Jackson helps Cougars pull away from TRS
Howell, Freehold Boro win, remain undefeated
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

It was a familiar site to the Toms River South defense, seeing the back of Colts Neck's No. 26 Ashton Jackson dashing in the end zone.

JEFF GRANIT staff Colts Neck's Kevin Callelo leaps to catch a pass as a Toms River defender falls. Callelo was unable to come up with the catch.

Only this time, there was no yellow flag.

Three times before in Thursday afternoon's game in Colts Neck, Jackson had broken away to score on long touchdown runs, only to have an official throw a penalty flag for either a holding or a block call in the back.

Those callbacks had kept the visiting Indians in the game. They were only trailing 10-3 when Jackson, following a cordon of blockers on a sweep, broke through a seam they had created and raced 74 untouched yards to the end zone.

Jackson's 74-yard gallop put the finishing touches on a 16-3 Colts Neck victory that lifted the Cougars to 2-1 on the season.

Jackson, who ran for 220 yards on 24 carries, said afterward the victory revealed the Cougars character. They kept plugging away and did not get down on themselves.

"It's all about overcoming," said Jackson. "We showed we still had fight in us [after the called back touchdowns]."

Thursday's afternoon game turned into a surprising defensive struggle with Toms River South (0-3) playing the Cougars evenly on the scoreboard. The teams were tied 3-3 at halftime.

Colts Neck had scored first on a 34-yard field goal by Eric Spaillane. Toms River South would match that with a 42-yarder by Delvento Earl in the second quarter.

The Cougars drove 78 yards late in the second quarter, but a fourth-and-one plunge into the line at the Indian 6-yard line was stopped short of the first-down marker, keeping the score at 3-3.

The third quarter was all played by the defense and the game headed into the final period still tied.

The Cougars seized all of the momentum at the start of the fourth when they marched 84 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.

After a steady diet of Jackson, the Cougars changed it up by sending Alex Muka through the middle of the Indian defense.

Two first-down runs by Muka got the drive going. Jackson had a 57-yard touchdown run called back by a hold. Unflustered, the Cougars came right back. Muka ran for eight and Jackson shook loose on an 18-yard run that took the ball down to the one. Two plays later, Muka dove in the end zone from a yard out and the Cougars had finally struck pay dirt.

Coach Mike McArthur used Muka, Ryan Moore and John Weber as change-of-pace backs while resting Jackson. After a steady diet of the elusive Jackson, Muka, Moore and Weber delivered body blows in the line that wear a defense down.

"We run hard," said Muka. "We punish people. The line did a great job of blocking."

With Spaillane's PAT (point after touchdown), Colts Neck stretched its lead to 10-3 with 6:39 left in the game. The Cougars' drive took 5:21 off the clock.

TRS tried to get into the game on its next possession. A 28-yard hook-up from quarterback Kevin Gilmore to Aaron Terry helped the Indians drive to the Colts Neck 39. But, they would be stopped on downs, giving the ball back to Colts Neck.

Jackson struck again, going 59 yards for an apparent touchdown but a holding penalty nullified it.

Not to worry, on the very next play, Jackson was back in full flight after his linemen had opened a huge hole on the sideline, and the Cougars had dodged a bullet.

"It all starts with my line," Jackson said. "I appreciate everything they do for me. There would be no Ashton Jackson without them."

Kyle Ingram, Taylor Howes, Chris Brandli, William Patelis, Justin Boxman and Chris Echols are Jackson's primary movers on the line.

After sharing the ball with the graduated "Pat Six," Jackson prepared himself for being the featured back who will carry the ball 25-30 times a game.

"I put on 10-12 pounds in the offseason to get stronger," he pointed out. "I went to a speed and strength coach."

The result is a stronger, but no less electrifying Jackson.

Quarterback Chris Chiarelli continues to give the Cougars an aerial attack that teams have to respect. He completed five of his eight tosses Thursday for 53 yards.

Colts Neck's defense was superb, holding the Indians to less than 100 total yards. Hard hits by the likes of Richie Foligno set the tone, while Alex Leroy and Jim Grech were among the defensive linemen recording sacks.

Colts Neck has its bye week this weekend and won't play again until Oct. 6 when the Cougars will host Freehold Township (0-3) at 3 p.m.

Howell, Freehold Boro win

Elsewhere in the Freehold District last week, Cory Davies' undefeated Howell Rebels improved to 3-0 with a 12-0 victory at Middletown North.

Playing without starting quarterback Tim Lamirande (out indefinitely with a broken left wrist), wide receiver turned quarterback Brian Battaglia is now 1-0 as a starter.

The Rebels spread offense was not worse for wear and tear as Battaglia threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns. The first was a 28-yard connection with Chance Carrick in the first quarter, and the second was a 7-yarder to Rob Handy in the fourth quarter to ice the game.

Carrick had six catches on the night for 140 yards, and Jason Amato pulled down four for 87 yards.

Middletown North did run for 211 yards (a concern for the Rebels), but the defense did come up with the big

plays when needed to keep the Lions (0-3) off the scoreboard. Amato, Phil Adamo and Alex Killian came up with interceptions for the Howell defense. Killian also recovered a fumble.

Howell will face its biggest test to date on Friday night when the Rebels host undefeated Lacey (3-0) in a Constitution Division showdown. Lacey won the division title last year and went on to claim the South Jersey Group III state sectional title.

Lacey powered its way to a 20-14 win at home last year against Howell behind its powerful running attack.

Kickoff is in Howell at 7 p.m.

Freehold Borough is undefeated as well. Mark Ciccotelli's Colonials are off to a 2-0 start thanks to their win in Ocean Thursday night, 22-14.

The Colonial offense produced the balance their head coach looks for, running for 131 yards while quarterback Brian Prisk passed for 105 yards and one touchdown.

Freehold's defense held the Spartans to three-and-out in its first three possessions, leading to a battle of field position won by the Colonials. At the start of the second quarter, Ocean was punting out of its end zone and a high snap from center led to a safety and a 2-0 Borough lead.

An interception by Brandon Brown set the Colonials up on the Ocean 32 in the final 2:00 of the half.

A Prisk to Jimmy Flotterson pass, a 15-yard personal foul against the Spartans and an 11- yard run by Tyler Russon took the ball down to the Ocean one. Jahquan Fenn capped the drive on the next play, and Freehold took an 8-0 lead into the locker room.

Freehold took total command at the start of the third quarter when Richard Schwartz recovered a Spartan fumble on the Ocean 14. Two plays later, Prisk found Alex Fernandez in the corner of the end zone, and with Flottern's extra point it was 15-0.

Fenn would pick up his second touchdown on a 2-yard run late in the third quarter, which extended a 15-7 lead to 22-7.

The Colonials defense, led by linebackers Schwarz and Robert James, held Ocean (1-2) to less than 150 total yards.

Freehold spread its 131 rushing yards around with Russo's 41 leading the charge.

Freehold Borough remains on the road this weekend, traveling to Neptune to take on the 2- 1 Scarlet Fliers. Kickoff is 6 p.m.

Two teams with state playoff ambitions met in Manalapan Thursday night for a critical early-season showdown.

Host Manalapan (0-3) was looking for its first win, while Brick (2-1) came in at 1-1. The Braves had started 0-2 the last two years and still rallied to make the state tournament, while Brick knew a second loss this early could derail its playoff hopes.

In a defensive struggle, Brick prevailed, 7-0. The Green Dragons made a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jordan Roshala stand up.

Brick's defense, however, needed a last-minute goal line stand before it could leave Manalapan with the victory.

The Braves will look to put one in the win column Friday night when they host winless Toms River South at 7 p.m.

Marlboro showed marked improvement Thursday, falling to Southern, 21-0. After surrendering 42 points in their opening game, the Mustangs held undefeated Southern (2-0) to under 240 yards of total offense.

The Mustangs (0-2) are home again this week for a Saturday afternoon game with undefeated Toms River North (3-0). Kickoff in Marlboro country is at 1 p.m.

Freehold Township (0-3) continued its struggles losing at home to the abovementioned Toms River North, 49-7.

A 39-yard scoring pass from quarterback Jack LaPietra to receiver Ryan Spadola was the Pats' highlight.

Freehold Township visits Jackson Memorial (1-2) on Friday night at 7 p.m.