Big play teams make big plays in big spots in big games.
That’s what North Brunswick Township High School did on Sept. 20 at Sayreville War Memorial High School.
The Raiders beat the host Bombers, 22-7, exacting revenge on Sayreville for their loss in last year’s NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 5 sectional playoff championship on this same field.
By winning the rematch, North Brunswick improved to 2-1 in 2019, while Sayreville fell to 0-3.
“I could not be more proud of you guys,” said North Brunswick coach Mike Cipot to his players after the game. “So you know what? Take tomorrow off.”
The players leaped off the turf and hollered and hugged. Cipot smiled from ear to ear.
This was a big one for these Raiders. Most of them played in last year’s crushing 6-0 loss in that state sectional title game.
In that big game, they failed to make a game changing play. But they made three of them in the 2019 rematch.
Senior De’Mi Jenkins returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in the opening quarter. Fellow senior Demonte Blount ran for a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Then another senior, Myles Bailey, charged up the middle for a 37-yard gain in the third quarter, setting up another touchdown.
Behind the big plays, North Brunswick never trailed and kept Sayreville at a two score distance for most of the night.
The Raiders didn’t particularly dominate the game. They committed 12 penalties, turned the ball over once and struggled to contain Sayreville quarterback Mark Whitford.
But they made the big plays when it counted most, and that was the difference in the game. They even did that on defense, stopping Sayreville on three fourth down attempts in the first half.
Whitford did his best to keep the Bombers in the game, amassing 187 total yards, leading the offense to 12 first downs and even scoring a one-yard touchdown in the third. He just didn’t have enough help.
North Brunswick will try to improve to 3-1 on Sept. 27 against Edison. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Sayreville has a bye next week but will go for its first victory on Oct. 4 at home versus Edison at 7 p.m.