Senior running back Thomas Ammirati showcased his many talents on Nov. 8 at a frozen Bob Roggy Memorial Field when he sparked the Holmdel High School football team to its second straight state sectional semifinal playoff appearance.
Ammirati recorded three touchdowns on the night, two on the ground and one through the air, when fourth-seeded Holmdel scored a 22-14 victory over No. 5 Red Bank Regional in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 3 sectional playoffs in Holmdel.
“It was an amazing team win,” Ammirati said. “We played hard for one another to get the win. Can’t wait to play in the next round.”
The senior threw a 28-yard touchdown pass off a flea flicker to Dylan Day to get Holmdel on the board with 1:06 to play in the first half. A roughing the kick penalty on Red Bank Regional on the extra point led to a successful two-point conversion try by the Hornets that gave Holmdel a 8-7 lead into the half.
Ammirati helped extend the Holmdel lead on its first two drives of the second half, producing touchdown runs of six and 15 yards, respectively, to put the Hornets up, 22-7.
Holmdel held off a Red Bank Regional rally attempt in the fourth quarter to secure its sixth victory of the season.
The Hornets will play the winner between top-seeded Woodrow Wilson High School of Camden and No. 8 Hopewell Valley Central Regional High School in the sectional semifinals next weekend.
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