Jackson Memorial High School’s football team is not about to abandon its shot for a three-peat in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV playoffs.
After losing two straight games, the Jaguars bounced back into the chase for a playoff berth Oct. 21 with a 41-7 victory at home against winless Toms River High School East in Shore Conference A South Division action, as halfback Mike Gawlik reached another milestone.
Gawlik scored three touchdowns in the first half and rushed for 233 yards to reach the career 4,000-yard milestone to add to his single-game and career school rushing records.
Gawlik scored twice in the first quarter on runs of 6 and 18 yards and added a 32-yard run in the second quarter. He later reached the 4,000-yard milestone on his final carry of the game in the third quarter.
He also reached 1,000 yards rushing for the third year in a row at 1,066 yards on 131 carries. Gawlik has a dozen rushing touchdowns and has scored on two of his three receptions this season.
Quarterback Dan Barker completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Louro to make it 34-0 before Toms River East finally scored in the fourth quarter.
Jackson Memorial (3-4) hosts Old Bridge High School at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Old Bridge (4-1-1) comes off a 41-14 victory over New Brunswick High School Oct. 21.