By Wayne Witkowski
Kyle Frimel threw four touchdown passes as New Egypt High School’s football team, coming off a bye week, stayed in pursuit of a division title and an NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group I playoff berth with a 36-8 victory over a struggling Riverside High School team Oct. 22.
Jake Kear caught two touchdown passes, and Neal Flogel and Bryan Cristman also caught scores, as the Warriors (5-1) built a 21-0 lead at halftime. The Warriors broke open that lead in the fourth quarter with two more scores.
New Egypt’s defense picked off three Riverside passes, two by Jordan Bendick and another by Matt Mansure. Frimel recovered a fumble, while nose tackle Noah Viera and linebacker Chris Wolff kept up the pressure on Riverside, which snapped New Egypt’s shutout bid on a touchdown pass with 10 seconds left in the game.
But the Warriors will look to pick up precious power points Oct. 28 when they host nondivision opponent Haddon Heights High School in their Homecoming game before taking on Florence Township Memorial High School at home Nov. 4 in the battle of unbeatens in the West Jersey Football League Freedom Division. Haddon Heights (4-2) comes off a 27-6 loss to Paulsboro High School.
Ron Brahman leads Haddon Heights with 292 yards rushing, while quarterback Matt Diorio has completed 65 of 102 passes for 896 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. Frimel has thrown for 796 yards and nine touchdowns and leads New Egypt’s ground gainers with 417 yards on 87 carries and two touchdowns.
“They’re a good team that plays tougher competition than we do,” New Egypt coach Steve Fence said of Paulsboro. “The secondary has to be good so we can stop the run early. We have to establish our run game and win the turnover battle. If we play the way we’re capable of, we’ll be OK. We have to make the most of any mistakes they make.”
“Haddon Heights is a lot like us,” Frimel said. “They like to throw the ball a little, but they establish the run game. We need to execute every play.”
New Egypt is sixth in power points in its state playoff section, but Fence points out that his team has played six games and many teams ahead of the Warriors played their seventh game last weekend.
New Egypt showed it has a lot of weapons, while Fence also credited the blocking by the offensive line of Matt Soles, Julian Viera, Jeff Larson, Miley Schmidt, Ryan Exner and Andrew Pugliese.
“This team is pretty special all around,” Frimel said. “Each week, a guy always seems to perform better than expected. Bob Farrand stepped up on defense again and ran the ball well on offense this week. Julian Viera has been leading the line making sure I get the right protection. And Jake, Neal and Bryan are getting open [for passes], making it easier for me. Guys are stepping up and making big plays.
“We’re getting better each week but taking it one game at a time. Each time we win, we start the next week 1-0.”
Flogel opened the scoring when he caught a 75-yard play action pass on a post pattern on the second play of the second series after New Egypt stopped Riverside’s deep drive on downs. Kear later caught a 35-yard bootleg pass from Frimel on a corner route to the left side of the end off a short drive.
Cristman added to the lead with an 18-yard touchdown reception on a post pattern. Frimel, Bendick and Bob Farrand kept Riverside’s defense on its heels with just enough rushing yardage to balance the Warriors’ offense.
Kear’s 3-yard reception early in the final quarter capped a long drive and Farrand closed the scoring with an 8-yard run with five minutes left as the reserves took over. Farrand carried the ball seven times for 49 yards on that drive.
Fence reports that his team suffered no serious injuries against Riverside that would sideline anyone for the Haddon Heights game.
