Looking back on the previous week and setting the stage for this weekend’s local football action.
Three Stars From Week Three
Jaden Gallo, Holmdel
Gallo has back-to-back four-touchdown games after his Saturday night performance at home in a 35-7 win over Red Bank Regional. Gallo can thank his massive offensive line for setting the tone and giving him the opportunity to break off big runs. Gallo had a 56-yard scoring run in the second quarter and added a 55-yard gallop late in the fourth quarter to go along with shorter TD runs of nine and six yards. Gallo has shown the ability to shake off tackles and, when he gets a little bit of space, he’s able to outrun secondaries.
Najih Rahman, Red Bank Catholic
The RBC sophomore made headlines in the first two Caseys games with elite ball catching skills at wide receiver. In Week 3, Rahman was on the other side of the ball coming down with a one-handed interception that he took back 35 yards to the endzone for what proved to be the game-winning score in the Caseys’ 21-14 win over Rumson-Fair Haven. Rahman is poised to be one of the highest profile players in the Shore along with his junior teammate Alex Bauman.
Quentin Soler, Middletown North
There was only one scorer on a rainy Friday night in Long Branch and it was Soler. He caught a short pass from Tom Giannone and went 40 yards in the Lions’ 6-0 win over the Green Wave. Soler also had an interception in the final minute that sealed the victory. Middletown North picked up its first win of the season to get to 1-2 and has one of the toughest schedules in the Shore. The Lions will host RBC this week followed by their traditional Thanksgiving game against crosstown Middletown South, moved to Halloween weekend in 2020.
Week Four Schedule
Friday, Oct. 23
Colts Neck at Freehold Township, 6:30 p.m.
Middletown South at Rumson-Fair Haven, 7 p.m.
Red Bank Catholic at Middletown North, 7 p.m
Ocean Township at Red Bank Regional, 7 p.m.
Holmdel at Saint John Vianney, 7 p.m.
Shore Regional at Saint Thomas Aquinas, 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Long Branch at Mater Dei Prep, 1 p.m.
Game to Watch
Holmdel at Saint John Vianney, 7 p.m.
The crosstown schools meet for the first time since 2017. It hasn’t been much a rivalry with the non-public Lancers dominating the public Hornets.
2017: SJV 38 Holmdel 3
2016: SJV 35 Holmdel 7
2015: SJV 49 Holmdel 0
2014: SJV 42 Holmdel 13
2020 should be different. The Hornets are a perfect 3-0 and are anchored by an offensive line that sets the tone. Jaden Gallo is grabbing all the headlines with his rushing prowess, but Holmdel has more than one horse in its stable. Christan Donnelly is a high impact player on both sides of the ball and Tighe Steineke is able to turn the field position battle in the return game. Saint John Vianney is 2-1 and has talented sophomore quarterback Antonio Rosato. The SJV defense will have to focus on stopping the run and getting off the field. Holmdel had a 10:47 drive in the third quarter to put the game away against Red Bank Regional last week. If the Hornets can win the time of possession and the turnover margin, it could be a landmark win for Jeff Rainess’ program. Saint John Vianney certainly has the talent to pull off this win but it won’t be like previous years where a running clock came into play. This has the potential to be one of the most exciting games in the Shore Conference this week.
The article originally appeared in the October 22 – 28, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
