The elite teams in the Shore Conference took care of business in Week Two this past weekend to keep the top four spots in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 unchanged, but, in predictable fashion, at least one division race was turned on its ear with a top-five team tumbling out of the rankings.

Central stunned previously fifth-ranked Barnegat, 21-15, on Friday night behind a big night from sophomore running back Mike Bickford to blow open the Class B South division race and knock the defending division champions out of the Top 10. Middletown South’s 41-0 beat down of previously ranked No. 7 Neptune pushes the Scarlet Fliers out of the rankings, as well, opening up a pair of spots for two new teams to enter.

Jackson Memorial moves into the Shore Sports Network Top 10 after a 27-0 victory over Lacey to improve to 2-0. (Photo by Bob Badders)/.
Jackson Memorial moves into the Shore Sports Network Top 10 after a 27-0 victory over Lacey to improve to 2-0. (Photo by Bob Badders)/.
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Jackson Memorial comes in at No. 8 after an impressive 27-0 win over Lacey to improve to 2-0, while Freehold enters at No. 10 after a 41-21 win over Howell to move to 3-0 for the first time since 2008. Toms River South, St. John Vianney, Middletown South and Long Branch each moved up with the Lancers and Eagles jumping up two spots after wins in Week Two.

After just one meeting of Top 10 teams last week, there are no matchups between ranked teams this week. The most high-profile game looks to be No. 4 Manalapan welcoming state power Sayreville on Saturday night.

 

1. Red Bank Catholic (3-0). Last week: No. 1.

The Caseys topped 40 points for the third straight week to start the season by bludgeoning St. Joseph (Metuchen) 42-10 on Friday night at Count Basie Field. Senior running back Tommy Spernal needed just six carries to run for 171 yards and three touchdowns, and junior quarterback Eddie Hahn threw a touchdown pass and ran for another while also intercepting a pass on defense. Senior linebacker Nick LaGrippo made a team-high 12 tackles and junior linebacker Dylan Murphy had 11 tackles, including one for a loss. RBC welcomes Neptune (1-1, 1-0) to Count Basie Field on Friday night at 7 p.m. as it looks to win its 36th straight game against the Shore Conference.

 

2. Brick (2-0). Last week: No. 2

The Dragons’ offensive show continued in a 41-6 Class A South win over Southern. Sophomore wide receiver Ja’Sir Taylor caught eight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns and also scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the win. Senior quarterback Carmen Sclafani threw for three touchdowns to give him six total touchdowns in two games. Brick has outscored its opponents 83-6 over its first two games. Another A South game is on the schedule this week as the Dragons host Toms River East (0-2, 0-2) on Friday at 7 p.m., when they will look to start 3-0 for the first time since 2003.

 

3. Rumson-Fair Haven (1-0). Last week: No. 3.

After sitting through a Week One bye, the Bulldogs made their season debut with a 31-10 victory over Matawan on Friday night. Senior running back Charlie Volker ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns, but it was sophomore quarterback Mike O’Connor who took the headlines with 110 yards rushing and a 60-yard touchdown on 11 carries in his debut as Rumson’s starting quarterback. Sophomore Mike Murdock had a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown and senior Tim Morales connected on a 32-yard field goal to help the defending NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II champions start 1-0. Rumson takes on another Class A Central foe this week when it hosts Monmouth Regional (1-1, 1-1) on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

4. Manalapan (2-0). Last week: No. 4

Senior defensive end Ben Sieczkowski led a shutdown defensive effort with 10 tackles, which included three for a loss and two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, in a 51-0 victory over Freehold Township that marked the Braves’ 27th straight win over Shore Conference opponents. Senior running back Imamu Mayfield ran for a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, and senior quarterback Dan Anerella was 10-for-16 for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Next up for the Braves is a huge non-conference showdown with perennial power Sayreville (2-0) at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

 

5. Toms River South (2-0). Last week: No. 6

The Indians opened their Class A South schedule with a 42-6 victory over Toms River East. Senior quarterback Tymere Berry and senior running back/defensive back Khaleel Greene stole the show as Berry threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Kosh and a 15-yard score to Greene, while also running for touchdowns of 56 and 6 yards. In addition to the touchdown catch, Greene had three first-half interceptions, including one he returned 82 yards for a touchdown. Through two games, Toms River South has outscored its opponents 82-13. The competition stiffens this week as the Indians welcome rival Toms River North (1-1, 1-1) on Friday at 7 p.m. for the teams’ annual ‘Civil War’ game.

 

6. St. John Vianney (2-0). Last week: No. 8

The Lancers continue to make progress under head coach Mark Ciccotelli and improved to 2-0 for the first time since 1998 following a 42-13 victory over Holmdel to jump two spots in the Top 10. Junior quarterback Anthony Brown threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Haskins and a 29-yard touchdown to Dan Calabro while racking up 255 yards passing, and running backs Calvin Beaty and Aaron Mora each ran for two touchdowns in the victory. The Lancers will try to keep the run going when they host a Central Regional (1-1) team fresh off an upset victory over previously No. 5 Barnegat on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

7. Middletown South (2-1). Last week: No. 9

The Eagles more than made up for a nonconference loss to a standout South Brunswick team in Week One with a 41-0 nondivisional victory over Neptune last Friday for their ninth straight win over the Scarlet Fliers. Junior running back Cole Rogers ran for a career-high 198 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries, Spencer Pereless had a touchdown catch and Matt Mosquera kicked field goals of 27 and 35 yards. Senior linebacker Sergio Gonzalez made eight tackles and senior defensive back Nolan Pereless made two interceptions to lead a defensive effort that limited Neptune to 133 total yards. The Eagles have a bye this week, and return to action next week against Freehold Township.

 

8. Jackson Memorial (2-0). Last week: Unranked

The defending Class A South champion Jaguars dominated the line of scrimmage in a 27-0 win over Lacey to improve to 2-0 and enter the Top 10. Junior running back Vinny Lee ran for a career-high 141 yards and two touchdowns, and sophomore running back Mike Gawlik added 76 yards and a touchdown while also blocking a field goal. Senior quarterback Joe DeMaio threw a 26-yard touchdown to senior Aaron Curet. The Jaguars welcome another A South rival to “The Jungle” on Saturday as they host Southern (1-1, 1-1) at 7 p.m.

 

9. Long Branch (1-1). Last week: No. 10

After falling to top-ranked Red Bank Catholic in Week One, the Green Wave got into the win column with a 31-6 victory over a Carteret team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season. Senior running back Dahmiere Willis ran for 210 yards and two touchdowns to lead the way offensively. Keith Cooper added a touchdown run and Dave Colbert had an interception return for a touchdown, while senior Vinny Mota connected on a 26-yard field goal in the win. Long Branch will host Wall (0-3, 0-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. in a Class B North game.

 

10. Freehold (3-0). Last week: Unranked.

The Colonials enter the Top 10 off a 41-21 victory over Howell that has them at 3-0 for the first time since 2008. It was the Jake Curry show, as the senior quarterback/defensive back ran for a career-high 143 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries, which included an 80-yard touchdown run. He also threw a 40-yard touchdown pass and returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown. Senior Josh Dixon added a 51-yard touchdown run in the victory. The Colonials have a bye this week before resuming their schedule against Raritan (1-0) next Thursday.

 

Dropped out: 

Barnegat (1-1): The Bengals were stunned by Central, 21-15, to knock them out of the Top 10 and send them back to the pack in Class B South. They will try to get back on track when they visit Jackson Liberty (1-1, 1-0) on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Neptune (1-1): The Scarlet Fliers lost for the ninth straight time to Middletown South after Friday night’s 41-0 defeat, which threw some water on their dramatic Week One victory over Ocean. It doesn’t get any easier for Neptune this week as it has to travel to play No. 1 Red Bank Catholic on Friday night at Count Basie Field.

 

Teams to Watch: 

Shore Regional (2-0): The Blue Devils used a tenacious defense to grind out a 10-win over Spotswood to improve to 2-0. Jake Monteiro had a 33-yard field goal and Kyle Masica had a first-half touchdown run in the win. Senior Mitchell Candido had two of the team’s six sacks while senior linebacker James Bedell, Masica and Monteiro each had interceptions. Shore will try to stay ahead in Class B Central when it welcomes Keansburg (1-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Red Bank (2-0): Coming off a 1-9 season, the Bucs are now 2-0 for the first time since 1997 after a 38-6 victory over Colts Neck on Saturday. Junior quarterback Jake Navitsky threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Sadiq Palmer and Teddy Mitchell had a 60-yard interception return in the victory. Trevor Riley ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries to lead a 225-yard outburst on the ground. The Bucs have a bye this week and will take on Neptune (1-1) next Thursday.

Lakewood (2-0): The Piners survived a scare from Pinelands in a 14-7 victory thanks to a late touchdown run by senior quarterback Chapelle Cook and a fumble recovery at their 4-yard line with under four minutes left in the game. They host Manchester at 1 p.m. on Saturday as they look to stay on top in Class B South.

Central (1-1): Sophomore running back Mike Bickford ran for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winning 21-yard score with 1:47 left in the game in a 21-15 upset of then-No. 5 Barnegat. Quarterback Mike Miserendino ran for a 12-yard touchdowns in the win, and Matt Aires sealed the victory with an interception with 1:05 left. The Golden Eagles will try to ride the momentum into a matchup with No. 6 St. John Vianney on Friday at 7 p.m.

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