Jersey Shore football: Manalapan puts on a show in win over Freehold Twp.

FREEHOLD — After losing back-to-back games and falling under .500, the Manalapan High football team got right back on track Friday night with a blowout win over Freehold Township 55-19 in a Shore Conference nondivisional game.

For the Braves (4-4), the night was a showcase of underclassmen who had a majority of the ball touches. Sophomore Nick Palmieri and junior running back Ah'sere Woolfolk had big nights with three touchdowns each. Two of Palmieri's touchdowns came on the ground in which he broke off for big gains, but it was his 58-yard scoring catch on a screen play from senior quarterback Ryan Dougherty that blew the gates open for a 28-7 lead in the second quarter.

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"When I saw that it was a little low...but when I caught that it was just open field, good block," said Palmieri.

Woolfolk had three touchdown runs, his power and explosiveness cause problems for the Patriots (5-3).

"Those guys done great all year along. They feed off each other, the way the offense works we have multiple guys that touch the ball, it makes it that much fun for everybody," said Manalapan head coach Dominick Lepore.

Both teams are currently tied for first place in their respective divisions and have divisional championship games next week.

Manalapan football gets fresh start

Before Friday's game, the Braves lost to Howell and Wall in low-scoring games, but they made sure it wasn't going to be the same story against Freehold Township. The offense got going early, and the defense came up big in the second half, too. Senior Jackson Pfister and junior Dj Corsaro each got a pick 6 on back-to-back drives in the second half to help make the final score a big number.

"I was upset about the personal fouls, we've got to clean that stuff up. But in terms of what we do defensively, these guys buy into the gameplan and they executed tonight," said Lepore.

High-scoring first half for Manalapan and Freehold Township

The first half had no dull moments, but ultimately Manalapan went into the lock room leading 35-19. The Braves made it a point of emphasis to start out strong, despite the fact that they've now the last 18 meetings dating back to a 22-20 Freehold Township win 2004.

“With the last two losses we had a great week of practice, which was important," said Lepore.

The Braves started off hot, but the Air Raid offense of Freehold Township fought back late in the second half. Cardone came alive with two straight touchdown passes in the second quarter which was helped by a successful onside kick.

Big games, much at stake coming up next week

Next week, both teams have important games that’ll determine who’ll win their divisions. The Patriots will go up against the rolling Middletown North Lions. Manalapan will go against the high-powered offense of Holmdel. For both teams this game was a tune up for another strong opponent.

“It's huge game," said Lepore. "I'm always going to be honest and don't hold any punches with those guys, they know it's a big game. It's for a division championship so it's important."

Scoring plays

• Manalapan’s Ah’sere Woolfolk got the 1-yard touchdown run up the middle, 7-0.
• Woolfolk with his second touchdown run for four yards. Manalapan up 14-0 in the first quarter.
• Freehold's Justin Tamai got the four-yard touchdown run to put the Patriots on the board, 14-7.
• Nick Palmieri broke off a 40-yard touchdown run to extend Manalapan’s lead in the second quarter to 21-7.
• Ryan Dougherty and Palmieri connected on a 58-yard screen play for a touchdown, 28-7.
• Freehold’s Nick Cardone scrambled and threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Noah Cancela with 3:33 left in the half. 28-13 Braves way still. Onside kick allows Patriots the ball back.
• Cardone connected with Nicholas Schicchi for the six-yard touchdown pass to shorten the lead for Freehold Township. 2-point attempt is no good 28-19 Manalapan’s way still.
• Palmieri got another touchdown run a 4-yard run play with :06 left in the half. 35-19 Braves.
• Woolfolk punched in a six-yard touchdown run for the Braves, 41-19.
• Senior Jackson Pfister returned a 25-yard interception for a touchdown, 48-19
• Dj Corsaro returned an interception for a touchdown, 55-19.

Box score

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore football: Manalapan puts on a show in win over Freehold Twp.