Brown’s return touchdowns lead Colonials over Piners

Freehold Boro tops Lakewood 21-13 in opener

BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer

Coaches always spend a lot of time going over special teams. More often than not, they can determine the outcome of a game.

Mark Ciccotelli’s Freehold Borough Colonials pay extra attention to the special teams because of returner Brandon Brown.

“With Brandon Brown back there, it’s [punt and kickoff returns] an offensive play for us,” said Ciccotelli. “Our kids know if they put a hit [block] on them, he can do something special.”

The Lakewood Piners found out just how special Brown is Saturday night when the junior returned two punt returns for a touchdown sparking the Colonials to a 21-13 opening game win. Brown scored all three of the Borough’s TDs, the first on a 28-yard pass play with quarterback Brian Prisk. He also had an 85-yard kickoff return for a TD erased by a penalty.

“He’s a special kid,” said Ciccotelli. “We have to get him the ball.”

Brown lined up at running back, receiver and even quarterback Saturday. He ran for 91 yards on just nine carries and caught two passes for 35.

Brown’s first punt return touchdown was 62 yards and it gave Freehold a 14-7 lead that the Colonials took into the second half. His second return went 66 yards in the fourth quarter padding Freehold Borough’s lead to 21-7.

Along with fireworks provided by Brown, the Colonials were very impressive running the ball against the Piner defense. The team rushed for 187 yards and controlled time possession.

“We thought we could run the ball on them and be physical inside,” Ciccotelli said.

Senior tricaptains Brandon Carter, Peter Gerbehy and Luis Torres are the movers on the offensive line.

Prisk gave the Colonials what they wanted from the passing game, completing 13 for 61 yards. It was enough to keep the Piner defense honest.

Kicker Gerry Plescia was three-for-three in point-after-touchdowns.

Defensively, the Colonials held the Piners to just 136 total yards.

“Our defense did an outstanding job,” said Ciccotelli.

Linebackers Robert James and Jahquan Fenn are the playmakers on a very aggressive defensive unit.

As would be expected for an opening game, the Colonials were not a well-oiled machine. That was evidenced by 10 penalties, many that were nullified big plays.

“If we are to go forward, we have to cut down on the penalties,” Ciccotelli said.

But, a win is a win and there was plenty for the Colonials to be happy about on the bus ride home along Route 9.

“We played very hard despite the adversity,” Ciccotelli said. “We laid it on the line.”

Next up for the Colonials is another road game, at Ocean Township tomorrow night. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The Spartans (1-1) were beaten by Toms River East Saturday, 40-14.

The Colonials first home game of ’07 is not until Oct. 6, when they host Central Regional (2:30 p.m.).