By Ed Birch, Special Writer
The South Brunswick Vikings roared past the Middletown North High School in Monmouth County 40-17, after spotting the home team Lions an early 10-7 lead.
The scoring in the game opened by the Lions, as kicker Nick Banta made good on a 20-yard field goal to put the home team up 3-0 after seven minutes clicked off the clock in the opening quarter.
The Vikings struck back quickly with quarterback T.J. Perkowski scoring on a 55-yard running play that was set up by Vikings kick off return specialist Austin Moore’s 18-yard kick off return.
With less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter, Lions quarterback Cody Thompson connected on a three-yard pass to Jared Moiser to give the Lions a 10-7 lead going into the locker room at the break.
After regrouping during halftime, the Vikings came out of the locker room to score nine straight points in the third quarter, extending the lead to 23-10 at the end of the third quarter.
The steady foot of kicker Dylan Olsson converted a 30-yard field goal and Perkowski threw a 60-yard touchdown completion to receiver Donte Strickland to give the Vikings the lead.
The Lions appeared to be getting back into the game as Jake Betkowski ran in a touchdown from the one-yard line, cutting the Vikings lead to 23-17.
From that point however, the Vikings offense woke up and put the game totally out of reach, scoring the final 17 points in the contest.
The final streak saw Strickland run back a 93-yard punt return, Dylan Olsson hit another 30-yard field goal, and finally Matt Golden ended the evening’s scoring with a 33-yard run.
Middletown North almost doubled the amount of offensive plays in the game 71-39 and had 409 total offensive yards compared with 308 for the Vikings. The Vikings had possession of the ball for almost 10 minutes less than the Lions, but the Vikings were able to have successful short scoring plays to walk away with an overpowering victory.
T.J. Perkowski accounted for 108 passing yards with one touchdown. T.J. Perkowski also was credited with 104 rushing yards along with 72 yards rushing for Matt Golden.
Donte Strickland was credited with 60 receiving yards. Rutgers-bound T.J. Taylor was double-teamed during most of the contest but still caught three passes for 48 yards. Dylan Olsson came through with 10 points, converting two 30-yard field goals and four point after touchdown kicks.
Defensive linesman Alex Berkuta was credited with eight unassisted tackles and assisted on two other tackles. Defensive captain Ken Drost was credited with six tackles and assisted on two others.
”We played really well tonight. We really had our act together on both sides of the ball” said Head Coach Joe Goerge after the game. “T. J. Perkowski had the strongest game of the season and the Vikings really performed well on the road.”
Coach Goerge labeled Golden (defensive end and fullback) and Perkowski (quarterback) as the two star performers of the game but was quick to point out that “this was one really big total effort on our part.”
”They came out in a five wide out offense but we were able to defend it and come away with a big come from behind victory,” Coach Goerge said.
The Vikings now set its sights on division leading Sayreville tonight.
”Sayreville is undefeated in division play this year and is the defending champion said Coach Goerge. “We will need another real good team effort on offense and defense. We will put out a big effort and hope that we have a big crowd behind us.”
Tonight’s game will also feature a pre-game ceremony the honoring of all graduating seniors from the cheerleader, marching band, and football squads.
The halftime festivities will honor SBHS, Rutgers University, and now Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, as the Vikings community retires jersey #2.
Contacted in Cincinnati, Sanu said the evening will be an honor and he is looking forward to coming home.
”It’s going to be an unbelievable experience,” Sanu said. “ Growing up, you never think about something like getting your high school number retired. I guess it’s the first time, at least for a number in football, so it’s a real privilege and an honor. And it’ll be great to be back home and see a lot of people who mean a lot to me.”
Sanu had one seven-yard carry and three pass receptions for 27 yards in the Bengals 24-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday evening.
Tickets will be available at the gate for tonight’s game, with the Senior Ceremony starting at 6:30 p.m..

