Youthful Matawan squad captures All-Shore 7-on-7 football title

TINTON FALLS — Success during the summer 7-on-7 season is rarely a predictor of a championship run when the leaves began to change color. Still, it’s never too early to build positive momentum, especially for a team that will be relying on several underclassmen this fall.

Sophomore quarterback BlairCarter Gagneron fired a go-ahead touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Damian Marsh as Matawan won 16-8 over Neptune to win the All-Shore 7-on-7 Tournament and complete a 6-0 afternoon on Monday at Monmouth Regional High School.

After winning Pool B with victories over Marlboro, Long Branch and Ocean, the Huskies defeated Holmdel, 15-2, in the quarterfinals and then knocked off defending champion and top-seeded Manalapan, 22-13, to reach the championship game.

“Any time you get an opportunity to have some success and gain some confidence going into the season, it’s a good thing,” Matawan head coach Matt Walsh said.

Gagneron, whose older brothers MarcAndrew, BrianCharles and MorganBlake were key players for Matawan over the past eight seasons, made several impressive downfield throws and operated with confidence from the pocket. Marsh and senior Welman Crooms also had strong afternoons, among others.

“I thought he made the right reads and did a good job going through his progressions and delivering the ball,” Walsh said. “He took what the defense gave him.”

Matawan’s secondary was also up to the task, allowing just 18 points in three pool games before yielding 23 points in three playoff games. Manalapan was the only team to score more than one touchdown on the Huskies, and the defense did not allow an offensive point in wins over Ocean and Holmdel.

“It’s always good to leave on a positive note and it’s a step in the right direction for those guys,” Walsh said.

Matawan is coming off a 2-7 season in Walsh’s first season as head coach. The Huskies will be tasked with replacing several key players, including All-Shore running back/linebacker Colin Palumbo, All-Shore offensive lineman Jayden Elijah, and all-division selections Jaylen Williams (LB), Am’ir Martinez (QB) and MorganBlake Gagneron (LB). All-division picks Crooms (WR/DB), Jacob Lauricella (OL) and Erik Martinez (DB) return as senior leaders who will look to guide a team that has many sophomores vying for playing time.

“We want to see who can compete and who is going to rise to the occasion,” Walsh said. “To me, it’s more about mental toughness. It was hot out here and we were going for four hours and 15 minutes. It’s a matter of will and determination. We want to see who’s up for the challenge. We’re always evaluating.”

“The more opportunities we have to evaluate these guys and the more live reps they can get against other teams is only positive.”

Monday’s 7-on-7 tournament featured 24 teams spread across six four-team pools. Neptune won Pool A with victories over Keansburg, Asbury Park, and Monmouth, outscoring those teams by a 64-27 margin. The Scarlet Fliers were seeded third in the playoffs and defeated Freehold Boro, 19-6, in the quarterfinals and topped Freehold Township, 16-8, in the semifinals.

Manalapan went 3-0 to win Pool C in dominant fashion, outscoring Lacey, Saint John Vianney and Manchester 68-8. The Braves earned the top seed and a first-round bye in the six-team playoff but were ousted by Matawan in the semifinals. Junior quarterback Cameron Desfosse had an impressive day as he looks to seize the starting job.

Freehold Township is also looking for its next quarterback after the graduation of All-Shore standout Nick Cardone. Sophomore Dakota Lasater and senior Johnathan Kokotis rotated throughout the day and helped the Patriots defeat New Egypt, Brick and Colts Neck by a combined score of 67-20 to win Pool D.

In Pool E, First Team All-Shore senior quarterback Jack Cannon led Holmdel to wins over Brick Memorial, Wall and Jackson. The Hornets’ 68 points in pool play tied Manalapan for the tournament-high. Cannon recently committed to the admissions process at Dartmouth. Rising sophomore Anthony Serini also stood out after showing flashes in limited time as a freshman.

Freehold Boro was the winner in Pool F with a 2-0-1 record, defeating Rumson-Fair Haven and Pinelands and tying Howell, 14-14. Freehold and Howell both finished with two wins and one tie, and the Colonials advanced to the playoffs based on a higher point differential (plus-36 to Howell’s plus-15).