The Jeep Store Football Top 10, 10/10/17
There is only one minor change to the Shore Sports Network Top 10 this week, as last week’s No. 10, Wall, lost to third-ranked Red Bank Catholic in a Class B North game. Replacing the Crimson Knights is another B North team, Middletown North, which improved to 2-2 with a lopsided nonconference victory.
The remaining ranked teams all took care of business to set up a huge Week 6 slate this weekend. Three marquee divisional matchups featuring six undefeated teams will take place this week and division championships in Class A North, Class A Central and Class B North will likely be decided.
It starts on Friday when No. 1 Manalapan hosts No. 5 Howell in a massive A North game. On Saturday at Rutgers University, No. 2 St. John Vianney will tangle with No. 6 Rumson-Fair Haven in a game that will probably decide the A Central championship. Following that game at Rutgers will be No. 3 Red Bank Catholic taking on No. 7 Long Branch in a battle of B North’s last two unbeaten teams.
There is also an interesting B North game between Wall and No. 10 Middletown North, as well as important Class B South games pitting Barnegat vs. Lacey and No. 8 Point Boro vs. Lakewood.
There’s a very good chance the SSN Top 10 looks very different heading into Week 7.
1. Manalapan (5-0). Last week: No. 1
Senior running back Naim Mayfield continued his incredible season with 215 yards rushing and four touchdowns as the Braves remained unbeaten by trouncing Colts Neck, 42-8. Senior quarterback Luke Corcione tossed a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Scott Scherzer and senior fullback Chris Maksimik ran for a touchdown. Next game: Friday vs. No. 5 Howell (5-0).
2. St. John Vianney (5-0). Last week: No. 2
Senior Zyaire Sterling had a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and an interception, and senior Johnny Buchanan ran for 107 yards and a score while making 15 tackles in a 38-3 victory over Holmdel for the Lancers’ 34th straight Shore Conference win. Quarterback Haaziq Daniels had a pair of touchdowns and sophomore Warren Griffith had 89 yards rushing and a touchdown on four carries. Linebacker Josiah Walker had 14 tackles, including three for a loss. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 6 Rumson-Fair Haven (4-0) at Rutgers University.
3. Red Bank Catholic (5-0). Last week: No. 3
Senior running back Zack Bair had another ridiculous game with 232 yards rushing and three touchdowns on just eight carries to lead the way in a 45-19 victory over Wall. Junior quarterback Steve Lubischer threw for 164 yards and touchdowns to Jaden Key and Brandon Lombana, and Lombana also had a 50-yard touchdown run. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 7 Long Branch (4-0) at Rutgers University.
4. Mater Dei Prep (3-0). Last week: No. 4
Senior quarterback George Pearson threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns while also running for a touchdown in a 38-12 victory over Shore for the Seraphs 15th straight win. Senior wide receiver Kyle Devaney caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and Isaiah Noguera ran for 94 yards and a touchdown. Next game: Saturday vs. Asbury Park (2-2).
5. Howell (5-0). Last week: No. 5
Senior Naseim Brantley had an 80-yard punt return touchdown and also caught a touchdown pass in a 42-3 victory over Neptune. Gerard Urso ran for a pair of touchdowns and also had an interception, and quarterback Eddie Morales and running back Braedon Baldwin also had rushing touchdowns. Next game: Friday at No. 1 Manalapan (5-0).
6. Rumson-Fair Haven (4-0). Last week: No. 6
Senior running back Peter Lucas ran for 274 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries and the Bulldogs notched their second straight shutout in a 35-0 victory over Matawan. Senior quarterback Dan Harby threw a touchdown pass to junior tight end Ian O’Connor and junior fullback Alex Maldjian added a rushing touchdown. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 2 St. John Vianney (5-0) at Rutgers University.
7. Long Branch (4-0). Last week: No. 7
Senior Pasa Fields caught five passes for 112 yards and a touchdown and also intercepted a pass on defense as the Green Wave shut out Middletown South, 21-0, to remain unbeaten. Sophomore running back Jermaine Colbert ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns while Kevin Porch had two interceptions on defense and Luke Arnold had eight tackles and an interception. Next game: Saturday vs. No. 3 Red Bank Catholic (5-0) at Rutgers University.
8. Point Boro (5-0). Last week: No. 8
Senior quarterback James Fara ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries and also threw a touchdown pass to Brandon Cipriano in a 41-12 win over Manchester. Senior fullback Tanner Gordon added 87 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries while Cipriano and Nate Chiarello also had rushing touchdowns. Next game: Saturday at Lakewood (1-3).
9. Brick Memorial (4-1). Last week: No. 9
Senior running back Tony Thorpe ran for 171 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and the defense forced three turnovers in a 21-7 win over Central. Senior defensive back Dylan Vill returned a fumble for a touchdown and also had an interception, while junior quarterback Tyler Sindel ran for 85 yards and a touchdown. Next game: Friday vs. Toms River East (2-3).
10. Middletown North (2-2). Last week: not ranked
Junior quarterback Sean Glenn completed 8 of 12 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Lions to a 41-16 victory over New Brunswick. Aidan Campbell caught three passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns and senior running back Connor Welsh had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Next game: Friday vs. Wall (3-2).
Dropped out: Wall (No. 10 last week).
Teams to Watch
Brick (4-1): Sophomore quarterback Anthony Prato tossed three touchdown passes in his first varsity start at quarterback to lead the Dragons to a 28-0 win over Toms River South. Next game: Friday vs. Southern (1-4).
Monmouth (5-1): Eli Rife had an 86-yard punt return for a touchdown and Ricky Voss had a short touchdown run, while the defense allowed seven points or less for the fourth time this season in a 16-6 win over Raritan. Next game: Friday at Red Bank (0-4).
Freehold (2-3): Senior quarterback Ashante Worthy accounted for 236 yards of offense and six touchdowns, while freshman running back Ahmad Dixon ran for 106 yards and scored three total touchdowns in a 56-14 win over Monroe. Next game: Saturday at Colts Neck (0-5).
Freehold Township (5-0): Running back Nic Nasso and quarterback Nick Reardon each had short touchdown runs while the Patriots’ defense recorded its second shutout of the season in a 14-0 win vs. Perth Amboy. Next game: Friday vs. Jackson Liberty (1-4).
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