It's time to resume football rivalries
Thanksgiving Day rekindles traditional games
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Thanksgiving Day and scholastic football rivalries are a tradition. Most often its bragging rights that are at stake for the high school teams when they play their final games before turning in the helmet and pads and settle in for winter.

Howell, of course, hopes to have one more game (the Rebels hosted Montgomery Friday in the semifinals of Central Jersey Group IV playoffs played after the Greater Media Newspaper Thanksgiving deadline, with the winner moving on to next weekend's state championships).

Freehold Borough (7-2) and Colts Neck (5-4) are both coming off disappointing state playoff losses and looking to end successful seasons with a victory.

Manalapan (5-4) is looking to continue its winning ways, while Marlboro (0-9) knows there is a big difference between 6-4 and 5-5.

Howell (8-1) may be looking ahead to a state championship game while Freehold Township (1-8) would like to end a sour season with a win over its rivals.

Mark Ciccotelli's Colonials turned the ball over five times in their 24-7 state playoff loss at home to Monroe. After winning the first division title since 2001 (Federal Division), the Colonials were looking to make some noise in the postseason.

Mike McArthur's Cougars fell behind Howell 27-7 at the half, but valiantly mounted a second-half comeback. They closed within 27-21, and had the ball on the Howell 11-yard line late in the fourth quarter before the drive was stopped on downs.

Thursday's Colonial-Cougar matchup in Freehold Borough will feature two of the most explosive and exciting players in the Shore Conference.

Colts Neck has perhaps the best running back in Ashton "Action" Jackson. He's rushed for more than a 1,000 yards (1,079) while averaging more than 6 yards per rush. He has the rare ability to score from anywhere on the field. Give him an opening and as defenses have found to their regret, he's gone. He's scored eight touchdowns.

In addition, Jackson is a threat to go all the way on kickoff and punt returns (he's returned a punt 65 yards for a score). All together, he's scored 10 touchdowns in '07.

With this being his final high school game, Jackson no doubt wants to leave a lasting impression.

Freehold Borough counters with Brandon Brown, another big play specialist. With three punt returns and one kickoff return for touchdowns, it's not an overstatement to call him the most dangerous return in the Shore. The junior returned two punts for a score against Lakewood in the seasonopening win that acted as a springboard toward this championship season.

Brown doubles as one of the best deep threat receivers. He's averaging 22 yards per catch with 29 receptions for 639 yards. As if that weren't enough, he has four interceptions.

In all, Brown has scored 13 touchdowns. Both teams, of course, are more than their stars; otherwise, they wouldn't have been in the state playoffs.

Colts Neck quarterback Chris Chiarelli has come of age. The sophomore has become more and more of a passing threat, presenting defenses with the prospect of having to worry about Jackson, while at the same time knowing that the Cougars can beat anyone with the passing game.

The Colonials can pass the ball, too, with Brian Prisk, who has thrown for 1,166 yards and 11 touchdowns. It's been running back by committee for Freehold, but it hasn't made a difference who's running because of the solid offensive line that has controlled the line of scrimmage.

While fireworks can be expected, both teams have defenses that ran high in total defense. They have playmakers on that side of the ball as well.

Both also have good kickers in Gerry Plescia (Freehold Borough) and Spilliane (Colts Neck).

Tom Gallahue's Braves may be disappointed that they weren't able to make the state playoffs this fall, but a win tomorrow will put that 0-3 start behind them and allow them to leave '07 feeling good about another winning campaign.

Tight end Jimmy Gilburn helped made a difference with ability to stretch defenses. Teams have not found an answer for him as he's averaging more than 30 yards a reception on 25 catches for 732 yards and eight touchdowns.

Quarterback Craig Peterson has been among the leading passers in the Shore all year, as expected, passing for more than 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Tailback Dave Presby is closing in on another 1,000-yard season and would like to get it tomorrow.

Manalapan's archrival Marlboro knows that there is a big difference between 6-4 and 5-5. The Mustangs would love to spoil Manalapan's bid for a winning season. However, more important, the Mustangs would like to simply get a win and put 2007 behind them and look toward '08 on a one-game winning streak.

In E.J. Tucker, the Mustangs have someone who can make anyone hurt. He's among the leading receivers in the Shore (25) and has the second longest kickoff return for a touchdown (90 yards).

The Manalapan-Marlboro game is the oldest rivalry in the District. The two teams have been playing each other since 1973. This year's game is in Manalapan.

Freehold Township, which will be hosting this year's game, knocked Howell off last year when the Rebels were headed to the Central Jersey final and they would like to do it again. Quarterback Jack LaPietra has a dependable target in Ryan Spadola. They have hooked up for five touchdowns this year with Spadola's 28 receptions, ranking him among the Shore's leaders.

Howell, of course, sports the most potent offense in the District. With Dave Hayes (748 yards) emerging as a running threat, the Rebels can beat teams in so many ways. The Constitution Division champions have the leading passer in the Shore in Tim Lamirande (1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns) and a bevy of sure-handed receivers led by Chance Carrick (46 catches and five touchdowns), Brian Battaglia (32), Amato (27) and Hayes (24).

Hayes and Battaglia return kicks for touchdowns in Howell's playoff win against Colts Neck.