Mustangs get no consolation at Metuchen

Rock runs well in defeat

by Shawn Tyrrell, Sports Writer
   For the second straight week the Manville High football team was able to move the ball up and down the field against a solid opponent, but unfortunately again the Mustangs were unable to convert those opportunities into points. Those missed chances cost them and in the end MHS fell to Metuchen 33-13 in the Central Jersey Group 1 consolation game for both schools.
   MHS head coach Brett Stibitz felt it was odd that his team taking on the Bulldogs at all, considering Metuchen with a 5-4 record coming into the contest was the 10th seed while the Mustangs at 2-6 were 14th in CJ 1. Teams typically are pitted against schools of similar caliber. The NJSIAA mixed and matched the CJ 1 teams and left the Mustangs with a tough assignment. Despite the odds, Manville put in a good effort against a better opponent.
   ”We did a good job against the run,” Stibitz said. “They were a good team and were able to take advantage of our youth in the secondary.”
   Devon Miller, a Division 1 athlete headed to Oklahoma University, took advantage.
   ”He’s very athletic, like a man among boys,” Stibitz said. “He was able to have a field day against our young secondary.”
   Miller is probably one of the best receivers in New Jersey. He has great speed and the ability to out jump most defenders at 6-4. He was the main reason Metuchen was able to jump out to an early lead.
   Despite what the Bulldogs were able to accomplish, MHS did have a good game offensively gaining over 200 yards on the ground. Once again, the team was led by running back Brian Rock, who churned out 166 yards on 22 carries with the final rush being a 50-yard score at the end of the game. They also got 30 yards from sophomore Angelo Bell and a one-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Glen Hall.
   ”Offensively we again were able to move the ball, but we were unable to capitalize on our opportunities,” Stibitz said. It was kind of shocking how well we ran the ball against them. Every time we did something right, we found a way to shoot ourselves in the foot. If it wasn’t a penalty, or a missed assignment or bad read, we would turn the ball over.”
   MHS got the ball to start the game and moved right down the field. Senior quarterback Anthony Palovick returned from injury and by mixing the run and pass the Mustangs moved down the field to the Metuchen 28-yard line. But a fumble on the next play proved costly. This was a good example of the kind of day Manville would have.
   Metuchen took the ball and moved down the filed before Miller showed his athleticism outwrestling Rock in the end zone for the Bulldogs first score with under a minute to go in the first quarter. After that Metuchen scored in every quarter and rolled to the win.
   ”The kids know they played with Metuchen for a half,” Stibitz said. “Although you’re never happy with a loss, the effort the kids put out shows that as a young team we continue to grow and show improvement.”
   At 2-7, the Mustangs have just one opponent remaining, Bound Brook on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving. The Crusaders are having another great year, but as in years past what looks like it should be isn’t always. Stibitz aims to have a few surprises up his sleeve. It should be a good one.