Morris rivalry born in Brazil?

When Juliano Adriano de Oliveira and Jack Herb met, Herb was a fourth-grader never far from a soccer ball. Adriano worked with Mary Herb, Jack's mother, at The Allegro School in Cedar Knolls. Jack Herb volunteered with the school's people with special needs, and at lunch, he and Adriano — who was also coaching soccer at Morris Catholic — would kick the ball around.

Herb went to Morris Catholic's summer soccer camps. He and Adriano watched pro soccer together, and Herb started to absorb his love of the Brazilian national team. He even watched a DVD of Ronaldo every night before bed.

The families also quickly became friends and discovered they might be distantly related via multiple cousins' marriages. When the Herb family was preparing to move to Huntington Beach, California, Adriano gave Jack the surfboard he'd used back in Brazil.

"He had a great attitude when he began. You knew he was going to be a good soccer player," said Adriano, who watched Herb play on a visit to Southern California. "It's amazing. ... I've been watching him grow in soccer, so it's nice to see him succeed, even though we're rivals now."

They finally came face to face on a Morris County soccer field earlier this season. Herb is a senior midfielder at Mendham, and Adriano is Chatham's assistant coach.

They hugged and trash-talked a little before the match, always being sure to end with best wishes for each other's success. The pupil outpaced the student, as Herb had a goal and an assist in the Minutemen's 2-0 victory on Sept. 16. Afterward, there were more hugs — the gloating saved for a more private moment over a future dinner.

"I was a little nervous playing in front of him," Herb admitted. "I didn't want to mess up and make myself look bad in front of him. I've always looked up to him. He's been that coach I always wanted to make proud."

The NJAC-United rivals are scheduled to meet again at Mendham on Oct. 13. They're also both in NJSIAA North 2 Group III, so a postseason matchup is possible.

"The biggest thing he taught me was how to be a respectable player, how not to lose my cool on the field, always stay composed," Herb said. "I give him credit for the player I've become, and he knows that."

Under pressure

After two-plus seasons, Jason Adamo has become a fixture in the goal at Roxbury. He's actually been around the high school program far longer, serving as a ball boy during elementary school.

Originally a field player, Adamo switched to goal at age 11. Splitting time between the net and midfield, he was the leading scorer on Roxbury's freshman team. But most of his varsity role has been in the goal — until this fall.

Adamo has been moved up to center mid three times this season, most recently in the Gaels' Morris County Tournament prelim against Hanover Park on Sunday. Roxbury coach Gary Irwin hoped Adamo would "bring a burst of energy," but the hosts fell, 3-1.

Adamo doesn't see much of a difference in his role: to be a steadying veteran presence able to communicate and guide his teammates. He even says most of the same things, regardless of position.

"Instead of trying to save shots, I have to create shots," said Adamo, who had an assist while playing midfield against Parsippany Hills. "I feel like I have to put the team on my back, that I have a responsibility to help the team win. I have to encourage the team to keep going."

Pursuit of perfection

Delbarton's shutout streak continued at its fourth annual invitational this weekend. The Green Wave upended St. Augustine, as well as nationally ranked DeMatha Catholic of Hyattsville, Maryland. Junior Iago Robertson-Lavalle has proven to be a worthy replacement for now-graduated Scott Forbes (Penn), who earned starts as a freshman. Classmate Matt Campbell has two solo shutouts of his own.

Undefeated Delbarton (9-0) has yet to allow a goal this season, outscoring opponents 23-0. Sophomore midfielder Kian Alberto leads the balanced attack with five goals and five assists. Junior midfielder Steven Hadley has four goals and two assists, as 14 different Green Wave players have at least one point this fall.

Corner kicks

Dover senior Leandro Suarez (10g, 6a) and sophomore Sebastian Cortes (5g, 4a) have continued their partnership up front, as each has at least one point in every match. ... Sawyer Fenlon of High Point (5g, 5a) hasn't had a sophomore jinx, with points in each game.  Same for Madison sophomore J.P. Scheunke, who has six goals in as many games. ... Parsippany junior Justin Jennings (9g, 3a) is also on the list, with three multiple-goal games on his streak.

Staff Writer Jane Havsy: 973-428-6682; jhavsy@gannettnj.com; www.dailyrecord.com/writerjane/