|
With teams making their
playoff pushes these next two weeks and then the postseason
seizing everyoneâ??s focus, itâ??s time to take a look back at the
season that has unfolded thus far by handing out the first
installment of the Stumpy Awards. Weâ??re more than halfway to the
inaugural ShoreConferenceSports.com All-Star team, which means we
still have time to think of a better name than that, and weâ??re also
halfway to the inaugural 2006 Stumpys, season-ending awards that
will surely have college letters pouring into their recipientsâ??
mailboxes.
As we segue from Week Seven
to Week Eight, it seems like just yesterday that my car was nearing
spontaneous combustion from driving to every preseason camp in the
Shore Conference in August.
The competition for the
first-half Stumpys was fierce, the drama was high and the selection
committee was small (me), with the names of the winners being
closely guarded by being stuffed between the couch cushions in my
living room.
Of course, this is merely
just over the halfway point. A team like last yearâ??s Ocean squad
would probably not have been mentioned here, but Shore football
followers know where the Spartans ended up â?? in a dogpile on top of
one another at midfield of Rutgers Stadium after an improbably march
to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III title. So itâ??s not how you
start, itâ??s how you finish, but that is still no reason not to take
a look back at the first part of the season. The number of nominees
differs depending on the depth of the category, but donâ??t worry,
youâ??ll find plenty to like and plenty to complain about.
Best Quarterback
The nominees:
Shane Oâ??Connor (Point Boro): Had a tremendous start, but has
taken a step back in the last two weeks in losses to Manasquan and
St. John Vianney. He has shown an explosive burst in the Panthersâ??
triple option offense and should be a standout for the next two
years, but first he has to help get his team back on track.
Tom Dâ??Ambrisi (Monmouth): A natural leader who expects nothing
short of perfection out of his team, Dâ??Ambrisi has been an extension
of head coach Bob Acosta. The senior also has been extremely
productive, averaging nearly two touchdown passes per game and more
than one rushing touchdown per game for the Falcons. Even after
Matawan handed Monmouth its first loss, Huskies coach Joe Martucci
called him the best quarterback in the Shore.
Jared Morris (Toms River East): The senior has done an excellent
job of steering a balanced offense and is an underrated passer. That
is mainly due to the fact that he is a scary open-field runner who
can break the big one at any time. The biggest question mark about
Morris heading into this season was his maturity and ability to
harness his emotions, but he has silenced those doubters so far by
making one big play after another for a team that has run through a
tough schedule unbeaten.
Arin West (Toms River North): The do-it-all senior has been
up-and-down in the Marinersâ?? big games, having a rough performance
in a loss to Jackson, lighting up Middletown South in a loss to the
Eagles and then dazzling Brick Memorial before throwing a
game-ending interception. Heâ??s one of those players who can be the
difference in a close game, but he and his team have not been able
to win the big one.
Sean Oâ??Reilly (Howell): The Shore Conferenceâ??s leader in passing
yards and quarterback rating, the senior has thrown only four
interceptions in 149 attempts. He also is a dangerous and shifty
runner who can break one on quarterback draws out of Howellâ??s
shotgun set. He was starting to fall a little back in the pack after
a few tough losses before Howellâ??s 24-13 upset of Jackson put the
Rebels right back in the spotlight. They now have won two straight.
And the midseason Stumpy
goes toâ?¦..Tom Dâ??Ambrisi (right). Even with the setback against
Matawan, he has been nearly flawless all year and has been a key cog
in the engine driving the Falcons to what looks to be their best
season in school history.
Others who deserve
consideration: Manalapanâ??s Craig Peterson, Raritanâ??s Brian Kalarjian,
Manasquanâ??s R.J. Read, Point Beachâ??s Eric Lenahan, Rumson-Fair
Havenâ??s Matt Wassel, Keansburgâ??s Anthony Valle, Shoreâ??s Gary
Knoeppel, Barnegatâ??s Brandon Clarke.
Best Running Back
The nominees:
Dave Dosil (Middletown South): The senior fullback has come on
strong in recent weeks in the Eaglesâ?? flexbone offense as the
offensive line continues to improve. A good blend of power and
speed, he has ably filled the shoes of one of the stateâ??s all-time
great running backs, Georgia freshman Knowshon Moreno. Hopefully an
ankle injury against Freehold last week will not hamper him for
long.
Vinnie Falkiewicz (Brick Memorial): The senior fullback has been
consistent all season for an up-and-down Mustangs team, and is
coming off a monster 250-yard night in a win over Toms River North.
This weekendâ??s game against Jackson offers ample opportunity to
solidify his already strong reputation. He is almost guaranteed to
get five yards a carry, which is a comforting thought for a head
coach.
Mike Mele (Manasquan): He is the definition of â??yards after
contact,â??â?? a bruising 220-pound runner who leads the Shore in
rushing yards and touchdowns. Yes, his offensive line is the size of
something out of Jurassic Park, but the Warriorsâ?? senior never goes
down on the first hit. He breaks numerous long runs for a player
considered to be a power back and projected to be a linebacker when
he begins his collegiate career at Syracuse.
Mark Schiavone (Jackson): The senior tailback pretty much is the
Jackson offense, as he has scored 11 of Jacksonâ??s 17 offensive
touchdowns. He plays well in big games and is also a major factor as
a defensive back. Teams know they have to stop him, but very few are
able to do it.
Ashton Jackson (Colts Neck): The junior has really taken off in
recent weeks, exploding for a school-record 266 yards and three
touchdowns in a win over Manalapan. He has solid lateral movement,
hits the hole fast and gets upfield instead of dancing around too
much.
Donald Porzio (Red Bank Catholic): The senior tailback has
breakaway speed and toughness, and adds another element because he
is also a good receiver in the passing game. He has been near the
top in the Shore in rushing all season for the Caseys, who have a
chance to win consecutive division titles.
Chris Dimicco (Lacey): The Lions love to run the ball, everyone
knows it, and yet Dimicco still has run for 760 yards and 11
touchdowns for an undefeated team. He gets the hard yards up the
middle and has enough speed to break
long runs.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Mike
Mele (right). He may be a linebacker at the next level, but right
now he is a beast as a running back and he consistently delivers
week after week. He would be my overall offensive player of the year
right now.
Others who deserve
consideration: Oceanâ??s Joe Falco, Rumson-Fair Havenâ??s Wes Germain,
Keyportâ??s J.J. Olini, Matawanâ??s J.T. Anderson, Manalapanâ??s David
Presby, Centralâ??s Kevin Stokes, Raritanâ??s Carmen Dente, Keansburgâ??s
Justin Laguna.
Deepest backfield
The nominees:
Red Bank Catholic: With
running backs Donald Porzio and Michael Wilbur and sophomore David
Reeves, the Caseys have plenty of weapons in the running game.
Toms River East: Brady
Doyle, Jason Cannella, Jared Morris, Ryan Dolan, the list goes on
and on of playmakers for the Raiders.
Ocean: Senior running backs
Joe Falco and Alex Levy have 1,300 yards rushing combined, and
quarterback Yinka Soda also runs well.
Keansburg: Between the
Laguna brothers at running back and speedy quarterback Anthony
Valle, the Titans have several options.
Brick Memorial: Vinnie
Falkiewicz has become almost a one-man gang, but he and Prince Young
have still each run for more than 500 yards.
Point Boro: Between
quarterback Shane Oâ??Connor, fullback Skylar Engelken and slotbacks
Ty Hughes and Joe Bontempo, there are plenty of choices in the
Panthersâ?? triple option.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Toms
River East. There are just too many players who can take it the
distance to focus on one of them. Thatâ??s a big reason why the
Raiders are undefeated.
Others who deserve
consideration: Shore, Lacey, St. John Vianney.
Best wide receiver
The nominees:
Louis Haynes (Monmouth): The speedy 5-foot-9 senior can take a
simple bubble screen or slant and take it 80 yards on any play. He
is especially dangerous when he cuts back across the field, because
he can beat safeties to the goal line if they donâ??t take a perfect
angle on him.
Matt Puorro (Point Boro): At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, the senior
gives defensive coordinators heart attacks because he can win any
jump ball in the end zone or deep down the field for a big play. He
and teammate Bob Stowe add a dimension that the Panthersâ?? triple
option has not had in past seasons.
Chris Lewnes (St. John Vianney): A versatile player, Lewnes is a
good athlete who can score from anywhere on the field. He had three
touchdowns in a 32-15 upset of Point Boro, so he plays well in big
games, while also averaging 18.6 yards per catch. His numbers would
probably be even bigger, but he stepped in at quarterback for a game
because of injuries and ended up running for over 100 yards.
Chance Carrick (Howell): The junior was known primarily as a
punter/placekicker heading into the season, but he has become a
weapon in the Rebelsâ?? pass-happy offense. He averages 12.2 yards per
catch on 29 grabs in an offense that often features short passes
over the home run ball.
Josh Bakala (Keansburg): A junior who may be one of the fastest
players in the Shore, Bakala has started to harness his raw talent
this season. He has the ability to blow by just about any
cornerback, and has improved after dropping too many passes last
season. He is averaging 27.5 yards per catch on 16 catches, so he is
one of the best deep threats in the conference.
Damien Horning (Neptune): Damon Polandâ??s favorite target,
Horning has four of Neptuneâ??s five touchdown receptions this season.
He is averaging 15.9 yards per catch on 24 catches.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦This
one was like splitting hairs, but Iâ??ll give the nod to Louis Haynes
(right). He is third in the Shore in catches, averages 15 yards per
catch and can change the entire complexion of a game with one play.
Others who deserve
consideration: Rumson-Fair Havenâ??s Ryan Kirchner, Keyportâ??s Jose
Gonzalez, Toms River Northâ??s Pierre Dubose, Howellâ??s Brian Battaglia
and Eric Feehan, Point Beachâ??s Colin Trautman and Shane Ferguson,
Laceyâ??s Sean McAndrew.
Best offensive line
The nominees:
Middletown South: Behind
returning senior guards Greg Sullivan and Brian King, the Eagles
have improved every week in their flexbone offense to produce yet
another unit ranked in the Shoreâ??s top five. This school has made a
reputation of pumping out one good line after another. When a team
can run fullback dive repeatedly with success, someone is moving
people out of the way.
Manasquan: With a line that
averages nearly 270 pounds, the Warriors grind opponents into
submission. Teams try stunts, blitzes, constant shifting, and
nothing works because not only are the Warriors huge, they are very
well coached. In addition, they have a tight end, Brad Newman, who
is a monster as a blocker. The lineâ??s best collegiate prospect is
6-foot-7, 290-pound junior Art Forst, but he may not be the best of
the bunch right now. When Manasquan coach Vic Kubu confides that
this could be the best line he has ever had, thereâ??s not a whole lot
more that needs to be said.
Toms River East: The Raiders
changed from a triple option team to one that now runs out of
multiple sets under new coach Charlie Diskin, and they are
undefeated, which is a testament to how quickly this group grasped
the new scheme. Center Mike Murphy and Co. are big at an average of
244 pounds, and are also quick for their size.
Jackson: The Jaguars pump
out 1,000-yard rushers like Detroit makes automobiles, and this year
has been no different. Led by Division I-A prospect Tim Nolan, the
Jaguarsâ?? line has had more pressure than usual on it this season
because everyone knows that to beat them, you have to stop running
back Mark Schiavone.
Red Bank Catholic: The
Caseysâ?? intricate offense requires its line to be quick and smart,
and it has performed admirably in helping make RBC keep its
reputation as one of the top offenses in the Shore. Senior center
Anthony Alfano and senior guard Walter Russell lead one of the more
underrated units around.
Lacey: Every opponent knows
that the Lions will try and pound them with the run game, yet here
they are, sitting at 7-0 with a division title already under their
belt. Senior right guard Ryan Bahrle and junior left tackle Justin
Rand also lead a unit that is in good shape, as the Lions have
played in a lot of close games in which they wore opponents down at
the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter.
Brick Memorial: The
Mustangsâ?? offense has consisted almost exclusively of pounding teams
on the ground, and they have done it with success. Senior center
Jamie Pratt helps lead a line that can do everything from hitting
you up the gut with Vinnie Falkiewicz or beating you on the edge
with Prince Young. Memorialâ??s receivers and fullbacks are also solid
downfield blockers.
Ocean: Another team that
relies almost entirely on the running game. The Spartans, led by
senior guard Mike Lougee, put up 292 yards against a strong Toms
River East defense in a loss to the Raiders and have paved the way
for more than 1,700 yards.
And the Stumpy goes
toâ?¦Manasquan (right). With all due respect to the other nominees,
this one is the no-brainer equivalent of Marlon Brando winning Best
Actor for â??The Godfather,â??â?? although hopefully a random Native
American will not show up at my door to decline the award on behalf
of the Warriors.
Others who deserve
consideration: Manalapan, Colts Neck, Rumson-Fair Haven, Matawan,
Monmouth, Point Boro, Raritan.
Best tight end
The nominees:
Harry Flaherty (Red Bank Catholic): Most likely a Division I-A
or Ivy League player, the senior has come on in recent weeks to
become more of a pass-catching threat. He averages 17.7 yards per
catch and is part of one of the best running games in the Shore.
Brad Newman (Manasquan): The senior is often wide open on
play-action passes because teams fear Manasquanâ??s running game so
much. He has averaged 29.7 yards on 10 catches and scored three
touchdowns, while also serving as a devastating blocker.
Billy Dokouslis (Manalapan): His 320 yards receiving lead all
tight ends. He has good size at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds and runs a
4.6 40-yard dash. He is one of the few tight ends who can outrun the
defense for a 70 or 80-yard touchdown.
Dave Clapp (Point Beach): The senior entered the year as a
marked man and started slowly out of the gate, but has picked it up.
He has good hands and the ability to shed tacklers in the open
field.
Mike Sonntag (Central): At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, he is an
imposing target who often requires several tacklers to bring down.
He has been one of the main receiving threats in a run-oriented
offense.
Vincent Elardo (Lacey): The senior does not get as many
opportunities in the passing game because of Laceyâ??s offense, but he
is a big target at 6-foot-3 and had a touchdown catch in a win over
Colts Neck that clinched the division title. He also is a solid
blocker.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦This
is a fairly deep position this year, but for now Iâ??ll give the edge
to Billy Dokouslis (right), mainly because Newman is primarily known
as a major force at defensive tackle. Flaherty is coming on strong,
but was inconsistent at the beginning of the year.
Others who deserve
consideration: Raritanâ??s Brian England, Oceanâ??s Jon Pozerycki, Toms
River Eastâ??s Anthony Hudak, Monmouthâ??s Kyle Fagan, Long Branchâ??s Ron
Cattelona.
Best defensive lineman
The nominees:
Brian England (Raritan): At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, England has
good strength and long arms that clog up passing lanes. He is good
for at least one or two hits in the backfield in every game and is
tough against the run.
Billy Dokouslis (Manalapan): A defensive end, Dokouslis is in
double digits in sacks despite playing somewhat out of position
considering he is projected as a linebacker at the next level.
Brad Newman (Manasquan): He has been almost unblockable up
front, with 12 sacks and 44 solo tackles. No one runs the ball on
the Warriors, and he is a big reason why.
Alex Iachetta (Manasquan): Yes, the Warriorsâ?? defensive line is
that good. Iachetta is another player who you can mark down for
multiple hits for a loss per game. Manasquanâ??s entire defensive line
could probably be nominated here, actually.
Anthony Hudak (Toms River East): A defensive end with a lithe
frame, Hudak is good at shooting the gaps and hitting runners in the
backfield and has long arms to bat passes at the line of scrimmage.
Justin Togisala (Monmouth): At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, the
junior is a disruptive force who is nearing double digits in sacks
and does a solid job against the run. Plus, he also allows fans to
yell, â??Toga! Toga! Toga!â??â?? like John Belushi in an â??Animal House,â??â??
after a big play.
Tim Nolan (Jackson): A Division I-A prospect, the senior
defensive tackle leads a defensive front that is one of the better
ones around in stopping the run. He is agile and quick for a player
who is 6-4 and 290 pounds.
Kyle Phelan (Rumson-FH): The 6-3 senior has played well in the
Bulldogsâ?? biggest games and can knife through opposing offenses for
hits in the backfield. He is another player with arms that reach to
the clouds who can disrupt passing lanes.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Brad
Newman (right) in a landslide. Right now, he is the best defensive
player in the Shore. Iâ??m sure Iâ??m forgetting some deserving nominees
here, but even so, Newman is still the best. He would be my overall
defensive player of the year right now.
Others who deserved
consideration: Holmdelâ??s Will McGurk, Asbury Parkâ??s Knowryl Hammary,
Rumsonâ??s Robbie Doran, Colts Neckâ??s Erik Weber, Shoreâ??s Reid Van
Wagner, Laceyâ??s Chris Meyler, Toms River Southâ??s Jim Drackwicz and
Jay Volk, Middletown Southâ??s Alec Bay (who wouldâ??ve been nominated
but missed several games due to injury).
Best linebacker
The nominees:
Mike Mele (Manasquan): This is why Syracuse offered him a full
ride. His stats arenâ??t gaudy, but thatâ??s mainly because opponents
rarely get past Manasquanâ??s defensive line. He hits hard and wraps
up well, while also doing a decent job against the pass.
Dan Hopkins (Jackson): A playmaker on defense, the hard-nosed
senior averages around double digits in tackles per game and also
has an interception return for a touchdown. He is carrying on a
tradition of top-flight linebackers at Jackson.
Dave Dosil (Middletown South): A three-year starter on the
perennial power, Dosil is athletic, quick and packs a wallop when he
arrives at the ballcarrier. The Eagles often rely on their
linebackers to bring pressure on the quarterback, and Dosil has good
closing speed.
Ryan Dolan (Toms River East): Itâ??s hard to choose between Dolan
and Tyler Groves on the Raiders, as both are talented. Dolan is a
tackling machine who also has the speed to run down ballcarriers
deep down the field. He was the Raidersâ?? leading tackler as a
sophomore and has not missed a beat this year for his undefeated
team.
Chris Mooney (Raritan): A returning starter for the Rockets,
Mooney is one of the anchors of their defense along with defensive
end Brian England. Solid in pass coverage and tough as nails, he is
a quintessential hard-nosed Raritan player.
Tye Coleman and
Jaren Edwards (Monmouth): Itâ??s hard to separate the two, as both
are physical playmakers for a Falcons defense that ranks right near
the top in the Shore. Edwards has a little more speed, while Coleman
packs a bigger punch.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Dave
Dosil (right). Mele already got an award as the best running back,
and if youâ??re an impact three-year starter at linebacker on
Middletown Southâ??s defense, you have to be good.
Others who deserved
consideration: Matawanâ??s Andrew Trolian, Howellâ??s Eric Feehan,
Rumson-FHâ??s Jordan Farber, Keansburgâ??s Joe Laguna, Shoreâ??s Frank
Dâ??Averso, Barnegatâ??s Mike Riley, Point Boroâ??s Kyle Coleman, Asbury
Parkâ??s Rashon Roberts, Laceyâ??s Vincent Elardo, Colts Neckâ??s Kevin
Hanvey,
Best defensive back
The nominees:
Mark Schiavone (Jackson): Also an outstanding safety in addition
to being a great running back, Schiavone makes plays on defense as
well. He has good closing speed, hits hard and has the speed to take
an interception back for a touchdown at any time.
Arin West (Toms River North): Also a safety, the senior projects
as a defensive back at the next level. He has the speed to prevent
long touchdown runs and passes over the top, and he packs a wallop
when he meets the ballcarrier.
Jeremey Dinkin (Colts Neck): With five picks, the junior
cornerback is a ball hawk who leads the Shore Conference in
interceptions.
Brady Doyle (Toms River East): Also a talented running back,
Doyle stops the run effectively and makes big plays against the
pass, like his interception in the end zone in a win over Ocean.
Brian Battaglia (Howell): The junior has been solid all year and
has two interceptions in his last two games, both of which were huge
in wins over Jackson and Brick.
Kyle Hardy (Matawan): At 6-foot-3, the sophomore is already a
force with four interceptions. He helped lead a secondary that shut
down Monmouthâ??s strong passing attack.
Steve Kircher (Manasquan): The cornerback has 32 tackles, 13
assists and an interception return for a touchdown as part of the
Warriorsâ?? formidable defense.
Sean McAndrew (Lacey): The senior has five picks and has
played well against two of the best passing teams Lacey has faced,
Howell and Manalapan.
Mike Mahon (Shore): Arguably the best defensive player in the
Patriot Division, Mahon is a well-rounded safety who
defends the pass and the run well.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Arin
West (right). Schiavone is a standout, Dinkin is having a big season
and Hardy is an emerging star, but West has been outstanding on
defense. This is another category where I probably missed some
deserving nominees simply because I have not seen every team.
Others who deserved
consideration: Point Beachâ??s Shane Ferguson, St. John Vianneyâ??s Tom
Moncrief, Manasquanâ??s Alex Otchy, Holmdelâ??s Mike Yetka, Rumsonâ??s Sam
Gehret, Long Branchâ??s Isaiah Hall , Monmouthâ??s Louis Haynes, Laceyâ??s
Mike Mancini.
Best kick returner
The nominees:
Mike Yetka (Holmdel): Also a shutdown cornerback, the senior has
three returns for touchdowns this year, two on kickoffs and one on a
punt. They also came in big spots, the last one being in a 7-0 win
over Monsignor Donovan.
Kyle Hardy (Matawan): The sophomore has two kickoff returns for
touchdowns, the last one being an 82-yard sprint that proved to be
huge in a 16-14 upset of Monmouth. At 6-3 with long strides, one or
two missed tackles and heâ??s gone.
Terence Howard (Freehold): Had a 94-yard kickoff return against
Middletown South and has the speed to break one
at any time.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Mike
Yetka. Hardy is right on his heels, but Yetka has the edge for now.
This category is a tough one because a player could be averaging a
lot of yards per return, but since most teams rarely keep that stat,
itâ??s hard to keep a list of who the top returners are.
Biggest surprise
The nominees:
Monmouth: Everyone knew that
the Falcons had the talent, but the question was whether or not they
would deliver. Despite a setback against Matawan, they still have
won a share of just their second division title in school history
and should be a factor in the playoffs.
Lacey: This program is
always solid, but after losing some good players to graduation off a
team that reached a state final, did anyone but the Lionsâ?? faithful
think they would be 7-0 with a division title tucked away already?
Freehold: The Colonials have
tied their win total from last year (3) and have a shot at a winning
season.
Rumson-Fair Haven: The
Bulldogs have been close to a division title in recent seasons, but
couldnâ??t get over the top. They graduated the schoolâ??s all-time
leading passer and one of its top receivers, and what do they do?
Clinch at least a tie for the Patriot Division title heading into
this weekend.
Matawan: The Huskies were
essentially left for dead after a loss to a struggling Red Bank
team, but have now ripped off four wins in a row and zoomed near the
top of the power-point standings in Central Jersey Group II.
And the Stumpy goes
toâ?¦.Matawan (right). The expectations from the outside were fairly
low for the Huskies this year, and so far they have proved everyone
wrong, especially after several people were maimed when everyone
jumped off the bandwagon following the loss to Red Bank. Now if they
can just show they can win convincingly on the road, the believers
will only grow.
Best unknown player
The nominees:
Knowryl Hammary (Asbury Park): During a trying season, Hammary
has played like an animal at defensive tackle on a consistent basis.
He averages about three hits for a loss per game and has three
sacks.
Darnell Norman (Lakewood): On a Piners team that is winless, he
is the main player that opposing coaches worry about because at
6-foot-3, the senior receiver has been a dangerous longball threat
with 18 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Matt Porricelli (Freehold Township): One of the leaders of
perhaps the most underrated defense in the Shore Conference, the
senior linebacker caused a fumble that sealed the Patriotsâ?? win over
Southern last week.
Greg Coleman (Matawan): Until his game-winning kick against
Monmouth, â??The Steel Toeâ??â?? had been under the radar a bit despite
making crucial kicks in a win over Long Branch and kicking a field
goal to beat St. John Vianney on Thanksgiving last year.
Pat Oâ??Toole (Pinelands): The senior linebacker has bolstered an
improved defense for the Wildcats and recently had 14 tackles in a
loss to Barnegat.
Will McGurk (Holmdel): The Hornetsâ?? defensive end quietly has
eight sacks and 55 tackles for another one of the Shoreâ??s more
underrated defenses.
J.J. Olini (Keyport): The senior wingback quietly has 779 yards
rushing and five touchdowns in seven games for the Red Raiders.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Will
McGurk. He is carving out a strong season in a tough National
Division. However, this category is certainly up for a ton of
debate. If a kid is the best unknown player, then that probably
means I havenâ??t heard of him. So congratulations out there to
whomever you are.
Best impact newcomer
The nominees:
David Presby (Manalapan): In the preseason, the Braves were
thinking they might be using running back-by-committee. Presby, a
junior, put an end to that and has rushed for 752 yards, including a
272-yard game, the highest of any Shore player this year.
Pierre Dubose (Toms River North): Recruited from the basketball
team by Mariners quarterback Arin West, the 6-2 senior wide receiver
has 33 catches, including 11 in one game, in his first and only
varsity season. He still is getting used to the contact after the
catch, but has shown the ability to make acrobatic plays.
Shane Oâ??Connor (Point Boro): He has slowed down the past two
weeks, but still has some impressive numbers for a sophomore
quarterback.
Travis Patterson (Long Branch): In his first season at starting
running back, the junior has 462 yards rushing and six touchdowns
for the Green Wave.
R.J. Read (Manasquan): The senior quarterback has thrown for 717
yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first year as
the starting signal-caller, but recently broke a bone in his hand
and will miss at least three weeks. His teammate, junior running
back Chaz Coursey, also deserves a mention in this category.
Kyle Hardy (Matawan): His name keeps popping up, but thatâ??s what
happens when you become a weapon as a kick returner and a defensive
back as a sophomore.
Everyone on Barnegat: The Bengals have a chance to make the
playoffs in their inaugural varsity season, which would be quite an
accomplishment for a Group I team playing in the tough National
Division.
Matt Wassel (Rumson-FH): The junior has thrown for 576 yards and
eight touchdowns in replacing Michael Roberto, the schoolâ??s all-time
leading passer, while also helping lead the Bulldogs to their first
division title since 1998.
And the Stumpy goes
toâ?¦Pierre Dubose (right). While Presby has slowed down a little as
Manalapanâ??s offense becomes more balanced, Dubose seems to get
better every week, especially for a player who never played football
in high school until his senior year.
Others who deserve
consideration: Middletown Southâ??s Pat Campbell and Craig Sweeney,
Matawanâ??s Jamiel Sims, Red Bank Catholicâ??s Lou Bianchini, Asbury
Parkâ??s George Stevens, Toms River Southâ??s Darius Banks.
Best all-around player
The nominees:
Chris Lewnes (St. John
Vianney): He is one of the top receivers in the Shore, and also
stepped in at quarterback against Monsignor Donovan because of
injuries and still ran for 100 yards. He is a threat running,
throwing, receiving and on special teams. He also recently obtained
a bus license and a vendorâ??s license in order to drive the team to
away games and sell concessions during timeouts.
Mike Mele (Manasquan): A
powerful combo as a running back and linebacker, he is on the field
at all times making plays on one side or the other.
Mark Schiavone (Jackson): A
safety/running back, he is counted on to make big plays every week
for the Jaguars to have a shot to win.
Brady Doyle (Toms River
East): His stats arenâ??t gaudy because East spreads the ball around
so much, but as a running back and safety, he is a factor on every
snap.
Arin West (Toms River North): The most universally raved about player for his all-around
ability as a safety, a quarterback and a punt returner who brought
one back 60 yards against Jackson for a touchdown.
Brad Newman (Manasquan): A
big-play tight end and a fierce defensive tackle, he is a vital part
of the Warriorsâ?? dominance this season.
Dave Dosil (Middletown South): One of the top running backs and linebackers in the Shore,
he has filled the shoes of Knowshon Moreno and Nick Macaluso to
great effect.
And the Stumpy goes toâ?¦Arin
West (right). As much as I think Lewnes has shown his versatility,
without West, the Mariners would be in serious trouble. Even in a
loss to Brick Memorial, he showed me all I needed to see.
 Processing your request, Please wait....
| 
