Ponies learned during tough season

Team drops finale at Bound Brook

   The Manville Ponies were a young football team this season. Despite their struggles, they played hard. The team’s Pop Warner season ended a few weeks ago with a 31-7 loss on the road at Bound Brook.
   Bound Brook opened up the first quarter with 19 straight points. Then, the Pony defense settled down and tightened up to only allow two additional scores in the rest of the game.
   Defensively, the Pony line up was made up of end Zach Spencer, tackle Gerald Booker, nose guards Jake Tokarzewski and Conor Riggs, tackle Matt Cornelson, end Troy Oset, outside linebacker Anthony Lopez, middle linebackers Jeremy Nurnberger and TJ Caswell, outside linebacker Paul Basta and free safety Jimmy Clancy. Spencer had one of his best games this season with three tackles. Riggs and Cornelson made some big stops. In the second half, the defense got some key plays by linebackers Lopez and Caswell.
   Offensively, the Ponies were led by center Dan Bickar, right guard TJ Caswell, left guard Richie George, right tackle Jake Tokarzewski, left tackle Jeff Alpizar, tight end Justin Faulkner and wide receiver AJ Kerrigan. The backfield was comprised of quarterback Jeremy Nurnberger, fullback Troy Oset and running backs Anthony Lopez and Paul Basta.
   The Pony offense was led in the final game by Basta with 137 yards rushing and one touchdown. Lopez rushed for 28 yards, Nurnberger had 22 yards and Oset added 18 yards. Basta’s TD came on their first possession of the second half.
   After the Pony defense halted Bound Brook’s drive, the offense took over on their own 23-yard line. Nurnberger handed the ball off to Lopez around the right side. Lopez then handed the ball off to Basta reversing around to the left. Basta turned the left corner and following key blocks by Nurnberger and Kerrigan ran 77 yards for the touchdown. Nurnberger plunged in for the extra point.
   ”I am very proud of the Ponies this year,” head coach Dave Janovsky said. “Although small and younger than the majority of the teams they played this year, they gave it their all and never gave up. For those who do not know, only one Pony played tackle football last year, everyone else either played flag or did not play at all. One thing is for sure – they all now have a greater knowledge of the game than they did at the beginning of the season.”
   Coach Janovsky also wished to thank his assistant coaches for all their help and added a special thank you to Joey Mascola, who was injured two weeks ago and still came out and cheered on his teammates.
   ”Finally, a thank you to the parents for being there for their children and letting them experience football, because without your help, we cannot have this program for your children,” Janovsky said. “Thanks again and see everyone back next season.”