South River's DeSantis sweeps GMC Football Player and Borden's Baller of Week honors

Unlike its championship-caliber squads of the past, which were run-oriented, this year’s version of the South River High School football team is a pass-happy offense under the direction of a veteran starting quarterback who leads the Greater Middlesex Conference in yardage.

Junior signal caller Michael DeSantis, a three-year starter and three-sport star who also excels on the hardwood and the diamond, has completed 83 of 117 attempts for 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing just one interception.

Those numbers also give DeSantis one of the highest quarterback ratings in the state.

Surrounded by a bevy of talented skill position players and an offensive line that has provided solid pass protection, DeSantis has the undefeated Rams off to a 7-0 start and in contention to win a Central Group II title.

The Rams  have the second most power points in the section and appear to have a legitimate chance of claiming their first sectional championship since 2001.

“Totally different,” is how veteran South River head coach Rich Marchesi, who has won 202 games during a storied 31-year career, describes the Rams’ offensive philosophy compared to years past. “I think we are a throwing team. When we need a big play, we are four-wide, five-wide. We do things out of that (formation). We’re different than some of those championship teams that ran the ball and pounded it.”

DeSantis completed 14 of 20 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown while leading the Rams to their second overtime win of the season, a 26-20 road victory over Keansburg.

One of the biggest plays he made in the game, however, came on defense. After Kyle Baszak had a 10-yard touchdown run on the first possession of overtime to give the Rams a 26-20 lead, Keansburg was faced with a fourth-and-8 from the 12-yard line. DeSantis, playing free safety, knocked away a potential game-tying touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone as the game ended on an incompletion.

For his efforts, DeSantis was voted MyCentralJersey.com’s Readers’ Choice Player of the Week, and Hall of Fame head coach Marcus Borden also named him Borden’s Baller of the Week. The South River star is the third player this season to sweep both honors.

DeSantis received 8,333 votes or 79.8 percent of the total 10,439 votes cast on a ballot featuring nine nominees.

“I’ve had the opportunity to see him play several times this year and in many big games,” Borden said. “He’s gone about his business week in and week out as a team player. His demeanor and his attitude is just amazing for someone that is just a junior. He’s a phenomenal athlete. He’s smart and competitive. He’s been confident while taking his team where they are right now.”

South River, which hosts South Hunterdon on Saturday, appears to be locked into the No. 2 seed in Central Group II behind top-seeded Point Pleasant Boro. The Rams close out the regular season against Dunellen on Nov. 3. The NJSIAA playoffs commence the following weekend.

In addition to being a strong-armed and accurate passer, DeSantis is also a threat to run, which keeps opponents honest. Baszak and Travis Thomas join DeSantis as South River’s most valuable players.

“I’ve got three MVPs and he’s one of them right now,” Marchesi said of DeSantis. “He’s the engine that runs the offense. He’s a heck of a quarterback.”