Manasquan Earns Rematch with Matawan

Manasquan football has a long tradition of excellence.

The Warriors have made 21 trips to the NJSIAA sectional playoffs in the last 23 years, missing only in 2003 and 2004, and are in their seventh straight playoffs. Fifteen of those 21 trips reached the sectional finals. Eleven times, the Warriors were crowned NJSIAA sectional champions.

The 2011 Warriors have been rolling along, much like their predecessors. Unbeaten through nine games, including Saturday's 34-7 victory over Red Bank in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II playoffs. And they've gotten this far thanks to a balanced offensive attack.

Senior quarterback Tyler Saito has thrown for 17 touchdowns, including two in the victory over the Bucs that gave Manasquan a 14-0 lead at halftime. He's not afraid to throw deep, either, as most of his TD passes have been for more than 10 yards.

He's supported by a receiving corps that includes Connor Grogan -- who has touchdowns of 66 and 72 yardsh to his credit -- Josh Aromando and Bryan Abadrabo. Kodie McNamara and Joe Murphy have been providing a rushing game that forces teams to defend both aspects.

The Warriors' special teams play has been a force to be reckoned with as well, as Aromando has a pair of kickoff returns for touchdowns and Abadrabo has one as well. Manasquan has gotten scoring from its defense as well.

It hasn't been all power, however. Manasquan has had to rally for its victories. Against Raritan the Warriors trailed 17-10 before putting up two touchdowns in the third quarter. Against Holmdel on Halloween Eve, Manasquan rallied from a 14-point deficit for a 33-14 victory. The Warriors have scored

In the playoffs, rallying from deficits is a tough way to play. On Saturday Manasquan took control in the first half against Red Bank and never looked back. Saito hit Aromando and Grogan for touchdowns of 16 and 25 yards, and in the third quarter Manasquan added two more scores -- an 8-yard run by Joe Fittin and a 7-yard fumble return by linebacker Zack Vasilenko. Mike Ariente added a 5-yard score for Manasquan's final points.

The Warriors will need a similar effort when they face Matawan this weekend. The sixth-seeded Huskies surprised third-seeded Carteret, winning 28-14 on Friday night in Carteret, and are bidding to return to their third straight sectional final. Matawan won the title in 2009.

The Huskies also eliminated Manasquan last year. That alone may be all the motivation the Warriors need on Saturday. 

If Manasquan gets by Matawan, the sectional final could pit the Warriors against top-seeded Rumson, which takes on Delaware Valley this weekend.

If that happens, it won't be a coin flip that decides whether Manasquan or Rumson, last year's Central Jersey Group II champion, is the better team.