Week 4 Shore Conference Football Divisional 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 4. 

SSN SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Colin Taptich, Sr., K, Freehold Township

Taptich kicked a game-winning 22-yard field goal with three seconds left in regulation to lift the Patriots to a stunning 16-14 win over fifth-ranked Toms River North. Taptich accounted for 10 of Freehold Township’s 16 points with three field goals and one extra point. He also kicked a career-long 38-yard field goal and connected on a 24-yard field goal.

SSN DIVISIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK 

AMERICAN DIVISION

Offense

Dale Sieczkowski, Sr., RB, Manalapan 

Sieczkowski ran for 121 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, caught a 16-yard touchdown pass and made eight tackles on defense in the Braves’ 34-0 victory over Howell.

Defense

Sean Fiolek, Sr., LB, Freehold Township 

Fiolek made 14 tackles, including 10 solo stops, to lead a Patriots defense that held Toms River North to just two touchdowns in a 16-14 upset victory. Toms River North entered the game averaging 35 points per game.

COLONIAL DIVISION 

Offense 

Tyler Sindel, Sr., QB, Brick Memorial/Ja Billingsley, Sr., RB, Brick Memorial

Sindel ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries and Billingsley ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries as the Mustangs ran for over 325 yards as a team and earned a huge 31-21 road victory over No. 8 St. John Vianney.

Defense 

Isaac Vernon, Sr., DE, Rumson-Fair Haven 

Vernon made seven tackles and recorded two sacks to help lead the No. 3 Bulldogs to an emphatic 48-7 win over Freehold. Vernon and the rest of Rumson’s defense held Freehold’s up-tempo offense to under 200 yards.

CONSTITUTION DIVISION 

Offense

Casey Larkin, So., RB, Wall 

Larkin ran for 141 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries to lead Wall’s ground attack in a 28-0 victory over Marlboro.

Defense

Tyron Blackwell, So., DE, Jackson Memorial

Jackson Memorial dominated the line of scrimmage in a 41-14 win over Lacey, holding the Lions to 13 yards rushing. Blackwell was a big reason why with 14 tackles, including a team-high six solo stops, along with three tackles for loss and one sack.

FREEDOM DIVISION

Offense

Makai Mickens, Jr., RB, Red Bank

Mickens ran for 239 yards and three touchdowns and also intercepted a pass on defense to lead the Bucs to a 23-13 comeback win over Ocean. Mickens ran for two 3-yard touchdowns to give Red Bank a 14-13 lead after trailing 13-0 at halftime, and his interception set up his own 21-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 21-13.

Defense

John Columbia, Sr., LB, Red Bank Catholic

Columbia made 14 total tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack as the Caseys shut out Toms River East, 35-0, to improve to 5-0.

LIBERTY DIVISION

Offense        

Raven Joseph, Sr., WR, Neptune

Joseph was a big-play machine in Neptune’s thrilling 24-21 win over Point Boro with three receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns, hauling in scoring passes of 89, 43 and 18 yards from sophomore quarterback Nino Bua.

Defense

Danny Fiore, Jr., DB, Raritan

An indispensable two-way player for the Rockets who also plays special teams and rarely comes off the field, Fiore had six tackles and a pass breakup when Raritan pounded Colts Neck, 44-6, to improve to 3-1 on the season. He also had a pair of touchdowns via a 28-yard touchdown reception and a 14-yard touchdown run.

PATRIOT DIVISION

Offense

Charlie Cotton, Sr., RB, Barnegat

Cotton carried the load for the Bengals with 117 yards rushing and a career-high four touchdowns on 32 carries as Barnegat beat Matawan, 40-10, for its first 4-0 start since 2013.

Defense

Gil Goldsmith, Sr., DB, Shore

Goldsmith had nine tackles and an interception during the Blue Devils’ 31-14 win over Jackson Liberty. He also made a touchdown-saving tackle inside the 5-yard line that led to a goal-line stand by Shore, which was then followed by a 99-yard touchdown drive. Also Shore’s quarterback, Goldsmith ran for 74 yards and a touchdown and threw for 48 yards.

NATIONAL DIVISION (Besides Overall Player of the Week winner, Donovan Catholic’s Dominick Nocero) 

Offense

Liam Riecks, Sr., QB, Keansburg

Riecks completed 8 of 9 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns as the Titans blanked Point Beach, 32-0.

Defense

Nick Kenmure, Sr., DL, Donovan Catholic

Kenmure made his season debut after missing the first two games with an injury and made 11 tackles with three tackles for loss as the Griffins blanked Asbury Park, 24-0, to start 3-0 for the first time in over 15 years.

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