This week’s Central Jersey “Game of the Week” featured a Sayreville War Memorial High School football team on the road against South Brunswick High School.
South Brunswick would go on to defeat Sayreville, 10-7, on Oct. 25. South Brunswick’s sophomore kicker Jai Patel would kick a 30-yard field goal with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter, which would be the game winning score.
The game was key for both teams as each program looks to secure a spot as one of 16 teams in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 5 playoff field.
South Brunswick scored first in the game with 6:23 left in the first quarter. Vikings senior quarterback Gage Katzenell-hall threw a 25-yard passing touchdown to junior running back Majid Howard-baker.
Sayreville would answer South Brunswick’s score in the third quarter with a 16-yard passing touchdown from senior quarterback Mark Whitford to senior Jayvis Rayside.
Patel’s kick a 30-yard field goal with 10:10 left in the fourth quarter gave South Brunswick the 10-7 lead.
However, the battle had not finished Sayreville marched up the field in the fourth quarter knocking on South Brunswick’s door. 1:23 left in the game and it is fourth and goal, Sayreville is unable to connect for touchdown in the endzone off a pass from Whitford.
South Brunswick’s defense made a crucial stop that prevented a game-winning score.
South Brunswick quarterback Katzenell-hall was 7-12 and threw for 83 yards and a touchdown. He added 30 yards on the ground off of 11 carries.
He was joined by senior Ezequiel Johnson who produced 83 yards on 11 carries.
Sayreville quarterback Whitford threw for 27 yards. He also contributed 68 yards on the ground off of 12 carries.
Rayside added 56 yards on nine carries. He also finished with two receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Sayreville senior running back Ibrahim Sannoh contributed 19 yards on eight carries.
South Brunswick improves its record to 5-3 with the victory and the team’s chance of securing a spot in the South Jersey, Group 5 playoff field. South Brunswick faces off against Edison High School in Edison on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.
Sayreville is now 2-5 in 2019 as the postseason cutoff is right around the corner. The team’s next game is on Nov. 1 against Union High School in Union. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
