Eagles host defending Valley Division champ Friday night
By John E. Powers
Consecutive trips to Middlesex on back-to-back years have resulted in two very difficult losses for the South Hunterdon High School football team.
The Eagles, beaten in overtime last year, lost to the Blue Jays once again this time 6-0 in the season opener last Friday night. South Hunterdon now prepares to play defending Skyland Conference Valley Division champion Belvidere, arguably one of the best Group I teams in the state. South Hunterdon plays at home against Belvidere on Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m.
”They are really one of the best teams I’ve really ever seen,” South Hunterdon head coach Jim Meert said. “They execute so well and Larry Dubiel (head coach) is a great coach and friend.”
The game with Middlesex was originally scheduled to be played at South Hunterdon, but because of construction at the school, the game had to be moved.
Middlesex scored on quarterback Nick Farriella’s three-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and that was it for scoring. South Hunterdon threatened a couple of times, twice driving inside the Middlesex 30, but the Eagles couldn’t convert.
The team also was hurt by senior fullback/linebacker Kyle Hart, who is playing with a broken hand that is wrapped with a soft cast.
”Kyle didn’t practice all week, but he played as hard as he could have,” said Meert, whose team was beaten by Middlesex 26-20 in overtime last year.
Junior Ryan Marriott sparked the Eagles with a 70-yard kickoff return that set up South with a first down at the 21. Marriott missed the rest of the game with an ankle injury.
”His injury really hurt us in the second half,” Meert said.
South Hunterdon moved to the Middlesex seven and had a first down and goal, but Meert blamed himself for a delay-of-game penalty that stymied the drive.
”We were late with a (play) call,” Meert said. “I felt bad for the kids. That hurt us.”
Middlesex, which had 269 yards rushing, moved inside the South Hunterdon 20 five times, but was repelled each time. South Hunterdon junior defensive back Brian Snell had one interception and had another, but that one was wiped out by a penalty. Meert praised the play of sophomore lineman T.J. Sprague, senior lineman Rob Williamson and Matt Naples.
”They all played courageously,” Meet said. “They played every down. Nobody comes off the field for us.”
Sophomore Brandon Scesney and Hart now form the Eagle backfield as Marriott recovers from his injury.
”They drove the ball pretty well against us, but I thought we rallied well,” Meert said. “I said to the kids that I feel that they seem to play better defensively the closer they get to our goal line. But that’s not the best way to play defense,” allowing the opponents to get so close.
”I told our coaches today (Sunday) that there’s war, then there’s battles,” Meert said. “I’m really proud of our effort and gratified by it. I think that down the road we’ll get better.”

