With their sights set on getting better as the state playoffs get closer, the South Brunswick High School and Sayreville War Memorial High School football teams squared off.
South Brunswick emerged as the survivor of this hard-fought game when the Vikings left Sayrevile with a 27-14 victory on Oct. 20.
“That was just a good old-fashioned hard-fought game there,” South Brunswick coach Joseph Goerge said following the victory. “We went up, 14-7, by the end of the end of the third quarter. They tied it at the beginning of the fourth quarter, and we had to rally and score two late touchdowns to seal the game. That’s a really good team over there — really pushed us to the limit.”
Goerge credited his players, including senior quarterback and defensive back Felix Quinones, for making the necessary plays to secure the victory for the Vikings, who improved to 5-1 on the season.
“We made a couple of big plays,” Goerge said. “Quinones played really well. The defense was outstanding and really set the tone for us. [It] made some big plays. We had two interceptions tonight — one from Quinones and one from defensive end Darrin Seavers, who picked off the screen pass. Quinones had the big pick when it was 14-14 and they were driving. Then, of course, on the next play, he hit [senior wide receiver] Justin [Shorter] for the 45-yard touchdown.
“Shorter had another great game for us as well. He had that 60-yard catch as well that was called down at the [1-yard line], and we believe it was a touchdown. Shorter also threw that touchdown pass to Hussain Abidi in the wildcat formation as well. You can’t win big games like this unless your players step up, and ours did.”
Goerge raved about the leadership that Quinones and Shorter have provided the team. Quinones threw for 121 yards and a touchdown in the game. Shorter was the recipient of all of Quinones’ passes, and he also had a 17-yard touchdown throw of his own.
“I think when you talk about Quinones at 5 feet 6 inches tall and 150 pounds, he’s been so big for us,” Goerge said. “He ran for a lot of yards for us because Sayreville stopped the run otherwise. He’s blossomed into a guy that really controls our offense. He’s so elusive. They brought the heat all night, and for the most part, he was able to dodge it. And then he can slide over and play corner for us as well.”
Quinones ran for 32 yards on 13 carries in the game.
“Shorter makes plays all over the field as well,” Goerge said. “He made a critical 10-yard out catch on his back that gave us a first down when we really needed it. He’s amazing. It was such a great game. Those turnovers were so huge for us.”
The victory kept South Brunswick alive for a berth in the Central Jersey, Group 5 state playfofs.
The Vikings fell in the Central Jersey, Group 5 playoff semifinals to Manalapan last season.
Sayreville coach Chris Beagan was proud of his players, stating that the season’s tribulations have made the team stronger. The Bombers dropped to 4-3 with the loss.
“We’ve lost three very close games this year,” Beagan said. “The team has gotten tighter because of it. We’re a pretty young team, so they’re learning. We just need to focus on the details.”
Beagan loved the poise and leadership of several of the Bombers’ players.
“Our sophomore quarterback, Mark Whitford, stood in the pocket and delivered some very nice balls,” the coach said. “He hit our tight end, Cameron Davis, for a very nice touchdown. Our defense was led by senior captains Mike Germann and Colton Redding at our two inside linebackers, and seniors Tristan Behr and Damian Lupo at our defensive ends and offensive guards. Those two are captains as well.
“Senior cornerback Elijah Clark had the unfortunate task of covering Shorter all night. That kid is one of the best receivers in the country, but Clark stayed with him and made him work. Overall, I think our defense was really good.”
Sayreville junior tailback Connor Holmes had a 30-yard touchdown run in the game as well.
Sayrevile is the defending North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 state playoff champion, and Beagan would like to see his team round into form as the postseason gets closer.
“We’ve got to get on a roll here as we get to the playoff run,” he said. “We have Neptune High School and Old Bridge High School left. We’ve been in every game in the fourth quarter this year. We just need to finish better.”
Beagan expects his team to take care of business and to look the part in the process.
“I expect us to be very business-like going into our next two games,” Beagan said. “Like I said, we’re heading into the playoffs soon. The time is now.”
The Bombers travel to Neptune on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.
The Vikings visit Brick Memorial High School on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
