Scanning the Scene with Ed Sarluca: Upsetting Weekend
Three of the top 10 teams suffered losses this past week with #2 Rumson, #3 Long Branch and #10 Middletown South all going down. Rumson(1-1) lost at the hands of Wall (2-0) 13-3 in one of the great defensive efforts you will ever see. Holding the Bulldogs to two first downs in the first half and then completed the upset with a relentless, inspiring brand of two-way players that would not give in to the bigger and stronger “Dogs”. Wall has sent a strong message to all future opponents that you better be ready to play when you step on the field against the Crimson Knights.
Middletown North's Rob Kelly (71), Andrew Kanski (59), Kaden LeTual (58), Matt Spencer (21) and Anthony Soto (5). Photo by Paula Lopez/palimages.com
Photo by Paula Lopez/palimages.com
Long Branch (1-1) was completely outplayed by Middletown North (1-1) who beat the two time defending State champs 20-3. The Lions shut down returning All-Shore RB Jermaine Corbett to secure the upset. RB/WR Anthony Soto looks like the real deal for the Lions.
Middletown South (0-2) the previous #10 team, now have back to back losses to open the 2019 season. St John Vianney (1-0) opened their season with a very convincing 35-7 victory over the Eagles. QB CJ Duell, who sat out the beginning of last season due to the transfer rule, was 15-20 for 174 yards and the Lancers also got 69 yds. from RB Kavon Chambers. With a variety of receivers to choose from the Lancers, led by Duell will make noise in the Colonial Division.
An interesting game this weekend has TR North (2-0) entertaining Manalapan (2-0) on Friday night. This is a big American Division game and the winner will gain some momentum in the division. North has yet to play a league game while Manalapan is 1-0 in league play. This division is by far the strongest in the Shore Conference and one where you will never have a break and 2 or 3 losses may have you in the thick of things come championship time.
The first real test for Donovan Catholic (2-0) will come when they travel to Holmdel (1-0) on Friday night. The Griffs have been untested so far this season with scores of 35-0 and 55-0 in the first 2 games. Holmdel won 26-23 in OT over an always tough Shore Reg team. They will be ready.
TR East (2-0) continues to be a great story as they beat crosstown rival TR South 13-8. East is 2-0 for the first time since 2009 under Charlie Diskin when they won their first 9 games before losing to Egg Harbor in the first round of playoffs. Kyle Sandberg has worked hard in his 4 years to get this program back to respectability. Sandberg, RB/LB Frankie Giannetti, and QB Mike Goodall will be guests on the Asylum Sports Center Coaches Corner from the Office Lounge on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Come on down or listen on 105.7 The Hawk or watch live on Shore Sports Network.com.
Another team off to a 2-0 start is Lacey Twp. HC Lou Vircillo is in his 39th season and has 289 wins in his career. They host Central Reg on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in a game that we will cover on the Shore Sports Network on our Jersey Mike’s Friday night schedule. Also, we will feature Coach Vircillo along with players Mike Kudlacik and Justin Gorski, on Wednesday night on the Asylum Sports Center Coaches Corner from the Office Lounge at 7 p.m.
Mater Dei Prep (2-0) is clearly the #1 team in the Shore having beaten Brick (1-1) and Jackson Memorial (1-1). These are two of the bigger schools in the Shore and the Seraphs put up 40 and 41 pts. breezing to the victories. With teams like Rumson, Wall, Manalapan and St John Vianney still on the schedule, they will get tested down the road.
No Wednesday night jinx for Point Beach as they win again to go 2-0 on the season. Red Bank also sits at 2-0 under new coach David Schuman. Nice to see new coaches like Joe Zaccone at Beach and Schuman at Red Bank win. Keep it going, guys.
How about Matt Ahearn and the Cougars of Colts Neck who are off to a 2-0 start. They beat Free Twp 24-0 in week 1 and Marlboro 14-7 this week. They haven't been 2-0 since 2013 when they finished 10-2.
Friday night on the Jersey Mike’s Game of the Week we travel to Lacey for the second night game in their history as they host rival Central Regional with kickoff at 6:30 p.m. start on shoresportsnetwork.com
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