By Travis Johnson, DigitalSports Operations Manager and “Video Guy”
I am sorry to inform you that Week 1 of Shore Conference football was not very exciting. There were no upsets, no big plays, no unbelievable performances, no last-minute victories, and no energy………YEAH RIGHT! FOOTBALL IS BACK and DigitalSports did our best to be here, there, and everywhere.
Click here for all of the best plays
Click here to check out the Week 1 Shore Conference Music Video
(highly recommended)
Now to the business of our Top 10. Keep in mind that this is all in the eye of the beholder and with so many great plays each week it gets pretty darn tough. However, it sure is fun putting it together and we hope you enjoy it.
1. Freehold’s Frank Nicosia’s 63-yard TD run vs Middletown South: Sometimes picking the best play is hard but not when it hits you in the face 6 or 7 times. Nicosia’s run putting a resounding exclamation point on Boro’s victory over the #2 Eagles.
2. Wall’s Michael Leib’s game-winning extra point vs Long Branch: I do not want to hear any kicker comments here because not only did Mr. Leib kick the game-winner, he was 5 for 5 on the day in a driving rain storm. Wall defeated Long Branch by one point and that is in huge part to his perfection.
3. Barnegat’s Dan Cintron’s 61-yard punt return TD vs Point Beach: This punt return is pure excitement as Cintron chases the ball down on the left sideline, gets all the way back to the right, and then turns on the jets. Now of course plays like this do not happen without great blocking and Josh Ahiabor (#31) delivers just that after Cintron turns the corner.
4. Colts Neck’s Chris Chiarelli hits Sean
Smith for a 42-yard fourth down touchdown as time expires in the first
half vs Manalapan: Down 10-7, this play produced a huge momentum swing for the Cougars who were struggling against an extremely physical Braves team. Chiarelli had taken his lumps in the first half but when he hit Mr. Smith, who fought his way into the end zone, all was good in Cougarland and Colts Neck never looked back.
5. Howell’s Jimmy Ryan turns chaos into a first down throw vs Brick: I know Cory Davies is a great coach, but you can’t coach this. You know what…check that…based on the recent success of Howell quarterbacks over the last couple of years, maybe he is teaching his kids how to execute “the snap over your head, run back 20 yards, juke two defenders, get the ball to the sticks for a 1st down play.” Ryan showed an unbelievable amount of poise in his first varsity start and this play is a nice embodiment.
6. Neptune’s Michael Peavy goes 81 yards on a reception and 77 yards on run vs Monmouth: Here is a news flash: Michael Peavy is FAST! The Shore Conference’s defending 100-meter champ loves to test your “bend-but-don’t-break” defense….because you will break.
7. Southern’s Brian Sullivan hits Nick Tampone for an 81-yard completion vs Pinelands: From one-yard deep in his own end zone Sullivan bombs it out to Tampone who catches near the 45-yard line and brings it to the 13. Sullivan had a big day for the Rams as he also had a 56-yard TD run.
8. Howell’s Will Hayes 44-yard TD run after backfield stutter juke vs Brick: This play gets blown up and as soon as Hayes gets the ball he is surrounded by defenders. After a little stutter and a juke he gets to the left sideline and take it to the house. I am sure big brother and former Howell running back David Hayes will be proud and maybe slightly jealous (after all there is no DigitalSports in college).
9. Manalapan’s Jim Gilburn 61-yard TD run vs Colts Neck: This young man runs angry and I love it. Nothing gets me more pumped up than a big physical running back who likes to punish defenders. On this play, Gilburn bowls over two defenders before he gets himself free and takes it all the way to the end zone.
10. Brick Memorial’s Billy Miller blows up a play in the backfield vs TR East: As a former center I can tell you, there is nothing more annoying than having to block a noseguard who also is a really good wrestler. On this play you see why. Miller ends the party in the backfield before it even gets a chance to start.
To Monmouth’s Davaughn Norfleet, and Asbury Park’s Derrell Bell, and George Stephens…you guys just missed the Top 10 this week, but something tells me we will see you here soon
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