Defense plays inspired ball in first half
By: Rudy Brandl
CLARK The Manville High football team wasn’t expecting any miracles when it took the field at Arthur L. Johnson Regional in Clark last Saturday afternoon. The Mustangs knew they were facing a more experienced and talented team.
All the Mustangs wanted was a tough, spirited effort for a full four quarters with no letdowns and they’d accept the final result. Despite the 34-0 loss, Manville left the field with its pride intact.
"We played tough right until the end," MHS rookie head coach Mike Herrera said afterward. "This is a very good team. They were 2-0 and they beat some good teams, but we didn’t quit."
This wasn’t your typical 34-0 rout. Yes, the Crusaders proved to be the better team, but they didn’t just walk all over the Mustangs like last year. This game was different.
Clark (3-0) didn’t score an offensive touchdown until midway through the second quarter and the Manville defense produced five turnovers to keep the game competitive. Johnson quarterback Matt Poskay scored two touchdowns but didn’t enjoy his usual open field to run wild. Poskay was throttled by a few hard hits and picked up most of his yardage on one big play in the third period.
"We didn’t do that bad today," MHS junior defensive back Justin Jurkowski said. "We feel like we played a tough game and hung with them. We’re real proud of that."
The Mustangs held Poskay to seven yards rushing in the opening quarter while stopping Clark’s first three possessions. Manville recovered two fumbles, including a nice strip by Ryan Gilmore, and forced a Crusader punt before the home team got going on offense.
Unfortunately, the Crusaders scored a defensive touchdown to get on the board. Mike Vicci pounced on an Eddie Mathewson fumble and raced 23 yards untouched into the end zone for a 6-0 lead.
That score held up until midway through the second quarter when the Crusaders put together two solid drives to take a 19-0 lead. Poskay scored on runs of eight and seven yards to cap a big second quarter.
"We know how good their quarterback and their team is," Jurkowski said. "They didn’t run anything we didn’t practice against. We were well-coached, but they have a very good team."
Johnson tried to go for Manville’s throat with a bomb on the last play of the half, but Mathewson was there to make a nifty interception to keep the deficit at 19 points.
"The defense didn’t play that bad," Manville defensive coordinator Brett Stibitz said. "But they can’t be on the field the whole game. I had these guys ready, but we have to move the ball better and keep the defense off the field."
Manville didn’t have a drive with multiple first downs until the fourth quarter when the game had already been decided. The Mustangs hurt themselves with three turnovers and also punted five times.
"They haven’t given up too many points this year," Herrera said. "They get to the ball and they’re very athletic."
Johnson tacked on two touchdowns in the third quarter. The Crusaders opened the second half with an impressive march, using nearly four minutes to cover 77 yards in seven rushing plays. Dan Reis crossed the goal line on a 23-yard sprint up the middle and also ran in the two-point conversion.
Poskay got loose for a 45-yard run later in the period to set up a two-yard scoring burst by Raymond Angelo. Poskay’s extra point kick capped the scoring with 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
"They didn’t take any starters out," Herrera said. "They played us hard the whole way. They didn’t quit."
While neither team scored in the fourth period, the Mustangs sustained one long drive of 11 plays that used over six minutes of the clock. Jurkowski had nifty runs of six and 12 yards to help keep the chains moving. Jurkowski did some of his best work lining up as a quarterback out of the shotgun formation.
The Mustangs primarily used Robert Snyder at quarterback but mixed in Jurkowski, who can make plays with his speed. Snyder and Jurkowski combined for five completions, but each threw one interception.
Snyder found Jon Gangwer open on the right sideline for the team’s biggest play of the season so far in the opening quarter. Gangwer made a nice grab and turned it into a 46-yard gain that put the ball at Clark’s 40-yard line. Manville only trailed by six points at the time so the play set up a potential tying score.
Herrera didn’t feel there were any signs of the three-week layoff. Obviously, the Mustangs would have been sharper with another game or two under their belts, but nobody was making excuses.
"Our kids responded to it," Herrera said. "We went in and practiced six days a week and we were working hard. It was difficult having three weeks off, but we’re still catching up and turning the corner."

