Central Group V
1-Manalapan 42, 8-Perth Amboy 0
Senior running back Naim Mayfield ran for 254 yards and five touchdowns and breaking the Shore Conference single-season touchdown record with 41 in the process, leading Manalapan past Perth Amboy. The record was previously held by Middletown South’s Knowshon Moreno, who ran for 40 touchdowns in 2004. Senior wide receiver Symir Blacknall added a 16-yard touchdown run. Manalapan will host fourth-seeded Freehold Township in the semifinals.
4-Freehold Township 17, 5-North Brunswick 13
It came down to the game’s last drive, but the Patriots defense came up with a big stop and secured the program’s first-ever playoff win over North Brunswick. Mike Cenname ran for 126 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and junior quarterback Nick Reardon threw for 136 yards and a touchdown. Senior Pat Laricy hauled in four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown and Colin Taptich tacked on a 29-yard field goal. They will take on top-seeded Manalapan in the semifinals.
7-Jackson Memorial 22, 2-Brick Memorial 14
Jackson avenged a loss from the previous week and stunned the Mustangs on their own field to advance to the semifinals. Senior quarterback A.J. Tolmachewich threw touchdowns to senior wide receiver Matt D’Amore and senior tight end Brandon Hirsch, and junior running back Leo Shimonovich ran for 102 yards and touchdown.
Central Group III
1-Rumson-Fair Haven 35, 8-Lawrence 6
The top-seeded Bulldogs were led by three Peter Lucas touchdowns as their road to a fifth straight state championship will continue after a quarterfinal victory over eighth-seeded Lawrence. Alex Maldjian also ran for two touchdowns.
Central Group II
1-Point Boro 41, 8-Raritan 12
Led by senior quarterback James Fara’s 170 rushing yards and four touchdowns, top-seeded Point Boro advanced to the semifinals in a convincing win over eighth-seeded Raritan. Senior running back Brandon Cipriano ran for 130 yards and a touchdown on five carries. Raritan scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Dan VanMeerbeke to Nick Kenneally and a 1-yard touchdown run by junior running back P.J. Buccine.
5-Manasquan 41, 4-Roselle 8
Manasquan rode the back of senior running back Connor Morgan’s 97 yards and four touchdowns in a quarterfinal win over Roselle. Linebacker Jack Fabean returned a fumble for a touchdown and senior quarterback Tommy Antonucci threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver James Pendergist in the first half.
3-A.L. Johnson 34, 6-Holmdel 6
Holmdel fell on the road to A.L. Johnson in the Hornets’ first playoff appearance in 10 years. They will host Raritan on Thanksgiving in their season finale.
Central Group IV
5-Brick 28, 4-Allentown 0
Junior Cole Groschel did it all for fifth-seeded Brick to eliminate defending champion Allentown, throwing for two touchdowns, running for one and receiving one to advance Brick to the semifinals against top-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven. Senior wide receiver Dan Venezia hauled in two touchdowns in the win.
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