By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
The last time that Jake Alessi went to the second round of the state football playoffs, it was as a sophomore cornerback for Allentown High School.
Fast forward two years and Alessi is a two-way senior starter, leader and major contributor for the Redbirds, who opened the South Jersey Group III playoffs last Friday with a 38-8 win over eighth-seeded Cumberland.
”I thought we really executed what we needed to do and played hard,” said Alessi, who got Allentown rolling with a 15-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 lead. “I think there’s more intensity this year, and there’s more determination. The guys want to win. We feel like we have the best opportunity to go as far as we want, we think it’s all up to us. Everyone is connecting with each other and realizing we can do it.”
It didn’t take long for Cumberland to learn how Allentown earned the top seed in the sectional. The Redbirds jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
”We were definitely happy to get out fast and early and get a lead quick,” said Allentown head coach Jay Graber after improving to 8-2. “We ran the ball early, but we mixed in some throws also.”
The Redbirds marched down the field with their opening drive. Alessi — who is part of a three-headed running back rotation — rushed for 76 yards of the 80 Allentown needed to score on its first drive.
”That’s always our focus in every game, to make sure we can run the ball,” Alessi said. “We’re based off the run. We trust our line. When we get that going, it opens up everything and we trust (Michael) Curry and that opens the gates for us.”
It was the defense’s turn next as Cumberland gave the ball right back on a fumble caused by Dean Apostolico and recovered by Ricky Mottram, and Apostolico burst in the end zone on a 29-yard touchdown run on the next offensive series. Another defense stop gave Allentown the ball again, and quarterback Michael Curry knifed through Cumberland for a 51-yard touchdown run to build a 21-0 lead.
”Me, Jordan (Winston) and Dean, we realize if one of us tired another can go in,” Alessi said. “We all heavily rely on each other. We trust the load will be carried if we’re not in. When I’m in, I just try to move the ball and get it in the end zone.”
From his safety position, Alessi made sure that was more than enough points to move past Cumberland. Dave Krieg had 12 tackles, and Mottram and Alessi had 10 each. Tristan Millett had six tackle and an interception.
”Jake Alessi, he’s been a great leader,” Graber said. “He’s very, very good for us on defense. He’s able to play in the box and also able to cover. He’s kind of a hybrid linebacker/safety. He does an excellent job on defense, which is overshadowed a bit. He’s able to run the ball well in our offense.”
Alessi showed his versatility with a 6-yard touchdown on a swing pass from Curry, who passed the 1,000-yard mark in passing yards on the completion. Curry had also connected with Apostolico on a 23-yard hook-up for a touchdown earlier in the third quarter. Matt DeRisi provided the other points with a 26-yard field goal before the first half had ended.
”Our special teams have been pretty sound this year,” Graber said. “We don’t make many mistakes on special teams. Our punt returner, Brett Masci, has been good. It’s important for us to catch the ball and get us good field position.”
The Redbirds defense put together one of its finest efforts of the season to limit a Cumberland offense built on its ground game. Cumberland didn’t score an offensive touchdown until there were nine seconds to go in the game.
”Every game, we’re put in the best positions possible,” Alessi said. “We really do trust our coach. If he tells us where to go, we do our best to follow his instructions and it always works out. There are 11 guys that are determined to get to the ball and make it happen. We think defense wins championships.
”Defense I always thought was the most important thing to do,” he added. “Defense wins the big games. If they can’t score, they can’t win.”
Alessi has more experience on the defensive side after cracking the starting lineup as a sophomore cornerback. That season’s state run ended in the second round, and Alessi and the Redbirds are looking to push farther than any team in program history when they host Central Regional 7 p.m. Friday.
”I’ve watched a bunch of film on them already,” Alessi said. “They can run. They have a good running back. We have to tackle the ball. It’s going to take 11 guys to bring him down and 11 guys to bring everyone down. They have good athletes, but I think we can get it done.
”The biggest motivation is we all really fear our last play. We realize this season will come to an end. We don’t want it to end until a championship. That motivates us. As a senior, you don’t have another chance. You have to keep going, keep surviving and moving on.”
Allentown suffered a pair of losses in the regular season to bigger programs with more successful histories. The Redbirds are trying to make their mark with this year’s team.
”I think that playing against tough teams always makes you better,” Graber said. “I felt every game that we played, win or lose, we were able to learn about ourselves and get better. That prepared us for the first round.”
Alessi agreed: “Having a hard schedule is not always as bad as everyone thinks. I thought it prepared us. We played Lenape and Rancocas, two huge Group V teams. Rancocas beat us up. Lenape was a testament to our will to win, even though we did lose. They were big tests for us. I thought Hopewell really showed us how much we accomplished beating those guys.”
The tests will get bigger with each week that Allentown continues in the state tournament. Alessi and the Redbirds are looking forward to their next challenge and the chance to extend their playoff run farther than ever.
