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Brooks adds name to Manalapan
records
Published in the Asbury Park Press 10/14/00
By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER
STAFF WRITER
MANALAPAN -- Cory Brooks idolizes Reggie Grant, the former Manalapan
ground-gaining machine.
The name of his idol was etched in Brooks' consciousness during his Pop
Warner playing days.
Last night, Brooks joined his hero, tying Grant's school record with
four touchdowns and blazing for 277 yards on 28 carries, leading the
Braves past Southern Regional, 35-13, in a Shore Conference American
Division game.
"It has been a goal of mine since Pop Warner to either break or
tie some of Reggie Grant's records," Brooks said after scoring on
runs of 29, 34, 11 and 63 yards.
Brooks keeps in touch with Grant, now a patrolman in the Manalapan
Police Department.
"He told me to tuck in my shirt," said Brooks, a 6-foot-1,
210-pound senior. "Teams were grabbing it from behind. He's the
man, the ruler."
Brooks was not the only player to have a big night for the Braves.
Quarterback Jack Phillips was honored during halftime ceremonies as
the school's Homecoming King. Wearing the crown and his uniform,
Phillips rode atop a car which circled the field. The senior completed
15 of 23 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown.
"I participated in the ceremony after I took care of team
business," Phillips said. "I didn't expect it. I guess it's an
honor. Football is the first thing on my mind when I step on the
field."
Four of Phillips' completions went to Brooks for 48 yards.
"Cory is a tremendous back," Phillips said. "He takes
so much of the pressure off me. He makes my job easier than it should
be."
Phillips fired a 26-yard pass to sophomore Mike Gaeta with 5:10 left
in the third quarter, sending the Braves in front, 20-13. Bobby Skiba
followed with his third of five extra-point kicks.
Brooks' 11-yard burst stretched the lead to 28-13 with 5:33 to go in
the game. He capped the scoring with a 63-yard dash with 54 seconds
remaining.
from the Asbury Park Press
Published on October 14, 2000 |
