By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
Coming off an emotional win over Bishop Ahr, and with a playoff-implication showdown looming next week against South Plainfield, all the Monroe Township High football team needs to worry about Saturday is winless Perth Amboy.
Which worries Falcons coach Pat Dowling.
Dowling is stressing to Monroe that Week 7 in the postseason scramble is no time to let down or lose focus. The Falcons are tied with Princeton for fourth place in the Central Jersey Group III power-points standings (the top eight make the playoffs) and in line for at least a first-round home game if they can win their next two games.
Perth Amboy (0-5) is coming off a 34-7 loss to defending North Jersey sectional champ New Brunswick, but trailed only 21-7 entering the fourth quarter. The Panthers have been outscored 163-13 this season.
”They have a new coaching staff and are going through some growing pains,” Dowling said. “They’re trying a number of different things, so they’re hard to prepare for because they don’t give you a lot of set stuff. They’re coming in 0-5 and have got nothing to lose. We’ve got to match their intensity because they’re going to be looking at this as a way to make their season and ruin ours.
”We’ve been telling the kids, champions don’t let teams like this beat them.”
Last week, Monroe saw Brett Rutzler return an interception and kickoff for touchdowns to help spark a 32-20 victory over Bishop Ahr and claim sole possession of second place in the Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division.
The Falcons trailed 6-0 after Bishop Ahr recovered a fumble in Monroe’s end zone, but quarterback Brian Taylor directed scoring drives on the next two possessions to put MTHS in charge.
Taylor ran for 65 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries and completed 7 of 9 passes for 89 yards. Ryan Meseroll ran for 79 yards and a score on 15 carries. Kyle Gigliello led the receivers with two catches for 58 yards. Matt Nawracaj kicked an 18-yard field goal.
”We went up and down the field at will and left no doubt,” Dowling said. “This team is starting to develop its personality. After falling behind, they were very businesslike and went methodically downfield. It’s the best we’ve played in all facets.
”Taylor has regrouped since the South River game and has been very good. Rutzler had a tremendous game and Nile Clement had double digits in tackles and was his usual self at fullback. Dale DeGraw had a good game and the offensive line stepped up. The whole defense played well. The intensity was there. We’re hitting our stride; the kids were efficient, effective and ready to play.”
Which is exactly what Dowling will need from the Falcons again Saturday.
”We don’t want to be sitting around that weekend before the playoffs having to wonder who won and who lost,” Dowling said. “We might get in at 6-2, but we don’t want to take that chance.”
EXTRA POINT: Dowling reported the light fixtures are in place at Hugh Walsh Field and next week’s game against South Plainfield could be moved from Saturday afternoon to Friday night.
