Toms River South is the Week 8 Jersey Mike’s Football Team of the Week

Bob Badders|October 30, 2024|Last Updated November 4, 2024

Shore Sports Insider is proud to partner with Jersey Mike’s this fall to present our weekly Football Team of the Week award that recognizes one school’s accomplishments during the prior week.

The Jersey Mike’s Shore Conference Football Team of the Week for Week 8 is Toms River South after the Indians went on the road and took down previously undefeated Central Regional, 33-26, to clinch a share of the Class B South division title. Shore Sports Insider stopped by practice on Tuesday to present the Indians and head coach Matt Martin with a special game ball and a $500 Jersey Mike’s gift card for a team meal.

Steve Meyer | Shore Sports Insider

Toms River South made the short drive to face one of its top rivals, Central Regional, with a division title on the line in one of Week 8’s top matchups. At 8-0, the host Golden Eagles entered the week as one of just four undefeated teams in the Shore and were looking to lock up the outright Class B South division championship with a victory. The Indians had a different plan.

Central went up 7-0 but the Indians responded immediately to tie the score at seven. Later in the first half, Toms River South used a trick play on special teams to turn the tide. Senior punter Chase Ford pulled up after receiving the snap, quickly rolled to his right, and fired a pass to junior wide receiver JJ Geremia, who weaved his way through the Central defenders for a 65-yard touchdown reception and a 13-7 lead. Central would re-take the lead on a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Joe Vezzosi to senior wide receiver Royalty Riley but the Indians scored again to take a 20-16 halftime lead.

The Indians found the end zone twice in the third quarter to stretch their advantage to 26-16 and 33-23, and held off the Eagles down the stretch for a massive victory. Senior running back Jake Henehan had another big game by rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and catching a touchdown pass from senior quarterback Gio Morales-Torres. Morales-Torres also had a touchdown run, as did senior running back Damir Nelson. Sophomore defensive back Kavon Metellus helped the Indians preserve their lead with two clutch interceptions in the second half.

The victory prevented Central from holding the Class B South championship all to itself and created a three-way tie for the title with Toms River South, Central and Southern. The Indians won the outright Liberty Division title last season and this season’s tri-championship gives them consecutive division titles for the first time since 1986 and 1987, according to historical records compiled by the Shore Football Coaches Foundation.

Toms River South earned the No. 5 seed in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 state playoff bracket that features six Shore Conference teams. The Indians will head north to face fourth-seeded Marlboro in the first round on Saturday. The Mustangs are 5-3 and ranked in the Shore Sports Insider Top 12. Toms River South is looking for its first state playoff victory since a 35-21 win over Mooresetown in the first round of the 2014 South Jersey Group 4 tournament.