Jersey Mike’s Football Team of the Week: Colts Neck

Every week this fall, Jersey Mike’s and Shore Sports Network will be selecting a Team of the Week based on its performance over the past weekend.

The Jersey Mike’s Team of the Week for Week 2 is Colts Neck, which used a late 2-point conversion to complete a rally from a 21-point deficit and knock off district rival Freehold, 36-35, to improve to 2-0. Shore Sports Network was at practice Tuesday to present head coach Matt Ahearn with a special game ball and a $500 Jersey Mike’s gift card.

Freehold, which entered Week 2 ranked No. 9 in the SSN Top 10, jolted Colts Neck in the first quarter by scoring touchdowns on each of their first three offensive plays to build a 21-0 lead. The Cougars fought back behind junior quarterback Tommy Fallon, senior running back Joe Barsky, senior wideout/cornerback Matt Scully, junior wide receiver John Runfolo and a mauling offensive line to cut their deficit to 21-13 at halftime. Fallon fired a 34-yard touchdown pass to Runfolo to get Colts Neck on the board and Barsky scored on a 5-yard touchdown run later in the second quarter.

On the first play of the third quarter, Scully intercepted a pass to set Colts Neck up in Freehold territory. On third down, Fallon again connected with Runfolo, this time for a 20-yard touchdown, to pull the Cougars within 21-19. Fallon then slung the 2-point conversion to Scully to tie the score at 21.

Freehold came right back, however, with a touchdown on the next offensive play, to re-take the lead at 28-21. Colts Neck answered with another methodical drive that Barsky polished off with a 4-yard touchdown run to pull the Cougars even once more. Freehold, however. used another big play to pull ahead again, 35-28, with 11:34 left in the game.

Colt’s Neck’s following drive stalled at Freehold’s 37-yard line, but Scully intercepted a pass to give the Cougars the ball right back. From there, Colts Neck’s offense, particularly its power running game with Barsky and Fallon, went back to work and marched down the field before Barsky plowed into the end zone for his third touchdown to cut Freehold’s lead to 35-34 with just over five minutes left in the game. A penalty on Freehold during the extra point attempt moved the ball to the 1-yard line, which prompted Ahearn to send his offense back onto the field to go for the 2-point conversion. Barsky powered through the defense for the conversion to give Colts Neck a 36-35 lead and the Cougars held on from there for the thrilling victory.

Barsky ran for a career-high 202 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries while Fallon threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 80 yards. Runfolo had two catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns and Scully caught five passes for 65 yards in addition to his two interceptions.

After going five straight seasons with a losing record, Colts Neck has now started 2-0 in consecutive seasons. The Cougars will try to remain undefeated when they host Howell on Saturday, Oct. 17.

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Week 1 - Toms River South

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.