Week 1 Divisional Football Players of the Week

In addition to the reader-selected Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey Football Player of the Week, we will also be selecting Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for each of the Shore Conference’s seven divisions. We’ll also choose an overall Shore Conference Special Teams Player of the Week to highlight any standout kicking performances or players who got it done in the return game.

Below we’ll focus on the best performances from Week 1.

SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

Dashawn Wilder, Sr., Toms River North

Wilder’s 94-yard kickoff return touchdown with 30 seconds left in regulation trimmed Toms River North’s deficit against Manalapan to one point and allowed the Mariners to eventually stun the Braves, 15-14. Toms River North went for the 2-point conversion and Wilder also hauled in the pass from quarterback Jake Kazanowsky for the go-ahead points.

SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 

AMERICAN DIVISION

Offense 

Trevor Brey, Sr., QB, Middletown South 

Brey completed 7 of 11 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a game-high 85 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in a 37-0 victory over Freehold Township.

Defense

Matt Tardy, Sr., LB/TE, Middletown South

Tardy had seven tackles, three sacks, a safety and a pass breakup, plus a 14-yard touchdown reception, as the Eagles shut out Freehold Township, 37-0.

COLONIAL DIVISION (Besides Overall Player of the Week, Brick’s Rich Tallmadge)

Offense

Matt Krauss, Sr., QB, Freehold 

Krauss had a monster game with 305 yards rushing and two touchdowns plus 169 yards passing and a touchdown to lead the Colonials to a 22-20 win over Middletown North.

Defense

Henry Sullivan, Sr., DL, Rumson-Fair Haven 

Sullivan was a force in the trenches for the Bulldogs in their 43-6 whitewashing of St. John Vianney with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a safety

CONSTITUTION DIVISION 

Offense 

Dylan Richey, Sr., QB, Wall

Richey ran for 81 yards and a touchdown on eight carries and also threw for 69 yards as the Crimson Knights defeated Lakewood, 44-0. 

Defense 

Joe Maffei, Sr., LB, Jackson Memorial

The Jaguars shut out Southern, 14-0, and Maffei played a major role with 11 tackles (9 solo) and one tackle for loss.

FREEDOM DIVISION 

Offense 

Jermaine Corbett, Jr., RB, Long Branch 

Corbett is on fire to start the season after rushing for 220 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in a 41-6 victory over Toms River East. He has 384 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in two games.

Defense 

Kashaun Turner, Sr., DT, Red Bank 

Turner was a one-man wrecking crew in the Bucs’ 21-6 win over Toms River South with 11.5 total tackles, which included 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. The big man also showcased his athleticism by taking a tight end screen pass 79 yards for a touchdown.

LIBERTY DIVISION 

Offense 

Canyon Birch, Sr., RB, Manasquan

Birch ran for 176 yards and four touchdowns on 29 carries in the Warriors’ 42-28 victory over Point Boro. He also had two tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery on defense. 

Defense

John Giacalone, Sr., DL, Colts Neck 

Giacalone made 10 tackles with three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble to help the Cougars edge Monmouth Regional, 8-7, and give head coach Matt Ahearn his first career victory.

PATRIOT DIVISION 

Offense 

Gil Goldsmith, Sr., QB, Shore 

Goldsmith was 4-for-4 passing for 109 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 65 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in Blue Devils' 31-0 win over Pinelands. Goldsmith added an interception on defense. 

Defense 

Brian Ewan, Sr., LB, Barnegat

Ewan made 13 tackles, including two hits for a loss and one sack, and also ran for a 35-yard touchdown in the Bengals' 20-6 win over Jackson Liberty.

NATIONAL DIVISION 

Offense 

Dean Gallo, Sr., RB, Holmdel 

Gallo ran for 101 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries as the Hornets trounced Manchester, 43-6.

Defense 

Matt Twigg, Sr., FS, Keyport

Twigg had an interception and a forced fumble as part of a Keyport defense that shut out Point Beach, 14-0, to give head coach Andy Carlstrom his first win with the Red Raiders.

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