By John E. Powers, Sports Writer
The percentages were stacked extremely against the South Hunterdon Regional High School football team Friday night as they took on defending Skyland Conference Raritan Division champ Belvidere.
The Eagles’ recent games with Belvidere had been simply mismatches — a 41-0 loss last year, a 31-0 setback the year before and a 49-0 whipping in 2005.
But as the fourth quarter began, the Eagles trailed just 7-0. Belvidere went on to win 21-0, handing the winless Eagles their third loss of the season.
But improvement had been made; dramatic improvement.
”We’re improving a lot,” South Hunterdon coach Jim Meert said. “We put a scare into them, but we just ran out of gas.”
Meert added the team didn’t cover a punt properly, and it resulted in a 66-yard return for a touchdown by Ian Titus.
”We really didn’t do a good job on that punt,” he said.
Brian Snell, a quarterback and safety, returned after suffering a concussion two weeks ago in a loss to Dayton and played significant roles.
Meert said Snell, who suffered a hip pointer in the fourth quarter and had to leave, made the best defensive play he’s seen since he came to South Hunterdon in 2006.
A Belvidere receiver appeared to have scored a touchdown, but Snell stripped the ball away, and the pass was incomplete. Snell also made an interception to stop Belvidere’s first drive.
”Brian’s only going to get better,” Meert said. “He’s really only had three weeks of practice. Brian played extremely well.”
When Snell went out, sophomore Sam Franzini came in and, once again, was steady at quarterback. Junior Brandon Scesney had a long run.
Meert said Snell should be ready to play when the Eagles play host to Sussex Tech Friday night.
”At first we thought it was a groin injury, but I called him the day after the game, and he said he was fine,” Meert said.
The Eagles all showed up for practice Saturday morning as they continue to show resilience.
”We’re trying to build pride,” Meert said. “We’re trying to get the kids more competitive. We were running to the ball; making tackles.”
Sussex Tech should be a great opportunity for the Eagles to grab a win. The Mustangs, who are in their first season after having disbanded football for several years, are 0-4 and have been giving up more than 34 points per game.
”They have some huge, huge kids,” Meert said. “We’re telling the kids that they shouldn’t judge them by the scores they’ve seen.”

