The Sayreville War Memorial High School football team’s season came to a close on Nov. 22 with a tough 34-7 loss to Manalapan High School in the semifinals of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group V playoffs. The top-seed Braves scored on their first possession, and after two quarters, Sayreville found itself in a very unfamiliar position — down by 21 points at the half. In the meantime, Manalapan’s defense stymied the Bombers’ attack and limited Myles Hartsfield to 60 yards rushing.
“They got the early lead and continued to play very well,” Bombers coach George Najjar said. “Their defense was outstanding, and they kept getting good field position.” Hartsfield’s 53-yard run late in the fourth quarter enabled Sayreville to avoid a shutout. The victory gave Manalapan some measure of revenge, as the Bombers won the previous two meetings between the two teams.
In 2011, Najjar’s team won, 23-11, in the Central Jersey Group IV championship game. The year before, the Bombers came away with a 32-20 victory in the semifinals.
With the loss, Sayreville ends the season at 8-3 and extended its string of winning seasons to 18 years. In addition, the Bombers had won 10 successive postseason games and had won three straight sectional titles. Although its season ended with a loss, Sayreville managed to bounce back from a 1-2 start.
After getting thumped 35-19 on opening night, the Bombers rebounded with a win over East Brunswick High School. In its next game, Sayreville appeared on its way to a win, but uncharacteristically lost the lead and the game.
Najjar’s team then won its next seven games, as Hartsfield and backfield mate Deion Miller ran wild. Both players easily surpassed the 1,000-yard mark, thanks in part to an offensive line that got better with each game. During the streak, the Bombers scored at least 35 points in each game. The beginning of the streak also coincided with the return of quarterback Malik Pressley, who was out with an ankle injury. The Bombers won their first-round playoff game in exciting fashion, edging Monroe Township High School, 35-34. The Falcons, who limited Sayreville to just five possessions, came from behind to take a 34-28 fourth-quarter lead.
With the momentum seemingly with the home team, Najjar’s team got back on track. Miller’s 11-yard run knotted things up with 5:30 remaining, and Adrian Lapinski’s extra point turned out to be the margin of victory.
“Our guys really showed what they’re made of,” Najjar said. “Coming back from a 1-2 start is never easy. I’m very proud of them.”