Shore Sports Network Shore 16 Football Rankings for Oct. 17

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After three straight weeks of turbulence in the Shore Sports Network Football Shore 16, things have quieted down a bit heading into the final full week of the regular season.

There are some changes throughout the rankings with teams sliding either up or down, but just one major change occurred with a new team re-entering the top 16. We're at the point of the season where head-to-head results aren't enough in many cases. Take Matawan and Manalapan, for example. Both are solid teams but also under .500. One team has some puzzling losses but also owns wins over two ranked teams. The other has lost to teams ranked ahead of it and beat up on unranked teams. Which team deserves to be ranked?

Elsewhere, Rumson-Fair Haven had its Undertaker moment, rising off the mat to put forth a dominant defensive effort and hand Marlboro its first loss of the season. That result produced some additional shuffling inside the top 10.

Just two undefeated teams remain and both Brick Memorial and Holmdel were rewarded with higher rankings this week.

Week 8 represents the final week of the regular season outside of the highly-anticipated matchup between Red Bank Catholic and Donovan Catholic in Week 9 plus the Thanksgiving games (Wall-Manasquan, Middletown North-Middletown South, Red Bank-Long Branch, Asbury Park-Neptune). Keyport clinched the outright Patriot Division title in Week 7 and five more divisions will be decided this week. The American Division is still up for grabs, but Donovan can clinch at least a share of the championship with some help.

Here is the latest Shore 16.

1. Donovan Catholic (6-1). Last week: No. 1

Senior quarterback Todd Lambertson threw a touchdown pass to senior tight end Zaeir Day and ran for a touchdown, while sophomore running back Najee Calhoun ran for two touchdowns to lead the Griffins to a 41-0 win over Red Bank. Senior running back Roman Moyers and sophomore quarterback Zach LaBarca also had touchdown runs. Moyers also had an interception while seniors Hunter Johnson and Sam Rock III and sophomore Jayden Nascimento had one sack each. The Griffins can clinch at least a share of the division title with a victory and some help from Toms River North. Next game: Friday at No. 8 Middletown South (3-3).

2. Red Bank Catholic (6-1). Last week: No. 2

Junior quarterback Frankie Williams threw for 194 yards and four touchdowns and senior wide receiver Emanuel Ross caught six passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns to power the Caseys to a 34-13 win over Howell. Daniel Zabora also had a touchdown catch and senior defensive back Stephen Myers returned an interception for a touchdown. Senior defensive lineman Lorenzo Portella recorded two sacks. A huge American Division game awaits the Caseys this weekend. Next game: Friday at No. 3 Toms River North (7-1)

3. Toms River North (7-1). Last week: No. 3

Senior quarterback Micah Ford returned after missing three games with an injury and rushed for a touchdown and threw a touchdown when the Mariners rolled to a 49-0 win over No. 15 Toms River South. Ford played 15 snaps in his first action since leaving the Mariners' 21-7 loss to Donovan Catholic on Sept. 15 with a lower-body injury late in the game. Senior running back Josh Moore ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries, seniors Jeremiah Pruitt and Tareq Council had touchdown catches, junior quarterback TJ Valerio tossed a scoring pass, and junior running back Mordecai Ford ran for a touchdown. Senior linebacker Christian Oliveri had 10 tackles, a sack, and three tackles for loss to lead the defense to its second straight shutout and third of the season. One of the biggest games of the season is on tap for Friday night at Gernard Field. Next game: Friday vs. No. 2 Red Bank Catholic (6-1).

4. Brick Memorial (8-0). Last week: No. 5

Senior quarterback Connor Dietz ran for 176 yards and two touchdowns and junior running back Kevin Andrews ran for 137 yards and a score to lead the Mustangs to a 32-13 win over Lacey. Brick Memorial is 8-0 for the first time in program history. Senior Jasaan Whittaker and sophomore Ny'Zier Whittaker also had touchdown runs while Dietz added nine tackles and two tackles for loss on defense. AJ Ehrmentraut made a team-high 11 tackles and Jaxon Figueroa recorded a career-high three sacks. The Mustangs can clinch the outright Independence Division title this week but will have to go through their biggest rival to do so. Next game: Friday vs. Brick (4-4).

5. Holmdel (7-0). Last week: No. 6

Sophomore quarterback Jack Cannon threw for 152 yards and a touchdown and ran for 121 yards and a touchdown and junior Cipriano Bodnar had eight tackles and 1.5 sacks as the Hornets blanked Raritan, 35-0, to record their fifth straight shutout. Anthony Setteducate ran for 115 yards and a touchdown, Matt Iulo ran for two scores, and Matt Tempone hauled in a 40-yard touchdown reception. Holmdel can clinch the Constitution Division title with a win this weekend. Next game: Friday vs. Shore (5-2).

6. Point Boro (6-1). Last week: No. 7

Senior quarterback Matt Oliphant ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 101 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers scored 28 unanswered points to roll to a 42-7 win over then-No. 16 Matawan. Senior slot back Brian Simoes ran for 50 yards and a touchdown and caught a 14-yard touchdown pass and junior slot back Colin Obser had a 45-yard touchdown reception. Dylan Reitmeyer had a team-high nine tackles and Tanner Hynes and Matt Michallis had one sack each to lead the defense. A win this weekend clinches at least a tie for the Colonial Division title but a win plus a Colts Neck loss would give Point Boro the outright title. Next game: Friday at Raritan (2-5).

7. Rumson-Fair Haven (3-4). Last week: No. 8

Sophomore running back Kellen Murray ran for 109 yards and a touchdown and junior defensive back Jacob Tobias recorded four tackles for loss when the Bulldogs snapped a four-game losing streak with a 24-3 win over previously unbeaten Marlboro. Junior wideout Jordan Angstreich caught four passes for 80 yards and secured a 41-yard touchdown reception from junior quarterback Owen O'Toole, and senior running back Griffin Kolb ran for 73 yards and a touchdown. Junior Carson Memmott added a 21-yard field goal. Next game: Friday at Wall (2-5).

8. Middletown South (3-3). Last week: No. 9

The Eagles had a bye in Week 7 but move up one spot thanks to a flurry of action around them. We're splitting hairs between Middletown South and Marlboro here but the Eagles' comparative result vs. Rumson (24-6 loss) is slightly better than Marlboro's. Next game: Friday vs. No. 1 Donovan Catholic (6-1).

9. Marlboro (6-1). Last week: No. 4

The Mustangs drop five spots after a 24-3 loss to Rumson-Fair Haven. Senior Luke Rubin kicked a 20-yard field goal to provide the Mustangs' only points while seniors Matt Cassidy and Mike Conzolazio had strong games on defense. Sophomore Zach Caporale had an interception, as well. Marlboro can clinch the outright Freedom Division title this weekend. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 13 Middletown North (4-3).

10. Jackson Memorial (6-1). Last week: No. 10

Sophomore running back Jonah Glenn ran for 242 yards and four touchdowns and senior nose tackle Zach Elfashny had seven tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss as the Jaguars rebounded from a loss to defeat district rival Jackson Liberty, 34-3. Eric Zebrowski caught a touchdown pass from Dennis Caswell while seniors Albert D'Alessandro and Jaiden Hernandez had interceptions on defense. Next game: Friday vs. Southern (3-5).

11. Colts Neck (4-3). Last week: No. 11

Senior running back Chris Scully ran for 210 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Dom Beninato threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a touchdown to lead the Cougars to a 41-27 win over St. John Vianney. Senior Ethan Mathieu had a touchdown catch and returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown while junior Jack Lefkowitz also caught a touchdown. Colts Neck can guarantee itself at least a share of the Colonial Division title with a win this weekend and also has a shot at the outright division championship if Raritan can shock Point Boro. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 12 Long Branch (4-3).

12. Long Branch (4-3). Last week: No. 13

Senior running back Da'Von Craft ran for 190 yards and two touchdowns and senior Earnest Reevey had a touchdown run and a touchdown catch in Long Branch's 31-2 win over Southern. Quentin Fisher tossed a 28-yard scoring pass to Reevey and Wesley Garcia kicked a 32-yard field goal. Aulander Daniels intercepted a pass on defense while Justin Sunnerville had a sack and Ryan Bennett recovered a fumble. The Green Wave are out of the mix for the Colonial Division title but can still spoil Colts Neck's bid while improving their playoff standings this weekend. Next game: Saturday at No. 11 Colts Neck (4-3).

13. Middletown North (4-3). Last week: No. 14

Senior quarterback Luke Sheehan threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns and senior Ian Poole-Morgan kicked a 40-yard field goal to send the Lions to a 17-10 win over Brick. Dylan Briggs and Brian Dunleavy had touchdown receptions. Middletown North will put its two-game winning streak on the line against one of the Shore's top defenses this weekend. Next game: Saturday at No. 9 Marlboro (6-1).

14. Freehold Township (5-3). Last week: No. 15

Junior quarterback Nick Cardone threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns and senior running back Nick Whisten ran for 69 yards and a score in a 25-7 win over Ocean. Junior wideout Jaylen Gill-Anderson caught four passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns and senior receiver Nick Carnevale had a touchdown reception. Whisten also had seven tackles and two tackles for loss on defense. Next game: Friday at Barnegat (1-7).

15. Toms River South (5-2). Last week: No. 12

The Indians had their five-game winning streak snapped in a 49-0 loss to No. 3 Toms River North. They'll look to turn the page this weekend with an upcoming game that can clinch the Liberty Division title. Next game: Friday vs. Central (3-5).

16. Manalapan (3-4). Last week: not ranked

The Braves are back in the rankings at No. 16 off their bye week. After Matawan's 42-7 loss to Point Boro we examined the No. 16 spot and Manalapan has the best body of work despite losses to sub-.500 teams Raritan and Howell. Manalapan's ranked victories over No. 6 Point Boro and No. 12 Long Branch are enough to put them over the rest of the bubble teams. Next game: Friday at Red Bank (1-5).