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Here is this week's Top 10 poll:
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 11-0. Last week: No.‚1. The Mariners' defense held Toms River East to just 125 yards of total offense and Anthony Penna's 7-yard first quarter TD pass to Adam Carey was all Toms River North needed as it set a school-record for wins in a season and clinched outright possession of the Shore Conference American Division championship with a 10-0 win over Toms River East. It was the Mariners' first win over the Raiders since 2002 and also gave them their first divisional title since 2002. Next game: Saturday vs. Mainland (10-1) in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV championship game.
2. LONG BRANCH 10-1. Last week: No.‚2. Shawn Brown returned the opening kickoff for a TD and also on an interception return and a 76-yard run as the Green Wave clinched a tie for the overall Shore Conference Liberty Division championship with Red Bank Catholic and Wall and a share of the Liberty Division non-public championship with Wall with a 48-0 romp over Red Bank. Next game: Sunday at Rutgers University vs. Moorestown (11-0) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship game.
3. HOWELL 10-1. Last week: No.‚3. Tim Lamirande threw three TD passes, one of them to David Hayes, who also ran for 100 yards and two TDs, as the Rebels avenged a loss to Freehold Township last year with a 34-14 win. Next game: Friday at Rutgers University vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro South (10-1) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship game.
4. LACEY 9-2. Last week: No.‚4. Mike Mancini ran for 129 yards and two TDs in the first half and R.J. Roe caught a 30-yard TD pass from Warren Smith, kicked a 30-yard field goal and four extra points as the Lions, playing without tailback Tom Rickmers (bruised knee) and most of the game without fullback Justin Pandorf rolled to a 37-0 win over Central to make it seven straight wins. Next game: Saturday vs. Shawnee (8-3) in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III championship game.
5. ASBURY PARK 10-1.[U1][QL] Last week: No.‚ 5. Derrell Bell had two interceptions, Carl St. Surin returned an interception for a TD and Will Johnson, Rashawn Roberts and George Stephens each had TDs as the Blue Bishops defeated Neptune, 26-3, to reach double-digit in wins for the first time since its went 11-0 in 1984. Next game: Friday at Rutgers University vs. No.‚ 6 Keansburg (10-1) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship game.[U1][QL]
6. KEANSBURG 10-1. Last week: No.‚ 6. Anthony Valle threw TD passes to Josh Bakala and Scott Pillar and running back Justin Laguna returned to action after missing three games with a fractured fibula as the Titans clinched a share of the Shore Conference Patriot Division championship with Asbury Park and Rumson-Fair Haven with a 34-7 win over Mater Dei. It is Keansburg's first divisional title since 1996, when it went 11-0 and won its last sectional title and recorded double digits in wins. Next game: Friday at Rutgers University vs. No.‚ 5 Asbury Park (10-1) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship game.
7.RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN 9-2.
Last week: No.‚ 7. The Bulldogs rested most of their starters in preparation for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship game against Carteret in a 61-0 loss to rival Red Bank Catholic. Rumson remains ranked because its starting team defeated Holmdel when Holmdel was unbeaten and is 9-1. Next game: Sunday at Rutgers University vs. Carteret (8-3) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II championship game.
8. HOLMDEL 10-1. Last week: No.‚8. Ryan Haslett rushed for 163 yards to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the season and Glenn Grainger scored a TD and kicked three extra points to go over the 100-point mark for the season as Holmdel set a school-record for wins in a season with a 21-12 win over Keyport in the final game of the holiday rivarly between those two schools. Next game: Season completed.
9. POINT BORO 10-1. Last week: No.‚9. Shane O'Connor ran for a TD and threw a TD pass to Bob Stowe and Skylar Engelken had a TD as the Panthers defeated Point Pleasant Beach, 23-0, for their eighth straight win over the Garnet Gulls. Next game: Friday vs. West Deptford (9-2) in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group II championship game.
10. SOUTHERN 8-3. Last week: No.‚ 10. Todd Kaiser threw three TD passes, to Eric Sharkey, as the Rams set a school-record for wins in a season with a 30-15 win over Barnegat. Next game: Season completed.
Dropped out: None.
Poll below....This will be the last major high school football post on blogger. The new Top 10 and accompanying poll is also available on the new web site...
The poll participation here has shattered any records on any Press poll blogs I know of for at least such a short period of time.
There seems to be a sentiment here from some people that maybe RBC should have pulled its starters sooner than it did. I have attempted to set the poll that supposedly one person may not vote more than once, but I am not certain that part is working.....
Shore Sports Network broadcast schedule for the Sectional championship games:
Mainland at TR North, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.; Carteret vs. Rumson-Fair Haven from Rutgers University. Dec. 2, 2 p.m.; Long Branch vs. Moorestown from Rutgers University, Dec. 2, 5 p.m.
Thanksgiving Week football/Press Media coverage/Make pre and post game comments here/Participate in the Great Turkey Day Debate
RallyCast Games this week: Brick vs. Brick Memorial; Neptune vs. Asbury Park.
WOBM (1160 AM and 1310 AM) will broadcast TR North vs. TR East Friday night.
Join us online for two programs beginning Wednesday morning.....
The RallyRoundtable will discuss RBC-Rumson, Manasquan-Wall, Neptune-Asbury Park, and TR North vs. TR East.
And a video special - guaranteeed to set the industry back to the stone age - The Great Turkey Day Debate between Mr. Thanksgiving - Joe Adelizzi, and Mr. NJSIAA Playoffs - Steve Falk.
Three Christian Brothers Academy baseball players have signed national letters of intent. Remy Cohen, a left-handed pitcher who went 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA signed with UMBC, centerfielder Steve McSherry who batted .356 with Fordham, and pitcher/first baseman Mike Zuppe with the University of Pennsylvania...Monmouth University has received commitments from shortstop/pitcher Jamie Rosenkranz of Ocean Township and third baseman Owen Stewart of St. Rose. Rosenkranz batted .395 with four home runs and 24 RBI and stole 29 bases while going 6-3 on the mound with three saves and 1.96 ERA. Stewart batted .441 with 18 RBI.
Dates and times for TR North and Lacey sectional finals:
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP IV Dec. 1 Mainland at TR North, 1, 1 p.m.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP III Shawnee at Lacey, 1 p.m.
Still awaiting official word on Point Boro-West Deptford. With a sectional final to be played at the home field of a higher seed, both schools have to agree for the game to be played at any other time than 1 p.m. on Dec. 1.
Press top 10 for week of Nov. 18 (Patriot teams move in, Eagles, Raiders drop out)
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 10-0 Last week: No.‚1. Marlon Brinson ran for 116 yards and three TDs and the Mariners scored four touchdowns off either turnovers or good field position created by their special teams as they routed then No.‚ 4 Southern, 33-0, in a NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV semifinal and advanced to the SJ IV championship game for the first time since its last sectional title in 1997. Next game: Friday at Toms River East (7-2).]
2. LONG BRANCH 9-1. Last week: No.‚2. Isaiah Hall ran for 156 yards and had TD runs of 12, 25 and 36 yards and Travis Patterson had 127 yards with TD run of 53 yards as the Green Wave rolled to a 39-7 win over Monroe in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinal to advance to a sectional championship game for the first time since 2003. Next game: Thursday at Red Bank (2-7).[QL]
] 3. HOWELL 9-1. Last week: No.‚3. Tim Lamirande threw for 355 yards and four TDs, two to wide receiver Brian Battaglia, and David Hayes ran for 115 yards and two TDs as the Rebels routed Montgomery, 49-20, in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinal. It is the second straight year Howell has advanced to the CJ IV championship game and it has set a school record for wins in a season. Next game: Thursday at Freehold Township (1-8).[U1][QL]
4. LACEY 8-2. Last week: No.‚5. Justin Pandorf ran for 96 yards and two TDs on 12 carries and also had an interception, Warren Smith ran for a TD and threw for another and Mike Mancini, subbing for the injured Tom Rickmers had 136 yards and a TD and had two interceptions as the defending South Jersey Group III champion Lions rolled to a 38-13 win over Winslow Township in a SJ III semifinal. Lacey's lone losses are in overtime to Long Branch and by five points to Howell. Next game: Saturday vs. Central (0-9).
5. ASBURY PARK 9-1. Last week: No.‚ 9. Will Johnson had a 37-yard touchdown run, ran for 104 yards and threw a 30-yard TD pass to Derrell Bell, George Stephens ran for 135 yards two-way lineman Knowyrl Hammary had a superb all-around game as the Blue Bishop knocked off No.‚ 1 seed South River, 22-7, in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I semifinal to advance to a sectional championship for the first time in 20 years. Asbury Park is ranked ahead of Keansburg and Rumson because its win over Keansburg was the last game in three-game round-robbin among those three teams. Next game: Thursday vs. Neptune (6-3)
6. KEANSBURG 9-1. Last week: Not ranked. Senior Joe Laguna ran for 161 yards and three TDs and Scott Pillar hauled in three TD passes from Anthony Valle, who had 268 yards of total offense, as the Titans recorded a resounding 53-30 win over Highland Park in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I semifinal to advance to a sectional championship game for the first time since 1996. Keansburg is ranked ahead of Rumson because it defeated Rumson, 21-14, in overtime on Sept. 20. Next game: Thursday at Mater Dei (0-9).
7. RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN 9-1. Last week: Not ranked. Matt Wassel's 9-yard TD pass to Ryan Kirchner in the third quarter was the difference as the Bulldogs snapped Holmdel's 12-game winning streak with a 14-7 victory in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II semifinal. It is the first time in 18 years that Rumson has advanced to a sectional championship game. Next game: Friday at Red Bank Catholic
8. HOLMDEL 9-1. Last week: No.‚7. Glenn Grainger's first quarter TD gave Holmdel the early lead against Rumson-Fair Haven, but the Hornets could not score again and saw their 12-game winning streak snapped with a 14-7 loss in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II semifinal. Holmdel is ranked ahead of Point Boro because of its 13-10 win on Oct. 28. Next game: Thursday vs. Keyport (4-5).
9. POINT BORO 9-1. Last week: No.‚10. Shane O'Connor threw for 203 yards and three TDs, including a 40-yarder to Bob Stowe, who returned from a bruised knee cap that had sidelined him since Oct. 5, as the Panthers advanced to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group II championship game for the third time in the last four years with a 20-14 win over Bridgeton in a SJ II semifinal. Next game: Thursday at Point Beach (1-8).
10. SOUTHERN 7-3. Last week: No.‚ 4. Five turnovers and woes in the kicking game spelled doom for the Rams in a 33-0 loss to Toms River North in a NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV semifinal. Southern is still ranked because it has a win over Toms River East and it went further in the playoffs than Toms River East. Next game: Thursday at Barnegat (5-4)
2008 Local football schedules week-by-week/These ran in the Press today - Nov. 15
Please pardon some of the left over coding which was necessary to run all this in the paper....but this should do it.
2008 SCHEDULE
2009 GAMES WILL BE AT OPPOSITE SITES
WEEK 1[QL] Toms River North at Middletown North[QL] Brick Memorial at Toms River East[QL] Howell at Brick Township[QL] Marlboro at Freehold Township[QL] Colts Neck at Manalapan[QL] Pinelands at Southern[QL] Jackson Liberty at TR South[QL] Lakewood at Lacey[QL] Manchester at Central[QL] Middletown South at Freehold[QL] Manasquan at Ocean[QL] Long Branch at Wall[QL] Neptune at Monmouth Regional[QL] St. John Vianney at Red Bank Regional[QL] Matawan Regional at Keyport[QL] Rumson-Fair Haven at Holmdel[QL] Point Boro at Keansburg[QL] Point Beach at Barnegat[QL] Mater Dei at Raritan[QL] Shore Regional at Asbury Park[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 2[QL] Jackson Memorial at Manalapan[QL] Southern at Brick Memorial[QL] Freehold Township at Middletown South[QL] Brick Township at Colts Neck[QL] Lacey at Toms River East[QL] Toms River South at Middletown North[QL] Lakewood at Jackson Liberty[QL] Wall at Central[QL] Neptune at Freehold[QL] Holmdel at Barnegat[QL] Raritan at St. John Vianney[QL] Point Boro at Manasquan[QL] Matawan at Red Bank Regional[QL] Red Bank Catholic at Long Branch[QL] Monsignor Donovan at Point Beach[QL] Manchester at Monmouth Regional[QL] Rumson-Fair Haven at Keansburg[QL] Mater Dei at Asbury Park[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 3[QL] Manalapan at Toms River North[QL] Brick Memorial at Freehold Township[QL] Howell at Jackson Memorial[QL] Colts Neck at Marlboro[QL] Toms River East at Toms River South[QL] Jackson Liberty at Middletown South[QL] Central at Neptune[QL] Freehold at Lakewood[QL] Barnegat at Pinelands[QL] St. John Vianney at Point Boro[QL] Manasquan at Holmdel[QL] Ocean at Manchester[QL] Red Bank at Red Bank Catholic[QL] Point Beach at Keyport[QL] Keansburg at Monsignor Donovan[QL] Shore at Mater Dei[QL] Asbury Park at Rumson-Fair Haven[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 4[QL] Freehold Township at Southern[QL] Toms River North at Howell[QL] Jackson Memorial at Brick Memorial[QL] Toms River South at Lacey[QL] Marlboro at Middletown North[QL] Brick Township at Toms River East[QL] Neptune at Wall[QL] Lakewood at Central[QL] Point Boro at Raritan[QL] Pinelands at Manasquan[QL] Holmdel at St. John Vianney[QL] Red Bank Catholic at Matawan[QL] Manchester at Long Branch[QL] Monmouth Regional at Red Bank Regional[QL] Keansburg at Point Beach[QL] Mater Dei at Keyport[QL] Monsignor Donovan at Asbury Park[QL] Rumson-Fair Haven at Shore Regional[QL] Ocean at Manalapan[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 5[QL] Howell at Manalapan[QL] Southern at Jackson Memorial[QL] Brick Memorial at Toms River North[QL] Middletown North at Colts Neck[QL] Lacey at Brick Township[QL] Toms River East at Marlboro[QL] Freehold at Jackson Liberty[QL] Wall at Lakewood[QL] Central at Middletown South[QL] Manasquan at Barnegat[QL] Raritan at Red Bank Catho lic[QL] St. John Vianney at Pinelands[QL] Long Branch at Ocean[QL] Matawan Regional at Mon mouth Regional[QL] Red Bank Regional at Manches ter[QL] Point Beach at Mater Dei[QL] Asbury Park at Keansburg[QL] Keyport at Rumson-Fair Haven[QL] Shore Regional at Monsignor Donovan[QL] Freehold Township at Nep tune[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 6[QL] Jackson Memorial at Freehold Township[QL] Manalapan at Brick Memorial[QL] Toms River North at Southern[QL] Brick Township at Toms River South[QL] Colts Neck at Toms River East[QL] Marlboro at Lacey[QL] Jackson Liberty at Central[QL] Middletown South at Wall[QL] Holmdel at Point Boro[QL] Barnegat at St. John Vianney[QL] Pinelands at Raritan[QL] Monmouth Regional at Red Bank Catholic[QL] Ocean Township at Red Bank Regional[QL] Manchester at Matawan[QL] Point Beach at Asbury Park[QL] Rumson-Fair Haven at Mater Dei[QL] Keansburg at Shore Regional[QL] Monsignor Donovan at Keyport[QL] Middletown North at Howell[QL] Long Branch at Freehold[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 7[QL] Raritan at Barnegat Red Bank Catholic at Manchester Brick Memorial at Howell[QL] Freehold Township at Toms River North[QL] Southern at Manalapan[QL] Toms River East at Middletown North[QL] Toms River South at Marlboro[QL] Lacey at Colts Neck[QL] Central at Freehold[QL] Neptune at Middletown South[QL] Wall at Jackson Liberty[QL] St. John Vianney at Mana squan[QL] Point Boro at Pinelands[QL] Matawan Regional at Ocean[QL] Mater Dei at Monsignor Dono van[QL] Keyport at Keansburg[QL] Brick Township at Jackson Memorial[QL] Lakewood at Long Branch[QL] Monmouth Regional at Holmdel[QL] Shore Regional at Point Beach[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 8[QL] Toms River North at Jackson Memorial[QL] Howell at Southern[QL] Marlboro at Brick Township[QL] Middletown North at Lacey[QL] Colts Neck at Toms River South[QL] Middletown South at Lakewood[QL] Freehold at Wall[QL] Jackson Liberty at Neptune[QL] Pinelands at Holmdel[QL] Manasquan at Raritan[QL] Barnegat at Point Boro[QL] Manchester at Shore[QL] Long Branch at Matawan[QL] Ocean at Red Bank Catholic[QL] Monsignor Donovan at Raritan[QL] Asbury Park at Keyport[QL] Keansburg at Red Bank Re gional[QL] Monmouth at Central[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 9[QL] Toms River South at Toms River North[QL] Colts Neck at Brick Memori al[QL] Jackson Memorial at Toms River East[QL] Freehold at Howell[QL] Manalapan at Freehold Town ship[QL] Southern at Marlboro[QL] Middletown North at Brick[QL] Lacey at Middletown South[QL] Central at Pinelands[QL] Lakewood at Neptune[QL] Manchester at Jackson Lib erty[QL] Wall at Ocean[QL] Long Branch at Monmouth Re gional[QL] Red Bank Regional at Point Boro[QL] Raritan at Matawan Region al[QL] Red Bank Catholic at Mater Dei[QL] Shore Regional at St. John Vianney[QL] Holmdel at Asbury Park[QL] Keyport at Manasquan[QL] Barnegat at Monsignor Don ovan[QL] Rumson-Fair Haven at Point Beach[QL] ƒ[QL] WEEK 12[QL] Toms River East at Toms River North[QL] Brick Memorial at Brick Township[QL] Jackson Liberty at Jackson Memorial[QL] Freehold Township at Howell[QL] Manalapan at Marlboro[QL] Barnegat at Southern[QL] Middletown South at Middle town North[QL] Toms River South at Lake wood[QL] Freehold at Colts Neck[QL] Lacey at Central[QL] Asbury Park at Neptune[QL] Manasquan at Wall[QL] Monmouth Regional at Ocean[QL] Red Bank Regional at Long Branch[QL] Monsignor Donovan at Man chester[QL] St. John Vianney at Mata wan Regional[QL] Red Bank Catholic at Rum son-Fair Haven[QL] Holmdel at Raritan[QL] Point Boro at Point Beach[QL] Keyport at Shore Regional[QL] Mater Dei at Keansburg
NEW IN TODAY's PRESS: The complete local 2008 high school football schedule - Page C 5. Guess who Rumson and Holmdel open their 2008 seasons with????
Some reminders:
1. RallyCast Round Table is now on line (check out all my latest incorrect picks!)
2. Please take a look at stories in today Press on the Rumson passing combination - Wassel to Kirchner (Steve Falk) - and Holmdel's dramatic rise from chaos (Steve Edelson).
3. Friday - The Battle of the linebackers : Zach Kane (TR North) and Glenn Carson (Southern) by Adelizzi ...and from yours truly, our weekly piece this time centering around TRN-Southern, Colts Neck-Holmdel, and Middletown S-Moorestown.
Also - EVERY PLAYOFF GAME involving a Shore Conference team has a full glance box of players, team results, and other information (Falk).
And - Holmdel vs. Rumson will be on RALLYCAST, on line Saturday morning. The Press will have reporters at EVERY PLAYOFF GAME this weekend involving a Shore Conference team with double coverage (game story and column) on the Toms River N. vs. Southern and Holmdel vs. Rumson games...
All scores available at www.app.com (also please go to the football blog) and on the Press Scoreline - (in NJ) 1-800-822-9770, etx. 4470, and outside NJ 1-800-248-2216, ext. 4470.
Our pals at 1160 AM and 1310 AM will broadcast the TRN-Southern Game Friday and the Winslow at Lacey game Saturday...
A "Big Red" moment/With remarks from former Ocean coach George Conti
By Chuck Lucia Ocean Township High school '83 football captain (9-2 season)
w/ Special Acknowledgements to other '83 seniors] Nick "the Greek" Kacandes Steve "Brownie" Brown Chris "Uncle Fester" Lee Rick Deet
With the recent tragic passing of Manasquan's Vic Kubu and the possible retirement of Brick’s Warren Wolf, I felt obliged to recognize another coaching legend in the Shore Conference fraternity.
In June 2007, George Conti quietly left Ocean Township High School with little fan fare. Fitting for a man who always strived for the improvement of the young men he coached rather than for his own accolades; yet somewhat contradictory for a coach who never did anything quietly. Like Kubu and Wolf, Coach Conti left his imprint, not only, on a school, but an entire community.
You always had a sense of what you were getting into that first practice of the summer on the beach. Coach Conti would address the team, but it seemed as if it was you he was singling out when he said, "So you wanna play football, huh?"
Rocky, as he was commonly referred to as, was not concerned about whether or not his players liked him but rather, that they respected him. He was a football coach and a demanding one at that. He taught us that in order to be successful, you couldn’t take shortcuts and that you always had to work harder than your opponent. For Coach, being more prepared than your opponent was paramount to winning that week.
Discipline and attention to detail were staples of his practices and film study. He never let you believe, for one second, that the other team would surprise you with something you hadn't seen during that week of practice, and they never did. Preparation leading up to the game was always grueling because as he would say, "The way you practice is the way you play."
He captivated the minds of those he coached, eliminated the reservations of his players, and as a result, to a man, we followed him into battle. Like most of his former players, it wasn't until later that I realized what Coach Conti actually embodied. He was a mentor, a leader, who valued family & loyalty above all else. He was a man who let you know that no matter what shortcomings or hardships you may have encountered, with hard work and perseverance you could overcome adversity and exceed expectations.
Year after year, he molded his Spartans into a fine-tuned BIG RED machine. Given the choice of a team with size and talent or quickness and heart, Rocky would always choose the latter. I was fortunate enough to witness the influence one man can have on a group of high school kids. The two years before he arrived, Ocean Township was a combined 3-15. During the 1983 season, his first as head coach, I learned lessons that I would carry with me for the rest of my life. In that year, he laid the groundwork for a program that would come to signify excellence in the Shore Conference for the next decade.
"Games were won, not on gameday, but on the practice field leading up to it.", he used to say. It was this year that I learned the true meaning of a TEAM: About being responsible for others, holding yourself accountable for your own actions, about what it takes to be successful, & about not only setting goals but putting in the work to accomplish them. Bulla Bulla, "the Assassins", "Magic Lights", the Big Red Report, Star Night, & of course, The BEACH would all become things that would be as synonymous with Ocean Township as winning. During that period he laid the foundation, not only for a program, but also, for shaping the lives of others. Coach Conti, along with Kubu and Wolf, old school coaches who did not just teach their players for four years of High School, instead their lessons have resonated a lifetime.
People, let alone coaches, like these three exceptional leaders, are truly rare and the Shore Conference was fortunate enough to have such great men of character influencing those they coached.
This morning I spoke with Conti about Lucia and how, in the early 1980's, Lucia and his teammates helped restore the Ocean football tradition.
""Chuckie was a linebacker and flanker,''said Conti. ""Chuckie was one of the first two captains in Big Red history along with Steve Brown.
""They were given the unenviable task of the resurrection of Ocean football under an almost Draconian Regime. It had to be re-established with rules and discipline. ""Chuck was a captain and I gave him the responsibilty of being my eyes and ears and an assistant coach off the field. ""Chuck was not only a very fine football player and leader but has gone on to validate the values we instilled in these kids by becoming a good husband, father, and provider. ""I'm very moved that he would think of me at this stage of the game.''
Colts Neck pitching ace Anthony DeSclafani will be signing his national letter of intent for the University of Florida Wednesday per CN coach Mike Yorke. DeSclafani was the centerpiece the Cougars' march to their first Shore Conference championship in the spring. In the Shore Conference Tournament blanked No. 1 seed Toms River North 3-0 and stopped No. 2 seed CBA in the final, 8-2. Holds most school season and career pitching records including wins and strikeouts.
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 9-0 Last week: No.‚1. Steven Barroso's fumble recovery at Toms River North's 36 with 20 seconds, his second fumble recovery of the game, sealed the Mariners' 9-7 win over Atlantic City in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV quarterfinal. Marlon Brinson's 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter was the winning score. A rematch with a team Toms River North defeated two weeks ago is next. Next game: Friday vs. No.‚4 Southern (7-2) in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV quarterfinal.
2. LONG BRANCH 8-1. Last week: No.‚2. Travis Patterson ran for 187 yards and two TDs to lead the Green Wave to a 38-3 win over Princeton in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal. Next game: Saturday vs. Monroe (7-3) in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinal.[U1][QL] ] 3. HOWELL 8-1. Last week: No.‚4. David Hayes scored two TDs, including one on an 85-yard kickoff return and ran for 102 yards and Brian Battaglia set up two TDs with two long punt returns as the Rebels defeated Colts Neck, 27-21, in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV quarterfinal for their second win over the Cougars this year. Next game: Friday vs. Montgomery (8-1) in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinal.
4. SOUTHERN 7-2. Last week: No.‚5. Anthony Stroffolino ran for two TDs and Todd Kaiser threw a 9-yard TD pass to Eric Sharkey as the Rams defeated Washington Township, 21-7, in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV quarterfinal for the first playoff win in school history. A rematch with a rival it lost to two weeks ago, when it was ranked No.‚ 2 is up next. Next game: Friday at No.‚1 Toms River North (9-0).
5. LACEY 7-2. Last week: No.‚7. Warren Smith threw a TD pass and scored on a 1-yard run and Tom Rickmers ran for 196 yards and a TD as the Lions defeated Delsea, 23-13, in a NJSIAA South Jersey Group III quarterfinal. Next game: Saturday vs. Winslow Township in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group III semifinal.
6. MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 7-2. Last week: No.‚8. Pat Campbell and Matt Martino both ran for fourth-quarter TDs and had over 100 yards as the Eagles began their bid for a Shore-record tying fifth straight sectional championship and made it 13 straight playoff wins with a 16-6 victory over Lawrence in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal. A rematch of last year's CJ III championship game is next. Next game: Friday at Moorestown (9-0) in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinal.
7. HOLMDEL 9-0. Last week: No.‚9. Ryan Haslett ran for 118 yards, including an 89-yard TD run, Kenny Laplante added a 67-yard run and Haslett and Grainger teamed up for a 65-yard TD pass as the Hornets tied a school record for wins in a season and made it 12 straight wins dating back to last season with a 27-0 victory over Governor Livingston in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II quarterfinal. Next game: Friday vs. Rumson-Fair Haven (8-1) in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II semifinal.
8. TOMS RIVER EAST 7-2. Last week: No.‚3. Toms River East built a 14-0 halftime lead, but Mainland rallied to deal the Raiders a 27-24 defeat in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV quarterfinal. Ryan Dolan scored on a 10-yard run and a 15-yard pass from Ryan Sandberg. A chance to share the Shore Conference American Division championship is next. Next game: Thanksgiving at No.‚1 Toms River North (9-0).
9. ASBURY PARK 8-1. Last week: No.‚10. George Stephens ran for 159 yards and three TDs and Rashawn Roberts added 138 yards and two scores as the Blue Bishops rolled to a 41-0 win over Robbinsville in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I quarterfinal for their first playoff win since 2002. Next game: Saturday at South River (9-1) in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I semifinal.[U1][QL]
10. POINT BORO 8-1.
Last week: Not ranked. Skylar Engelken's two fourth quarter touchdowns lifted the Panthers to a 32-18 win over Buena in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group II quarterfinal. Next game: Friday vs. Bridgeton (7-3) in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group II semifinal. Dropped out: Freehold.
Select the sectional champions from the Shore Conference
This poll will close late Friday afternoon and a new one will open Monday..
NJSIAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FRIDAY CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV Colts Neck at Howell, 7 p.m. Brick at Sayreville, 7 p.m. CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III Wall at Moorestown, 7 p.m. CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP II Governor Livingston at Holmdel, 7 p.m. Rumson-FH at North Plainfield, 7 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP IV Atlantic City at TR North, 7 p.m. Southern at Washington Twp., 7 p.m. TR East at Mainland, 7 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II Buena at Point Boro, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV Jackson Memorial at West Windsor South 1 p.m. CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III Middletown South at Lawrence, 1 p.m. Monroe at Freehold, 1 p.m. At Matawan Regional High School Princeton vs. Long Branch, noon CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I Bound Brook at Keansburg, 1 p.m. Robbinsville at Asbury Park, 1 p.m. New Egypt at South River, 1 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP III Delsea at Lacey, 1 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II Bridgeton at Manasquan, 1 p.m. NON-PUBLIC GROUP IV Red Bank Catholic a Bergen Catholic, 1 p.m
NJSIAA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE FRIDAY CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV Colts Neck at Howell, 7 p.m. Brick at Sayreville, 7 p.m. CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III Wall at Moorestown, 7 p.m. CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP II Governor Livingston at Holmdel, 7 p.m. Rumson-FH at North Plainfield, 7 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP IV Atlantic City at TR North, 7 p.m. Southern at Washington Twp., 7 p.m. TR East at Mainland, 7 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II Buena at Point Boro, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV Jackson Memorial at West Windsor South 1 p.m. CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III Middletown South at Lawrence, 1 p.m. Monroe at Freehold, 1 p.m. At Matawan Regional High School Princeton vs. Long Branch, noon CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I Bound Brook at Keansburg, 1 p.m. Robbinsville at Asbury Park, 1 p.m. New Egypt at South River, 1 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP III Delsea at Lacey, 1 p.m. SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II Bridgeton at Manasquan, 1 p.m. NON-PUBLIC GROUP IV Red Bank Catholic a Bergen Catholic, 1 p.m.
NJSIAA PLAYOFF PAIRINGS CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV (8) Colts Neck (5-3) at (1) Howell (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) South Brunswick (5-3) at (4) Montgomery (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (6) Brick Township (5-3) at (3) Sayreville (7-2), Friday, 7 p.m.; (7) Jackson Memorial (5-4) at (2) West Windsor South (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III (8) Wall (5-3) at (1) Moorestown (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) Middletown South (6-2) at (4) Lawrence (7-2), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (6) Monroe (6-3) at (3) Freehold (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (7) Princeton (5-4) vs. (2) Long Branch (7-1), Saturday at Matawan Regional, noon.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP II (8) Governor Livingston (5-3) at (1) Holmdel (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) Rumson-Fair Haven (7-1) at (4) North Plainfield (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.; (6) Carteret (5-3) at (3) Delaware Valley (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (7) Ewing (5-4) at (2) Rahway (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I
(8) New Egypt (5-3) at (1) South River (8-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (5) Robbinsville (6-3) at (4) Asbury Park (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (6) Highland Park (7-2) at (3) Florence (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (7) Bound Brook (6-2) at (2) Keansburg (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP IV (8) Atlantic City (5-3) at (1) Toms River North (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) Southern (6-2) at (4) Washington Township (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (6) Toms River East (7-1) at 93) Mainland (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (7) Williamstown (7-1) at (2) Eastern (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP III (8) Seneca (4-4) at (1) Hammonton (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) Shawnee (5-3) at (4) Cumberland (6-2), Friday, 7 p.m.; (6) Timber Creek (5-3) at (3) Winslow Township (6-2), Saturday, 1 p.m; (7) Delsea (5-3) at (2) Lacey (6-2, Saturday, 1 p.m.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II (8) Buena (4-4) at (1) Point Boro (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) Bridgeton (6-3) at (4) Manasquan (5-3), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (6) Burlington Township (4-4) at (3) Cinnaminson (4-4), Friday, 7 p.m,; (7) Delran (5-3) at (2) West Deptford (7-1), Friday, 7 p.m.
NON-PUBLIC GROUP IV (8) Seton Hall Prep (6-3) at (1) Don Bosco Prep (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m.; (5) Notre Dame (7-2) at (4) Paul VI (8-0), Friday, 7 p.m; (6) Red Bank Catholic (6-2) at (3) Bergen Catholic (7-1), Saturday, 1 p.m.; (7) Camden Catholic (7-1) at (2) St. Peter's Prep (8-0), Saturday, 1 p.m.
CONSOLATION GAME SCHEDULE THURSDAY At Woodbridge High School Allentown vs. JFK-Iselin, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY Freehold Twp. at Middletown North, 7 p.m. Marlboro at St. John Vianney, 7 p.m. Manchester at Barnegat,7 p.m. Hamilton East at Brick Memorial,7 p.m. Hightstown at Ocean, 7 p.m. Hillside at Raritan, 7 p.m. Burlington City at Shore, 7 p.m. Spotswood at Point Beach, 7 p.m. Manalapan at East Brunswick, 7 p.m. Matawan at Cranford, 7 p.m Red Bank at Johnson, 7 p.m. Keyport at Middlesex, 7 p.m. Pinelands at Highland, 7 p.m. Monsignor Donovan at Bishop Eustace, 7 p.m
SATURDAY Jackson Liberty at Lakewood, noon Neptune at Hamilton West, 1 p.m. West Windsor North at Monmouth, 1 p.m. Mater Dei at Cardinal McCarrick, 1 p.m. Central at TR South, 2 p.m.
Rally Round Table Discussion games - Weekend media coverage
Rally Round Table should be on line Thursday morning....
After a heated (trust me on this) discussion on what other game to add..the panel voted 3-1 for TR East-Mainland despite the avalanche of votes asking for Holmdel-Gov. Livingston. Personally, I voted for Holmdel.
Please remember - it was a non-binding poll.
I am picking Holmdel to win the game based on its defense and Ryan Haslett's ability to make plays - (Don't let me down guys, I need every correct pick I can collect!)
Football forecaster Josh Newman has bravely volunteered to take the bullet for the TR East trio. He will discuss why he voted for the TR East game with you if you go to his blog.......
http://joshnewman.blogspot.com/
If Holmdel plays Rumson next week I can safely say that game will make the cut.
Earlier we added Brick vs. Sayreville (Warren Wolf's 50th year and all) to the Round Table..
We are doing Howell vs. Colts Neck because it is the only Shore Conference game; TR N because it is our No. 1 team; and Midd. South because the Eagles are trying to tie Manasquan's Shore Conference record of five sectional titles in a row.
As stated earlier - None of the above except Colts Neck/Howell was locked in stone and the above poll was not binding, though it was taken into consideration....
Also - Colts-Neck Howell will be this week's RALLYCAST Game of the Week. Scores and updates may be accessed here at www.app.com or on the RallyScoreline 1-800-822-9770.
The TR-North vs. Atlantic City game will be carried by our good pals on radio on 1160`AM and 1310 AM.
The Asbury Park Press is the only media organization that will have a reporter at every game this weekend involving a Shore Conference team (just thought I'd toss in that little plug)
1. TOMS RIVER NORTH 8-0. Last week: No.‚1. The Mariners clinched at least a share for the American Division championship and unofficially wrapped up the No.‚ 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs with a 17-7 win over last week's No.‚ 2 Southern. Marlon Brinson ran for 140 yards and two TDs and Toms River North's defense held Southern to 114 yards of total offense. Next game: Most likely Friday vs. Atlantic City (5-3) in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs..
2. LONG BRANCH 7-1. Last week: No.‚3. Shawn Brown scored two TDs, one on a 1-yard run, and the other on a 60-yard fumble return as the Green Wave avenged a lopsided loss to Ocean last year and unofficially clinched the No.‚ 2 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs with a 32-0 win. Next game: Saturday vs. Princeton (5-3) at Matawan Regional in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
3. TOMS RIVER EAST 7-1. Last week: No.‚4. Five different players scored TDs as the Raiders made it five straight wins over sister school, Toms River South, 35-6. Next game: Most likely Friday at Mainland (7-1) in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs.
4. HOWELL 7-1. Last week: No.‚5. Tim Lamirande ran for a TD and threw for another as the Rebels unofficially clinched the No.‚ 1 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs with a 27-6 win over Marlboro. Next game: Most likely Friday vs. Colts Neck (5-3) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs.
5. SOUTHERN 6-2. Last week: No.‚ 2. Eric Sharkey hauled in a 27-yard TD pass from Todd Kaiser to pull the Rams within a TD of No.‚ 1 Toms River North in the fourth quarter, but the Mariners went on to a 17-7 win over the Rams. Southern seeks its first playoff win this week. Next game: Most likely Friday at Washington Township (7-1) in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs.
6. FREEHOLD 7-1. Last week: No.‚ 7. Damar Bivins' 11-yard TD run with 31.6 seconds remaining capped a 29-point fourth quarter explosion as the Colonials rallied for an incredible 35-28 win over Matawan. Freehold trailed 28-6 in the fourth quarter. The Colonials are unofficially the No.‚ 3 seed in the Central Jersey Group III playoffs. Next game: Most likely Saturday vs. Monroe (6-3) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
7. LACEY 6-2. Last week: Not ranked. Warren Smith threw a TD pass to Andrew Burt and scored on a 1-yard run and Tom Rickmers ran for 121 yards and a TD as the Lions recorded an impressive 29-7 win over last week's No.‚ 9 team Wall. The defending South Jersey Group III champions, Lacey is the No.‚ 2 seed in the SJ III playoffs. It is ranked ahead of Middletown South because it defeated Wall by a wider margin than the Eagles did. Next game: Most likely Saturday vs. Delsea (5-3) in the South Jersey Group II playoffs.
8. MIDDLETOWN SOUTH 6-2. Last week: No.‚8. The Eagles did not play, but they appear to have received a favorable bracket in the Central Jersey Group III playoffs because Shore Conference teams Long Branch and Freehold are on the other side of the bracket. The Eagles are seeking their Shore Conference-record-tying fifth consecutive sectional title. Next game: Most likely Saturday vs. Lawrence (7-2) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
9. HOLMDEL 8-0. Last week: No.‚10. Ryan Haslett ran for 177 yards and a TD and threw a 62-yard TD pass to Glenn Grainger and Grainger ran for a TD as the Hornets unoffcially clinched the No.‚ 1 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II playoffs with a 28-0 win over Red Bank Regional. Next game: Most likely Friday vs. Governor Livingston (5-3) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
10. ASBURY PARK 7-1. Last week: Not ranked. The Blue Bishops, who have won seven straight since a loss to Rumson-Fair Haven in the season opener, did not play. They are unofficially the No.‚ 4 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I playoffs and are on the opposite side of the bracket from Keansburg. Asbury Park is ranked ahead of divisional foes Keansburg and Rumson because its win over Keansburg was the last game played in the round-robbin between those three teams. Next game: Most likely Saturday vs. Robbinsville (6-3) in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I playoffs.[U1][QL]
Amazing Freehold comeback denies Matawan a playoff berth
By TONY GRAHAM STAFF WRITER
ABERDEEN - For three quarters Saturday night the No. 7 Freehold High School football team couldn't do much of anything right. In the fourth quarter it could no wrong.
""In the first three quarters we weren't playing hard,'' said senior quarterback Brian Prisk of Freehold.
""In the fourth quarter we came out and played the kind of football we have to play for the rest of the year,'' Prisk said.
Freehold sophomore Damar Bivins bolted 11 yards for a TD snapping a 28-28 tie with 36.1 seconds left capping a four-touchdown rally that sent the Colonials to a frenzied 35-28 victory over Matawan in a non-division game at Barry Rizzo Stadium.
With the win Freehold's Shore Conference Federal Division champions (7-1) unofficially clinched the No. 3 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
But while Freehold probably would have played a home game win or lose, the stunning defeat prevented the Huskies (3-5) from qualifying for the post season.
The winning score was set up when senior wide out Jimmy Flotteron made a one-hand catch at the Freehold 17 on a third-and-17 from midfield.
Bivins scored two plays later.
""Oh my God,'' said Prisk of the spectacular reception. ""Usually its's Brandon Brown making plays like that but Jimmy came up big, just snagged it with one hand.''
Matawan, behind a three-touchdown burst over a five-minute span in the third quarter, sparked by TD runs of two and five yards by junior Nate King, took a 28-6 lead into the fourth quarter.
But Freehold, trailing 28-20 with 2:43 remaining, tied the game on a fourth-and-11 play at the Matawan 33.
Following a time out Prisk faked an inside hand off and gave the ball to Brown on an end around. The fleet junior circled the right side and then cut back up the middle into the end zone.
Robert James then plowed in for the two point conversion with 2:20 showing.
Freehold surrendered five turnovers in the game including three interceptions of Prisk until its fourth-quarter rally.
Behind a deadly passing combination of Prisk to Flotteron and the running of senior Matt Wahlen, Freehold scored on four consecutive fourth-quarter possessions covering only 21 plays.
""We kept on making little throws out into the flat and they weren't covering it,'' said Prisk. ""We got the momentum and kept it going.''
FREEHOLD DEFEATED MATAWAN, 35-28, SATURDAY NIGHT UNOFFICIAL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS
UNOFFICIAL SOUTH JERSEY GROUP IV FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS (8) Atlantic City at (1) Toms River North; (5) Southern at (4) Washington Township; (6) Toms River East at (3) Mainland; (7) Williamstown at (2) Eastern.
UNOFFFICIAL SOUTH JERSEY GROUP III PAIRINGS
(8) Seneca at (1) Hammonton; (5) Shawnee at (4) Cumberland; (6) Timber Creek at (3) Winslow Township; (7) Delsea at (2) Lacey.
UNOFFICIAL CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV FOOTBALL PAIRINGS
(8) Colts Neck at (1) Howell; (5) South Brunswick at (4) Montgomery; (6) Brick at (3) Sayreville; (7) Jackson Memorial at (2) West Windsor-Plainsboro South.
UNOFFICIAL CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP II FOOTBALL PAIRINGS
(8) Governor Livingston at (1) Holmdel; (5) Rumson-Fair Haven at (4) North Plainfield; (6) Carteret at (3) Delaware Valley; (7) Ewing at (2) Rahway.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I PAIRINGS, PENDING RESULT
(8) New Egypt at (1) South River (New Egypt wins tiebreaker for the No. 8 seed with Middlesex via strength of schedule tiebreaker); (5) Robbinsville at (4) Asbury Park. Asbury Park loses tiebreaker for the No. 3 seed with Florence via the winning percentage of all opponents formula); 6) Highland Park at (3) Florence.
UNOFFICIAL CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III FOOTBALL PAIRINGS
(8) Wall at (1) Moorestown; (5) Middletown South at (4) Lawrence; 6) Monroe at (3)Freehold; (7) Princeton vs. (2) Long Branch at Matawan.
UNOFFICIAL SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II PAIRINGS
(8) Buena at (1) Point Boro; (5) Bridgeton at (4) Manasquan); (6) Burlington Township at (3) Cinnaminson; (7) Delran at (2) West Deptford.
