Traditional Thanksgiving Game Postponed
The Asbury Park school district issued the following statement this week: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the traditional Thanksgiving Day football game between Asbury Park High School and Neptune Township High School is being postponed until a mutually agreeable date. On behalf of the Asbury Park and Neptune Township School Districts, be assured that the safety of our students, staff and communities remains paramount. We extend to you a Happy Thanksgiving!”
Sports Roundup
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER It was a Runderful day in Asbury Park. The famous resort city hosted the Asbury Park Santa Run, a 5K (3.1-mile) event. The event benefited Lunch Break, a local charity. Each runner received a Santa Claus suit at registration in Bradley Park. A portion of the proceeds went directly to the charity. There was also a food drive and toy drive for families in need during the holidays. A post-race party took place at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. The facility was the site for live music, drink specials and food. The overall winner and…
400th Career Win for Ocean High Boys Soccer Team
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER Tom Reilly has guided the Ocean Township High School boys soccer team to hundreds of victories as the Spartans’ head coach. His 400th career win came in a 1-0 overtime conquest of Manasquan. “Ultimately,” he said, “it’s just a number, but I think it was great motivation for the team to be a part of the quest. I received tons of e-mails, texts and tweets that night. I received my 15 minutes of fame. I knew it could be my 400th win. I am generally not a nervous type on the sidelines. Were the boys nervous…
Standout Asbury Park Football Player Returns for Season
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER He’s back. Donte Abrams, the Asbury Park High School football standout who transferred to Michigan during the off season, is back in the Blue Bishops’ uniform. “He transferred back about three weeks ago,” Asbury Park coach Tim Fosque said on Aug. 16. “When he left us, it was a family decision. He feels he has the best opportunity to excel where he has been for his entire life. We’re excited to have him back. I received a call from him and he said he was on his way back. “He is our top returner. He gives…
Scholarship Will Be Established in Volunteer’s Name
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER Jamar Small’s memory lives. The Asbury Park High School football program will honor Small, the former Blue Bishops’ standout who was murdered in the city last Dec. 20. “We will have a scholarship fund in his name,” coach Tim Fosque said. “We will probably award a couple of scholarships to our senior players.” Small was a volunteer assistant coach with the Blue Bishops last fall. “He was due to come on our staff this season,” said Fosque, who is in his second season as the team’s mentor. “He was an Asbury Park kid. He was a…
Blue Bishops Losing Key Player
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER The Asbury Park High School football team has taken a big hit. Donte Abrams, who starred for the Blue Bishops last fall as a sophomore, has transferred to a Michigan high school, Asbury Park coach Tim Fosque said. “He was our best returning player,” said Fosque, the Blue Bishops’ second-year coach. Fosque said Abrams will live with his father. “It was a family decision,” Fosque said. Fosque said he learned of the decision in late May. “Donte worked out with our team,” Fosque said. “Of course, when you lose your best player you are discouraged and…
Former Asbury Park Athlete Playing for Houston Texans
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER It was a homecoming for ex-Asbury Park High School player Ra’Zahn Howard. Hoping to be chosen in the National Football League’s Supplemental Draft, Howard returned to where he starred for the Blue Bishops. The former Purdue University player worked out in front of nine NFL scouts on NFL Pro Day. Howard, who played defensive tackle on the Blue Bishops’ 2011 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship team, performed the bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, L drill and shuttle run and did position specific drills and skills June 8. The draft took place July 14. Howard…
Neptune Little League Junior All-Stars Are Champs
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER The Neptune Little League Junior All-Stars baseball team was down, but far from out. Neptune trailed visiting Ocean Township 4-2 and 7-5 in the championship game of the District 11 Tournament. Facing elimination with a loss, Neptune rallied for a 9-8 victory. “We displayed timely hitting and guts,” Neptune manager Bob Smith said. “What do you do with a bunch of 13 and 14-year-old boys? You get them in a huddle and let them know they are not out of it. You tell them, ‘Don’t quit until the final bell rings.’ They responded.” Neptune went ahead…
City Resident Co-Founder of Football Team for Graduates
By DON STINE Graduating high school doesn’t mean that young people need to give up their love of playing football thanks to the Jersey Shore Hurricanes. The Jersey Shore Hurricanes, a team in the minor/semi-pro football world and affiliated with Major League Football, was founded in 2015 in Asbury Park by resident Tysef Meacham, 28, and Somerset resident Edd Gladney, 49. The mission of the program is to provide fundamental skill-development instruction and to teach the elements of football to young student-athletes who have a desire to compete in the higher level of football competition. “We did it to…
