SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–There was a slight change of plans for the third week of action for GMC Gridiron. Due to a scheduling change involving the game between Middlesex and Highland Park, GMC Grid was forced to go with a backup plan, and headed over to Frank R. Jost Memorial Field in South Plainfield to see the Tigers in action against Carteret. For a while, the Tigers gave it a fight by controlling the ball for nearly two thirds of the first half, and not allowing the Ramblers to score until a little more than two minutes to go in the second quarter. However, the quick strike capability of Tyler Rodriguez, Jerod Johnson, and Naji Johnson proved to be too much for the Tigers in the end as Carteret took advantage of three SPHS turnovers to win the game 27-0. Below are notes from the game.
South Plainfield had a bye last week—defeated New Brunswick in its opener (27-6)
Carteret won its first two games over St. Joseph’s and Raritan by the same score of 49-17.
First Quarter
11:53–SP–receives the ball on the kickoff.
4:35–SP–after driving to about the CAR 20 yard line and using up 7:18 of play, the Tigers are hit with a penalty and then a sack before turning the ball on downs..
3:52–CAR–forced to punt after getting a couple penalties and unable to move the ball for a first down.
3:41–CAR–recovers a fumble on the punt by SP.
3:36–SP–Tigers recover fumble in Carteret backfield near midfield. Romelo Monroe down with an apparent leg cramp. He walks off on his own power.
2:05–SP–Joe Pellegrino runs the ball deep into Carteret territory.
1:00–SP–Pellegrino runs the ball again to the CAR 8 yard line.
0:00–SP–Tigers are unable to get the ball into the end zone as time runs out…CAR 0–SP 0 after one period.
Second Quarter
11:30–SP–stopped forced to try a field goal attempt, and miss after getting to the 8 yard line. Holding penalty that back them up to the 21 yard line was critical.
8:41–CAR–gets a penalty to move the ball to the 39, but again they are unable to move the ball.
3:41–SP–on 4th and 3, the pitch right to Rommello Monroe is stopped by the Carteret defense. Ramblers ball.
3:25–SP–player down after Carteret runs right for a few yards.
2:22–CAR–Rodriguez makes a nice completion to his left to the SP 38.
2:15–CAR–Rodriguez under pressure runs left for another first down inside the SP 30.
2:04–CAR–Naji Johnson takes a screen pass on the right side from Rodriguez for a 28 yard touchdown. SP blocks the extra point. CAR up 6-0.
1:57–SP–receive kickoff.
1:04–SP–Monroe takes another pass, and makes a nice gain near midfield.
0:58–SP–Kyle Moroney throws left toward their own sideline, and complete the pass by Joe Jakubik inside the 40 yard line.
0:45–SP–Monroe gets the ball and rumbles to the 28 yard line. SP calls timeout.
0:30–SP–Moroney throw for the end zone on the right side, but the pass is just beyond the reach of the receiver.
0:22–SP–Monroe gets down close to the 20 yard line.
0:04–SP–can’t get any closer–Pellegrino comes on to attempt 38 yard FG, but the kick is wide right.
0:00–CAR–Rodriguez throws pass toward CAR sideline, but it is incomplete–half ends with Ramblers leading 6-0.
Third Quarter
11:51–CAR–takes the second half kickoff.
7:05–CAR–Rodriguez completes a long pass over the middle on 4th down to get the first by just a yard.
5:26–CAR–Rodriguez throws over the middle to Leo Llanos for completion to the SP half yard line.
5:19–CAR–rushes in from right side of the line for a TD from less than a yard out. Ramblers make the extra point for a 13-0 lead.
5:18–CAR–pooch kick on the kickoff–SP recovers.
2:54–CAR–after SP drives the ball to the 46 of CAR, the Ramblers come up with a big fumble recovery.
2:31–CAR–Ramblers appear to have a TD run on a sweep to the right side by Jerod Johnson, but it is called back.
0:31–CAR–is unable to recover from penalty and have to kick, but punt the ball to the SP one yard line.
0:00–clock runs out…Ramblers have their best quarter possession wise by holding it for 8:55.
Fourth Quarter
11:01–SP–injury timeout–Monroe down on the field with a leg cramp…gets up and leaves field on his own.
10:38–CAR–intercepts Moroney pass off deflection at about the 40 yard line of SP.
10:04–CAR–Rodriguez throws a 25 yard TD pass to the right side. Ramblers tack on the extra point for a 20-0 lead.
5:20–SP–takes the kickoff, and are driving to the CAR 32 yard line when #21 hits the turf with his head while diving for another pass near the CAR 10 yard line. Tory Russell had a nice catch over the middle for SP earlier in the drive.
3:30–SP–drives the ball to the Carteret 32, but is eventually stopped on downs.
3:13–CAR–Rodriguez throws a pass to Erik Fruscella in the flat for a 70 yard touchdow..CAR makes the extra point for a 27-0 lead.
0:37–CAR–intercepts SP pass off deflection at the CAR 10 yard line.
0:00–CAR–runs out the clock for a 27-0 win.