Shore Sports Network Week 1 Divisional Football Players of the Week
In addition to our conference-wide Player of the Week selections, Shore Sports Network will recognize the offensive, defensive, and special teams Players of the Week in each of the Shore Conference's seven divisions.
Week 1 Shore Conference Divisional Players of the Week
AMERICAN DIVISION
Offense
Colin Gallagher, Sr., RB, Middletown South
Gallagher had an outstanding game on both sides of the ball, including at running back where he rushed for a career-high 241 yards and scored three touchdowns on 19 carries to lead the No. 5 Eagles to a 19-0 win over Raritan. On defense, he had 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
Defense
Jamie Gutridge, Jr., LB, Red Bank Catholic
Gutridge made nine tackles with a sack and two tackles for loss in the No. 2 Caseys' 34-7 victory over No. 11 Colts Neck. He also got into the end zone on a 9-yard touchdown run, finishing with 46 yards on nine carries.
Special Teams
Yianni Papanikolas, Jr., K, Toms River North
Papanikolas went 6-for-6 on extra points in the No. 1 Mariners' 42-0 win over Toms River East.
COLONIAL DIVISION
Offense
Matt Oliphant, Sr., QB, Point Boro
Oliphant ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 54 yards and two touchdowns to help No. 6 Point Boro pull away in the fourth quarter for a 35-7 win over Manasquan.
Defense
John Sherrod, Sr., LB, Colts Neck
Sherrod had a strong game in the No. 11 Cougars' 34-7 loss to No. 2 Red Bank Catholic with eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble.
Special Teams
Jake Horowitz, Sr., K, Manalapan
Horowitz connected on two field goals in the No. 9 Braves' 20-13 overtime loss to No. 7 Jackson Memorial, including a 25-yard field goal with just over a minute left in regulation that tied the game at 13.
CONSTITUTION DIVISION
Offense
Jack Cannon, So., QB, Holmdel
Cannon completed 7 of 9 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown and ran for 93 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries to pilot the Hornets to over 400 yards of offense in a 42-6 win over Toms River South.
Defense
Noah Mammeri, Sr., LB, Manasquan
Manasquan's 35-7 loss to No. 6 Point Boro is deceptive as it was a close game until the Panthers pulled away with 21 points in the fourth quarter. Mammeri had a standout game with 15 total tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble.
Special Teams
Alex George, Sr., Shore
George returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to send Shore on its way to a 48-18 blowout win over KIPP Academy.
Connor Mendini, Sr., K, Holmdel
Mendini went 6-for-6 on extra points in Holmdel's 42-6 season-opening win over Toms River South.
FREEDOM DIVISION
Offense
Jonah Glenn, So., RB, Jackson Memorial
Glenn shined in the No. 7 Jaguras' 20-13 overtime victory over No. 9 Manalapan with 156 yards rushing and a touchdown on 21 carries.
Defense
Armando Sanchez, Sr., DL, Southern
Sanchez made an impact on both sides of the ball in the Rams' 21-0 victory over Central with eight total tackles one sack, and four tackles for loss to spearhead the shutout. He also caught a 65-yard touchdown pass.
Special Teams
Lee Rubin, Sr., K, Marlboro
Rubin connected on a 37-yard field goal during the No. 10 Mustangs' season-opening 16-7 win over St. John Vianney.
INDEPENDENCE DIVISION
Offense
Nick Cardone, Jr., QB, Freehold Township
Cardone completed 15 of 30 passes for 290 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 85 yards on eight carries to lead a Patriots offense that amassed 500 yards of offense in a 28-13 victory over No. 12 Red Bank Regional.
Defense
Trey Tallmadge, So., LB, Brick Memorial
Tallmadge recorded 11 total tackles (6 solo) with one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble as the Mustangs' defense buckled down in the second half during No. 13 Brick Memorial's 21-17 comeback victory over No. 14 Middletown North
Special Teams
Bobby Loff, Sr., Freehold Township
Loff converted all four of his extra-point tries during the Patriots' 28-13 win over No. 12 Red Bank. He also made five tackles on defense.
LIBERTY DIVISION
Offense
Eddie Green, Sr., RB, Neptune
Green erupted for 176 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 19 carries to power the Scarlet Fliers to a 28-6 win over Lakewood.
Defense
Devonte Bonds, Sr., LB, Pinelands
Bonds made 17 tackles (10 solo) with one sack and two tackles for loss in the Wildcats' season-opening 41-13 win over Point Beach.
Special Teams
No nominees, check back next week!
PATRIOT DIVISION
Offense
Josh Love, Sr., RB, Manchester
Love totaled 216 yards from scrimmage in the Hawks' 36-24 win over Barnegat, rushing for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries and catching two passes for 81 yards. He also made five tackles on defense.
Defense
Dante Mortellite, Jr., LB, Manchester
Mortellite recorded a team-high 15 tackles (9 solo) with one tackle for loss to help the Hawks score a 36-24 win over Barnegat.
Special Teams
Mekai Henderson, So., KR, Keyport
Henderson returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown during the Red Raiders' 35-28 loss to Freehold. He also made eight tackles with one sack, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery on defense.
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