PISCATAWAY, NJ–Despite being an underdog in this contest, South Brunswick showed no fear against the top seeded Manalapan Braves in the Central Jersey Group V Championship at High Point Solutions Stadium on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University on Saturday.  The Vikings blended a solid option game with some great passes to wideout T.J. Taylor as they were aggressive from the get go, and went right after the Braves.  The result was a two touchdown lead on a couple of occasions in the first half.  However, in the second half, SBHS went to power football, and Dahare Ford put the Vikings on his back en route to their first sectional football title.

Ford, who ended up with 129 yards on 21 carries including three touchdowns according to the Star-Ledger, pounded the Braves defense for 104 yards in the second half including a 29 yard jaunt early in the fourth for a 27-16 lead, and then a nine yard TD run with 2:48 to go to put the game away in a 33-22 victory.  South Brunswick, which opened its doors in 1961, had never been in a football sectional final, let alone win one.  The Vikes had come close the past several years with three semifinal appearances in the last five years, but never went any further than that.  Ford, who had a one yard run that put the Vikings up 20-6 at the 5:16 mark, also got two scores from sophomore Dontae Strickland, who opened the scoring in the contest with a 61 yard run with 9:40 to go in the first period, and put the Vikings up by two scores at the 10:53 mark of the second when he hooked up with quarterback, T.J. Perkowski for a 68 yard strike that made it 13-0.

Like the game against Old Bridge, the Vikings dominated both sides of the ball in the first half, and then let Ford take over in the second half to pull out the win.  Manalapan had four drives in the first period, and went three and out on three of them with the fourth one ending up being a turnover on downs after Dion Hooper sacked Braves quarterback Mike Isabella on a 4th and 9 blitz from the right side at the 3:15 mark.  The Braves didn’t get a first down until running back Tyler Leonetti run for one at the 10:34 mark of the second.  Coming into the game, Manalapan was averaging 36 points per game.  The Monmouth County school didn’t get on the scoreboard until the 7:25 mark of the second when Isabella connected with Anthony Firsker for a 42 yard touchdown on a leaping grab between two South Brunswick defenders.  The Braves might have not even scored that touchdown had it not been for a Viking turnover just moments earlier.  Manalapan had just been stopped on downs prior to that.

Also similar to the semifinal game against Old Bridge last week was how South Brunswick curtailed its first half dominance with several turnovers.  The Vikings had three miscues including two fumbles and an interception.  The pick off by Matt McCann helped set up the Braves at the Vikings four yard line with seven seconds to go in the first half, but Manalapan wasn’t able to take advantage as Isabella threw an incomplete pass into the end zone, and the Braves had to settle for a 21 yard field goal by Mike Caggiano to end the half trailing 20-16.  South Brunswick wouldn’t let Manalapan get any closer than that in the second half.  After a scoreless third quarter that went pretty much in the Braves favor, South Brunswick took command for good in the fourth as Ford capped a drive that began at the end of the third with a 29 yard run in the opening minutes of the fourth for a 27-16 lead.  Midway through the period, Manalapan would pull within five when Isabella faked a handoff to Leonetti, and threw a bomb to Firkser for a touchdown.  The Braves had a chance to close the gap to three, but missed the two point conversion.

The Vikings took the ensuing kickoff, and marched some 73 yards in 9 plays covering some four plus minutes with Ford carrying the ball five times for about 34 yards including a nine yard TD run with 2:48 left to seal the win.  South Brunswick finished the year at 10-2 overall with its only two losses to Sayreville and Piscataway while beating Old Bridge twice in two hard fought games.  The Vikings, the second seed in the CJ Group V field, finished the season with five straight victories.  Manalapan, which made its third trip to a sectional final, but has never won, finished the season at 11-1.

PISCATAWAY,  NJ–The Bombers faced a tough challenge from perennial football power Middletown South of the Shore Conference in the Central Jersey Group IV Championship at High Point Solutions Stadium on the Busch Campus of Rutgers University.  However, Sayreville was able to answer the call and keep the Eagles at arm’s length en route to their third consecutive championship, and fourth overall as well as its first undefeated season since 1949.  The Bombers jumped out to a 21-7 first quarter lead, and led 28-7 late in the second before having to withstand a couple rallies by Middletown South en route to a hard fought, 35-28 victory in a well played game.

Isaiah Cureton led the charge on offense with two rushing touchdowns and a TD pass while Malik Pressley anchored the defense with two interceptions including one he ran back 98 yards for another score.  Myles Hartsfield added the other score on a touchdown run that completed Sayreville’s first scoring drive.  According to the Star-Ledger, Cureton had 173 yards on 18 carries including a 61 yard run for a touchdown at the 6:26 mark of the first to answer a game tying score by Middletown South just moments earlier for a 14-7 lead.  The senior quarterback, who also added five extra points to account for a total of 23 of his team’s 35 points, had another key run of 33 yards at the 4:32 mark of the third to set up his final TD run.  

The Bombers, which had outscored its opponents by a margin of 73-6 in its first two playoff games, and yielded an average of just over 6 points per game on the season defensively, gave up some big plays to the Middletown South offense led by Kyle Brey, who threw for two touchdown passes.  The Eagles ended up scoring three offensive touchdowns in the contest.  As a result, the Monmouth County school was able to make things interesting for a while in the second half.  Eli Smith added a rushing score late in the first half to cut the deficit to 28-14 at the intermission, and then Anthony Citarella, who caught one of Brey’s TD passes, intercepted a Cureton pass, and ran it back 39 yards for a touchdown at the 10:57 mark of the third period to close the gap to 28-21.

Sayreville didn’t panic though.  On a subsequent drive in the third quarter, Zeke Perkinson, who helped set up the game’s first score with a 35 yard run inside the Middletown South 20 yard line with less than a minute and a half gone by in the game, took a handoff over the left side, and appeared to find daylight, but was stopped after a 15 yard on a nice tackle by an Eagle defender at the 5:10 mark of the third.  Cureton then followed that up with a zone read keeper for about 33 yards to the Middletown South 12 yard line.  Four plays later, on a 4th down and 2 at the Eagles four yard line with 3:08 left in the third, Cureton again took it himself for the score, and a 35-21 lead.  Special teams then took over for the Bombers as Sayreville recovered a fumble on a punt return with 10:04 to go in the game, and then Cureton backed the Eagles up on their own three yard line with a 41 yard punt at the 7:37 mark.

The Bombers defense then came up with a three and out, and Middletown South had another special teams blunder when it shanked a punt to its own 22 yard line.  With their backs to the wall, the Eagle defense needed to come up with a stop and eventually did when Tayler Hendrickson, who caught Brey’s first touchdown pass, stopped Deon Miller short of the goal line on fourth down with 3:58 remaining.  A little more than a minute and a half later, Middletown South was in the end zone as Brey scrambled to his right, and threw a wobbly 45 yard pass to Citarella for a touchdown that put the Eagles within a score again.   However, the Eagles were unable to get any closer as the Bombers recovered the ensuing onsides kick, and then ran out the clock for their third straight title. The game was full of big plays.  Five of the touchdowns scored were plays of 24 yards or more.  Both teams combined for 63 points.  Sayreville, known to be not so flashy on offense, and more disciplined with its Wing-T formation, still managed to break some plays for long yardage.

In the contest, the Bombers had at least nine plays of 15 yards or more in the contest.  Cureton was involved in six of them.  Although it did fall prey to some big plays, the Bomber defense still held a Middletown South team to fewer points than it had against Colts Neck in the semifinals, where the Eagles won 45-35.  The Bombers, which forced three turnovers, also made a couple touchdown saving tackles including one by Myles Hartsfield on Jake Ripnick that set the stage for Pressley’s interception return for a score in the second.  With the victory, Sayreville finishes the season at 12-0, and likely atop the final GMC Gridiron Top Ten Poll.  The Bombers also went 4-0 in games covered by GMC Gridiron this season.  Meanwhile, Middletown South finishes its season at 8-4.

Pre-Game Notes

The Sayreville Bombers were looking to three-peat as sectional champions.  The Bombers, the top seed in the tourney, entered this contest at 11-0, and were looking to go undefeated for the first time since 1949.  Middletown South, which was coming off an upset win at Colts Neck in the semifinals, was looking to get back on top after losing its last two sectional final appearances in 2009 and 2010.  

Sayreville lives by its defense and methodical Wing-T offense.  The Bombers have yielded only six points per game, and have recorded three shutouts.  Despite losing Delon Stephenson (Rutgers), Sayreville has been able to run the ball well through a trio of running backs including Deon Miller, Zeke Perkinson, and Myles Hartsfield.  Isaiah Cureton leads the offense at QB, and also does the place kicking duties.  

Kyle Brey leads the Eagles offense at QB with targets in Jake Ripnick and Eli Smith.  Middletown South, which had a record of 8-3 overall this season prior to the contest, has made 23 playoff berths including 18 finals appearances with 9 championships.  Sayreville has 18 playoff appearances including 6 sectional title game appearances and 3 championships.  

First Quarter

11:02–SAY–Malik Pressley intercepts MS pass, and returns it to the MS 44 yard line.
10:35–SAY–After a penalty agains the Bombers for an illegal shift, Zeke Perkinson runs the ball 35 yards to inside the MS 20 yard line
10:14–SAY–Myles Hartsfield runs for about 15 yard TD run.  Isaiah Cureton adds the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
9:00–SAY–personal foul on the Bombers–keeps MS drive going with first down.
7:30–MS–Brey completes a couple passes to put the Eagles in scoring position.
6:43–MS–ties the game up on a 24 yard pass from Kyle Brey to Tayler Hendrickson.  PAT by Connor Ryan is good for a 7-7 tie.
6:26–SAY–61 yard run down the left side of the field by Cureton for a TD.  Cureton makes the extra point for a 14-7 lead.
4:20–SAY–has the ball again after MS is forced to punt with 4:31 to go in the period after a 3 and out.  Deon Miller made a big play on defense with a sack.
0:42–SAY–timeout–4th and 2 at the MS 17 yard liine after a 10 yard run by Cureton.  Cureton make a completion to both Jon Bracero and Rob Geiger prior to the run to keep the Bombers moving.
0:36–SAY–Cureton 17 yard TD pass to Geiger on 4th and 2.  Cureton makes the extra point for a 21-7 lead.
0:00–MS–has a 2nd and 10 on its own 31 yard line as quarter comes to a close.

Second Quarter

7:11–MS–Anthony Citarella intercepts pass, and returns it to the SAY 24, but an illegal block in the back penalty puts the Eagles on the SAY 39.
5:45–MS–Jake Ripnick has a nice run up the middle for a first and goal at the SAY 6.  Stopped on a nice shoe string tackle by Myles Hartsfield.
5:10–MS–Eli Smith runs for about 5 yards to SAY one foot line. 
4:36–SAY–Pressley intercepts pass and returns it 98 yards for a TD.  Cureton makes the extra point for a 28-7 lead.
3:00–MS–Brey to Andrew Wisialko–SAY makes another TD saving tackle.
1:34–MS–Eli Smith scores from one yard out on 3rd down.  Ryan adds the extra point for a 28-14 SAY lead.
0:00–SAY–lets the clock run out after getting a first down with a second left.  Still leads 28-14 at the half.

Third Quarter

10:57–MS–Citarella intercepted a Cureton pass along the MS sideline, and ran it back 39 yards for a TD.  Ryan makes PAT for a 28-21 SAY lead.
5:10–SAY–Perkinson almost breaks run for a TD, but an MS player makes nice tackle to prevent score–15 yard gain to about MS 45.
4:32–SAY–Cureton runs the ball on a zone read keeper for about 33 yards to MS 12 yard line.
4:26–SAY–2nd and 7 on the MS 9 yard line.  Injury timeout.  Hartsfield injured.
3:13–SAY–calls first timeout of 2nd half follows keeper by Cureton over the left side for about 3 yards to about the MS 4 yard line.
3:08–SAY–Cureton keeps it on a 4th down and 2 play, and runs it in from 4 yards out for a TD.  Cureton then adds the extra point for a 35-21 lead.
1:56–MS–goes 3 and out after gaining one yard, and is forced to punt.
1:42–SAY–takes over on its own 24 yard line.
0:19–SAY–Cureton runs for 10 yards and a first down on a 3rd down play.
0:00–end of period.

Fourth Quarter

10:04–SAY–recovers a MS fumble on the Eagles 36 yard line after MS tried to return punt.
7:37–SAY–Cureton punts the ball 41 yards to the MS 3 yard line after taking a delay of game penalty.
7:08–SAY–takes over on the MS 22 after the Eagles go 3 and out, and shank a punt out of bounds.
5:40–SAY–Perkinson runs for a first down.
4:14–MS–timeout–SAY–3rd and 2 on MS two yard.
4:00–MS–timeout–stops Perkinson for no gain on–4th and 2 for SAY on MS two yard line.
3:58–MS–stops SAY–Hendrickson tackled Miller at the one yard line–Eagles take over on downs.
2:25–MS–Brey scrambles right and throws 45 yard TD pass to Citarella.  Ryan makes the extra point for a 35-28 SAY lead.
2:24–SAY–Geiger recovers onside kick by MS on Eagles 45 yard line.
2:18–MS–calls its last timeout–after two yard run by Perkinson.
2:09–SAY–Cureton fakes handoff to the left, and ran right on the  keeper for about 20 yards.
1:00–SAY–Cureton takes a knee on MS 16 yard line as Bomber fans chant three-peat.
0:10–SAY–4th and 7 at MS 15 yard line–Bombers let clock run out.
0:00–SAY–wins 35-28 for its third consecutive sectional crown, 4th overall, and first undefeated season since 1949.

Pre-Game Notes

For the first time in school history, second seeded South Brunswick is appearing in a sectional final.  The Vikings enter the contest with a 9-2 record while Manalapan, the top seed, is 11-0.  The Braves have been to two previous sectional finals including last year when it lost to Sayreville, and have never won.  So, the winner will be a first time champion.  

The Braves, which average 36 points per game, are a very balanced offense that likes to spread things out.  They have an 1,800 yard passer in Mike Isabella along with a 1,300 yard rusher in Tyler Leonetti.  Anthony Firkser and Saeed Blacknall are solid targets for Isabella.  Defensively, Manalapan utilizes a 3-4 defense that has only given up 10 points per game.

On the other side of the field, South Brunswick, quarterback T. J. Perkowski leads the attack with 1,274 yards passing and 763 yards rushing.  Dahrae Ford, who carried the workload in the win over Old Bridge in the semifinals, has tallied 721 yards on 125 carries while Dontate Strickland and T.J. Taylor can both work as targets in the passing game, and run the ball.  Dion Hooper also provides another weapon in the backfield.

First Quarter

11:54–MAN–takes the opening kickoff, and runs it back to its own 33 yard line.
10:26–MAN–goes three and out and is forced to punt.
10:11–SB–takes possession on its own 29 yard line.
9:40–SB–scores on a 61 yard run by Dontae Strickland, who took a pitch left from T.J. Perkowski, found a hole on the left side, and proceeded to go up the SB sideline for the TD.  Dylan  Olsson’s extra point is no good for an SB 6-0 lead.
9:29–MAN–Saeed Blacknall takes the ensuing kickoff, and returns it 32 yards to the MAN 43 yard line.
8:14–MAN–goes three and out after only getting 5 yards.  Forced to punt.
7:47–SB–T.J. Taylor takes a fair catch at the SB 23 yard line.
5:42–SB–moves the ball into Manalapan territory, but is called for an illegal shift on a four yard keeper by Perkowski.  SB now has a 2nd and 11 at the MAN 49.
5:16–SB–on 3rd down and 11, Perkowski completed a pass to Taylor along the SB sideline for 12 yards to the MAN 37.
5:06–SB–assessed 15 yard penalty for a cut/chop block.  Vikings have 1st and 25 on its own 48 yard line.
4:29–MAN–Anthony Barone recovered a fumble by Strickland (caused by R.J. Krause) at the MAN 49, and returned it 22 yards to the SB 29.
3:15–MAN–stopped on downs as QB Mike Isabella is sacked for a loss at the SB 42 yard line by Dion Hooper on a 4th and 9 play.  SB still leads 6-0.
2:06–SB–goes three and out, and is forced to punt.
1:24–MAN–After taking over at its own 24yard line, goes three and out again, and forced to punt from its own 28 yard line.
0:00–SB–lets the clock run out in the first period with a 6-0 lead.

Second Quarter

10:53–SB–scores again on a 68 yard pass play over the middle from Perkowski to Strickland for a TD.  Olsson kicks the extra point for a 13-0 lead.

10:34–MAN–Tyler Leonetti rushes to the SB 44 for the Braves first 1st down of the game on.
8:58–MAN–has a 4th and 3 at the SB 37 after the Viking defense has stopped Leonetti on three straight runs.
8:16–SB–takes over on downs at own 37 after MAN QB Isabella threw an incomplete pass.
7:36–MAN–recovers a fumble by Vikings on handoff at the SB on a 2nd and 5 play by the Vikings–2nd turnover of the game.
7:25–MAN–Isabella connects with Anthony Firkser, who made a nice leaping grab between two defenders  for a 42 yard TD.  SB blocks the extra point for a 13-6 lead.

7:00–OFF–injury timeout.   SB gets ball to MAN 43 yard line after Hooper caught a pass off a deflection for a Viking first down.
6:35–SB–Perkowski completes pass thrown right to Taylor, who makes a leaping grab at the MAN 7 for  a 36 yard gain.
6:11–SB–timeout–closing in on another TD.  2nd and goal at MAN 4 yard line after Hooper ran right on the Hooper.
5:16–SB–scores again on a 1 yard run by Dahrae Ford.  Olsson added the extra point for a 20-6 lead.
4:06–MAN–Isabella hooks up with Blacknall for a first down completion on a 3rd  and 10.
3:15–MAN–Isabella throws bubble screen to Blacknall for a 45 yard TD.  Braves add the extra point for a 20-13 SB lead.
0:07–MAN–Matt McCann intercepts T.J. Perkowski pass and returns its to the SB 4 yard line.
0:03–MAN–Isabella throws an incomplete pass in the end zone.
0:00–MAN–Mike Caggiano kicks a 21 yard FG for a 20-16 SB lead at the half.

Third Quarter

11:55–SB–Dontae Strickland takes the opening kickoff at the Viking 9 yard line, and returns it 21 yards to SB 30.
11:47–SB–Dahrae Ford takes the FB dive option handoff, and runs up the middle for two yards.
11:15–SB–Ford runs again on another FB dive option play into a nice hole on the right side of the line for about 6 yards to the SB 39.
10:49–SB–Ford bulls his way to a first down at the SB 41.
10:21–SB–Strickland takes pitch left, but is stopped for a 4 yard loss to the SB 37.
9:57–SB–Perkowski rolls right, and throws to Taylor at 50 yard line, but the ball is dropped–incomplete.
9:32–SB–Perkowski throws WR screen pass left to Jesse Tainow for a 15 yard gain to the MAN 48.
9:03–SB–Perkowski fakes option dive to FB, and tries to pitch, but is sacked for a 5 yard loss back to the SB 47 yard line.
8:38–SB–Perkowski fakes pitch left to Strickland, and throws a quick slant to Taylor for a 12 yard gain to the MAN 41.
8:22–SB–On a 3rd and 4, Perkowski tries to keep it, but is stopped, and then pitchesd to Strickland, who is stopped for a loss at the MAN 46.
8:06–MAN–fair catches the ball at its own 18 yard line.
7:49–MAN–Isabella throws left to Blacknall for a 31 yard gain to MAN 49.
7:35–MAN–Leonetti runs right for 21 yards and a first down at the SB 28.
7:05–MAN–Leonetti stopped for no gain.
6:39–MAN–Isabella’s pass right to Firkser falls incomplete.
6:25–MAN–Leonetti tackled for a one yard loss on 3rd and 4 to the SB 29.
6:05–MAN–On  4th and 5 Isabella throws left to Blacknall along the SB sideline shy of the 25  yard line, and a first down.  SB takes over on downs.
5:55–SB–Perkowski hands off to Ford, who pounds it for 8 yards to the SB 33.
5:27–SB–Ford runs up the middle again for four yards and a first down at the SB 37.
4:59–SB–Ford runs it again for another 9 yards to the SB 46 yard line.
4:32–SB–Perkowski fakes FB dive handoff, and pitches right to Hooper for a 5 yard run and a 1st down at the MAN 49.
4:04–SB–Strickland takes pitch left, and is stopped for a 2 yard loss.
3:35–SB–Perkowski’s pass over the middle to Hooper is incomplete.
3:07–SB–Perkowski throws right, and completes to Taylor just shy of the MAN 40 yard line and 1st down.

Fourth Quarter

10:00–SB–On a 2nd and 4 from the MAN 29, Ford runs up the middle into daylight, breaks a tackle, and scores.  Olsson makes the extra point for a 27-16 lead.
9:56–MAN–takes the ensuing kickoff at its own 30 yard line, and returns it one yard.
9:19–MAN–Leonetti takes handoff, and runs for three yards to own 34.
8:58–MAN–Isabella throws pass left incomplete.
8:45–MAN–Isabella throws left to Firsker, who catches the first down reception off a SB defender, who could have had an interception.
8:28–MAN–Isabella throws right to Blacknall, who is stopped cold by Hooper at the MAN 44.
7:59–MAN–Leonetti runs left for about 4 yards to give Braves a 3rd and 7 and the 48.
7:34–MAN–Isabella rolls right, and throws completion to Firsker along SB sideline for a first down at the SB 43.
7:19–MAN–Isabella fakes handoff to Leonetti, and throws a play action pass down the field to Firsker for a TD.  Braves unable to score on two point conversion attempt for a 27-22 SB lead.
7:10–SB–Taylor takes ensuing kickoff, and runs it back about 7 yards to the SB 27.
6:55–SB–Hooper takes pitch left from Perkowski, and runs it for about 20 yards tothe SB 47.
6:17–SB–Perkowski runs the ball on the keeper into a hole on the right side for about 11 yards to the MAN 42.
7:48–SB–Ford takes handoff, and powers his way for 5 yards to the MAN 37.
5:14–SB–Ford runs left, and barrels his way for about 15 yards before being thrown down at the MAN 22.
4:45–SB–Ford takes handoff for a short gain to the MAN 20 yard line.
4:17–SB–Perkowski keeps it for a few yards to the MAN 16.
3:48–MAN–stops SB on 3rd down.
3:33–SB–Ford takes it on a 4th and 1 at the MAN 12 yard line, and powered his way to a first down at the MAN 9.
2:48–SB–Ford runs it in for a TD from 9 yards out.  Olsson’s PAT is blocked for a 33-22 lead.
1:45–MAN–on 2nd and 10 at SB 18 yard line, Isabella hands off to Leonetti on the HB draw, but Leonetti is tackled for a two yard loss.
1:30–MAN–on 3rd and 10 at SB 20, Isabella throws to his right toward the end zone, and Blacknall, who catches it out of bounds–incomplete.
1:15–MAN–Isabella throws pass over Firsker’s head for an incompletion.  SB takes over on downs.
1:07–SB–Perkowski–takes a knee.
0:38–SB–Perkowski–takes a knee.
0:00–SB–runs out the clock for first football sectional championship in school history.  Wins  33-22.

PISCATAWAY, NJ–Prior to the two finals involving teams from the Greater Middlesex Conference on Championship Weekend at Rutgers University on Saturday, Delbarton of Morris County took on St. Joseph’s Montvale of Bergen County in the Non-Public Group III Championship.

The Green Knights, which have risen to the top of the recent Star-Ledger Top 20 football poll, and have beaten the likes of Don Bosco Prep and St. Peter’s Prep of Jersey City as well as Bishop Ahr in the opening round of the playoffs, won easily by a final score of 37-9 in a rematch of last year’s Non-Public Group III Championship won by St. Joe’s-Montvale.

St. Joe’s Regional jumped out to a 23-9 lead by the end of the third quarter despite a interception by Delbarton at its own 18 yard line earlier in the period. The Green Knights finished off the win with 16 points including two touchdowns and a safety for the win. St. Joe’s scored just six seconds into the final period on a touchdown reception by Ricky Junes for a 29-9 lead. Delbarton was able to move the ball a little on its ensuing drive, but was eventually forced to punt.

On the punt, Delbarton snapped the ball too high, and it sailed over the punters head toward the end zone. The Green Knights failed to recover, but still managed to earn a safety for a 31-9 lead with 6:33 remaining. Following a kickoff return off the free kick to the Delbarton 49 yard line, St. Joseph’s-Montvale ran the ball for a first down, and got a pass completion for a first down to Junes on the 18 yard line to set up an eventual touchdown pass to Hester with less than five minutes to go for a 37-9 lead.

Delbarton tried to put together a scoring drive to end the game, but after picking up a few first downs, and calling timeout with 2:11 to play, the Morris County school was sacked on 4th and 5 with 1:52 left. From there, the Green Knights ran out the clock for their 16th sectional championship.

UNION, NJ–For the second straight year, Piscataway and Elizabeth would treat high school football fans to a thrilling game. A contest that was almost a carbon copy of last year’s North Jersey Section 2 Group IV Championship at Rutgers won by the Chiefs on a last minute touchdown by Tevin Shaw, 41-34. This time, it would be Elizabeth that would get the game winning score in the final minute for its first sectional title since 2006.

After stopping the Chiefs on a 4th and goal at the two yard line with 1:15 to play, the Minutemen, who exhausted their timeouts by the 2:01 mark of the fourth, drove a little less than the entire length of the field in just three plays and 29 seconds as quarterback Phillip Walker engineered a flawless drive with two passes over the middle for 19 and 30 yards, and then flipped a screen to Jahad Thomas for a 49 yard touchdown with 36 seconds left for a 37-33 lead. The Chiefs had a chance to drive down the field, but after using up all their timeouts with 4:49 left, quarterback Nadir Barnwell was sacked on a first down play at the Elizabeth 35 as time ran out.

Piscataway held a 26-16 advantage with 5:10 to play in the third quarter after the Chiefs took the second half kickoff, and drove 71 yards in about 6:45 to increase its lead to ten. Cameron Nash capped the drive with a TD run. However, Elizabeth, which had the ball for nine plays and 5:38 of the second half, rallied with quick scores and a big stop on defense late in the game to complete a 21-7 rally in the last 17:10 for the win. The Chiefs were often victimized by the big play, especially through the air. Elizabeth used its spread offense very efficiently throughout the contest. The second ranked team in the Star-Ledger Top 20 was able to go vertical in the air, and occasionally slip in a nice run. The Chiefs were also able to move the ball very effectively out of its offense as well. P-Way was more methodical though as it was able to churn up big yards and chew up plenty of clock with its running game.

The Chiefs also made it a habit to go for it on fourth down. Four times they took a gamble to keep possession, and three times they were successful including a 4th and 3 run by Nash for a touchdown and a 13-10 lead with 4:36 left in the second, and then a 4th and 4 conversion with 7:02 to go in the third that helped set up the touchdown for the 10 point lead. However, on their final attempt, the Chiefs were denied, which set the stage for Elizabeth’s dramatics. Both teams combined for only one punt in the entire contest, which came off the foot of David Claybrook with less than two minutes to go in the first period. It was the same back and forth style of game that last year’s N2 Group IV title game had. The only differences were Cameron Nash was #5 for P-Way instead of Tevin Shaw, and Elizabeth was able to pull out the win late in the game.

Neither team turned over the football as well. There were also some hard hits including one on a kickoff following an Elizabeth touchdown at the 3:28 mark of the third quarter when the Minutemen’s special teams gave a jarring hit to a P-Way return man at the 3:20 mark. The combination of Elizabeth’s quick score and the bone crushing hit raised the level of not only the game on the field, but also the passion and enthusiasm of the fans for both sides at Kean University. The atmosphere became electric. Like last year, the Minutemen were first to get on the board as Walker found Jahad Thomas for 51 yards on a 3rd down play for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead at the 10:19 mark. Piscataway promptly responded though as Nash ran the ball for a 72 yard touchdown on 2nd down to tie the game at 7-7 with 9:21 to go in the opening period.

Elizabeth responded though with another quick drive that consumed only 3:04 of the first period as Walker ran a draw play for 25 yards, and a first down, and then threw a long pass of another 25 yards to Kason Campbell for a first down at the Piscataway 15. After Walker called his own number again to bring the ball to the Chiefs 10, the drive stalled, and Elizabeth had to settle for a field goal and a 10-7 lead at the 6:17 mark. Neither team would score for the remainder of the period, but each had their chances. After drawing Elizabeth offsides on a 4th and inches, P-Way tried to dial long distance when Barnwell attempted to hook up with Claybrook, but the pass ended up incomplete. The Minutemen had a similar chance when Walker completed a 43 yard pass to Jabriel McCray, and then another first down pass to Kyle Ward, but eventually, the Union County squad was stopped on downs at the beginning of the second period.

The Chiefs then embarked on a long drive that lasted 7:13 and went 76 yards before Nash scored on a fourth and 3 with just over four and a half minutes to play for the 13-10 lead. Both teams then exchanged quick scores as Campbell had a 21 yard run and then a 14 yard run off a sweep to the right for a 16-13 Elizabeth lead with 2:05 to go in the first half. Piscataway would respond though as Barnwell connected with Claybrook on a 60 yard pass play to put the Chiefs up 20-16 with 1:07 to go in the first half, and the score remained that way as the teams went to their respective locker rooms at the intermission. Piscataway dominated time of possession with approximately 31 minutes versus about 17 for Elizabeth. The Minutemen’s longest scoring drive of the game came in the early part of the fourth quarter when they put together a drive of about 3:40. However, when it mattered most, the Elizabeth defense managed to get a huge stop, and give its high powered offense one last chance.

With the victory, Elizabeth finishes the season at 11-0-1 for its first undefeated season since 1989 when it finished atop the Star-Ledger Top 20. Piscataway finishes the season at 8-3-1.

Pre-Game Notes

This game is a rematch of last year’s North Jersey Section 2 Group IV Championship Game played at Rutgers University and won by Piscataway, 41-34 on a last minute touchdown run by Tevin Shaw.  Elizabeth has mostly everyone back this year including QB Phillip Walker and running backs Kason Campbell and Jahad Thomas, and WR Kyle Ward.  

P-Way lost Shaw to graduation, but still has the likes of Nadir Barnwell at QB, and Kyle LaPorte at WR.  They also still have a solid running game with Cameron Nash, who returned to PHS this year after being in Delaware, Tyrell Judson, and Kevin Butler, who has broken two big TD runs in the past two games.  

Both defenses are very stingy while Elizabeth’s offense is slightly more prolific.  The Minutemen are looking for their first sectional title since 2006 while Piscataway is looking for its third straight sectional championship.  P-Way enters this game at 8-2-1 while Elizabeth enters the contest at 10-0-1.

First Quarter

10:45–EHS–Kason Campbell is tackled for a 6 yard loss to the EHS 49 on a screen pass right from Walker.

10:19–EHS–Walker hits Jahad Thomas on a 3rd down pass play for a 51 yard TD.  Minutemen make the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

10:11–PWAY–Elijah Pierson receives the ensuing kickoff,, and returns it to about the PWAY 25.

9:45–PWAY–Cameron Nash runs for about 3 yards.

9:21–PWAY–scores on a 72 yard TD run by Nash.  Mosier makes the extra point for a 7-7 tie.

9:15–EHS–receives short kickoff, and runs it for about 5 yards to its own 33.

8:47–EHS–Walker runs a QB draw for about 25 yards to the PWAY 42.

8:15–EHS–Walker hands off to Thomas for a two yard gain to the PWAY 40.

7:55–EHS–Walker throws right to Campbell for 25 yards and a first own at the PWAY 15.

7:30–EHS–Walker runs an read option for 5 yards to PWAY 10.

7:16–EHS–calls timeout to avoid delay of game penalty.

7:04–EHS–Walker throws left to the end zone, but it is incomplete.

6:40–EHS–Walker is sacked for a loss back at the original line of scrimmage on the PWAY 15.

6:17–EHS–kicks a 31 FG for a 10-7 lead.

6:08–PWAY–Nash returns opening kickoff about 23 yards to PWAY 28.

5:30–PWAY–Nash runs right and fights for about 4 yards to PWAY 32

5:00–PWAY–Tyrell Judson runs for another 4 yards to PWAY 36.

4:32–PWAY–stopped short on 3rd down.

4:17–PWAY–goes for it on 4th down and inches, and draws EHS offsides for a first down.

2:03–PWAY–Barnwell drops back to pass and throws deep to David Claybrook, but he is unable to hang on to the pass.

1:30–EHS–Walker scrambles for about 10 yards and a first down at the EHS 23.

1:03–EHS–Walker throws long pass to his right toward PWAY sideline and connects with Jabriel McCray for a 43 yard completion to the PWAY 34 yard line.

0:57–EHS–Walker completes another pass to Kyle Ward for a first down at the PWAY 21.

0:20–EHS–Walker scrambles left, and fires pass to Cason Campbell that just falls incomplete in the end zone.

0:00–EHS–fumbles the snap, but Walker recovers it at the PWAY 28.

Second Quarter

11:56–EHS–Walker is pressured, and he throws the ball away–no intentional grounding is called.  4th down for EHS.

11:49–EHS–Walker throws pass incomplete out of the back of the end zone. Chiefs take over on downs.

11:40–PWAY–Nash is stopped for a loss at the Chiefs 24.

11:15–PWAY–Barnwell scrambles for about 16 yards and a Chief first down at its own 40.

10:50–PWAY–Nash runs for a short gain.  EHS called for facemask penalty–PWAY has ball on EHS 45.

10:17–PWAY–Barnwell drops back to pass, scrambles left, and runs out of bounds after a gain of five yards to the EHS 39.

9:45–PWAY–Nash runs up the gut into daylight for a gain of 11 yards and a first down at the EHS 28.

9:10–PWAY–Nash runs the ball over the right side for a gain of 4 yards to the EHS 24.

4:36–PWAY–Nash runs for five yards on a 4th and 3 for a TD, and a 13-10 lead.

4:15–EHS–Campbell runs left and gets into the open, but steps out of bounds at the PWAY 21 after a gain of 32 yards.

4:00–EHS–Walker completes pass for about 5 yards to the PWAY 13.

3:30–EHS–Walker keeps it for about a 5 yard gain to the PWAY 8.

3:00–EHS–Thomas runs for about 32 yards and a first down at the PWAY 41.

2:33–EHS–Walker scrambles right and throws, but PWAY deflects the pass incomplete.

2:05–EHS–scores touchdown on a 14 yard TD run off a sweep to the right by Campell for a 17-13 lead.

1:07–PWAY–Barnwell hooks up with Claybrook for a 60 yard TD pass.

1:14–EHS–Kyle Ward receives the opening kickoff out of bounds at the EHS 32.

0:38–EHS–Thomas takes handoff, runs left, but is tackled for a 5 yard loss.

0:06–EHS–Thomas runs for about 32 yards and a first down at the PWAY 41.

0:00–EHS–Walker throws long pass, but it is dropped as time runs out.

Elizabeth had the ball four times in the first half, and did not punt the ball.
Piscataway 

Third Quarter

11:53–PWAY–receives the 2nd half kickoff, and recovers a fumble on a bad hop off the kick, and returns it to the Chief 29 yard line.

7:02–PWAY–converts a 4th down and 4 play with a run by Nash for a first down.

5:10–PWAY–Nash ran for a TD to cap a drive of about 71 yards in 6:45.  Chiefs then draw Elizabeth offside on the PAT, but fail to convert the two point play for a 26-16 lead.

3:28–EHS–Walker throws a 59 yard strike to Jahad Thomas.  PWAY is then called for two offside penalties.  The Minutemen take advantage by converting the two point conversion.

3:20–EHS–lowers the boom with a hard hit on the kickoff to Tyrell Judson at about the Chiefs 23 yard line.

Fourth Quarter

11:54–PWAY–completes a 77 yard drive that consumes just 3:26 on a TD run by Nash.  Mosier kicks the extra point for a 33-24 lead.

8:08–EHS–Walker throws a 30 yard TD pass to Campbell just inside the left pylon.  Minutemen kick the extra point for a 33-31 PWAY lead.

6:28–PWAY–called timeout on a 2nd and 19 at its own 37 yard line.  Chiefs had a holding call negate a run by Judson.  PWay began the drive near midfield after a nice kickoff return.

6:06–PWAY–Barnwell scrambles for a gain of 21 yards on a 3rd down and 19 play to the EHS 42 yard line.

4:49–PWAY–calls their 3rd and final timeout of the 2nd half with a 2nd and 8 at the EHS 40 yard line.

4:42–PWAY–Nash runs for a Chiefs first down.

4:09–PWAY–Dajan Foat runs for a Chiefs first down.

3:33–EHS–just called their first timeout of the 2nd half after a four yard run on first down by PWAY to the 13 yard line of EHS.

3:09–PWAY–Nash runs for another first down inside the EHS five yard line.

2:15–EHS calls its second timeout of the 2nd half after Nash runs the ball to the EHS one yard line for PWAY.

2:01–EHS–calls its last timeout after stopping Nash for a loss of several yards.  3rd and goal at the EHS 5 yard line.

 1:15–EHS–on a 4th down and goal at the two yard line, the Minutemen defense get a huge stop.  Prior to that, the Chiefs were 3 of 3 in fourth down conversions in the contest.

1:00–EHS–Walker fires a completion in the seam to the Minutemen 20 yard line for a first down.

0:45–EHS–Walker fires a completion to #10, who makes a nice leaping grab in the middle of the field to the PWAY 49.

0:36–EHS–Walker screen pass right to Jahad Thomas, who scampers up the Elizabeth sideline, and then to his left into open field, breaks a tackle, and scores.  Minutemen failed to score on the two point conversion, but lead 37-33.

0:27–PWAY–after getting the ball out of bounds at the 40 yard line.  Barnwell throws right to Kyle LaPorte for a completion to the EHS 44 yard line.  Minutemen defender tackles him in bounds.

0:18–PWAY–Barnwell throws right again to LaPorte out of bounds just inside the EHS 40 yard line.

0:13–PWAY–Barnwell again throws right to Claybrook for a completion and a first down at about the EHS 31 yard line.

0:00–PWAY–Barnwell drops back to pass, but is sacked just inside the 35 yard line.  Chiefs do not run another play as they are out of timeouts.  Elizabeth wins 37-33.