Separation in the Shore

The elite teams have begun to separate themselves from the pack.

Red Bank Catholic, Brick, Manalapan, Freehold Boro and St. John Vianney are all undefeated and ready to make serious runs at a division title and a state championship. These teams, although the class of the Shore this week, will not have it easy as they navigate the run to those championships. Let me break it down for you.

RBC (4-0) still has tough games to play against Red Bank (2-1) and Ocean (1-2) on its way to the Class B North title. However, the bottom line for the Caseys is the state tournament, where a possible match-up with St. John Vianney is possible. Both play in Non-Public Group III, where Delbarton and defending champion St. Joseph's-Montvale also loom large.

Brick (4-0) won the most exciting game of the year on Saturday night, as the Green Dragons beat Jackson Memorial 30-24 in overtime. Guts and determination define the Dragons, as they came back four times in an " instant classic game" to defeat the Jaguars. This is " old school" Brick football. Head coach Rob Dahl's crew likes that phrase because most are Brick grads doing the coaching now and instilling the Dragon pride. Brick's road to a possible A South title includes Toms River North ( 3-1) and Toms River South (3-1).

A repeat of a state title in Central Jersey Group IV for Brick includes possible games with Middletown South (3-1), Freehold Boro (4-0) and maybe a rematch with Jackson Memorial (3-1).

Manalapan (4-0) has played like a well-oiled machine this year, but its season is ahead of them. Class A North games against Middletown South and Freehold Boro are still to be played. Throw in a nondivisional game against No. 1 RBC on Oct. 24, and you can see the Braves will be challenged. That elusive state title will not be easy, as they must probably beat an excellent South Brunswick (4-0) team to get to the end in Central Jersey Group V.

Freehold (4-0) is off to its best start since 2008. Josh Dixon has been the man for the Colonials, as he has been unstoppable on the ground. Manalapan and Middletown South still ahead for Freehold Boro in the hunt for an A North title. State-wise, the Colonials play in that very tough Central Jersey Group IV.

St. John Vianney (4-0) is the surprise team in this very elite group. The addition of head coach Mark Ciccotelli is the big reason why the Lancers are where they are. However, they do have players. Manasquan (3-1) looks like the toughest game left on the way to the a A Central title for SJV. State-wise, Non-Public Group III has RBC, Delbarton, and St. Joe's-Montvale in the same bracket. Ouch.

Should be an exciting second half to the season. The above schools have gotten off to great starts, but there are others to watch. Remember, state brackets are figured on the team's first eight games on their schedule. In these eight games, you are allowed to drop one to get to your best seven games. The numbers are figured out and an eight-team bracket is determined. More on that next week. Let's look at some one-loss teams still in the hunt.

Jackson (3-1) is tough, fast, and hungry. One loss will only motivate them for a possible second shot at Brick. Co- or tri-champs are possible in A South.

Rumson (2-1), Middletown South (3-1), Brick Memorial (3-1), Toms River South (3-1), Toms River North (3-1), Barnegat (3-1), Shore (3-1), Point Beach (3-1), Long Branch (3-1), Point Boro (3-1), and Lakewood (3-1) all look to make some noise in their divisions.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month on the football field. With many displays of pink on the field, a special shoutout goes to the Brick Memorial student section for their "pink out" display at the home football game between the Mustangs and Toms River East.The 'Stangs won 27-7 to move to 3-1 on the year.

Thursday night the Investors Bank HS Football Show is at the Water Street Grille from 6-8:30pm, as we talk football with area coaches and players on NewsTalk Radio WOBM 1160 and 1310 AM or ShoreSportsNetwork.com where you can watch a live video stream of the program.