Shore Sports Insider Football Top 12, Week Four

Brick Memorial’s 24-14 win over Toms River North last week in Class A South shook up the top five as the division races start to heat up. 

Rumson-Fair Haven moves up to take the Mariners’ No. 3 spot and has made a case to be No. 2 behind star quarterback Brady Williams, who exploded for more than 400 yards in a win over Wall. 

The good news is that it will get settled on the field. Red Bank Catholic, Rumson and Donovan Catholic all play each other this season, so either we will get a clear pecking order or a nightmare triangle in which they each take turns beating one another. 

Brick Memorial moves up to No. 4 after handing the Mariners their first loss. The Mustangs are hoping for another Class A South squad to knock off Donovan Catholic to keep them in the mix for a piece of their second straight A South title. 

We’ll see if Southern is ready to be that team this week, but it will take the Rams solving a Donovan Catholic defense that has been impenetrable thus far. A Southern win would raise eyebrows across the state, so this is the Rams’ chance to grab everyone’s attention, as well as an opportunity for Donovan Catholic to show that no one is going to get the best of them in Class A South. 

Toms River North and Southern both have seven-point wins over Point Boro, so the Rams don’t jump the Mariners just yet. Those two teams will meet on Oct. 9. 

Middletown South moves up to No. 11 after a second straight Class B North rout. Middletown North just held off Manasquan by a touchdown, and now Middletown South gets their crack at the Warriors in Class B North. It’s an opportunity for the Eagles to create an argument to jump Point Boro, Wall and the rival Lions if they can handle Manasquan at Vic Kubu Warrior Field. On the flipside, it’s an opportunity for Manasquan to push back up to at least No. 11 with a win. 

Three quality teams are all trying to avoid the basement in the loaded Class A North, with Wall, St. John Vianney and Manalapan aiming to emerge from the scrum. Wall and St. John Vianney face off this week, which is Wall’s chance to solidify its ranking, and St. John Vianney’s opportunity to take it from the Crimson Knights. 

1. Red Bank Catholic (3-1, 2-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 1. 

The Caseys won their third straight as the offense continued to dominate in a 45-23 win over Manalapan in Class A North. Sophomore quarterback Rahmir Rivera threw a pair of touchdown passes, sophomore tailback Gabe Kemp went over 100 yards, senior tailback Jake Bickerton ran for three touchdowns, and sophomore kicker Simon Picinich booted a 48-yard field goal, the longest one in the Shore Conference this season. RBC is averaging 44.8 points per game this season. The Caseys’ Class A North schedule continues with another ranked matchup this week. Next game: Friday vs. No. 6 Holmdel (3-1). 

2. Donovan Catholic (4-0, 2-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 2. 

The Griffins rolled to a 35-0 win over Jackson in Class A South to remain one of seven unbeaten teams in the Shore. Senior quarterback Kahden Davis threw for 217 yards and a touchdown, senior running back Alex Staten ran for three touchdowns and senior wideout Aidan Kelly had a big night with 7 catches for 113 yards. Senior Ethan Nicolas had a pair of sacks and sophomore Kam McBride had an interception to lead the defense. Donovan Catholic’s starting defense has not allowed more than a touchdown in any game this season. The Griffins can take a big step toward the Class A South crown in a matchup of unbeatens this week. Next game: Friday vs. No. 7 Southern (4-0).  

3. Rumson-Fair Haven (4-0, 2-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 4. 

Junior quarterback Brady Williams continued to look like one of the Shore’s best as he erupted for a career-high 331 yards passing and three touchdowns while also running for 89 yards and two scores in a 35-13 win over No. 9 Wall. Senior wideout Cole Spoonire had a career-high 159 yards receiving and a touchdown on four catches in the win. Senior defensive tackle Ben Gredell and linebacker Jaden Cavise each had a sack and James Haliakas finished with 10 tackles to lead the defense. The Bulldogs face another Class A North foe this week. Next game: Friday vs. Manalapan (2-2). 

4. Brick Memorial (3-1, 1-1). – Last week’s ranking: No. 5. 

The Mustangs jump into the top four after handing Toms River North its first loss in a 24-14 win in Class A South. The story was the offensive line and senior running back Colin Schoellkopf, who had 38 carries for a career-high 212 yards and two touchdowns and also made eight tackles at linebacker in the victory. Senior Shawn Fowler added a 75-yard punt return for a score in a game where the Mustangs dominated the time of possession. They face another ranked opponent in Class A South this week. Next game: Friday at No. 10 Point Boro (2-2). 

5. Toms River North (3-1, 1-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 3. 

The Mariners drop two spots after suffering their first loss of the season, a 24-14 setback to Brick Memorial. Senior quarterback Cole Garrison threw a pair of touchdowns and made 12 tackles at safety in the loss. Sophomore Finn Boland had a game-high 20 tackles, but Toms River North could not stop Brick Memorial’s power running attack, which rolled up 251 yards on the ground. They look to bounce back in another Class A South game this week. It remains to be seen when star senior linebacker Jack Baker will be able to return from a foot injury after missing the Brick Memorial game. Next game: Friday vs. Jackson (2-2). 

6. Holmdel (3-1, 1-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 6. 

The Hornets picked up a 28-14 win over St. John Vianney in which sophomore quarterback Tommy Fletcher threw for 188 yards and three touchdowns. Junior wideout Anthony Serini had another strong game with five catches for 102 yards and a sensational, one-handed touchdown catch. Senior linebacker Joey Berardi led the defense with three sacks to go with 10 tackles, and senior Michael Todisco added an interception to go with a touchdown run on offense. You could argue that the Hornets could be No. 5 since their only loss is to No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven, but they don’t have a win yet over a ranked opponent to hang their hat on. Now we’ll see if they can hang with the Shore’s No. 1 team. Next game: Friday at No. 1 Red Bank Catholic (3-1). 

7. Southern (4-0, 2-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 7. 

The Rams picked up their first win over a ranked opponent to remain unbeaten when they topped Point Boro 21-14 in Class A South. Senior quarterback Carson Abbato threw for 188 yards and a score, and the running back tandem of Niko Iliescu and Levi Foote combined for 162 yards rushing and two touchdowns on only 14 carries. Iliescu also had a big game at linebacker with 13 tackles, two for a loss, and his twin brother Lukas had a team-high 14 tackles, two for a loss. You could argue Southern could be as high as No. 5, but the Rams will have plenty of opportunities to seize that spot and beyond. They can put the whole state on notice with a win this week in Class A South. Next game: Friday at No. 2 Donovan Catholic (4-0). 

8. Middletown North (3-0, 2-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 8. 

A blocked punt that was recovered by junior linebacker Nick Panetta for a fourth-quarter touchdown was the difference in a hard-fought, 21-14 win over Manasquan in Class B North. Senior running back Matt Belenko added 82 yards and two touchdowns in the win, and senior linebacker Kade Little had 10 tackles to lead the defense. M.J. Parulis made an all-around impact with an interception, a two-point conversion catch and a forced fumble. The Lions face another tough divisional test this week. Next game: Friday at Matawan (1-3). 

9. Wall (2-2, 1-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 9. 

The Crimson Knights were within 21-13 of No. 3 Rumson in the second half before the Bulldogs scored 14 unanswered points to put the game away. Junior running back Mike Boulard ran for 64 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. Senior defensive end Shea Fagan also had a good night with 11 tackles, four for a loss. Wall now has a separation game in Class A North that it needs to win to hang on to its ranking. Next game: Friday at St. John Vianney (1-3). 

10. Point Boro (2-2, 0-2) – Last week’s ranking: No. 10. 

The Panthers dropped their second straight game after facing another ranked opponent in a 21-14 loss to No. 7 Southern. Senior quarterback Jake Clayton ran for 76 yards and a touchdown and threw a touchdown pass in the loss. It doesn’t get any easier, as the Panthers welcome another Class A South rival coming off a big win. Next game: Friday vs. No. 4 Brick Memorial (3-1). 

11. Middletown South (2-2, 2-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 12.

The Eagles continued to build steam with their second straight lop-sided win, as they rolled 31-7 over Shore Regional in Class B North. Senior Justin Rosato ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns and Connor Leon added a pair of touchdown runs in the win. Rosato also had a sack, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble on defense and an interception in the win. Middletown South can make its case to at least jump Point Boro and possibly move up multiple spots with a crucial Class B North road game this week. Next game: Saturday at No. 12 Manasquan (3-1).  

12. Manasquan (2-2, 1-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 11. 

The Warriors drop a spot, but were right there with unbeaten Middletown North until the end in a 21-14 loss in Class B North. Senior Kyle Dow threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score before leaving the game with an injury, and wideout Connor Lalli had four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown in the loss. They have a chance to move right back up and keep themselves in the Class B North title chase this week. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 11 Middletown South (2-2). 

Dropped out: 

None

Keep an eye on: 

Manalapan (2-2, 0-2): The Braves have lost two straight after falling 45-23 to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic. They are in the midst of a grueling portion of the schedule, but have a chance to break back into the rankings with games against No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven and No. 5 Toms River North coming up. Their blowout win over Marlboro has also aged well as the Mustangs make a run at the Class C North title. 

St. John Vianney (1-3, 0-2): The Lancers have lost three in a row against a schedule filled with ranked teams. They have another chance to break back into the rankings when they take on No. 9 Wall in Class A North.  

Freehold Township (2-2, 1-1): The Patriots picked up a solid Class B North win over Matawan last week as senior quarterback Dakota Lasater continues to light it up. They look to stay in striking distance in the division race when they travel to Shore (1-3) this week. 

Marlboro (3-1): The Mustangs rolled up 230 yards rushing in a 34-24 win over Ocean, including 108 and two touchdowns by Shaqur Richardson. They can take a huge step toward the Class C North title in a first-place showdown against Raritan (3-1) this week. 

Pinelands (4-0, 2-0): The Wildcats are off to their best start in four years after a 13-0 win over Lacey kept them unbeaten. Their defense has only allowed six points all season. They will look to get some payback this week when they face Toms River East (1-3), which beat them for a division title last season. 

Scott Stump is the football editor and a reporter for Shore Sports Insider. He first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999. 

Email: scottstump25@gmail.com