The football players at Donovan Catholic High School followed the game plan perfectly.
So said the team’s head coach, Dan Curicone.
“I just liked how all three phases of the game came together for us. We did a really good job with the line up front and dominated the line of scrimmage. Our execution on defense against the triple option was great. Point Boro runs it as well as anyone. The guys did a really good job of executing our game plan,” Curicone said.
Donovan Catholic executed those factors and went on to post a 28-7 victory over Point Pleasant Boro High School on Oct. 26 in Toms River.
Donovan Catholic struck twice for touchdowns in the first period to hold the lead for good. Two TDs in the final quarter helped Donovan Catholic ice the victory, which improved its record to 5-2.
“We just went out and did our jobs and kept our composure,” Curicone said. “This was a big game for us playing Point Boro, no matter what the situation is. I thought the guys just really did a great job executing in their jobs. They did not let emotion mess them up.”
The player who sparked this victory was junior quarterback Ryan Clark, who scored three touchdowns. He ended with 120 yards rushing and passed for 100 yards.
“Ryan Clark is one hell of a player. We might take that for granted because we have come to expect him to play well like he did tonight. He is special and did a great job,” Curicone said.
Clark shared the praise.
“My offensive line did a great job for me really able to make reads and adjust accordingly. They helped me tremendously tonight. They made a pathway for me to also be able to score on an 83-yard touchdown run,” Clark said.
Junior running back Damian Johnson scored the other touchdown for Donovan Catholic when he took off for a 30-yard burst to the end zone in the fourth period.
“Our performance on offense went well tonight,” Johnson said. “In the first half we were a little shaky. We came out in the second half and the offensive line opened up some more holes for us.”
He said for the offense the team needs to continue to practice hard and get first downs to continue the offensive momentum from the win.
Curicone said for his team to continue momentum, they need tighten up some play.
“We have to clean up some of our sloppy stuff. We just have to execute. The team has to get back to work, this week we have a big game,” Curicone said.
That big game is the opening round of the state playoffs on Saturday.
Donovan Catholic’s next opponent will be Mater Dei High Prep in the Non-Public, Group 3 state playoffs on Nov. 3.
The game will be played in New Monmouth, with kickoff slated at 1 p.m.
Junior running back Damian Johnson added the final touchdown score for the Donovan Catholic victory in the fourth quarter, on a 30-yard run. The score was on the team’s seventh drive of game.
“Our performance on offense went well tonight. In the first half we were a little shaky. We came out in the second half and the offensive line opened up some more holes for us,” Johnson said.
Point Plesant Boro’s lone touchdown came when QB Garret Romer crossed the goal line on a keeper in the first period. The loss dropped Point Pleasant Boro to 2-6 on the year.