Shore Conference football: Ryan Dougherty sparks Manalapan to romp of Long Branch
MANALAPAN – Ryan Dougherty is a first-year varsity quarterback, but he sure didn’t look like one Friday night.
The Manalapan High School junior executed a flawless run-pass option on the very first play from scrimmage against Long Branch, hitting classmate Jackson Pfister on a slant in full stride for a 54-yard touchdown strike.
That set the tone for a 33-6 victory by the Braves and a banner night for Dougherty, who completed 10-of-14 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns.
“Amazing,” Pfister said. “He’s been a friend for a while. People doubted him – junior QB, no varsity experience. But he comes out like a dog. He is a dog.”
The opening play was a perfect example. Dougherty read the defense at the line and made the right play
“They were pairing one-on-one with Jackson, and I’ll take that matchup any day,” he said.
Braves head coach Dom LePore was impressed with Dougherty – but not surprised.
“We give him that opportunity, the freedom to read that, and he pulled it,” LePore said. “Made a beautiful throw and Jackson just took off.”
Dougherty said such aggressive play-calling got everyone amped.
“We wanted to come out with a big tone-setter and we did,” he said. “We let them know we were coming.”
What it means
Manalapan is now 2-1, with runaway wins over Wall and Long Branch and a controversial overtime loss at Jackson Memorial. It’s still early, but the well-balanced Braves look like a squad capable of advancing in the NJSIAA playoffs.
Long Branch is now 1-2, dropping two straight after a stirring season-opening win over Piscataway. The absence of senior quarterback Earnest Reevey, whose right forearm was in a cast and sling, is obviously a huge factor. Last fall Reevey threw for 1,624 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 392 yards and four touchdowns while leading the Green Wave to a 7-4 record.
Key play
Aside from the aforementioned, electrifying opening play, it was a gutsy call from the sideline that opened the spigot for Manalapan. Leading 7-0 and facing 4th-and-2 at his own 32-yard line, LePore trusted his offense. Junior tailback Jason Rodriguez took a direct snap and plowed ahead for three yards and a first down.
Two plays later, Manalapan was in the end zone on a 57-yard scamper down the right sideline by senior Anthony Macchio. The Braves never looked back.
“We wanted that momentum,” LePore said. “We had confidence in our offensive line that they were going to get it done.”
They said it
Ryan Dougherty: “This year we have better team chemistry. I was throwing to our receivers at the field all offseason. We all trust each other – that’s the difference.”
By the numbers
112: Yards allowed by Manalapan’s defense.
8: Yards per carry averaged by Manalapan’s primary ball-carriers, who gained 170 yards on 21 attempts.
7: Different receivers Manalapan quarterback Ryan Dougherty connected with.
3: Huge defensive plays by Manalapan junior linebacker Anthony Hammel, who registered two first-half sacks and an interception.
2: Breakaway touchdowns by speedy senior Anthony Macchio, who showed his versatility with a 57-yard scoring run and a 30-yard scoring catch.
What’s next
Long Branch plays host to Raritan Friday, Sept. 15. The Rockets (1-1) opened with a 19-0 loss to Middletown South before topping Red Bank 16-7.
Manalapan plays host to Colts Neck Thursday, Sept. 14. The Cougars are 0-2 after falling to Point Pleasant Borough 42-20 and Red Bank Catholic 34-7.
Manalapan 33, Long Branch 6
LONG BRANCH (1-2) 0-0-0-6—6
MANALAPAN (2-1) 13-13-0-7—33
First Quarter
M: Jackson Pfister 54 pass from Ryan Dougherty (Jake Horowitz kick)
M: Anthony Macchio 57 run (kick failed)
Second Quarter
M: Ah’sere Woolfolk 7 run (run failed)
M: Jason Rodriguez 5 run (Horowitz kick)
Fourth Quarter
M: Macchio 30 pass from Dougherty (Horowitz kick)
LB: Aulander Daniels 3 run (kick failed)
RUSHING
LB: Brown 10-45, Daniels 10-27; M: Rodriguez 12-67, Woolfolk 8-46, Macchio 1-57.
PASSING
LB: Daniels 8-14-2-40; M: Dougherty 10-14-0-148.
RECEIVING
LB: Maldonado 5-24, Brown 2-8, Lambert 1-8; M: Macchio 3-42, Pfister 2-65, Rodriguez 1-12, Woolfolk 1-15, Marzo 1-8, Scanish 1-5, Melo 1-1.
INTERCEPTIONS
M: Anthony Hammel, Aidan Wilmot.
Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore football: Manalapan runs over Long Branch
