 seed with a win over 1-6 Group III Pinelands Saturday. Asbury Park (7-1, 38 points) will be the No.‚ 3 seed.
CJ II
Holmdel (7-0), 47 points) is the probable top seed with a win over 2-5 Group II Red Bank. Rumson will be the No.‚ 5 or 6 seed with a win over 0-7 Group II Raritan.
Matawan will have a chance to qualify should it defeat 6-1 Group III Freehold Saturday night, and if both Governor Livingston and Carteret lose.
CJ III
Long Branch (6-1, 53 points) will likely be the No.‚ 2 seed with a win over 3-4 Group III Ocean Friday night.
Freehold (6-1, 52 points) will likely be the No.‚ 3 seed with a win over 3-4 Group II Matawan.
Middletown South (6-2, 51 points) is looking at a 5 or 6 seed and a road game in the first round.
Wall (5-2, 40 points) is in and a possible No.‚ 5 seed with a win Saturday at home over Group III Lacey (5-2). If the Crimson Knights lose, they could be out.
Neptune will give itself an outside chance should it beat 6-1 Group II Red Bank Catholic Saturday.
CJ IV
Howell (6-1, 62 points) will be in a residual point battle for the top seed with West Wind sor-Plansboro South (7-1, 70 points) if it beats 0-7 Group IV Marlboro Saturday.
West Windsor-Plainsboro South will likely finish 1-2 points ahead of Howell.
Jackson Memorial (5-3, 52 points) is looking at a 5-7 seed.
Colts Neck (5-2, 43 points) still has a reasonable chance to qualify even if loses at Brick (4-3, 40 points) Friday night. A win would give the Cougars a chance at the No.‚ 5 seed with an outside chance at getting up to the No.‚ 4 seed and earning a first-round home game.
Brick is in at likely the 5-7 range with a win over Colts Neck and could be out if it loses.
SJ II
Point Boro (6-1, 33 points) is the top seed with a win over Barnegat (4-3, 23 points). If it loses, it will likely be the No.‚ 3 seed.
Manasquan (4-3, 24 points) earns the No.‚ 4 seed and a first-round home game with a win over 3-5 Group I Shore Re gional and if Barnegat loses to Point Boro.
Barnegat, if it beats Point Boro, will likely be the No.‚ 4 seed and earn a first-round home game should it beat Point Boro. The Bengals could be out with a loss.
SJ III
Lacey (5-2, 51 points) will be either the No‚ 2 or 3 seed, de pending on the result of the Winslow Township-Eastern game, should it defeat Wall. If it loses, it will likely be no lower than a No.‚ 4 seed and could still be the No.‚ 3 seed.
SJ IV
Toms River North (7-0, 70 points), if it wins, will be 1-2 points ahead of Eastern (7-0, 69 points) should the Vikings win. The Mariners could drop down as low as No.‚ 4 with a loss.
Southern (6-1, 63 points) earns the top seed should it beat Toms River North and Eastern lose to Winslow. The Rams could drop to No.‚ 5 with a loss. Toms River East (6-1, 55 points) is likely looking at a No.‚ 6 seed.
Non-Public Group IV
Red Bank Catholic (6-1, 62 points) could earn a No.‚ 4 seed and a first-round home game with a win over Neptune. That would mean the Caseys would avoid state powers Don Bosco Prep, St. Peter's Prep and Bergen Catholic in the first round.
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 7-0. Last week: No.‚1. The Mariners did not play and were able to heal up their bumps and bruises for this week's showdown. Toms River North is one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the Shore. Next game: Friday at No.‚ 2 Southern (6-1).
2. SOUTHERN 6-1.Last week: No.‚4. Glenn Carson returned to the lineup after missing a 1• games because of a shoulder injury and scored two TDs and played a solid game on defense as the Rams defeated Middletown North, 22-7, to all but clinch their fourth NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoff berth in seven years. A big game with divisional championship and No. 1 seed implications in SJ IV looms. Next game: Friday vs. No.‚ 1 Toms River North (7-0).
3. LONG BRANCH 6-1. Last week: No.‚3. Travis Patterson ran for a career-high 330 yards and scored both TDs as the Green Wave defeated Manchester, 14-0, in the rain and mud. Next game: Friday at Ocean (3-4)
4. TOMS RIVER EAST 6-1. Last week: No.‚5. Ryan Dolan scored two TDs and ran for 125 yards and the Raiders ran for 454 yards total as they defeated Central, 30-0. Next game: Friday vs. Toms River South (0-7).
5. HOWELL 6-1.Last week: No.‚ 6. The Rebels, who have clinched the Shore Conference Constitution Division championship outright, did not play. They have a chance to be the No. 1 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs. Next game: Saturday at Marlboro (0-7).
6. RED BANK CATHOLIC 6-1.Last week: Not ranked. John Kinzel's 62-yard interception return with 3:25 remaining clinched the Caseys' 25-17 win over last week's No.‚ 2 team Wall. Red Bank Catholic clinched the Shore Liberty Division Non-Public divisional title for the fourth straight year and also clinched a share of the overall Liberty Division title. Next game: Saturday at Neptune (4-3).
7. FREEHOLD 6-1. Last week: No.‚ 7. Brandon Brown scored on a 65-yard pass from Brian Prisk and on a 57-yard punt return, his third punt return of the season and fourth kick return for a TD on the season, as the Colonial wrapped up outright possession of the Shore Federal Division championship with a 38-12 win over Pinelands. Next game: Saturday at Matawan (3-4).
8. MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 6-2. Last week: No.‚9. Matt Martino ran for three TDs and Pat Campbell added two scores as the Eagles snapped a two-game losing streak and took a major step towards an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoff berth with a 33-0 win over Ocean that avenged a loss from last year that snapped their Shore Conference-record 43-game winning streak. Shore. Next game: Nov. 9-10 in most likely an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoff game.
9. WALL 5-2. Last week: No.‚2 Blaze Caponegro and Tim Wright had TDs for the Crimson Knights, but two fumbles on kickoffs in the second half proved costly as Red Bank Catholic defeated Wall, 25-17. Wall's playoff hopes could be on the line this week against a tough opponent. Next game: Saturday vs. Lacey (5-2).
10. HOLMDEL 7-0.Last week: No. ‚10. Kenny Laplante's 2-yard TD run on a fourth-and-goal with six seconds remaining gave the Hornets a dramatic 13-10 win over last week's No.‚ 8 team Point Boro and enabled them to clinch outright possession of the Shore National Division championship. It is Holmdel's first outright divisional title since 1986. It has a chance to be the top seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II playoffs. Next game: Friday vs. Red Bank (2-5) Dropped out: Point Boro.
Caseys turn two fumbled kick offs into two TD in 62 seconds
By TONY GRAHAM STAFF WRITER RED BANK - With Red Bank Catholic clinging to a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter Sunday night against No. 2 Wall, Caseys' coach Frank Edgerly was looking for someone to make a big play on defense. Up stepped John Kinzel. The senior lineman picked off a screen pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown with 3:25 left that clinched a 25-17 Shore Conference Liberty Division win for the Caseys (6-1, 5-1) over the Knights (5-2, 5-1). ""We've been practicing against the screens all week,'' said Kinzel, 6-2, 220 pounds. ""That has been a down fall of our defense the last few games. "'I read it perfectly and got on my horse.'' His ride into the end zone enabled RBC to clinch the Non-Public Liberty title for a fourth year in a row. ""That was a special play,'' said Edgerly. ""That's my first ever career touchdown on defense,'' said Kinzel. ""For a "D' lineman, that's their dream right there. And it happened to me.'' With time running down Wall reached the RBC 45 yard line where a long pass attempt by quarterback Jim Louro was knocked away by RBC's Peter Batesko as the clock ran out. RBC snapped a 7-7 deadlock when Wall fumbled away consecutive short kickoffs to begin the second half. In the space of 62 seconds RBC had a 12-point lead. ""We were squibbing the second half,'' Edgerly said. ""They had two guys deep that we didn't want to get the ball. You can't predict the bounces they take and fortunately, in those two back-to-back sequences, they definitely bounced in our favor.'' One play after the first fumble recovery reserve junior quarterback Connor O'Leary, subbing for senior starter Louis Bianchini (thigh bruise), hit Batesko with a 38-yard bomb to make it 13-7. After Wall fumbled again RBC senior tailback Mike Wilbur, battling night-long ankle problems, powered in from the one for a 19-7 lead. ""We knew on Monday O'Leary was going to be the guy, we tried to keep it quiet,'' said Edgerly. ""The kid came out, played his heart out, he put us in the right position, and made some big throws.'' RBC lost three second-half fumbles as Wall battled back. A 27-yard field goal by John Shields cut the margin to nine points after three quarters. Following a fumble recovery Wall then drove 67 yards in 11 plays. Louro connected with Tim Wright on a 10-yard strike to make it 19-17 with 10:10 remaining.
1st Quarter F - James 11 run (Plescia kick), 9:58 2nd Quarter F - Plescia 37 FG, 10:12 F - Torres 15 fumble return (Plescia kick), 9:22 P - J. Weisz 70 run (kick failed), 5:51 F - Brown 65 pass from Prisk (Plesica kick), 5:39 F - James 4 run (Plescia kick), 1:18 3rd Quarter F - Brown 57 punt return (Plescia kick), 9:52 P - J. Weisz 9 run (pass failed), 4:47 4th Quarter None.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FREEHOLD - We are just moments from kickoff in Freehold. The home team won the toss and will receive the football first.
By STAFF REPORT Rain has resulted in eight football games scheduled for either Friday night or Saturday to be postponed until Sunday, as of Friday afternoon.
Among those games postponed were the two biggest games of the weekend: The Holmdel at Point Boro game, which will likely decide the Shore Conference National Division championship, will be Sunday at 4 p.m. and the Wall at Red Bank Catholic Shore Conference Liberty Division game, will be Sunday at 7 p.m.
If Holmdel wins, it will win its first outright divisional championship since 1986 and its first divisional title since it shared the Class C South title with Monmouth Regional and Freehold in 1999. If Point Boro wins, it will clinch at least a share of its third divisional title in four years.
If Wall wins that game, it will clinch the overall Liberty Division championship. If Red Bank Catholic wins, it will likely create a three-way tie for the overall Liberty Division championship amongst itself, Wall and Long Branch and win the Non-Public Liberty Division title while Wall and Long Branch will likely share the public school Liberty Division title.
Other games postponed from Friday night with makeup times are: Rumson-Fair Haven at Point Beach, Sunday at noon; Monmouth Regional at Jackson Liberty, Sunday at 3 p.m.; Brick Memorial at Jackson Memorial, Sunday, 6 p.m.
Rumson-Fair Haven can clinch a share of the Patriot Division title with Asbury Park and most likely Keansburg with a win Sunday. Jackson Memorial will likely clinch a berth in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs, its ninth straight playoff berth, with a win. Three games, originally scheduled for Saturday, have been postponed until Sunday. They are Shore at Keyport, 10 a.m.; Monsignor Donovan at Keansburg, 1 p.m.; St. John Vianney at Mater Dei, 2:30 p.m.
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 7-0. Last week: No.‚1. Anthony Penna threw two TD passes in the fourth quarter as the Mariners broke away from a 3-3 tie and defeated Brick Memorial, 24-3. Toms River North is one of three unbeaten teams remaining in the Shore. Next game: Nov. 2 at No.‚4 Southern (5-1).
2. WALL 5-1. Last week: No.‚4. The Crimson Knights did not play, but move up because the No.‚ 2 and No.‚ 3 teams. Wall's only loss is by a point to Middletown South, when Middletown South was ranked No.‚ 1. It also has a one-point win over No.‚ 3 Long Branch. Wall clinched at least a tie for the Liberty Division title with Long Branch's win over Red Bank Catholic. Next game: Friday at Red Bank Catholic (5-1).
3. LONG BRANCH 5-1. Last week: No.‚5. Donte Gilliard had an interception return for a TD and Isaiah Hall stopped a late Red Bank Catholic with an INT as the Green Wave defeated the Caseys, 20-14, to hand RBC its first loss of the season. Long Branch has wins over Lacey, when the Lions were ranked No.‚ 2 and Red Bank Catholic, when the Caseys were ranked No.‚3 Next game: Friday at Manchester (2-4).
4. SOUTHERN 5-1. Last week: No.‚6. Brad Gesser ran for 188 yards and two TDs as the Rams continued on a collision course with Toms River North in a game that will have a large say in determining who wins the Shore American Division title and earns the No. 1 seed in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs with a 36-6 win over Freehold Township. Southern remains ranked ahead of Toms River East because of its 14-6 win over the Raiders on Oct. 6. Next game: Friday at Middletown North (1-5).
5. TOMS RIVER EAST 5-1.
Last week: No.‚ 7. Sophomore Nico Steriti had two TD receptions and also scored on a 30-yard interception return as the Raiders rolled to a 56-6 win over Marlboro. Next game: Friday vs. Central (0-6).
6. HOWELL 6-1. Last week: No.‚9. David Hayes ran for a career-high 289 yards and four TDs as the Rebels clinched the outright Shore Conference Constitution Division championship with a 36-14 win over Brick. It is Howell's first-ever outright divisional title and second divisional title in school history. Howell is ranked ahead of the next four teams because it has quality wins over Lacey, Brick and Colts Neck. Next game: Nov. 3 vs. Marlboro (0-6).
7. FREEHOLD 5-1. Last week: Not ranked. Brandon Brown had two TDs, including the game-winner on an 82-yard kickoff return, and Robert James had 92 tough yards and two TDs on 25 carries as the Colonials clinched at least a tie for the Federal Division championship with a 27-21 win over then No.‚2 Middletown South. Only a loss to then winless Red Bank prevents from the Colonials from being ranked higher. Next game: Saturday vs. Pinelands (1-5).
8. POINT BORO 6-0. Last week: No.‚8. Bobby Alameda scored the go-ahead TD on a 10-yard pass from quarterback Shane O'Connor and then scored the game-clinching TD on a 103-yard interception return with 6 seconds remaining as the Panthers rallied from 14-0 and 21-8 first half deficits and defeated St. John Vianney, 42-28, to remain one of three unbeaten teams in the Shore. Next game: Friday vs. No.‚10 Holmdel (6-0).
9. MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 5-2. Last week: No.‚2 Craig Sweeney and Chris Bunge had kickoff returns for TDs, but it was not enough for the Eagles to avoid a 27-21 loss to Freehold. Middletown South remains in the poll because it has a win over No.‚ 2 Wall, which unranked Red Bank Catholic (5-1) plays Friday night. Next game: Friday at Ocean Township (3-3)
10. HOLMDEL 6-0. Last week: No. ‚10. Ryan Haslett ran for 129 yards and a TD and Kenny LaPlante and Glenn Grainger each had TD runs as the Hornets continued their best start since they started the 1999 season, 6-0, with a 19-6 win over Monsignor Donovan. Next game: Friday at No.‚8 Point Boro (6-0).
Dropped out: Red Bank Catholic.
NOTE: Red Bank Catholic dropped out of the poll because it does not have a quality win. None of its wins over a team with a winning record. If it defeats Wall Friday night, it will move back into the top 10 in place of the Point Boro-Holmdel loser.
Please use the comments portion to praise and or pan the poll and state any changes you would make and your reasons....
Jackson Memorial 34, Delsea 31 (FINAL IN OT) Donald Murphy ran for 198 yards and his fourth TD on an 8-yard run gave the Jaguars (4-3) an ovetime win over the Crusaders (4-3). Jackson trailed 28-21 with 3:25 left but tied the game on a Murphy 1-yard TD with 1:13 left
Barnegat 35, Pinelands 20 (FINAL)
Long Island (N.Y.) Lutheran 53, Jackson Liberty 28 (FINAL)
This ran in the paper Saturday but some of it including quotes from Steve Antonucci were cut for space reasons. Here is the full version..
Also...nothing against Middletown South, it' s a great program and Antonucci is aces in my opinion, but it's always fun for me to cover an event where a prohibitive under dog prevails . This was an excellent game...
They raised their gold football helmets into the muggy Friday night air in triumph shouting, ""Who are we? Who are we?'' And then they answered, en masse, "'Freehold! Freehold! Freehold!'' And now, everybody knows. ""Oh, yeah,'' said Freehold senior Robert James after the Colonials (5-1) stunned No.‚2 Middletown South at the Swamp, 27-21. ""We knocked off the big dogs, we knocked off the bully,'' said James who, soon after the game ended, collapsed in tears of emotion in the end zone. ""They've kicked my team three years straight,'' said James, whose club had been hammered by Middletown South the last three meetings, 143-14. ""I was ready for some pay back,'' James said. ""We feel like we really earned it.'' It's safe to say few people gave Freehold much of a chance Friday night in the wake of last week's defeat (13-10) to a Red Bank team that had lost its previous 12 games. ""I really don't think we were looking past them,'' James said. ""But we knew in order to put that one behind us we had to take it to these guys today. ""This is what we live for as a football player.'' Friday night, James, who began the season at right guard, time after time hurled his powerful 5-foot-9, 215-pound frame smashing into the teeth of the Eagles' defense. He rushed for 92 yards on 25 carries, including two third-quarter TD runs. Then, in the fourth quarter, when South (4-2), trailing by six points had driven to the Freehold 8-yard line, linebacker James was an integral part of the defense that sealed his school's biggest football victory since its last championship year, 2001. On third down, Freehold linebacker Richard Schwartz helped send South quarterback Patrick Campbell reeling backward. Moments later, Freehold took over on downs. Then behind the running of James, Jahquan Fehn, and a clutch first-down pass from quarterback Brian Prisk to electric receiver Brandon Brown, ran out the clock. Yet, much of the night, despite being outplayed and outgained, Middletown South appeared as if it might prevail behind its traditional knack for winning … that included two touchdowns on kickoff returns. But now it seems its chances to tie Manasquan's Shore Conference record of five consecutive NJSIAA sectional championships are on wobbly grounds. If South makes the playoffs it faces a potential Central Jersey Group III field that could include the likes of Freehold, Wall and Long Branch. South coach Steve Antonucci remained optimistic his team might still have a chance for another sectional title. ""If we play better,'' he said. ""I still don't think we've played our best football game yet. I don't know when we're going to play it, but our kids are working hard. ""Unfortunately, we met a team that was hungrier than we were tonight.'' As the Colonials made their way toward their buses, you could almost still hear an echo chanting in the night, ""Who are we? Who are we? Freehold! Freehold! Freehold!'' Said James: ""We're the new kids on the block.'' And now, everybody knows. e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.
Freehold kicks off the weekend with a bang!! Comment on this, LB vs. RBC, Brick vs. Howell, etc. and other weekend results on this thread
Hey, anyone of the 14 of 91 fans who correctly forecast Freehold on our poll, should stand up and be counted! Feel free to explain. I know I'd be interested............
Updated High School Football Postponement Story and Schedule as of 4:58 p.m.
Updated 10:48 p.m. Oct. 19
Eight of the nine Shore Conference High School Football games scheduled for Friday were postponed and moved to later this weekend. The updated schedule is listed below.
The Freehold at Middletown South game is still on as of 4:20 p.m. Friday.
Freehold beat Middletown South, 27-21
The Allentown at Hightstown game is also still on as of 4:39 p.m. Friday.
Hightstown beat Allentown, 34-7
SATURDAY Mater Dei at Asbury Park, Noon Point Beach at Keyport, 1 p.m Red Bank at Manchester, 1 p.m. Lakewood at Neptune, 1 p.m. Middletown North at Lacey, 1 p.m. TR East at Marlboro, 1 p.m. Shore at Keansburg, 1 p.m. Matawan at Monmouth, 1 p.m. Barnegat at Pinelands, 2 p.m. Brick Memorial at TR North, 2 p.m. Freehold Twp. at Southern, 2 p.m. Holmdel at Monsignor Donovan, 2 p.m. Manalapan at Colts Neck, 2 p.m Manasquan at Raritan, 2 p.m. Jackson Liberty at Long Island Lutheran, 2:30 p.m. Brick at Howell, 7 p.m. Delsea at Jackson Memorial, 7 p.m. Long Branch at Red Bank Catholic, 7 p.m.
Friday high school football postponements updated as of 3:35 p.m.
Brick at Howell - 7 pm Saturday Delsea at Jackson - 7 p.m. Saturday SJ Vianney at Point Boro - 2 p.m. Sunday Holmdel at Donovan, Saturday, 2 p. m. Red Bank at Manchester, Saturday 1 p.m. Long Branch at RB Catholic, Saturday, 7 p.m. Manasquan at Raritan, Saturday, 2 p.m. Brick Memorial at TR North, Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
And the following is from my colleague Joe Adelizzi, another member of the Pick Six crew, that was absent this week....
So I'll go 3-1 while the rest of the forecasters can't tell you if it was raining in Seattle last week. So, when I plan on coming in and getting my props, state tennis is taking place at Mercer County Park and I miss the filming. So, they replace me with Patti Martin!!!! Yikes, my leg is bigger than Patti Martin.
Oh well. Here's what I would have said.
Red Bank Catholic vs. Long Branch Picked against the Wave last week and I was right. I'm going with them this week because they have a lot of high-power guys and can score in a hurry. RBC is getting its first test. I don't think they are ready for what the Wave will bring.
Middletown South vs. Freehold I picked against Middletown South last week and a late TR North rush got me a win. I was thinking about Freehold in this game until they got beat by Red Bank last week. Now, the Eagles are looking to get back on track. They will.
Brick vs. Howell I gave up on Brick after the lost to Lacey. It cost me a pick last week when they upset Southern. But the Rams lost Glen Carson in that game and that helped the Dragons. Howell lost to Jackson Memorial (who would have thought that?) but the Rebels offense has too many weapons and Brick only has Roshala. Howell in a wild game.
Manalapan vs. Colts Neck The smart money is on Colts Neck and Action Jackson. It's the smart move, a lot like Tessio turning on Michael in the Godfather. Me? I never make the smart move. Manalapan has won two straight (OK, they beat TR South and Freehold Township, both winless) I just think they'll get three.
So, I missed the Rally Roundtable discussion this week due to Shore Conference Tournament field hockey games. So, you'll have to settle for my featured picks via the printed word. I'm also the guy that puts the football scores on our website www.app.com on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. I'll try to add some details to the High School Football blogon Friday nights and Saturday afternoon to give you something to discuss while the games are going on that night or that day. So without any further ado, here is what I would have said on the Rally Roundtable
Long Branch vs Red Bank Catholic A couple weeks back we got an e-mail from a grandmother of a Long Branch player. I will not reveal which player it was but grandma poured her heart out to us about how we pick against the Green Wave each week when these young men are playing their hearts out on the road each week. Grandma...if you are reading...I got the message. I know the Green Wave lost a tough one to Wall last week...so I'm picking them to bounce back with big performances from Travis Patterson and Isaiah Hall. The knock on the Caseys is that they haven't played a quality opponent yet...in fact, the combined record of their opponents thus far is 7-19. Yikes. The Caseys have the top-rated offense in the Shore at 434 yards per game but Long Branch is fourth at 358 yards per game. So, that’s a wash in my mind.
Brick vs Howell I know what the naysayers are going to say...how can you pick Howell...when the Rebels just got torched by Don Murphy of Jackson Memorial for 241 yards and three touchdowns. Simple. Since 2005, the Rebels are 4-2 after a loss. I believe Cory Davies is the most creative football coach in the Shore Conference and he will plug the holes in the run defense to keep Brick's Jordan Roshala, Matt Cuccinello and Joe Cusanelli in check. Howell is the 9th ranked offense in the Shore Conference at 304.7 yards per game against Brick's 29th ranked offense at 220.6 yards per game...too big of disparity...to go against the numbers.
Freehold vs Middletown South Let me first say...I'm impressed with the 4-1 Colonials and what they have done thus far...and Coach Mark Ciccotelli should get some coach of the year votes and probably be the leader of the pack IF the Colonials were to beat Middletown South. But there is no way I can pick against Middletown South for two weeks in a row. In fact, Middletown South coach Steve Antonucci hasn't had more than one loss in a season since 2002 and in that 2002 season Middletown South didn't lose back to back games and finished 9-3.
Manalapan vs Colts Neck I understand the Braves have some momentum with two straight wins over Toms River South and Middletown North but the Cougars have beaten those teams too. Colts Neck also lost to Lacey last week and I've got a payback week theme going so I'm picking Colts Neck and running with Colts Neck running back Ashton Jackson until the wheels fall off. I don't think this will be a blowout. I see Colts Neck getting up early and then feeding the ball to Jackson for key first downs late in the game.
Let me know if you agree with me or if you think I'm nuts. Also, please vote in this week's poll in the entry below this one. We like to know what America thinks of this week's featured games.
RALLYCAST GAME OF THE WEEK/Make game predictions/ Post game comments
Will be announced on Rally Round Table on line first thing Thursday morning....
Discuss, pick winners of these games - Long Branch vs. RBC., Brick vs. Howell, and any others you care to mention...on this, or the poll just published...
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 6-0. Last week: No.‚9. Jon Daniels' 1-yard TD run in overtime gave the Mariners a dramatic 27-24 win over then No.‚1 Middletown South. The Mariners move into the top spot on the basis of quality wins over Brick, Jackson Memorial, both of whom beat ranked teams last week, and Middletown South. Next game: Friday vs. Brick Memorial (2-3).
2. MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 5-1. Last week: No.‚1. Pat Campbell threw two TD passes and ran for a score, but the Eagles let a 21-7 lead get away in the last four minutes of regulation and lost 27-24 in overtime to Toms River North. It was just Middletown South's second loss in five years. The Eagles are 52-2 since the start of the 2003 season. Middletown South is No. 2 because of a win over Wall, who Red Bank Catholic plays Oct. 26. Next game: Friday vs. Freehold (4-1).
3. RED BANK CATHOLIC 5-0. Last week: No.‚2. Michael Wilbur had two TD runs of 50 yards and another of 44 yards as the Caseys rolled to a 42-0 win over Keyport. Red Bank Catholic, whose opponents combined record so far this season is 7-20, gets its chance to make a claim for the top spot the next two weeks when it plays Long Branch and Wall. Next game: Friday vs. No.‚ 5 Long Branch (4-1).
4. WALL 5-1. Last week: No.‚7. Blaze Caponegro had TD runs of 67 and 46 yards in the fourth quarter and the Crimson Knights then stopped a Long Branch 2-point conversion attempt with two seconds remaining as they hung on for a 13-12 win. Wall's only loss is by one point to Middletown South. Next game: Oct. 26 at No.‚ 3 Red Bank Catholic (5-0).
5. LONG BRANCH 4-1. Last week: No.‚ 3. Donte Gilliard hauled in a 15-yard TD pass from Isaiah Hall with two seconds remaining pulled the Green Wave within a point, but a 2-point conversion attempt was stopped and Wall hung on for a 13-12 win. Long Branch has a quality win over Lacey in overtime. Next game: Friday at No.‚ 3 Red Bank Catholic (5-0).
6. SOUTHERN 4-1. Last week: No.‚5. Brad Gesser ran for three TDs, including one in OT that put the Rams ahead in overtime, but Jordan Roshala's extra point coupled with Ray Johnson's extra point in overtime enabled Brick to defeat Southern, 21-20. Southern remains ahead of Toms River East because its 14-6 win over the Raiders was just 10 days ago. This loss was to a team that is always capable. Next game: Saturday vs. Freehold Township (1-5).
7. TOMS RIVER EAST 4-1. Last week: No.‚6. Chris Miller had two TD runs, including one of 82 yards, and ran for 154 yards on 11 carries and Ryan Sandberg threw for two TDs, the Raiders' first two TD passes of the season, in a 42-7 win over Brick Memorial. Next game: Saturday at Marlboro (0-5).
8. POINT BORO 5-0 Last week: No.‚8. Junior defensive tackle Jeff Keffer recovered two fumbles, one of which he forced and the Panthers' defense came up with five turnovers in all in a 9-0 win over Manasquan. Shane O'Connor's 1-yard QB sneak was the game's only TD. Next game: Friday vs. St. John Vianney (1-4).
9. HOWELL 5-1. Last week: No.‚4 Tim Lamirande threw two TD passes, but Jackson Memorial came up with three interceptions, six sacks and defeated the Rebels, 28-14, to end the school's unbeaten start. Howell remains in the poll because it has quality wins over Lacey and Colts Neck. Next game: Friday vs. Brick (3-2).
10. HOLMDEL 5-0. Last week: No. ‚10. Quarterback Ryan Haslett ran for two TDs and threw for two more and Glenn Grainger had two TDs as the Hornets continued their best start since 1999 with a 40-0 win over Jackson Liberty. Next game: Friday at Monsignor Donovan (2-3).
Dropped out: none.
Also- which game would you like us to RallyCast Friday night??
Brick at Howell; LB at RBC; Allentown at Hightstown (just kidding on that one)??
Now, after Friday night, who would you put No. 1 ?? RBC? TR North, TR East?? Point Boro if it wins Saturday??? Wall???
RallyCast was at the Wall-Long Branch game. It should be on line.
Reminder...all weekend, scores available with finals (and some halftime scores) on the Press web site, and on the Press Scoreline at 1-800-822-9770, ext. 4470.
Bengals growling over crucial Friday night penalty
Barnegat coach Rob Davis said he was ""very upset'' over the call in Friday night's game vs. Holmdel in which the Bengals were penalized for ""aiding the runner"' on a play which wiped out Erik Smithman's first down at the Holmdel two or three-yard line in the first over time.
The the series ended when Holmdel blocked the potential game-winning field goal attempt.
Holmdel won in the second overtime, 27-20.
""That should have never been called,'' said Davis. "'I've never seen a call like that before. On film it showed they were trying to strip the ball when the play was stagant for two or three seconds and our linemen were attacking to the whistle.
""Holmdel was aggressive, there was nothing wrong with that. But the play should have never been called.''
Obviously, Southern is now going to have to move into the top 10, and fairly high, too. Where should the Rams be ranked? Where should Toms River East, which will stay in the poll, be ranked? And who should now be No. 2? Give us a top 10 and a brief explaination why for your rankings.
Southern-Toms River East? Holmdel-Barnegat? Neptune-Ocean? Monsignor Donovan-St. John Vianney? Shore-Point Beach? Matawan-Manchester? Rumson-Manasquan? Give us an answer and a short explaination why.
Four overtime games, another decided by two points on a failed two-point conversion, Southern recording perhaps its biggest win ever in its 50th year of football and Rumson shutting out Manasquan. I don't ever remember a football night like that in my 20 years of covering high school football, and I certainly don't remember a night or afternoon with four overtime games, including two in overtime. What's your pick for the game of the night? Was it Southern defeating Toms River East? Holmdel outlasting Barnegat in two overtimes in perhaps the craziest game I have ever seen? Neptune defeating Ocean in two overtimes on a two-point conversion off a fake extra point? Monsignor Donovan rallying from a 19-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat St. John Vianney in overtime? Shore Regional defeating Point Beach in OT after letting a 14-0 lead get away or Matawan rallying from a 13-0 deficit to defeat Manchester, 21-19. Here's a quick thought on some of the results: No question, Southern defeating Toms River East, ranked No. 2 in the Shore by the Asbury Park Press and No. 14 in the Gannett New Jersey top 20 is a huge win for that program. Many people, including yours truly thought Toms River East had a legitimate claim to be ranked No. 1 in the Shore. Now, that talk can cease to exist. For Southern, which nobody, including yours truly thought had a chance, this is the breakthrough win that it has sought forever. Is this the long-awaited awakening of the program that has long been viewed as "The Sleeping Giant'' ? Time will tell, especially since Southern's long-time nemesis Brick is next on the schedule, but it is time for Southern to be taken seriously. Not many people work harder or are better guys than Rams' head coach Chuck Donohue. I'm happy to see his hard work and his kids hard work rewarded here. Donohue is a good coach. He won at three schools in South Jersey before he came to Southern, and he has had several winning teams at at Southern and three playoff teams, but Southern always seemed to be one of the programs that was cursed. The curse may finally be off. Holmdel's win was no work of art, but the Hornets earned major points for sticking to it and always believing in themselves, especially when Barnegat tied it with 15 seconds left in regulation after an 80-yard drive over the final 2:50. Holmdel's Ryan Haslett is an excellent two-way athlete, and his biggest plays came on special teams when he blocked an attempted game-winning field goal in the first overtime and an extra point in the second quarter. The addition of Glenn Grainger, a transfer from Central Regional, has been a big bonus for Holmdel. Grainger gives the Hornets two quarterbacks in the backfield on most plays. Grainger even gives head coach Andy Carlstrom the option of putting Haslett occassionally in a wide receiver position. Great effort by Barnegat in rallying from a 13-0 deficit and then a 20-13 deficit. Wonder if the Bengals will regret getting a bit conservative in the fourth quarter after they tied the game 13-13, when they ran the ball on five of six plays on their next two possessions, and then in the first overtime after they moved to a first down inside the Holmdel 15. Both of Barnegat's losses have come in overtime. It is obvious that head coach Rob Davis and his staff have done a fine job in building that program, which is in just its second year. Kudos for Rumson for beating Manasquan. It is the second straight year the Bulldogs have beaten a highly-regarded opponent. Last year, coach Shane Fallon's team beat Raritan on the cutoff weekend for the NJSIAA playoffs to qualify for the Central Jersey Group II playoffs. Wide receiver Ryan Kirchner is one of the Shore's best receivers. Manasquan played without injured running backs Chaz Coursey and Lorenzo Venables. They, obviously, would have made a difference against a Rumson defense that had struggled mightly against the run in the first four games. However, Rumson still deserves a ton of credit for an inspired performance. Monsignor Donovan's comeback was hard to believe. The performance by quarterback Jon Curtin, who ran for a TD and two, two-point conversions in the fourth quarter and then threw the game-winning TD pass to Steven Tyler in OT was one of the more dramatic late-game performances we've heard of. And Neptune coach John Fiore had a gamble pay off when he went for the two-point conversion in the second OT, rather than make the percentage play and kick the PAT and go to a third OT. By the way, if a game goes to a third OT, both teams, if they score a touchdown, have to go for the two-point conversion. If a game remains tied after three overtimes, it then ends up a tie.
Thoughts on Point Boro's late field goal last week:
Point Boro coach Calvin Thompson's decision to kick a field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the Panthers' 32-6 win over Monsignor Donovan was the wrong one and sends a bad message. Part of high school sports is supposed to be about teaching good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is not deciding to kick a field goal with 13 seconds remaining in a game your team is leading by 23 points because you are unhappy about where your team is ranked in a newspaper poll, or the way your team is playing. There was no good reason to take out frustration over a ranking or the way your team played on an opponent that you have convincingly defeated. Point Boro dropped two spots in the poll the previous week because Long Branch, ranked No. 10 at the time, recorded a dramatic overtime win over then No. 2 Lacey in a classic game. Off that, Long Branch had to move into the top five, and Lacey wasn't going to drop too far for losing to a quality team in a well-played, classic game. Those who run up scores, or take out their frustrations on late in games against outmanned opponents, have no right to complain if somebody down the road runs up a score against them. What goes around does have a habit of eventually coming around. And as for rankings, the only poll that really counts is the last one, and they are subjective anyway, and one person's opinion, right or wrong. Point Boro will have a chance to get a great ranking before the season is over because they will play Manasquan, Holmdel and Barnegat in the next month plus a tough playoff schedule in South Jersey Group II. Thompson has done a good job over the last six years in resurrecting the Point Boro program. People respect his program, but decisions like last week, do his program no good.
TONIGHT Barnegat at Holmdel: This is the first time I will see Barnegat in their two years of existence. I'm excited to see quarterback Brandon Clarke, the Shore's leading passer in terms of yardage through the first four weeks, receiver Daniel Cintron and running back-defensive back Erik Smithman. I saw Holmdel in their 10-7 win at Manasquan in Week 1, I think they are legit. This game comes down to a couple of things how Holmdel's physical defensive front fare against a Barnegat offense that will spread the Hornets out and is diversified? And how Barnegat's defense, which is vulnerable to the run, fare against Holmdel's option offense, led by athletic quarterback Ryan Haslett. I like Barnegat because of its diversity on offense, and because of Clarke's accuracy, but this game will be decided late. If Holmdel wins, it remains tied with Point Boro for first place in the National Division. If Barnegat, Point Boro will be in first place by itself in the division, heading into next week's game at Manasquan, and Holmdel, Barnegat and Manasquan will all be one game back. Toms River East at Southern: Many feel Toms River East is the best team in the Shore. The Raiders have played like that so far. They are fast on both sides of the ball. Their defense never gets the publicity it should because of all the numbers the offense puts up, but this defense is superb because of its speed at almost every position, especially at linebacker, where Ryan Dolan, John Smicklo and Tyler Groves make play after play. It is because of that defense, that I think Toms River East wins this game. For Southern, this is its chance to take the leap into the upper echelon. The Rams have done nothing wrong so far. They are solid defensively, especially at linebacker, where Glenn Carson is a man child. Southern even had an impressive game offensively last week against Brick Memorial, but I think the Rams struggle to move the ball here. Manasquan at Rumson-Fair Haven: Rumson has to play an almost perfect game, like it did when it upset Raritan last year, in order to win. The Bulldogs will have to control the ball through the air with quarterback Matt Wassel connecting to receivers Ryan Kirchner and Johnny Lembeck in order to keep its defense off the field. Chances are Rumson will not have much success running the ball. Manasquan will likely try to run the ball right at Rumson defense that is giving up almost 300 yards a game on the ground and has given up over 350 yards rushing to Asbury Park and Shore Regional. If Manasquan runs the ball for over 200 yards, chances are it wins. But, the game could be interesting and fun to watch.
TOMORROW Keansburg at Asbury Park: Having seen Keansburg in its thrilling 21-14 overtime win at Rumson on Sept. 20, I now understand how good running back Justin Laguna is. He is the best player in the Patriot Division and would be a good player on almost any team in the Shore. He is a man amongst boys in the Patriot Division. Keansburg has more than just Laguna, even though they really haven't shown it yet. Quarterback Anthony Valle is dangerous both as a runner and passer and wide receiver Josh Bakala, who has caught just four passes so far, is capable of having a big game at any time. Asbury Park is a much-improved team and has breakaway ability in running back George Stephens, quarterback Will Johnson and fullback Rashawn Roberts, who can also run over tacklers, but I feel Laguna will be the difference in this game. Brick at Lacey: The stakes are high here for these two proud programs. Lacey, which has lost tough and exciting games the last weeks to Long Branch and Howell, the No. 4 and 5 teams in the Asbury Park Press Top 10, needs to win here to remain in the Constitution Division race and to keep alive its chances of earning a good seed in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III playoffs. Brick can set up a showdown with Howell in two weeks for first place in the Constitution Division. Brick is very good defensively. It has allowed just one touchdown in three games. It has struggled offensively, scoring just two TDs in its last two games. Quarterback Jordan Roshala is an excellent athlete, though. I feel Lacey is still a very good football team that is capable of winning SJ III, should it qualify. The Lions are very good offensively. Quarterback Warren Smith is one of the better QBs in the Shore, and running back Tom Rickmers is one of the better backs in the Shore. Lacey has been vulnerable against the deep pass the last two weeks, but I don't think that weakness shows up here. Lacey grinds out two TDs, and that will be enough to win.
Is up at app.com on both the front page and the high school sports page. Games that were discussed on the roundtable this week by yours truly, Tony Graham, Joe Adelizzi and Josh Newman were Barnegat at Holmdel; Toms River East at Southern; Keansburg at Asbury Park and Brick at Lacey.
Rally Round Table on line Friday/Key games/Make pre and post game comments on these and others/Barnegat-Holmdel and Brick-Lacey on RALLYCAST
Rally Round table on line Friday morning...we look at the first four games listed below...
Also: Scores and many halftime results out on the front page of our web site and scores at 1-800-822-9770, ext. 4470. Out of state call 1-800-248-2216.
Southern (3-0, 3-0) hosts No. 2 Toms River East (3-0, 2-0) in a key American Division game.
Barnegat (3-1, 3-1), in just its second varsity season, hopes to leap into the thick of the National Division race with a win at No. 9 Holmdel (3-0, 3-0).
Asbury Park (3-1, 3-1), which hasn't captured a division championship for quite some time would forge into the Patriot Division picture with a home field win over Keansburg (3-0, 3-0), itself looking for its first trophy in ages.
In other notable games, Brick (2-1, 2-0) travels to Lacey (2-2, 2-1) with the winner remaining in the hunt for the Constitution Division crown. The loser, especially if it's defending South Jersey III champion Lacey, may find itself on the bubble come playoff time.
