Freehold High School’s timing on the football field couldn’t be better. With the playoffs just a couple weeks away, the Colonials are peaking.
“We’re at the stage where we’re getting better each week,” head coach Dave Ellis said. “We’re playing all four quarters and we’re avoiding mistakes, turnovers and penalties. We’ve cleaned those things up.
“It’s a great time for it to come together.”
The Colonials offense certainly had it all together Oct. 24 when the Colonials lifted their record to 5-2 with a 45-20 win over winless Toms River High School East.
Quarterback Jake Curry couldn’t have played any better. He was a perfect 14-for- 14 passing for 261 yards and four scores in the nondivision romp.
Curry’s threw his touchdown passes to Ashante Worthy (18 yards), Matt Curcio (15), Matt Krauss (8) and Jamel Smith- Rush (28).
Worthy supported the passing game with his 139 yards on just 13 carries. He added a 48-yard touchdown run to his touchdown reception.
Smith-Rush also had a running and receiving touchdown for Freehold. He scored on a 5-yard run.
“Jake is definitely the center of our offense,” Ellis said. “He has a total understanding of our offense.” Ellis added that Curry has total confidence in all of his receivers and that makes the passing game even more efficient.
So, too, is the offensive line.
“Our offensive line pass protection is another reason we are having some success,” Ellis said.
Alec Mahon, Nick Eccelston, Todd Berger, Derek Perez and Marki Gill have been solid all year on the line. They’ve allowed Curry to have time to throw the ball downfield and have shown a big push upfield to give the Colonials a potent ground game.
“We’re just trying to be balanced and take what the defense gives us,” Ellis said.
The biggest improvement made by the Colonials in recent weeks has been on the defensive side of the ball.
“I’m pretty happy with the way the defense is playing,” Ellis said. “They’re running to the football and playing with a lot of energy.”
At 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Shore Conference A North Division, the Colonials are right where they want to be. After last year’s breakout 7-3 season that included a return to the state playoffs, the goal of this year’s team was to make last season’s success stick. “This year’s senior class learned from last year’s seniors,” Ellis said. “They expect to go to the playoffs and compete for the division.”
That is right where the Colonials are. They are fifth in power points (80) in Central
Jersey Group IV with the sectional playoffs a guarantee.
With just one division loss, they are the only team that can catch undefeated Middletown High School South in A North. They play in Freehold Nov. 7.
The first round of the state playoffs will be held Nov. 13 and 14.
First, Freehold has to get by an angry Manalapan High School squad that has lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2009 after suffering a rare home loss, 33-14, to Red Bank Catholic High School Oct. 23.
“They’re a great football team, state champions (Central Jersey Group V),” Ellis said. “We have no doubt they’ll be ready to go.”
The Braves (4-3) find themselves in an unusual position on playoff eve. Although their power points standing remains solid, sitting in fourth place in Central Jersey Group V with 77, the Braves will need to beat the Colonials to secure a high seed that would give them at least one home game.
In the home loss to the Caseys, running back Marcus Salinas and wide receiver L’Jeron Holder scored Manalapan’s two touchdowns, the latter coming on a pass from quarterback Luke Corcione.
Kickoff in Manalapan is 7 p.m.
Freehold Township High School (3-4) will play what amounts to a play-in game on Oct. 30 when the Patriots host Edison High School (2-4).
Freehold Township is in the eighth and final playoff spot in Central Jersey Group V with 54 power points and will play an Eagles squad two places behind it. A win should put Freehold Township in the state playoffs for just the second time in program history. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
The Patriots slipped under .500 Oct. 23 when they lost at undefeated New Brunswick High School, 38-28. Quarterback Jack O’Brien continues to have the hot hand, as he tossed three more touchdown passes — all to Nick Galanti — in the loss.
Howell High School (2-5) slipped out of playoff contention in South Jersey Group V when the Rebels lost at Monroe Township High School, 15-12, Oct. 23.
Quarterback Eddie Morales accounted for both scores — one on a pass and the other on the ground.
Howell visits winless Marlboro High School Oct. 30. Kickoff for the game at the Marlboro Recreation Center is 7 p.m.
The Mustangs lost at East Brunswick High School Oct. 23 by a 24-15 score. Tyler Tanen caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Jared Wright, and Cameron Caorsi scored on a 30-yard run.
Colts Neck High School (0-7) lost at undefeated Brick Township High School, 24- 0, Oct. 23. These two teams played just two years ago for the state sectional title won by the Green Dragons.
The Cougars are home to Wall High School Oct. 31. Kickoff is at noon.