Brief thoughts on this week's games:
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.
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.
posted by Steven Falk at 12:47 PM
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