Atlantic Physical Therapy Shore Conference Football Top 12 for Nov. 5
We are down to 14 Shore Conference teams remaining in the NJSIAA state playoffs. The stakes become higher each week when a select group of teams moves one step closer to New Jersey high school football’s ultimate prize.
There is some movement in the Shore Sports Insider rankings this week but no new teams as we enter the NJSIAA Tournament public school semifinals and the non-public quarterfinals.
Here is the latest SSI Football Top 12, presented by Atlantic Physical Therapy Center.
Shore Conference Football Top 12 Rankings
1. Toms River North (10-0). Last week: No. 1
Senior quarterback T.J. Valerio threw for 160 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 55 yards and a touchdown, and senior running back Mordecai Ford ran for 43 yards and two touchdowns and had 68 receiving yards and a touchdown when the Mariners blew out Bridgeton, 55-6, to begin their quest for a third straight NJSIAA Group 5 state title. Senior wideout Cam Thomas had a 70-yard touchdown catch, sophomores Wesley Tanner and Lucas Elias had touchdown runs and sophomore Alex Greene returned an interception for a touchdown. The Mariners have won 14 games in a row and 34 straight versus public schools. Next game: Friday vs. Kingsway (8-2) in the South Jersey Group 5 semifinals.
2. Rumson-Fair Haven (9-0). Last week: No. 2
Senior quarterback Owen O’Toole tossed two touchdowns and ran for another and junior running back Kellen Murray ran for 103 yards and two scores to lead the Bulldogs to a 48-0 win over Spotswood in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 2 playoffs. Seniors Carson Memmott and Nick Thomas had touchdown catches, senior Jordan Angstreich returned a punt for a touchdown and junior linebacker Dylan Plesser returned an interception for a touchdown. A win on Friday will put Rumson in a sectional final for the 11th straight season. Next game: Friday vs. Delran (9-1) in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.
3. Point Boro (8-2). Last week: No. 3
Sophomore quarterback Jake Clayton threw two touchdown passes to senior slotback Colin Obser and ran for two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 41-13 win over Gloucester City in the first round of the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs. Senior fullback Dylan Reitmeyer ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns and senior defensive lineman Tanner Hynes recorded two sacks. Next game: Friday vs. Manchester (8-2) in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinals.
4. Red Bank Catholic (6-3). Last week: No. 4
Senior quarterback Frankie Williams threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a touchdown to lead the Caseys to a 35-14 win over then-No. 9 Donovan Catholic to close out their regular season. Junior wide receiver Johnny Williams caught four passes for 107 yards and three touchdowns and senior running back Jamie Gutridge ran for a score. The defending-champion Caseys are the No. 2 seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public B playoffs and have received a first-round bye. Next game: Friday, Nov. 15 vs. the winner of St. John Vianney vs. Notre Dame.
5. Brick Memorial (8-2). Last week: No. 5
Junior quarterback Jason Lajara threw for 163 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns when the Mustangs shellacked Northern Burlington, 56-0, in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs. Sophomore Shawn Fowler caught a 72-yard touchdown pass while junior Nyzier Matthews had a touchdown reception. Senior running back Kevin Andrews and junior running back Erik Pedre had two touchdown runs each. Next game: Friday vs. Jackson Memorial (5-5) in the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
6. Middletown North (8-0). Last week: No. 6
Senior Brian O’Donnell had three touchdown runs and senior defensive back TJ Rey returned an interception for a touchdown to help lead the Lions to a 37-7 win over Steinert in the first round of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs. Junior quarterback Owen Robson tossed a touchdown pass to senior tight end Joe Grasso and senior running back Shane Volante ran for 107 yards. Next game: Friday vs. Shawnee (7-3) in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
7. Holmdel (8-1). Last week: No. 7
Junior quarterback Jack Cannon ran for 168 yards and five touchdowns and threw for 80 yards to lead the Hornets to a 35-12 win over Oakcrest in the first round of the South Jersey Group 3 playoffs. Senior running back Matt Iulo added 96 yards from scrimmage and junior linebacker Peter Berardi recovered two fumbles. Holmdel can reach its second sectional final in program history and first since 1991 with a win this weekend. Next game: Friday at Mainland (7-3) in the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals.
8. Wall (7-1). Last week: No. 8
Sophomore quarterback Franny Scaramellino threw a touchdown pass to junior Heath Reinhardt and ran for a score, while junior running back Dylan Cohen scored twice on the ground to lead the Crimson Knights to a 34-0 win over Haddon Heights in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 2 playoffs. Junior linebacker Wyatt Capro highlighted the shutout victory with a blocked punt return for a touchdown. Next game: Friday vs. Haddonfield (6-3) in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.
9. St. John Vianney (7-3). Last week: No. 11
Sophomore running back Abdul Turay ran for a career-high 255 yards and three touchdowns and junior quarterback Zach LaBarca threw a pair of touchdown passes when the Lancers concluded their regular season with a 32-29 win over St. Joseph (Metuchen). Senior wide receiver Jahmere James caught five passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns and senior linebacker Nico Aquilone had three sacks and four tackles for loss on defense. The Lancers are seeded 10th in the NJSIAA Non-Public B state playoffs. Next game: Friday at Notre Dame (6-4) in the Non-Public B quarterfinals.
10. Donovan Catholic (2-6). Last week: No. 9
Senior Michael Thomas ran for a touchdown and sophomore quarterback Kyle Dow threw a touchdown pass to senior Isaac Correia, but the Griffins’ early 14-0 lead evaporated in a 35-14 loss to No. 4 Red Bank Catholic. Donovan is seeded 13th in the Non-Public B state playoffs. Next game: Friday at Holy Spirit (7-1) in the Non-Public B state playoffs.
11. Howell (3-6). Last week: No. 10
The Rebels had their season come to an end after a 13-0 loss to Kingsway in the first round of the South Jersey Group 5 playoffs. Howell played a tough Class A South schedule and earned wins over Freehold Township, Jackson Memorial, and Manalapan to headline its resume. They lost to No. 1 Toms River North, No. 3 Point Boro, No. 5 Brick Memorial, No. 8 Wall, and No. 10 Donovan Catholic. Will it be enough to keep the Rebels in the final rankings? Next game: Season complete.
12. Marlboro (6-3). Last week: No. 12
Senior running back Christian LaFonte ran for a 15-yard touchdown run in overtime to give the Mustangs a thrilling 22-16 comeback win over Toms River South in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs. Marlboro trailed 16-6 early in the fourth quarter before rallying to force overtime on a touchdown run by LaFonte and a 30-yard field goal by Max Luzio as time expired. LaFonte had three touchdown runs, sophomore quarterback Nick Dimino threw for 223 yards, and senior wideout Luke Houston caught four passes for 105 yards. Marlboro has now won a playoff game in three straight seasons for the first time in program history. Next game: Friday at Millville (7-2) in the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
Dropped out
None
Knocking on the door
Shore (9-0)
The Blue Devils shut out New Egypt, 21-0, in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs with senior quarterback Josh Moeller throwing two touchdown passes and running for another. Next game: Friday vs. Woodbury (4-5) in the Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals.
Manalapan (5-5)
Senior quarterback Ryan Dougherty threw touchdown passes to Vin DeFillippo and Justin Rizzo-Troxell and ran for a touchdown when the Braves beat Pennsauken, 35-12, in the first round of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs. Junior running back Ahsere Woolfolk and sophomore running back Nicky Palmieri combined to rush for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Next game: Saturday at Winslow (10-0) in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
Jackson Memorial (5-5)
Junior running back Jonah Glenn returned after a two-game absence to rush for 181 yards and two touchdowns as the Jaguars rolled to a 46-13 win over Central in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs. Senior Eric Zebrowski had two touchdown runs and a touchdown catch to account for 154 yards from scrimmage and junior running back/linebacker Jio Kabiri ran for a touchdown and delivered a pick-6. Next game: Friday at Brick Memorial (8-2) in the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
Manchester (8-2)
Senior Ian Spicer kicked a 38-yard field goal with 2.7 seconds left in regulation to give the Hawks a 30-29 win over West Deptford for the first state playoff win in program history. Senior quarterback Aidan Lunn and senior running back Avery Phillips each ran for two touchdowns. Next game: Friday at Point Boro (8-2) in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinals.
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