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E-mail: stump@digitalsports.com
Going into the creation of the preseason DigitalSports Top 10, which is usually a few top teams and then throwing a few names against the wall and seeing what sticks, there was easily 18 or more teams I would have like to have shoehorned in here.
However, even being the deficient math student that I was, I have come to the grim realization that you can't have 18 teams in a Top 10. With that being said, I didn't see any teams that I thought were essentially invincible (i.e., the 2006 Manasquan team, the Knowshon Moreno teams, etc.), although Asbury Park certainly has the talent to run the table this year. I could see the lower half of this Top 10 going into a blender quickly, but that is no reason not to try.
This also marks the return of the small-school Top 10 (Group II and smaller plus parochial), and once we see how the first week goes, we will have the return of the fans' Top 10 as well.
Here goes.
DigitalSports overall Top 10
1. Toms River North - Final 2007 ranking: No. 1. I think the Mariners get to keep this until someone takes it from them. Their defense should be outstanding once again and their offense has talent.
2. Middletown South - Final 2007 ranking: Not ranked. Hard to believe the Eagles finished out of the top 10 last year, but they are geared up to reclaim their status as the Shore's top dog. With good skill players and a knockout group of linebackers, the ingredients are there, along with the hunger to move past last year.
3. Asbury Park - Final 2007 ranking: No. 3. I know it drives some people nuts when Group I teams are ranked this high, but the array of offensive skill players for the Blue Bishops could play for anyone. The argument always goes that a Group I line can't compete with a Group IV one, but this team deserves recognition after winning the Central Jersey Group I title last year. Plus, forget No. 3, they want the No. 1 ranking, a rare feat for a Group I school.
4. Lacey - Final 2007 ranking: No. 5. Now it starts to get interesting, as Lacey has the big names in Justin Pandorf and Tom Rickmers. The Lions have made three straight trips to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III final, so they deserve the respect of a high ranking despite some question marks heading into the season.
5. Southern - Final 2007 ranking: No. 8. Coming off their first state playoff win in school history, this program wants more, and it has a talented group of seniors and a shutdown defense to make it happen. The question is the offense and how the Rams will respond to no longer being the underdog.
6. Red Bank Catholic - Final 2007 ranking: Not ranked. Other than a 61-0 win over Rumson on Thanksgiving and the departure and then return of its head coach in a span of about a month, there hasn't been much going on with the Caseys. Just kidding. We'll see if Frank Edgerly's departure to Rutgers and then return will have any kind of negative effect, but the talent is there. I guarantee you that there is one team angry about this ranking, and it's Long Branch. The Green Wave will have their chance to make a statement when they welcome RBC in Week Two. RBC has to prove it can consistently win the big one, and the opportunity is there in a tough Liberty Division.
7. Point Boro - Final 2007 ranking: No. 9. The Panthers have reached three state sectional finals in the last four seasons, and with Shane O'Connor, Ty Hughes and Co. returning on offense, there is a chance for a fourth visit to the promised land. This is another program that has earned the respect of being ranked almost regardless of who graduates.
8. Long Branch - Final 2007 ranking: No. 5. The Green Wave lost a lot of big names to graduation, but the cupboard is by no means bare. I think chemistry and experience are the two biggest X-factors for this team. Having home games this year should also make a difference in the win column.
9. Neptune - Final 2007 ranking: Not ranked. On paper, this is a top two or three team in the Shore. They're going to have to earn it, however, as they have not been able to be consistent the past few years. With a large group of returning starters and running back Michael Peavy, the firepower is there.
10. Toms River East - Final 2007 ranking: Not ranked. This team always has good speed and has established itself as a perennial winner. The Raiders should be a factor in the Constitution Division race, although their offensive and defensive fronts worry me a little bit because they are so inexperienced.
The eight other teams I spoke about above that I may have royally screwed up on by not putting them in the top 10 - Jackson, Manasquan, Ocean, Matawan, Brick Memorial, Freehold, Colts Neck and Wall.
Teams that could come from under the radar to plant themselves in the Top 10 - Manalapan, Brick, Middletown North, St. John Vianney, Manchester, Monmouth, Rumson, Shore.
Small-school preseason Top 10 (Parochials and Group II and smaller)
1. Asbury Park: One of the best small-school teams in the state, at least on paper.
2. Red Bank Catholic: This is a year they have geared up for.
3. Point Boro: They plan on having on having a home game in Week 12.
4. Long Branch: Yes, the Green Wave are now down in Group II. That is not good news for a lot of opposing teams.
5. Manasquan: Always in the hunt for state and division titles.
6. Matawan: This team is loaded with talent, some young and some experienced, so we'll see if that means more wins.
7. St. John Vianney: The backfield of Charles Davis and Chris Mayo makes this a dangerous team.
8. Manchester: The Hawks now have plenty of experience, so it's time to show that in the win column.
9. Monmouth: Another Group III team that has moved down to Group II and could be a factor.
10. Rumson-FH: The Bulldogs have won consecutive Patriot Division titles, but must replace their whole offense.
