Jersey Mike’s Football Team of the Week: Holmdel

Every week this fall, Jersey Mike’s and Shore Sports Network will be selecting a Team of the Week based on its performance over the past weekend.

The Jersey Mike’s Team of the Week for Week 5 is Holmdel, which took a major step toward securing its first division title in over a decade by defeating Donovan Catholic, 21-11, in a critical Shore Conference National Division game. Shore Sports Network was at practice Tuesday to present the Hornets and head coach Jeff Rainess with a special game ball and a $500 Jersey Mike’s gift card.

Junior running back Cameron LaMountain led the way in Holmdel’s three-headed, ground-based attack by rushing for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Senior running back Dean Gallo added 103 yards rushing on 15 carries and senior quarterback Jeff DeCicco also ran for a touchdown.

Holmdel set the tone right away by driving 80 yards for a score on the game’s opening possession, capped by DeCicco scoring on a 1-yard run. Later in the first half, LaMountain scored on a 15-yard touchdown run and the Hornets were able to take a 14-3 lead into halftime.

Donovan Catholic trimmed the lead to 14-11 with a touchdown run and a 2-point conversion in the third quarter, but Holmdel responded with a drive capped by LaMountain’s 17-yard touchdown run to extend its lead to 21-11. The Hornets were able to hold onto the lead throughout the fourth quarter and earn a huge win in a meeting between the last two remaining undefeated teams in the division.

Led by a standout senior class, Holmdel is enjoying its best season since 2007 when it went 10-1 to set a school record for wins in a season. That was also the last time the Hornets captured a division title. They can clinch at least a share of the National Division championship with a win over Asbury Park in Week 6, and wins over both the Blue Bishops and then Point Beach in Week 7 will give them the outright division crown.

On the season, Gallo leads the Hornets with 527 yards rushing and seven touchdowns while averaging just under 10 yards per carry. LaMountain has 349 yards rushing and six touchdowns and DeCicco has contributed 212 yards rushing and three touchdowns plus 300 yards passing and five touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Mack Byrne has eight receptions for 164 yards and three touchdowns and has also returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.

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