Football – SSN Divisional Players of the Week
In addition to the reader-selected Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey Football Player of the Week, we will also be selecting Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for each of the Shore Conference’s six divisions. We’ll also choose an overall Shore Conference Special Teams Player of the Week to highlight any standout kicking performances or players that got it done in the return game.
Below we’ll focus on the best performances from Week 1.
SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Devonte Spann, Sr., Matawan
Spann was the lone bright spot for the Huskies in their 69-7 loss to St. John Vianney, returning a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to account for Matawan’s only touchdown. Spann also led Matawan with 12 tackles on defense.
SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CLASS A NORTH
Offense
Ashante Worthy, Sr., QB, Freehold
Worthy was sensational in the Colonials’ opener in going 16 of 25 for 234 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 227 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries, powering No. 7 Freehold to a 46-20 victory over Freehold Township.
Defense
Tommy Pearce, Jr., LB, Manalapan
Pearce made nine tackles (8 solo) to lead the way in the top-ranked Braves’ 44-0 shutout over a Marlboro team that has some dangerous offensive players.
CLASS A CENTRAL
Offense
Peter Lucas, Sr., RB, Rumson-Fair Haven
Lucas stole the show in the Bulldogs’ 56-13 win over Raritan by rushing for a whopping 297 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries, including a fantastic 71-yard touchdown run. Rumson’s offense line was tremendous in paving the way for Rumson to run for an astounding 513 yards.
Defense
Josiah Walker, Sr., LB, St. John Vianney and C.J. Hanson, Jr., DL, St. John Vianney
The Lancers defense was unrelenting in a 69-7 win over Matawan, holding the Huskies to 14 total yards, including minus-4 rushing yards. Matawan’s only touchdown came on a kickoff return. Both Walker and Hanson finished with three tackles and two sacks each to lead the way.
CLASS A SOUTH
Offense
Kavon Chambers, So., RB, Central
In just two games, Chambers has established himself as one of the top running backs in the Shore with a combined 400 yards and six touchdowns. He ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 8-yard touchdown run, to lead the 2-0 Golden Eagles to a 24-23 overtime win over Toms River East.
Defense
Richie Tallmadge, Jr., LB, Brick
Tallmadge made a team-high 12 tackles (9 solo) along with two tackles for a loss and one pass breakup to lead a Dragons defense that allowed just 140 total yards in a 27-7 win over Brick Memorial.
CLASS B NORTH
Offense
T.J. Fosque, Sr., WR, Long Branch
Fosque caught six passes for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the Green Wave’s 28-18 season-opening win over Manasquan.
Defense
Steven Holler, Jr., DL, Middletown North
Holler had three sacks and a blocked punt in the Lions 42-6 win over Neptune.
CLASS B CENTRAL
Sean Gould, Sr., RB, Point Beach
Gould ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, and also kicked a 33-yard field goal in the Garnet Gulls’ 31-24 win over Keyport.
Defense
Jack McCrae, Jr., LB, Shore
McCrae made 10 tackles and recorded a sack in the Blue Devils’ 12-6 overtime victory over defending Central Jersey Group I champion Asbury Park.
CLASS B SOUTH
Offense
James Fara, Sr., QB, Point Boro
Fara ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, and also threw a 56-yard touchdown pass as the defending B South champion Panthers opened their season with a 42-17 win over Pinelands.
Garrett Romer, Jr., LB, Point Boro
The Panthers middle linebacker made a game-high 14 tackles in Point Boro’s 42-17 victory over Pinelands.
Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.