Week 0 Shore Conference Football Divisional Players of the Week
In addition to our weekly polls where readers can cast their votes for the Shore Conference Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, Shore Sports Insider will recognize players of the week in all three phases for each of the Shore Conference’s seven divisions.
Week 0 Shore Conference Division Players of the Week
CLASS A NORTH
Offense
Quinton Fisher, Jr., QB, Long Branch
The early leader for the most improved player in the Shore is Fisher, who dazzled with 175 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 181 yards passing and two touchdowns as Long Branch battled to the end in a 38-32 loss to Holmdel.
Defense
Nick Diadema, Sr., LB, Marlboro
Diadema was a wrecking ball in the Mustangs’ 34-0 shutout win over Colts Neck with eight total tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks.
Special Teams
No nominees, check back next week!
CLASS A SOUTH
Offense
T.J. Valerio, Sr., QB, Toms River North
Valerio was fantastic with four touchdowns in the Mariners’ 31-2 wipeout of Downingtown East, a top 25 team in Pennsylvania that went 11-1 last year. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Defense
A.J. Ehrmantraut, Sr., LB, Brick Memorial
Ehrmantraut posted 10 tackles, two sacks and one tackle for loss in Brick Memorial’s 23-20 win over Allentown.
Special Teams
Joe Muzzillo, Sr., K, Jackson Memorial
With the Jaguars and North Brunswick tied 7-7 late in the fourth quarter, Muzzillo delivered a clutch 36-yard field goal to give Jackson the lead for good in a 17-7 victory over the Raiders.
CLASS B NORTH
Offense
Nick Cardone, Sr., QB, Freehold Township
Cardone completed 16 of 32 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 43 yards when the Patriots defeated Toms River South, 35-14.
Defense
Ja’mir Irby, Sr., LB, Freehold
Irby posted a team-high eight tackles with four tackles for loss to help lead the Colonials to a 28-0 shutout victory over New Brunswick in Derek Reichenbecher’s debut as Freehold head coach.
Special Teams
Joe “The Toe” Bercovicz, Fr., K, Ocean
The Spartans’ freshman kicker delivered a 30-yard field goal with 2:39 left in the third quarter to give Ocean a bit more breathing room in its 10-6 victory over Red Bank that gave Chad King his first win as Spartans’ head coach.
CLASS B SOUTH
Offense
Joe Vezzosi, Sr., QB, Central
Vezzosi completed 1o of 19 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in the Golden Eagles’ 20-0 victory over Hightstown.
Defense
James Lynch, Sr., DL, Toms River East
Lynch recorded a safety that sparked the Raiders’ 12- 7 comeback victory over Barnegat. He finished with 10 tackles (4 solo), one sack, one tackle for loss and a pass deflection.
Special Teams
Keegan Foote, Sr., K, Southern
Foote connected on a 27-yard field goal and nailed both of his extra point attempts in the Rams’ 17-0 win over Highland.
CLASS C NORTH
Offense
Jack Cannon, Jr., QB, Holmdel
In a high-octane duel with Long Branch quarterback Quinton Fisher, Cannon ran for 174 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 107 yards to lead the Hornets to a thrilling 38-32 victory
Defense
Justin Davis, Jr., LB, Wall
Davis hit the defensive hat trick with a sack, an interception and a fumble recovery in the Crimson Knights’ 34-7 victory over Matawan. He totaled eight tackles with three tackles for loss.
Special Teams
Cipriano Bodnar, Sr., Holmdel & Hamza Elmesi, Sr., Holmdel
Bodnar blocked a punt that Elmesei recovered in the end zone for a touchdown in the Hornets’ thrilling 38-32 win over Long Branch. Bodnar also recorded a team-high 10 tackles with one tackle for loss.
CLASS C SOUTH
Offense
Rahmel Anderson, Sr., QB, Lakewood
The Shore Conference’s leading rusher in 2023 picked up right where he left off by rushing for 253 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries and converting a pair of 2-point conversion runs to lead the Piners to a 22-20 win over Ewing.
Defense
Cole Toddings, Sr., LB, Barnegat
Toddings picked up right where he left off after an outstanding junior season by recording 15 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 2 sacks and a pass breakup in Barnegat’s 12-7 loss to Toms River East.
Special Teams
Ian Spicer, Sr., K, Manchester
Spicer went 2-for-2 with field goals of 26 and 30 yards and also went 2-for-2 on extra points to help the Hawks defeat West Deptford, 26-21, at the Battle of the Beach Classic.
CLASS D NORTH
Offense
Matthew Rossi, Jr., QB, Point Beach
Rossi threw for 84 yards and tossed a pair of touchdown passes when the Garnet Gulls blanked South River, 28-0.
Defense
Ronald Thorn, Sr., DL, Point Beach
Thorn led the way for the Garnet Gulls’ defense in its 28-0 shutout victory over south River with nine tackles and four tackles for loss.
Special Teams
No nominees, check back next week!
