By Scott Stump - Senior Editor
E-mail: stump@digitalsports.com First off, I apologize for the late posting of the rankings as I was in bed with the flu and ingesting every over-the-counter medication known to man in the last two days, so I guess I'll still argue I'm feverish if these rankings fail to make sense.
Certainly the big question is whether Asbury Park should remain No. 1 after an 18-7 win over a tough Rumson-Fair Haven team. I am keeping the Blue Bishops there, although I think they are lucky that Southern had a bye week rather than a lop-sided win because that might have really fueled the debate. You also could argue that Freehold should just be No. 1 as it more than handled its business in a shutout win over Lakewood. I just want to give it a little more time before making any firm choices.
There is turnover near the bottom of the rankings like there most likely will be all season, so that was no surprise. It's really just the raging debate over No. 1 right now, and hopefully this weekend will provide some more answers.
DigitalSports Top 10
1. Asbury Park (3-0) - Last week: No. 1. The Blue Bishops topped Rumson-Fair Haven 18-7 in a game that was close to the end, which only intesified the calls for Southern and Freehold. The star trio of Will Johnson, George Stephens and Derrell Bell came through with three touchdowns to push the Blue Bishops' winning streak to 14 games.
2. Southern (2-0) - Last week: No. 2. The Rams had a bye week, which gave Glenn Carson time to firm up his decision and choose Penn State, so congrats to Glenn. They return this week against a Freehold Township team that has given a tough game to every team it has played, so the Rams will have to be careful.
3. Freehold (3-0) - Last week: No. 3. I could see this team ascending to No. 1 before long, as the Colonials rolled past Lakewood, 29-0, on Saturday night. They could even be No. 1 right now. I guess it's all just opinion at this point, and if Middletown South and Neptune keep winning as well, those victories will be undeniable and soon could cause me to just jump the Colonials into the top spot. They have three players who are dangerous in the running game, a game-breaking wideout and a strong defense, so the argument is certainly there right now.
4. Lacey (2-0) - Last week: No. 4. The Lions were on their bye week and return to face a dangerous Toms River South team at home on Saturday. The more experience this offense gets, the more formidable I think this team will be as the season progresses.
5. Middletown North (2-0) - Last week: No. 5. The Lions are coming off their bye week and return to face Marlboro in their bid to tie their win total from all of last season. This is one team that I am curious to see if they can hang in the upper echelon of the rankings just because it's uncharted territory for this group.
6. Red Bank Catholic (2-0) - Last week: No. 6. The Caseys rolled over rival Red Bank, and this looks like a good week to make their case to shoot up the rankings. They face Matawan on the road on Saturday night in a match-up of unbeatens in the Liberty Division. They have routed the Huskies the last two years, but Matawan has had two weeks to prepare for this game. It definitely is a game filled with exciting athletes on both sides. Another big win here by RBC and the chorus will grow from the Casey contingent that they should be the Shore's No. 1 team.
7. Ocean (2-0) - Last week: No. 8. The Spartans jump up a spot with Howell losing after Ocean rolled past Manchester in its second shutout victory of the season. They have a nondivisional test on the road against a Manalapan team recovering from a tough loss to Toms River North. Their game against Red Bank Catholic on Halloween looks like it could be a great showdown between Ocean's defense and RBC's offense, although RBC's defense is underrated and could be the difference in a game like that. But, as this season has shown, you can't look that far ahead.
8. Raritan (2-0) - Last week: No. 9. The Rockets are coming off their bye week and have a huge National Division showdown with Point Boro. The Panthers are looking to get right back into the divisional race and beat St. John Vianney 40-0 this past weekend. If Raritan is truly going to challenge for a title, we will find out this weekend.
9. Matawan (2-0) - Last week: No. 10. This team craves respect, and the chance to earn it has arrived. The Huskies host RBC on Saturday night in a big Liberty Division game. If you want people to believe you're for real, it has to start here.
10. Toms River North (1-1) - Last week: Unranked. The team I saw on Saturday night against Manalapan is the team I expected from the beginning. Tremendous defense, balanced offense, good special teams and a whole lot of aggressiveness. The mix of Anthony Carrington at wideout and Jon Daniels at tailback could really boost this team if they consistently produce.
Knocking on the door:
Howell (1-1), Jackson Memorial (1-1), Rumson-FH (2-1), Pinelands (1-1), Middletown South (2-1); Brick Memorial (2-1), Manasquan (2-1), Point Boro (2-1), Neptune (2-1); Brick (1-1), Colts Neck (2-1). This is partly the "good win/tough loss" brigade and the "teams that lost games to favored opponents but beat the teams they were supposed to beat'' group, so we'll see which ones start to emerge from this pack. Point Boro has a big game against Raritan this weekend, Jackson takes on Brick Memorial and Howell faces Toms River North. Those are games where you can start building a case with a win. Manasquan against Pinelands is also intriguing after Pinelands' win over Barnegat.
Neptune at Wall is also an important game as the Crimson Knights try to rebound from a stunning loss to Central against a Neptune team that routed Central this past Friday. Brick at Toms River East usually is a good battle as well, as the Raiders try to elbow their way back into the conversation.
Small-school Top 10 (Parochials and Group II and smaller)
1. Asbury Park (3-0) - Last week: No. 1. The Blue Bishops have won 14 straight, the best current streak in the Shore.
2. Red Bank Catholic (2-0) - Last week: No. 2. A big win over Matawan this team will be smashing on the door to be No. 1.
3. Raritan (2-0) - Last week: No. 3. The Rockets face Point Boro this weekend in a game that could define their season.
4. Matawan (2-0) - Last week: No. 4. A higher ranking and a leg up in the Liberty Division race is there for the taking this weekend against Red Bank Catholic.
5. Manasquan (2-1) - Last week: No. 7. If Point Boro knocks off Raritan, the Warriors win over the Panthers will look even better. They have to make sure to knock off a feisty Pinelands team first.
6. Rumson-FH (2-1) - Last week: No. 6. No shame in taking No. 1 Asbury Park to the wire. Now they face nemesis Shore, so the Bulldogs can't get caught dwelling on the loss to the Blue Bishops.
7. Point Boro (2-1) - Last week: No. 8. The Panthers are looking to jump right back up near the top with a win over Raritan this weekend. They certainly have some momentum after a 40-0 win over St. John Vianney.
8. Shore (1-1) - Last week: Unranked. A loss to Asbury Park and a win over Mater Dei don't really tell me much about this team yet. We'll find out this weekend against Rumson-Fair Haven.
9. Pinelands (1-1) - Last week: Unranked. The Wildcats' only loss is to Southern, and they surprised previously unbeaten Barnegat on Saturday.
10. Monsignor Donovan (2-0) - Last week: Unranked. The Griffins are off to a solid start, so we'll see if they are for real when they face No. 1 Asbury Park this weekend.
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