South Brunswick falls at Marlboro, 26-16, in South 5 playoff opener

South Brunswick got the first score, but Marlboro got the next two to build up a lead they would never relinquish, as the 6th-seeded Vikings were eliminated in the opening round of the playoffs Saturday, 26-16.

Braden Paulmenn’s 26-yard touchdown run – plus a two-pint conversion run by Jeylon Billups – gave South an 8-0 lead, but the Mustangs got the next three scores, all from Matt Cassidy, on a 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, a 15-yard touchdown run in the second, and a one-yard scamper in the third that made it 19-8 Marlboro.

The Vikings would get one back on a 21-yard TD run by Paulmenn plus a two-point pass to make it 19-16, but Mike Consolazio put it away with a five-yard touchdown pass from Brayden Klein.

South Brunswick finishes the season 5-5, while Marlboro (7-2) will travel to visit second-seed Hillsborough Friday night at 7. The Raiders won their opening round game Friday night 14-0 over Marlboro’s Shore Conference division mate Howell.

Marcus Borden’s reporting contributed to this report.