Closing The Books On A Record Breaking Season

The season finale of the Gateway Toyota Coaches Corner was the perfect time for the Shore Sports Network to reveal and honor our major award winners from the recently-completed football season.  While Long Branch was the only Shore Conference team to win a state sectional title the season was filled with individual and team performances worth saluting.

Nothing could top the numbers compiled by Freehold senior Ashante Worthy who is the first-ever Shore Sports Network Most Valuable Player.  Worthy set state records for rushing (2,860), combined yards rushing/passing (4,966) and combined touchdowns (66) in what was an epic season.

Honored as the SSN Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year were Manalapan running back Naim Mayfield and St. John Vianney linebacker Johnny Buchanan.  Mayfield had the greatest season for a running back in Shore history (2,681 yards and 46 touchdowns) while Buchanan was a major reason why the Lancers stretched their Shore Conference winning streak to 38 games.

Matt Cilento, who led Point Boro to an 11-1 season and third straight Class B South title was saluted as Coach of the Year and St. John Vianney was honored as the #1 team in the final Jeep Store Top Ten with coach Derek Sininsky and senior co-captains Buchanan and Josiah Walker accepted on behalf of the Lancers.

The awards were presented as part of a live broadcast from Gateway Toyota on 105.7 The Hawk.  Special thanks to Mulberry Street Italian Food Center in Brick for catering the event.