FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP
W hat everyone has been waiting for since the high school football season kicked off in September — the state playoffs — gets under way this weekend.
For just the second time in program history and first since 2001, the Central Jersey tournament will include Freehold Township High School.
In his first year at Freehold Township, Cory Davies has guided the Patriots to a place they are unaccustomed to. The Patriots, 4-5 overall but 4-4 at the state cutoff date, are the No. 7 seed in Central Jersey, Group V and will travel to No. 2-seed New Brunswick High School Nov. 13.
“I think the kids understand what an achievement it is,” Davies said. “Now we want to win a playoff game.
“As a football team, we’re getting better each week.”
The Patriots, who concluded the regular season with a 27-14 loss at Middletown High School North Nov. 6, have drawn a familiar opponent in New Brunswick (8-1). The teams played in New Brunswick Oct. 23, with the Zebras scoring a 38-28 victory,
“We played very well against them,” Davies said.
Freehold Township’s big concern is the Zebras’ Maurice Ffrench, who had 311 total yards — 164 yards rushing and 147 receiving — and scored three touchdowns.
The Patriots have a quarterback in Jack O’Brien who has had a hot hand in recent weeks, as well as a bevy of wide receivers to throw to. They give the Patriots a very good chance at pulling an upset.
MANALAPAN
Ed Gurrieri’s team at Manalapan High School is no stranger to the playoffs, having been to the last four state sectional finals at Rutgers University and winning it all last year. The Braves are not the powerhouse of those years, but they are not to be dismissed with their 5-4 record — 4-4 at the cutoff date. They know as well as anyone the playoffs are a second chance to make or break a season.
It’s been a trying year for Manalapan, which saw its five-year reign as the Shore Conference A North Division champion — as well as its long division winning streak — come to an end. Injures have kept the Braves from hitting on all cylinders and contributed to their struggles.
There is good news for the Braves, seeded fifth in Central Jersey, Group V and headed to Trenton Central High School (5- 4), the fourth seed, Nov. 14.
“We will be a full strength for the first time all year,” Gurrieri said.
Manalapan heads to Trenton with some momentum, having stopped a three-game slide with the 42-0 win at Howell High School Nov. 6.
Marcus Salinas ran for 181 yards and two scores, and quarterback Cody Wiener completed 5 of 8 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns, including a 51- scoring strike to L’Jeron Holder. That kind of running/passing balance is what the Braves hope to use against the Tornadoes. Kickoff in Trenton is 1 p.m.
South Brunswick High School (8-1), which lost the sectional finals to Manalapan last year, is the No. 1 seed in Central Jersey, Group V.
FREEHOLD
Freehold High School, which is in the playoffs for a second straight year, is the lone Freehold Regional High School District team playing at home.
The Colonials, 6-3 overall and 6-2 at the cutoff, are the fourth seed in Central Jersey, Group IV and will play fifth-seed Allentown High School (5-4) Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.
Freehold lost to undefeated Middletown High School South Nov. 7, 38-7, with the A North Division crown on the line.
The Colonials have one of the best dualthreat quarterbacks in the Shore in Jake Curry and a top runner in Ashante Worthy.
Last year, Freehold made the playoffs for the first time in a few years. Just making the playoffs won’t be enough for these Colonials, who want to have a chance to play for a state title.
Brick Memorial High School (7-2) is Central Jersey, Group IV’s No. 1 seed.