Atlantic Physical Therapy Shore Conference Football Top 12 for Oct. 8
Just when you think some stability might be coming to the rankings, the Freehold Regional High School District strikes again.
There is a new team in the Top 12 this week after Howell cooled off then-No. 6 Manalapan with a 14-6 victory. That result was one of several that was the impetus for multiple changes in the rankings between spots 6 through 12. We have talked about the Rebels being a dangerous team that could rejoin the rankings and they did just that in Week 5
Elsewhere, the top five teams took care of business to set up some huge divisional showdowns in Week 6. At least a share of the division title can be clinched in Class A North, Class A South, Class B South, Class C North, Class C South and Class D North this weekend. It’s also not too early to start thinking about playoff seeding with the cutoff looming on Oct. 26.
Here is the latest Shore Sports Insider Football Top 12, presented by Atlantic Physical Therapy Center.
Shore Conference Football Top 12
1. Toms River North (6-0). Last week: No. 1
Senior quarterback T.J. Valerio threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns, senior running back Mordecai Ford ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns, and senior Nasir Jackson had three catches for 101 yards and a touchdown and returned a fumble for a touchdown when the Mariners blanked Toms River South, 41-0, to win their 32nd straight game against public schools. Sophomore running back Lucas Elias added a touchdown run and senior Blaise Boland had a touchdown catch along with 11 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss on defense. Toms River North can clinch at least a share of the division title with a win this weekend. Next game: Thursday at No. 11 Howell (3-2).
2. Rumson-Fair Haven (5-0). Last week: No. 2
Junior running back Kellen Murray ran for a career-high 212 yards and four touchdowns and senior quarterback Owen O’Toole threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns to power the Bulldogs to a 42-7 win over Manchester in a matchup of division leaders. Senior wide receiver Jordan Angstreich caught six passes for a career-high 139 yards and two touchdowns. Senior linebacker Jacob Tobias had seven tackles and an interception, senior defensive back Evan Ridgway intercepted a pass and sophomore defensive lineman Ben Gredell had two sacks. The defacto Class A North division title game is next for Rumson when it heads down the road to face its biggest rival with a division title on the line. Next game: Thursday at No. 3 Red Bank Catholic (3-2).
3. Red Bank Catholic (3-2). Last week: No. 3
The Caseys had a bye in Week 5 and will return to action for their biggest game of the regular season with a division championship up for grabs. Next game: Thursday vs. No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven (5-0).
4. Point Boro (4-2). Last week: No. 4
Sophomore quarterback Jake Clayton ran for 70 yards and a touchdown on just three carries and threw a pair of touchdown passes to senior slotback Colin Obser to lead the Panthers to a 40-7 win over Colts Neck. Senior fullback Dylan Reitmeyer and senior quarterback Mike Ollendorf also ran for touchdowns and junior linebacker Brody Dapkins returned an interception for a touchdown. Another huge Class A South game is on tap for the Panthers this week when they make the short drive across Route 70. Next game: Friday at No. 5 Brick Memorial (5-1).
5. Brick Memorial (5-1). Last week: No. 5
Junior quarterback Jason Lajara continued his strong season by throwing for 251 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 93 yards and a touchdown to help lead the Mustangs to a 24-7 win over Southern. Junior wide receiver/defensive back Nyzier Matthews had two big-play touchdowns with an 85-yard touchdown reception and an interception return for a touchdown. Sophomore kicker Jack Marotta added a 27-yard field goal and junior linebacker Mike Pappas recorded a career-high 13 tackles and forced a fumble. Brick Memorial has another marquee matchup coming its way in Week 6 when it welcomes a top-5 team to DiFabio Field. Next game: Friday vs. No. 4 Point Boro (4-2).
6. Middletown North (5-0). Last week: No. 10
The Lions delivered a statement victory in Week 5 when senior running back Shane Volante ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns and junior quarterback Owen Robson threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-22 victory over No. 9 St. John Vianney. Junior wideout Jack Viola caught five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown and senior Brian O’Donnell had a great all-around game with a touchdown run, a touchdown reception and two tackles for loss on defense. Senior linebacker Brody Tooker (11 tackles, 1 sacks, 3 TFLs) and senior defensive end Joe Grasso (10 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 TFLs) led a stout defensive effort that held an explosive Lancers’ offense to its lowest point total of the season. Next game: Thursday vs. Red Bank (3-2).
7. Holmdel (4-1). Last week: No. 7
The Hornets were idle in Week 5 and will return to action with a Class C North game. Their last game was a 35-14 win over No. 8 Wall in Week 4. Next game: Thursday vs. Raritan (2-3).
8. Wall (4-1). Last week: No. 8
The Crimson Knights had a bye in Week 5 after suffering a 35-14 loss to No. 7 Holmdel in Week 4. Wall and head coach Ed Gurrieri will now head to his previous school for a pivotal division game. Next game: Thursday at Manalapan (3-3).
9. Donovan Catholic (1-3). Last week: No. 11
The Griffins had a bye in Week 5 but benefited from the chaos surrounding them to move up two spots. Their strength of schedule in Class A South plus a non-conference game versus state-ranked Augustine helps Donovan despite its 1-3 record. They have a win over Howell, which enters the rankings this week after beating then-No. 6 Manalapan. Their conference losses are to No. 4 Point Boro and No. 5 Brick Memorial. Next game: Friday at Jackson Memorial (3-3).
10. Howell (3-2). Last week: not ranked
The Rebels enter the Top 12 after a 14-6 win over then-No. 6 Manalapan. Senior running back Juan DeJesus ran for 133 yards and a touchdown and senior quarterback Vince Meehan tossed a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Zach Padilla. Meehan also had two interceptions on defense to help secure the victory and put the Rebels back over .500. Manalapan’s touchdown came on a fumble return as Howell’s defense has not allowed a point over the last two games, including an 18-0 shutout of Jackson Memorial in Week 4. All three of Howell’s wins have come over teams that were ranked at the time of the victory (Freehold Township, Jackson, Manalapan) and its losses are to No. 5 Brick Memorial and No. 9 Donovan Catholic. Next game: Thursday vs. No. 1 Toms River North (6-0).
11. Central (6-0). Last week: No. 12
The Golden Eagles move up one spot after a tidy 30-0 win over Barnegat. Senior wide receiver/defensive back Royalty Riley caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns and returned an interception for a touchdown. Senior quarterback Joe Vezzosi threw for 140 yards and the two touchdowns to Riley, and senior running back Nick Ruggiero ran for 148 yards and a touchdown. Junior defensive lineman Diego Soto recorded nine tackles and two sacks to help lead the defense to the shutout. Central can clinch at least a share of the Class B South division title with a win this weekend. Next game: Friday at Brick (3-2).
12. St. John Vianney (3-3). Last week: No. 9
The Lancers suffered their third straight loss when they fell to then-No. 10 Middletown North, 41-22. Sophomore running back Abdul Turay ran for 90 yards and a touchdown and junior quarterback Zach LaBarca ran for 103 yards and a touchdown and threw for 166 yards and a touchdown to senior wideout Jahmere James. Even though they recently lost to Manalapan, both teams are 3-3 and SJV’s two conference wins (No. 7 Holmdel and Marlboro) are better than Manalapan’s (Manasquan and Raritan). Next game: Friday vs. Manasquan (3-3).
Dropped out
-Manalapan (3-3; No. 6 last week, lost 14-6 to Howell)
Knocking on the door
Marlboro (3-3)
The Mustangs upended Freehold Township by rallying for a 22-21 win on Max Luzio’s walk-off 18-yard field goal. Senior running back Christian LaFonte ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns and sophomore quarterback Nick Dimino tossed a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Luke Houston. Marlboro’s three wins are over Colts Neck, Middletown South and Freehold Township while their losses are to No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven, No. 3 Red Bank Catholic and No. 12 St. John Vianney. Next game: Bye in Week 6; at Lacey on Friday, Oct. 18.
Shore (5-0)
The Blue Devils recorded their fourth straight shutout when they blanked New Egypt, 32-0, to take over sole possession of first place in Class D North. Senior quarterback Josh Moeller set a program single-game record with 261 yards passing and fired two touchdowns to tight end Braden Miller. Senior running back Brendan O’Brien ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns and junior Enzo Cagliostro returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore defensive lineman Cole Torres had four tackles for loss. Shore has allowed just seven points all season, which came in a season-opening 28-7 win over Pinelands. The Blue Devils can clinch at least a share of the division title with a victory in Week 6. Next game: Thursday at Neptune (3-2).
Jackson Memorial (3-3)
The Jaguars got standout junior tailback Jonah Glenn back after he missed two games with an injury and his presence helped them edge Middletown South, 17-14, to snap a three-game losing streak. Glenn ran for 69 yards and a touchdown, senior quarterback Dennis Caswell ran for a score and senior kicker Joe Muzzillo kicked a go-ahead 33-yard field goal with under four minutes left. The Jaguars’ defense pitched a shutout as Middletown South’s touchdowns came on a kickoff return and an interception return. Junior linebacker Jacob Zapata led the way with seven tackles and two sacks. Next game: Friday vs. No. 9 Donovan Catholic (1-3).
Southern (4-2)
The Rams stay in the mix despite a 24-7 loss to No. 5 Brick Memorial. The Rams’ other defeat is to No. 11 Central. Next game: Friday at Lacey (0-5).
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