By Matthew Rocco
Keyport High School succumbed to three fourth-quarter touchdowns in an Asbury Park High School comeback in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group I football championship, handing the Red Raiders a crushing 26-17 defeat after holding an 11-point lead.
The Red Raiders were ahead, 17-6, early in the fourth quarter when they attempted to surprise Asbury Park’s return team. Keyport called for an onside kick that dropped into the hands of Rayquan Brown, but the recovery was negated by a penalty on Keyport for fielding the ball before it touched the ground. Asbury Park’s offense caught a second wind after receiving great field position.
It took just two plays for Asbury Park quarterback Ja’King Agostini to find Josmere Taylor for a 31-yard touchdown through the air. A two-point conversion brought the team within a field goal, 17-14. On its next possession, Asbury Park put the ball on the ground for an 11-yard score, taking a 20-17 lead with about four minutes left.
Asbury Park running back Namir Argilagos, who sparked his team’s offense Dec. 3 with 145 yards on 13 carries, put the game out of reach. He sprinted 35 yards to the end zone with 1:23 to go before the final whistle.
The sectional title is Asbury Park’s seventh in school history. Keyport, which defeated Asbury Park, 14-7, in September, was also going for its seventh championship. The final at Kean University in Union marked Keyport’s first championship berth since 2003.
Keyport appeared to be marching toward the title in the third quarter. Senior quarterback Chris Hogrefe capped a long drive to open the second half with a 2-yard touchdown run. Kicker Christian Smith, who recorded a field goal in the first half, had a successful point-after to put the Red Raiders in front, 10-6.
The defense rose to the occasion on the ensuing drive, forcing Asbury Park (8-4) to turn the ball over on downs after a sack by Skye Blanks and an incomplete pass in the end zone.
The Red Raiders (10-2) extended their lead on a wild play that started as a jet sweep on third-and-8 from their own 25-yard line. Wide receiver Cody Young took the handoff and ran about 15 yards before he was stripped of the ball. Keyport caught a break when the ball bounced back to Young. He got back in stride and raced down the sideline, going 75 yards for a touchdown that gave Keyport a 17-6 advantage.
The running game fueled Keyport’s offense. Sophomore Devin Wollner ran 36 times for 136 yards, and Young posted 85 total yards on two carries. Young also had a reception that went for 39 yards.