Shore Sports Network Week 5 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 5 Shore Conference Divisional Players of the Week
AMERICAN DIVISION
Offense
Najee Calhoun, So., RB, Donovan Catholic
The top-ranked Griffins fell to NJ No. 2 St. Joseph (Montvale), 52-28, but Calhoun had an excellent game with 128 yards rushing and four touchdowns.
Defense
Jesse Burbank, Sr., DB, Middletown South
Burbank returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown at a crucial juncture of the game, giving Middletown South a 20-0 lead en route to a 30-14 victory over Colts Neck in a must-win game.
Jamie Gutridge, Jr., LB, Red Bank Catholic
Gutridge had 13 total tackles with one sack and three tackles for loss in RBC's 21-16 comeback win over Seton Hall Prep.
Special Teams
Emanuel Ross, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
Ross's 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter ignited RBC's comeback from a 16-7 deficit to defeat Seton Hall Prep, 21-16, in a key nonconference game. He had a great all-around game with six catches for 107 yards plus an interception and six tackles on defense.
COLONIAL DIVISION
Offense
Matt Oliphant, Sr., QB, Point Boro
The Panthers racked up 519 yards of offense in a 42-28 win over Rumson-Fair Haven and Oliphant was spectacular by going 7-for-7 for 156 yards and three touchdowns passing and rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown.
Jake Croce, Sr., RB, Point Boro
Croce ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns, scoring on runs of 4 and 65 yards, during Point Boro's 42-28 win over Rumson-Fair Haven in a matchup of Group 2 state title contenders.
Defense
Earnest Reevey, Sr., DB, Long Branch
Reevey's broken hand prevents him from playing quarterback but it hasn't stopped him from making a major impact on defense lately. He was outstanding in the Green Wave's 20-14 win over St. John Vianney with 18 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Special Teams
Brayden Forfar, Sr., K, Point Boro
Forfar executed and recovered a perfect onside kick to start the third quarter during Point Boro's 42-28 win over Rumson-Fair Haven. He also went 6-for-6 on extra points and had a clutch touchdown catch that gave the Panthers a 21-14 lead with eight seconds left in the first half.
CONSTITUTION DIVISION
Offense
Alex George, Sr., RB, Shore
George ran for 135 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries and caught one pass for 13 years in the Blue Devils' 35-14 win over Manchester for their fourth straight victory.
Defense
Connor Fields, Sr., LB, Holmdel
Fields returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown and totaled six tackles when the undefeated Hornets blanked Freehold Boro, 31-0, for their third straight shutout.
Special Teams
Connor Mendini, Sr., K, Holmdel
Mendini kicked a field goal and went 4-for-4 on extra points during the Hornets' 31-0 victory over Freehold Boro.
FREEDOM DIVISION
Offense
Jonah Glenn, So., RB, Jackson Memorial
Glenn set another career-high with 274 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 23 carries in the Jaguars' 33-13 win over Brick.
Defense
Matt Cassidy, Sr., LB, Marlboro
Cassidy returned an interception for a touchdown, recorded a sack, forced a fumble, and made six total tackles in the Mustangs' 28-14 win over Freehold Township to improve to 5-0. He also led the offense with 208 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries.
Special Teams
Lucas Conforti, So., K, Lacey
Conforti went 4-for-4 on extra points in the Lions' 28-0 win over Central.
INDEPENDENCE DIVISION
Offense
Connor Dietz, Sr., QB, Brick Memorial
Dietz completed all 11 of his pass attempts for 174 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries to help lead the Mustangs to a 41-0 victory over Manasquan.
Am'ir Martinez, Jr., QB, Matawan
Martinez ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries in the Huskies 47-12 win over Pinelands.
Myquan Rush-Esdaile, Sr., RB, Barnegat
Rush rumbled for 143 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, scoring on runs of 35, 41, and 6 yards when the Bengals defeated Point Beach, 47-0, to earn their first win of the season.
Defense
Trey Tallmadge, So., LB, Brick Memorial
Tallmadge had a team-high six solo tackles, one sack, and a pass breakup for a Brick Memorial defense that allowed just 40 yards and three first downs in a 41-0 win over Manasquan. He also caught three passes for a career-high 79 yards and a touchdown.
Colin Palumbo, Jr., LB, Matawan
Palumbo returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown during Matawan's 47-12 win over Pinelands and also ran for 56 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
Special Teams
Jaylen Williams, Alexander Liss, and Erik Martinez - Matawan
Williams blocked two punts, one of which he returned for a touchdown, while Martinez blocked a punt that Liss returned for a score during the Huskies' 47-12 victory over previously-undefeated Pinelands.
LIBERTY DIVISION
Offense
Anthony DeMarco, Jr., QB, Toms River East
DeMarco completed 7 of 11 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown and ran for 21 yards and two touchdowns on four carries in the Raiders' 41-12 win over Lakewood.
Defense
Jaylen Harris, Sr., DL, Monmouth
The Falcons lost to Red Bank, 19-0, but Harris had a very strong game with five forced fumbles, a sack, and a tackle for loss.
Special Teams
No nominees - check back next week!
PATRIOT DIVISION
Offense
Nazir Treadwell, Sr., QB, Keyport
The Naz Treadwell show continued in the Red Raiders' 39-6 win over Gateway to improve to 5-1. he ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries and completed 8 of 12 passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He now has 967 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns plus 567 yards passing and eight touchdowns this season.
James Valle, Jr., QB, Keansburg
Valle completed 8 of 14 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns as the Titans shook off an early 7-0 deficit to score 27 unanswered points in a 27-7 road victory over Haddon Township.
Defense
Ryan Burns, Sr., DE, Keyport
Burns recorded a team-high nine tackles with one sack and three tackles for loss in Keyport's 39-6 win over Gateway to improve to 5-1.
Special Teams
Kevin Perez, Jr., K, Keansburg
Perez kicked field goals of 27 and 34 yards and went 3-for-3 on extra points to help lead the Titans to a 27-7 win over Haddon Township.
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