It's a Shore Thing

Growing up along the Jersey Shore can only mean a couple of things boardwalk fries, Three Brothers Pizza, liking the Boss, and the Shore Conference. The Shore Conference is home to my old high school, Toms River South and a variety of state powers in the many different sports including baseball, football and basketball. But over the last month, the conference has been the home to three professionals that have made their debuts in a pair of sports.

In football the conference has produced running backs Knowshon Moreno and Donald Brown.

While at Middletown South, Moreno led his team to three Central Jersey Group III championships. He rushed for 1,629 yards on 153 carries and scored 28 TDs in 11 games as a senior. He finished his high school career with 6,268 career rushing yards, 128 touchdowns, and 728 points. His rushing yards are second all-time in New Jersey. He also rushed for 420 yards and 7 touchdowns in one game against the Neptune Scarlet Fliers. He also rushed for 6 touchdowns against the Monmouth Regional Falcons. During his time at Middletown South, he also was a top tier sprinter during the indoor and outdoor track seasons. Moreno was a first round pick of the Denver Broncos. After starring at South, Moreno went on to star at Georgia. On September 27, 2009, Moreno scored his first career NFL touchdown with a 7 yard run against the Oakland Raiders.

Brown attended Red Bank Catholic and stared as a running back. During his senior year, Brown rushed for 2,032 yards and 27 touchdowns. Brown was a first round pick of the Colts.

While in hockey, former Christian Brothers Academy star James van Reimsdyk (photo right from World Junior Championship) has made an immediate impact with the Philadelphia Flyers. Van Riemsdyk attended CBA before transferring out after his sophomore year to play for USA Hockey's National Development Team. In his final high school game for CBA he scored the game winning goal in overtime to defeat the Delbarton School and star goaltender Michael D'Urso in the 2005 Parochial state championship. After playing for the National Development Team JVR went on to star at New Hampshire for two years. In his first three games as a member of the Flyers JVR has tallied three points.

Its good to see to players from the high school conference you grew up in make an impact so quickly.

And you thought American Announcers were bad

The Bulls and Jazz met in a preseason game in London last night and the BBC was there to capture the action. Just take one listen to it and hear how terrible they were, hey they did not even know the rules to the. Just when you think American announcers are terrible with soccer just remember this video.

The Next One

On Saturday night, the college football world was treated to two things. The return of the U and the introduction of the next great Miami safety. Wearing number 26, the same numbers as former U great the late Sean Taylor, Ray Ray Armstrong let the world know that he is for real. During the game he ran all of the field making plans and showed the world who he was.

Here is a highlight video of the true freshman, when he was in high school last year.

At the end of his career Armstrong will be adding his name to the list of great Miami safeties that includes Ed Read, Taylor, and Kenny Phillips.

The money making power of soccer

This has been a big year for soccer in the United States. First the US Men's National team beats Spain at the Confed Cup, then ESPN starts to show La Liga and the Premier League and finally Dicks Sporting Good decides to dedicate a section of their stores to soccer gear and not just balls and shin guards but jerseys and jackets to. Having leagues on ESPN is a big deal but having their merchandise in stores might be bigger because it shows that money making power of soccer in the United States.

Liverpool Jacket at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Stafford

Champions League Ball at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Mays Landing
Barcelona ball at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Mays Landing

Arsenal ball at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Mays Landing

Manchester United ball at the Dick's Sporting Goods in Mays Landing