A classic football rivalry between Old Bridge High School and Sayreville War Memorial High School was renewed in epic fashion when the teams battled into overtime.
The Knights topped the Bombers, 22-21, in the extra session on Nov. 3 in Sayreville.
Tied, 14-14, at the end of regulation, Sayreville struck first in overtime when running back Connor Holmes ran in a touchdown from 1 yard out. The Knights responded with a touchdown of their own — a 19-yard pass to receiver Liam Knowles from quarterback Anthony Imbimbo. Instead of kicking the extra point and going into a second overtime, however, the Knights went for two points and converted a 2-yard run by Chancellor Cooper to secure the victory.
The touchdown in overtime was the second time Knowles and Imbimbo hooked up for a score in the game. They connected on a 33-yard pass to find the end zone in the third quarter. Cooper also had a 21-yard touchdown for Old Bridge that tied the game in the fourth quarter.
The victory improved the Knights’ record to 6-2. Old Bridge coach Anthony Lanzafama is ready for the playoffs and has a lot of respect for the team’s next opponent, at home against Trenton Central High School on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 5 tournament.
“We just have to play as a team,” Lanzafama said. “It’s going to take all 11 guys on both sides of the ball and everyone on the sidelines to beat a very good Trenton opponent. They’re dangerous.”
Holmes scored the game’s first touchdown for Sayreville on a 5-yard run in the second quarter. Quarterback Mark Whitford threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Clark in the fourth quarter to take a 14-7 lead.
The Bombers fell to 5-4 with the loss.
Sayreville coach Chris Beagan was proud of the way his team competed, but he was more focused on the Bombers’ upcoming playoff matchup at Colonia High School on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 tournament.
The Bombers are the defending champions in that section, defeating Middletown High School North, 41-14, in the championship game last year.
“We’re locked in, and we’re ready to go,” Beagan said. “We’re more than ready.”
Beagan said his team has the tools to be state champions again, especially since he believes it can win the war in the trenches.
“It always comes down to the offensive and defensive lines,” Beagan said. “We have some great guys on both lines and if they can win that battle, we’ll be just fine.”
Beagan believes the Bombers can hurt themselves with turnovers and wants his team to eliminate those mistakes.
“We turn the ball over a few times,” Beagan said. “[We] had some mistakes and lost close games. You can’t do that in the postseason. The secret to the playoffs is if you lose the turnover battle, you’re most likely going to be going home at the end of the night. [If] we sure up the mistakes, we give ourselves an even better chance.”
Beagan’s expectations are abundantly clear.
“Win,” Beagan said. “That’s it.”