Shore Conference Week 9 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 9, which included the first round of the NJSIAA public school sectional playoffs and regional crossover games. A premium is placed on performances from playoff games.

SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Jayon Farrar, Jr., Long Branch

Farrar returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown that was a key play during Long Branch’s 33-3 win over Highland in the South, Group 4 quarterfinals.

Jack Friedman, Long Branch

Friedman blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown by teammate Christian Rodriguez, kickstarting Long Branch on its way to a 33-3 win over Highland in the South, Group 4 quarterfinals. 

SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

AMERICAN

Offense (Besides overall winner, Toms River North’s Zach Goodale)

John Volker, Jr., RB, Rumson-Fair Haven

Volker ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns as the defending-champion Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing streak with a 27-6 win over Delsea in the Central, Group 3 state quarterfinals.

Defense

Christian Rodriguez, So., DB, Long Branch 

Rodriguez recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and also intercepted two passes on defense in Long Branch’s 33-3 win over Highland that sent the Green Wave into the South, Group 4 semifinals.

COLONIAL

Offense

Logan Peters, Jr., QB, Wall

Peters ran for three touchdowns and threw for another – all in the first half – when the undefeated and top-seeded Crimson Knights dominated Allentown, 49-7, in the Central, Group 3 state quarterfinals.

Defense

Collin McCarthy, Sr., DE, Jackson Memorial

McCarthy totaled seven tackles with 3.5 sacks, five tackles for loss a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in Jackson’s 20-0 shutout victory over Moorestown in the Central, Group 4 quarterfinals.

CONSTITUTION

Offense

Will Devane, Sr., WR, Southern

The Rams fell to Vineland, 24-21, in the South, Group 5 quarterfinals but Devane had a great game to complete his one and only season of high school football with three catches for 86 yards and a touchdown and three carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Defense

Eddie Farrell, Sr., LB, Middletown North

Middletown North lost to Toms River East, 17-7, in the Central, Group 4 quarterfinals but Farrell was outstanding with 10 tackles one sack and three tackles for loss to continue his great senior season.

FREEDOM

Offense

Mike Goodall, Sr., QB, Toms River East

Goodall paced the Raiders’ offense with 117 yards rushing on 19 carries to help Toms River East defeat Middletown North, 17-7, in the Central, Group 4 quarterfinals for the program’s first playoff win since 2009.

Defense

Alex Smith, Sr., DB, Toms River East

Smith’s interception early in the second half halted a Middletown North drive and led to a Toms River East touchdown as the Raiders defeated the Lions, 17-7, in the Central, Group 4 quarterfinals for their first playoff win in 10 years.

LIBERTY

Offense

Tynan Jensen, Jr., RB/LB, Lacey

Jensen ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries and also had an interception on defense to lead the Lions to a 35-15 win over Burlington Township in the Central, Group 3 state quarterfinals.

Defense

Myles Day, Jr., DB, Holmdel

Day had two interceptions and also blocked a field goal in Holmdel’s 22-14 victory over Red Bank in the South, Group 3 quarterfinals.

PATRIOT

Offense

Trebor Pena, Sr., RB/DB, Ocean 

The Spartans suffered a heartbreaking 27-23 loss to Seneca in the South, Group 3 quarterfinals to end their season, but Pena was fantastic to lead the Spartans on both sides of the ball. The Temple University recruit ran for 186 yards and three touchdowns, had a 74-yard kickoff return to set up a touchdown and also intercepted two passes on defense.

Defense

Griffin Jackstadt, Sr., DL, Barnegat

Jackstadt recorded six total tackles with one sack and four tackles for loss as the Bengals topped Middle Township, 13-6, in a Group 2 regional crossover game.

NATIONAL

Offense

Jai’Sun Brown, Fr., QB, Asbury Park

Brown threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns in the Blue Bishops’ 42-20 loss to Woodbury in the South, Group 1 quarterfinals.

Defense

Jake Ferrara, Jr., DB, Keyport

Ferrara made eight tackles and recorded two sacks in Keyport’s 14-7 win over South Hunterdon in a Group 1 regional crossover game.

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.