FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK, 10/17/07

By Scott Stump - Senior Editor

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Will Sanborn, Sr., WR, Red Bank
Sanborn hauled in a career-high nine catches for 194 yards and both of his team's touchdowns in a 13-10 upset in which the previously winless Bucs stunned previously unbeaten Freehold in a nondivisional game. Sanborn had a combined nine catches all season before his explosion against the Colonials. You can watch highlights of his catches here.

Honorable mention
Anthony Penna, Sr., QB, Toms River North
A regular on this list, Penna ran for a pair of touchdowns and made some clutch plays that set up the winning touchdown run by Jon Daniels in a 27-24 overtime win over Middletown South that handed the Eagles just their second loss in the last five years and first of the season.

Don Murphy, Sr., RB, Jackson
Exploded for a career-high 241 yards rushing to go with three touchdowns in a 28-14 upset of previously undefeated Howell.

Blaze Caponegro, Jr., RB, Wall
Ripped off touchdown runs of 67 and 45 yards to help the Crimson Knights edge Long Branch, 13-12, in a Liberty Division showdown.

Isaiah Hall, Sr., QB, Long Branch
Ran for a 50-yard touchdown and threw a touchdown pass with two seconds left in regulation in a 13-12 loss to Wall. Senior running back Travis Patterson added a game-high 147 yards rushing.

D'Andre McFadden, Jr., RB, Manchester
Rolled up a career-high 164 yards rushing to go with two touchdowns, including a 95-yard run, to get the Hawks into the win column for the first time this year with a 26-14 victory over Point Beach.

Jimmy Weisz, Sr., RB, Pinelands
Rang up Central for 162 yards rushing, two touchdowns and the game-winning two-point conversion as the Wildcats rallied from a 13-0 deficit to beat the Golden Eagles, 14-13, for their first win.

Jack LaPietra, Sr., QB, Freehold Township
Went 15-for-19 for 194 yards passing in a 20-7 win over Marlboro, the first win of the season for the Patriots.

Erik Chiarella, Sr., RB, Shore
Compiled 124 yards rushing and a touchdown in a solid 17-15 win over Neptune.

Michael Peavy, Jr., RB, Neptune
Has not been held under 100 yards rushing in a game yet this season, as he ran for 148 yards and a 74-yard touchdown in a 17-15 loss to Shore.

Michael Wilbur, Sr., RB, Red Bank Catholic
Rushed for 182 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-0 win over Keyport to keep the Caseys unbeaten.

Pat Campbell, Sr., QB, Middletown South
Threw two touchdown passes and ran for another in a 27-24 overtime loss to Toms River North.

Ryan Haslett, Sr., QB, Holmdel
Ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns and also threw for 66 yards and a pair of scores in a 40-0 win over Jackson Liberty that kept the Hornets unbeaten.

Chris Miller, Sr., RB, Toms River East
Ran for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Brick Memorial.

Jordan Roshala, Jr., QB, Brick
Threw for 117 yards and a touchdown and also ran for 64 yards and a touchdown in a 21-20 overtime upset of previously unbeaten Southern.

Brad Gesser, Sr., RB, Southern
Rushed for a game-high 146 yards and three touchdowns in a 21-20 overtime loss to Brick.

Kaeshon McMillan, Sr., RB, Asbury Park
Piled up 137 yards on just seven carries and scored three touchdowns in a 26-13 win over Matawan.

Anthony Valle, Sr., QB, Keansburg
Threw for 109 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 161 yards and a touchdown in a 38-6 win over Raritan.

Uly Gibson, Jr., RB, Middletown North
Ran for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a 21-14 win over Toms River South that ended a 15-game losing streak for the Lions.

Kevin Gilmore, Jr., QB, Toms River South
Threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 14-for-17 accuracy in a 21-14 loss to Middletown North.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Zach Kane, Sr., LB, Toms River North
One of the top linebackers in the Shore, Kane (#34) played his best when his team needed it the most. In a 27-24 upset of previously unbeaten Middletown South, which was ranked No. 1 in the DigitalSports Top 10, Kane finished with 1 1/2 sacks, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt and 15 tackles. His blocked punt led to a touchdown. Check out highlights of Kane's performance here.

Honorable mention
Ryan Wood, Jr., LB, Jackson
Had two of Jackson's six sacks and recorded one of the Jaguars' three interceptions in a 28-14 upset win over previously unbeaten Howell.

Jeff Keffer, Jr., DL, Point Boro
Finished with three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in a 9-0 win over Manasquan.

Greg Gavan, Sr., LB, Manasquan
Recovered a fumble in a 9-0 loss to Point Boro.

Frank Maggio, Sr., DE, Shore
Spearheaded a defensive effort that allowed the Blue Devils to edge Neptune, 17-15, in a nondivisional game.

Brandon Robinson, DB, Ocean
Returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown in a 23-6 win over Lakewood.

Brendan Gill, Sr., DB, Wall
Recorded an interception late in the game and had another interception wiped out by a penalty in the Crimson Knights' 13-12 thriller over Long Branch.

Michael Luke, Sr., DT, Long Branch
Recorded two sacks and three hits for a loss in a 13-12 loss to Wall.

Khiry Griffin, Jr., DB, Manchester
His interception at the 1-yard line kept Point Beach out of the end zone and ended up resulting in a 95-yard touchdown run by D'Andre McFadden a few plays later in a 26-14 win over the Garnet Gulls.

Mike Stuppiello, So., DT, Lacey
Recorded two of the Lions' eight sacks in a 17-7 win over Colts Neck. Tyler Giglio also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Nolan Vill, Jr., LB, Red Bank Catholic
Returned a fumble 92 yards for a touchdown in a 42-0 win over Keyport.

Shane Ferguson, Sr., DB, Point Beach
Returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown in a 26-14 loss to Manchester.

Holmdel's entire unit
Recorded three sacks and limited Jackson Liberty to 100 total yards in a 40-0 victory.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Ray Johnson, Sr., K, Brick
Stepping in for regular kicker Jake Sisco, who was out sick, Johnson booted three extra points, including the game-winner in overtime of Brick's 21-20 upset of previously undefeated Southern. Click here to see his final kick.

Honorable mention
Pat Szukics, Jr., K, Toms River North
Went 3-for-3 on extra points and caught Middletown South off guard with a perfectly executed onside kick that proved to be crucial in a 27-24 overtime win against the Eagles. Matt Sura also recovered a blocked punt by Zach Kane in the end zone for a touchdown.

Alex Romanski, Sr., K, Middletown South
Went 3-for-3 on extra points and booted a 27-yard field goal in a 27-24 loss to Toms River North.

Ryan Spadola, Jr., K, Freehold Township
Hit field goals of 38 and 27 yards in the Patriots' first win of the season, a 20-7 victory over Marlboro.

Dan Mellaci, Jr., K, Shore
His 22-yard field goal proved to be huge as it gave the Blue Devils a 17-0 advantage in an eventual 17-15 win over Neptune.

Ed Ruhnke, So., K, Central
Nailed field goals of 27 and 22 yards in a 14-13 loss to Pinelands.

Josh Shields, Sr., K, Wall
His extra point proved to be the difference in a 13-12 win over Long Branch.

Alex Taylor, Jr., PR, Red Bank Catholic
Returned a punt 68 yards for a touchdown, his second punt return TD of the season, in a 42-0 win over Keyport.

Dean Schreefer, Jr., K, Point Boro
Hit a 22-yard field goal in a 9-0 win over Manasquan.

R.J. Roe, Sr., K, Lacey
Connected on a 37-yard field goal in a 17-7 win over Colts Neck.

Josh Bakala, Sr., KR, Keansburg
Brought a kickoff back 87 yards for a touchdown in a 38-6 win over Raritan.

Rodney Coursey, Sr., PR, Ocean
Returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in a 23-6 win over Lakewood.

Eric DiReda, Sr., K, Rumson-FH
Went 5-for-5 on extra points and hit a 26-yard field goal in a 44-0 victory over Mater Dei.

Steve Hoverson, Sr., LB, Middletown North
Blocked a field goal and also had several sacks and a forced fumble to help the Lions end a 15-game losing streak with a 21-14 win over Toms River South.

Did I miss anyone? E-mail me at stump@digitalsports.com.