Colts Neck’s football off to a winning start Nkwuo, Savard combine for 209 yards and three scores

Staff Writer
 

By tim morris

Colts Neck’s football off to a winning start
Nkwuo, Savard combine for 209 yards and
three scores
Staff Writer
 

CColts Neck took out all of its pent-up frustrations on the Mater Dei Seraphs Saturday, scoring a 30-13 victory that put the Cougar gridders in the record book and shook up the Shore Conference.

"I breathed a huge sigh of relief," said Cougar head coach McArthur. "It was like a ton of bricks off my shoulders."

For the last two years the Cougars had been building for Saturday’s moment in Middletown when they would finally be playing for real. McArthur had an idea that his Cougars were good, but had nothing to base it on. The rest of the Shore was wondering just what the Cougars had.

Everyone found out on Saturday when Colts Neck won its first-ever varsity game. The Cougars overcame the expected opening-game nerves and 90-degree heat to beat Mater Dei.

"I think the kids responded real well," said McArthur. "We were a little anxious at first and made some mistakes that you would expect. We had two touchdowns called back in the first half.

"What I liked was the composure we had in the second half," he added. "The kids stayed with the game plan and executed."

Colts Neck unveiled a big-time running game and a solid defense in their opening day triumph.

Obi Nkwuo became Colts Neck’s first 100-yard rusher picking up 112 yards. Mark Savard came in with 97 as the duo combined for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Nkwuo scored Colts Neck’s first-ever touchdown on a one-yard run in the first quarter. He would add a 55-yarder in the third quarter. Savard put the game away with his 67-yard burst through the Seraph defense in the fourth quarter.

"We beat Mater Die with big plays," noted McArthur. "We were able to move the ball, but we didn’t have the sustained drives. Our goal is to have two 10-plus play drives a game."

Still, 305 yards in total offense is 305 yards. McArthur credited the offensive linemen for that production.

"Our offensive line was doing a good job of not only maintaining their blocks, but making the second blocks downfield," explained McArthur. "That’s why our dump passes to Obi and Mark were working."

Sophomore quarterback Lawrence Nikola was 4-5 passing for 83 yards in his debut. Savard pulled down three of his tosses for 55 yards.

Colts Neck’s defense even got into the scoring act when Brad Emmons returned an interception 25 yards for a score in the third quarter.

Even the kicking game worked for Colts Neck. Mike Obertlik booted a 31-yard field goal right before the half to up the Cougar lead to 10-6.

The Cougars answered a lot of questions they and others may have had of themselves. It’s too early to proclaim them a powerhouse in the making, but they have surely awakened everyone in the Shore National Division. This isn’t your typical first-year program that gages its progress weekly by how close the games are. The Cougars have already experienced winning and the confidence that goes with it.

The bus ride to Middletown may have been a quiet one, but the return trip back to Colts Neck wasn’t.

"It was a tremendous feeling on the bus ride going back and then having the parents greet us in the parking lot," said McArthur.

Colts Neck fans won’t have to go as far this Saturday when the Cougars get ready for another first, their home opener against Shore Regional. Kick-off is at 1:30 p.m.

The Blue Devils, who have a winning tradition, opened the season with a 27-15 loss to Keyport.