Whenever the South River and Spotswood high school football teams clash, you know you’re going to get hard hitting and the genuine excitement this heated rivalry produces.
ERIC SUCAR staff Monroe Township High School running back Blake Bascom eludes J.P. Stevens defenders in the first quarter of the Monroe homecoming game Friday night. The Falcons won, 40-0. This Saturday, when the teams renew their annual turf war with a 1 p.m. contest in Spotswood, there is extra juice. The winner will emerge in a favorable position to qualify for the Central Jersey Group I playoffs. The loser will need to rely on help from other teams if it is to qualify.
Look at the records. Both the Chargers and Rams are 4-3, possess 67 power points and are tied for fifth place in the playoff rankings. You might think this match-up is a stalemate.
But looks can be deceiving. The Chargers, after busting out by winning their first four games, have dropped their last three, the most recent a 45-13 defeat to Highland Park last Friday night. South River, meanwhile, won its most recent game, an impressive 42- 28 victory against J.F. Kennedy, one in which senior running back Steven Moore scored five touchdowns and looked every bit the dominant offensive weapon the Rams need to finish off opponents.
Even in their 35-15 loss to Highland Park the week before, coach Rich Marchesi felt positive about his team’s effort.
“We never gave up,” he said. “The kids really played well and we stuck around. I honestly believe that loss helped us with our preparation for Kennedy.”
Marchesi talked about his team’s developing maturity, something the Rams lacked last year when they fielded a team top-heavy with underclassmen and ended up 1-9, missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
“Those freshmen and sophomores never went through the adversity of playing from behind,” Marchesi said, “so when we got down against some teams, we didn’t know how to respond. That hasn’t been an issue this year. We have a system, and the kids believe in it no matter the score. We know that if we stick to the plan, we’ll get the job done.”
Marchesi also points to improvement in the offensive line, which has opened holes for Moore, enabling the senior to become one of the leading runners in the GMC. They include center Byron George, a tri-captain, flanked by guards Emilio Rentras and Frank Miranda. The tackles are Ryan Rizzo and Gio Chetrancola. Another tri-captain, Shawn Fenton, has been a solid blocking tight end.
“When it comes to playing Spotswood,” said Marchesi, “we circle that game before the season, and the kids do not need added incentive. The game always holds a high degree of significance for us.”
With Spotswood and South River having played seven games, their tilt Saturday represents the final opportunity to add to their win totals, which would enhance their playoff chances. Only the first eight games count toward playoff qualification. The loser will not be eliminated from the playoffs, but may have to wait for the results of other games to determine if it qualifies for the final eight.
Another important game, one that will decide the GMC White Division championship, is Monroe’s visit to New Brunswick tomorrow night. The Falcons are currently 5-1 and in first place in the White Division while the Zebras, who have won five straight after dropping their first two games, are in second place. The winner will wrap up the division title. Monroe is the defending White Division champ, having shut out New Brunswick a season ago, 17-0. However, it was five years ago that the teams met with the outcome 73- 6 in favor of the Zebras.
“That game was played during the first season Pat Dowling coached here, and it was him who brought me in as an assistant,” said Chris Beagan, Monroe’s head coach. “Believe me, our team has no difficulty getting fired up to play New Brunswick.”
Interestingly, Beagan took over the head coaching reins at Monroe last year after Dowling moved on to coach at Allentown. Dowling then switched jobs again, this time surfacing at Brick Township. It is that Brick team (3-3) that will pay a visit to Monroe on Nov. 6. If the Falcons falter against New Brunswick, the outcome of the Brick game could determine whether or not Monroe qualifies for the Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
East Brunswick, after its 19-13 overtime victory over visiting Jackson Memorial last Friday night, will be idle this week. The Bears (5-2) are in action Nov. 6 when they host Brick Memorial (3-4). They are currently in fourth place in Central Jersey Group IV, which means the Bears could wrap up a home field berth in the opening round with a win.