Colonials go to 4-0 after beating Central

Howell remains undefeated, beating TRS Indians

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

Robert James and the Freehold Colonials know that their 4-0 record is no accident.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff At left, Freehold High School's Tyler Russo runs for a gain in the first quarter of his team's 35-7 victory over Central High School Saturday afternoon. Right, Freehold's Robert James looks at a referee after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown en route to his team's victory over Central High School. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff At left, Freehold High School’s Tyler Russo runs for a gain in the first quarter of his team’s 35-7 victory over Central High School Saturday afternoon. Right, Freehold’s Robert James looks at a referee after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown en route to his team’s victory over Central High School. “It’s been a lot of hard work for the last four years,” he said. “This was the year we always talked about when we’d be seniors.

“We’ve paid our dues,” he added. “This is the year for us to take it and challenge people.”

The Colonials continued their winning ways Saturday, beating Central Regional, 35-7, in their first home game of the season. They are now 4-0.

James, who was penciled in as a fullback, switched to guard just three days before the season opener. Colonial coach Mark Ciccotelli, sensing the team needed help on the offensive line, went to James with the idea of playing guard. James was acceptable to the idea.

“He’s a soldier for us,” said Ciccotelli. “He’ll do anything we ask.”

James credited his coach for making the adjustment easier.

“Because of Coach Ciccotelli, I’ve been a student of the game,” said James. “I’ve picked up certain things [about all positions].”

Also making it easier on him was the presence of three-year starters Brandon Carter, Peter Gerbehey and Luis Torres (who missed the Central game with an injury).

The offensive line has turned the Freehold Borough offense into a unit that can run or pass. It doesn’t seem to matter who is running the ball, they have a huge hole to run through.

Tyler Russo got free on a 54-yard touchdown run and gained 114 yards before leaving late in the game with an ankle injury.

Quarterback Brian Prisk has an outstanding core of receivers led by playmaker Brandon Brown, who scored on touchdown runs of 49 and 22 yards. Brown can turn a short pass into long play thanks to his quick acceleration. He did that on his 21-yard pass reception in the third quarter. He can go deep as well, as he did on the 49-yarder.

The 6-3 Alex Fernandez is an inviting target who can outjump defenders. Leading 13-7 in the waning seconds of the first half, Prisk tossed a floater into the corner of the end zone. Fernadez outjumped the Central Regional defensive back for ball to give the Colonials a two-score lead heading into the halftime. Prisk and Fernandez also connected on the two-point conversion that gave Freehold a 21-7 cushion.

“Things are coming together,” said Prisk. “We’re more balanced this year. All three [receivers] can make plays.”

It would be linebacker Robert James who would leave his mark in the second half. His big hit on Central quarterback Palagonia on the first drive off the second half forced a fumble that was recovered by the Borough’s Damar Bivins to the Central 5-yard line.

“I love playing defense,” said James. “When I make a play, everyone starts following. I can feel it. I’m just looking to help my team.”

It would eventually be James putting the Colonials on the scoreboard following the turnover. He fell on a forward fumble in the end zone for the TD that pushed the lead to 28-7.

Brown’s 22-yard catch and run TD put the game away.

Freehold Borough played without three starters – running back Jahquan Fenn, receiver Gerry Plescia and Torres – for the second straight week.

“It’s a tribute to the team the way everyone has stepped up,” said Ciccotelli.

The Colonials are back on the road Saturday at Red Bank Regional (0-4). Kickoff is 1 p.m.

In the most recent NJSIAA power points, Freehold Borough was ranked fourth in Central Jersey before last week’s action.

Lamirande’s passing has Howell at 5-0

Howell also remained undefeated, beating Toms River South on the road Friday night, 24-0. Cory Davies’ Rebels are 5-0 and No. 2 in the most recent Central Jersey Group IV power ratings. With top-ranked Sayreville losing on Friday night, the Rebels could find themselves at the top of the heap.

In Toms River, the Rebels had everything working, piling up more than 450 yards and having to punt the ball just once.

Quarterback Tim Lamirande had his second straight 300-plus-yard aerial game, throwing two short touchdown passes to Brian Battaglia.

Lamirande was 25-38 with no interceptions and 307 yards. Although Chance Carrick was his favorite target (nine catches for 121 yards), Lamirande spread the wealth around connecting with six different Rebel receivers.

What may have pleased Davies the most Friday night was seeing David Hayes rush for 85 yards on 14 carries, part of a ground game that picked up 150 yards. Teams have enough trouble defending the spread offense trying to account for every receiver. Adding a consistent ground attack to complement the passing game is scary.

Howell returns home Friday night to take on Jackson Memorial (2-3), which is coming off a 28-7 loss to Toms River North.

Colts Neck finally got back on the gridiron. The Cougars had its bye week last weekend and hasn’t played since Sept. 20.

Mike McArthur’s team used its time off well, as they didn’t miss a beat scoring 31 points in the first half and cruising to a 45- 13 win over Freehold Township (0-5).

Ashton Jackson scored three touchdowns on runs of 35 and 16 yards and on a 65-yard punt return, all in the first half. He had 176 rushing yards on just 16 carries.

Quarterback Chris Chiarelli continued his maturation, tossing two touchdown passes. One was a 66-yard strike to Chris Leroy and the other a 15-yarder to Kevin Callelo. Chiarelli was 8-of-12 for 175 yards.

Ryan Moore accounted for the Cougars other touchdown on a 10-yard run, and Eric Spillane booted a 20-yard field goal.

Colts Neck, now 3-1, will host Lacey (3- 2) Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.).

Kyle Ramos-Herrara’s 26-yard run and an 80-yard pass from quarterback Jack LaPietra to Ryan Spadola, accounted for the Freehold Township’s two scores Saturday.

Freehold Township is hosting Marlboro (0-4) on Friday night (7 p.m.). Something will give in this game as one of these teams will get its first win of the season.

Brick Memorial beat Marlboro on Friday night, 50-6, in Brick.

Manalapan making its move

It’s October, and for the Manalapan Braves that usually means the start of its playoff run. The Braves are pushing the envelope this year having started 0-3, but they are now 2-3 and hitting on all cylinders heading into their bye week.

The Braves beat Middletown North Friday night, thrilling their Homecoming crowd with a 35-19 victory. Manalapan scored on four long touchdowns, three of them more than 60 yards.

During its September swoon, coach Tom Gallahue noted that the club had to get the ball to Jimmy Gilburn more often. Friday night everyone saw why.

Gilburn and quarterback Craig Peterson teamed up on two long touchdown passes of 65 and 62 yards.

The latter came in the fourth quarter after Middletown North had closed to within 21-19.

With Gilburn bringing the vertical game into play, defenses now must contend with that and the hard-running Dave Presby.

Presby made his own big play, a 63-yard touchdown gallop in the second quarter that opened up a 21-7 lead. He also scored the final points of the night on a 4-yard run. He rushed for 126 yards on 18 carries.

Peterson didn’t have his most accurate of nights, but he made his completions count. He was just 4-14, but those four passes were for 204 yards and three touchdowns. He also hooked up with Chris Pellicano on a 38-yard scoring pass in the first quarter.

Manalapan will return to the field on Oct. 20 to take on Colts Neck at 1 p.m.