Little Tigers look to add strength
By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
MATAWAN — The Princeton High football team didn’t get the end result it had hoped for in its 38-3 loss to Long Branch in the Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
But the Little Tigers are hopeful that this is just the latest step forward to what will eventually be annual playoff success.
”They’re a good football team that came out and did what they needed to do in order to beat us,” Princeton coach Steve Everette said of Long Branch. “We just couldn’t get our ground game going at all. They did a great job defensively against us. We have to go into the winter time remembering that and that’s the work we need to put in. We need to get better in that area.
”Good teams, good players make plays. This was our first foray into the playoff world in 15 years. And there is a lot that we needed to learn today and we learned it. We are Princeton and we learn our lessons very well. We’ll remember this and we will definitely come back from it.”
The playoff appearance was the first for the Little Tigers since 1993. And while they end the season with a 5-5 record, earning the post-season bid is the latest sign of progress for an improving program. Now, Everette would like to see his team take the next step.
”I think our parents are going to see that our kids need to spend a lot more time in the weight room,” Everette said. “It’s not one of those things that you can take a summer vacation from it anymore. Those guys from Long Branch are big and fast and physical. There is only one way you get that way — the hard work we put in in the weight room. When we start our 6:30 a.m. workouts again, I am expecting 100 percent participation and I need our parents’ support to make it happen for us.
”We are Princeton and we strive for excellence everywhere we go. In athletics, we have to start to take an attitude of we want to be excellent everywhere. We have a brand new 7,500 square foot weight room we’re going to be putting in place. And our kids need to be filling it up if they want to be state playoff winners.”
In Saturday’s game, it looked like the Little Tigers might get a break early. On the opening kickoff, Long Branch appeared to possibly be heading for a touchdown, but instead fumbled to give Princeton the ball. But when its drive stalled, the ensuing punt was blocked and Long Branch only needed to go four yards for a touchdown.
Later in the quarter the Little Tigers had a field goal attempt hit the upright. Then, after an interception, Long Branch scored on a 40-yard run to make it 13-0. Princeton cut the lead to 13-3 on a 34-yard field goal by David Griffin to make it 13-3 just before halftime. The Green Wave then scored just before halftime to make it 19-3.
The second half was all Long Branch, which took advantage of some Princeton turnovers to break the game open. On offense, the Little Tigers were just never able to get the running game going. Doug Borchert was held to a season-low 25 yards on 15 carries. With the ground game stopped, Princeton threw a season-high 27 passes, with Connor Ryan completing 11 of those for 127 yards.
”The kid (Borchert) has rushed for 1,200 yards and they looked to stop him,” Everette said. “This week we took the time with our quarterback to make sure he was reading all the right reads and correct routes and it paid off for us today. I think Connor played his best game of the season. Those are things we’re going to be building on for next year.”
Ryan connected six times with junior DaQuan Holman, who had 72 yards. John Miranda also caught three balls. For Ryan, a junior, the experience he gained with help down the road. He’s sorry Princeton wasn’t able to win the game for its outgoing senior class, but glad they at least got to experience playoff football.
”I’ve played with most of these guys my entire football life,” Ryan said. “I look up to them as older big brothers. So it was great to get here and do that for them. I’m speechless to say that it’s over because I’ve been with them my entire life and it is so hard to give up.
”I don’t want the season to be over. I want to go all the way for the seniors. This is my last season with them. From the day last season ended until now, it’s all been about them and how I can do better for them.”
The game was Princeton’s most productive of the season in the air, which is a positive sign moving forward.
”We spent a lot of time watching film and the coaches spent a lot of time with me in practice saying this is the look you’re going to get,” Ryan said. “I threw some interceptions this year and I have learned from them. Now I can see which guys open and get the ball to them a lot quicker.”
And that should help the Little Tigers down the road, as Ryan and his teammates look to take the next big step forward. On Saturday, they simply ran into a much tougher foe.
”They are a fantastic team,” Ryan said of Long Branch. “There is no doubt about it. They obviously wanted it. But we got down to the red zone a few times and we just weren’t able to execute when we got down there.”