Loaded Rosters: Toms River North
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Earlier in this series I said if there was one team destined to repeat an undefeated season in 2023 it would be Caldwell. However, after careful reconsideration, I think Toms River North may have taken that spot. Going 14-0 with…
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Continue ReadingEarlier in this series I said if there was one team destined to repeat an undefeated season in 2023 it would be Caldwell. However, after careful reconsideration, I think Toms River North may have taken that spot. Going 14-0 with 4 shutouts, 6 more opponents held under double digit points, and 660 points on the season, there is no team like this in the state. They were not only impressive last season with an extremely talented roster, but the majority of that talent is returning for round 2. We may see some major blow outs this fall coming from Toms River North.
To lead off the list, you have to mention one of the centerpieces of this teams success. Micah Ford Micah Ford 6’1″ | 205 lbs | ATH Tom Rivers North | 2024 State NJ , the soon to be senior athlete, may be one of the most dominant players in the state of New Jersey. A Gatorade Player of the Year, Micah has already committed to Stanford for 2024.
If you’re looking for a player that can do it all, look no further. Accumulating 1203 passing yards and 17 passing touchdowns, and 2360 rushing yards with another 33 touchdowns on the ground, Micah was a menace to all defenses he lined up against. Good luck bringing him to the ground with arm tackles, because Micah already has college level size and speed and has the potential to make an entire defense look foolish. He has everything you’d want in a runner, and his use of decisive cutting and stiff arms only separates him further from other runners.
As a defender, Micah brought the runner to the ground 77 times and picked the ball off 4 times. Micah is one of NJ’s most talented athletes, so don’t be surprised if you hear his name even more in the near future.
Jeremiah Pruitt Jeremiah Pruitt 5’11” | 180 lbs | DB Tom’s River North | 2024 State NJ is another versatile player coming out of Toms River North in 2024. Doing some special things on offense and defense last season, Jeremiah can pretty much do it all. Offensively he was a threat as a runner and a receiver, combining for over +650 offensive yards and 10 touchdowns. He is an elusive ball carrier and can navigate himself through whatever the defense throws at him.
Defensively, Jeremiah brought in 89 total tackles, 2 sacks, and forced 2 fumbles. He is known as a hard hitting safety that will punish any receiver entering his territory. Not only can he bring the hurt on ball carriers, but he always is in the right position to defend against the pass. With 6 interceptions and 2 of those returned for touchdowns, no QB wants to throw in the direction of Jeremiah.
Mordecai Ford Mordecai Ford 6’1″ | 160 lbs | DB Toms River North | 2025 NJ is Toms River North’s best kept secret. With a team so talented, it’s hard to stand apart from the rest. But Mordecai is going to gain more recognition this fall. Already receiving an offer from Temple, Mordecai is a slick runner with great top end sprinter speed. Toms River North’s strength & conditioning team must be doing something right because all of these runners never get taken down on the first hit and are elusive enough to make multiple players miss. Mordecai is a patient runner that throws defenders off of him and is only going to get stronger with time. Rushing for 428 yards and 7 touchdowns, there is a lot to look forward to for this young man.
Toms River North has a player that runs with authority in Josh Moore Josh Moore 5’10” | 185 lbs | RB Toms River | 2024 NJ . Rushing for 1053 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022, Josh is an athletic running back that has a rare combination of power and elusiveness. He often utilized a stutter step that broke multiple defenders ankles last season. And his success doesn’t stop on offense. Josh is dominant on both sides of the ball and was able to intercept the ball off 3 times last season. Toms River North is one of the most stacked teams in New Jersey, and it will be very hard for anyone to slow this offense down next season. I don’t see how anyone could stop this aerial and run attack led by Micah and Josh.
Tareq Council Tareq Council 6’3″ | 170 lbs | WR Toms River North | 2024 State NJ is Micah Ford Micah Ford 6’1″ | 205 lbs | ATH Tom Rivers North | 2024 State NJ ‘s favorite pass target. With 516 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns last fall, he absolutely dominated any defensive back he went up against. With size that towers over most high school competition, Tareq was able to make every ball catchable. He is a top talent coming out of New Jersey and I anticipate his stats to only be more impressive in 2023. Even as a defender Tareq made a huge impact. With 3 interceptions and 1 returned for a touchdown, Tareq will continue to dominate on the field this season and for many seasons to come at the college level.