Shore Sports Insider Football Top 12, Week Eight

Red Bank Catholic left no doubt about the No. 1 spot this week, so the main debate comes up in the No. 4 position in the Shore Sports Insider Top 12 rankings. 

The Caseys reclaimed their No. 1 ranking with a 24-10 win over previously unbeaten Donovan Catholic thanks to a grinding running game, efficient passing and their best defensive effort of the season. A win over Wall this week would go a long way toward cementing the final No. 1 ranking, but they still could potentially see Donovan Catholic again in the Non-Public B playoffs. 

The debate at No. 4 is between Rumson-Fair Haven and undefeated Middletown North. The Bulldogs have lost three in a row, but they are to the top three teams in the rankings. They took the No. 1 team, RBC, to the brink in a 31-28 loss, and just lost 48-41 in a thriller against No. 3 Brick Memorial. Middletown North picked up its most impressive win of the season, 21-20 in overtime, over last week’s No. 5 team, Southern. 

Rumson has ranked wins over No. 8 Wall, No. 10 Holmdel, No. 11 Middletown South and No. 12 Manalapan. Middletown North’s best win is Southern, and it also has a convincing victory over St. John Vianney, which was ranked at the time. The Lions also have a victory over a Manasquan team hovering just outside the rankings.

It feels like Rumson has the more complete resume, but I could certainly see the argument for the Lions because they haven’t slipped up once. But they also haven’t played the level of schedule Rumson has played. Both teams should be in the mix for NJSIAA sectional titles, so that could be a deciding factor.

Plus they will have two common opponents, as Rumson plays St. John Vianney this week, while  Middletown North will face Middletown South on Thanksgiving, so we’ll see how it comes out. Also, if Southern beats Brick Memorial this week, that would boost Middletown North’s argument to jump Rumson. 

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

The Caseys reclaimed the top spot in emphatic fashion as sophomore tailback Gabe Kemp continued his excellent season with 143 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 24-10 win over last week’s No. 1 team, Donovan Catholic. RBC’s defense also held the Griffins to less than 200 yards of total offense thanks to 12 tackles, two for a loss, and a sack by senior linebacker Luke Scaturro, plus two sacks and four tackles for a loss by junior defensive end Asher Cummins. The Caseys can take another key step toward locking down the final No. 1 ranking in the Shore as well as clinch the Class A North title with a win this week. They have won 12 in a row against Shore Conference competition. Next game: Friday vs. No. 8 Wall (4-3). 

2. Donovan Catholic (7-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 1. 

The Griffins had their bid to start 8-0 for the first time in school history come up short in a 24-10 loss to RBC with the No. 1 ranking on the line. They were held under 200 yards of total offense, as a touchdown catch by sophomore Chris McClaren was their only trip to the end zone. McClaren also had 10 tackles on defense, senior Nyron Snerling had an interception, and linebacker Diondre Foendoe led the team with 16 tackles in the loss. The Griffins look to rebound against one of their fiercest rivals and lock down the outright Class A South title this week. Next game: Friday vs. No. 7 Toms River North (6-2). 

3. Brick Memorial (7-1) – Last week’s ranking: No. 3. 

The Mustangs put another strong win on their resume and bolstered their argument as the Shore’s top public school program with a wild, 48-41 win over No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven on the road. Senior quarterback Tyler Pierce was 13-for-16 for 174 yards and three touchdowns, and the Mustangs pulled off the rare feat of three players all rushing for more than 100 yards. Pierce had 143 and a touchdown, senior Shawn Fowler had 101 and two touchdowns on 12 carries, plus a touchdown catch, and senior Colin Schoellkopf racked up 133 and a touchdown on 31 carries. Fowler also had an interception on defense, and Jack Marotta and Joe Livio also each had a pick. The Mustangs’ unrelenting schedule continues as they put their five-game winning streak on the line against another ranked team this week to try to lock down a No. 1 seed in the state playoffs. Next game: Friday vs. No. 6 Southern (6-2). 

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

The Bulldogs lost a 48-41 shootout against No. 3 Brick Memorial for their third straight loss, all of which have come to the top three teams in the rankings. Junior quarterback Brady Williams threw for 202 yards and three touchdowns but also had three interceptions. Senior running back Ryder Izzo had a huge game with 212 yards rushing and three touchdowns on only seven carries, including a 96-yard touchdown run. Junior wideout Michael Capra also had a big night with five catches for 97 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldogs will try to pull it together before the state playoffs with a Class A North clash this week. Next game: Friday vs. St. John Vianney (3-5). 

5. Middletown North (6-0) – Last week’s ranking: No. 6. 

The Lions continued to be clutch in close games as they remained one of three undefeated teams left in the Shore by picking up their biggest win of the season, a 21-20 overtime thriller against last week’s No. 5 team, Southern. Junior quarterback Derek Grasso threw for 164 yards and a touchdown, and senior tailback Matt Belenko rolled up 135 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries in the win. Senior linebacker Kade Little had nine tackles, one for a loss, linebacker Evan Koch had a pair of sacks, Anthony Christiani had 12 tackles and defensive lineman Logan Grenham had nine tackles, one for a loss, and a sack. Middletown North looks to push for a No. 1 seed in the playoffs and stay tied for first in Class B North with a win this week. Next game: Friday vs. Freehold Township (4-4). 

6. Southern (6-2) – Last week’s ranking: No. 5. 

The Rams lost a 21-20 overtime heartbreaker against Middletown North when they went for two and the win and got stopped. Senior quarterback Carson Abbato threw a touchdown pass, senior running back Levi Foote had 93 yards rushing and a touchdown, and junior Niko Iliescu added a touchdown run. Foote also had eight tackles, one for a loss, and a sack at defensive end, and Noah Perna added an interception. Southern can put last week in the rearview mirror quickly and make a move back up in the rankings with a huge Class A South game this week. A win could also put the Rams in the mix for a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Next game: Friday at No. 3 Brick Memorial (7-1). 

7. Toms River North (6-2) – Last week’s ranking: No. 7. 

The Mariners bounced back from a loss by rolling over rival Toms River South, 42-0, in the “Civil War.” They rolled up 362 yards on the ground, led by 158 yards rushing and three touchdowns on only seven carries by senior Wesley Tanner, plus 175 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries by senior Lucas Elias. Junior linebacker Kam Morse led the defense with 10 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, sophomore linebacker Finn Boland had 9 tackles and 3.5 TFLs, and junior defensive back Cameron Learperl had 10 tackles, 1.5 for a loss. They can stun the whole Shore and give the winner of Southern-Brick Memorial a shot at tying for the Class A South title if they pull the upset this week. Next game: Friday at No. 2 Donovan Catholic (7-1). 

8. Wall (4-3) – Last week’s ranking: No. 8. 

The Crimson Knights picked up their second straight win and first shutout of the season by cruising to a 28-0 victory over Jackson. Senior quarterback Frannie Scaramellino threw for a touchdown and ran for 100 yards and a touchdown. Senior linebacker Christos Tsandiotis continued his strong season with 11 tackles, one for a loss, and junior Jesse Roth added a pair of tackles for a loss. Now comes Wall’s biggest challenge of the season. Next game: Friday at No. 1 Red Bank Catholic (6-2). 

9. Point Boro (4-4) – Last week’s ranking: No. 9. 

The Panthers rolled over Ocean 35-7 thanks to 173 yards rushing and three touchdowns by senior quarterback Jake Clayton, plus 132 yards rushing and a pair of scores from fullback DJ Albanese. They produced 354 yards rushing in the flexbone option. Senior LB/DE Mason Morris continued his big season with three sacks in the win. Point Boro now looks to build momentum with the state playoffs looming. Next game: Friday vs. Jackson (2-6). 

10. Holmdel (5-3) – Last week’s ranking: No. 10.

The Hornets took out their frustrations over losing to Wall by beating rival Raritan 49-26 in a nondivisional game. Junior Anthony Serini ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns on only four carries, and Charles Murphy and Ryan Pescatore each caught touchdown passes from sophomore Tommy Fletcher. Senior linebacker Matt Scheinman finished with 11 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a tackle for a loss in a game where Holmdel shot out to a 28-0 lead. The Hornets will most likely be playing for a home playoff game this week in another tough matchup. Next game: Friday vs. No. 12 Manalapan (4-4). 

11. Middletown South (4-3) – Last week’s ranking: No. 11. 

The Eagles kept their ranking by the skin of their teeth when senior defensive back Ryan McCarthy blocked a field goal attempt by Marlboro, and sophomore Anthony Locasio scooped it up and returned it 80 yards for the winning touchdown on the final play of the game in a 13-7 win over the Mustangs. Senior Justin Rosato added 172 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the win, and also had 10 tackles on defense. Middletown South now faces a team on a roll in a game the Eagles have to win to stay tied for first place in Class B North. Next game: Friday at Matawan (4-4). 

12. Manalapan (4-4) – Last week’s ranking: No. 12. 

The Braves have won two straight after a 35-7 win over Central in which they rolled up 317 yards rushing. Senior Nick Palmieri continued his big season with 243 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 21 carries and also had three catches for 50 yards and 11 tackles and two TFLs at linebacker. Linebacker Chase Osmun had 15 tackles, two for a loss, to lead the defense. Now they have a chance to move up in the rankings with a win in Class A North to end the regular season. Next game: Friday at No. 10 Holmdel (5-3). 

Dropped out: None

Keep an eye on: 

Manasquan (4-3): When the Warriors have been at full power with senior quarterback Kyle Dow in the lineup, they have been impressive. They routed Neptune 34-0 and have won their last two games by a combined 75-0 as they gear up for the postseason. Wideout Connor Lalli had a pair of touchdown catches from Dow, and senior Dax Klein finished with 128 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the win over Neptune. Nick Loughrey had 8 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, to lead the shutout. The Warriors now face Shore (3-4) and running back Cole Torres as they get ready for the postseason. 

Monmouth (8-0): The Falcons continued their best start in school history as they rolled past Keansburg in a 42-7 win behind 286 yards passing and five touchdown passes from junior quarterback Ryan Corwin. The victory tied the school record for wins in a season. Eddie Segarra had 125 yards receiving and two touchdowns on four catches and Donovan Hicks finished with five catches for 98 yards and two scores. Junior defensive lineman Amari Roach had two sacks and two tackles for a loss to lead the defense. Monmouth’s 35-17 win over Barnegat also looked more impressive in relation to unbeaten Pinelands, which beat Barnegat 12-6 last week. Monmouth can win the Class D North title outright and set a school record for wins by beating Colts Neck (4-4) on Saturday. Manasquan and Monmouth are both banging on the door to be ranked, and there’s a possibility they could play each other in the first round of the state playoffs. 

Pinelands (8-0): The Wildcats grinded out a 12-6 win over Barnegat to set a single-season school record for wins and remain unbeaten. They have allowed a Shore-low 19 total points this season. JJ Jenkins tossed two touchdown passes, and linebackers Montrell Carter and Paul Veneri combined for 25 tackles and two sacks. The Wildcats can lock down their first outright division title in school history with a win over Toms River South (5-3) on Friday. 

St. John Vianney (3-5): The Lancers ended a two-game skid with a 43-7 win over Brick thanks to three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown from quarterback Anthony Petracca, plus a pair of touchdown catches by tight end Isaiah Shade. They already have a win over No. 8 Wall, and this is their week to storm back into the rankings when they face No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven. 

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