Shore Sports Network Football Top 10, 10/9/18

Week 5 was unique compared to past Shore Conference seasons as six division titles were on the line and another paired the top two teams. The rankings held true across the board in the three top-10 matchups from last week and there were no upsets otherwise.

Top-ranked Red Bank Catholic used a big second half to defeat No. 4 Long Branch, 41-14, to win the Freedom Division title. No. 2 Mater Dei Prep cruised to the Patriot Division crown with a 43-0 win over then-No. 10 Barnegat. No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven leaned on its defense to shut out then-No. 7 Brick, 13-0, to clinch the Colonial Division title.

Fifth-ranked Middletown South claimed the American Division title with a 14-13 win over Toms River North, No. 6 Manasquan beat Colts Neck, 41-6, to win the Liberty Division championship and No. 7 Jackson Memorial topped Marlboro, 20-6, to take home the Constitution Division title.

The only division that was not officially decided was the National Division, but Holmdel took a major step toward the title with a 21-11 victory over Donovan Catholic.

There is one new team in this week’s Shore Sports Network Top 10 as Red Bank debuts at No. 10. The 4-1 Bucs are coming off a 35-7 win over Toms River East and their only defeat is to No. 1 RBC.

With every division decided except for the National Division, the final three weeks of the regular season will feature some very interesting nondivisional games. Week 6 will be highlighted by Freehold and Freehold Township meeting for “The Duke”, No. 4 Long Branch and No. 8 Wall squaring off, Manalapan visiting Brick Memorial, Red Bank traveling to Raritan, the Civil War between Toms River North and Toms River South and No. 6 Manasquan battling No. 2 Mater Dei Prep.

Given those matchups, the rankings could look much different this time next week.

1. Red Bank Catholic (6-0). Last week: No. 1

Senior quarterback Steve Lubischer completed 9 of 15 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a 49-yard touchdown to lead the Caseys to a 41-14 win over No. 4 Long Branch that clinched the Freedom Division title. Senior wide receiver M.J. Wright caught five passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns and junior running back Billy Guidetti ran for 67 yards and three touchdowns. This week: The Caseys have a bye in Week 6 and will return to action against No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven on Oct. 19.

2. Mater Dei Prep (6-0). Last week: No. 2 

Junior running back Malik Ingram ran for 185 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries and senior quarterback Rob McCoy completed 6 of 9 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns as the Seraphs clinched the Patriot Division title with a 43-0 win over Barnegat. McCoy had a 77-yard touchdown pass to Clarence Lewis, a 64-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Noguera, a 20-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Alston and also ran for a touchdown. Mater Dei has now won 16 straight games against Shore Conference teams. This week: Saturday vs. No. 6 Manasquan (5-0).

3. Rumson-Fair Haven (5-0). Last week: No. 3 

Junior quarterback Collin Coles threw touchdown passes to Ian O’Connor and Andrew Lawless and senior linebacker Keegan Woods made 12 tackles and recorded one sack to lead the defense in a 13-0 shutout of Brick that clinched the Colonial Division title. Senior running back Alex Maldjian added 113 yards rushing on 24 carries while Ryan Dupree recovered a fumble and blocked a punt, Gordon Forsyth forced a fumble and recorded a sack, safety Ryan Ruane had an interception and Von Factor also recorded a sack as Rumson held Brick to 91 yards of total offense. This week: Saturday at Lakewood (0-5).

4. Long Branch (4-1). Last week: No. 4

Senior quarterback Marc Dennis ran for a touchdown and threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Jayon Farrar, but the Green Wave were overtaken by Red Bank Catholic in the second half in a 41-14 defeat. Senior wide receiver Matt Clarke caught five passes for 118 yards and junior running back Jermaine Corbett ran for 88 yards on 15 carries. This week: Friday at No. 8 Wall (4-1).

5. Middletown South (5-1). Last week: No. 5

Senior quarterback Trevor Brey had a 1-yard touchdown run and a 4-yard touchdown pass to senior Matt Tardy as the Eagles defeated Toms River North, 14-13, to capture the American Division championship. Junior Vinny Condito ran for 84 yards and also blocked a third-quarter extra point try that proved to be the difference. This week: The Eagles have a bye in Week 6 and will return to action against St. John Vianney on Oct. 19.

6. Manasquan (5-0). Last week: No. 6 

Senior running back Canyon Birch ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries and senior fullback Scooby Tuddles ran for 93 yards and a touchdown on seven carries as the Warriors defeated Colts Neck, 41-6, to win the Liberty Division title. Quarterback Ryan O’Leary threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Riley Callahan and senior defensive end Dylan D’Anton recorded 2.5 sacks and two tackles for loss to lead the defense. This week: Saturday at No. 2 Mater Dei Prep (6-0).

7. Jackson Memorial (5-0). Last week: No. 8 

The Jaguars remained undefeated and clinched the Constitution Division championship with a 20-6 win over Marlboro. This week: Friday at Jackson Liberty (1-4).

8. Wall (4-1). Last week: No. 9 

Senior quarterback Dylan Richey completed 10 of 11 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 126 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries to power the Crimson Knights to a 49-21 win over Southern. Logan Peters, Casey Larkin and Mike Galos each had touchdown catches and Larkin also ran for 112 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Larkin added two interceptions on defense, Dale McNally also had an interception and Kamaal Cofer had eight tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss. This week: Friday vs. No. 4 Long Branch (4-1).

9. Brick (3-2). Last week: No. 7

The Dragons defense played well but the offense mustered just 91 yards in a 13-0 loss to No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven. This week: Friday vs. Lacey (4-2).

10. Red Bank (4-1). Last week: not ranked

Senior Nigel Mitchell ran for 123 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries and also caught a touchdown pass as the Bucs beat Toms River East, 35-7. Junior running back Makai Mickens ran for 107 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, quarterback Jack Chamberlain was a perfect 7-for-7 for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Donovan Turner also tossed a touchdown pass. Nick Ferrogine and Jack Niesz also had touchdown receptions. This week: Friday at Raritan (4-1).

Dropped out: Barnegat (No. 10 last week)

Teams to watch 

Holmdel (4-1) 

Raritan (4-1) 

Freehold (3-2)

Freehold Township (3-2)

Manalapan (3-2)

Toms River North (3-2)

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