St. Joseph's Resto is HNT Football Player of the Week

For St. Joseph's Manny Resto, sitting out three weeks with a separated shoulder was difficult, because all he wanted to do was get back on the field with his teammates.

Resto returned for the Falcons against J.F. Kennedy two weeks ago, where he caught a 57-yard pass for a touchdown in a 52-14 victory. This past Saturday, the Carteret resident really showed that he was recovered and ready to do whatever was necessary to help his team win.

READ: GMC WEEK 8 NOTEBOOK, TOP 10

MORE: WEEK 8 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LINKS

Against Carteret on Saturday, Resto rushed 39 times for 153 yards and two touchdowns as St. Joseph improved to 8-0 and won its second Greater Middlesex Conference White Division title.

"It’s a big help to the team, he’s such a dynamic player, he’s not just a running back, he’s a strong safety and he’s another playmaker on the field for us, to have him able to do a lot of different things it’s a big help to get him back," St. Joseph coach Casey Ransone said of getting Resto back in the lineup. "He’s a workhorse, and it was one of those games where it was a grind it out, physical game, and to be able to give him the ball 39 times and the way he runs the ball, it was a high part of what we did. It’s also a credit to the offensive line, guys blocking on every play to give Manny room to run."

Despite missing those three weeks, Resto has rushed 86 times for 450 yards and nine touchdowns. He's also caught two passes for 75 yards and one touchdown. The junior is also a big part of the defense, as he totaled six tackles against Carteret, three for loss. So far this season, Resto has rushed for more than 100 yards three times.

"When I injured my shoulder I was pretty upset, but I just did as much as I could to get better, and as soon as I knew I could come back I was happy. I was so glad to be back with my brothers on the field," Resto said. "It’s great that the coaches trust me enough to get me the ball and to run behind the guys I do, and the linemen do a great job of blocking, I just try and do my job."

Resto might only be a junior, but according to Ransone, he's a player that has the respect of everyone on the team, from seniors to underclassmen, for his work ethic and attitude on and off the field.

"First and foremost you’re not going to find a better young man than Manny," Ransone said. "He’s a phenomenal student, he’s polite, he’s a yes sir, no sir, he’s a very accountable kid, on and off the field, and that’s a great teammate."

Resto has been a big part of the Falcons' success this season, but it hasn't been just because of one player. St. Joseph lost its starting quarterback Paul Cocozziello in the third game of the season, and saw Mitchel Epstein take over and lead the team to a 52-14 victory over J.F. Kennedy in Week 7, which set a school record for the most points scored in a game.

"When they’re down I try to bring the team up as much as I can, and I try and bring them my all because I know they give me their all and I try to help in that aspect," Resto said. "We’re really all brothers, we just have each other’s backs. When someone goes down, someone else comes up and does the best he can and I feel like that’s the big thing on our team."

St. Joseph has clinched a playoff spot in Non-Public Group IV, and according to Resto, its the second time in program history that the team has made it to the playoffs. The Falcons will face J.P. Stevens on Saturday afternoon, and Resto is excited to help his teammates get as far as they can into the postseason.

"We’re looking forward to this week. We’re not underestimating any team we play against,  and we’re just going to go this week and prepare and move on to the playoffs and take our shot there," Resto said. "I’m really excited to start the playoffs. We’re playing the top teams in the state, and I’m excited to play them have the opportunity to move on and the steps that we’re going to take as a program."

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego

GMC TOP WEEK 8 PERFORMERS

PASSING

Justin Turner, Edison  19-131-251-1

James Schuld, East Brunswick 18-34-212-1

Will Hronich, Metuchen 11-22-200-2

Josh Liao, South Brunswick 15-18-185-2

Tyler Layton, Colonia 16-28-182-1

Jayson DeMild, Sayreville 6-8-141-3

Quaasim Glover, Woodbridge 6-9-114-1

Jah’Bree Jeffery-Seawright, New Brunswick 8-15-11-1

Artur Sitkowski, Old Bridge 8-22-109-0

RUSHING

Dillon Johnson, New Brunswick 21-291-3

Carlton Coleman, Monroe 23-276-3

Andrew Brazicki, Bishop Ahr 35-207-3

Mike Harmon, Dunellen 21-170-3

Manny Resto, St. Joseph 39-153-2

Myles Barry, North Brunswick28-145-2

Elijah Barnwell, Piscataway 23-140-1

James Schuld, East Brunswick 20-126-0

Da’Avian Ellington, Woodbridge 17-118-3

Keshaun Henry, Woodbridge 7-111-2

Kyle Heaney, J.F. Kennedy 20-104-1

Michael Liberti, Sayreville 15-101-1

RECEIVING

Keanu Reed, Edison 7-129-1

Matt Zawacki, Colonia 8-118-0

Devin Miller, Metuchen 6-110-2

Alex Cameron, East Brunswick 5-110-1

Jacari Carter 3-99-3

DEFENSE

Tyler Haughney, Old Bridge 9 tackles

Kevin Conley, East Brunswick 5 solos, 3 assists, 1 TFL

Bryce Christian, Sayreville 7 solos 1 TFL, 2 sacks

Carlton Coleman, Monroe 7 tackles

Nick Nyers, Woodbridge 3solos, 9 assists, 3TFLs

Jordan Demorla, Carteret 5 solos, 11 assists

Marcus Adenyiyi, Bishop Ahr 8 tackles, 1 sack , 1 forced fumble

Marcus Cerminaro, South Brunswick  2 solos, 5 assists, 3 TFLs, 1 caused fumble

Jaryn Bullock, South River 6 tackles

Brandon Thomas, Edison 7 solos, 5 assists, 1 huury

Kareem Smith, Colonia 1 solo, 3 assists, 1 PD, 1 blocked FG

SPECIAL TEAMS

Anthony Imbimbo, Old Bridge 1 kickoff return 83 yards

Dominic Kurtyan, Edison 1/1 PAT, 1 FG 21 yards