Shore Conference Week 2 Divisional Football 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 seven divisions. We’ll also choose Shore Conference Special Teams Players of the Week to highlight any standout kicking performances or players who got it done in the return game.

Below we’ll focus on the best performances from Week 2.

SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Matt Scott, Sr., Barnegat 

Scott set a program record for the longest punt return touchdown on Barnegat history when he returned a punt 82 yards for a score to help the Bengals to a 28-22 win over Shore Regional. Scott also had 24 yards rushing on two carries and made six tackles on defense.

Matt Spencer, Sr., Middletown North

Spencer returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown in the Lions’ 14-10 victory over Marlboro.

Mason Schenk, So., St. John Vianney

Schenk kicked a 37-yard field goal in the Lancers’ 45-21 victory over Brick.

David Hicks IV, Sr., Red Bank

Hicks returned a kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown in Red Bank’s 21-7 win over Manasquan.

SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

AMERICAN DIVISION

Offense

Jake Kazanowsky, Jr., QB, Toms River North

Kazanowsky was both efficient and explosive for the Mariners in a wild 42-40 victory over Manalapan by completing 8 of 11 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns. He threw scoring passes of 40, 33, 68 and 65 yards and also ran for 33 yards.

Defense

Ryan Ruane, Jr., FS, Rumson-Fair Haven

Ruane returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown - his second pick-six of the season, during the Bulldogs' 49-20 victory over Long Branch.

COLONIAL DIVISION

Offense

Kavon Chambers, Sr., RB, St. John Vianney 

Chambers ran for 180 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries as the Lancers earned a 45-21 victory over Brick.

Defense

Jayden Bellamy, So., WR/DB, St. John Vianney

Bellamy made five solo tackles and intercepted two passes, one of which he returned for a touchdown, in the Lancers’ 45-21 victory over Brick. Bellamy also caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown.

CONSTITUTION DIVISION

Offense (Besides Overall Player of the Week, Southern’s Jaiden Brown)

Anthony Albanese, Sr., QB, Brick Memorial 

Albanese completed 18 of 28 passes for 219 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 88 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the Mustangs’ thrilling 29-22 win over Freehold Township. His touchdown pass to Mekhi Irving with under a minute left in regulation proved to be the winning touchdowns. 

Defense

Eddie Farrell, Sr., LB, Middletown North

Farrell made 16 tackles, 10 of which were solo stops, with three tackles for loss to help the Lions to a 14-10 win over Marlboro.

FREEDOM DIVISION

Offense

Jalin Butler, So., QB, Neptune

Butler did a little bit of everything for the Scarlet Fliers in a 50-20 win over Neptune by completing 5 of 8 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown, rushing for 45 yards and a touchdown, throwing a 2-point conversion pass, rushing for a two-point conversion and making eight tackles on defense.

Defense

Yusuf Ahmed, Jr., LB/RB, Toms River East 

In a 28-0 win over Jackson Liberty, Ahmed made nine tackles with two tackles for loss and one forced fumble. He also made a touchdown-saving tackle to help preserve the shutout. Ahmed added 53 yards rushing on six carries.

LIBERTY DIVISION

Offense

Noah Brunatti, So., QB, Lacey 

Brunatti completed 10 of 15 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions beat rival Central Regional, 34-21, to improve to 3-0. 

Defense

Nico Ippolito, So., NG, Donovan Catholic 

Ippolito made 10 tackles and recovered a fumble as the Griffins recorded their third straight shutout to start the season in a 31-0 victory over Holmdel.

PATRIOT DIVISION

Offense (tie)

Trebor Pena, Sr., RB, Ocean

Pena needed just nine carries to rush for 163 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Spartans to a 41-6 victory over Monmouth Regional. He scored on runs of 23, 3 and 52 yards. 

Shane McLaughlin, Jr., RB, Shore Regional

McLaughlin had a tremendous performance in a loss to Barnegat by rushing for 130 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, rushing for a 2-point conversion and catching six passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Defense

Jaylen Smith, Sr., CB/WR, Raritan 

Smith made six tackles, intercepted a pass and locked down Point Boro’s No. 1 receiver in a 35-14 win for the Rockets. He also had two receptions for 75 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown catch.

NATIONAL DIVISION

Offense

Mikal Braithwaite, So., QB, Keansburg 

Braithwaite ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 50 yards and a touchdown to lead the Titans to a 34-21 win over rival Keyport that brought the Bayshore Bell back to Keansburg.

Defense

Matt Van Brunt, Jr., DB, Point Beach

Van Brunt made six tackles and intercepted a pass and also had a 24-yard touchdown reception during the Garnet Gulls’ 10-0 shutout of Pinelands that improved their record to 3-0.

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