NJ Football: See who moves into the Shore Conference Top 10

The events of Week 3 have resulted in one familiar face and one unfamiliar face entering the Asbury Park Press Top 10 this week. Brick, which has been a fixture in the Top 10 over the years, enters the rankings after a 3-0 start with wins over three Shore Conference Class A South teams. Monmouth Regional, which has struggled for much of its last history and last had a winning season in 2006, enters the rankings for the first time since probably that season after a 4-0 start for the first time since that season. Brick and Monmouth replace Freehold and Middletown North in the rankings. Freehold is now 1-2 even though it has won two games on the field because it forfeited its season-opening win over Freehold Township due to the use of an ineligible player. Middletown North, which is shown it is a good football team, is also 1-2 after it was defeated 28-26 by No. 5 Howell Saturday night. Here is this week's rankings 1. Manalapan (3-0): Last week: No. 1. The Braves were tested by Old Bridge before they pulled away for a 34-13 win and their 12th consecutive regular season win. Senior tailback Naim Mayfield ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns and linebackers Tommy Pearce and Sal Tardogno combined for 34 tackles, 18 by Pearce. The defense will be tested again this week by the Shore Conference's most dynamic offensive player. Next game: Thursday vs. Freehold (1-2). 2. Red Bank Catholic (3-0): Last week: No. 2. The Caseys made it three straight games where they have scored 47 points or more as they rolled to a 47-0 win over Ocean. Senior running back Zach Bair ran for 187 yards and four TDs on just 10 carries. Red Bank Catholic has scored 154 points in its first three games for an average of 51.3 points a game. Next game: Friday at Colonia (2-1). 3. St. John Vianney (3-0): Last week: No. 3. Red Bank gave the Lancers their first test of the season before St. John Vianney pulled away for a 31-7 win with three fourth quarter TDs. Senior running back/middle linebacker Johnny Buchnan ran for 86 yards and two fourth quarter TDs and was in on 15 tackles. Senior quarterback Haaziq Daniels threw for 164 yards and two TDs and Josiah Walker was in on 10 tackles, four of which were for a loss. A game against an unbeaten team with a rich history is next. Next game: Friday vs. No. 9 Brick (3-0). 4. Mater Dei Prep (2-0): Last week: No. 4. The Seraphs extended their winning strak, dating back to the start of the 2016 season, to 14 with a 44-14 win over Keyport. Mater Dei built leads of 32-0 in the first quarter and 44-0 by halftime. Next game: Saturday vs. Canada Prep. 5. Howell (3-0): Last week: No. 5. Gerard Urso's tackle on a fourth-quarter 2-point conversion attempt preserved the Rebels 28-26 win over a solid Middletown North team. Senior quarterback Eddie Morales was 21-for-24 for 261 yards with three TD passes to senior wide receiver Naseim Brantley. He also ran for 41 yards and a TD. Brantley had seven receptions for 120 yards and the three TDs. Howell is 3-0 for the first time since 2010. Next is a a chance to avenged two lopsided losses from last season. Next game: Thursday vs. Toms River North (0-3). 6. Long Branch (2-0): Last week: No. 6. Jermaine Corbett ran for 250 yards and three TDs and Juwan Wilkins passed for 150 yards and two TDs as the Green Wave rolled to a 43-13 win over Colts Neck. Long Branch is 2-0 for the first time since 2012. A divisional game against an unbeaten team is next. Next game: Friday at Wall (3-0). 7. Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0): Last week: No. 7. Peter Lucas ran for 239 yards and three TDs for his second straight game where he ran for well over 200 yards and at least three TDs and Daniel Harby threw for 139 yards and two TDs as the Bulldogs defeated Holmdel 40-24. Next is a game against proud program that edged Rumson last season in a defensive struggle. Next game: Thursday vs. Middletown South (2-1). 8. Point Pleasant Boro (3-0): Last week: No. 7. Brandon Cipriano, filling in for the injured Tanner Gordon, ran for 113 yards and three TDs and quarterback James Fara rushed for 187 yards and a TD as the Panthers extended their winning streak over Shore Conference Class B South opponents to 11 with a 34-20 win over Donovan Catholic. An intriguing game against an unbeaten team is next. Next game: Friday vs. No. 10 Monmouth (4-0). 9. Brick (3-0): Last week: Not ranked. Quarterback Jimmy Leblo threw two TD passes to receiver Cole Groschel and also ran for a TD as the Green Dragons defeated Toms River North. Josh Garrett had four sacks, a fumble recovery and was in on seven tackles. Brick has allowed just 21 points in its first three games. A tough test awaits Brick. Next game: Friday at No. 3 St. John Vianney (3-0). 10. Monmouth (4-0): Last week: Not ranked. Monmouth enters the rankings for the first time since probably 2006, which is also the last time they were 4-0. The Falcons finished that season 8-3. Ian Fitzgerald ran for 103 yards, including the game-winning TD and Devon Johnson scored on a 93-yard TD pass and run. A major test awaits this week. Next game: at No. 8 Point Boro (3-0).

NJ FOOTBALL: SEE WHO MOVES INTO THE SHORE CONFERENCE TOP 10

STEVEN FALK

Asbury Park Press | 9/25/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Red Bank Catholic Athletics