Rich Fisher

By: centraljersey.com
The final score might not indicate progress, but the score by quarters shows that Rob Radice is getting what he wants from the Lawrence High football team.
When running back Jihad Bryant and quarterback Charlie Morreale both suffered serious injuries on opening day, the Cardinals lost the heart and soul of their offense.
Winning became an afterthought to competing.
In last Saturday’s 41-13 loss to undefeated Nottingham (4-0), the Cardinals competed from start to finish. Trailing 28-0 at halftime, the second half was dead even at 13-13. That’s a good sign that a team isn’t giving up.
"We’re trying to get them to fight for 48 minutes," Radice said. "We’re trying to teach them to play hard and good things will happen.
"They played really hard in the second half and that’s a good thing, a positive sign. We know they’re capable of doing it. They’re kind of looking who that leader is gonna be and we see some young leaders stepping up."
Junior Taleil Brown had a strong game, rushing for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries. After the Cards recovered an onsides kick to start the second half, Brown’s two-yard scoring run capped a nine-play, 55-yard drive.
Later in the game Brown scored on a four-yard run to cap a 50-yard drive, that was set up by a strong kickoff return by Nile Jones. The junior also had a strong game, rushing for 50 yards on 15 carries.
Sophomore quarterback Devon Hewitt, who moved from running back to behind center, was 5-for-8 for 32 yards.
Radice said it has been a case of his team recovering from the body blow it suffered in the season opener against Notre Dame.
"I think we mourned for a couple weeks but from Steinert on we said we gotta play football and get it done with who we are," the coach said. "We have to keep making progress and taking steps forward. If we keep playing hard good things will happen.
"Kids are resilient. I think they were down a little bit but now they’re saying ‘We gotta take care of ourselves now’ and they’re starting to get that mindset that we have to step up and make plays."
The encouraging this is that youth always grows up.
"These guys are juniors and sophomores," Radice said. "They’re getting it and they’re gonna be getting it for the next couple of years. We like where we’re going and we think we’re building a strong foundation for the future, no doubt about it.
"I know my future looks bright. Our freshman and JV are undefeated. We’re playing a lot of young kids, we have one senior on offense and I’ve got some guys in the shop. Those guys will be back, we are not panicking, we are staying the course, we’re working hard. We’re proud of our kids."
Considering that Nottingham is 4-0 and looks to be one of the top teams in Mercer County, losing to them was no embarrassment.
"We’re not worried about it," Radice said. "They have some better athletes and are faster team-wise than us. This game isn’t going to define who we are. We’re just gonna keep working hard and good things will happen down the road."