Shore Sports Network Football Players of the Week, 11/4/14

Shore Conference Overall Players of the Week

Offense

Carmen Sclafani, Sr., QB, Brick

Playing against his former team, Sclafani ran for 250 yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries in an emotional 30-13 victory over Toms River North that clinched at least a share of the Class A South division title. Sclafani scored on a 21-yard run and three short runs that were set up by his own long runs. He ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to help Brick erase a 13-10 halftime deficit. For the season, Sclafani has 1,096 yards passing and 15 touchdowns and 1,096 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns for the No. 5 Dragons.

Defense

Neptune’s entire unit

The Scarlet Fliers shut out No. 10 Long Branch, which entered the game ranked fourth, 27-0, with an amazing all-around defensive performance. The Fliers completely shut down Long Branch’s running game led by 1,800-yard rusher Dahmiere Willis, which seemed like an improbable task heading into the week. Willis, the Shore Conference’s leading rusher, entered having ran for over 200 yards in his last six games, but was held to just 17 yards. Willis was also hit for a loss or no gain on nine of his 16 carries. Neptune held Long Branch to just 58 yards of offense in recording its second straight shutout, which seems to have locked up a playoff berth for the Fliers. Senior defensive lineman Andrew Holland-Samuels had a huge game creating penetration up front, while seniors O’Shane Curate and Royal Moore each had a pair of tackles for a loss. Senior Cameron Calderon intercepted two passes, including one he returned 88 yards for a touchdown.

Special Teams

Dan Debner, Sr, KR, Manalapan

A major weapon on the Braves’ elite special teams unit, Debner gave Manalapan a spark when he returned the opening kickoff of the second half for an 86-yard touchdown in a 42-3 win over Freehold that clinched the Braves’ fifth straight Class A North division title.

Divisional Players of the Week

Class A North

Offense

Jarvis Leaks, Sr., RB, Howell

Leaks exploded for a career-high 281 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 23 carries to lead the Rebels to a 39-20 victory over Marlboro.

Also deserving mention: Imamu Mayfield, Sr., RB, Manalapan; Josh Dixon, Sr., RB, Freehold, Chad Freshnock, Jr., RB, Middletown North; Jordan Pitts, Sr., WR, Middletown North.

Defense

Lee Maksimik, Jr., LB, Manalapan

Maksimik made a career-high 14 tackles to help shut down Freehold’s rushing attack in a 42-3 victory that clinched the Class A North title for the fifth year in a row. Maksimik and the Braves’ defense held Freehold to just 38 yards and one first down in the second half.

Class A Central

Offense

(tie) Aaron Mora, Sr., RB, St. John Vianney/Mike O’Connor, So., QB, Rumson-Fair Haven

Mora ran for a career-high 212 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries as part of a 518-yard team rushing effort by the Lancers in their 55-14 victory over Monmouth Regional.

O’Connor accounted for 224 total yards and four touchdowns in a 27-7 victory over Raritan. O’Connor ran for touchdowns of 90 and 16 yards, and threw touchdown passes of 26 and 27 yards to Murray McHeffey.

Defense

Isiah Phillip, Jr., LB, Matawan/Dejohn Rogers, Jr., CB, Matawan

The Huskies did not score an offensive touchdown, but were still able to defeat Manasquan 23-6 thanks to a shutdown defense that also found the end zone. Phillip had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown and Rogers returned a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown to lead Matawan back to .500 (4-4).

Also deserving mention: Dan Calabro, Sr., DB, St. John Vianney.

Class A South

Offense

Mike Gawlik, So., RB, Jackson Memorial

Gawlik ran for 137 yards and a career-high four touchdowns - all in the first half - during the Jaguars’ 41-14 victory over Toms River East.

Also deserving mention: Ryan Winkler, Sr., RB, Southern; Pat Walker, Jr., RB, Southern.

Defense

Mike Nobile, Jr., DT, Brick Memorial

Nobile made 12 tackles, six of which were solo, along with a sack and a tackle for loss in the Mustangs’ 15-6 victory over Toms River South that bolstered their chance at a top-four seed in South Jersey Group V.

Class B North

Offense

Eddie Hahn, Jr., QB, Red Bank Catholic

Hahn was 8-of-11 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns while also carrying seven times for 75 yards and two touchdowns in a 46-13 victory over Ocean. Additionally, he had a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown on defense as the Caseys won their 40th straight conference game and secured their fifth consecutive division title.

Also deserving mention: Matt Cluley, Jr., QB, Wall; Jack Navitsky, Jr., QB, Red Bank;

Defense

Sadiq Palmer, Jr., DB, Red Bank

Palmer returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown and also caught a pair of touchdown passes in the Bucs’ 52-28 win over Holmdel that snapped a four-game losing streak.

Class B Central

Offense

Eddie Lewis, So., WR, Mater Dei Prep

Lewis caught three passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns for his second straight 100-yard game, and also returned a punt for a touchdown in the Seraphs’ 50-14 victory over Highland Park.

Defense

James Bedell, Sr., LB, Shore/Doug Goldsmith, Jr., LB, Shore

Bedell finished with a team-high 14 tackles while Goldsmith made 12 stops to lead a Blue Devils defense that held Point Beach to 133 total yards in a 17-0 victory. Goldsmith also ran for 145 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries.

Class B South

Offense

Cinjun Erskine, Sr., QB, Barnegat

Erskine ran for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught a touchdown pass on a trick play in the third quarter to lead the Bengals to a crucial 24-22 victory over Lakewood that put the Bengals one win away from clinching at least a tie for their second straight division title.

Defense

Mike Bickford, So., LB, Central

The Golden Eagles’ sophomore sensation had a huge all-around day in a 48-28 victory over Donovan Catholic. Bickford made 15 tackles, had two pass breakups and a 56-yard interception return for a touchdown. He also ran for 165 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries to continue his stellar season.