The calendar turns to October, which may result in cooler temperatures but scholastic sports remains hot on the local schedules.
Get out and check these events out over the coming days.
One of the state’s premier cross-country races of the fall season is on tap this Saturday, Oct. 1, when the New Balance Shore Coaches Invitational is staged at Holmdel Park in Holmdel.
The race annually attracts dozens and dozens of teams —both boys and girls — throughout New Jersey, including 26 schools from the Greater Media Newspapers’ area. State powers from the area include Christian Brothers Academy, Colts Neck and Old Bridge.
Football —as usual—provides plenty of interesting matchups.
Middletown South, the top-ranked football team in New Jersey last fall and among the leaders in the state ratings this season, will put its 15-game winning streak on the line on Friday, Sept., 30, when Rumson-Fair Haven pays a call to Middletown.
This showdown features two teams that are 3-0 and are focused on winning state sectional playoff championships in December. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Two 3-0 teams in Middlesex County will knock heads at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30, when Woodbridge entertains Saint Joseph of Metuchen.
Freehold Township is off to a 3-0 start but it visits a 1-1 Neptune team on Friday, Sept. 30, that has the potential to pin a loss on the up-start Patriots. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
New Egypt is also 3-0 and is also aware that Robbinsville, which is 1-2, can spring the upset when these teams meet on Friday, Sept. 30, under the lights at 7 in Robbinsville.
Two of the top girls’ soccer teams in Middlesex County, East Brunswick, which is 6-0-1, and Old Bridge, which sports a 4-2-1 record, will clash on Thursday, Sept. 29, in Old Bridge at 4 p.m.
The Manalapan girls’ soccer team is rolling along with a 6-1 record but the Braves will serve as the host to a pair of Shore Conference rivals this week. On Thursday, Sept. 29, Marlboro takes the short journey to play a 4 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 1, Howell pays a call for a 10 a.m. game.
In the boys’ soccer picture, old-time rivals Spotswood and South River will meet for a second time this season on Friday, Sept. 30, in Spotswood. Game time is 4 p.m. South River seeks to avenge its 3-2 loss that the Rams suffered on Sept. 14.
South Brunswick’s boys’ soccer team, fresh off its upset victory over previously undefeated Monroe, 2-1, this past Tuesday, Sept. 27, will hit the road and play Perth Amboy at 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 1.
Allentown’s field hockey team is off to a 6-1 start and will seek to continue its winning ways on Friday, Sept. 30, when the Redbirds fly to Hightstown for a 4 p.m. game.
