Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse Top 10: Morris Knolls, Montville face off in autism fundraiser

It will be tough to tell Morris Knolls' fans from Montville's at Friday's Rizk boys lacrosse game.

Most will be wearing similar gray T-shirts. The Mustangs' logo has been transformed with multicolored puzzle pieces, as has the Golden Eagles' MK.

They're part of a fundraiser for All About the Journey, a Morris County applied behavioral analysis center for people with autism. It's where Hudson, the 3-year-old son of Morris Knolls boys lacrosse coach Terry Reilly and Montville girls soccer assistant Alyssa Reilly, has been receiving early intervention and other therapies for the past year.

Last week, Reilly said the upcoming autism awareness game between Rizk Division foes had already raised more than $1,000 from both T-shirt sales and donations to Alyssa Reilly's Venmo account. There will be more shirts and snacks on sale at Friday's game, which will be on Morris Knolls' stadium turf.

Hudson Reilly, who will turn 4 on July 21, was diagnosed with autism more than a year ago. He is in a special education pre-K program at Lakeview Elementary School in Denville and receives after-school therapy from All About the Journey every weekday.

"It was a scary moment, because we didn't know anything," Terry Reilly said of the diagnosis. "All we wanted is the best for him. ... He loves school, loves his teacher. He's extremely smart, intelligent and just a sweet kid. He has made so much progress."

Hudson and his older sister Hunter are big fans of both the Morris Knolls boys lacrosse team and the Montville girls soccer team. The kids usually come to Golden Eagles lacrosse games with their grandfather, Vincent Reilly. They like to spend time on Morris Knolls athletic trainer Melanie Rynshall's golf cart.

"We don't know what the future holds for our son," said Alyssa Reilly, a history teacher at Montville High who designed the fundraiser T-shirts. "We're so proud of how far he's come and what he's accomplished. We embrace who he is and all the people who have helped along the way."

According to Autism New Jersey, the Garden State has the third highest rate of autism in the nation: 1 in 35 children, or 2.9% of 8-year-olds. That's only slightly higher than the national average.

Autism prevalence in New Jersey has remained stable since 2016.

More: This Parsippany gym is helping students with disabilities find 'a sense of purpose'

"It was a lot to take in, a lot of unknowns and reading and trying to figure out what the future holds," Alyssa Reilly said. "Everyone who has come across his journey has opened our eyes and helped us focus on the good things that can come from this."

Did undefeated Morris Knolls boys lacrosse stay in the Morris/Sussex rankings? Has Montville moved into the Top 10? Read on for this week's assessment.

10. Pope John (3-3)

Last week: Unranked

Led by junior attack Travis Heller's 15 goals and six assists, Pope John slips into the rankings after winning back to back Waterman games against Glen Ridge and Mendham. The Lions' three losses are against Delbarton, Chatham and Mountain Lakes, all within a week.

Up next: Friday vs. Randolph, Monday vs. West Essex, Wednesday vs. Gill St. Bernard's

9. Boonton (4-1)

Last week: Unranked

The Bombers have been up and down early, beating Hackettstown, High Point and Pompton Lakes by 25 combined goals, losing to Verona by one, and edging Cedar Grove, 10-9, on April 12. Juniors Colin Bostrom (12g, 23a, 24gb) and Christian Fokas (20g, 6a, 20gb) guide Boonton.

Up next: Friday at Dayton, Monday vs. Passaic Tech, Wednesday vs. Nutley

8. Jefferson (4-1)

Last week: No. 5

The Group 2 Falcons have been mostly holding their own against larger Rizk foes like Mount Olive and Montville. Junior Chubb Reid has 10 goals and 24 assists. His twin brother, junior Jamison Reid, has given up 3.8 goals per game in Jefferson's victories.

Up next: Friday at Roxbury, Tuesday at Madison

7. Kinnelon (4-1)

Last week: No. 6

Junior Matt Goldstein (14g, 8a) leads balanced Kinnelon. The Colts lost, 14-10, at Montclair on April 13, but remain unbeaten in the Pooley.

Up next: Thursday at Hackettstown, Saturday vs. Red Bank Catholic, Wednesday vs. Warren Hills

6. Roxbury (4-2)

Last week: No. 7

Senior Anthony Skawinski has a team-high 20 goals and 11 assists, as well as 13 ground balls. The Gaels' two losses are both against Rizk foes: Morris Knolls on April 6 and Montville on April 11.

Up next: Friday vs. Jefferson, Tuesday at Newton

5. Sparta (5-1)

Last week: No. 10

Sparta has three Rizk victories, tying Morris Knolls for first in the division. The Spartans host cellar-dwelling Kittatinny today, followed by the Mustangs on Monday.

Up next: Thursday vs. Kittatinny, Monday vs. Montville

4. Morris Knolls (6-0)

Last week: No. 4

The only undefeated NJAC boys lacrosse team left, Morris Knolls has soared past foes by scoring a Rizk-best 73 goals while giving up just 16. Seniors Kyle Hardie and Jack Martinez have combined for 29 goals and 29 assists and 41 ground balls.

Up next: Friday vs. Montville, Monday at Christian Brothers

3. Chatham (5-1)

Last week: No. 3

Senior attack Charlie Lowe has 10 goals and 19 assists for Chatham, whose 68 goals are 13 more than any other Fitch-Pitt team's total. The Cougars have six days between division games, visiting Summit on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday at Summit

2. Mountain Lakes (4-1)

Last week: No. 2

The Lakers recovered from a 6-5 loss on April 4 at Delbarton with three straight wins against Pope John and Gibbs foes Northern Highlands and Bergen Catholic. Senior Giacomo Bevacqua and sophomore Holden Gillespie have 16 points apiece. Senior Andrew Adams has allowed 6.8 goals per game.

Up next: Saturday vs. Ramapo, Wednesday vs. Ridgewood

1. Delbarton (4-2)

Last week: No. 1

Senior attack Willie Doyle (7g, 4a) and junior attack Asher Testa (8g, 2a) are the only Delbarton players with double digits in points. Though the Green Wave has two losses, they're unbeaten against New Jersey opponents – and in games played in the Garden State.

Up next: Friday at Westfield, Tuesday vs. Montclair

Also considered: Park Regional (2-2).

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys lacrosse: Morris Knolls autism fundraiser, Top 10 rankings