Middletown North’s football team made the race for Shore Conference A North a little more interesting and crowded at the top.
Playing in monsoon weather on Oct. 2, the Lions got a solid effort from sophomore Connor Welsh for the second straight week while upsetting defending division and state champion Manalapan, 18-8, to end the Braves’ 33-game winning streak in A North. Welsh rushed for 84 yards and scored two touchdowns to fill the void left by Chad Freshnock, out with an injury the past two games and expected to sit out the Lions’ next game at Ocean on Oct. 9.
“I was really pleased with the way the kids played and didn’t let the weather be a distraction,” coach Steve Bush said as the Lions, coming off their first winning season since 2000 last fall, improved to 3-1 overall. “Welsh played much better than last week. The defense played well and stepped up to keep us ahead.”
Bush also said his defense did not allow any big plays by Manalapan and saw that as a key to the victory.
Credit a good part of that to defensive end Matt Dombrowski and outside linebacker Brick Zenker, who raced 30 yards with a fumble for a touchdown after Welsh ran 2 yards for a score on the opening drive as the Lions took a 12-0 lead. Marcus Salinas rushed 2 yards for a Manalapan touchdown in the second quarter and Welsh answered on the next series with a 7- yard touchdown carry.
Also bolstering the defense were tackles Tyler Vivian and Cory Baliatico and free safety Dwight Wilkerson as neither team’s offense scored in the second half under worsening conditions.
It was a resounding rebound for the Lions, who a week earlier got off to an error-plagued start against Freehold Borough and made a frantic comeback in the second half before falling short, 26-20.
The win keeps the Lions well positioned for a return to the state playoffs and puts crosstown rival Middetown South at 4-0 in the lead position in the division. Middletown South plays at Howell (2-2) on Oct. 9 and then plays Manalapan the following Friday.
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH
Matt Mosquera threw three touchdowns passes — two to Samson Dube of 29 and 10 yards and another to Tom Coffey for 31 yards — as the Eagles soared past 1-3 Freehold Township, 42-0, on Oct. 3. James Mc- Carthy rushed for 135 yards on 17 carries including a touchdown on a 5-yard run to cap the scoring. The defense contributed a pair of touchdowns as Maxx Imsho opened the scoring with a 67-yard interception runback and Tom Marron ran 30 yards with a fumble.
In other action last weekend;
MATAWAN
The defending NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group III champion ended an 0-3 funk with a 14-0 victory over Monmouth Regional as Makiya Caesar ran 8 yards in the first quarter and 20 yards in the second quarter for touchdowns.
Next up is a road game 7 p.m. Oct. 9 against Colonia (3-1).
ST. JOHN VIANNEY
Calvin Beatty ran 4 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter after Tyler Tedeschi blocked a punt to snap a 6-6 tie as St. John Vianney (4-0) won, 13-6, over Rumson-Fair Haven (2-1) in a Shore Conference A Central show-down on Oct. 2. Anthony Brown hooked up with Marcque Ellington on a 75-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter that tied the score. The Lancers next play at winless Manchester Township on Oct. 9.
MATER DEI
Peddie handed the Seraphs (2-2) a second straight loss, 47-12.
KEYPORT
Metuchen (3-1) turned Keyport (2-2) turnovers into touchdowns for a 37-0 halftime lead on the way to a 44-0 victory. The Red Raiders play host to Highland Park (1- 2) at noon on Oct. 10.