Shore Conference Football Top 10 for Sept. 27

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Questions about several division races were answered and upsets were on display once again in Week 4. For the second straight week, three new teams will enter The Jeep Shore Shore Sports Network Football Top 10.

Red Bank Catholic solidified its grip on the No. 1 spot with a victory over Donovan Catholic that was far from perfect but got the job done and moved the Caseys to 5-0. The offenses for Toms River North and Point Boro remained unstoppable with both teams remaining undefeated, while Middletown South rebounded from a defeat with a decisive divisional victory. Ocean also remained undefeated with a blowout victory and St. John Vianney earned an emotional victory to extend its winning streak to four games.

Explanations are below for how it all shakes out in the latest Jeep Store Top 10.

1. Red Bank Catholic (5-0). Last week: No. 1

Senior running back Sabino Portella ran for 189 yards and two touchdowns and RBC's defense continued its outstanding play in a 14-7 victory over No. 3 Donovan Catholic. Portella had touchdown runs of 49 and 8 yards and the Caseys' defense held Donovan Catholic to 90 yards of offense. The RBC offense had some opportunities it didn't cash on but its defense was excellent again to close the door on a young and talented Griffins team. RBC's first-team defense has not allowed a touchdown all season, as Donovan's lone touchdown came on a blocked field goal return. RBC is ranked No. 3 in New Jersey and has a big nonconference test this weekend. Next game: Friday vs. NJ No. 10 Seton Hall Prep

2. Toms River North (5-0). Last week: No. 2

No team in New Jersey has scored more points than the 216 Toms River North has put on the board after its 42-7 win over Long Branch. Junior quarterback Micah Ford has been unstoppable and put together another great game with 114 yards passing and two touchdowns, plus 134 yards rushing and a touchdown. Junior running back Josh Moore ran for 74 yards and two touchdowns and juniors Jeremiah Pruitt and Tareq Council had touchdown receptions. Junior linebacker Anthony Rodriguez led the defense with nine tackles that included 2.5 tackles for loss. Toms River North is currently ranked No. 7 in the state. Next game: Friday vs. Toms River South (1-3)

3. Donovan Catholic (3-1). Last week: No. 3

The Griffins suffered their first loss of the season in a 14-7 defeat at the hands of No. 1 Red Bank Catholic. After allowing touchdowns on their first two possessions, Donovan's defense played well and forced two turnovers to keep them in the game long enough for the special teams to come through with a blocked field goal that sophomore Michael Thomas III returned 80 yards for a touchdown. The Griffins' offense struggled to get going against a formidable RBC defense, however, and also lost two fumbles to finish with under 100 yards. Donovan's defense has allowed just 27 points this season and if its young and talented offense continues to grow, this will be a dangerous team the rest of the way. The Griffins moved into the state top 20 at No. 19 ahead of another major rest against a state top-five team. Next game: Friday vs. NJ No. 5 St. Joseph (Montvale) at MetLife Stadium.

4. Point Boro (4-0). Last week: No. 4

The Panthers' offense continued to roll in a 39-0 wipeout of Raritan that handed the Rockets their first loss and pushed aside another competitor for the Independence Division title. Junior quarterback Matt Oliphant ran for 178 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries, junior running back Jake Croce had two touchdown runs, and senior running back Tyler Gordon and junior running back Brian Simose each ran for a touchdown. Point Boro's defense has also been excellent and shut down a good Raritan offense for their second shutout of the season. The Panthers have allowed just 23 points in four games. Next game: Friday vs. Toms River East (2-2).

5. Middletown South (3-1). Last week: No. 5

The Eagles bounced back from a Week 3 loss to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic by improving to 3-1 with a 24-6 victory over Wall. Junior quarterback/defensive back/kicker Jake Czwakiel completed 18 of 23 passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 50 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, kicked a 37-yard field goal and three extra points, and made two tackles on defense. Donovan Summey and Owen Richter had touchdown receptions and junior linebacker Colin Gallagher (12 tackles) led the way on defense. The Eagles have a bye this week and will return to action with a huge American Division game in Week 6. Next game: Friday, Oct. 7 vs. No. 6 Rumson-Fair Haven.

6. Ocean (4-0). Last week: No. 8

The Spartans' resurgent season continued in Week 4 with a 39-0 victory over Toms River South. Senior quarterback Tyler Douglas accounted for 180 yards of offense and three touchdowns and Ocean's defense picked up its first shutout of the season. The Spartans are averaging 39.8 points per game with a dynamic offense led by Douglas, who is verbally committed to Temple University. An interesting nondivisional game is on the schedule this weekend. Next game: Friday at Raritan (3-1).

7. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-2). Last week: not ranked

The Bulldogs are back in their usual spot in the Top 10 after a late touchdown run by junior running back Alastair Orr gave Rumson a 14-10 win over previously-ranked Manalapan. It was a back-and-forth game the entire way until the Bulldogs made some key plays down the stretch to overcome adversity (three turnovers) and pull out the victory; a great sign for a team with multiple first-year starters. Senior wide receiver Scott Venancio also had a touchdown run when he made a clutch play to recover a fumbled snap and scoot into the end zone. Rumson's defense was great in holding Manalapan to 10 points, forcing three turnovers, and registering 16 negative plays (six sacks, 10 tackles for loss). Sophomore linebacker Austin Kiernan had a standout performance with three sacks and one tackle for loss while Julien Devlin had two sacks and one TFL and Marshall Halfacre had a sack and a TFL. Ryan Kalman had an interception and Reid Elsas and Cooper Bunnell recovered fumbles. Next game: Friday vs. Southern (2-2).

8. St. John Vianney (4-1). Last week: No. 9

Senior running back Jack Farrah ran for 124 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries and the defense posted a shutout as the Lancers rallied around injured teammate Aaron Van Trease for a 32-0 victory over Manasquan. Senior Kyle Verriest ran for 52 yards and a touchdown, Michael Foley had a touchdown run, and Luca Minaro ran for 88 yards. St. John Vianney held Manasquan (0-3), which was without standout quarterback Brett Patten for the second straight game, to 140 yards of offense. The victory enabled the Lancers to keep pace with No. 4 Point Boro atop the Independence Division standings. SJV's lone loss is to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic in Week 0. Next game: Saturday at Marlboro (3-1).

9. Colts Neck (3-1). Last week: not ranked

Junior running back Chris Scully ran for a career-high 254 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries to propel the Cougars to a 14-7 victory over district rival Freehold Township. Scully has been excellent this season with 743 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on an average of six yards per carry. Colts Neck's defense grounded Freehold Township's Air Raid offense to the tune of 125 total yards while producing six sacks. Junior defensive end Eric Loueiro had three sacks and eight tackles and senior linebacker Will Surdez made nine tackles with three tackles for loss. Since a 28-21 loss to No. 8 St. John Vianney in Week 1, Colts Neck has won three straight games to move into sole possession of first place in the Constitution Division. Next game: Friday at Lacey (1-3).

10. Middletown North (3-1). Last week: not ranked

After much deliberation, Middletown North jumps into the Top 10 in the final spot despite having a loss to Manalapan, which was the other team considered for No. 10. Manalapan beat Middletown North, 14-3, in Week 1, but since then the teams have gone in separate directions. Manalapan has lost three in a row, albeit to No. 5 Middletown South, No. 3 Donovan Catholic, and new No. 7 Rumson-Fair Haven, so it's tough to keep a sub.-500 team in the Top 10 five weeks into the season. Middletown North is now 3-1 after a 17-0 shutout win over Southern in which junior running back Neno Morgan-Acker ran for 126 yards and a touchdown and junior running back/linebacker James Barnao ran for a touchdown and recorded five tackles for loss (nine total tackles). The Lions have a bye in Week 5 and will return to action with a pivotal game in Week 6. Next game: Friday, Oct. 7 vs. Long Branch (1-3)