Friday, September 24, 2010

After two weeks of the high school football season there are two teams that
have scored 98 points while winning their first two games. One is Asbury Park, the three-time defending Central Jersey Group 1 champions. The other is Pinelands Regional, a school that came into this season having won just 19 games in their previous 6 years for head coach Sean DeRosa. However times may be changing in Tuckerton as the Wildcats have opened this season with high-scoring wins over Monsignor Donovan and Central.

Pinelands will face its first really good opponent on Saturday afternoon when they visit powerful Lacey, who just might be the shore’s best team. The Wildcats early season success has been fueled by senior running back Matt McLain, who has run for an amazing 659 yards in the first two weeks. He is well on his way to having a record-breaking season but tomorrow will face a Lacey defense that has allowed just one touchdown in winning their first two games. Pinelands also has fullback/linebacker Bobby Schwarzenberger who is getting looks from many Division-1 programs.

While Pinelands has found the end zone 14 times in the first two weeks
Brick Township is looking to cross the goal line for the first time tonight when they visit Manchester. The Green Dragons have been outscored 72-0 but in fairness have faced Brick Memorial and Lacey who are two of the best teams at the shore.

Tonight the Shore Sports Network will be at Toms River East for the Class A South matchup between the Raiders and Brick Memorial. The Mustangs
have been dominant in the early going but have had many disappointments over the years against the Raiders. East was not only shutout by Sayreville last weekend but they will have to play tonight without quarterback Joey Clarizio, who is out with a slight concussion. The game can be heard on 105.7FM & 1310AM with kickoff at 7pm.

Other games tonight include Toms River North at Jackson, Central at Barnegat and Jackson Liberty at 0-2 Point Boro. The Panthers will be missing three offensive starters, including quarterback John Dunbar. All have concussions and will be on the sidelines as the NJSIAA has instituted a new policy on head injuries. A player diagnosed with a concussion must have 7 consecutive days of no symptoms before they can return to action. Nobody could argue with that rule which also takes pressure off Athletic Trainers and Physicians to clear players who might not be ready to play.