By TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
Borough improves to 3-0 with 13-7 win over Shore
Fourth-quarter stops
field goals key
By TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Freehold running back Damien Wolcott tries to turn the corner for some yards during the Colonials’ win over Shore Regional in Freehold on Saturday.
Freehold Borough challenged itself to be more than just competitive on the gridiron this fall.
"The kids are starting to meet the challenge," said head coach Larry Boice, following his team’s latest victory, 13-7, over Shore Regional Saturday in Freehold.
With a 3-0 record to start the season, the Colonials are past proving they are competitive. They are a legitimate contender, if not a favorite, in the Shore Conference National Division. The Colonials are the only undefeated team in the division after their hard-fought win over the visiting Blue Devils.
"Our defense has been playing well," noted Boice. "This week we gave up a couple of big plays to Shore, but we made the big play when we needed it."
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Freehold’s Alberto Lopes sacks Shore Regional quarterback Ben Grandinetti during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s win in Freehold.
The Blue Devils twice drove deep into Colonial territory in the fourth quarter only to be stopped the hard-hitting Freehold D. Linebackers Anthony Hubbert, Josh James and Joel Madison fueled the effort. Defensive back Bret Noes came up with the final stop of the game, preserving the win.
Offensively, the Colonials continue to be plagued by penalties, but were still able to produce more than 350 total yards, including 272 on the ground
Rahshawn Pitts came up with 159 yards on 24 carries and scored Freehold’s lone touchdown, from 17 yards out in the opening quarter.
In Pitts and Damian Wolcott (who has also rushed for more than 100 yards in a game this year), the Borough has two explosive running backs.
Quarterback Bret Jones continues to pass often enough and deep enough to keep defenses honest.
"Bret Jones is throwing the ball real nice," Boice pointed out. "We haven’t had that kind of mix here. We can run the ball at you, around you or over your head.
"Bret himself is a good runner and on defense, he’s a hitter," he added.
In the victory, the Colonials discovered a new weapon, a kicker. Freshman Bruce Maida came up with two field goals, 35 and 27 yards.
"Bruce has a lot of talent," said Boice. "He’s a very good athlete, and he’s a pretty darn good kicker.
"Those were two big kicks for us," he added. "He gives us something that you need to win, a kicker."
Maida’s two kicks proved to be the winning margin and critical in the fourth quarter when Shore Regional, down by six, had to go for a touchdown.
Freehold takes to the road Saturday to play winless Keansburg (0-4). It’s a game that Boice knows won’t be easy. The Titans are playing at home and are smarting from Saturday’s 37-0 thumping to Colts Neck.
"Keansburg’s offense can spread you out on defense," noted Boice. "It’s a different look. We have to stay away from the big play."
Freehold’s goal is to control the ball behind its running game and score early. The longer they keep the Titans in the game, the more confidence the home team will have.
The 3-0 start is the best Freehold has had since Joe Henderson, Scott Conover, Rusty Mayes, Anthony Richardson and Co. in 1985. That club won its first 10 games before losing the Central Jersey Group II championship game. Along the way, the club won the Class C South Division and was the No. 1 team in Monmouth County.
While the Colonials remained undefeated, Colts Neck rebounded from its first loss of the season (13-7 to Rumson-Fair Haven) by thoroughly dismantling Keansburg, 37-0. Chris Stoop scored twice from nine and 26 yards out and rang up 163 yards on 24 carries as the Cougars ran for 299 yards on the day.
Lou Beninato took it in from six yards out, Matt Murphy caught a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Joe Merlo, and Merlo himself scored on a keeper from one-yard to account for the five TDs.
Colts Neck defense, which held the Titans to a single yard of total offense, even got into the scoring act as Mike Sarapichillo recorded a quarterback sack in the end zone for a safety.
The 3-1 Cougars, who are still very much in the National Division hunt, will host 3-1 Point Pleasant Beach on Saturday at 1 p.m. Point Pleasant Beach shocked defending division champion Keyport, 14-6. Jay Cipolla ran for 137 yards on 17 carries, including a 41-yard touchdown run for the Garnet Gulls, who are no one’s pushover this fall.
Elsewhere in the Freehold District last weekend, Howell and Manalapan fell on the road.
Howell (0-3) lost to the Neptune Scarlet Fliers (1-3), 21-7. The Rebels scored first in this one on a two-yard run by Greg Adams. Howell will look to get its first win Friday night at home against Central Regional (2-1). Kick off is 7.
Manalapan (0-3) was beaten by Pinelands Regional (1-3) in Little Egg Harbor Township. Justin Cocliff and Jordan Zinco scored the Braves’ touchdown on a one-yard keep and a 16-yard run respectively.
The Braves have a daunting task on Friday night when they host the state’s top-ranked team, Jackson (4-0), at 7.