The leaves are turning color and scholastic athletes continue to turn in sparkling performances throughout the area.
Take a look at who sparkled over the last week on local fields and courts.
The Holmdel girls’ tennis team receives a shout out first here as the program racked up its fifth straight Shore Conference Tournament championship.
Holmdel defeated Red Bank Catholic, 5-0, in the Shore Conference final on Sept. 30.
Holmdel’s championship drive was guided by singles players Brianna Gibbs, Ola Wojciak and Rita Vought and the doubles teams of Vicky Vought and Emily Kong and Natalie Cipriano and Jaimee Ratkoski.
Football stars were plentiful this past weekend.
Allentown quarterback Jordan Winston shined with his legs and his arm on his home turf on Oct. 7.
He kept to rush for 281 yards and passed for 228 yards in Allentown’s 62-26 victory over Pemberton.
Freehold QB Ashante Worthy also delivered both running and passing in his team’s 52-27 victory over Monroe. He ran or five touchdowns and passed for two TDs on Oct. 7.
South Brunswick relied on the arm of QB Josh Liao en route to its 42-7 victory over Edison on Oct. 7. Liao completed all six of his passes that resulted in 249 yards and four touchdowns.
Manalapan also called on its signal caller, Luke Corcione, when Colts Neck paid a visit on Oct. 7. Corcione clicked on 11 of his 18 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns as the Braves swept to a 41-8 victory to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Another quarterback who steered his team to a victory was Mitchell Epstein. He connected on 11 of his 14 passes for 203 yards and two TDs on Oct. 7 when Saint Joseph of Metuchen rolled by South Plainfield, 37-0.
Not t be out shined, there were plenty of running backs who also produced great games.
Jonny Helff ran for three touchdowns, including a 31-yard burst in overtime when Marlboro broke a tie and defeated East Brunswick, 21-14, on Oct. 8. Helff finished with 158 yards rushing.
Keshaun Henry erupted to score six touchdowns when Woodbridge stormed to a 52-20 triumph over J.F. Kennedy of Iselin on Oct. 7.
Vito Aleo amassed 256 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns when he carried Raritan past Monmouth Regional, 42-7, on Oct. 7.
There was some defense this past weekend.
Keyport trimmed Middlesex, 14-13, on Oct. 8 behind back Rayquan Brown, who picked up a fumble and dashed 59 yards to the end zone.
On the girls’ soccer landscape…..
Mia Reyes established school history when she chalked up four assists as Wardalw-Hartridge defeated Spotswood, 6-1, on Oct. 10.
Reyes’ four assists gave her 41 for her career, breaking the former record of 38. Since Reyees is just a junior, her school mark for assists will certainly climb.
Grace Karagjozi fired in four goals when Rumson-Fair Haven breezed to an 8-0 victory over Raritan on Oct. 8.
Kaleigh Harmon connected on three goals, including the winning score with 10 minutes to play, when Middletown North edged Ocean Township, 4-3, on Oct. 7.
Michelle Reyes hit for two goals as she led South River past Carteret, 3-0, on Oct. 7.
Moving over to boys’ soccer….
Matt Cavadas scored three goals in Monroe’s 10-1 victory over Perth Amby on Oct. 10.
Chris Moran recorded three goals himself when he led Spotswood past Bishp Ahr, 6-1, on Oct. 10.
In field hockey……
Abigail Zimmerlink and Mikayla Van Horn each put in three goals when Old Bridge posted a 7-1 victory over Red Bank Regional on Oct. 8.