Any time this late into a football season when two undefeated teams meet, a lot is at stake. That will be the case on Oct. 30 when Coach Cory Davies’ Howell High School Rebels put their 6-0 mark on the line against Sayreville War Memorial High School (7-0) in Sayreville.
Howell’s Eli Blue strives for every yard he can get during the Rebels’ 37-27 win over Brick Memorial on Oct. 23. For more photos, see the GMN Photo Galleries at gmnews.com. In this non-conference game between Monmouth and Middlesex county schools, the No. 1 seed for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV state playoffs could be on the line. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Sayreville.
Sayreville is currently No. 1 in the sectional power points standings and Howell is No. 2. The Bombers could clinch the No. 1 seed and a home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs with a victory, while the Rebels could jump ahead of the Bombers and into the No. 1 seed with a win this week.
“The buildup for this game will be big,” Davies said. “Our kids will be focused because of that.”
Howell continued its perfect ways on Oct. 23 with an impressive 37-27 victory at Brick Memorial High School.
In the process of beating the Mustangs, the Rebels gave Sayreville, which had scouts in the stands in Brick Township, something to think about — Howell’s running game.
The Mustangs were determined not to let quarterback Jimmy Ryan and Howell’s aerial assault beat them. They used five defensive backs to slow down the Rebels’ passing game, but in doing that the Mustangs had to give up something and that was run defense.
“We do try and take what the defense gives,” Davies said.
Howell used three running backs to run all over the Brick Memorial defense. Will Hayes, returning from an injury, led the ground attackwith 74 yards, followed by Eli Blue, who rushed for 71 yards.
“Our line did a very nice job blocking and all of our running backs ran well,” said Davies. “We know we have some weapons.”
Of course, Ryan is the Rebels’ biggest weapon along with his cadre of talented receivers. Even with the Mustangs out to stop the passing attack, Ryan threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns, completing 10-16 passes. He also rushed for a four-yard TD.
Rob Malfara, who was the outstanding player of the game on defense, scored his first touchdown of the year on a one-yard run in the third quarter. Malfara, a linebacker, was used as a blocking fullback when the Rebels got inside the 10. He was rewarded for that effort by having his No. 79 called and getting into the end zone.
The Rebels got on the scoreboard first when Ryan hit Rob Handy on a 22-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter.
Brick Memorial came charging back as quarterback Mike DeGuilmi found running back Glenn McGinnis on a quick slant over the middle and McGinnis did the rest to complete a 76-yard touchdown scoring play.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Rebels fumbled and the Mustangs recovered on the Howell 35. Five plays later Vinnie Sabba scored from the one for a 13-7 lead.
Howell responded with a 65-yard scoring drive that was capped off by Blue’s 17-yard run. With Ryan Handy’s extra point, Howell led 14-13 early in the second quarter.
Handy extended the lead to 17-13 by kicking a 33-yard field goal into a hefty wind.
Brick Memorial took its final lead of the game early in the third quarter when the Mustangs marched 65 yards in five plays. Sabba’ 24-yard gallop forged a 20-17 lead.
Howell answered by going 70 yards in four plays, highlighted by Ryan’s pass to Hayes, who came out of the backfield, that went for 72 yards. Ryan finished the drive on his four-yard run to make the score 24-20.
On the ensuing kickoff, Malfara recovered a Brick Memorial fumble and Howell was back in business at the Mustangs’ 20. Five plays later Malfara scored and Howell led 30- 20.
Another TD run by Sabba (one-yard) pulled the Mustangs to within three, 30-27, with 10:11 left in the fourth quarter. But Howell answered once more by driving 70 yards for the clinching score. Phil Adamo was on the receiving end of Ryan’s 18-yard TD pass.
With more than 200 yards passing and more than 175 yards on the ground, the Rebels presented the balanced attack that makes them so very dangerous.
“I’m comfortable where we are offensively,” said Davies. “We’re clicking right now.”