Atlantic Physical Therapy Shore Conference Football Top 12 for Oct. 29

We’re here. It’s time for the state playoffs.

Week 8 marked the conclusion of the regular season for public schools other than the six teams that will play during the week of Thanksgiving. The final week featured some dramatic endings and upsets, and saw teams clinch division titles and secure playoff berths. A total of 22 Shore Conference teams across nine different sections qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs

The rankings held mostly true through the Week 8 games, but one upset over a previously undefeated team opened the door for a team to rejoin the rankings. Toms River South took down Central, 33-26, to knock the Golden Eagles from the ranks of the unbeaten and force a three-way tie for the Class B South division title with Central, Toms River South and Southern. There has been a logjam of bubble teams for a few weeks and the one to emerge this week is Marlboro, which is back in the top 12 after a win over Long Branch gave the Mustangs a three-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.

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

 

Shore Conference Football Top 12 Rankings

 

1. Toms River North (9-0). Last week: No. 1

Senior quarterback TJ Valerio threw for 203 yards and tossed a 65-yard touchdown pass to senior Nasir Jackson and a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior Cam Thomas as the Mariners blanked No. 9 Donovan Catholic, 31-0, to clinch the Class A South division title. Valerio also ran for a touchdown while senior running back Mordecai Ford had a 49-yard touchdown run and senior Yiannia Papanikolas kicked a 31-yard field goal. The Mariners forced 16 negative plays on defense to record their fourth straight shutout with Jackson, sophomore linebacker Jack Baker, junior linebackers Brady Cicala and Michael Facchini, senior linebackers Eddie Slosky and Blaise Boland and senior defensive lineman Hathem Hooranyi each recording multiple tackles for loss. Toms River North’s 39 points allowed are the second-fewest in the state. The Mariners have now won 14 straight games. The two-time defending Group 5 state champions open up their title defense on Friday night at Gernard Field. Next game: Friday vs. Bridgeton (6-3) in the first round of the South Jersey Group 5 playoffs.

 

 

2. Rumson-Fair Haven (8-0). Last week: No. 2

Senior quarterback Owen O’Toole threw for 176 yards and three touchdowns and senior wideout Jordan Angstreich caught three passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns when the Bulldogs defeated Colts Neck, 49-7, to clinch the Class A North division title. Senior wide receiver Nick Thomas had a touchdown catch and threw a 54-yard touchdown to Angstreich while junior running back Kellen Murray, sophomore running back Ryder Izzo and junior Luke Dougherty had rushing touchdowns. Senior linebacker Austin Kiernan and senior defensive lineman Frank Argilagos had three sacks each to lead the defense. The Bulldogs now set their sights on winning a Group 2 state championship after reaching the final each of the last two seasons. They are the No. 1 seed in the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional bracket. Next game: Friday vs. Spotswood (8-1) in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 2 playoffs.

 

 

3. Point Boro (7-2). Last week: No. 3

The Panthers jumped on No. 10 Howell early with 28 first-quarter points en route to a 38-6 victory. Sophomore quarterback Jake Clayton ran for two touchdowns and threw another to senior Jacob Reitmeyer while senior slotback Colin Obser and junior fullback Calvin Videon-Perino added touchdown runs. Sophomore kicker Jack Sullivan connected on a 26-yard field goal. Obser (10 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FF) and senior defensive lineman Lou DiBiase (12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL) led the way on defense. Point Boro has reached two sectional finals in the last three seasons, including winning the 2021 South Jersey Group 2 championship. The Panthers are the No. 2 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 bracket and will have home games in the first two rounds. Next game: Friday vs. Gloucester City (3-5) in the first round of the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs.

 

 

4. Red Bank Catholic (5-3). Last week: No. 4

Senior quarterback Frankie Williams threw for 156 yards and a touchdown and ran for 50 yards and a touchdown to lead the Caseys to a 29-14 comeback victory over Middletown South. RBC trailed 14-0 after the first quarter before closing the game with 29 unanswered points. Senior running back Jamie Gutridge added a touchdown run and junior Blake Caruso kicked two field goals. Gutridge also led the way on defense with 10 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. The Caseys will close out their regular-season schedule against one of the Shore’s two other non-public football programs before the Non-Public B playoffs begin in two weeks. Next game: Friday vs. No. 9 Donovan Catholic (2-5).

 

 

5. Brick Memorial (7-2). Last week: No. 5

Junior quarterback Jason Lajara threw for 133 yards and a touchdown and ran for 62 yards and a touchdown and sophomore defensive back Shawn Fowler returned an interception for a touchdown to lead the Mustangs to a 37-0 win over Jackson Memorial. Junior running back Nazzer Whittaker ran for a touchdown and junior wide receiver Nyzier Matthews caught three passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Junior linebackers Trey Tallmadge (11 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR) and Mike Pappas (11 tackles), and senior linebacker A.J. Ehrmantraut (10 tackles) helped lead the defense to its second straight shutout. The Mustangs are the No. 2 seed in the Central Jersey Group 4 section. Next game: Friday vs. Northern Burlington (4-5) in the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs.

 

 

6. Middletown North (7-0). Last week: No. 6

Junior quarterback Owen Robson threw touchdown passes to senior Brian O’Donnell and junior Ryan Clark and senior running back Shane Volante ran for 169 yards and a touchdown to lead the Lions to a 45-19 win over Freehold Township that clinched the Class B North division title, Middletown North’s first outright division championship since 1983. O’Donnell and sophomore Matt Belenko added rushing touchdowns, junior linebacker Braden Marcotte returned a fumble 60 yards for a score, and junior Seamus Montegue kicked a 26-yard field goal. The Lions earned the No. 2 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 bracket. Next game: Friday vs. Steinert (4-4) in the first round of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs.

 

 

7. Holmdel (7-1). Last week: No. 7

Senior running back Matt Iulo scored on a 17-yard touchdown run with under a minute left in regulation to lift the Hornets to a 27-21 win over Manalapan that clinched at least a share of the Class C North division title. Holmdel has now secured back-to-back division titles for the first time in program history and can win the title outright if Manasquan beats Wall on Thanksgiving. Iulo had two touchdown runs and junior quarterback Jack Cannon threw for 280 yards and touchdowns to Frankie Serini and Michael Todisco. Serini also had a key interception on defense. The Hornets are the No. 3 seed in the South Jersey Group 3 section and will begin their quest for the program’s first sectional title on their home turf at Bob Roggy Memorial Field. Next game: Saturday vs. Oakcrest (6-3) in the first round of the South Jersey Group 3 playoffs.

 

 

8. Wall (6-1). Last week: No. 8

The Crimson Knights had a bye in Week 8 and head to the NJSIAA playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Central Jersey Group 2 bracket. Wall also controls its own destiny for the Class C North division title and can clinch a share of the championship with Holmdel by defeating Manasquan on Thanksgiving. Next game: Friday vs. Haddon Heights (2-6) in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 2 playoffs.

 

 

9. Donovan Catholic (2-5). Last week: No. 9

The Griffins lost 31-0 to No. 1 Toms River North to drop to 2-5 with one game left in the regular season. A 2-5 team ranked No. 9 in the Shore certainly looks puzzling on the surface, but the Griffins own a win over No. 10 Howell and a dominant win over a Jackson Memorial team on the bubble of the rankings. Their losses are to the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 teams in the Shore plus a loss versus a St. Augustine team that has been ranked in the state for most of the season. Body of work will likely hurt the Griffins as we get closer to the final rankings but they still have an opportunity to pick up some signature wins and make a run in the Non-Public B playoffs. Next game: Friday at No. 4 Red Bank Catholic (5-3).

 

 

10. Howell (3-5). Last week: No. 10

The Rebels are similar to Donovan Catholic in that they have a losing record but hold quality victories and have played a very challenging schedule. Howell lost 38-6 to No. 3 Point Boro in Week 8 playing a top-three team for the second week in a row. Senior Anthony Rivera ran for a touchdown in the second half. The Rebels hold wins over Freehold Township, Jackson Memorial and Manalapan and have only lost to ranked teams with defeats at the hands of No. 1 Toms River North, No. 3 Point Boro, No. 5 Brick Memorial, No. 7 Wall and No. 9 Donovan Catholic. The fact they qualified for the state playoffs as a No. 4 seed illustrates the premium put on quality wins and a strong schedule. Next game: Friday vs. Kingsway (7-2) in the first round of the South Jersey Group 5 playoffs.

 

 

11. St. John Vianney (6-3). Last week: No. 12

The Lancers move up one spot in the rankings after a 28-14 win over Raritan. Sophomore running back Abdul Turay continued his great season with 185 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 30 carries and junior quarterback Zach LaBarca threw touchdown passes to seniors Dante Campagna and Jahmere James. Campagna also had two interceptions on defense. Vianney closes out its regular season with a non-conference game before the Non-Public B playoffs begin. Next game: Saturday vs. St. Joseph (Metuchen) (5-3).

 

 

12. Marlboro (5-3). Last week: not ranked

The Mustangs are back in the top 12 after a 21-0 win over Long Branch for their second straight shutout and third win in a row. Senior running back Christian LaFonte ran for 184 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries to supply the offense and seniors Slav Kostenko and Nick Diadema had three tackles for loss each to lead the defense. Marlboro has notable wins over Middletown South and Freehold Township while its losses have come to the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 11 teams in the Shore. After a run to a sectional final last season, Marlboro heads back to the playoffs as a veteran squad that knows what it takes to win in November. Next game: Saturday vs. Toms River South (5-4) in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs.

 

 

Dropped out

Central (No. 8 last week; lost 33-26 to Toms River South)

 

 

Knocking on the door

Shore (8-0)

The Blue Devils won 39-12 over Asbury Park to clinch the Class D North division title. They are the No. 2 seed in the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs and will host New Egypt in the first round.

 

Manalapan (4-5)

The Braves fell to No. 7 Holmdel, 27-21, in their regular-season finale. They earned the No. 4 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs and will host Pennsauken in the first round.

 

Southern (6-3)

The Rams took care of Brick, 41-12, and secured a share of the Class B South division title when Toms River South upset previously undefeated Central. The Rams are the No. 4 seed in the Central Jersey Group 5 playoffs and will host Cherry Hill East in the first round.

 

Toms River South (5-4)

The Indians took down previously undefeated Central, 33-26, to clinch a three-way tie for the Class B South division title with the Golden Eagles and Southern. Toms River South is the No. 5 seed in the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs and will travel to Marlboro on Saturday.

 

Jackson Memorial (4-5)

The Jaguars were shut out in a 37-0 loss to No. 5 Brick Memorial. They are still without standout junior running back Jonah Glenn and his absence has had a major impact on their season. Still, Jackson is bound for the playoffs and will head to Central Regional on Friday for the first round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs.

 

Manchester (7-2)

The Hawks clinched the first outright division title in program history with a 42-12 victory over Monmouth Regional and also locked up the first home playoff game in program history. Manchester will host West Deptford in the first round of the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs on Friday night. The two teams played in Week 0 at the Battle at the Beach showcase with Manchester coming away with a 26-21 win.

 

 

 

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