By Warren Rappleyea
The Old Bridge High School football team will host Sayreville War Memorial High School Nov. 4 in a game that has major ramifications for the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Red Division standings as well as the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group V playoffs.
The Knights are coming off a 27-13 loss at Jackson Memorial High School (4-4) Oct. 28. Jackson Memorial stifled the Old Bridge ground game, allowing just 58 rushing yards, and limited quarterback Artur Sitkowski to eight completions on 19 passing attempts for 109 yards.
After the two teams swapped touchdowns in the second quarter, Jackson Memorial scored again to take a 14-7 lead at halftime. The home team scored again in the third quarter and early in the fourth to build a commanding 27-7 lead. Sitkowski’s short run in the fourth quarter produced the final score. Nick Sodano scored the Knights’ first touchdown on a 4-yard run.
Coach Anthony Lanzafama’s team now owns a 4-2-1 record, but both of the losses came against non-conference opponents. With its only blemish in the Red Division being a 42-42 tie with Edison High School, Old Bridges sits in first place with two games remaining — both at home — against Sayreville and on Nov. 24 against East Brunswick High School (1-6). If the Knights win each game, they will claim the Red Division crown.
Currently fifth in the Central Jersey, Group V playoff race with 101 power points, Old Bridge has a game in hand over second-place Freehold Township High School (112 points) and fourth-place Hillsborough High School (105). The best seven of a team’s first eight games count in the standings.
Sayreville (6-2), with 96.5 power points, will finish fifth in the North Jersey, Section II, Group IV standings and will begin the tournament on the road. Depending on what shakes out this weekend, the Bombers’ possible opponents include Middletown High School South, Middletown High School North and Phillipsburg High School — all of which are 5-2. Sayreville’s two losses came against Red Division foes Piscataway Township High School and South Brunswick High School, so the best the Bombers can hope for is a second-place showing in the division.
“This is a big rivalry game for us, so we’ll be ready,” said Bombers coach Chris Beagan, whose team fell 28-21 a year ago when the Knights came from behind to win. “It’s always a great atmosphere and you’ll get the best from both teams. There’s nothing Old Bridge would like more than to beat a team like us with six wins, [as it] does wonders for your power points total.”
Beagan’s team took care of business Oct. 28, handily downing visiting Neptune High School, 35-6. The Bombers took control over the Scarlet Fliers (2-6) early and never let go. Jayson DeMild completed six of eight passes for 141 and three touchdowns — all three to speedy Jacari Carter. Freshman Mark Whitford took over behind center and did well, completing three of five passes. Michael Liberti topped the Blue and Gray on the ground with 101 yards on 15 attempts.
Following the Old Bridge game, Sayreville will be off until the playoffs begin.
“Both teams have excellent quarterbacks,” Beagan said. “From our perspective, it will come to being able to contain them and to good tackling. We want to limit their ability to make big plays and force them to take what we give them.”