Bernards head coach Jon Simoneau talks to the media after a 24-14 loss to Haddonfield in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals on Friday, November 12, 2021. (Mike Pavlichko)
No turnover is good. Some come at less disastrous times than others.
The four Bernards committed Friday night all came at the worst possible times.
And they wound up costing the Mountaineers dearly, as the second-seeded home team lost 24-14 Friday night to third-seed Haddonfield at Olcott Field, as heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Big Central Game of the Week, driven by Autoland.
The first came on a well-executed opening drive of the game, as Bernards was marching downfield at will. Junioor Nick Kouflie fumbled as he ran down the left sideline, and the ball bounced right into the hands of Haddonfield’s Charlie Klaus, who returned it into Mountaineer territory/ They would quickly score to go up 7-0.
Bernards tied it up, Haddonfield went ahead again, but Bernards tied it again, and into the locker room they went tied at 14 apiece.
In the second half, Bernards defense was “bend but don’t break,” allowing a field goal that put the Bulldawgs up 17-14. But then on back-to-back possessions, the ‘Neers’ two quarterbacks each threw picks. And one more came on the final possession after Haddonfield couldn’t get one last first down to run out the clock.
Bernards finishes 8-3 on the season.
They also played the game without feature back Michael Leanza, who missed the last three full games of the season after suffering a fractured tibia against South River. Friday’s game was Bernards’ first loss with Leanza out of the lineup.
Click below for postgame reaction from Bernards head coach Jon Simoneau: