Shore Conference Week 5 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 5.
SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Gerry Ferrigno, Jr., Toms River South
Ferrigno had two kickoff return touchdowns against Matawan.
Sean Hurley, So., K, Central
Hurley tied the mark for the Shore Conference’s longest field goal of the season when he connected on a 43-yard kick during the Golden Eagles’ 16-9 win over Holmdel.
Makai Brown-Jones, Jr., Asbury Park
Brown-Jones returned a punt 69 yards for a touchdown against Keyport.
SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
AMERICAN DIVISION
Offense
Andre Johnson, Sr., RB, Manalapan
Johnson ran for 182 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries to lead the Braves to a 34-19 win over Long Branch.
Defense
Jack Kelly, Jr., DL, Rumson-Fair Haven
Kelly was a force along the defensive front for Rumson in its huge 21-16 win over Mater Dei Prep and delivered the go-ahead score when he intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. He totaled 14 tackles with three sacks and eight quarterback pressures to go along with his game-changing pick-6.
COLONIAL DIVISION
Offense
Logan Peters, Jr., QB, Wall
Peters completed 9 of 11 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns in Wall’s 34-7 win over Brick Memorial, connecting with Dale McNally on touchdowns of 65 and 18 yards and with Matt Dollive on a 50-yard score.
Defense (Besides overall Player of the Week, Wall’s Colin Riley)
Brian Zapata, Sr., LB, Jackson Memorial
Zapata recorded 10 tackles with one sack and two tackles for loss as the Jaguars defeated crosstown rival Jackson Liberty, 14-7, to win back the Connor Cup.
CONSTITUTION DIVISION
Offense
Dom Palumbo, Sr., TE/DE, Marlboro
Palumbo was a big-play machine again for the Mustangs in a thrilling 14-12 win over Freehold Township with two receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. He took a screen pass 40 yards for a touchdown and then produced a 96-yard touchdown reception. Palumbo was a difference-maker on defense, as well, with two sacks, four tackles, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
Defense
Colby Saxton, Sr., DT, Southern
Saxton had two sacks and two tackles for loss in the Rams’ 21-14 win over Middletown North that clinched the Constitution Division championship.
FREEDOM DIVISION
Offense
Marcandrew Gagneron, Sr., RB, Matawan
Gagneron had a career day in the Huskies’ wild 49-42 overtime victory over Toms River South with a whopping 318 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 53(!) carries as Matawan rallied from a 42-28 deficit to score the game’s final three touchdowns.
Defense
Frank Lord, Sr., LB, Toms River East
Lord recorded eight tackles, had five quarterback pressures and made a touchdown-saving tackle in the open field late in the game as Toms River East edged Neptune, 14-13, to clinch at least a share of the Freedom Division title.
LIBERTY DIVISION
Offense
Ryan Clark, Sr., QB, Donovan Catholic
Clark ran for 156 yards on 15 carries and threw for 61 yards and two touchdowns when the Griffins’ defeated Manasquan, 42-6, to clinch at least a share of the Liberty Division title and start 6-0 for the first time in program history.
Defense
I-meer Johnson, Jr., LB, Central
Johnson had six tackles with one tackle for a loss and came up with a huge defensive play by returning a fumble 64 yards for a touchdown in the Golden Eagles’ 16-9 win over Holmdel.
PATRIOT DIVISION
Offense
Trebor Pena, Sr., RB/DB, Ocean
Pena did it all and showcased his abilities as one of the Shore Conference’s best all-around playmakers in Ocean’s sensational 42-37 comeback victory over Raritan that clinched at least a share of the Patriot Division title. Pena ran for 237 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, caught four passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns and on defense made 13 tackles with one interception and one fumble recovery. Ocean was down 21-0 in the second quarter and 24-7 at halftime before staging a furious rally.
Defense
Jamie Mazzacco, So., LB, Shore Regional
Mazzacco intercepted two passes, including one returned for a touchdown, and made five tackles with one tackle for loss in the Blue Devils’ 35-7 win over Monmouth Regional.
NATIONAL DIVISION
Offense
Troy Alvarez, Jr., QB, Keyport
Alvarez led the Red Raiders to a scintillating 22-16 victory over Asbury Park by throwing for 116 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns. His 7-yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left gave Keyport the lead after Asbury had taken a 16-14 lead with 2:13 to play. He also had a 10-yard touchdown run and a 73-yard touchdown pass to Zack Connallon.
Defense
Chris Grille, Jr., LB, Manchester
Grille recorded five tackles and forced a fumble, and it was that fumble which he also recovered and returned 52 yards for a touchdown to spark the Hawks’ 20-10 comeback victory over Point Beach.
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.