Home Care In Holmdel, NJ

When: Friday, 7

Last year’s final: Somerville 24, Delsea 6

Head coach: Anthony Diorio (17-6, second season)

Finals appearances: 5

Sectional titles: 0

Last time in final: 2024, 42-14 loss to Mainland in S.J. Group 3

Regular season: WJFL Continental; co-champions

Road to the final

Key stat

Tirico’s incredible season: When you look at Seneca’s stats, the numbers jump right off the page. Junior Anthony Tirico has been incredible this season, clearly putting himself among the state’s top dual-threat quarterbacks. The difference between his passing and rushing numbers are a mere 39 yards. He’s completed 107-of-170 passes for 1,454 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 1,493 yards and 16 TDs on 166 carries. Tirico has accounted for nearly 75% of the team’s total offensive yards.

Offensive stars

What coach is thinking

“Holmdel is a well-coached program and their players execute at a high level. Their QB (Jack Cannon) is a great football player and is a threat running and passing. We have to play assignment football and be disciplined for 48 minutes. We are excited and grateful to play another week of Friday night lights.” -- Anthony Diorio

At a glance

Seneca finds itself looking to snap a three-year skid of reaching a sectional final and coming up short. Camden, Delsea and Mainland were thorns in its side and now Holmdel and its explosive QB Jack Cannon stand in the way. This showdown could very well take three hours and be one of the highest scoring games of the postseason. Why? Both teams possess dual-threat quarterbacks who have put their teams on their back. For the Golden Eagles, junior Anthony Tirico has been sensational throughout his first three years and is clearly the centerpiece of the attack. Whether it’s with his arm or his legs, Tirico has put up video-game numbers and delivered big play after big play. The problem for Seneca is that Cannon has done the exact same for Holmdel. The Golden Eagles are going to have to try to keep Cannon from getting outside and breaking long runs. While he’s thrown for 2,362 yards and 26 touchdowns, Cannon has rushed for 1,407 yards and 28 scores. It’s easy to say, but clearly extremely difficult to do. If both QBs prove to be on their games, the team with the ball last just might be the winner.

Head coach: Noel Kavanagh (16-4, second season)

Finals appearances: 2

Sectional titles: 0

Last time in final: 1991, 28-13 loss to Manasquan in C.J. Group 2

Regular season: Shore Conference A North; second place

Road to the final

Key stat

Cannon fodder: His season is one of legend. Cannon has already done what no other Holmdel quarterback has since the school started football in 1972 -- lead the Hornets to the sectional playoffs. With the exception of the two Holmdel grads who played in the NFL -- Cannon’s uncle, John, a defensive end drafted in 1982, and tight end John Burke, who won a Super Bowl with the Patriots -- Jack Cannon may be the best to wear Holmdel blue. Of Holmdel’s 4,418 total offensive yards, Cannon accounts for all but 649 yards of them. He has produced 3,769 combined passing and rushing yards or an astounding 85% of the Hornet offense. Cannon has also figured in 54 of Holmdel’s 61 total touchdowns. Head coach Noel Kavanagh is a respected schemer and play-caller who puts Cannon in the best position to make plays. He coached with current Linden head coach Mark Ciccotelli when he won state titles with Neptune and Freehold Borough. Between Kavanagh’s play-calling and Cannon’s play-making, Holmdel has scored 438 points -- the most of any team in the Shore Conference and No. 3 in the state behind Glassboro (501) and Immaculata (458). Cannon is tied for third in total scoring with 170 points, ranks fourth in New Jersey in total touchdowns (28), seventh in passing yards (2,362), seventh in passing TDs (26) and 19th in rushing (1,409). At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Cannon is hard to bring down with better-than-you-think speed. He has four runs of 60 or more yards. As a passer, he has completed 75% of his 181 attempts. He has seven completions that have gone for 40 or more yards. The Dartmouth commit has thrown five interceptions -- only one in the last five games.

Offensive stars

What coach is thinking

“The Holmdel community is extremely excited about the opportunity we have to win the first sectional title in school history. The players have worked hard to get to this point and have been focused on the task at hand. We will be met by an excellent Seneca team. We embrace the challenge.” -- Noel Kavanagh

At a glance

There could be 100 points scored in this game. If you’re attending in person, be prepared for the possibility of the three-hour game. However, bring snacks with you because a trip to the refreshment stand could result in missing something spectacular. Seneca and Holmdel have combined for 743 points and 8,394 yards -- that’s 4.77 miles. Holmdel scored more points last week (65) than any team in the state -- it needed every one of them before dispatching Neptune, 65-49. Holmdel has won five-straight since it lost back-to-back games to Red Bank Catholic (29-28) and Brick Memorial (55-41), which are ranked No. 16 and No. 20, respectively, in the NJ.com Top 20. The Holmdel defense, while not terrible, has allowed 272 points — seventh most in the Shore Conference and the most by any team with a winning record. The Holmdel defense does have one shutout against 3-6 Raritan. It allowed 10 against Cinnaminson in the first round of the playoffs and 21 in victories over 2-8 Marlboro, 3-6 Middletown South and 6-4 Rumson-Fair Haven. Holmdel has a win over Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Middletown North (49-38) and Donovan Catholic (48-35), which is still alive in the Non-Public B playoffs. Why does Holmdel allow so many points? Exhaustion, perhaps. Many of its players go both ways. Holmdel plays fast. And, because in shootout-type games, opponents have to play fast to keep up. A couple other factors, Holmdel does not get to the quarterback very often. It has only 15 sacks all season. Its leading sacker, senior Luke Scheiss, has three. It has 51 tackles for loss, led by linebacker Joseph Berardi, who has 10.5. By comparison, its opponent last week, Neptune, has 155 TFL. Holmdel does have nine interceptions and six fumble recoveries. The Holmdel defense does know that any stop, at any point, could be decisive.

The pick

Holmdel over Seneca

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For nearly 20 minutes in the second half Friday night, Cedar Creek did what no other team was able to do this season — it silenced Holmdel’s Cannon.

After halftime adjustments, the Cedar Creek defense dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half. The Pirate defenders later sealed the deal when they stopped scrambling Holmdel quarterback Jack Cannon inches short of a first down with 1:47 remaining.

Timely defense and a big night from senior Frenchmon Bethea, who figured in six touchdowns and had two interceptions, pushed Cedar Creek (11-2) into the NJSIAA/Xifinity Group 3 final with a 48-38 victory at Bob Roggy Memorial Field in Holmdel.

Cedar Creek (11-2) advanced to the Group 3 title game against defending champion Old Tappan (12-0), which overpowered West Morris, 35-0, in the other semifinal on Friday night. The championship game will be played on Nov. 28, 4 p.m. at MetLife.

“It the second half, we wanted to play with a heavy box,” said Cedar Creek head coach James Melody. “We didn’t want to be crazy going after him (Cannon) and let him break contain. We wanted to keep him in the pocket and we did a good job of that in the second half.”

Cedar Creek rallied from a 30-20 halftime deficit with a blazing third quarter. The Pirates scored on their first three possessions of the second half to take a 41-30 lead with 6:42 left to play.

A nine-yard touchdown run by Cannon, who finished with a combined 349 yards of offense, and a two-point conversion pulled Holmdel (9-3) to within 41-38 with 3:46 left.

The Holmdel defense got its only stop of the second half and forced a punt with 2:37 remaining.

Cannon and the Hornets’ offense took over at its own 28. On second and third down Cannon scrambled back-and-forth between the hash marks and couldn’t find an open receiver.

On fourth-and-nine, with his receivers bottled up, Cannon fled the pocket in front of the Cedar Creek bench. As he neared the line to gain, he stepped out of bounds with the ball extended in his right hand.

“I reached out the ball and stepped out of bounds to stop the clock,” Cannon said between sobs. “I thought I had it. It was a bang-bang play. I should have gotten it. It’s the biggest regret of my whole life.”

Cedar Creek took over but on third-and-five at the Holmdel 32, the Pirates opted to put the ball in the air and it nearly cost them dearly. Bethea, who had 179 total yards in the second half, lobbed a pass down the seam to Jahmir Campfield. The fluttering pass barely eluded the outstretched hand of a Holmdel defender who had open field in front of him. Campfield made the catch, eluded a pair of defenders, and delivered the knockout blow.

Bethea, the “other” quarterback in the game, was clutch. He ran for 149 yards — 109 in the second half. He passed for 264 yards — 196 in the first half. His 60-yard run capping a 10-play, 80-yard drive on the first possession of the second half turned the tide. He finished with four passing TDs and two rushing.

“I think Frenchman is one of the best players in the state,” Melody said. “He’s come such a long way. He brings so much to our game it makes us hard to defend.”

“A lot of people have been counting me out my whole life,” Bethea said. “I think I’ve proved a lot of people wrong.”

Cannon, who had a senior season for the ages, ran for three TDs and passed for two. He has a 50-yard touchdown run in the first half.

Cannon leaped over the pile to score a two-yard touchdown with 1:02 left and gave Holmdel a 30-14 lead.

In another key series in the game, Cedar Creek went 69 yards in five plays. Cedar Creek picked up 67 yards on the first two plays of the drive. Bethea ran for 36 yards on the march and finished it off with a four-yard scoring throw to Ryan Staton with a second left before halftime. The Pirates closed to within 30-20.

In the third quarter, Holmdel ran only eight plays. Meanwhile, Cedar Creek came out running, turning Bethea loose on quarterback powers off-tackle. Holmdel did not tackle well in the second half, allowing Pirate runners to pick up boatloads of yards after first contact.

Bethea’s seven-yard run with 5:20 left in the third gave Cedar Creek its first lead, 34-30.

On the ensuing possession, Bethea intercepted Cannon on the first play of the fourth quarter leading to a 53-yard scoring drive. Aamir Dunbar finished it off with a one-yard run.

GROUP 3 SEMIFINALS

No. 20 Cedar Creek 48, No. 19 Holmdel 38

FIRST QUARTER

H - Serini 37 pass from Cannon (Cannon run), 9:05

CC- King 57 pass from Bethea (Sandoval kick), 0:37

SECOND QUARTER

H - Serini 13 pass from Cannon (Serini pass from Cannon) 9:36

CC - Campfield 49 pass from Bethea (Sandoval kick) 8:32

H - Cannon 50 run (Mueller kick) 7:31

H - Cannon 1 run (Mueller kick) 1:10

CC - Staton 4 pass from Bethea (kick blocked) 0:01

THIRD QUARTER

CC - Bethea 60 run (Sandoval kick), 9:13

CC - Bethea 4 run (Sandoval kick) 2:22

FOURTH QUARTER

CC - Dunbar 1 run (Sandoval kick), 6:42

H - Cannon 9 run (Aliperti pass from Cannon) 3:51

CC - Campfield 32 pass from Bethea (Sandoval kick) 0:37

TEAM STATISTICS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Cedar Creek: Frenchmon Bethea 16-156, Aamir Dunbar 16-75, Jahmir Campfield 5-22. Holmdel: Jack Cannon 24-152, Matt Scheinman 2-21, Michael Todisco 1-8.

PASSING -- Cedar Creek:Bethea 14-24-1-264. Holmdel: Cannon 15-26-2-197.

RECEIVING -- Cedar Creek: Gyan King 6-127, Campfield 3-70, Ryan Staten 4-60, Erik Tribett 1-7. James Murphy 5-28, Michael Todisco 3-56, Anthony Serini 3-54, Scheinman 2-47, Carmine Aliperti 2-12.

Latest N.J. football stories

Purchase of the farm property will secure the nearly 17-acre parcel as permanent open space, township officials said.

HOLMDEL, NJ — Holmdel Township has formally closed on and acquired the historic Potters Farm property, the township announced on Monday afternoon.

Purchase of the farm secures the nearly 17-acre parcel as permanent open space, officials said, preventing commercial development and maintaining the area’s rustic rural aesthetic.

Located at 117 Red Hill Road, the Potters Farm property has long been a subject of widespread community support for preservation.

In March, the Township Committee introduced an ordinance to buy the farm and prevent the construction of a novel dementia care village there, according to a report from the Asbury Park Press.

The committee later approved that ordinance at a meeting that took place toward the end of March.

According to township officials, acquisition of the property was funded through a combination of municipal bonds and a down payment from the Township’s Open Space Trust Fund.

In a news release from the Township, Mayor Brian Foster highlighted the significance of this purchase for the town’s long-term vision, describing it as an investment in residents' quality of life and a promise to future generations.

“This is a landmark day for Holmdel,” Foster said. “The acquisition of Potters Farm is more than just a real estate transaction; it is an investment in the quality of life for our residents and a promise to future generations.”

“By preserving this land, we are ensuring that one of Holmdel’s most scenic and historical properties will remain open and protected from development forever, contributing significantly to our overall open space portfolio.” Foster continued.

According to township officials, the Potters Farm property is one of several recent open space preservation efforts undertaken by the Township Committee to safeguard dozens of acres from development.

Going forward, officials said the Township plans to preserve the property in its current state for the near term, while evaluating future options, including potential agricultural or passive recreational use.

“The preservation of the rural nature of our community is a core commitment of this Township Committee, and Potters Farm is a perfect example of that principle in action,” Deputy Mayor Kim LaMountain said.

“Generations of Holmdel residents have passed this farm and appreciated its classic, pastoral feel,” LaMountain continued. “This acquisition protects that heritage and ensures that the agricultural character, the very essence of what forms our Holmdel community, is preserved for all to enjoy.”

To see the original announcement from the township, you can click here.

Follow up-to-the-minute score updates from all of the public sectional finals and non-public quarterfinals across New Jersey.

Friday, Nov. 14

North 1, Group 5 sectional final

(2) Passaic Tech 56, (1) West Orange 42

North 2, Group 5 sectional final

Final: (1) Bridgewater-Raritan 21, (6) Bayonne 14

Central Group 5 sectional final

Final: (1) Washington Township 38, (3) Old Bridge 7

South Group 5 sectional final

Final: (3) Kingsway 38, (1) Atlantic City 21

North 1, Group 4 sectional final

(1) Ramapo 28, (3) Northern Highlands 27 (OT)

North 2, Group 4 sectional final

Final: (1) Phillipsburg 41, (3) Montgomery 21

Central Group 4 sectional final

Final: (1) Brick Memorial 28, (3) Middletown North 0

North 1, Group 3 sectional final

(1) Old Tappan 42, (2) Wayne Hills 14

North 2, Group 3 sectional final

Final: (1) West Morris 35, (2) Summit 14

Central Group 3 sectional final

Final: (1) Holmdel 41, (3) Seneca 20

North 1, Group 2 sectional final

(1) Westwood 32, (3) Ramsey 6

North 2, Group 2 sectional final

Final: (1) Shabazz 26, (7) Madison 16

Central Group 2 sectional final

Final: (1) Camden 43, (2) Wall 7

South Group 2 sectional final

Final: (1) Haddonfield 28, (3) Delran 7

North 1, Group 1 sectional final

(1) Butler 28, (2) Kinnelon 14

North 2, Group 1 sectional final

Final: (4) Cedar Grove 37, (3) New Providence 13

Central Group 1 sectional final

Final: (1) Burlington City 28, (2) Shore 20

South Group 1 sectional final

Final: (1) Glassboro 47, (6) Schalick 14

Non-Public A quarterfinals

Final: (1) Don Bosco 42, (8) Seton Hall Prep 7

Final: (2) St. Peter's Prep 31, (7) St. Augustine 17

Non-Public B quarterfinals

Final: (1) DePaul 35, (8) St. John Vianney 14

Final: (5) Holy Spirit 34, (4) Donovan Catholic 27

Final: (3) Red Bank Catholic 36, (6) Paul VI 0

Final: (2) Paramus Catholic 63, (7) Immaculata 31

Saturday, Nov. 15

South Group 4 sectional final

(2) Millville at (1) Winslow, noon

South Group 3 sectional final

(4) Mainland at (2) Cedar Creek, noon

Non-Public A quarterfinals

(5) St. Joseph (Metuchen) at (4) Bergen Catholic, 1 p.m.

(6) Delbarton at (3) St. Joseph (Montvale), 1 p.m.

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See which hospitals in Monmouth County got top grades for patient safety in the Leapfrog Group's Fall 2025 hospital safety grade rankings:

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — A new safety report released on Thursday shows that multiple hospitals in Monmouth County earned “A” grades based on their ability to protect their patients from preventable harm.

The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2025 Hospital Safety Grades are a biannual ranking that assigns a “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” to all general hospitals in the United States based on their ability to protect patients from medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections.

A watchdog founded 25 years ago, the Leapfrog Group says it aims to improve American health care through transparency.

The report also named “Straight A” hospitals — those earning an A grade for more than two years in a row.

Medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections are largely preventable problems that harm one in four hospital inpatients and cause as many as 250,000 deaths each year, according to The Leapfrog Group. The Safety Grade reports have been a cornerstone of that effort, the group says.

Hospitals in Monmouth County that earned A and B grades were:

‘Straight A' Hospitals

‘A’ Hospitals

‘B’ Hospitals

For the overall New Jersey hospital rankings, 35 hospitals earned A grades, 21 hospitals earned B grades, 10 received C grades, and one hospital received a D grade. No New Jersey hospital received a failing F grade, according to the report.

The Leapfrog Group, for the first time in the history of its report cards, looked at the performance of hospitals that are part of larger networks of health care facilities that are owned or managed under a single parent organization.

“We want to understand if system leadership accelerates patient safety or not,” Leah Binder, Leapfrog’s president and CEO, said in a news release.

The analysis found that 90 percent of hospitals with a Fall 2025 Safety Grade are part of a health system.

Among A hospitals, the chance of being system-affiliated is slightly higher, at 94 percent. The same held true for Straight A hospitals, with 95 percent of the 358 Straight A hospitals part of health systems.

All 11 hospitals that have earned an A for every grading round since 2012 are affiliated with health systems.

The 10 health systems with the highest total number of A hospitals and Straight A hospitals in the Fall 2025 report are:

Also, according to the report, the top five states for the largest percentages of 'A' hospitals are Utah, Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut and North Carolina, respectively.

Four states — Iowa, North Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming — have no 'A' hospitals.