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SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Vikings get by Monroe 20-17, remain undefeated

By Ed Birch, Special Writer
MONROE — The South Brunswick Vikings held on for a 20-17 come from behind victory last Friday night against the Monroe Township Falcons to remain undefeated with a 7-0 record.
"It was really a great win. This team showed a lot of class and character," South Brunswick Head Football Coach Joe Goerge said. "I do not remember a bigger, more exciting win, and I have been coaching high school football a very long, long time."
The scoring opened up on a high note for the Vikings as Syracuse-bound Dontae Strickland came through with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown on the Vikings initial possession.
Matt Golden’s kick put the Vikings in the early lead by a 7-0 score.
With just five seconds remaining in the opening quarter, quarterback Steve Karoly’s touchdown pass to Chase Santiago tied the score at 7-7.
The second quarter saw the Falcons score on an Akeer Franklin 80-yard punt return and a huge Josh Wood 31-yard field goal to bring the Falcons lead to 17-7 at the halftime homecoming ceremony.
The Falcons were credited with 149 rushing yards at halftime.
In the first half, the Vikings saw foot injuries to starting offensive linesman Sam Bierstein and quarterback Amir Johnson.
During halftime, Strickland and Johnson provided encouragement to second string quarterback Josh Liao to stay with the offensive plan and to direct the team.
"Dontae and Amir sat me down and told me to take control and run the offense," said Liao after the game. "The talk by the stars of the team really encouraged me to have the confidence that I needed."
The third quarter saw the Vikings shut out the Falcons on offense while a 19 yard scoring run by junior Phil Campbell with 8:06 remaining in the third quarter brought the Vikings back to a three point deficit at 17-14.
In the final quarter, the Vikings defense held the falcons scoreless while mounting a 12-play, 66-yard final drive that saw three third down conversions and ended with Strickland giving the Vikings their final score on an eight yard, third down run that put the Vikings in the lead 20-17.
Falcons Head Coach Chris Beamer ran out of timeouts and was unable to stop the clock to set up his final scoring drive.
Strickland, who missed some time during the contest with a leg cramp, was held to 72 yards on 13 carries. Campbell had 43 yards in 11 carries.
Rutgers-bound Mohamed Jabbie had two catches for 17 yards. Quarterback Josh Liao had three completions in eight pass attempts.
"I do not remember any team that I have coached playing a better second half than we did today," said Goerge after the game. "We fought hard despite the injuries that hit us tonight."
"Coach Goerge told me to be a leader and go out and support our quarterback," said Strickland after the game. "Phil Campbell threw one hell of a block that led to my score. Every game that we play is a big win when we are trying to go undefeated this year.
"I felt great. My teammates told me to go out and have fun running the offense," said Liao after the game.
The Vikings are putting the undefeated record on the line today against Edison tonight at 7 p.m., at South Brunswick High School.