RHS football delivers big plays in season finale win

By: Kyle Moylan
   The Robbinsville players must be great about recycling and finishing their vegetables at dinner.
   Because based on the way Robbinsville defeated Bordentown in a state consolation football game at home this past Saturday, the Ravens don’t like to waste anything.
   Robbinsville only had two first downs in the first half. Quarterback Ryan DeAngelis only made two pass attempts in the first half. Both first downs and passes went for long touchdowns.
   "Going over the game films, I knew their corners would bite a lot," DeAngelis said.
   The first time this happened was on Robbinsville’s first play of the game. A defensive stand and a short punt gave Robbinsville the ball at the Bordentown 40. From there, DeAngelis connected with Shae Fahey on a 40-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline.
   "We always want to set the tone for the game on the first play," DeAngelis said. "Their cornerback bit and it was a touchdown."
   Robbinsville only ran 14 plays in the first half. Eleven of them combined equaled only 4 yards. Fortunately, Robbinsville found a way to turn Bordentown plays in its favor.
   E.J. Schmid recovered a fumble and returned it to the Bordentown 3. Brian Alston scored on the next play from there, giving Robbinsville a 13-0 lead after the first quarter.
   In the second quarter, Robbinsville was held to -6 yards rushing, but one big pass play made sure that didn’t matter.
   DeAngelis, making only his second pass attempt of the game, connected with Mark Magariello down the left sideline for a 63-yard touchdown.
   Not too bad for a guy that started the year as Robbinsville’s third quarterback. Matt Hill was injured and Shae Fahey held that position for a while before shifting back to wide receiver.
   "I trust my offensive line, so I felt comfortable (at quarterback) instantaneously," DeAngelis said.
   Staying on the theme of not wasting any opportunities, Fahey completed his lone pass attempt on a trick play in the fourth quarter. It went for 21 yards to Jack Burum. It was part of a seven-play, 45-yard score. Tyler Fasanella capped Robbinsville’s only real drive of the game with a 20-yard touchdown run.
   Having just watched his team capitalize on one big play after another, Robbinsville Coach Jason Gray also hoped they had a grasp on the bigger picture.
   The win allowed Robbinsville to finish its first varsity season with a 2-8 record. Just like the broccoli and peas on a plate, Gray wanted his players to digest those losses to help them grow.
   "You wish you can win every game, certainly more than you lose," Gray said. "I also feel just as good as when we take one on the chin and the players are just as mad as the coaching staff. These players want to win. They just don’t want to talk about winning.
   "Hopefully, some of these losses will help us next year. We’re happy — win or lose — when opponents look at us and our shocked we’re a first-year program. But the truth is, we didn’t want to be playing a consolation game today (this past Saturday). We want to be in the playoffs right now."
   But the reality is Robbinsville is a school with no seniors and no varsity experience coming into this year. It came far. It came fast.
   "Hopefully a nice off-season will get us stronger," Gray said. "As they mature, the players will get bigger, stronger and faster."
   They’ve already gotten better.
   "A lot comes from experience," DeAngelis said. "I think people in town are really starting to believe in us."