Moreno (who else?) highlights Week Two action
Raritan impressive in win over Matawan
BY DOUG McKENZIE
Staff Writer

Keyport tailback Mikey Purnell prepares to take on a pair of would-be tacklers during the Red Raiders’ tough 13-10 loss to Shore Regional in Keyport on Saturday. Below, Keyport’s Jose Gonzalez is dragged to the ground by a pair of Shore defenders. With the loss, the Raiders fell one game behind the Blue Devils in the Shore National Division.

There was an air of anticipation at The Swamp in Middletown Friday night, as the host Middletown South Eagles took on Red Bank Regional.

But no one was anticipating an upset.

Instead, fans filled the bleachers waiting for the chance to celebrate the first of what could be several record-breaking performances by Eagle tailback Knowshon Moreno this season.

CHRIS KELLY staff

And they didn’t have to wait very long.

When Moreno rumbled his way into the endzone from six yards out with 9:22 left in the second quarter, he became the state’s all-time career leader for touchdowns with 102, breaking the record set by Paulsboro’s Kevin Harvey in 1996.

It was Moreno’s third touchdown of the game (he finished with four), in the latest blowout win for the Eagles — 49-0 over the young, overmatched Bucs.

While Moreno (15 carries, 193 yards) breaking the record was the highlight of the game, it may have been simply the tip of the iceberg, with several other records within his reach.

He also eclipsed the Middletown South record for career rushing yards on Friday, passing the mark of 4,884 set by Stephen Michael Pitts in 1991.

He can now set his sights on two of the most prestigious state records you can have — most career rushing yards and most career points.

While Moreno trails Keyport’s Kenny Cattouse in the rushing category, 6,533 to 4,900, he is quickly closing the gap on Harvey for the points mark. Harvey scored 656 points to Moreno’s 628.

The way Moreno and his Eagle teammates are performing this year, it’s a safe bet to assume both records will fall sooner rather than later.

This week, the Eagles face another young defense in Colts Neck. The Cougars are 1-1, but fell to Wall Township, 21-0, this past weekend.

Game time is 1 p.m. in Colts Neck.

The area’s other juggernaut, the Raritan Rockets, got their second win of the year on Saturday with an impressive 55-28 win over Matawan.

After being stopped in the red zone on its first possession, the Raritan offense kicked it into high gear, scoring on every possession except one the rest of the way. As usual, All-State quarterback Andrew Mandeville led the attack, throwing for 190 yards and two TDs, while rushing for 78 yards and three TDs.

Junior Carmen Dente also added to his personal highlight reel, with 136 total yards and three touchdowns — one rushing and two receptions.

Matawan did its best to keep up with the Rocket attack and got strong efforts from senior QB Tyler Renner (254 passing yards) and senior wideout Jason Simmons, who had two touchdown receptions.

But in the end, the experienced Rockets had too many weapons for the young Huskies, who fell to 0-1 on the young season.

Matawan will look to get win No. 1 on Friday when they travel to Red Bank to take on an impressive Red Bank Catholic team. The Caseys are 2-0 and are coming off a 54-0 pasting of Pinelands on Friday.

Game time is 7 p.m.

As for Raritan, they face one of their biggest tests of the year on Saturday when they travel to Manasquan. The Wave is also 2-0 and is coming off a 44-0 win over St. John Vianney.

All the Wave has done thus far is outscore its opponents 87-0 through two games. Head coach Vic Kubu’s squad claims to have reverted to its championship ways.

Raritan feels it remains the team to beat. Game time is 1 p.m.

The only other local team to post a win this weekend was Holmdel — 25-13 winner over Manchester. The Hornet defense was the difference in this one, as Holmdel forced four turnovers and turned three of them into touchdowns.

The opportunistic Holmdel offense consistently took advantage of Manchester’s miscues as the Hornets improved to 1-1 with the win.

Holmdel will have a good chance to get over the .500 mark with a game in Pinelands this Friday night. Pinelands is an extremely young team this season, and head coach Sean DeRosa, a Mater Dei High School grad, has his hands full.

Game time is 7 p.m.

The remaining local teams all suffered losses this past weekend, with Middletown North falling to Brick Memorial, 41-13; Keyport losing a tough Shore National match-up to Shore Regional, 13-10; and Mater Dei suffering a 35-7 loss to Monsignor Donovan.

This weekend, Middletown North hosts Ocean (Friday at 7 p.m.); Keyport heads to Keansburg (Saturday, 1 p.m.); Mater Dei heads to Point Boro (Friday, 7 p.m.) and St. John Vianney travels to Manchester (Saturday, 1 p.m.).