Scanning The High School Football Scene: Week 3

Working within Shore Conference Football for 48 years in multiple facets, both on the field and in the broadcast field, I'm not sure I have ever seen an offensive display by 2 teams, in one game, that I witnessed on Saturday night at Toms River North with 806 yards and 14 TDs combined by North and Brick. North won it 62-34, as they were virtually unstoppable the entire night, against a pretty good Brick defense. North had 472 yards on the night and 9 TDs. QB Mike Husni ran for 204 yds and 2 TDs and threw for another 95 yards and 1 TD. RB Parker Day added 142 yards and 4 TDs. The numbers are off the charts as North, in 3 games, is averaging 47.7 points/game. They can beat you on the ground, through the air, and on special teams. The Brick offense was at its best also, as they did not quit, and kept coming at North with QB Anthony Constanza throwing for 208 yards, mainly to wide receiver John Prato, who hauled in 6 for 124 yards. Sophomore receiver Cole Groschel also had a pretty good game for Brick, as he was over 100 yards of offense. By the way, the 62 points given up by Brick was the most they have ever given up in their 59 year history. Now the question arises as how do you stop the North offense? Well thank goodness I'm not a D coordinator anymore, because I can't answer that question. I can give you ideas, but the Mariners would give me nightmares trying to prepare for them. Keep the ball away from them, control the football with your own offense, shorten the game clock, and capitalize on all your chances. Throw in a few North turnovers and you might have the recipe for an upset, but I'm not sure there's anyone in A-South who can do that. North will play Howell this week and #1 ranked Middletown South on October 21st, so they will be challenged. The last thing Middletown South is worried about is Toms River North, as they host 3rd ranked Rumson on Friday night. 2 State Champs going at it should be very entertaining. The Rumson defense has yet to yield a point in their 2-0 start. If North can navigate their Shore schedule, then there's a good Williamstown team waiting for them in the SJ Group 5 playoffs. North is the defending champion there.Manalapan (3-0) won a huge game against 2-1 Old Bridge last weekend. They won it convincingly 41-0, as Naim Mayfield ran for 190 yards and 3 TDs. With all the talk about Middletown South and Toms River North, the Braves are in the background of most conversations, but are legitimate CJ Group 5 challengers.St John Vianney (3-0) will play at Brick this Friday, in a game we at Shore Sports Network will broadcast. I'm looking forward to watching RB Chris Chukwuneke against the Dragon D. The Dragons must recover in a short week after what happened to them last Saturday night: that's a big job for the coaches. Character will play into that and I have no doubt they will be ready to play.Nice "W"'for Toms River South (2-1) over Brick Memorial (0-3). Coach Signorino and his staff made some key changes to personnel that has paid big dividends in 2 wins in a row. Mainly the move to QB Nykie Lofton and RBs TJ Rockhill and Zyhare Smith has added some punch to the Indian offense. The defense has been solid all year.

Wall (3-0), Freehold Twp (3-0) continue perfect seasons, but both must be careful this week as they face dangerous 1-1 teams in Long Branch (Wall) and Neptune (FT). QB Charlie Sabbagh of FT threw for 244 yards on just 13 completions as they won 42-36. Meanwhile, Wall's RJ Janeczek ran a kickoff and punt back for TDs in the Knights 29-21 win vs Raritan. Wall trailed 14-0 in this one. Wall has shown a perseverance for comebacks this early season.

Point Boro (3-0) continues to lead the B-South with a 34-14 win over winless Donovan Catholic. Lakewood (3-0) is on a collision course with Boro for that title. The 2 will meet on October 14th at Boro. Lakewood's QB Zyheir Jones is the leader of the Lakewood potent offense and a good player. When they meet Boro, perhaps the 2 best QBs in the league will be on display. Junior James Fara of Boro has proven already he's the leader of the Panthers. Although the 2 are unbeaten, be careful of Barnegat (2-1) and Lacey (2-1) in that division. Barnegat has yet to lose in the division, while Lacey lost to Point Boro. Big non divisional games this week are Manasquan (2-1) at Barnegat (2-1). Lacey (2-1) stays in division, at home against Jackson Liberty.

Mater Dei (3-0) continues to roll over opponents. This week it was previously unbeaten Keyport 35-7. The Prep has scored 113 points and given up only 13. Mater Dei and perineal winner Shore (2-1), in 2 weeks, will be a big one.

RBC (2-1) working with QB #3 took care of suddenly (1-3) Ocean. Ocean beat Monmouth Regional in Week Zero, but have now lost 3 in a row. RBC has lost QBs Tom Lang and Steve Lubuscher to injuries, while RB Nick Brusca moved to QB to finish game. Meanwhile, RB Zach Bair ran for 164 yards and a TD in the Casey's 20-7 win over the Big Red.

Congrats to Southern Regional (1-2) who picked up their first win of the season over winless Toms River East 41-0. RB Matt Barnett scored twice in the win. RB Joe Miele is a good one for the Rams. It'll be a bye week for the Rams, but they will join us at Lefty's in Barnegat on the Coaches Corner football show this Thursday at 7-8pm. Come down or listen online to Southern Regional football.

This Friday we'll be at Brick (2-1) as they host Saint John Vianney (3-0). Tune in Friday at 7pm on News Talk Radio WOBM-AM 1160 & 1310 or online at ShoreSportsNetwork.com.