Howell, Freehold Boro still undefeated

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

The Freehold Regional District has two undefeated teams heading into October.

Howell ran its record to 4-0 with a big 21-16 Constitution Division win over Lacey on Friday night.

It took two days to do it, but Freehold Borough improved to 3-0 with a 34-14 win at Neptune. The game started on Friday night but the lights went out on Neptune’s field with the Colonials holding a 2-0 lead in the first. The two teams returned to the field on Saturday afternoon and Freehold added 32 more points.

Rebel head coach Cory Davies said it took just two or three passes from quarterback Tim Lamirande for him to know that he wasn’t rusty.

Lamirande fractured his left wrist in Howell’s second game of the season. It was expected to sideline him from two to four games. Fortunately, it healed on the short side and he was cleared to play Friday night after two weeks. However, he had only one short practice prior to the start against Lacey.

As Davies discovered on Howell’s first drive, the senior was able to shake the cobwebs off quickly. He completed his first five passes on his way to a 360- yard, three-touchdown night.

The Rebels, who had beaten Middletown North, 12-0, with wide receiver Brian Battaglia filling in “admirably” as Davies said for Lamirande, were a different team Friday night. Although he’s had just one career start at Howell, his teammates clearly have confidence in him from his days of quarterbacking them in Pop Warner and on the undefeated freshman team.

“He’s the leader,” said Davies. “The kids look up to him and respect him.”

Lamirande threw the ball all over the field completed 26 of his 34 passes.

“Tim seldom has a bad pass, he’s extremely accurate, said Davies.

Chance Carrick, who kicked a 32- yard field goal for the Rebels, caught nine passes for 128 yards, and Battaglia, back at home as wide receiver, pulled down five for 56 yards. Jason Amado also caught five passes for 76 yards, one, for a touchdown.

Making things easier for Lamirande in his return was his offensive line. Other than an early sack, Davies noted that “no one was near him.”

“Our line blocked very well,” said Davies. “Lacey brought a lot of people and they picked them up.”

Center Joe Martinelli, Joe Sabatello, Alex Killian, Nick Libonati and Nick Riccio were the unit that protected Lamirade so well.

Despite the touchdown passes to Feehan and Amato, and Carrick’s field goal, Howell trailed Lacey 16-15 at halftime.

The second half belonged to the Rebel defense that held the Lions (2-2) last year’s division champions, scoreless.

“We really didn’t make any adjustments,” said Davies. “They were overrunning their gaps in the first half, and Lacey was getting yards on cutbacks,” he added.

The Rebels were more disciplined playing their positions, and Lacey didn’t score again.

Howell scored what to prove to be the winning touchdown are a 15-yard scoring pass from Lamirande to Chris Simmons.

Howell travels to winless Toms River South Friday night looking to go 5-0 in the division. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Freehold Borough followed up its impressive win at Ocean Township with an equally big win at Neptune.

The Colonials continued their trend of being equally productive running and throwing the ball.

Tyler Russo led the ground attack at Neptune rushing for 141 yards and two touchdown runs of 18 and 1 yard. Freehold rushed for 189 yards on the day.

Quarterback Brian Prisk threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with game-breaking Brandon Brown on a 44-yard strike and then a 30-yard play to Jimmy Flotteron.

Freehold’s ball-hawking opportunistic defense got into the act when Damar Bivins returned a Scarlet Flier fumble 30 yards for a score.

The Colonials created six turnovers (four fumble recoveries and two interceptions) as they build up a 34-0 lead through three quarters.

Freehold, on the road throughout the month of September, will finally get to play before the hometown fans Saturday, when Central Regional (0-4) makes a call in a Federal Division contest. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m.

Manalapan (1-3) picked up Tom Gallahue’s first win as a head coach on Friday, beating Toms River South, 20-9.

A 70-yard touchdown pass from Craig Peterson to Jimmy Gilburn lifted Manalapan to a 13-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Dave Presby’s 1-yard run later in the period put the game away. Presby rushed 130 yards on 24 attempts.

Fullback Sean Burns’ 3-yard run in the second period gave Manalapan a 7- 3 lead that it carried into halftime and through the third quarter.

Peterson passed for 172 yards (7-16) and the Brave piled up 348 yards. Manalapan had a perfect balance between the run and pass rushing for 176 yards to go with Peterson’s 172.

The Braves will look to keep it going on Friday when they host Middletown North (0-4) at 7 p.m.

Colts Neck (2-1) had its bye week last weekend and returns to action on Saturday, hosting Freehold Township at 3 p.m.

The Pats (0-4) are coming off a 34-7 loss at Jackson Memorial Friday.

Jack LaPietra’s 15-yard scoring pass to Ryan Spadola accounted for the Pats’ touchdown.

Marlboro (0-3), which fell at home to undefeated Toms River North (4-0), 35- 0, is on the road this week traveling to Brick Memorial (1-2) Friday night (7 p.m.).