Schools
Week in Sports: Matawan Regional Takes Fifth Title in School History
Huskies get revenge of Rumson-Fair Haven; Braves fall to Sayreville
Football Finals
The Matawan Regional football team capped off an illustrious season that has been filled with high scores by, somewhat fittingly, topping top-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven, 3-0, in the at Rutgers University.
With five starters suspsended, Huskies' place-kicker Mike Creamer blasted a 32-yard field goal in the first quarter, and it stood tall throughout the game as Matawan's defense propelled them to their fifth state title in their eigth appearance.
The Braves were unable to bring their first ever sectional title home, as they fell to Sayreville, 23-11, at Rutgers stadium in the Central Jersey Group IV state finals. Manalapan tailback John Sieczkowski was slammed by an impressive Bombers' defense all night long, and Sayreville running back Delon Stephenson -- who will be playing at Rutgers in the fall -- ran for 173 yards and a touchdown to help Sayreville to their second straight state title victory over a Shore Conference opponent.
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Hockey
The youth has been exposed in their early season goings on the ice. They fell this week to divisional opponent, Toms River South, 5-3, and later, lost to Point Pleasant Borough, 4-2.
Freehold Boro is in their first year of their joint program with Raritan. After an opening night loss to a strong Rumson-Fair Haven team, the Colonials powered their way to a 3-1 win over Southern Regional.
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Defense has proven to be the achilles heel early on for Manalapan. Under first-year head coach Brad Gardner, the Braves have lost their first two games, 7-2 to St. Rose and 6-2 to Rumson-Fair Haven
Coming off the best season in their young history -- including leading the state in wins and winning the Dowd Cup -- Marlboro has struggled early on. After falling St. Rose, 3-2, the Mustangs lost a non-league game against Kinnelon, 6-1.
For the first time, Howell is learning to play without the attribute of a prime-time scorer. In their first three seasons, they have graduated three 100-point scorers. Early on, the inexperience showed in a 6-3 opening night loss to Toms River North, but they rebounded strongly with a 13-0 mercy win over Vernon.
