Top Teams Solidify Their Reputations in Week Two of Shore Conference Football

Week 2 in the books and the top 4 remain the same. Neptune, RBC, Manalapan, and Southern all won and sit at 2-0 on the season. These 4 teams seem to be the class of the young season, with Brick Memorial, Lacey, Rumson and Long Branch on the next level. Notice I left TR North off the list, because the Mariners suffered their first loss, at the hands of Lacey, 37-20. While North lost their first in A-South, they are still a very dangerous team that will win many football games and be in the conference race to the end.

Meanwhile, Lacey displayed tremendous team speed and hit the Mariners with one big play after another. Playing on their home grass field on a perfect football Saturday, the Lions gave Head Coach Lou Vircillo his 250th win of his 36 year career.

It's also very obvious to me that new "O" coordinator Corey Davies, who came over from Howell after he retired there last year, has made a big difference in what the Lions are doing on offense. Mixing the run and pass masterfully, QB Tom Kelly ran the offense to perfection as he used all his weapons. RB Kyle Spatz, receivers Billy Belford, (a star in the making), Christian Tutela, (may be their best athlete) and Brandon Boos all contributed in one way or another.

Even the special teams contributed to the big win. Now the coaches take over and try to keep the Lions grounded and keep them ready to play each week. Always remember, you're not as good as you look when you win and you're not as bad when you lose!

I do think the Mariners were severely hurt by the loss of starting center Nick Silva early in the game. QB Carmen Scalfani had numerous bad snaps as he sat back in the spread formation, after Silva left. Timing was off all afternoon because of snap problems. Silva sustained a serious lower leg injury and was taken to the local hospital by ambulance and it was later learned that the injury was severe and Nick broke both the fibula and tibia.

My best go out to Nick as he recovers. North jumps right back into the fire, as they travel to undefeated Southern. The Rams are the defending champs and sit at 2-0 on the early season, and look to make a statement next Friday night.

That game will be broadcast by the Shore Sports Network at 7 p.m. on 105.7 The Hawk and streamed on the shoresportsnetwork.com. We will also have Head Coach Chuck Donohue live at the Water Street Grill in Toms River, as he joins us on the St. Barnabas Thursday night football show.

Point Beach(2-0) is off and running off an 8-3, 2011 season. What a job HC John Wagner has done at Beach. Can't wait till he visits us on a Thursday night at Water St. Grill.

Long Branch(2-0) continues to play well as they await Dwight Clark's return.

Point Boro(2-0) is being led by converted RB Chris Oliphant at QB.

Shore(1-1) stuns Asbury Park in West Long Branch 37-12. Big win for the Blue Devils.

Jackson Liberty(2-0) for first time in school history.

Mon. Don(1-1) and Barnegat(1-1) nice bounce back wins for Griffs. and

Bengals. Mon. Don. beat Lakewood and Barnegat beat Manchester. By the way,

Lakewood's QB Tyrice Beverette was held out of Lakewood game by HC L. J.

Clark to protect Tyrice's health. Beverette had severe cramps in his legs last week and Clark thought it was best that he not play this week. Pretty classy move by a coach, who put the career of his best athlete ahead of winning a football game. That earns my total respect.

Brick Memorial's Junior Mike Basile scored all 5 of his teams TDs, as the Stangs beat Middletown North 36-21. Basile had runs of 54 and 47 yards for TDs, caught passes of 11 and 18 yards for TDs and had a pick 6 of 33 yards.

Not a bad night, coming off a "player of the game" night last week vs.

Brick. That was Basile's second pick 6 in 2 games.

Middletown South(1-0) was the last team to play a game. They beat Brick in Brick 28-0 on Sat. night.

Marlboro (1-1) wins after 0-10 last year. Congrats to Stangs for breaking that streak.

Congrats to Wall's Nick Gregorio who picks up his first win at Wall. They beat Red Bank in 2OT. The 34-28 victory came on Russell Lorusso's 4 yard run.

Colts Neck is 2-0 , as QB Mike Campbell looks like a star. 3TD passes and

248 yards throwing.

Keansburg (2-0) is off to a good start, coming off a 1-9 season last year.

Holmdel(2-0) off a 1-9 season last year.

All the above teams are off to good starts. Now, let's look at the schools that are in some trouble after 2 games. All are 0-2.

TR East with Lacey and Brick Memorial in the next 2 weeks. Not easy for Raiders.

TR South with Brick, Lacey and Jackson coming up. Would like to win 2 of these upcoming games.

Freehold Boro with Wall coming up. Toss up game for both.

Howell with Middletown South this week. Missing their #1 QB badly.

Manasquan with an 0-2 Raritan team this week. Should get their first win this week.

Red Bank with a bye this week and Rumson next. Trouble.

The above teams are all teams in pre-season that were expected to have successful seasons. 0-3 will put that prediction in dire straights. All need a win and they need it quickly.

Top Ten Week 3:

1- Neptune (2-0) received forfeit win win from Ocean because of virus outbreak. Tough break for "Big Red." Hopefully they are back this week against Matawan. Doesn't help Fliers having to sit 2 weeks.

2- RBC (2-0) Many have the Casey's # 1. I'll keep them here for now.

3- Manalapan(2-0) The Braves may be the best of them all.

4- Southern (2-0) The Rams were so-so in their 19-0 win vs. TR South.

5- Lacey (2-0) The Lions make the big jump with their impressive win vs. North.

6- Brick Memorial (2-0) The Stangs were led by Mr. Mike Basile and his 5 TDs.

7- Matawan (2-0) had to go to OT to beat Freehold Boro.

8- Middletown South (1-0) the last team to play a game this year. Their long wait was worth it. A 28-0 win at Brick.

9- TR North (1-1) must keep them in top ten despite loss to Lacey.

10-Rumson (2-0) off the expected good start.

Just outside looking in: Point Beach(2-0), Long Branch(2-0), Shore(1-1), Jax. Liberty(2-0), Colts Neck(2-0), Point Boro(2-0), Holmdel(2-0).

Thursday at Water St. grill 7-8:30pm on 105.7 FM and shoresportsnetwork.com. the St. Barnabas HS Football show.

Friday. Broadcast of T R North at Southern A South game. 7pm start. Also on