2008 News Articles
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212 THE EXTRA DEGREE
CONGRATULATIONS
The following student athlete’s were named to the All Shore Athletic Academic Team for 2009
Chris Essner
James Gilburn
Steven Harold
Thomas Higgins
Jarrett Levin
Ralph Loretta
Chris Pellicano
Joseph Sorensen
Chris Essner
James Gilburn
Steven Harold
Thomas Higgins
Jarrett Levin
Ralph Loretta
Chris Pellicano
Joseph Sorensen
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Chris Gray Memorial Scholarship Award:
Chris Essner
Tom Higgins
TD Club Scholarship Award
Jim Gilburn
Steve Harold
Chris Essner
Tom Higgins
TD Club Scholarship Award
Jim Gilburn
Steve Harold
Congratulations
Manalapan linebacker Justin Dattolo's name was inadvertently left off the All-Freehold Regional District Football Team. Dattolo, a senior, was a two-year starter for the Braves and played middle linebacker.
Braves 2008 Football Awards
2008 CAPTAINS’ AWARD
JIM GILBURN
DR. ANTHONY PROCOPIO AWARD
“Given to the player who had to overcome great adversity
during the football season.”
JIM FALCONE
ARROW AWARD
“Given to the players whose play exceeded the expectations
of the coaching staff.”
Steven Caputo
Mike Seminerio
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD
“Given to the player whose play improved the greatest during
the 2008 season.”
Steven Harold
VINCENT T. LOMBARDI AWARD
“Given to the most outstanding lineman during the 2008 season.”
Jarrett Levin
DEFENSIVE MVP AWARD
“Given to the most outstanding defensive player during
the 2008 season”
Justin Dattolo
OFFENSIVE MVP AWARD
“Given to the most outstanding offensive player during
the 2008 season.”
Thomas Higgins
COACHES’ AWARD
“Given to the senior whose extra effort allowed him to compete at a high level, and who was also an extremely coachable player.”
Christopher Essner
IMPACT PLAYER AWARD
“Given to the player who continually makes plays that can change the outcome of any game.”
Kevin Cruz
TEAM MVP AWARD
JIM GILBURN
JIM GILBURN
DR. ANTHONY PROCOPIO AWARD
“Given to the player who had to overcome great adversity
during the football season.”
JIM FALCONE
ARROW AWARD
“Given to the players whose play exceeded the expectations
of the coaching staff.”
Steven Caputo
Mike Seminerio
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER AWARD
“Given to the player whose play improved the greatest during
the 2008 season.”
Steven Harold
VINCENT T. LOMBARDI AWARD
“Given to the most outstanding lineman during the 2008 season.”
Jarrett Levin
DEFENSIVE MVP AWARD
“Given to the most outstanding defensive player during
the 2008 season”
Justin Dattolo
OFFENSIVE MVP AWARD
“Given to the most outstanding offensive player during
the 2008 season.”
Thomas Higgins
COACHES’ AWARD
“Given to the senior whose extra effort allowed him to compete at a high level, and who was also an extremely coachable player.”
Christopher Essner
IMPACT PLAYER AWARD
“Given to the player who continually makes plays that can change the outcome of any game.”
Kevin Cruz
TEAM MVP AWARD
JIM GILBURN
2008 ALL SHORE CONFERENCE TEAMS
JIM GILBURN
Shore Conference American All-Division Team
Second team Asbury Park Press All-Shore Team
CHRIS ESSNER
Shore Conference American All-Division Team
JARRETT LEVIN
Shore Conference American All-Division Team
Shore Conference American All-Division Team
Second team Asbury Park Press All-Shore Team
CHRIS ESSNER
Shore Conference American All-Division Team
JARRETT LEVIN
Shore Conference American All-Division Team
NEWS TRANSCRIPT ALL-DISTRICT TEAM
Click here for full 2008 All Freehold District Team
TIM MORRIS
Manalapan again rode a big November to finish 5-5 and avoid its first losing season in years.
Jimmy Gilburn ran for more than 1,000 yards (keeping that Manalapan tradition of 1,000-yard rushers) behind fullback Steve Ching and an offensive line led by Jarrett Levin.
Sophomore quarterback Mike Bimonte did better than could be expected, and now the position is in secure hands for the next two years.
Mike Seminerio and Chris Essner sparked the Brave defense.
2008 All-Freehold Regional District Football Team.
OFFENSE
Running back:
Jim Gilburn Manalapan Sr.
Fullback:
Steve Ching Manalapan Sr.
Lineman:
Jarrett Levin Manalapan Sr.
Defense
Lineman
Mike Seminerio Manalapan Jr.
Linebacker:
Chris Essner Manalapan Sr.
Defensive back:
Kevin Cruz Manalapan Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION: Manalapan- Josh Firkser, Tom Higgins, Steve Harold, Alex Pasternack, Matt Hollenstein, James DeBlase, Mike Klepper, Matt Salzman, Chris Pellicano, Steve Caputo, Jim Falcone and Johnny Dakouslis;
TIM MORRIS
Manalapan again rode a big November to finish 5-5 and avoid its first losing season in years.
Jimmy Gilburn ran for more than 1,000 yards (keeping that Manalapan tradition of 1,000-yard rushers) behind fullback Steve Ching and an offensive line led by Jarrett Levin.
Sophomore quarterback Mike Bimonte did better than could be expected, and now the position is in secure hands for the next two years.
Mike Seminerio and Chris Essner sparked the Brave defense.
2008 All-Freehold Regional District Football Team.
OFFENSE
Running back:
Jim Gilburn Manalapan Sr.
Fullback:
Steve Ching Manalapan Sr.
Lineman:
Jarrett Levin Manalapan Sr.
Defense
Lineman
Mike Seminerio Manalapan Jr.
Linebacker:
Chris Essner Manalapan Sr.
Defensive back:
Kevin Cruz Manalapan Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION: Manalapan- Josh Firkser, Tom Higgins, Steve Harold, Alex Pasternack, Matt Hollenstein, James DeBlase, Mike Klepper, Matt Salzman, Chris Pellicano, Steve Caputo, Jim Falcone and Johnny Dakouslis;
ALL SPORTS MEDIA: SCOTT STUMP PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Offense
Jim Gilburn, Sr., RB, Manalapan
Gilburn capped his career in style with a career-high 279 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries in a 41-20 win over Marlboro that put Gilburn over the 1,000-yard mark for the season in a year in which he made the transition from tight end/wide receiver as a junior to a running back.
Gilburn, Essner lead Manalapan to victory
Manalapan Braves 41 Marlboro Mustangs 20
Click on logo for articleGilburn runs wild as Braves cruise
The Doc Berman Trophy is staying put in Manalapan for yet another year.The Braves can thank senior running back James Gilburn for that as he ripped off 279 yards on 27 carries and ran for three touchdowns to lead Manalapan to a 41-20 victory over Thanksgiving rival Marlboro on Thursday.
JB "Doc" Berman Memorial Trophy
The trophy is presented annually to the winner of the Manalapan vs Marlboro Thanksgiving Day Football Game.
The trophy was first presented in 1983
Manalapan holds a 20 to 5 game advantage over Marlboro.
The last time Marlboro held the trophy was in 1994.
The trophy is presented annually to the winner of the Manalapan vs Marlboro Thanksgiving Day Football Game.
The trophy was first presented in 1983
Manalapan holds a 20 to 5 game advantage over Marlboro.
The last time Marlboro held the trophy was in 1994.
Manalapan Braves 8 Montgomery Cougars 3
Justin Dattolo rushed for 105 yards and James Gilburn ran in a 3 yard touchdown as the Manalapan Braves edged the Cougars of Montgomery. A fourth quarter safety by the Braves pushed the score to 8 to 3.
Gilburn Propels Braves' Victory
Freehold Patriots 6
In the second to last regular season game of his high school career, Jimmy Gilburn displayed the versatility he has relied on throughout his varsity career.
Manalapan Braves JV defeats Allentown Red Birds JV
The Manalapan Braves JV squad beat the Allentown Red Birds JV 32 to 7. The day was highlighted by two interceptions by Dan Masterov. Also a pass from Reggie Hodge-Grant to Skylar O'Connor put the Braves up by three scores early in the first half. A blocked punt by Mike Pokazayev on the fourth play of the game set the Braves up with the first score of the contest.
Southern bounces back by thrashing Manalapan
Josh Firkser dove into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run to put Manalapan on the board with 1:11 left.
Staub steers Mustangs by Braves
Rebels rally behind QB Ryan
Braves stun Spartans
Bimonte hit sophomore Josh Firkser for a 30-yard touchdown pass with 14 seconds left and Manalapan held on to beat Ocean, 12-7.
Big comeback win for Manalapan
Toms River North rolls, evens up record
Manalapan Miracle: Manalapan 23, Jackson Mem. 21
A touchdown pass from Michael Bimonte to Chris Pellicano with 34 seconds left in regulation helped Manalapan avoid an 0-2 hole to star the year.
"Never give up"
Digital Sports Divisional Players of the Week
American Division: Offensive Player of the Week
Chris Pellicano, Sr., WR, Manalapan
Pellicano had three catches for 83 yards, and two of his catches were for touchdowns. He caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the first half and then caught a 22-yard TD pass with just 34 seconds left in the game to help the Braves pull out a 23-21 thriller over Jackson.
AMERICAN DIVISION: DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Honorable mention
Kevin Cruz, Jr., DB, Manalapan
Cruz's strip and fumble return helped set up the game-winning touchdown in a 23-21 win over Jackson.
Chris Pellicano, Sr., WR, Manalapan
Pellicano had three catches for 83 yards, and two of his catches were for touchdowns. He caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in the first half and then caught a 22-yard TD pass with just 34 seconds left in the game to help the Braves pull out a 23-21 thriller over Jackson.
AMERICAN DIVISION: DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Honorable mention
Kevin Cruz, Jr., DB, Manalapan
Cruz's strip and fumble return helped set up the game-winning touchdown in a 23-21 win over Jackson.
Braves Avoid Another Bad Start
Manalapan sophomore quarterback Mike Bimonte is going to have his struggles in his first year, but when the game is on the line, as he showed on Friday night, he is more than capable of making a big play.
BRAVES 23 JACKSON 21
MANALAPAN WINS CONFERENCE GAME. WITH LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LEFT IN THE GAME AND LOSING 21 TO 17. KEVIN CRUZ RECOVERED A FUMBLE AND RETURNED THE BALL TO THE JACKSON 30 YARD LINE. FOUR PLAYS LATER MIKE BIMONTE HIT CHRIS PELLICANO IN THE END ZONE TO REGAIN THE LEAD.
GILBURN READY TO LEAD MANALAPAN
Braves looking for early success.The last few years have seen the Braves finish the season strong, but only after digging itself a hole. If that trend is to end, it won't be easy, as the Braves, who have moved up from the Constitution Division to the American, open at home with 2007 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoff teams Colts Neck and Jackson Memorial, before heading to Toms River North to take on the reigning South Jersey Group IV champion Mariners.
Aggressive first-half gamble pays off for Cougars
STATE PLAYOFFS THE GOAL FOR MANALAPAN FOOTBALL
Manalapan made a successful transition to new head coach Tom Gallahue last fall. The Braves maintained their winning tradition, going 6-4. But it wasn't enough.
Manalapan Preview: Storming out of the Gates
LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
August 28, 2008
Also, Manalapan's new starting fullback, Steven Ching, is 5-foot-9 and 290 (!) pounds with good athleticism and decent enough hands to be a threat as a safety valve in the passing game. Imagine opposing coaches yelling at their linebackers about Ching - "Why didn't you shed that block from the fullback and make the tackle?!!'' Uh, coach, he outweighs me by 100 pounds.
Finally, here's an interesting stat about the Braves: The last three years they have started either 1-2 or 0-3. However, their combined record in their final seven games over the last three years is 19-2. They've gone 7-0, 6-1 and 6-1 in their final seven games, so it's obvious how much difference a good start could make.
Scott Stump from Digital Sports on the upcoming season for Manalpan
As for Manalapan, the Braves lost quarterback Craig Peterson, running back David Presby and top lineman Tom Sozzi, so it's more in replacing the star power. However, this school is the definition of a program. It just keeps churning out wins and playoff appearances, although the Braves came up just short of the postseason last year. I think they will be competitive as always.
ALL SHORE GRIDIRON CLASSIC
July 18, 2008 – 07:00 PM
CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE ABOUT SHORE PRACTICE
CLICK ON LOGO FOR ARTICLE
CRAIG PETERSON,DAVID PRESBY AND TOM SOZZI ARE NAMED TO ALL SHORE GRIDIRON CLASSIC ROSTER.
OCEAN WINS CLASSIC BEHIND LOFTUS, DOLAN
NORTH vs SOUTH ALL STAR GAME
TENTH ANNUAL FREEHOLD REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT LIFT OFF
At 190lb's James Gilburn with a lift of 325lb's
At 200lb's Matt Hollenstein with a lift of 305lb's (Tie)
At Heavy Weight Steven Ching with a lift of 350lb's
Steven Ching had high lift of the competition with 350lb's
ALSO PARTICIPATING IN THE LIFT OFF FOR THE BRAVES.
140 LB Weight Class Ben Kahan.........210 lb's
150 lb Weight Class Dave Allan.........235 lb's
160 lb Weight Class Ralph Loretta......235 lb's
170 lb Weight Class Chris Pellicano....255 lb's
180 lb Weight Class Marc Zelinski.....295 lb's
210 lb Weight Class Mike Seminerio...285 lb's
220 lb Weight Class Alex Pasternack..325 lb's
230 lb Weight Class Jarrett Levin......310 lb's
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TOUCHDOWN CLUB SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Anthony Zaharakis
CHRIS GRAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT
Thomas Sozzi
THE FOLLOWING WHERE HANDED OUT AT THE SENIOR AWARDS BANQUET
MOST COURAGEOUS.........Bryan Tamalone
MOST ATHLETIC..........Craig Peterson
RED WHITE AWARD.........Thomas Sozzi
MOST ATHLETIC..........Craig Peterson
RED WHITE AWARD.........Thomas Sozzi
TOM SOZZI ACCEPTING THE UNSUNG HERO AWARD FROM BILL SURDOVEL OF THE NJFOA
Head Football Coach Tom Gallahue
NJFOA presenter Bill Surdovel
Recipient Tom Sozzi
Manalapan Principal Jeff Simon
Head Football Coach Tom Gallahue
NJFOA presenter Bill Surdovel
Recipient Tom Sozzi
Manalapan Principal Jeff Simon
SHORE CONFERENCE HIGH SCHOOL NIKE SPARQ CHALLENGE
Congratulations to Justin Dattola who scored third overall against the top competitors in the shore conference.
James Gilburn was also listed amongst the top ten best in overall scores.
James Gilburn was also listed amongst the top ten best in overall scores.
BRAVES PRESBY SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT
April 2, 2008
