Practice makes perfect for Cougars in win at Rumson

Staff Writer

By tim morris


JEFF HUNTLEY Marlboro quarterback Drew Danish looks to pass during the Mustangs’ game against Jackson on Saturday. JEFF HUNTLEY Marlboro quarterback Drew Danish looks to pass during the Mustangs’ game against Jackson on Saturday.

When Mike McArthur studied the Rumson-Fair Haven High School game films, he noticed that the Bulldogs’ punter lined up just 10-11 yards from center instead of the usual 14-15 yards. That drew McArthur’s attention.

All week in practice, McArthur had his Cougars’ special team defense practicing punt blocking just in case the situation would arise on Saturday when his team needed a block.

That situation did, indeed, arrive when there were just 18 seconds remaining in the game. Rumson was punting from its own 29-yard line, leading 14-10.

Colts Neck had wisely not given anything away during the game in regard to its punt block scheme. The Cougars had not tried to rush the punter all game. Now, with the game in the balance, McArthur had his Cougars going all out for the punter just as they had in practice during the week.

"We had been setting up for returns all game," noted McArthur. "This time, we sent the house at them and Rogelio (Zamudio) blocked it."

Colts Neck attacked the punter through the middle of the line with Zamudio breaking through first, and arriving just as the punt was getting off. It was a near-perfect block as the ball rolled backward. The alert Mark Savard was there to pick up the loose ball on the 10-yard line and run it in with the winning touchdown.

"We talk to the kids about football savvy all the time," said McArthur. "Mike knew the situation and what we needed. Instead of falling on the ball, he had the savvy to scoop it up and run it in."

A week after seeing certain victory escape their grasp (losing 14-13 to Shore with 35 seconds left in the game), the Cougars returned the favor, grasping victory from the jaws of defeat in Rumson.

"We try and learn something every week, and against Shore we learned that a game is not over until the final second has clicked off," he said. "We play four quarters of football. We don’t quit."

Once again, bruising fullback Savard had a big game running the ball. He picked up 126 yards on just 10 carries. Halfback Obi Nkwuo had 73 on 15 as Colts Neck continued to spread the wealth among its two backs, making it difficult for teams to concentrate on either one. Between them, the Cougars have had a 100-yard rusher in every game.

The game was scoreless at the half, but that lasted little more than 10 seconds into the third quarter as Nkwuo returned the second-half kick-off 97 yards for a touchdown.

Colts Neck took a 10-7 lead later in the quarter when Mike Obertlik boomed a 39-yard field goal.

Obertlik is one of Colts Neck’s best weapons. His kicking has been important in both Cougar wins.

Colts Neck’s defense continues to excel. Rumson received the ball with 1:08 remaining in the game and only needed to make a single first down to put the game away. But the Cougars’ defense held and forced the Bulldogs to punt, and the rest is history.

The 2-1 Cougars will try and get their first-ever home win on Friday afternoon when they host Keansburg (1-2) at 3:45. It will be a Shore National Division game. The Cougars are 2-1 in the division and Keansburg, Keyport (3-0) and Holmdel (2-0) are the early-season leaders.

Elsewhere in the Freehold District, it was a lost weekend in Toms River for Freehold Township, Manalapan and Howell.

Freehold Township (2-1) lost for the first time this year at the hands of the Toms River East Raiders (3-0), 40-14, Friday night.

Rabie Kwara’s 4-yard touchdown run in the first quarter actually put the visiting Pats up 7-0. But the Raiders rode the strong arm of quarterback Colin Gaynor, who passed for 295 yards and three touchdowns, while completing 15 of his 27 aerials.

Kwara, who ran for 45 yards on 12 carries, scored both of Township’s touchdowns. His 20-yard trip to the end zone in the second quarter made it 19-14.

The Pats will host Southern Regional (0-3) tomorrow night at 7 in a Shore American Division game.

Manalapan (0-3) traveled to Toms River North (2-1) on Friday night and was sunk by the Mariners, 47-6. Cory Brooks managed a big game on the ground for the Braves, piling up 143 yards on 18 carries. He scored Manalapan’s lone touchdown on a 49-yard romp. That made the score 12-6 Mariners at the time.

The Braves will look to get that first win on Thursday night (5) when they host winless Pinelands Regional (0-3).

Howell (1-2) made its trip to Toms River (3-0) on Saturday afternoon, but the results weren’t any better than what the Pats and Braves experienced on Friday night. The Rebels fell to Toms River South, 35-7. Mike Mosca scored Howell’s lone touchdown in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard run.

The final score here was deceptive as the Indians scored touchdowns on a pass interception return, a punt-return, and a blocked field goal. The Howell defense held South to just 184 total yards, but big plays doomed the Rebels.

Howell will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night at home against Neptune’s Scarlet Fliers (1-2), who are struggling themselves. This will be a Shore Constitution tilt.

Marlboro (0-3) didn’t fare any better against another county power, No. 1-ranked Jackson (3-0), on Saturday at home.

The Jaguars proved they can travel well as they outscored Marlboro 28-0 in the second half to romp 49-14.

Two quick scores in the second quarter by Marlboro closed a 21-0 Jackson lead to just 21-14. Quarterback Drew Danish hooked up with Scott Graham on a 39-yard bomb for the first score, and when Jackson fumbled the kick-off, Marlboro struck again. This time, Graham ran for the TD, scoring from 13-yards out. Jackson cranked up its running game in the second half to break the game open.

The Mustangs receive their bye week this week and will play again on Oct. 7.

Freehold Borough (0-2) was off last week and returns to the gridiron looking for its first win of the season tomorrow night against Shore Regional (2-1) in a Shore National Division game at 7.