Atlantic Physical Therapy Shore Conference Football Top 12, Sept. 10

 

The first full week of the Shore Conference football season was an eventful one.

Week 1 featured an upset of a ranked team, two marquee matchups between top-12 squads and multiple record-setting performances. And now, we adjust the rankings accordingly.

Most teams have not begun their division schedule yet, but that changes in a big way in Week 2 with multiple intriguing games that can set the pace in their respective divisions.

Here is the latest Shore Sports Insider Shore Conference Football Top 12, presented by Atlantic Physical Therapy Center.

 

 

1. Toms River North (2-0). Last week: No. 1

Senior running back Mordecai Ford ran for three touchdowns and senior quarterback T.J. Valerio threw a touchdown to senior Blaise Boland and ran for another in the Mariners’ 55-0 wipeout of district rival Toms River East. Sophomore running back Lucas Elias added a pair of rushing touchdowns and sophomore defensive back Chris Degiglio returned an interception for a touchdown. The Mariners open division play in Week 2 by welcoming a longtime Class A South rival. Next game: Friday vs. No. 8 Jackson Memorial (2-0).

 

2. Rumson-Fair Haven (1-0). Last week: No. 3

Senior quarterback Owen O’Toole completed 7 of 12 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and junior running back Kellen Murray ran for 140 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 41-28 victory over then-No. 5 Point Boro. Senior wideout Nick Thomas had touchdown receptions of 62 and 31 yards and senior receiver Nic Economou hauled in an 18-yard scoring pass. Senior linebackers Jacob Tobias and Austin Kiernan recovered fumbles that led to touchdowns and senior defensive back Evan Ridgway had 15 tackles, a fumble recovery and a key pass breakup in the end zone on fourth down. Next game: Friday vs. Marlboro (1-1).

 

3. Red Bank Catholic (0-2). Last week: No. 2

A young Caseys roster ran into a buzzsaw in the form of Don Bosco Prep and were blown out by the Ironmen, 44-0, at Count Basie Field. Bosco held RBC to 53 total yards and handed them them their worst loss since a 55-7 defeat to the Ironmen in the 2009 state playoffs. After opening with games against two of the top teams in the region, RBC returns to Shore Conference play with its Class A North opener in Week 2. Next game: Saturday at Long Branch (0-2).

 

4. Donovan Catholic (0-1). Last week: No. 4

The Griffins were idle in Week 1 after a season-opening 35-6 loss to St. Augustine in Week 0. They return to action with a crucial Class A South game. Next game: Friday vs. No. 6 Point Boro (1-1).

 

5. Brick Memorial (2-0). Last week: No. 6

Senior quarterback Jason Lajara ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries and senior running back Kevin Andrews rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries as the Mustangs rolled to a 37-6 victory over rival Brick. Senior Trey Tallmadge added a 75-yard touchdown run and led the defense with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Next game: Friday vs. No. 11 Howell (1-0).

 

6. Point Boro (1-1). Last week: No. 5

Sophomore quarterback Jake Clayton ran for 142 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries but the Panthers’ comeback attempt fell short in a 41-28 loss to No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven. Point Boro’s run game came alive in the second half when Clayton rushed for 134 yards and all three of his touchdowns, but the Panthers were undone by two costly fumbles in the first half that led to Rumson touchdowns. Their difficult schedule continues with their Class A South opener against another top-five team. Next game: Friday at No. 4 Donovan Catholic (0-1).

 

7. Holmdel (2-0). Last week: No. 7

Junior quarterback Jack Cannon was dynamic in a 42-10 win over Ocean by throwing for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 12 of 17 passing and rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Frankie Serini had six catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns and also returned a fumble for a touchdown on defense, while senior running back Matt Iulo caught two passes for 57 yards and a score. A huge test awaits against a familiar foe this weekend. Next game: Friday vs. No. 9 St. John Vianney (2-0).

 

8. Jackson Memorial (2-0). Last week: No. 8

Senior Ishmal Thompson blocked Long Branch’s go-ahead extra point attempt with one minute left in regulation and senior Joe Muzzillo converted the game-winning 19-yard field goal as time expired to send the Jaguars to a heart-pounding 37-34 win over Long Branch. Junior running back Jonah Glenn ran for 240 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, senior wide receiver Eric Zebrowski had a touchdown catch and a touchdown run, and junior running back Jio Kabiri ran for a touchdown. The Jaguars will take their shot at the No. 1 team in the Shore when two longtime Class A South rivals meet this weekend. Next game: Friday at No. 1 Toms River North (2-0).

 

9. St. John Vianney (2-0). Last week: No. 10

Sophomore running back Abdul Turay ran for 101 yards and four touchdowns on 11 carries to power the Lancers to a 35-7 win over then-No. 12 Marlboro. Junior quarterback Zach LaBarca threw for 188 yards and a touchdown, connecting with senior Dante Campagna eight times for 108 yards and tossing a 25-yard score to Adam Urs. The Lancers will head across town this weekend for another ranked matchup. Next game: Friday at No. 7 Holmdel (2-0).

 

10. Wall (2-0). Last week: No. 11

Sophomore quarterback Franny Scaramellino ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns on six carries and threw for 92 yards and a touchdown when the Crimson Knights rolled to a 41-0 win over Colts Neck. Senior wideout Derrick Boss hauled in a 47-yard touchdown reception and senior running back Mason Adam ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Juniors Thomas Plisky and Dylan Cohen recorded 10 tackles each to help lead the defense to a shutout. Next game: Friday vs. Raritan (0-1).

 

11. Howell (1-0). Last week: not ranked

Senior quarterback Vince Meehan ran for 187 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 90 yards and two touchdowns as the Rebels upended district rival and then-No. 9 Freehold Township, 42-33. Jason Borgia and Jackson Behn had touchdown receptions while Juan DeJesus and Quincy Shaw added rushing touchdowns. The Rebels now enter a challenging Class A South schedule with momentum. Next game: Friday at No. 5 Brick Memorial (2-0).

 

12. Manasquan (2-0). Last week: not ranked

Junior running back Ace Etienne ran for 230 yards and a program single-game record six touchdowns, all of which came in the first half, to lead the Warriors to a 48-14 victory over Monmouth Regional. The record of five touchdowns was first set in 1965 and matched four other times before Etienne set the new mark. Junior running back Dylan Lu ran for 111 yards and a touchdown as the Warriors rolled up 439 yards rushing on an average of 14.7 yards per carry. Manasquan opens division play with a winless but dangerous opponent this weekend. Next game: Saturday vs. Manalapan (0-2).

 

Dropped out

-No. 9 Freehold Township (lost 42-33 to Howell)

-No. 12 Marlboro (lost 35-7 to St. John Vianney)

 

Knocking on the Door

Central (2-0)

Senior quarterback Joe Vezzosi threw for 158 yards and a career-high four touchdowns in the Golden Eagles’ 41-28 win over Matawan. CJ Yates caught five passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns while Tino Nastasi and Royalty Riley also hauled in touchdown receptions. Nnaemeka Amaechina and Austin Jarvis ran for touchdowns and Nick Ruggiero rushed for 115 yards on 16 carries. Next game: Friday vs. Toms River East (1-1).

 

Middletown North (1-0)

Junior quarterback Owen Robson threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another in a 37-7 win over Lacey. Joe Grasso and Brian O’Donnell caught touchdown passes and Shane Volante and Matt Belentko also ran for touchdowns. Next game: Friday vs. Matawan (0-2).

 

Middletown South (1-1)

The Eagles rallied for a 28-21 overtime win over Manalapan on Luca Donofrio’s touchdown pass to Logan Burbank. Donofrio also threw the game-tying touchdown pass to Mike Murphy and finished with 77 yards passing and 80 yards rushing. Next game: Saturday at Colts Neck (0-2).

 

Shore (1-0)

Senior running back Brendan O’Brien ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Josh Moeller threw a touchdown pass as Blue Devils beat Pinelands, 28-7, to give alumnus Don Klein his first win as Shore’s head coach. Next game: Friday at Point Beach (1-0).

 

Southern (2-0)

The Rams posted their second straight shutout with a 26-0 win over Manchester. Senior Justin Silva caught a touchdown pass and returned a punt for a touchdown, sophomore Carson Abbato ran for a touchdown and threw for a score, and senior Keegan Foote kicked a field goal and recorded a safety. Next game: Friday at Toms River South (1-1).