SSI Football Midseason Report: The Best Players, Biggest Games and Top Storylines

The postseason thrillers, the championship games and the do-or-die playoff games are all looming in the distance, but now is a good time to take stock of the Shore Conference football season so far as we hit the midpoint. 

The public NJSIAA playoffs start on Halloween, so this is the home stretch in which teams will separate themselves as the best of the best and work to achieve their preseason goals. 

Here’s a breakdown of the players and coaches in the running for major accolades, the big games to watch in the next month, the top storylines in the Shore so far and more. 

Offensive Player of the Year

Candidates: 

Jack Cannon, Sr., QB, Holmdel

Rahmir Rivera, Fr., QB, Red Bank Catholic

Ace Etienne, Sr., RB, Manasquan

Gabe Kemp, Fr., RB, Red Bank Catholic

Nyzier Matthews, Sr., WR, Brick Memorial

Matthew Rossi, Sr., QB, Point Beach

Ah’sere Woolfolk, Sr., RB, Manalapan

Zach LaBarca, Sr., QB, St. John Vianney

Dark horses: BlairCarter Gagneron, So., QB, Matawan; Ryan Corwin, So., QB, Monmouth; Caleb Brown-Mason, Jr., QB, Neptune; Amiere Massie, Sr., RB, Asbury Park. 

The Breakdown

Ask pretty much anyone around the Shore Conference and they will say Holmdel’s Jack Cannon is the most impressive player they have seen all season. The Dartmouth recruit has taken it to another level this year with his mastery of the Hornets’ offense. He has 788 yards and nine touchdowns passing and 626 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing in only four games. 

The two Red Bank Catholic star freshmen, quarterback Rahmir Rivera and tailback Gabe Kemp, have also dazzled in their first year of high school ball. Rivera has 945 yards passing and 10 touchdowns against only one interception, which he threw in the first game of the season. Kemp has 674 yards and five touchdowns rushing. They somewhat split the vote, but right now everyone is chasing Cannon in this category. 

The most impressive may be Manasquan’s Ace Etienne, who suffered a serious broken leg to end last season but has roared back to be one of the Shore’s top rushers. 

Another player to note is Rumson senior running back Kellen Murray, who has missed most of the season with an injury but could come roaring back into the picture with a big second half. 

Defensive Player of the Year

The candidates:

Trey Tallmadge, Sr., LB, Brick Memorial

Lorenzo Tartamella, Jr., DE, Red Bank Catholic

Justin Davis, Sr., DE, Wall 

Dylan Cohen, Sr., LB, Wall 

Luke Scaturro, Jr., LB, Red Bank Catholic

Ben Gredell, Jr., DL, Rumson-FH

Lukas Iliescu, So., LB, Southern

Jah’mir Lane-Bailey, Sr., LB, Red Bank

Luke Barry, Jr., LB, Manasquan

Koen Johnson, Sr., DL, Neptune

Ethan Fogelstrom, Jr., LB, Manalapan

Dark horses: Gustave Copes, So., LB, Central; Will Hollingsworth, Sr., LB, Pinelands. 

The breakdown: This category is way more wide open than last year, when Toms River North linebacker/edge rusher Blaise Boland ran away with it. 

The player whom coaches have spoken the most about is Tallmadge, but he has been sidelined with an injury since the second game of the season. A healthy finish for him would most likely make the Mustangs’ all-time leading tackler the front-runner. 

There are several players to choose from on RBC’s defense. Tartamella is one of the top prospects in the state, while Scaturro has made the leap to one of the Shore’s top linebackers. Sometimes it can feel like splitting hairs between Davis and Cohen as both are integral to Wall’s success. 

Iliescu is part of a Southern unit that has been one of the Shore’s top defenses and looks like a burgeoning star. 

Coach of the Year

The candidates:

Noel Kavanagh, Holmdel

Chuck Donohue Sr., Southern

Joe Faccone, Point Beach

Dom Lepore, Manalapan

Dan Wendel, Monmouth 

Tyler Karalewich, Red Bank

Matt Walsh, Matawan

Kyle Sandberg, Toms River East

John Tierney, Pinelands

Mike Seber, Neptune

The breakdown: One coach’s name has been repeatedly brought up to me by other coaches, often unprompted, even by coaches whose teams don’t even play Holmdel – Noel Kavanagh. 

His offensive system run by senior quarterback Jack Cannon has been admired by multiple other coaches. If the Hornets make a run to their first state sectional title, Kavanagh will be a prime candidate for Coach of the Year. 

While Kavanagh is in his second year as a head coach, Southern’s Chuck Donohue Sr. is in his 52nd (!) and has the Rams at 5-0 for the first time in 51 years. They are another team that has never won a state sectional title, so if they achieve that feat, it would make a Shore legend a front-runner. 

Lepore has Manalapan hearkening back to the 11-win season of 2017 with the Braves’ strong start. 

Another coach whom opposing coaches have brought up to me as far as the team making a major improvement is Monmouth’s Dan Wendel. The Falcons took some beatings last year after getting decimated by graduation but after off to a 3-2 start. 

Other coaches like Red Bank Catholic’s Mike Lange, Brick Memorial’s Walt Currie, Donovan Catholic’s Dan Curcione, Point Boro’s Brian Staub, Jackson’s Vin Mistretta, Rumson’s Jeremy Schulte and Wall’s Ed Gurrieri could come into the picture if their teams make division title and/or deep postseason runs. 

Most Valuable Player

The candidates:

Daniel Zabora, Sr., WR/DB, Red Bank Catholic

Michael Todisco, Jr., WR/DB, Holmdel

Ryder Izzo, Jr., RB/LB, Rumson-FH

Kai Pritchard, Sr., OL/DL, Donovan Catholic 

Jio Kabiri, Sr., RB/LB, Jackson

Nicky Palmieri, Jr., RB/LB, Manalapan

Danny Breen, Sr., RB/LB, St. John Vianney

Dylan Cohen, Sr., RB/LB, Wall

Jake Clayton, Jr., QB/DB, Point Boro

Cole Torres, Jr., RB/DL, Shore

Darkhorses: Josh Calixte, Sr., RB/LB, Ocean; CJ Yates, Jr., WR/DB, Central; RJ Clark, So., WR/DB, Pinelands, Gage Boyle, So., RB/LB, Point Beach; John Jeleniewski, Sr., RB/LB, Raritan

The breakdown: This category is for the two-way stars who have a dramatic effect on their team because they’re on the field for the whole game making an impact all over the place. Current St. Peter’s Prep running back Abdul Turay ran away with this one last year at St. John Vianney because he was also one of the Shore’s best safeties. 

This one is wide open this year. I would lean Zabora, who has been impressive as a big-play threat at receiver and a ball hawk in the secondary for RBC. Todisco has made the leap from a promising sophomore to a star as a junior and currently leads the Shore in interceptions. 

Pritchard is known primarily as an Illinois recruit on the offensive line but also has been a force on the defensive line for the Griffins this year. Izzo has stepped up to become a standout at running back in place of the injured Kellen Murray and also is a playmaking linebacker. 

Surprise teams

Southern

Pinelands

Monmouth

Red Bank

Matawan

Toms River East

Point Beach

The breakdown: If Red Bank goes on to win the Class C North title, the Bucs may be the biggest surprise with a new head coach and an under-the-radar preseason. 

Point Beach graduated its all-time leading rusher and then switched up to become a prolific passing team under coach Joe Zaccone. The Garnet Gulls are the first team in the Shore to clinch a division title this season after locking up no worse than a tie for the Class D South crown. 

Southern is in the midst of one of its best runs to open a season ever and already has wins over a pair of Class A South teams in Toms River North and Jackson. The unbeaten Rams are converting the nonbelievers by the week on heels of a 6-4 season, but the real test comes in the state playoffs. 

Breakout/most improved players

Rahmir Rivera, Fr., QB, Red Bank Catholic

Gabe Kemp, Fr., QB, Red Bank Catholic

Asher Cummins, So., DE, Red Bank Catholic

Anthony Serini, So., WR/DB, Holmdel

Ryder Izzo, Jr., RB/LB, Rumson-FH 

Matt Belenko, Jr., RB, Middletown North

Cameron Desfosse, Jr., QB, Manalapan

Dakota Lasater, Jr., QB, Freehold Twp. 

Lukas Iliescu, So., TE/LB, Southern

Cayson Williams, So., WR, Matawan 

Kingston Pinnock, Jr., RB, Neptune

Eric Berg, Jr., RB/WR/KR, Raritan

Brayln Thompson, Fr., RB, Ocean

Matthew Rossi, Sr., QB, Point Beach

Ryan Corwin, So., QB, Monmouth

Amiere Massie, Sr., RB, Asbury Park

The breakdown: The young players in the Shore this season have been really impressive, particularly the freshman class, led by the group at RBC. 

I’m sure there are also some offensive linemen in this group, but that will emerge closer to All-Shore selection time when coaches are able to break down those players to me. 

Izzo was predicted to be an impact two-way player for Rumson-Fair Haven by the coaches and has definitely delivered on that. Iliescu is another player who coaches were buzzing about, and he has looked the part. 

Cayson Williams was a talent a lot of coaches told me about in the preseason for Matawan, and he has shown flashes of being a big-time player at wide receiver. 

Rossi may be the biggest revelation as he went from a player in the background for the Garnet Gulls last season to the Shore Conference’s leading passer as a senior. 

Best game

RBC 29, Holmdel 28

Donovan Catholic 15, Brick Memorial 14

Brick Memorial 28, Toms River North 21

Middletown South 20, Marlboro 13 (OT) 

Manalapan 38, St. John Vianney 35 

Freehold Twp. 35, Neptune 28

The breakdown: With apologies to the other games, RBC’s 29-28 heartstopper over Holmdel is the best game of the season by far. It came down to the final two minutes between the Shore’s top two teams, what more can you ask for? They also both played a relatively clean game with no turnovers and one big play after another. 

Honorable mention goes to Brick Memorial-Toms River North for a game the Mustangs won on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Jason Lajara to Nyzier Matthews with six seconds left in regulation. 

Biggest games ahead

Brick Memorial at Holmdel, Friday

The No. 7 Mustangs head to Holmdel to face the No. 2 Hornets in the first meeting in history between the two teams. It’s a nondivisional game, so there’s no championship stakes involved, but both teams are pushing for No. 1 seeds in the state playoffs and this is a big one as far as that’s concerned. It also features two of the Shore’s top quarterbacks in Holmdel’s Jack Cannon and Brick Memorial’s Jason Lajara going head to head. 

Red Bank Catholic at Rumson-Fair Haven on Oct. 10

This is already a massive game because of the longtime rivalry between the two teams, and it also has implications for the Class A North race. If Rumson can take down the Caseys, it could potentially create a three-way tie for the title with Holmdel. If RBC can get revenge for its loss to the Bulldogs last year, the Caseys would clinch at least a tie for the title themselves. This is the biggest remaining regular-season game on the schedule in Shore Conference football. 

Donovan Catholic at Point Boro on Oct. 10

This is a crucial Class A South game with teams trying to break the four-way logjam in first place. Both of these teams have dealt with injuries to star players and kept battling. 

Manalapan at Wall on Oct. 10

This is the Class B North championship game. The winner clinches no worse than a tie for the division title. It’s Manalapan’s explosive offense against Wall’s shutdown defense. It’s also Manalapan head coach Dom Lepore against his good friend and former Manalapan head coach, Wall’s Ed Gurrieri. 

Red Bank at Manasquan on Oct. 11

The Bucs can clinch at least a tie for the Class C North title, but they will have to go to Vic Kubu Warrior Field to do it. A win by Manasquan puts the Warriors in position to at least claim a share of the division title with one more divisional victory or another Red Bank loss. This is the game where Red Bank can convert some nonbelievers, while Manasquan is out to show that it has regained its championship pedigree and will also be a factor in the postseason. 

Donovan Catholic at Manalapan on Oct. 17

This is a solid nondivisional test for both teams with important points for playoff seeding on the line. It also is a test of the relative strength of Class A South vs. Class B North. 

Brick Memorial at Southern on Oct. 17 

Southern can claim its third win over a Class A South team this season and pick up crucial points in a quest for a high playoff seed. Same goes the other way for Brick Memorial as far as a push for a No. 1 seed is concerned. The Mustangs hope to be at full power by this point, so their offense against Southern’s rugged defense is a great matchup. 

Jackson at Brick Memorial on Oct. 24

This is another huge Class A South game that could potentially have title implications. It all depends on how things shake out in the next few weeks. 

Toms River East at Pinelands on Oct. 24

These teams are currently tied for first place in Class C South, so there’s potential for this to be the division title game. The Raiders haven’t won a division title since 2019, while Pinelands has only won one division title in program history and that was back in 1987. 

Raritan at Neptune on Oct. 24

These teams appear to be ahead of the pack in Class D North but still have some work to do to set this up as the division championship game. Both are looking to end long division title droughts. Neptune’s last one was in 1998, not counting the public titles it won in 2014 and 2011 after finishing behind RBC. Raritan’s last division title was in 2008. 

Milestones/storylines

Teams ending winning streaks by Rumson-Fair Haven and Toms River North

Holmdel brought Rumson-Fair Haven’s 15-game winning streak to an end in a 33-21 victory, while Red Bank Catholic ended Toms River North’s 19-game winning streak with a 21-0 win in the season opener. 

Brick Memorial also ended Toms River North’s incredible 40-game winning streak against public schools with a 28-21 win. 

Injuries to Key Players Across the Shore

It feels like every week, half the news is about which star got hurt. You could make an All-Shore team out of players who have missed time this season, including Brick Memorial linebacker Trey Tallmadge, Rumson-Fair Haven running back Kellen Murray, Donovan Catholic quarterback Kahden Davis, Point Boro slotback Nick Spanola, Raritan quarterback Parker Needham, Jackson running back Jonah Glenn, Pinelands’ Eric Kobilnyk, and on and on. 

Hopefully this remains a first-half trend. Let’s have the stars be there for all the big games down the stretch. 

A Classy Gesture for a Grieving Coach

One of the best moments of sportsmanship so far this season came in the season opener for Toms River East and Manchester. Raiders head coach Kyle Sandberg took an intentional penalty and then raised his fist along with his team in support of Manchester coach Tommy Farrell. The Hawks’ head man and his wife had lost a baby at 22 weeks only nine days earlier. 

Southern’s unbeaten start

A Rams team that went 6-4 last season is already 5-0 for the first time in 51 years. Is this the season they break through and win their first state sectional title?

It could be an awfully tall task with Washington Township and Rancocas Valley lurking in the South Jersey Group 5 section, but the Rams have thrived when people underestimate them. There also is the possibility of those two teams being in a different sectional bracket, but that’s a ways down the road right now.

The Shore Rallies Around Central’s Dayton Frulio 

The Central Regional senior defensive back, who has autism, has had to undergo two surgeries to remove a brain tumor discovered in August. 

It’s been heartwarming to see how the Shore has come together to support Frulio and his family, from booster clubs at rival schools to local businesses sending money to support the family’s bills.

 

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Brick also made the classy gesture to put a sticker with his jersey number on it on its helmets in a loss to Central last week. The Green Dragons also shook hands with Frulio, who was at the game, and showed their support for him after the game. 

Incredible freshman class 

This is one of the most loaded freshmen classes I can ever remember in the Shore Conference. 

Certainly part of that, as many fans and coaches have brought up to me, is that some of them are re-classes, meaning they were held back a year to essentially gain some athletic advantage and should really be sophomores. 

Even so, between Rahmir Rivera, Gabe Kemp and Simon Picinich at RBC, Chris McClaren at Donovan Catholic, Brayln Thompson at Ocean, Tyler Carri at Holmdel, Jalen Kreiger at Point Beach, Trevor Evans at Point Boro and a host of other freshmen, the Class of 2029 in the Shore is shaping up to be a special one. 

Scott Stump is the football editor and a reporter for Shore Sports Insider. He first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999 and has covered basketball, baseball and seemingly every other Shore Conference sport at some point. 

Email: scottstump25@gmail.com