Bernards kicker Jonas Gonzalez. (Source: Hudl)
As the Bernards offense struggled to get anything of significance going against Lakeland in the North 2, Group 2 championship game, Jonas Gonzalez – who’d missed a field goal earlier in the game – split the uprights for a second half field goal to get the Mountaineers within four.
It wasn’t a pressure-packed, end-of-game, kick it or go home scenario in that very moment, but the cool, calm and collected senior’s sure foot on that attempt was no less crucial. It got Bernards within four points.
Without that, the go-ahead score on a pass from Connor Laverty to Jake Caldwell wouldn’t have been enough to hold off the Lancers, who sent the game to overtime with a field goal as time expired. Without it, Bernards likely would have lost when the clock hit :00.
Along with being the Mountaineers’ long-range specialist, going 6-of-8 on three-pointers during the season, with a long of 39, and going 9-of-11 on PATs, Gonzalez has been named the Central Jersey Sports Radio Special Teams Player of the Year for 2023.
Gonzalez also excelled on kickoffs, with 76 this year, and a 54.5 yard average, with a long of 65. He also had 50 touchbacks, one of the best in the state in both categories.
Scroll down for Honorable Mentions:
Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko talk with Bernards senior Jonas Gonzalez:
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
- Aaron Losada, Sayreville, PK: Went 42-of-44 on extra points, 3-of-4 on FGs, including a long of 43.
- Jack Joyce, St. Thomas Aquinas, K/P: 48-of-49 on extra points, 7-of-11 on FGs, 26 touchbacks punting, 36 yard average.
- Seamus Browne, Summit, K/P: Made 8 FGs, among top 5 in NJ. Was 42-of-44 on PATs, and has 29 touchbacks
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