High School Football

THIS SITE IS CLOSED and will no longer publish comments/Please register at the new Press web site/Thank you/Please register at app.com

2007-11-25T18:54:00.000-08:00

We`have begun blogging at the new web site..this includes the top 10 poll, and poll questions etc. The new top 10 poll is avaialable as well as other polls, etc.

Sooo..please try the new web site ASAP...

Go to Sports, click on high school sports home, and our blogs should appear in a column to the right....

I will monitor this site the next few days ONLY for those having any problems with the new site...feel free to make comments on the new site about it, and or e-mail me with any reaction or anything else related to our topics to - tonygsports@aol.com

There's a little more involved with registering on the new site which includes registering your e-mail with the Press...so those of you who like to trashing folks....you may want to go somewhere else...

As always...discussion is welcomed and being critical is fine as long as there is subtance to your remarks...thank you. Please TRY the NEW SITE ASAP!

Again..any problems, comments, get back to me. Thanks

Please now register at the new web site to make further comments or to accss the football blog. The Poll is on the new site. Thanks

2007-11-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

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...

Saturday High School Football

2007-11-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Updated 3:47 p.m. Nov. 24

Lacey 37, Central 0

Poll on Friday's Rumson-RBC game

2007-11-23T20:14:00.001-08:00

Wow:

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.....

Friday High School Football

2007-11-22T17:46:00.000-08:00

Final - TR North 10, TR East 0. Mariners (11-0) clinch outright American Division championship....

Final - Red Bank Catholic 61, Rumson 0

Thanksgiving Day Football Coverage

2007-11-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Updated 8:53 a.m. Nov. 23

Southern 30, Barnegat 15

Colts Neck 16 Freehold 0

New Egypt 38, Bordentown 21

Howell 34 Freehold Twp. 14

Holmdel 21 Keyport 12

Manalapan 49 Marlboro 14

Long Branch 48 Red Bank 0

Ocean 13 Monmouth 12

Midd. South 35, Midd. North 7

Point Boro 20 Point Beach 0

Keansburg 34 Mater Dei 7

Matawan 28 St. John Vianney 20

Asbury Park 26 Neptune 3

Manasquan 14 Wall 7

TR South 16 Lakewood 13 (OT)

Wednesday High School Football

2007-11-21T17:06:00.000-08:00

Updated 8:09 a.m. Nov. 22

Brick Mem. 22, Brick 20 (Final)

Shore Sports Network broadcast schedule for the Sectional championship games:

2007-11-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

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.

Hot Stove baseball break

2007-11-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

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.

Point Boro-West Deptford date and time:

2007-11-19T11:39:00.001-08:00

NOV. 30
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II
West Deptford at Point Boro, 7 p.m.

Dates and times for TR North and Lacey sectional finals:

2007-11-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

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.

New Coach of the Year Poll as of Monday Nov. 19. I have decided to keep this poll running as is for now

2007-11-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

Press top 10 for week of Nov. 18 (Patriot teams move in, Eagles, Raiders drop out)

2007-11-18T21:10:00.000-08:00

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)

Dropped out: Middletown South, Toms River East

Dates and times for games at Rutgers

2007-11-18T16:04:00.000-08:00

NOV. 30
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I
Asbury Park vs. Keansburg, 5 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV
West Windsor South vs. Howell, 8 p.m.

DEC 2
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP II
Rumson-Fair Haven vs. Carteret, 2 p.m.

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III
Long Branch vs. Moorestown, 5 p.m.

Saturday High School Football/results

2007-11-17T07:22:00.000-08:00

Updated 4:15 a.m. Nov. 18

Long Branch 39, Monroe 6

Keansburg 53, Highland Park 30

Asbury Park 22, South River 7

Lacey 38, Winslow 13

Raritan 14, Pinelands 13

Friday High School Football

2007-11-15T21:47:00.000-08:00

Updated 10:15 a.m. Nov. 17

Monsignor Donovan 49, Manchester 32

Howell 49, Montgomery 20

TR North 33, Southern 0 (game story) and (column)

Rumson-Fair Haven 14, Holmdel 7 (game story) and (column)

Moorestown 38, Midd. South 7

Point Boro 20, Bridgeton 14

2008 Local football schedules week-by-week/These ran in the Press today - Nov. 15

2007-11-15T17:11:00.001-08:00

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

Semifinal Playoff Weekend football

2007-11-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

Make your pre-game and post game remarks here..

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...

Enjoy the weekend (stay warm)!!!

Coach of the Year Poll

2007-11-14T08:20:00.000-08:00

This poll will remain active until late Friday afternoon. We'll do another next week.

A "Big Red" moment/With remarks from former Ocean coach George Conti

2007-11-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

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.''

- George "The Rock" Conti

A quick baseball note

2007-11-13T13:47:00.000-08:00

In the Hot Stove League

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.

Latest NJSIAA Playoff Football polls

2007-11-12T08:13:00.000-08:00

This week's high school football Top 10 Poll

2007-11-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

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.

Playoff weekend football

2007-11-10T06:52:00.000-08:00

Please make comments here

NJSIAA Saturday Football Scores: (Updated 6:13 a.m. Nov. 11)

2007-11-10T06:47:00.000-08:00

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP IV

West Windsor South 23, Jackson Memorial 14

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP III

Middletown South 16, Lawrence 6

Monroe 24, Freehold 7

Long Branch 38, Princeton 3

CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP I

Keansburg 40, Bound Brook 20

Asbury Park 41, Robbinsville 0

South River 28, New Egypt 0

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP III

Lacey 23, Delsea 13

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP II

Bridgeton 20, Manasquan 14

NON-PUBLIC GROUP IV

Bergen Catholic 43, Red Bank Catholic 7

NJSIAA FOOTBALL CONSOLATION WEEKEND ROUNDUPS

PART 1

PART 2

NJSIAA Friday Football Scores

2007-11-10T06:38:00.000-08:00

TR North 9, Atlantic City 7

Mainland 27, TR East 24

Sayreville 34, Brick 15

Holmdel 27, Governor Livington 0

Howell 27, Colts Neck 21

Point Boro 32, Buena 18

Moorestown 42, Wall 13

Rumson-Fair Haven 21, North Plainfield 14

Southern 21, Washington Township 7

Select the sectional champions from the Shore Conference

2007-11-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

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 PLAYOFF SCHEDULE BY DAY FOR THIS WEEKEND

2007-11-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

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 AND CONSOLATION GAMES

2007-11-05T13:16:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-04T21:36:00.000-08:00

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)

Saturday High School Football Links

2007-11-04T13:27:00.000-08:00

Playoff Picture for Shore Conference Teams

Final: Lacey 29, Wall 7

Final: Neptune 12, RBC 10

Final: Keansburg 27, Pinelands 7

Final: Howell 27, Marlboro 6

Final: Manchester 21, Lakewood 0

Final: Freehold 35, Matawan 28

Nov. 4 High School Football Poll

2007-11-04T11:08:00.000-08:00

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]

Dropped out: Red Bank Catholic, Wall.

Amazing Freehold comeback denies Matawan a playoff berth

2007-11-03T20:02:00.000-07:00

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.''

Playoff pairings: Updated at 10:30 p.m..

2007-11-03T14:51:00.001-07:00

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.

5:58 p.m. Saturday High School Football scoreboard

2007-11-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Final: Lacey 29, Wall 7.

Final: Neptune 12, RBC 10.

Final: Keansburg 27, Pinelands 7

Final: Howell 27, Marlboro 6

Final: Manchester 21, Lakewood 0

Freehold at Matawan 7 p.m.

TR North handles Southern, Brick halts Colt Neck

2007-11-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Discuss these, other weekend action right here in comments...

Friday High School Football: As of 10:28 p.m.

2007-11-02T15:48:00.000-07:00

The story links added for your favorite football team below.

St. John Vianney 28, Point Beach 7 (FINAL)

Toms River East 35, Toms River South 6 (FINAL)

Lawrence 35, Allentown 6 (FINAL)

Toms River North 17, Southern 7 (FINAL)

Rumson-FH 31, Raritan 0 (FINAL)

Manalapan 15, Jackson Mem. 0 (FINAL)

Holmdel 28, Red Bank 0 (FINAL)

Long Branch 32, Ocean 0 (FINAL)

Monsignor Donovan 50, Mater Dei 0 (FINAL)

Midd. North 14, Brick Mem. 10 (FINAL)

Monmouth 13, Central 7 (FINAL)

Brick 20, Colts Neck 12 (FINAL)

Point Boro 29, Barnegat 13 (FINAL)

Becton 48, Jackson Liberty 14 (FINAL)

Manasquan 17, Shore 13 (FINAL)

New Egypt 27, Riverside 13 (FINAL)

Round Table and RallyCast news

2007-10-31T15:49:00.000-07:00

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.

Football College night at TR South

2007-10-31T15:14:00.001-07:00

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.

Steve Falk 's look at the power points

2007-10-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

BY STEVEN FALK
STAFF WRITER

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.

This week's high school football Top 10 Poll

2007-10-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Legendary hoops coach steps down

2007-10-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

Toms River North boys basketball coach Bob Nastase has resigned, according to Toms River Superintendent of Schools Michael J. Ritacco.

Nastase is best known locally for coaching championship teams at Lakewood High school in the 1960's and 70's.

RBC upends Wall

2007-10-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

RBC interception seals win

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.

Live from Jackson 2

2007-10-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

It is a final. Monmouth wins 26-7. 5:30 p.m.

We started the 4th quarter 5:00 p.m.

We started the 3rd quarter 4:25 p.m.

It is halftime. 4:03 p.m.

End of the first quarter 3:27 p.m.

Monmouth (3-4) 0-6-14-6=26
Jackson Liberty (1-7) 7-0-0-0=7

1st Quarter
J - Castronova 7 run (Castronova kick), 3:21

2nd Quarter
M - Fruncillo 1 run (kick failed), 1:00

3rd Quarter
M - Ramirez 5 interception return (pass failed) 10:22
M - Alleyne 69 run (Thomas run) 5:56

4th Quarter
M - Thomas 43 run (kick failed), 8:58

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JACKSON - We are just moments from kickoff in Jackson.

Sunday High School Football...as of 9:20 p.m.

2007-10-28T09:25:00.000-07:00

Red Bank Catholic 25, Wall 17, (Final).

RBC played with back up qarterback, junior Connor O'Learey. Senior regular QB Louis Bianchini has been sidelined all week with a thigh bruise.

Keyport 31, Shore 26 (Final)

Rumson-FH 27, Point Beach 0 (Final)

Keansburg 46, Monsignor Donovan 20 (Final)

SJ Vianney 42, Mater Dei 0 (Final)

Monmouth 26, Jackson Liberty 7 (Final)

Holmdel 13, Point Boro 10 (Final)

Jackson Memorial 20, Brick Memorial 7 (Final)

Live from...Freehold

2007-10-27T10:03:00.001-07:00

It is a final. Freehold wins 38-12. 3:22 p.m.

Pinelands called timeout with 5:01 left. Freehold still leads by the same score.
3:12 p.m.

Pinelands called timeout with 7:18 left. Freehold still leads by the same score. 3:07 p.m.

We are in the 4th quarter. Freehold still leads by a bunch. 3:00 p.m.

Or maybe the comeback is in progress. James Weisz just scored his second touchdown of the day but Freehold leads 38-12. 2:53 p.m.

The rout is on in Freehold as the Colonials lead, 38-6 in the 3rd quarter. 2:45 p.m.
We are moments away from the start of the 3rd quarter. 2:35 p.m.

We are at halftime and Freehold leads 31-6. 2:10 p.m.

Freehold called timeout with 2:24 left in the 2nd quarter. 1:59 p.m.

Pinelands called timeout with 3:44 left in the 2nd quarter. 1:53 p.m.

We are in the second quarter. 1:27 p.m.

Pinelands (1-6, 1-5) 0-6-6-0=12
Freehold (6-1, 6-0) 7-24-7-0=38

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.

Saturday High School Football: As of 5:35 p.m.

2007-10-27T07:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday, the four football games for today are still on.

Asbury Park 26, Barnegat 7 (FINAL)

Freehold 38, Pinelands 12 (FINAL)

Red Bank 13, Lakewood 0 (FINAL)

Colts Neck 33, Marlboro 0 (FINAL)

High School Football weather related questions

2007-10-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

Friday Night Football Scores: Updated 9:36 p.m.

2007-10-26T16:56:00.000-07:00

MIDD. SOUTH 33, OCEAN 0 (FINAL)

SOUTHERN 22, MIDD. NORTH 7 (FINAL)

MANALAPAN 35, FREEHOLD TWP. 7 (FINAL)

NEW EGYPT 7, PALMYRA 0 (FINAL)

LONG BRANCH 14, MANCHESTER 0 (FINAL)

BRICK 20, TR SOUTH 0 (FINAL)

TR EAST 30, CENTRAL 0 (FINAL)

Friday's Football Postponement Story

2007-10-26T14:10:00.001-07:00

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.

Friday's Football Postponements: Updated 3:25 p.m.

2007-10-26T10:22:00.001-07:00

Wall at RB Catholic is now Sunday 7 p.m.

Holmdel at Point Boro is now Sunday at 4 p.m.

Monmouth at Jackson Liberty is now Sunday at 3 p.m.

Brick Memorial at Jackson Memorial is now Sunday at 6 p.m.

Rumson-FH at Point Beach is now Sunday at Noon.

Games postponed already from Saturday

Shore at Keyport is now Sunday at 10 a.m.

Monsignor Donovan at Keansburg is now Sunday at 1 p.m.

SJ Vianney at Mater Dei is now Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Typo, printing error, lost my mind, etc.

2007-10-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

I did not pick Midd. North over Southern as it appears in today's paper. Don't know how that ran.

Anyway - my official pick is Southern over Midd. North. (Now watch Midd. North win!)

Pick the winners of the Rally Round Table games/Discuss these picks and any others in comments section

2007-10-24T21:01:00.001-07:00

Rally Round Table should be on line Thursday morning. And catch Steve Falk on the WOBM Football Show Thursday night between 6 and 8 p.m.

Coach of the Year?

2007-10-22T18:17:00.001-07:00

This week's Press Top 10 Football Poll

2007-10-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

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....

Very, very informal reader survey

2007-10-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am just curious. Thus the following poll: I have also placed it on the Monmouth U/Local Colleges blog as well..

SJV vs. Point Boro Football/Comment on this game and others this weekend

2007-10-21T05:19:00.001-07:00

POINT BORO 42, SJ VIANNEY 28 (FINAL)

Bobby Alameda scored two fourth quarter touchdowns including a 103-yard INT
when Point Boro broke a 28-28 deadlock.

The game was tied at the half, tied 21-21.

SJV led 14-0 and 21-8. P Boro tied the game at the half on a 62-yard INT for a TD by David Woodman with 52 seconds left.

High School Football Updates

2007-10-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

Update 10:11 p.m. Oct. 20

Long Branch 20, Red Bank Catholic 14 (FINAL)

Howell 36, Brick 14 (FINAL)

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)

Toms River North 24, Brick Memorial 3 (FINAL)

Manasquan 38, Raritan 10 (FINAL)

Southern 36, Freehold Township 6 (FINAL)

Colts Neck 20, Manalapan 14 (FINAL IN OT)

Manchester 33, Red Bank 13 (FINAL)

Holmdel 19, Monsignor Donovan 6 (FINAL)

Keansburg 34, Shore 7 (FINAL)

Asbury Park 41, Mater Dei 0 (FINAL)

Keyport 42, Point Beach 6 (FINAL)

Toms River East 56, Marlboro 6 (FINAL)

Neptune 34, Lakewood 0 (FINAL)

Matawan 16, Monmouth 10 (FINAL)

Lacey 35, Midd. North 14 (FINAL)

""We are Freehold"

2007-10-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-19T21:44:00.000-07:00

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............

Freehold vs. Midd. South (Postgame)

2007-10-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Updated 11:13 p.m. Oct. 19

It was the only show in town Friday night and the Freehold Colonials went into the Swamp and beat Middletown South, 27-21.

Was it the biggest surprise of the year for you?

Or was there another game this season that stands out to you?

First Downs
Freehold 19
Midd. South 5

Totals Yards
Freehold 331
Midd. South 108

Plays from scrimmage
Freehold 66
Midd. South 32

Freehold vs Midd. South (4th Quarter)

2007-10-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

It is a final....

FREEHOLD BEATS MIDDLETOWN SOUTH, 27-21.

Freehold vs Midd. South (3rd Quarter)

2007-10-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Freehold takes a 27-21 lead after three quarters

Freehold's Brandon Brown took a kickoff 82 yards for the go-ahead score.

Freehold's Robert James had two rushing touchdowns to push Freehold ahead 21-14.

Middletown South's Chris Bunge tied it at 21-all with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Freehold vs Midd. South (2nd Quarter)

2007-10-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Midd. South leads 14-7, at halftime

Craig Sweeney had an 85-yard kickoff return...in the first quarter..for Midd. South

Midd South went ahead on Pat Campbell TD pass to Eric Dunn....for a 14-7 lead at the half..

Freehold scored first on a TD pass from Brian Prisk to Brandon Brown.

Freehold vs Midd. South (1st Quarter)

2007-10-19T16:29:00.001-07:00

7-7, tie.

Updated High School Football Postponement Story and Schedule as of 4:58 p.m.

2007-10-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

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.

SUNDAY
St. John Vianney at Point Boro, 2 p.m.

For more updates, keep checking out the high school football blog.

schristie@app.com

Friday high school football postponements updated as of 3:35 p.m.

2007-10-19T10:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Rally Roundtable Extra (Part 2)

2007-10-18T17:03:00.000-07:00

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.

jadelizz@app.com

Rally Roundtable Extra

2007-10-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

It is Sherlon Christie.

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 blog on 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.

schristie@app.com

Football Picks poll

2007-10-17T15:24:00.000-07:00

Do you like these polls??

RALLYCAST GAME OF THE WEEK/Make game predictions/ Post game comments

2007-10-17T14:27:00.001-07:00

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...

This week's Press Top 10 Football Poll

2007-10-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

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)??

Who whould be No. 1 come Monday???

2007-10-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-08T11:12:00.000-07:00

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.''

For the latest APP Top 10, please come back to app.com

2007-10-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

tomorrow morning, or read tomorrow's Asbury Park Press. Who is the new No. 2 team, where is Southern ranked and how far did Toms River East fall?

Let's see some Top 10 thoughts:

2007-10-06T08:55:00.001-07:00

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.

What was the game of the night on Friday night?

2007-10-06T08:52:00.001-07:00

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.

A Friday night to remember:

2007-10-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

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:

2007-10-05T13:51:00.001-07:00

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.

Brief thoughts on this week's games:

2007-10-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

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.

This week's Rally Roundtable

2007-10-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

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.

For final scores tonight and tomorrow and many halftime scores:

2007-10-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

go to app.com on the front page under breaking news or call 1-800-822-9770 extension 4470.

Rallycast games this week are:

2007-10-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

Barnegat at Holmdel, up on app.com Saturday morning; Brick at Lacey up at app.com Sunday morning.

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

2007-10-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

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.

And there's Manasquan (3-1) vs. Rumson (3-1).

NJSIAA Power Points Week 4:

2007-10-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

Remember the formula is two times the group size plus the number of wins each school your team defeats has. Also, remember, a team could be classified in one group in one section and be classified in another group in another section due to the enrollment parameters for each section.
NJSIAA POWER POINTS
ROBBINSVILLE … The NJSIAA power points through games played of Sept. 30. Discrepancies should be reported by a coach or athletic director to the NJSIAA offices.
CENTRAL JERSEY
Group I: South River (3-1) 16; Florence (4-0) 15; Highland Park (4-0) 12; Keansburg (3-0) 12; Robbinsville (2-2) 11; Bound Brook (3-1) 10; Middlesex (3-0) 9; Asbury Park (3-1) 8; Metuchen (2-2) 5; Burlington City (2-2) 4; New Egypt (1-3) 3; Manville (1-3) 3; Point Pleasant Beach (1-2) 2; Shore Regional (1-3) 2; Bordentown (1-3) 2; Spotswood (0-4) 0; South Hunterdon (0-3) 0; Keyport (0-4) 0; Riverside (0-4) 0.
Group II: Delaware Valley (4-0) 21; Rahway (4-0) 20; Holmdel (3-0) 16; Governor Livingston (3-1) 16; Johnson Regional (3-0) 16; Cranford (2-2) 15; Ewing (2-2) 11; Rumson-Fair Haven (3-1) 10; North Plainfield (2-2) 9; Weequahic (2-2) 8; Somerville (1-3) 7; Carteret (1-2) 5; Abraham Clark (Roselle) (1-2) 5; Matawan (1-3) 4; JFK Iselin (1-3) 2; Raritan (0-4) 0; Hillside (0-4) 0; Allentown (0-4) 0; Red Bank (0-3) 0.
Group III: Moorestown (4-0) 33; Middletown South (4-0) 29; Lawrence (3-1) 25; Freehold (3-0) 24; Monroe (3-1) 23; Long Branch (3-0) 22; Princeton (2-2) 18; Hopewell Valley (3-1) 18; Wall (3-1) 17; Hamilton North (2-2) 16; Pemberton (3-1) 15; Hamilton West (2-1) 13; Neptune (2-2) 12; Ocean Township (2-2) 12; Lakewood (2-1) 12; West Windsor North (1-3) 11; Monmouth Regional (2-2) 8; Hightstown (1-3) 8; Northern Burlington (1-3) 3.
Group IV: Sayreville (4-0) 38; Howell (4-0) 35; Montgomery (4-0) 31; West Windsor South (3-1) 26; East Brunswick (2-1) 17; Brick (2-1) 17; Jackson Memorial (2-2) 16; Colts Neck (2-1) 14; North Brunswick (2-2) 13; Hamilton East (2-2) 11; South Brunswick (1-3) 9; Old Bridge (1-2) 9; Trenton (1-3) 9; Brick Memorial (1-2) 8; Manalapan (1-3) 6; Hillsborough (0-3) 0; Freehold Township (0-4) 0; Marlboro (0-3) 0; Middletown North (0-3) 0.ƒSOUTH JERSEY
Group I: Paulsboro (4-0) 17; Woodbury (3-0) 14; Gloucester City (3-1) 10; Schalick (3-0) 10; Lindenwold (2-2) 9; Glassboro (3-0) 9; Haddon Twp. (2-1) 8; Woodstown (2-2) 8; Haddon Heights (2-2) 8; Palmyra (3-1) 7; Penns Grove (2-1) 6; Audubon (1-2) 6; Pennsville (2-1) 4; Maple Shade (1-2) 3; Clayton (1-2) 2; Wildwood (0-4) 0; Salem (0-3) 0; Pitman (0-4) 0; Gateway Regional (0-4) 0.
Group II: Cinnaminson (3-1) 22; Manasquan (3-1) 17; Barnegat (3-1) 14; Bridgeton (3-1) 13; Buena Regional (2-2) 12; Point Pleasant Boro (3-0) 11; Delran (3-1) 9; Burlington Twp. (1-3) 7; West Deptford (2-1) 6; Sterling (2-2) 6; Haddonfield (2-2) 6; Deptford (1-2) 4; Jackson Liberty (1-3) 2; Willingboro (0-4) 0; Manchester (0-3) 0; Collingswood (0-4) 0; Middle Twp. (0-3) 0; Overbrook (0-3) 0; Pleasantville (0-4) 0.
Group III: Winslow Township (4-0) 34; Hammonton (3-0) 25; Timber Creek (3-0) 20; Clearview (3-0) 20; Seneca (2-1) 17; Lacey (2-2) 15; Shawnee (2-2) 14; Cumberland (2-1) 14; Ocean City (1-3) 10; Delsea (2-2) 9; Highland Regional (1-2) 6; Triton (0-4) 0; Kingsway Regional (0-3) 0; Central Regional (0-4) 0; Pinelands (0-4) 0; Toms River South (0-4) 0; Lower Cape May (0-4) 0; Camden (0-3) 0; Woodrow Wilson (Camden) (0-4) 0.
Group IV: Eastern (4-0) 35; Toms River North (4-0) 32; Mainland (3-1) 27; Southern (3-0) 27; Toms River East (3-0) 26; Washington Twp. (3-1) 24; Williamstown (3-0) 22; Lenape (2-2) 18; Egg Harbor (2-1) 15; Oakcrest (2-2) 15; Vineland (2-1) 13; Cherokee (2-1) 12; Atlantic City (1-2) 10; Rancocas Valley (1-3) 9; Cherry Hill West (1-3) 6; Cherry Hill East (1-3) 6; Absegami (1-2) 4; Pennsauken (1-2) 4; Millville (0-4) 0.ƒNON-PUBLIC
Group I: Paterson Catholic (4-0) 21; St. Mary (Rutherford) (3-0) 12; Morristown-Beard (2-2) 10; Newark Academy (2-2) 6; Montclair Kimberley (1-3) 4; St. Joseph's of the Palisades (1-3) 2; Immaculate Conception (0-3) 0; Mater Dei (0-3) 0.
Group II: St. Joseph (Hammonton) (4-0) 33; Holy Cross (3-0) 24; Gloucester Catholic (2-1) 16; Bishop Eustace (2-2) 13; Morris Catholic (2-2) 10; Queen of Peace (1-3) 8; Pingry (0-4) 0; Cardinal McCarrick (0-4) 0; Marist (0-3) 0.
Group III: Hudson Catholic (4-0) 35; Immaculata (4-0) 34; St. Joseph (Montvale) (4-0) 31; Pope John (3-1) 25; Holy Spirit (3-0) 25; Delbarton (3-1) 19; Bishop Ahr (3-0) 14; DePaul (1-3) 9; Monsignor Donovan (1-3) 6; St. John Vianney (1-3) 6.
Group IV: Red Bank Catholic (4-0) 35; St. Augustine (4-0) 31; Notre Dame (3-1) 30; St. Peter's Prep (3-0) 27; Camden Catholic (3-1) 25; Bergen Catholic (3-0) 25; Don Bosco Prep (3-0) 23; Seton Hall Prep (2-2) 19; Pope Paul VI (3-0) 17; Paramus Catholic (0-4) 0.ƒNORTH JERSEY, SECTION ONE
Group I … Pompton Lakes (3-1) 16; Hawthorne (4-0) 16; Glen Rock (3-1) 14; Mountain Lakes (3-0) 12; Saddle Brook (3-1) 11; Hasbrouck Heights (3-0) 10; Westwood (2-2) 10; Boonton (2-2) 8; New Milford (2-1) 8; Kinnelon (3-1) 8; Cresskill (2-1) 6; Park Ridge (1-2) 5; Pascack Hills (1-3) 5; Wallington (2-1) 5; Butler (1-3) 4; Elmwood Park (1-3) 4; Bogota (1-2) 2; Waldwick (0-3) 0; Emerson Boro (0-3) 0.
Group II: Kittatinny Regional (4-0) 25; Jefferson (3-1) 24; River Dell (4-0) 20; Mahwah (3-1) 19; Lakeland Regional (3-1) 19; Tenafly (4-0) 18; Indian Hills (2-2) 15; Lenape Valley (3-1) 15; Dumont (3-1) 13; Pascack Valley (2-2) 12; North Warren (3-1) 12; Ramsey (2-1) 10; Lodi (2-2) 10; Englewood (Dwight Morrow) (2-2) 10; Newton (1-3) 4; Hopatcong (0-4) 0; Pequannock (0-4) 0; Manchester Regional (0-4) 0; Wallkill Valley (0-4) 0; Dover (0-4) 0.
Group III: Mt. Olive (4-0) 34; Wayne Valley (4-0) 30; Wayne Hills (4-0) 26; Old Tappan (4-0) 26; Paramus (3-1) 25; Demarest (3-1) 18; Teaneck (2-1) 16; Montville (3-1) 16; Parsippany Hills (3-1) 16; West Milford (2-2) 15; Passaic Valley (2-2) 12; Sparta (2-2) 8; Roxbury (1-3) 6; Bergenfield (1-2) 6; High Point (1-3) 5; Garfield (1-3) 4; Northern Highlands (0-3) 0; Nutley (0-3) 0; Ramapo (0-3) 0; Fair Lawn (0-4) 0.
Group IV: Bloomfield (3-0) 30; Belleville (3-1) 27; East Orange (3-1) 25; Livingston (3-1) 24; Morris Knolls (2-2) 21; Ridgewood (3-0) 20; Clifton (2-1) 16; Vernon (3-1) 16; Bergen Tech (2-2) 15; Montclair (2-1) 14; North Bergen (2-1) 14; Randolph (2-2) 13; Passaic (2-1) 10; Paterson Eastside (1-2) 10; Barringer (1-3) 8; West Orange (1-3) 8; Passaic Tech (1-3) 5; Hackensack (0-3) 0; JFK Paterson (0-3) 0; Kearny (0-4) 0.ƒNORTH JERSEY, SECTION TWO
Group I: Belvidere (4-0) 19; Dunellen (4-0) 12; Cedar Grove (3-0) 11; Wood-Ridge (3-0) 11; Hoboken (2-1) 10; New Providence (2-1) 9; Ridgefield (2-1) 8; Glen Ridge (2-1) 7; Verona (2-1) 5; Secaucus (2-1) 5; Harrison (2-1) 5; Brearley Reg. (2-1) 5; Whippany Park (2-2) 4; Dayton Regional (1-3) 3; Roselle Park (1-3) 3; Lyndhurst (1-2) 2; Becton Regional (1-2) 2; North Arlington (0-3) 0; Weehawken (0-3) 0.
Group II: West Essex (4-0) 27; Caldwell (3-1) 19; Morris Hills (3-1) 17; Lincoln (2-2) 12; Chatham (2-2) 11; Ridgefield Park (2-2) 11; Hanover Park (2-2) 10; Palisades Park (1-3) 7; Orange (1-3) 6; Rutherford (1-3) 5; Summit (1-3) 4; Bernards (1-3) 3; Fort Lee (1-3) 3; Madison Boro (1-2) 3; Central (Newark) (1-3) 3; Hackettstown (0-4) 0; Parsippany (0-4) 0; Cliffside Park (0-4) 0; Snyder (0-4) 0.
Group III: Irvington (4-0) 35; West Side (Newark) (4-0) 28; Morristown (3-1) 26; Union Hill (3-0) 25; Scotch Plains (3-1) 23; Colonia (3-1) 21; New Brunswick (2-1) 16; West Morris Mendham (3-1) 15; Shabazz (2-2) 15; South Plainfield (2-2) 12; Emerson (Union City) (2-2) 10; East Side (Newark) (1-3) 9; Ridge (1-2) 7; Warren Hills (1-3) 7; Ferris (2-2) 6; Voorhees (1-2) 4; Memorial (West N.Y.) (0-4) 0; Millburn (0-3) 0; West Morris Central (0-4) 0.
Group IV: Piscataway (4-0) 36; Hunterdon Central (4-0) 31; Westfield (3-1) 25; Phillipsburg (2-2) 19; Franklin (2-2) 18; Bayonne (3-1) 18; J.P. Stevens (2-1) 17; Bridgewater-Raritan (2-2) 17; Elizabeth (2-2) 16; Dickinson (2-2) 12; Edison (1-2) 10; Watchung Hills (1-3) 10; Woodbridge (1-3) 9; Linden (1-2) 8; North Hunterdon (0-3) 0; Union (0-4) 0; Plainfield (0-4) 0; Columbia (0-4) 0; Perth Amboy (0-3) 0.

Anyone for instant replay?/Week 4 comments, reaction

2007-09-29T07:49:00.001-07:00

Here's the place to make post game comments on Week Four games...

Wall vs. Middletown South..should there be replay in high school football where practical? Probably not, but just throwing it out there what with all the video now at games.

Was Wright over the goal line on 2-point conversion?

Would outcome have been different if Blaze Montenegro played for Wall in the second half?

Will Middletown South win that fifth consecutive sectional title???

Here's a game that lived up to its billing, that's for sure.

Player of the Year - Campbell or Wright (others)? Yes, I know it just four weeks into the season. Just tossing it up for your views. By the way..both are teriffic kids. Kudos to Wright for his post game interviews.

Howell vs. Lacey.....Lamirande's unexpected return!! Rebels better than last year??
Southern: best start (3-0) since 90! Then they lost three straight. Where did the offense come from??.

Anyone know if Southern ever started 4-0???

Reminder: RALLY ROUND TABLE WEEK 4 on line, RALLYCAST of Midd. South-Wall on line. Scores and many halftime scores on line in near Realtime as well - and Scoreline at 1-800-822-9770 (ext.4470). Outside NJ 1-800-248-2217...

Brad Newman (Squan) - story on him in today's Boston Herald

2007-09-28T08:10:00.004-07:00

Freshman fullback is making impact at BC

By Steve ConroyFriday, September 28, 2007
Boston Herald Sports Reporter

Boston College fullback Brad Newman knows things can change in a hurry.
Last year, Newman was one of the top high school players in New Jersey, playing tight end and defensive end for Manasquan High School, earning All-State first-team honors for the latter.
But as of early last January, Newman did not have any Division 1 scholarship offers and as a result, was all set to go to Div. 1-AA Delaware to play tight end. But with the coaching change at The Heights came an increased interest in the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Newman, who Jeff Jagodzinski viewed as a fullback. And although Newman had never played the position before, he jumped at the offer.
And now, with starting fullback James McCluskey out with a knee injury, Newman should see additional playing time tomorrow against UMass.
“It’s been an interesting season so far, from going from the point of not knowing whether I was going to redshirt to the position that I’ve been put in now,” the true freshman said. “It’s been fun and it’s been interesting.”
Jagodzinski sees Newman as the type of player he’d like to sprinkle throughout his roster.
“We saw that he was a tough kid, and I don’t think you could have enough of those type of bodies,” the first-year coach said. “He’s playing fullback for us, but he could play H-back, linebacker. All those guys are the same, and I think if you can get five or six of those guys in your program a year, they’re all going to play somewhere. Brad’s playing now because of James’ situation.”
And like a good Jersey kid, he’s using the snub from the others schools as motivation.
“I came in here at the beginning of the season with a chip on my shoulder trying to prove people wrong,” said Newman, who recovered a fumble on special teams against North Carolina State. “I knew I could do it, my coaches knew I could do it and people from back home knew I could do it. It’s been really, really gratifying this season, being able to get onto the field and give it my all.”
When Newman saw McCluskey hurt his knee while driving for a first down last week against Army, he knew his responsibilities would increase.
“First off, more than anything, when I saw James go down I felt bad for him. He’s a good guy, he’s a hard worker and he’s a hell of a football player,” Newman said. “But in the back of my mind, I knew I had to step up and perform my role.”
Newman said the BC veterans have helped him with the transition from high school to college ball.
“The older guys have been real helpful,” he said. “We’ve got a bunch of good leaders on this team like (Gosder Cherilus) and Matt Ryan and everyone else. They are there for you. With them and the chemistry that the team has, it’s been pretty easy sliding in as a freshman, playing my role.”
So far, Newman is soaking in the atmosphere.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “I went from playing in front of a couple of thousand in high school to playing in front of tens of thousands here. The Georgia Tech game was really a neat game for me. We rode the bus down frat row and everyone’s giving us the finger and stuff. Then you go into the stadium and you’ve got fans yelling at you. It was a really unique experience for me so far. I can’t imagine what Virginia Tech and some of those other places are like.”

He’ll get to find that out soon enough.

Instant Replay in high School anyone? Week Four comments

2007-09-28T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here's the place to make post game comments on Week Four games...

Wall vs. Middletown South..should there be replay in high school football where practical? Probably no,t but just throwing it out there what with all the video now at gmes. Was Wright over the goal line on 2-point conversion? Would outcome have been different if Blaze Montenegro played for Wall in the second half? Will Middletowmn South win that fifth sectional title???

Player of the Year - Campbell or Wright??? (or someone else). Yes, I know it's just four weeks into the season. Just offering it up for discussion. By the way..both are teriffic kids. Kudos to Wright for his post game interviews.

Howell vs. Lacey.....Lamirande's unexpected return!! Rebels better than last year??

Southern: best start (3-0) since 90! Then they lost three straight. Where did the offense come from??.. Anyone know if Southern ever started 4-0???

Reminder: RALLY ROUND TABLE WEEK 4 on line, RALLYCAST of Midd. South-Wall on line. Scores and many halftime scores on line in near Realtime as well - and Scoreline at 1-800-822-9770 (ext.4470). Outside NJ 1-800-248-2217...

Coming Friday on APP.com

2007-09-26T17:32:00.000-07:00

The second installment of the weekly Rally Roundtable, featuring yours truly, Tony Graham, Joe Adelizzi and Josh Newman and produced by Tom Costello. The Rally Roundtable will be on app.com each Friday the remainder of the season, except for Thanksgiving Week, when it will likely be on that Wednesday. Each week, we will look at four key games in the Shore and give our thoughts and selections on those games. This week, games featured on the Rally Roundtable are Wall at Middletown South, Lacey at Howell, Brick Memorial at Southern and Freehold at Neptune.

Coming Tomorrow in the Asbury Park Press

2007-09-26T17:29:00.000-07:00

The first installment of the weekly Shore Conference Football Statistics package. They will run each Thursday from now until Nov. 8. The stats are based on boxscores that have appeared in the Asbury Park Press and on corrections submitted by coaches. Only coaches can submit corrections.

Rumson-Keansburg classic

2007-09-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

What a game.

It seems every time I go to Rumson it's an epic..I saw several great RFHS-Keyport games there when Keyport had Bedle and Cattouse..
At halftime Thursday night - KB coach Brian Kmak said he told Justin Laguna - ""Put us on your shoulders" and he did.
It was truly "The Night of the Laguna."

The kid was terriffic....just refused to down. Check RALLYSCAST Friday morning for the winning TD and other highlights.

RFHS claims it scored the tying TD on third down in OT but officials ruled otherwise...
Whatever happened - an unreal goal-line stand by KB at the end ...

For halftime and final scores throughout the evening

2007-09-20T14:41:00.002-07:00

go to app.com under breaking news and for final scores around 10:30 p.m. tonight, call the rally scoreline at 1-800-822-9770 extension 4470.

Final score: Southern 21, Marlboro 0

2007-09-20T14:41:00.001-07:00

Halftime score: TR South 3, Colts Neck 3

2007-09-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

Week 3/Pick Six RallyCast video debuts/Make predictions/comments/RallyCast, etc.

2007-09-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning at www.app.com our new High School Football Rally Round Table debuts..where each week myself, Steve Falk, Joe Adelizzi, and this week Sherlon Christie will take a quick look at several key Shore Conference games....

Who do you like in these games ? (and any others)

Rumson (2-0) vs. Keansburg (2-0)

Barnegat (1-1) vs. SJ Vianney (1-1)

Jackson (1-1) vs. #3 TR`East (2-0)

Long Branch (1-0) vs. #2 Lacey (2-0)

Also - Video and audio highlights of the Rumson-Keansburg game and of the Barnegat-St. John Vianney game will be featured on RallyCast at http://www.app.com/ the morning after the game. All final scores, as well as many halftime scores will be available on http://www.app.com/.
Scores are also available by phone on the Rally Scoreline at 1-800-822-9770, extension 4470.

In wrestling news:

2007-09-18T19:26:00.000-07:00

Former state champion Doug Withstandley was named Jackson Memorial High School's head coach tonight. He succeeds current Rutgers University head coach Scott Goodale. For more information on this, come back to app.com tomorrow morning, or read tomorrow's Asbury Park Press.

For the Asbury Park Press' High School Football Notebook:

2007-09-17T17:30:00.001-07:00

Either come back to app.com tomorrow or read tomorrow's Asbury Park Press.

Rallycast:

2007-09-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

The rallycast of tonight's Brick at Toms River North will be up by Saturday morning and the rallycast of Saturday's Ocean at Toms River East game will be up by Sunday morning.

For scores all weekend:

2007-09-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

log on to app.com under breaking news on the front page for halftime scores of most of the games and all the final scores or call 1-800-822-9770 extension 4470.