Braves over .500, remain in contention for playoffs

Marlboro goes OT

to win first game

BY TIM MORRIS

Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Manalapan’s Eddie Gurrieri breaks into the open field, while at left, Howell’s Rich Morello tries to avoid a tackle during the Rebels’ home game on Saturday.

Manalapan took a step toward the state playoffs Saturday afternoon, with a 39-7 win at Howell.

Tom Tarver’s Braves, 4-3 after the victory, need a win Friday night (7 p.m.) at home against Lacey (4-3) to secure one of the eight playoff berths available in Central Jersey Group IV. They began the week ranked seventh in power points. Undefeated Toms River North and Brick Township are the section leaders in Central Jersey IV.

The Braves threw a perfectly balanced attack at Howell, running for 131 yards and passing for 130 more.

Quarterback Kyle St. Angelo, who has been getting sharper with each passing game, was 9-for-12 and threw for three touchdowns passes. He connected twice with Greg Dilorenzo on plays that traveled 11 and 51 yards, and once to Eddie Gurrieri for 26 yards.

Gurrieri, again filling in for the injured Chris Hegel, had another big game. He ran the ball 14 times for 72 yards, picking 50 of them on a first quarter touchdown. He struck pay dirt a second time with his touchdown pass.

Scoring on 1-yard runs for the Braves were Alex Widener and Anthony Mujica.

Manalapan defense held Howell to 3 yards rushing and 103 total yards for the game.

Howell (1-7), got on the board when quarterback Rich Morello teamed up with Brian Smith on a 15-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

The Rebels have their bye week this weekend.

Marlboro High School collected its first win of the season, topping Central Regional (2-5), 26-20, in overtime.

The Mustangs (1-7) trailed 14-0 and 20-7, but came back behind the running of Preston Pleuretes (17 carries, 87 yards). Kevin Graham made the most of his 11 carriers for 26 yards by scoring three touchdowns on short runs of 1, 3 and 2 yards.

But it was a 27-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Dunleavy to Brandon Erickson, in overtime, that secured the elusive first win for coach Bob Acosta.

Dunleavy blocked a punt late the fourth quarter that helped the Mustangs set up shop on the Central 9-yard line. Three plays later, Graham’s 2-yard run tied the score, forcing an overtime.

Marlboro had the first possession of OT and scored on the Dunleavy-Erickson connection.

The Mustangs’ defense made it hold up, stopping Central on downs sparked by a quarterback sack by Pleuretes.

Marlboro will appreciate its bye week a little more this weekend as they go into it off a win.

Freehold Borough (3-4) fell from the Central Jersey Group II picture after a 48-7 loss to Shore Regional. It was the third straight loss for the Colonials. Damian Walcott stood out in defeat for Freehold, gaining 133 yards on just 13 carries. He scored the Colonial’s only touchdown on a 58-yard run in the first quarter.

The Blue Devils piled up 428 yards on the ground in improving to 6-2 on the season.

Freehold, which can still have a winning season, will look to bounce back on Saturday at Keansburg (2-5). Kickoff is 1 p.m.

Colts Neck fell to 0-8, losing at home to Asbury Park (3-4), 16-6.

Ryan Keller’s 34-yard touchdown run was the highlight for the Cougars. He had 51 yards on 16 carries.

The Cougars also have their bye week this weekend.

Freehold Township (1-6) had its bye week last weekend and returns to action Saturday at Lakewood (1-6). Game time is 1:30 p.m.