Shore Conference Week 4 Divisional Football Players of the Week

In addition to the reader-selected Ocean County Sports Medicine 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 4.

SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Michael Thomas III, So., Donovan Catholic

Thomas returned a blocked field goal 80 yards for a touchdown for the No. 3 Griffins' only touchdown in their 14-7 loss to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic.

Michael Calton, Sr., Manalapan

Calton connected on a 35-yard field goal in the Braves' 14-10 loss to No. 6 Rumson-Fair Haven.

Ian Poole-Morgan, Jr., Middletown North

Poole-Morgan kicked a 37-yard field goal and went 2-for-2 on extra points during the Lions' 17-0 victory over Southern.  

Diego Wolf, Sr., Lacey

Wolf went 4-for-4 on extra points and converted a 34-yard field goal as the Lions beat rival Central, 31-18, for their first win of the season.

SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

AMERICAN DIVISION

Offense (Besides Player of the Week voting winner, Middletown South's Jake Czwakiel)

Sabino Portella, Sr., RB, Red Bank Catholic

Portella ran for 189 yards and two touchdowns to help lead No. 1 RBC to a 14-7 win over No. 3 Donovan Catholic.

Defense

Austin Kiernan, So., LB, Rumson-Fair Haven

Kiernan had three sacks, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and seven total tackles in Rumson's 14-10 comeback victory over No. 6 Manalapan that evened the Bulldogs' record at 2-2.

COLONIAL DIVISION

Offense

Micah Ford, Jr., QB, Toms River North

Ford's outstanding season continued in the No. 2 Mariners' 42-7 win over Long Branch where he completed 5 of 9 passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. He also had eight tackles, an interception, and a tackle for loss on defense.

Defense

James Barnao, Jr., LB, Middletown North

Barnao was a defensive force in the Lions' 17-0 shutout victory over Southern and also contributed on the offensive side of the ball. The junior made nine total tackles with an impressive five tackles for loss, ran for 27 yards and a touchdown on five carries, and had a 21-yard reception.

CONSTITUTION DIVISION

Offense

Chris Scully, Jr., RB, Colts Neck

Scully is enjoying a breakout season and turned in his best performance yet on Saturday with a career-high 254 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 31 carries to lead the Cougars to a 14-7 win over Freehold Township.

Defense

Ray DeFrancesco, Jr., LB, Howell

DeFrancesco recorded seven tackles and intercepted a pass which he returned 20 yards for a touchdown to help the Rebels knock off then-No. 7 Marlboro, 28-14.

FREEDOM DIVISION

Offense

Connor Dietz, Jr., QB, Brick Memorial

Dietz had a monster game in Brick Memorial's wild 47-41 overtime win over Neptune in which the Mustangs rallied from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter. He completed 12 of 25 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 165 yards and the game-clinching 25-yard touchdown run in overtime. He also converted 3 of 4 extra points and ran for a 2-point conversion.

Defense

Ben Trench, Sr., DL, Ocean

Trench had two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in the No. 6 Spartans' 39-0 win over Toms River South.

INDEPENDENCE DIVISION

Offense

Julian Jones, Sr., RB, Monmouth Regional

Jones ran for 241 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries as the Falcons picked up a 14-9 victory over Holmdel to even their record at 2-2.

Defense

Aiden Ward, Sr., DE, Point Boro and Colin Obser, So., OLB, Point Boro

Both Ward and Obser recorded eight total tackles and one sack as the No. 4 Panthers blanked then-No. 10 Raritan, 39-0, to remain undefeated.

LIBERTY DIVISION

Offense

Zack Corrado, Sr., RB, Jackson Liberty

Corrado rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries as the Lions defeated Manchester, 18-14.

Defense

Amari Phillips, Sr., LB, Toms River East

Phillips returned an interception for a touchdown and ran for a team-high 66 yards as the Raiders shut out Barnegat, 14-0, to improve to 2-2 and hand the Bengals their first division loss.

PATRIOT DIVISION

Offense

Keyon Tims, Sr., RB/LB, Lakewood

Tims was electric in the Piners' 54-35 win over Keansburg with 214 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 19 carries plus 11 tackles on defense. Lakewood ran for 492 yards and six touchdowns in total to earn its first win of the season.

Defense

Ralee Stephens, Sr., TE/FS, Asbury Park

Stephens intercepted a pass and recorded six tackles, plus caught three passes for 60 yards as the Blue Bishops topped Point Beach, 27-14, for their first win of the season.