10 Shore Conference Players Who Have Impressed

The Shore Conference has seen a number of players emerge in the 2020 season up to this point. Through all the uncertainties and unknowns of the season, Colts Neck, Donovan Catholic and Wall remain perfect on the season. Let’s take a look at 10 Shore Conference players who have impressed heading into Week 7. <strong>Jai’Sun Brown, Asbury Park: </strong>Brown has been a spark for Asbury Park in the passing game. The sophomore has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards, including a 325-yard performance in a 58-20 win over Roselle Park on Halloween. Brown has thrown 13 touchdowns to four interceptions, and he sits around a 63 percent completion percentage. Brown had an average showing in Asbury Park’s season opener against Manasquan, throwing half of his season total in interceptions in that game. He has bounced back well, however. The Asbury Park playmaker is a capable runner. He ran for 57 yards on eight carries in the team’s most recent win over Neptune. <strong>Sha’Kim Shuler, Freehold Borough: </strong>Shuler has been a threat in both the passing and running game for 5-1 Freehold Borough. Freehold Borough could very well be 6-0, with its lone loss coming to unbeaten Colts Neck by a 36-35 score, and Shuler is a big reason why. He has completed 51 of 83 throws for 951 yards. He has thrown seven touchdowns to five interceptions, but his damage comes in the run game. Shuler has 1,055 rushing yards and 13 scores on the ground. He ran for three scores apiece in wins over Middletown North and Marlboro, and two rushing TDs in games against Colts Neck, Manalapan and Freehold Township. He also has a kickoff return for a touchdown this season. Shuler is electrifying just as the great mobile quarterbacks are, and he can keep it and go the distance at any time. He is a great reader of the field, and his ability to roll out and make plays down the field in the passing game is a great asset. <strong>Joe Barsky, Colts Neck: </strong>Barsky has been tremendous for Colts Neck in its 6-0 start. He has run for 1,031 yards on 136 carries and 19 TDs. He has been used early and often for Colts Neck. In a game against Freehold Borough, he ran a whopping 39 times for 185 yards and three scores. Barsky has surpassed 100 yards in each game. He ran in five TDs in a win over Freehold Borough, and he finished with 244 yards and three rushing scores against Manalapan. The Colts Neck workhorse has at least two rushing TDs in each game. Barsky fights through traffic and makes it tough for one defender to bring him down. He can spin away from contact, he has a good cutting ability and he welcomes contact. <strong>John Volker, Rumson-Fair Haven: </strong>Volker is another playmaker in the backfield who can go off in any game. The Rumson senior and Princeton commit has 906 yards and 13 carries in the team’s 4-2 start. That includes three TDs apiece in victories over Long Branch and Ocean Township and a four-score performance against Middletown South. Volker has great speed and has a way of making defenders miss tackles. Once he sees an open field it’s tough for defenders to make a stop. Volker accelerates at such a quick level once he touches the ball in the backfield and he has great field awareness. <strong>Makai Brown-Jones, Asbury Park: </strong>Brown-Jones leads the conference in receiving yards with 482 through five games. He had eight receptions for 243 yards and three TDs in Asbury Park’s 58-point performance against Roselle Park. The Asbury Park weapon has been effective in many areas. He has a sack, a forced fumble and a punt return for a score this season. <strong>Yah-Sin Calhoun, Freehold Borough: </strong>Calhoun has been explosive on both ends for Freehold Borough. He has rushed for 310 yards and five TDs on 31 carries, he has 407 yards and two scores as a receiver while making 20 receptions and he has a conference-leading 76 tackles, two forced fumbles and five interceptions. Calhoun had an interception in Freehold Borough’s first five games. He had an astounding 24 tackles and a pick against Colts Neck. Calhoun gets it done in a variety of ways, and he’s been a humongous part in Freehold Borough’s 5-1 record. <strong>Jahdir Loftland, Donovan Catholic: </strong>Loftland has run for over 700 yards and 15 touchdowns for No. 10 Donovan Catholic in its 6-0 start. He is a major threat every time he gets the ball. Loftland ran for three TDs apiece in wins over Toms River East, Toms River South, Brick Township and Toms River North. <strong>Chris Hayes, Matawan:</strong> Hayes is second in the conference with 64 tackles. He has been a tackling machine for Matawan, along with David Onuoha and his 62 tackles, which is third in the conference. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="27992" first="Tyler" last="Ochojski"], Freehold Borough: </strong>Ochojski has been extremely effective on the defensive end for Freehold Borough. He leads the conference in sacks with 7.5, recording at least one sack in every game but one. Ochojski had 2.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles against Freehold Township and two sacks and eight tackles in a win over Howell. He has 41.5 tackles on the year and a fumble recovery and he has also been a weapon at tight end with two TDs. <strong>Mason Shenk, St. John Vianney: </strong>Shenk has been tremendous for St. John Vianney in the kicking game. He has converted all 18 of his PATs and has made 67 percent of his field goals, including a long of 44 yards. Shenk has six touchbacks on the season and has averaged 31.8 yards on punts. <strong>Honorable Mentions: [player_tooltip player_id="27936" first="Jake" last="Kazanowsky"], Toms River North; [player_tooltip player_id="28007" first="Alex" last="Brown"], Mater Dei; DJ Thomson, Keyport; Jayden Farrar, Donovan Catholic; David Onuoha, Matawan; Brandon McCormick, Matawan; [player_tooltip player_id="28039" first="Aiden" last="Moriarty"], Rumson-Fair Haven; Zack Connallon, Keyport</strong>