Braves' Win Against Freehold Boosts Team Ranking

The Manalapan Braves Varsity Football team made the largest leap in the Shore-North A rankings, according to a MaxPreps.com report. The big jump from sixth to first comes from the team beating Freehold Township Patriots on Friday with a score of 49-0. 

Also, MaxPreps named Saeed Blacknall, Manalapan’s running back, the best in the league this week. Blacknall ran for 57 yards on 3 carries in the game. Charles Lombana was also impressive by contributing 48 rushing yards on the ground, the report said. Quarterback Dan Anerella, a junior, threw for 60 yards and three touchdowns during the game, according to MaxPreps. 

So far, the Braves are ranked 15th in the state and 666 nationally.

Their next game is at Manalapan High School on Friday against Middletown North.