By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
Despite playing at home, the South Brunswick High football team still faces a difficult road to reach the state sectional final at Rutgers in two weeks.
”That’s what the playoffs are about,” Vikings coach Rick Mantz said. “Everyone you see at this time of year is going to be tough. There are no easy games.”
South Brunswick, which won the first playoff game in the program’s history last week, faces its next test Friday night when 5th-seeded Brick Memorial visits in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV semifinals.
Brick (7-2) got a 29-yard field goal from Jordan Loiodice with two seconds to play in a 10-7 win at North Brunswick last week. Top-seeded SBHS never trailed against Pennsauken and scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to post a 21-12 triumph.
”We’ve seen Brick a few times this year,” Mantz said. “They run the option, like us, and they’re a very physical team. They’re very disciplined, well coached, and play good defense. It’s going to be a challenge, no question about it.”
South Brunswick will face the challenge without one of its top playmakers, both offensively and defensively. Jimmy Mikedes suffered a broken hand in the first quarter against Pennsauken and is likely out of the lineup for the rest of the season. Mikedes, who was No. 2 on the team in tackles, scored touchdowns on fumble and interception returns this year in addition to making numerous key catches as a receiver.
The Mustangs, too, might be shorthanded tomorrow. Fullback Vincent Sabba, a key player in their triple-option offense, suffered a leg injury on Brick’s game-winning drive against North Brunswick and was helped from the field. Sabba ran for a career-high 176 yards and two touchdowns two weeks ago in a victory over playoff-qualifier Colts Neck.
Triggering the Mustangs’ attack is senior quarterback Brian Staub, who has rushed for 865 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Earlier this month, Brick coach Walt Currie compared Staub to an elite basketball point guard, like Magic Johnson.
Staub had 74 yards on 27 carries against North Brunswick and threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to slotback Glenn McGinnis, who is another dangerous weapon for the Mustangs.
”He’s grown into the offense to the point where our offense and Brian Staub are kind of one and the same,” Currie told a Brick-area newspaper.
South Brunswick’s offense is guided by quarterbacks Tim Doehler and Mike Muha, who split time under center. The two have combined for 730 yards and eight touchdowns through the air, plus three TD rushing.
McClendon, with 498 yards and seven touchdowns, and Shelcusky, with 430 yards and three scores, lead the ground attack. Acevedo has 15 catches and four TDs while Dunleavy has seven receptions and two touchdowns.
The Vikings have scored eight touchdowns on returns – punt, kickoff, interception and fumble – and allowed only one.
Kicker Kyle Morse is 2-for-2 on field goals and 25 of 27 on PAT kicks.
Young leads the Vikings in tackles with 64 while Will Osley has 11 for losses and Powers has five sacks. Ferrara has four interceptions and seven pass break-ups.
”This feels great,” Dunleavy said after the program’s first playoff victory, “but it’s just one step. There’s still work to be done.”

