Scanning The High School Football Scene: Week 2

Week 2 saw one major upset, as Brick upended defending State Champs Jackson 29-6. The victory sets up a classic matchup this Saturday night, as the Dragons travel to TR North, to take on another defending State Champ. Of course these 2 both play in the A-South and therefore the game has huge implications in that race. Brick (2-0) used a punishing ground game (282 yds) to control the game, however it was the game's first play which set the tone for the victory. Going to the back of the playbook, RB/WR Ja'Sir Taylor took a handoff and then threw a 54 yard option pass to John Prato. That put the ball on the 6 and QB Anthony Costanza ran the next play in for the game's first TD. The 2 plays took 46 seconds and the Dragons were on their way. QB Costanza, in 2 games, has proven he is a major threat carrying the football for Brick. Jackson's All-Shore RB Mike Gawlik did run for 126 yards, but for the most part was held in check by the Dragon D. Jackson managed just 6 first downs and turned the ball over 2 times and also had 2 punts blocked, which resulted in 10 points. As I mentioned up top, the Dragon reward is a trip to North, which will not be easy, but the way this defense is playing, Brick will not be an easy win on the road.

Wall (2-0) showed everyone that the week 1 win at Ocean was no fluke. They destroyed Central (2-1) 41-6 and proved to all other B-North contenders, that you must be ready to play when Wall is your opponent. The Knights ran for 316 yards with Sean Larkin running for 192 of them, while scoring 4 TDs. Meanwhile, the Wall defense held All-Shore RB Mike Bickford to just 40 yards on 16 carries. HC Dan Curcione knows that the B-North is perhaps the best balanced league in the Shore and there is big game after big game each week. LB Kyle Dallicardillo leads a defense which has now had to face one of the best RBs (Mike Bickford) and one of the best QBs (Kenny Pickett) in the State in back to back weeks, and they have beaten them. Kyle is the son of former Brick Memorial star Dave Dallicardillo and nephew of former All-State linebacker from Brick Memorial, Vinny Dallicardillo. No easy weeks in B-North, as they entertain Raritan (another defending State Champ) this week.

Nice wins for Frank Edgerly (RBC) in his second tenure at his alma mater, as they come back after a week 1 loss and beat Middletown North 30-27. Also picking up their 2nd win of the young season is Mater Dei Prep, who destroyed Dunellen 42-6. This sets up a big B-Central game of undefeated teams, when they travel to 2-0 Keyport this Saturday. Matt Cilento (Point Boro), is still unbeaten in his young career, as they beat Lacey 28-12. QB James Fara is quickly becoming a star, as he directs the flexbone offense of Point Boro. He's learning from the best in Brian Staub and Tom Orrok (co-offensive coordinators). Teams who have now won 2 straight are Manalapan, SJV, Freehold Twp., #1 Middletown South, Manasquan, Howell and Lakewood. Other teams who won after week 1 defeats, were Marlboro, Red Bank, TR South, Point Beach, Shore and Manchester. There are numerous teams that are now 0-2 and desperately need a "W". The season is slowly slipping away from these teams and no one wants to be 0-3.

It remains to be seen if the fallout from the Central/Toms River East disqualifications has further implications as both teams have possibly added further discipline to the players involved. What we do know is both teams will only be playing 9 games this year, as they are ineligible from playoffs or a consolation round game.

Big ones this week:
Brick at Toms River North (SSN broadcast on Saturday night)
Mater Dei Prep at Keyport- both 2-0
Middletown South at Manasquan- both 2-0
Manalapan at Old Bridge-both 2-0

Join us Thursday night at Bum Rogers in South Seaside Park as in house will be the programs of Toms River South and Point Beach. Coaches and players from both teams will be there and we are on from 7-8pm, streaming live on shoresportsnetwork.com.It's a broadcast double header this week: Brick Memorial at Toms River South on Friday night and Brick at Toms River North on Saturday night. Both games are at 7pm and on News Talk Radio WOBM-AM 1160 & 1310 or online at shoresportsnetwork.com.