Shore Sports Insider Football Top 12, Week Six

Is this Donovan Catholic’s year? 

That’s the question after an impressive 51-13 rout of previously unbeaten Rumson-Fair Haven, coupled with Red Bank Catholic’s loss to Winslow Township, puts the Griffins in the No. 1 spot for the first time this season.  

The Griffins are also up to No. 5 in the state in the NJ.com Top 20, which means right now they are the presumptive favorite to win the Non-Public B title. There’s still a ways to go, but it feels like now or never for a senior-laden squad seeking the program’s first state title since 1976. 

Before they get to all that, Donovan Catholic has a chance to clinch no worse than a tie for the Class A South title against No. 9 Point Boro this week. It’s somewhat of a trap game because looming a week later is No. 2 Red Bank Catholic. If the Caseys beat No. 4 Rumson in their rivalry game this week, which is obviously no guarantee, it would set up the game of the year in the Shore Conference, a 1 vs. 2 matchup against Donovan Catholic that has been anticipated since the preseason. 

Brick Memorial has also bumped up into the No. 3 spot over Rumson this week because the Mustangs gave Donovan Catholic its toughest game of the season (14-7) thus far, compared to the Bulldogs losing by 38 points. Rumson and Brick Memorial will face off in a nondivisional game on Oct. 19, so that discussion will get settled on the field. 

There could be plenty more movement by next week considering that this week’s slate also includes No. 5 Toms River North against No. 7 Southern, and No. 6 Holmdel against No. 12 Wall. 

1. Donovan Catholic (6-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 2. 

No team in the Shore has been more impressive than the Griffins, who ascend to the No. 1 spot after a 51-13 wipeout of previously unbeaten Rumson-Fair Haven. Senior running back Alex Staten exploded for a school-record 371 yards rushing on 18 carries and scored three times, while senior quarterback Kahden Davis threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more. This is starting to feel like a team of destiny in the 50th anniversary of the program’s only state title, a Non-Public South B crown in 1976 when the school was known as St. Joseph. Donovan Catholic has rarely been ranked No. 1 in the Shore in its history, and the Griffins still have a hard road ahead, but they have been up to the challenge so far. They can clinch no worse than a tie for their second straight Class A South title this week as they look to improve to 7-0 for the first time in six years. Next game: Friday at No. 9 Point Boro (3-3). 

2. Red Bank Catholic (4-2) – Last week’s ranking: No. 1. 

The Caseys fall from the top spot for the first time since 2024 after being stunned 31-24 at home in a comeback win by Winslow Township in a nonconference game. Sophomore running back Gabe Kemp had 182 yards rushing and three touchdowns, but the secondary continued to struggle on defense against top nonconference opponents. There’s no time to wallow in it, as the Class A North title will be on the line against their oldest rival at Count Basie Field this week. Is the Winslow loss a sign of cracks in the armor for the Caseys? Or will it be a blip on the radar on their way to ultimately reclaiming the No. 1 spot? That’s up to the Caseys to write that story in their next two games. Next game: Friday vs. No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven (5-1). 

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

The Mustangs took care of business in a 41-14 nondivisional win over Neptune for their third straight win. They jump Rumson for the third spot by virtue of giving Donovan Catholic its hardest game of the season in a 14-7 loss, compared to Rumson losing 51-13 to the Griffins. Senior quarterback Tyler Pierce threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns on only six attempts in the win over Neptune, while senior Colin Schoellkopf continued his big season with 160 yards rushing and a touchdown. Senior tight end Joe Livio also had a big night with three catches for 103 yards and a score. Looming in two weeks is a huge nondivisional game against No. 4 Rumson, so they have to avoid getting caught looking ahead. Next game: Friday at Jackson (2-4). 

4. Rumson-Fair Haven (5-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 3. 

The Bulldogs were overwhelmed by Donovan Catholic in a 51-13 loss in a nondivisional matchup of unbeaten teams to drop down one spot. Junior quarterback Brady Williams threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns in the loss, but Rumson played most of the game without standout RB/LB Ryder Izzo after he was injured in the second quarter and did not return. Defensive back Hunter Beattie recorded his Shore Conference-leading fifth interception of the season in the loss. The Bulldogs can get right back in the fight when they face their oldest rival in a huge game that will decide the Class A North title. Next game: Friday at No. 2 Red Bank Catholic (4-2). 

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

Good programs find a way in hard times, and that’s exactly what the Mariners have been doing. With two of the Shore Conference’s top players, senior QB/S Cole Garrison and senior LB Jack Baker, out of the lineup with injuries, Toms River North knocked off Manalapan 29-23 in a nondivisional game. Senior Wesley Tanner ran for 208 yards and two touchdowns for his second straight 200-yard rushing game, and also had two catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. Senior running back Lucas Elias added 103 yards rushing and a score. The defense registered 4.5 sacks, led by two from junior Kam Morse. Now comes a huge game as far as rankings and playoff seeding are concerned. Next game: Friday at No. 7 Southern (5-1). 

6. Holmdel (4-2) – Last week’s ranking: No. 6. 

On a team known for its offense, the defense rose to the occasion with its first shutout of the season in a 12-0 nondivisional win over No. 11 Middletown South. Senior linebacker Matt Scheinman had 15 tackles, 2 sacks and 5 tackles for a loss to lead the way. Sophomore defensive back Tyler Carri added an interception, while senior linebacker Joey Berardi had two tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Junior Anthony Serini had another big game with a rushing touchdown and five catches for 107 yards. The next game is a ranked matchup Holmdel needs to help boost its playoff seeding. Next game: Friday at No. 12 Wall (2-3). 

7. Southern (5-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 7. 

The Rams maintained the upper hand in their longtime rivalry with Central with a 28-3 nondivisional win. Senior running back Levi Foote rolled up 108 yards rushing and three touchdowns on just 10 carries while also picking up a sack and a tackle for a loss at defensive end. Southern can give itself a boost in the race for a No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a win in a big Class A South matchup this week. Next game: Friday vs. No. 5 Toms River North (5-1). 

8. Middletown North (5-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 8. 

The Lions picked up one of their most impressive wins of the season and struck a blow for Class B North when they handled No. 10 St. John Vianney, a Class A North team, with a 27-6 nondivisional victory. Junior quarterback Derek Grasso threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, wideout Anthony Christiani finished with five catches for 126 yards and a touchdown, and senior running back Matt Belenko had 104 yards rushing and a pair of scores to give the offense great balance. Senior linebacker Kade Little continued his brilliant season with seven tackles, two sacks and two tackles for a loss. Middletown North has a bye this week before a huge nondivisional game with major playoff seeding implications. Next game: Oct. 16 vs. No. 7 Southern (5-1). 

9. Point Boro (3-3) – Last week’s ranking: No. 9. 

The Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 29-7 nondivisional win over Lacey as they rolled up 267 yards on the ground. Aidan Dombrowsky, DJ Albanese and Luca Cangiano each had sacks to lead the defense. Now they will try to slay Goliath at Al Saner Field. Next game: Friday vs. No. 1 Donovan Catholic (6-0). 

10. St. John Vianney (2-4) – Last week’s ranking: No. 10. 

The Lancers were stifled 27-6 in a nondivisional loss to No. 8 Middletown North. Lucas Farah had a touchdown run in the loss. They now face a Manalapan team in desperation mode in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Next game: Friday at Manalapan (2-4). 

11. Middletown South (3-3) – Last week’s ranking: No. 11. 

The Eagles’ defense held down the Holmdel offense, but the Middletown South offense couldn’t get anything going in a 12-0 loss to the No. 6 Hornets. Ryan Menditto had two TFLs in the loss. Middletown South has a bye this week and then a nondivisional game that will be important for playoff seeding. Next game: Oct. 16 at Marlboro (4-2). 

12. Wall (2-3) – Last week’s ranking: No. 12. 

The Crimson Knights had a bye last week and return with a Class A North game that is huge for their playoff seeding as well as the rankings if they can pull off the upset. Next game: Friday vs. No. 6 Holmdel (4-2). 

Keep an eye on: 

Pinelands (6-0): The Wildcats are off to their best start in program history after a 33-0 win over Lakewood that marked their school-record fifth straight shutout. JJ Jenkins threw three touchdown passes and RJ Clark ran for a pair of scores, while linebackers Montrell Carter and Paul Veneri combined for 23 tackles, five for a loss, in the shutout. The Wildcats can clinch no worse than a tie for their first division title since 1987 and the second in school history with a win over Central (1-5) this week. 

Manasquan (2-3): The Warriors were right with No. 11 Middletown South despite being without injured starting quarterback Kyle Dow in a 21-17 loss to the Eagles. Their three losses are all to ranked teams. Senior Dax Klein had 174 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the loss. They look to get back on track in a Class B North road matchup against Freehold Township (3-3) in an important game for playoff seeding purposes. 

Barnegat (6-0): The Bengals tied their best start in school history after dispatching of New Egypt in a 35-0 win. Freshman Zach McCrohan threw a pair of touchdowns in his first varsity start, Ryan Fitzpatrick had 102 yards rushing and two scores, and Chance Joseph had a pair of  TD catches and a punt return for a score. Now comes the big one, a chance to get their first signature win of the season when they face fellow unbeaten Monmouth Regional with the Class D North title on the line. Barnegat has never been 7-0 in its history. 

Monmouth (6-0): The Falcons are also searching for their first 7-0 start in history when they collide with unbeaten Barnegat this week with the Class D North title on the line. They went up two divisions and took down Class B South squad Brick in a 5-0 nondivisional win last week. Senior linebacker Aidan Trocchia had two tackles for a loss and a sack in the end zone for a safety to help power the win. 

Manalapan (2-4): The Braves are just about out of chances after having lost four straight, but all four of their losses are to ranked teams. They fell 29-22 to No. 5 Toms River North last week. They can make a case to return to the rankings when they face No. 10 St. John Vianney in Class A North this week. 

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