Manalapan ready to make playoff run

Play of Gilburn has offense clicking

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

Manalapan’s coaching staff had taken a look at Jimmy Gilburn playing tight end during the summer. It was an option for them, but with the defensive back such an important part of the Brave defense, it was a move they didn’t want to make.

But, when the Braves started the season 0-3, necessity took over.

Since coach Tom Gallahue put his junior at tight end, the Brave offense has been very productive (20 points against Toms River South in a 20-9 win and 35 against Middletown North in a 35-19 victory) and the team has rolled up back-to-back wins to put themselves back in the state playoff chase.

Gallahue pointed out that the tight-end position is vital to the Manalapan offense because it requires him to be both a blocker and a downfield playmaker as a receiver. In Adam Hegel and Billy Doukouslis, the Braves were spoiled the last three years. With Gilburn now full time, the Braves again have themselves a tight end who can get downfield and also help out the running game with his blocking.

Against Middletown North, he scored on two long touchdown passes from quarterback Craig Peterson of 62 and 65 yards. He has opened the Brave offense up stretching the field vertically.

“It was something that we were missing,” noted Gallahue of Gilburn’s big play capabilities.

Gilburn’s receiving talents have open things up for the other receivers.

“Teams have been overloading to his side,” Gallahue explained.

Although Gilburn is happy scoring touchdowns, he’s still a defensive player at heart and doesn’t like it when the Braves are giving him a breather while the defense is on the field. Bryan Tamalone, Gallahue said, has been providing leadership on defense when Gilburn is not present.

With 1,000-rusher Dave Presby in the backfield, the Braves again have the balance between the pass and the run that has made thus a perennial state playoff team.

To get back there this year, the Braves know they have to run the table. Thanks to the revamped offense, they are giving themselves a very good chance.

The Braves avoided the rash of losses suffered by Freehold Regional District teams last weekend because it was their bye week. Gallahue turned into a training camp.

“We went back to the basics, the fundamentals,” he pointed out. “We want to get better at the things we do well.”

Throughout Manalapan’s agonizing 0-3 start, the Braves could count on one thing. The upperclassmen had been through it before.

They had been part of teams that had turned poor starts in September into state playoff appearances. There was no panic, but, certainly a sense of urgency.

“The seniors all got together,” said Gallahue. “They knew the season was in jeopardy and that they had to work harder.”

If the Braves do turn the season around, they will look to a fourth-down call against Toms River South (TRS) as perhaps the pivotal play of the season

Trailing the Indians 3-0, the Braves were on the TRS three with one second left in the half. The Indians called time out to freeze place-kicker Peterson. The Braves coaching staff decided during the time-out to go for the touchdown on fourth down. Sean Burns burrowed in from the three and the Braves went into the locker room leading, 7-3.

In the second half, they were a different team. Late in the fourth quarter leading 13- 9, Gallahue challenged his offense.

“I told the offense that you had two choices; you could watch from the sidelines and see if Toms River came up with some play that beat us or you could put the game away on the field,” he said.

The Braves offense took the challenge to heart. They mounted a 12-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in Presby’s 1-yard plunge that made it 20-9 and put the game away.

Manalapan returns to action on Saturday when the Braves visit Colts Neck (3-2) for a 1 p.m. start. This is a must-win game for both teams.