The Jeep Store Football Top 10, 10/24/17
A new No. 10 and a change to the top five highlight The Jeep Store Shore Conference Football Top 10 ahead of Week 8.
Last Friday’s “Catholic Clash” between St. John Vianney and Red Bank Catholic saw the Lancers take down the host Caseys, 35-17, for their 36th straight win against Shore Conference teams. The ripple effect has the Caseys falling a couple spots and Rumson-Fair Haven moving into the top three. The Bulldogs also lost to St. John Vianney, but that was a 31-28 overtime classic.
The Bulldogs flip spots with RBC and jump Mater Dei in the process. The Seraphs hold strong at No. 4 after shutting out Lincoln for their 17th straight win, but they have not been as dominant as last season, and that’s why Rumson has been moved ahead of them.
Manasquan took down last week’ No. 10, Middletown North, with an impressive defensive effort in a crucial Class B North game. Moving back in is Monmouth Regional, was ranked early in the season. The Falcons had a bye last week, but are 6-1 with their only loss coming to No. 8 Point Boro.
Monmouth will head to Rumson on Friday night for Week 8’s only matchup of ranked teams. Another intriguing game is Long Branch at Middletown North, which is a game the Lions really need to improve their playoff hopes. Week 8 is a big week for nonconference games, as well, with eight on Friday night and four more on Saturday. Manalapan vs. Piscataway, Brick Memorial vs. South Brunswick and Mater Dei vs. Delbarton highlight the crossover games.
1. Manalapan (7-0). Last week: No. 1
Senior running back Naim Mayfield continued his incredible season with a career-high 313 yards rushing and five touchdowns on just nine carries in a 56-20 win over Neptune. Senior quarterback Luke Corcione threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to tight end Alex Claro, senior wide receiver Symir Blacknall ran for a touchdown and sophomore quarterback Sean Kehley tossed his first career touchdown pass. Next game: Friday vs. Piscataway (5-1).
2. St. John Vianney (7-0). Last week: No. 2
Senior running back/linebacker Johnny Buchanan ran for 242 yards and two touchdowns, made 14 tackles and intercepted a pass to lead the Lancers to a 35-17 win over Red Bank Catholic in a marquee matchup. Senior Zyaire Sterling ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns and senior quarterback Haaziq Daniels ran for a 17-yard touchdown. Senior defensive end Nick Densieski was a terror off the edge with three sacks. Next game: Friday vs. Middletown South (3-3).
3. Rumson-Fair Haven (5-1). Last week: No. 5
Senior running back Peter Lucas ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns and junior fullback Alex Maldjian ran for 71 yards and a touchdown to lead the way in a 42-7 win over Red Bank in the Battle of Ridge Road. Senior quarterback Dan Harby added a touchdown run. Next game: Friday vs. No. 10 Monmouth (6-1).
4. Mater Dei Prep (5-0). Last week: No. 4
The Seraphs defeated Lincoln, 35-0, for their second shutout of the season and 17th consecutive victory. Next game: Saturday vs. Delbarton (1-6).
5. Red Bank Catholic (6-1). Last week: No. 3
Junior quarterback Steve Lubischer threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns and junior Ryan O’Hara kicked a 33-field goal in a 35-17 loss to St. John Vianney. Sophomore tight end Kevin Bauman caught a pair of 4-yard touchdown passes and finished with 43 yards on five receptions. Senior wideout Brandon Lombana had a game-high seven receptions for 118 yards. Next game: Friday at Red Bank (0-6).
6. Howell (6-1). Last week: No. 6
Senior quarterback Eddie Morales III threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 13-of-15 passing and also ran for a touchdown in a 37-10 over previously-undefeated Freehold Township. Senior wide receiver Naseim Brantley caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, senior Ryan Mazik had a touchdown catch and senior Nick Chambers ran for two touchdowns. Matt Mazauskas and Wendall Wright led the defensive with two sacks each. Next game: Friday at New Brunswick (1-6).
7. Long Branch (5-1). Last week: No. 7
Fullback La’Qym Morris had two touchdown runs, Juwan Wilkins threw a touchdown pass to Billy Levy and Jermaine Corbett ran for a touchdown to lead the Green Wave to a 30-14 victory over Ocean. Next game: Friday at Middletown North (3-3).
8. Point Boro (7-0). Last week: No. 8
Senior quarterback James Fara completed 7 of 9 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown and ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns as the Panthers defeated Jackson Liberty, 48-7, to clinch at least a share of the Class B South division title. Senior fullback Tanner Gordon had two rushing touchdowns and a touchdown catch and linebacker Garrett Romer had a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown. Next game: Friday at Ocean (1-6).
9. Brick Memorial (6-1). Last week: No. 9
Junior quarterback Tyler Sindel went 4-for-5 for 137 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns to power the Mustangs to a 55-28 win over Southern for their sixth win in a row. Senior running back Tony Thorpe ran for 143 yards and a touchdown to become Brick Memorial’s all-time leading scorer with 246 career points. Senior running back Blaine Netterman had a touchdown run and a touchdown catch, and Ja Billingsly returned a blocked punt 20 yards for a touchdown. Next game: Friday vs. South Brunswick (5-1).
10. Monmouth (6-1). Last week: not ranked
The Falcons were on a bye last week, but return to the rankings thanks to a 6-1 record with their only loss coming to No. 8 Point Boro, 13-3. Monmouth’s last game was a heart-stopping 28-27 overtime win over Red Bank in Week 6. Next game: Friday at No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven (5-1).
Dropped out: Middletown North (last week: No. 10).
Teams to watch:
Freehold (4-3): Senior quarterback Ashante Worthy accounted for 472 total yards and seven touchdowns as the Colonials throttled Marlboro, 62-28. Worthy ran for 264 yards and four touchdowns on 24 carries and was a perfect 14-for-14 for 206 yards and three touchdowns. Next game: Saturday vs. Edison (2-4).
Jackson Memorial (5-2): Senior quarterback A.J. Tolmachewich threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns on 8 of 10 passing, Matt D’Amore caught four passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns and Leo Shimonovich ran for 113 yards and a score in a 42-14 win over Toms River East. Sophomore defensive end Colin McCarthy made nine tackles with two for a loss plus two sacks. Next game: Friday at Old Bridge (4-2).
Manasquan (4-2): Senior running back Connor Morgan ran for 185 yards and a touchdown and the Warriors’ defense held Middletown North to 28 yards rushing in a 23-14 win. Senior quarterback Tommy Antonucci tossed a touchdown pass to junior running back Canyon Birch, junior Michael Page had a fumble recovery for a touchdown and junior James Pendergist kicked a 19-yard field goal. Next game: Friday at Matawan (1-6).
Middletown South (3-3): Senior quarterback Ben Kinsella threw for 225 yards and four touchdowns on 12 of 16 passing, and junior linebacker Matt Tardy made 12 tackles, including five for a loss, and recorded two sacks in a 27-0 win over Toms River North. Next game: Friday at No. 2 St. John Vianney (7-0).
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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.
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