By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
Nike 5 Days 2 Friday Home
A classic New Jersey rivalry will be renewed Friday night when Toms River South takes on Toms River North in a game known locally as “The Civil War.” The match-up is also this week’s featured game on the Nike 5 Days 2 Friday national road tour.
“If there is one game a year that people in Toms River will go see, they will want to come to this one,” Toms River North head coach Chip LaBarca Jr. said.
LaBarca is not unfamiliar with the dynamics of the “North-South” rivalry. He went to high school at Toms River South, where he starred at wide receiver and was twice named first team All-State before taking his talents to Penn State.
Having previously made a coaching stop at Lakewood, who plays an annual Thanksgiving game with Toms River South, LaBarca said he is familiar with coaching against his alma mater.
“It’s not uncomfortable anymore,” said LaBarca, who last year guided the Mariners to a perfect 12-0 season and a South Jersey Group IV state title in just his second season.
LaBarca has several Toms River South alums on his coaching staff, including Dean Helstowki, the offensive line coach, and the Oizerowitz brothers – Dave, Mike and Joe – who are the defensive coordinator, wide receivers coach and secondary coach, respectively.
The team has done an excellent job of carrying over momentum from last year’s successful run. After dropping its opener to Middletown North, LaBarca’s team has won six straight games, largely on the strength of its defense. The Mariners have not allowed more than one touchdown in any of the team’s victories.
“We’re built on special teams and defense,” LaBarca said.
Pacing the Mariner defense are two imposing linebackers, Mike Henry and Brian Newman, who have done a great job of making big plays throughout the season. Henry has 49 tackles and leads the team with five sacks. Newman has 34 tackles and has pounced on four fumbles.
Attempting to make things difficult for Henry and Newman on Friday is Toms River South quarterback Kevin Gilmore.
Seen as one of the top signal callers in the Shore Conference, Gilmore has thrown for nearly 900 yards this season.
“Our quarterback is probably one of the top three quarterbacks in the entire Jersey Shore,” first-year Toms River South head coach Bill Hill said.
Gilmore has a lot of help, as 16 other starters returned from last year’s team. The leadership of the team’s seniors has helped the Indians to a 4-3 start, a record that doesn’t tell the entire story. The Indians’ three losses have been by a combined 13 points, with two defeats coming after blowing fourth-quarter leads.
Hill says he employs a running back-by-committee philosophy. When it comes to receivers, Gilmore will likely look for Rob Whitfield and Aaron Terry, who have been sure-handed targets thus far this season.
Toms River, located a stone’s throw from the Atlantic Ocean, is renown for its passion for sports. Toms River North, Toms River South and Toms River East each have loyal fan bases. In addition to its football rivalries, the city of 95,000 is best known for being the home of the 1998 Little League World Series champions.
While all of his players are familiar with the rivalry, Hill will be experiencing “The Civil War” for the first time, though he already has a good idea of what to expect.
“I knew Toms River football was always big-time football,” Hill said. “It’s huge. You can see from the spirit in the school. I’m just glad to be a part of it.”
