By Tom Szieber
Posted: Sunday, September 18, 2016 11:45 pm
Check out Brian Carr's photo gallery from Old Tappan's victory over Pascack Valley.
For months, Delbarton administration protested even having to participate in a game against St. Joseph (Mont.). But the Green Wave players showed exactly why those protests were silly all along. Stout defense and just flat-out effort resulted in a competitive game that, despite ending in a 28-14 loss, showed that Delbarton is a more than reasonable piece of the new NJSFC. Credit Green Wave coach Brian Bowers for having his team ready to play and scoring on its first play from scrimmage via running back Luca Tria’s 39-yard run. Joe’s ended up settling in and winning the game in the second half, but, quite frankly, the game proved that Delbarton is far more suited to be playing fellow non-publics than public school teams. This was a competitive football game, not a blowout like Delbarton was used to in the former NJAC. Green Knights running back Jordan Scott was the go-to guy for his team, rushing for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back Isaiah Watson and quarterback Jesse Milza were the catalysts behind a big 28-21 defending South, Group 2 champion Cedar Creek victory over four-time defending South, Group 3 champion Delsea. Milza went 10-of-15 for 202 yards and two touchdowns, with both scoring strikes going to Watson (for 44 and 60 yards, respectively). The Crusaders now find themselves on the receiving end of back-to-back losses for the first time since losing their first three games of the 2014 season (that year, of course, they’d go 8-1 down the stretch and with the sectional title).
Demarest QB Austin Albericci was a jack-of-all-trades for the Norsemen in what had to be one of the bigger upsets of the weekend. In leading his team past Ramapo, 42-37, Albericci went 14-of-21 for 272 yards and two touchdowns, and also rushed for 125 yards and two TDs. The result is pretty incredible considering the Norsemen finished last season 0-10, and now find themselves 2-0 with wins in a defensive slugfest and a high-scoring affair.
We knew Brick Township was a real, formidable contender, but its 29-6 victory over Jackson was a display that few expected. Defensively, the Green Dragons were a brick wall (pun intended), clamping down and forcing multiple turnovers on downs. At the same time, defensive end Josh Garrett blocked two Jackson punts that set up a touchdown and a field goal, and QB Anthony Costanza rushed for 102 yards and three scores. It was an all-around huge day for Brick Township, who is now 2-0 with big wins over two rivals. Toms River North is on deck.
Wide receiver Ezrah Archie caught 12 passes for 183 yards and three scores, capping off his big day with a 12-yard TD reception to lead Timber Creek past Cherokee, 28-21. The Chargers’ star was Devin Leary’s favorite target all day long, and scored two of his three touchdowns in a Timber Creek rally from a 21-7 deficit. Running back Jon Lovett had a great performance in defeat, rushing for 102 yards while catching three balls for 79 yards. He scored the game’s first TD on a 50-yard sprint.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.