HHS graduate aids 3-0 win
By: John E. Powers
PISCATAWAY When Hillsborough High School lineman Matt Bruce was selected to participate in the annual North-South All-Star Football Classic at Rutgers Stadium, he thought he was going as an offensive lineman.
Then, fate arrived and Bruce found he was headed for the other side of the ball. Since the South Stars had just nine linemen, Bruce was switched.
"All of a sudden we got to the first day of practice and we were short linemen. We had just nine linemen and two defensive tackles and they asked who wants to play defense, and I said, ‘It’s OK with me,’" Bruce said.
Bruce thrived in the role as nose tackle and helped the South beat the North 3-0 last Saturday in Piscataway. Ryan Brand, a nose tackle from Marlboro who recovered the fumble that set up the game-winning field goal, kicked the 37-yarder just as time expired.
"He’s our defensive tackle and we were looking for people in practice to kick and he said, "I can kick,’" Bruce said.
Bruce, who played most of the game, did have a rest in the second half of the second quarter. He also got some help from the trainers, who iced Bruce’s shoulder, which was originally hurt during last season.
"I just banged it up again," he said. "They iced it and I got back in there."
For the most part, Bruce was active, taking on North center Rick D’Amico of Caldwell and Delbarton left guard Rob McEwan.
The pivotal play came with 38 seconds left in regulation when North quarterback James O’Leary dropped back to pass, but was hit from the blind side by Devran Hunt of Highland Park. O’Leary fumbled and the ball was recovered by Brand with 38 seconds left. After two plays, Brand then connected on a low line drive that was low, but true, ending the game.
"I was working on the center there and I was just about to come off and I saw Hunt hit him and I saw the ball on the ground and dove for it thankfully we got it," Bruce said. "Ryan Brand was awesome."
Bruce was lined up next to his Skyland Conference rival, Joe Procaccini of Watchung Hills, who’ll play at Northeastern.
‘We thought the defense was our strong point in practice and we figured we needed to pound them, pound them and pound them and they would wear down," Bruce said. "We conditioned all week. I enjoyed playing with Joe. I had a battle with him in our game last year. He’s a great guy."
Bruce, who will play at Rowan University, became the second Hillsborough lineman to enjoy a win on the summer football circuit. Earlier this month, Jon Carnes, who’ll be an invited lineman at Rutgers, helped the Skyland Conference Stars beat Mercer County in the annual Sunshine Bowl Classic.
"I didn’t expect this at all to be here," Bruce said. "I was ready to play in the Sunshine Bowl, but I was grateful to be here. I felt great."