Shore Conference Week 7 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 7.

SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Jaiden Fraser, So., Toms River North 

Fraser found a loose ball at the 2-yard line on a kickoff and scooped it up for a touchdown in the Mariners’ 47-20 win over Toms River East.

Rich Pekmezian, Sr., K, Mater Dei Prep

Pekmezian kicked a 39-yard field goal in Mater Dei’s 37-0 win over Middletown North.

Vin Rea, Jr., K, Manalapan

Rea continued his fantastic season with a 35-yard field goal during Manalapan’s 31-10 win over Freehold Township.

Keaon Torres, Sr., K, Donovan Catholic

Torres connected on a 42-yard field goal, the second-longest kick in the Shore this season, during the Griffins 27-16 loss to Red Bank Catholic.

SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

AMERICAN DIVISION

Offense (Besides overall Player of the Week, RBC’s Anthony Borriello)

Jarrod Pruitt, Sr., RB, Toms River North

Pruitt ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the Mariners’ 47-20 win over Toms River East.

Defense

Kevin Bauman, Sr., DE, Red Bank Catholic

The Notre Dame-bound tight end has been dominant on the defensive side this season, as well, and made several plays at the line of scrimmage to help the Caseys shut down Donovan Catholic’s ground game in a 27-16 win. Bauman also had a 37-yard touchdown catch.

COLONIAL DIVISION

Offense

Sha’Kim Shuler, Jr., QB/DB, Freehold 

Shuler was sensational in Freehold’s 41-34 win over Howell with 173 yards and two touchdowns on 6 of 10 passing, 166 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 22 carries plus seven tackles on defense.

Defense

Naron Alston, Sr., LB, St. John Vianney 

Alston recorded 11 tackles and one sack and returned a fumble 30 yards for a touchdown as the Lancers shut out Southern, 21-0, for their second win over a top-10 opponent.

CONSTITUTION DIVISION

Offense

Jason Caston, Sr., QB, Howell 

The Rebels fell to district rival Freehold, 41-34, but Caston led Howell’s offense with 222 yards passing and three touchdowns.

Defense

Steve Langton, Jr. LB, Southern

The Rams fell to St. John Vianney, 21-0, but the defense allowed just 14 points. Langton led the way with five tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss.

FREEDOM DIVISION

Offense

Devin Porsch, Sr., RB, Toms River South 

Porsch ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries to lead the Indians to a 28-10 victory over Jackson Liberty.

Defense

Marcandrew Gagneron, Sr., RB/FS, Matawan

Gagneron led the Huskies’ defense with 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and also took a screen pass 48 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give Matawan a 10-6 win over Shore.

LIBERTY DIVISION

Offense

Landon Richardson, Sr., RB, Central

Richardson ran for 197 yards and two touchdowns in Central’s 34-21 overtime win over Marlboro.

Defense

Evan Jennings, Sr., Holmdel 

Jennings had a touchdown run and recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned 70 yards for a touchdown, in Holmdel’s 17-14 win over Raritan to retain the Battle of the Border trophy.

Nick Sura, Jr., RB/S, Central 

Sura put the Golden Eagles ahead with a 2-yard touchdown run in overtime and then sealed the victory with a 90-yard interception return for a touchdown as Central outlasted Marlboro, 34-21 in overtime, to keep its playoff hopes alive. Sura also had two catches for 43 yards, including a 23-yard reception that set up his overtime TD run, and finished with nine tackles on defense.

PATRIOT DIVISION

Offense

Chris Carasia, Jr., WR, Ocean 

Carasia had a huge game in Ocean’s 35-0 win over Manchester with five receptions for 126 yards and three touchdowns, including a 56-yard TD catch. He also had touchdowns of 40 and 19 yards.

Defense

Terry Carlstrom, Sr., DB, Shore

Carlstrom had two interceptions in Shore’s 10-6 loss to Matawan.

NATIONAL DIVISION

Offense

Mikal Braithwaite, So., QB, Keansburg

Braithwaite completed 8 of 13 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown and ran for 84 yards on 12 carries in Keansburg’s 14-0 win over Monmouth Regional.

Defense

Matt Van Brunt, Jr., WR/DB, Point Beach 

Van Brunt had two interceptions and four tackles in Point Beach’s 10-7 win over Keyport that pushed the Garnet Gulls’ record to 6-2 in a resurgent season. His first interception set up a touchdown and his second pick came late in the game to clinch the victory.

Follow Shore Sports Network on Twitter @ShoreSportsNet and on Instagram. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.