By John E. Powers, Sports Writer
From where the South Hunterdon Regional High School football team started, just the thought of finishing the season with a winning record was impressive.
That was the case Saturday as the Eagles raced on to the field turf at Bernards High School’s Olcott Field. But any chance of it becoming a reality ended between raindrops as Bernards scored a 34-7 victory.
The ended South’s two-game winning streak and dropped its record to 3-5.
The Eagles will play Riverside in a NJSIAA “consolation” game Friday night, then prepare for the annual Thanksgiving Day game with Delaware Valley.
Riverside will come to Jefferis Athletic Field Friday with a 2-6 record. Game-time is 7 p.m.
”We didn’t play anywhere near the level we needed to play; it’s disappointing,”’ South coach Jim Meert said.
South Hunterdon threatened to make a game of it early. After Bernards took the lead on a 32-yard run by Adam Shnider in the first period, South Hunterdon drove deep inside Mountaineer’ territory.
Four times, the Eagles tried to score from inside the 2-yard-line, but on the final attempt, a fumble ruined any chance of at least a tie game.
”We gave up a touchdown early, and their guys were very fast,”’ Meert said. “You can’t replicate that kind of speed in practice with our scout team. We try to emphasize that everything in games will be quicker, but that’s hard to do.”
South Hunterdon never recovered. Bernards, led by talented senior quarterback Sean Kenny, took a 27-0 lead before the Eagles scored near the end of the first half when sophomore Sam Franzini caught a 9-yard pass from senior quarterback Brian Snell.
Junior Brandon Scesney hit the point after, but that was it. The touchdown was set up by Snell’s 72-yard kickoff return to the Bernards’ 15.
”We thought it would be a competitive game,”’ Meert said.
Scesney got hurt on the first play of the second half.
”I liked the right our guys showed; they didn’t lay down and quit, but we felt we were prepared,” Meert said.
Meert was very impressed with Kenny, who has led Bernards to three straight wins. He ran for 224 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries and threw for 116 yards and two other scores.
”I talked to him afterwards,”’ Meert said. “He was saying he’s going to play lacrosse. But I think he could be a big-time quarterback. I really think he could play anywhere.”
Scesney finished with 44 yards on 12 carries to lead the Eagles. Senior tight end Russ Miller caught four passes for 35 yards, and Franzini had two for 33, including the touchdown.
