MYAL FOOTBALL
The Colts lost their first game of the season to Metuchen on the road Sunday by a 16-0 score.
Now 3-1, the Colts will focus on the rest of the season learning from the loss. The offense and defense played well the entire game. If not for a few miscues the coaches felt the outcome could have been different.
The offense (96 total yards) just wasn’t enough to get the Colts a score. Positive runs were made by Matt Veglatte, Matias Gualtieri and Altaron Robinson. Mike Tarnovetchi had a rough day at quarterback with pressure from the Metuchen defense.
The Colts punted for the first time this season and both times Matt George got off solid punts with the defense bearing down on him. The Colts threatened a score twice, once after a 33-yard run by Veglatte. A special team’s positive was Matias Gualtieri, who was one tackle away from scoring on all three kickoffs.
Defensively, highlights included an interception by LJ Abner and a fumble recovery by Alex Agans.
Veglatte and Gualtieri were the leading tacklers. Other defenders making contributions included Robinson, Joey Veglatte, Tarnovetchi, George, Nick Harenza, Luis “Louy” Monterroso-Caprio and Andre Heredia.
Others involved in either offense or defensive plays were Isiah Morgan, Johnathan Rizk, Marc Hagin, Akash Patel, Cory Britt and Mergin Bershi.
Missed this week was Jake Caswell due to injury, and Peter Hando, Jr. and Tyler Minegar.
This Sunday at home the Colts will look to improve in the win column against St. Cecelia’s.
Alison Mathewson
Nurnberger scores
but Ponies lose
The Manville Ponies traveled to Metuchen this past Sunday to play the Bulldogs. The Ponies lost 34-6.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early first half lead off of three Manville turnovers. In the second half, the Pony defense tightened up to allow the Bulldogs only one additional score.
The Ponies held tough on a goal line stand to stop Metuchen from scoring late in the fourth quarter. The Ponies defensive linemen, tackles Matt Cornelson and Joey Mascola and nose guard Connor Riggs along with middle linebacker Jake Tokarzewski shut down any runs up the middle.
The Ponies mounted five-play, 79-yard scoring drive in the third quarter. On fourth down and seven to go, running back Paul Basta scampered around left end 75 yards to the Metuchen one-yard line. Wide receiver A.J. Kerrigan and fullback Troy Oset made key blocks to open up the left side for Basta. Quarterback Jeremy Nurnberger scored from one yard out behind the blocking of right guard Dan Bickar, center T.J. Caswell and left tackle Richie George.
In the previous week, the Ponies dropped a 25-0 game to Roselle Park.
Offensively, the Ponies moved the ball behind the running of fullback Oset and running back Anthony Lopez. Nurnberger attempted his first pass of the season to Kerrigan. The Ponies moved the football throughout the game, but just could not sustain a scoring drive.
On defense, outside linebacker Basta and strong safety Nurnberger led the team in tackles. Near the end of the half, defensive tackle Caswell made a crushing tackle to stop Roselle Park from scoring before halftime.
Manville plays St. Cecelia’s this Sunday.
Dave Janovsky