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Manalapan Braves Football
11u Braves look to capture the program's 11th State Title on Sunday
These 11 year old Braves are resilient. Last season the Braves ran through the regular season with a bunch of blowout victories. They were then tested in the playoffs but prevailed with a 12-0 record alongside a state title. The Braves had to show some grit with tight wins, during that state run, over Asbury and Toms River, and then went on to go 2-1 down at the National Championships. The team's loan loss was to Texas, 30-23, in the National semi-final.
This season these young Braves suffered two regular season losses, Southern and Asbury, and were all but counted out. When gut check time came, these warriors responded. A tough playoff road with wins over Jackson (30-0), Asbury (12-6), Matawan (30-0), now has them facing Point Pleasant for the State Title. Point Pleasant bested Southern 14-7 in overtime last weekend to get to this contest.
The Braves come in with a high powered offense that boasts 12 different sets that encompass over 100 plays. With a record of 10-2 the Braves have scored 354 points while giving up 85. Point Pleasant (11-1) has scored 257 points and has given up just 52. The game is set at Long Branch HS for an 11:45 start on Sunday. The Brave's program has won 10 State Titles. The current sophomore class at the HS won four in a row, while the Senior class has 3 youth titles in their 4 years. This 11u team can become just the third squad to achieve back to back titles for the Manalapan Youth organization. If Point Pleasant can upend the Braves, it would be their organizations first title.
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Notes: Look for coaches, Pat Marzo and Anthony Mucciolo, to spread the ball around as they have all season. Chase Enlow, Luca Minardo, A'shere Woolfolk, Johnny Williams, and Andrew Mucciolo should play a large role in the running game while QB, Frankie Tackett, has down field options Jarrett Barber, Ryan Graham, Patrick Marzo, and Sean Nolan to work with. Billy Andrade, A.J. Mucciolo, and Anthony Hammel will be the keys on defense. Andrew Carver and Alex Osmun captain the offensive front.
