The wrecking crew better known as the Bishop Ahr High School football team continues to leave destruction in its path. Last week it was South Plainfield High School, and this week it could very well be North Brunswick High School.
The Trojans won their fifth straight game after dropping the season opener, with a 54-14 pounding of South Plainfield. The win gave Bishop Ahr its second straight Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division title.
Bishop Ahr’s Mike Gallant left his mark on the game as he put in a dominant performance from all aspects of the game. He finished the contest with five receptions, two interceptions, one touchdown and a kickoff return to the South Plainfield oneyard line, which set up another Trojan score.
“Mike’s been steady all season, but this was probably his best game,” Bishop Ahr head coach Ron Hilliard said. “He was all over the field and helped set up three touchdowns.
Gallant scored the game’s first touchdown with an eight-yard run. After posting 26 unanswered points, the Trojans opened the second half in impressive fashion, just in case South Plainfield had plans of getting back into the game.
Gallant took the opening kickoff of the second half 71 yards, which set up an 11- yard scoring run by quarterback Robbie Meade later in the drive. The Bishop Ahr ground game continued to dominate as running backs Stephen Dumchus and Kenny Virden ran the ball to pay dirt on the team’s next two possessions.
“South Plainfield had been giving up some points all year, and this week was no different,” Hilliard said. “We scored three quick touchdowns in the third quarter, and I think that pretty much sealed the deal.”
Dumchus finished with 110 yards on just eight carries, and Meade tallied 100 yards on the ground and in the air. Meade also connected with tight end Rashad Kilgore for a 32-yard scoring toss.
“Our defense didn’t allow South Plainfield to move the ball with any consistency,” Hilliard said. “Our defense forced the issue and had a couple of takeaways which led to scores.”
South Plainfield managed to avoid a shutout with a pair of late-game scores. Troy McNair scored the team’s first touchdown on a five-yard run. Malcolm Austin returned a Bishop Ahr kick 75 yards for a score.
The Trojans should get a nice tune-up for the state playoffs against North Brunswick this week. The two teams square off at 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Bishop Ahr.