Atlantic Physical Therapy Week 6 Shore Conference Football Previews and Picks

Division championships are on the line this week, with teams across several divisions having an opportunity to secure at least a share of the title. This also marks the first week of the season without Thursday night games, leaving Friday night’s schedule packed with quality matchups and championship implications.

This year’s picks and previews are sponsored by Dave Manzo and Atlantic Physical Therapy.

With more than 30 convenient locations throughout New Jersey, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center provides personalized, patient-focused care to help people of all ages recover from injuries, manage pain, and get back to doing what they love. Their licensed physical therapists offer individualized treatment, along with services such as sports rehabilitation, dry needling, cupping, kinesiology taping, concussion management, and a variety of wellness and performance programs designed to help athletes recover, perform, and stay healthy.

Whether you’re working your way back from an injury or looking to perform at your best, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center is committed to helping you come back stronger and more confident than before.

We thank Atlantic Physical Therapy Center for its support of Shore Conference football and Shore Sports Insider.

Now, onto our Week 5 picks and previews.

	Stump	Smith	Crouthamel	Yeserski	Manzo
FRIDAY
Holmdel at Wall	Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel
SJV at Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan
RFH at RBC	RBC	RBC	RBC	RBC	RBC
Brick Mem. at Jackson	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial
Donovan at Point Boro	Donovan	Donovan	Donovan	Donovan	Donovan
TR North at Southern	TR North	TR North	TR North	TR North	TR North
Manasquan at Free. Twp.	Manasquan	Manasquan	Manasquan	Manasquan	Manasquan
Shore at Matawan	Shore	Matawan	Matawan	Matawan	Shore
Brick at TR East	Brick	Brick	Brick	Brick	Brick
Lacey at TR South	Lacey	TR South	TR South	TR South	TR South
Pinelands at Central	Pinelands	Pinelands	Pinelands	Pinelands	Pinelands
Marlboro at Howell	Marlboro	Marlboro	Marlboro	Marlboro	Howell
Ocean at Raritan	Raritan	Raritan	Ocean	Ocean	Ocean
Keansburg at Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach
Long Branch at Asbury Park	Long Branch	Long Branch	Long Branch	Long Branch	Asbury Park
Monmouth at Barnegat	Monmouth	Barnegat	Barnegat	Barnegat	Barnegat
Colts Neck at Manchester	Colts Neck	Colts Neck	Colts Neck	Colts Neck	Colts Neck
SATURDAY
Red Bank at Neptune	Neptune	Red Bank	Red Bank	Red Bank	Red Bank
Free. Boro at Lakewood	Freehold Boro	Freehold Boro	Freehold Boro	Freehold Boro	Freehold Boro
New Egypt at Keyport	Keyport	New Egypt	New Egypt	Keyport	New Egypt
Last week	13-6	14-5	13-6	9-10	13-6
Season record	99-36	105-30	92-43	94-41	98-37

Previews

No. 6 Holmdel at No. 12 Wall, Friday at 7 p.m.

This is a critical matchup for both teams as they try to improve their position in the state playoff race. If the postseason started today, both Holmdel and Wall would be on the road in the opening round. A win could push either team closer to securing a home playoff game, while a loss would likely send them further down the rankings in their respective super sections.

Holmdel will look to attack a Wall secondary that has allowed an average of 208 passing yards per game through five contests. That matchup plays directly into the Hornets’ strength, as they are averaging 193 yards per game through the air. Look for sophomore quarterback Tommy Fletcher to challenge the Crimson Knights downfield and get wide receivers Anthony Serini and Michael Todisco involved early and often.

For Wall, the path to an upset likely runs through its ground game. Holmdel’s run defense has struggled in its two losses, surrendering an average of 251 rushing yards against Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven. Junior running back Michael Boulard, who has rushed for 569 yards in five games, could be the key for the Crimson Knights. A heavy dose of Boulard would not only attack an area where the Hornets have shown vulnerability, but also help Wall control the clock and keep Holmdel’s dangerous offense on the sideline.

 

No. 10 St. John Vianney at Manalapan, Friday at 7 p.m.

This game has a must-win feel for both teams. Manalapan enters having lost four straight, although three of those defeats have come by one score, while St. John Vianney has dropped four of its last five.

The Lancers have been at their best when they have found balance offensively. Establishing the ground game with senior running back Lucas Farah and junior quarterback Anthony Petracca should create opportunities through the air, particularly for junior wide receiver Noah Fitzpatrick, their most dangerous playmaker.

For Manalapan, the biggest challenge has been putting together a complete four-quarter performance. The Braves have endured costly stretches in each of their four losses that have allowed opponents to seize control. If they can avoid those lapses and get senior running back Nick Palmieri going on the ground, complemented by a productive passing attack from senior quarterback Cameron Desfosse, they have the pieces to snap their losing streak.

 

No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven at No. 2 Red Bank Catholic, Friday at 7 p.m.

It has been a long time since these two rivals met with both coming off a loss. The last time was in 2009, when both teams fell in the state playoffs before meeting in their old Thanksgiving matchup.

Red Bank Catholic will look to quiet concerns about its pass defense after allowing 275 yards through the air against Winslow. The Caseys also surrendered 281 passing yards in their loss to DePaul. Both performances came against non-conference opponents, but Rumson-Fair Haven will undoubtedly look to test that vulnerability, especially if senior running back Ryder Izzo is limited or unavailable after exiting the Donovan Catholic game with an injury. Look for junior quarterback Brady Williams to get the ball out quickly and attack underneath, similar to the approach Winslow used to neutralize RBC’s pass rush.

On the other side, Rumson-Fair Haven will look to show that last week’s struggles against the run were an anomaly after surrendering 435 rushing yards to Donovan Catholic. Doing so against sophomore running back Gabe Kemp will be a major challenge. Kemp ran for 200 yards against the Bulldogs as a freshman last season and has been remarkably consistent this year, rushing for at least 149 yards in each of the five games he has played. Slowing him down will be essential if Rumson-Fair Haven hopes to bounce back.

 

No. 3 Brick Memorial at Jackson, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

One week after an encouraging performance in a 21-17 loss to Toms River North, Jackson took a step back with a 38-7 loss to Howell. The challenge does not get any easier this week, as the Jaguars face a Brick Memorial team that enters as the top-ranked public school in the Shore Conference.

Jackson has been heavily reliant on its ground game, rushing for nearly 700 yards this season while producing just over 200 yards through the air. That could make for a difficult matchup against a Brick Memorial defense that has already slowed down two of the Shore Conference’s better rushing attacks in Donovan Catholic and Toms River North. If the Jaguars cannot find success running the ball, they may be forced outside their comfort zone offensively.

Defending Brick Memorial presents an entirely different challenge. The Mustangs have already piled up more than 2,000 yards of offense and can attack defenses in multiple ways. Senior running back Colin Schoellkopf provides a consistent threat on the ground, while senior quarterback Tyler Pierce can hurt opponents with both his arm and his legs. For Jackson, slowing down one without creating opportunities for the other will be the challenge against a balanced Mustangs offense.

 

No. 1 Donovan Catholic at No. 9 Point Boro, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

If any team is built to shock the Shore Conference and knock off the No. 1 team, it may be Point Boro with its ball-control triple-option attack. Donovan Catholic cannot afford to look ahead to its upcoming showdown with Red Bank Catholic because the Panthers are capable of making this a difficult game if their offense is operating at its best.

Point Boro is unlikely to have much success trying to overpower the Griffins at the line of scrimmage. Instead, look for the Panthers to use formations, motion and playcalling to put Donovan Catholic’s defenders in conflict, and test their discipline with their option responsibilities. The more Point Boro can make the Griffins hesitate and think before reacting, the less Donovan Catholic can take advantage of its tremendous defensive speed. If the Panthers can consistently pick up three or four yards, stay ahead of the chains and string together long drives, they can shorten the game and put legitimate pressure on the Shore Conference’s top-ranked team.

On the other side of the ball, Donovan Catholic will want to play fast, strike early, and force Point Boro out of its preferred style of play. If the Griffins can build a multi-score lead, the Panthers will be forced into a difficult position with an offense that is not designed to throw its way back into games.

Ultimately, this matchup could come down to the number of possessions. The more opportunities Donovan Catholic gets with the football, the more the game favors the Griffins. If Point Boro can limit those opportunities with 10-to-15-play drives that chew up the clock and end in touchdowns, the Panthers can give themselves a chance to pull off the upset.

 

No. 5 Toms River North at No. 7 Southern, Friday at 7 p.m.

This matchup presents a major contrast in offensive styles. Toms River North has leaned heavily on its ground game, rushing for 1,467 yards compared to just 369 through the air. Southern has been more balanced, but the Rams still favor the pass with 992 yards through the air compared to 776 on the ground.

Despite playing without two of the Shore Conference’s top players in senior quarterback/defensive back Cole Garrison and senior linebacker Jack Baker, the Mariners have not missed a beat. Senior Wesley Tanner has taken over Garrison’s rushing responsibilities at quarterback and has run for more than 200 yards in each of his two starts, while sophomore quarterback Frank Slaughter has been utilized as a situational passer.

That rushing attack could create problems for Southern. The Rams have allowed more than 200 rushing yards three times this season and have surrendered at least 121 yards on the ground in all five of their games. Against a Toms River North offense committed to controlling the game on the ground, Southern will have to find a way to limit Tanner and keep the Mariners out of manageable down-and-distance situations.

Southern’s rushing attack, meanwhile, has shown steady improvement. Senior running back Levi Foote has increased his rushing total in each game, highlighted by a 10-carry, 108-yard, three-touchdown performance against Central. If the Rams can continue to establish Foote on the ground, it should create more opportunities on the outside for senior wide receiver Chris Raub and Southern’s passing game.

The Rams would love to open things up and turn this into a high-scoring game, while the Mariners would prefer to control the clock, shorten the game, and grind Southern down with their rushing attack. Whichever team can dictate the tempo will have a significant advantage.

 

Manasquan at Freehold Township, Friday at 6 p.m.

Both teams enter this matchup facing a similar predicament, with injuries at quarterback creating uncertainty under center. Manasquan senior quarterback Kyle Dow has been sidelined since the Warriors’ loss to Middletown North several weeks ago, while Freehold Township senior quarterback Dakota Lasater was injured against Shore two weeks ago and missed last week’s game against Freehold Boro.

If either starter remains unavailable, both teams have something they can lean on offensively. Manasquan is far less dependent on its passing game, having rushed for 623 yards this season. Senior running back Dax Klein leads the way with 478 yards and gives the Warriors a proven option to build their offense around. That could be especially important against a Freehold Township defense that has allowed at least 150 rushing yards in five of its six games.

The Patriots are much more reliant on their passing attack, but sophomore quarterback Anthony Kokotis showed last week that the offense can remain productive without Lasater. Kokotis threw for 198 yards and three touchdowns with just one interception in a 35-8 win over Freehold Boro. That performance should give Freehold Township confidence that it can continue to operate its offense effectively even if Lasater is unable to return.

With both teams potentially turning to backup quarterbacks, the difference could come down to which offense does the better job of playing to its strengths. Manasquan has a favorable matchup for Klein and its ground game, while Freehold Township has already shown it can continue attacking through the air with Kokotis.

 

Shore at Matawan, Friday at 6 p.m.

Both teams enter this matchup coming off victories and looking to put together consecutive wins for the first time this season. Shore remains in contention for one of the top seeds in South Group 1, while Matawan sits one spot outside the North Group 3 playoff field and needs another win to strengthen its postseason position.

The Blue Devils’ offense revolves around senior running back Cole Torres, who has rushed for 597 yards this season. That sets up a favorable matchup against a Matawan defense that has yet to hold an opponent under 100 yards rushing. The Huskies may have to commit additional defenders to the box, slow down Torres and force Shore to prove it can consistently move the ball through the air.

Matawan presents a much different challenge offensively. The Huskies have accumulated more than twice as many yards through the air as they have on the ground, putting pressure on Shore’s secondary to contain their passing attack. One way to make that job easier is with a consistent pass rush, something the Blue Devils have struggled to generate this season. Shore has recorded just one sack through five games and will need to find ways to pressure junior quarterback Blair Carter Gagneron rather than allowing him time to operate from a clean pocket.

The matchup could ultimately come down to which team can impose its offensive identity. Shore wants to establish Torres and control the game on the ground, while Matawan will look to spread the field and attack through the air.

 

Brick at Toms River East, Friday at 6 p.m.

Brick will look to wash away the bad taste of a 5-0 loss to Monmouth, while Toms River East enters the matchup trying to snap a five-game losing streak.

The teams share two common opponents in Pinelands and Toms River South, and those results suggest this could be a fairly even matchup. Both were shut out by Pinelands, 34-0, while Brick defeated Toms River South, 21-14, and Toms River East fell to the Indians, 19-13.

 

Lacey at Toms River South, Friday at 6 p.m.

Both teams desperately need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Toms River South is hanging on by a thread as the No. 15 team in South Group 4, while Lacey has more ground to make up as the No. 23 team in South Group 3.

While statistics do not tell the entire story, Toms River South has been the more productive offense, generating more than twice as much total yardage as Lacey this season. Much of that production has come from senior running back Kavon Metellus, who has rushed for 408 yards and eight touchdowns. Containing Metellus will be a major key for a Lacey defense that has delivered its two best performances of the season in the Lions’ two victories.

Lacey will look to sophomore running back Tavon Santonasso to provide a spark offensively. Santonasso leads the Lions’ rushing attack with 262 yards and two touchdowns, while senior quarterback Joe Geiger has thrown for 349 yards.

If Lacey cannot match Toms River South’s offensive production, turnovers could provide an opportunity to level the playing field. That, however, is another area in which the Indians have held a significant advantage. Toms River South’s defense has forced 12 turnovers this season, compared to just two by Lacey.

 

Pinelands at Central, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The historical significance of this game will not be lost on Pinelands. With a victory, the Wildcats will clinch at least a share of the Class B South championship, securing their first division title since 1987 and just the second in program history.

Pinelands has reached the brink of history behind a dominant defense that has posted five consecutive shutouts. The Wildcats have outscored their six opponents, 196-6, this season, while Central will look to play spoiler and find some momentum after a 1-5 start.

The Wildcats have produced nearly 2,000 yards of total offense, led by junior running back RJ Clark, who has rushed for a team-high 632 yards, and senior quarterback JJ Jenkins, who has thrown for 642 yards. Central junior linebacker Gus Copes leads the Golden Eagles with 59 tackles and will be one of the key members of the front seven tasked with containing Clark and the Pinelands rushing attack.

Central’s offense has leaned heavily on the ground game, producing nearly twice as many rushing yards as passing yards. Senior running back JJ Twohig leads the way with 310 yards rushing. On defense, do-it-all junior linebacker Montrell Carter continues his breakout season with 59 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

 

Marlboro at Howell, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Marlboro has a chance to add another championship to its record book. With a victory, the Mustangs will clinch at least a share of the Class C North title, securing their first division championship since 2023 and just the third in program history.

The Mustangs enter the matchup unbeaten in division play at 3-0 but looking to bounce back from a 20-13 non-division loss to Matawan. Howell, meanwhile, is coming off its most impressive performance of the season after rolling past Jackson, 38-7.

Marlboro has done most of its damage on the ground, rushing for 1,027 yards this season. Senior running back Shaqur Richardson leads the way with 533 yards and will once again be a focal point of the offense. Defensively, senior linebacker Nick LaForge has been on a tear with 20 tackles over the last two games, while the Mustangs have surrendered just seven points in each of those contests.

Howell will challenge that defense through the air behind junior quarterback Connor Acker, who has been remarkably efficient with 617 passing yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. A key for Marlboro will be limiting Acker’s top two targets, senior wide receivers Jackson Behn and John Bertan.

 

Ocean at Raritan, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Both teams enter this matchup with plenty at stake, both in the division race and the playoff picture. Raritan and Ocean will be rooting for Howell to knock off Marlboro, which would give the winner of this game a path back into the Class C North title race.

Even more importantly, both teams need a victory to improve their standing in the South Group 2 playoff race. Raritan currently sits ninth and Ocean 11th, putting both in position for a first-round road game. A win could push either team closer to earning a home game when the playoffs begin.

Raritan has featured one of the Shore Conference’s most productive rushing attacks, piling up 1,385 yards behind its triple-option offense. Senior Eric Berg leads the Rockets with 501 yards. Ocean’s ability to disrupt that attack up front could be critical, with senior Taejon Nevins recording 15 tackles for loss and junior Aamir Byrd adding 10.5. The Spartans have the personnel to create negative plays and put Raritan behind the sticks, but doing so will require disciplined assignment football and sound tackling.

Ocean’s offense runs through senior quarterback Jake Garrett, who has thrown for 411 yards while adding a team-high 388 yards rushing. Raritan counters with a productive linebacker duo in senior Preston Tagliaferro and sophomore Mark Jewell, who have recorded 39 and 38 tackles, respectively. Maintaining their run fits and containing Garrett will be crucial if the Rockets hope to make Ocean one-dimensional.

 

Keansburg at Point Beach, Friday at 6 p.m.

A division championship is within reach for both teams, with the winner clinching at least a share of the Class C South title. Point Beach is seeking consecutive division championships for the first time in program history and its ninth overall, while Keansburg is chasing its first division title since 2007 and ninth in program history.

Point Beach will look to establish its three-headed rushing attack of juniors Gage Boyle and Thomas Aiosa and senior Danny Neal. The trio has combined for 1,143 yards this season and will face a Keansburg front that holds a significant size advantage. The battle in the trenches will be critical, as the Titans look to use that size to clog running lanes and prevent the Garnet Gulls from controlling the game on the ground.

Keansburg takes a different approach offensively, leaning heavily on junior running back Taurian Black, who has accounted for 581 of the Titans’ 750 rushing yards. Keansburg also brings balance through the air, with junior quarterback Mason Rand throwing for 908 yards and junior wide receiver Daizhan Jones leading the team with 383 receiving yards.

Point Beach will counter that passing attack with senior safety Danny Cavanaugh, a ball hawk who has already intercepted three passes this season. Cavanaugh’s ability to provide help over the top against Jones could be an important factor in slowing down Keansburg’s most dangerous receiving threat.

 

Long Branch at Asbury Park, Friday at 5 p.m.

Despite meeting 96 times in a rivalry that dates back to 1904, Asbury Park and Long Branch have not shared the field in nearly three decades. The Blue Bishops and Green Wave last met in 1997, when Long Branch escaped with a 14-13 victory. Twenty-nine years later, the longtime rivals will finally renew their series.

Asbury Park enters with some momentum after earning its first victory of the season, a 19-0 shutout of Keyport. Long Branch, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a 42-7 loss to Ocean.

Junior wide receiver Cameron Beradesco has emerged as Asbury Park’s top threat through the air with 11 receptions for 162 yards and three touchdowns. Long Branch will also have to account for sophomore running back Kevan Crawford, who broke out for a season-high 162 rushing yards against Keyport last week.

Long Branch will test the Blue Bishops with its flexbone attack, which spreads carries among multiple options in the backfield. Senior running back Julian Otey leads the Green Wave with 218 rushing yards. Senior defensive lineman Israel Villegas, who has recorded a team-high 40 tackles, will be a key part of an Asbury Park front seven that must tackle well against the option.

 

Monmouth at Barnegat, Friday at 6 p.m.

The historical significance of this matchup cannot be overstated. Both Barnegat and Monmouth enter with a chance to improve to 7-0 for the first time in program history, while the winner will clinch at least a share of the Class D North championship. Barnegat is chasing its first division title since 2014 and fourth overall, while Monmouth is seeking its first since 2021 and fourth in program history.

Both teams have overwhelmed their competition to this point. The Bengals have outscored their opponents, 214-13, while the Falcons hold a 195-41 scoring advantage. One difference is that Monmouth has already been tested in a tight game, grinding out a 5-0 victory over Brick in a defensive struggle. Barnegat, meanwhile, has yet to find itself under pressure late in a close game.

The Bengals have done most of their damage on the ground, rushing for 1,012 yards, led by junior running back Ryan Fitzpatrick with 387 yards. Barnegat’s individual statistics are somewhat deceiving because its starters have rarely played deep into the second half of games, with the junior varsity taking a large percentage of the snaps after halftime. Monmouth’s run defense has been equally dominant, allowing more than 100 rushing yards just once this season, with much of that yardage coming against the Falcons’ reserves. Something will have to give when Barnegat’s rushing attack meets Monmouth’s stout front.

Monmouth brings more balance offensively. Junior quarterback Ryan Corwin has thrown for 748 yards, while the Falcons have rushed for 1,066 behind the one-two punch of freshman Conall Hicks and junior Brandon Thompson, who have each surpassed 400 yards. They will face a Barnegat defense that has not allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards since the season opener, setting up another strength-on-strength battle that could ultimately decide the game.

 

Colts Neck at Manchester, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

Both teams enter the matchup at 2-4 with three games remaining, making this a pivotal contest for their hopes of finishing the regular season with a winning record.

Manchester is coming off its best offensive performance of the season, a 29-26 victory over Keansburg. Junior quarterback Trevor Freyer led the way, rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries while completing 7 of 9 passes for 37 yards and another score. Containing Freyer will be the top priority for the Colts Neck defense, which is led by breakout sophomore Mike Lombardi. Lombardi has emerged as a defensive standout for the Cougars, leading the team with 50 tackles while also recording an interception.

Colts Neck struggled to establish its running game in last week’s loss to Toms River South but showed signs of progress through the air. Junior quarterback Chace Staback completed 7 of 14 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown, connecting with senior wide receiver Nico Zecchino three times for 38 yards and a score. Getting the ground game back on track while continuing to develop a more balanced passing attack will be key for the Cougars against Manchester.

The Hawks will look to disrupt that offensive balance behind senior defensive lineman Desmond Askew, who leads the team with three sacks. Generating pressure on Staback and preventing Colts Neck from finding a rhythm through the air could go a long way toward helping Manchester secure its second straight victory.

 

Red Bank at Neptune, Saturday at 1 p.m.

After strong seasons in 2025, neither team has enjoyed the success it envisioned entering this fall, but there is still plenty left to play for. Red Bank enters at 2-3 and, despite its losing record, is currently positioned to host a playoff game in South Group 3. Neptune, meanwhile, sits at 1-5 and ranks 23rd in the same section. While the Scarlet Fliers have more ground to make up, they remain mathematically alive in the playoff race and could put themselves in contention by winning their final three games.

Red Bank’s 7-0 victory over Howell before its bye week looks even more impressive after the Rebels followed it up with a dominant 38-7 win over Jackson. Senior quarterback Brett Laude has also started to find his rhythm, throwing for a combined 241 yards and two touchdowns without an interception over his last two games. Getting the ball into the hands of senior playmakers Kaden Jackson and Ahmare Bonus on the outside could help stretch Neptune’s defense and create more room for the Bucs to establish their running game.

Neptune has had little trouble moving the football this season, but turnovers have prevented the Scarlet Fliers from turning that production into more victories. Senior quarterback Caleb Brown-Mason has thrown for 918 yards and eight touchdowns, but his seven interceptions have proven costly. He has also been Neptune’s most dangerous rushing threat, adding 453 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Protecting the football and finding more production from the running backs would take some of the pressure off Brown-Mason and give the Scarlet Fliers a better chance to turn their offensive success into a much-needed victory.

 

Freehold Boro at Lakewood, Saturday at 1 p.m.

After six straight losses to open the season, both teams have an opportunity to break into the win column for the first time. Freehold Boro came agonizingly close in a 27-26 loss to New Egypt, while Lakewood fell to the same opponent, 31-0. That common result gives the Colonials an edge on paper as both teams look to avoid an 0-7 start.

Freehold Boro has struggled to establish any consistency on the ground, managing just 165 rushing yards through six games. That has put much of the offensive responsibility on sophomore quarterback Adrian KrKuti, who has thrown for 581 yards and four touchdowns but has also been intercepted six times. Generating pressure on KrKuti while limiting opportunities for his receivers downfield will be the key to success for a Lakewood defense looking to capitalize on the Colonials’ one-dimensional attack.

Lakewood’s offensive production has been difficult to fully evaluate, with statistics unavailable for two of its six games. The Piners’ best offensive showing came in a loss to Keyport, and finding that same level of production will be critical against Freehold Boro. Establishing the running game will be a challenge against a Colonials defense led by senior linebacker Carson Fusco, who has a team-high 36 tackles. Keeping Fusco from disrupting plays at the line of scrimmage could go a long way toward helping Lakewood sustain drives and give itself a chance to earn its first victory.

 

New Egypt at Keyport, Saturday at Noon

Both teams find themselves on the outside looking in at the South Group 1 playoff race, with New Egypt sitting in 19th place and Keyport further back in 28th. With opportunities to climb the rankings running out, this is a must-win game for both teams if they hope to keep their postseason aspirations alive. Neither offense found the end zone last week, as New Egypt suffered a 35-0 loss to unbeaten Barnegat while Keyport was shut out by Asbury Park, 19-0.

New Egypt’s offense revolves around the production of junior quarterback Thomas Marabuto and junior wide receiver Joe Snyder. Marabuto has thrown for 856 yards and six touchdowns with just two interceptions while adding 401 yards and two scores on the ground. Snyder has been his favorite target, hauling in 32 receptions for 401 yards and two touchdowns. Disrupting that connection will be a top priority for a Keyport defense led by senior defensive back John Dane, who has recorded a team-high 45 tackles and an interception.

Keyport has not been as productive offensively but has shown more balance between its passing and rushing attacks. Senior quarterback Marshall Colangelo has thrown for 494 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions, while senior wide receiver Chris Herrara has emerged as his top target with 14 receptions for 202 yards and two scores. The Red Raiders also have several options in the backfield, led by senior Jermaine Finch, who has rushed for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Marabuto will have a major role in slowing down that balanced attack, as the two-way standout also leads New Egypt with 28 tackles from his defensive back position. With both teams coming off shutout losses, whichever offense can establish some early momentum and avoid costly mistakes could have the upper hand in this crucial matchup.