Freehold High School and Neptune High School have developed quite a rivalry on the gridiron in the last couple of years.
When the Colonials won their first state football title in 2008, they beat Neptune twice during the season, including a state playoff game. The Scarlet Fliers got a measure of payback the next year by beating Freehold in overtime.
In 2010 Freehold returned the favor by beating Neptune in overtime on the way to winning its second state title in three years.
A lot has happened since the Colonials won their state title in December 2010 and that has ratcheted up the intensity for an Oct. 1 Shore Conference B North Division contest in Freehold Borough. Kickoff for Freehold and Neptune is set for 1 p.m.
First, Freehold coach Mark Ciccotelli resigned as the Colonials’ coach and took over as Neptune’s coach.
Then, Jazzmar Clax, who was arguably Freehold’s best player, is now suiting up for the Scarlet Fliers. Clax, whose parents live in Neptune, transferred to that school over the summer.
This year’s Colonials are playing with a chip on their shoulder. They have only five starters back from last year’s state championship team and that has led many people to discount their chances in 2011.
New coach Dave Ellis (the team’s defensive coordinator last season) said his club has adopted an underdog mentality and is “out to prove they can get there (state playoffs), too.”
Freehold (2-1) heads into the Neptune game on a two-game winning streak because of its defense and one big play. The Colonials splashed and slogged their way to a 7-0 win over previously undefeated Ocean Township High School on Sept. 23 in Ocean Township.
On the first play from scrimmage, Freehold QB Kevin Smith timed his pitch to Cequan Rush-Smith perfectly. A blitzing Ocean linebacker just missed getting his hands on the pitch and that left an alley open for Rush-Smith, who darted 80 yards untouched for the touchdown. Greg Watson kicked the extra point for 7-0 lead 15 seconds into the game.
The Spartans’defense did a good job bottling up the Colonials’ offense after that, but that one play stood up as the Freehold defense, led by Stacey Sunnerville and Jahree Whiting, kept the Spartans off the scoreboard.
The game started in a light, steady rain, but conditions deteriorated throughout the evening and it became evident that unless Freehold’s defense made a mistake, the lone touchdown would stand up. The Colonials’ defense never broke and the early score was the game-winner.
Neptune will come to Freehold Borough with a 2-1 record.
Thiswill also be a big weekend for Howell and Middletown South. Both teams, perennial state playoff participants, can ill afford another loss this early if they hope to be playing late in November.
Last year, Middletown South ran all over the Rebels in Howell and that one-sided loss will no doubt be on Howell’s mind when the RebelstraveltoMiddletownfora7p.m. game on Oct. 1.
Middletown South (1-2) was a surprising 0-2 before beating Freehold Township (0-3), 27-12, in Middletown on Sept. 23.
Howell is 2-1 after its 34-12 win at home over Marlboro on Sept. 24. A day’s wait (rain postponed the game from Sept. 23) and a wet field did nothing to slow down Howell’s air show.
Quarterback Ryan Davies (23-30, 266 yards) threw five touchdown passes, giving him 12 for the season. Nick Craig caught seven passes, two for touchdowns. Craig averaged 15.4 yards per catch (108 yards).
Tory Robinson caught four passes, two for touchdowns, and Brandon Yaegel also caught four passes, including a touchdown.
For Marlboro (0-3), quarterback Peter Hoch ran for 103 yards and scored both of his team’s touchdowns on short runs.
Davies threw 36 touchdown passes in a record-setting 2010 campaign.
Marlboro will host Middletown North (0-3) under the lights at the Marlboro municipal complex on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Overall, last weekend was a good one for Freehold Regional High School District teams as Manalapan (2-1) and Colts Neck (2-1) also posted victories.
Manalapan defeated Middletown North, 33-12, on Sept. 24. The 2011 season is shaping up like 2010 for Manalapan. The Braves lost a close game to Jackson Memorial High School in the season opener and then found their legs the next week against Middletown South. Last year it was Josh Firkser doing the running. This year it is John Sieczkowski who is running to daylight behind a strong offensive line.
Against Middletown North, Manalapan’s ground game produced all five touchdowns with Sieczkowski and Tyler Leonetti each scoring twice and Saeed Blacknall scoring once.
Braves’ coach Eddie Gurrieri is pleased with where his team is through the first three games.
“We’re playing a lot of young kids, the veterans are doing well and our quarterback (Mike Isabella) is managing the game,” he said. “We are running the ball and stopping the run on defense.”
Manalapan will visit Freehold Township on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.
Colts Neck (2-1) drubbed Monmouth Regional (0-3), 48-0, on Sept. 24 in Tinton Falls to earn its second win of the season. The Cougars have been getting solid play from the seniors on the squad. The Cougars will entertain Ocean Township on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. in what is now an important Shore Conference B North Division game.