Somerville players hold their Central Jersey Group 3 trophy high after beating Delsea for the title, 24-6, on November 15, 2024. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Dominant all season long?
Check.
But can they defend the Wing-T?
Check, again.
This week presents another new challenge for the newest Central Jersey Group 3 champions, as Somerville (12-0) entertains Mainland (9-3) in the Group 3 semifinals, with a trip to the state title game on the line.
The Mustangs are the South Group 3 champs, and sectional champs for a third straight year, beating Millville in the South 4 title game last year, and Middletown South for the Central 4 crown in 2022.
They run the Wing-T, but it’s different than Delsea, which was one-dimensional last week against the Pioneers. They ran for all 89 yards on their first possession, a scoring drive to tie the game at six, but didn’t gain that many yards the rest of the game, throwing just one pass.
That won’t be the case with Mainland, which likes to throw the ball in the same offensive scheme. Junior quarterback Jake Franchini, though, has thrown ten interceptions this season against 19 touchdowns, while throwing for nearly 2,000 yards.
Last week, Somerville’s 14 picks weren’t of much use against the Crusaders. They could come in handy against Mainland.
You can hear Friday night;s game from Brooks Field live – and for free – on Central Jersey Sports Radio. Pregame for our Bellamy & Son Paving “Big Central Game of the Week” will start at 6:45, with kickoff at 7. Mike Pavlichko and Nick Kosko will call all the action. Click here to listen.
Somerville, of course, has a lot of speed. But it’s not just how fast they can run, it’s how fast they can run the offense, barely allowing opposing defenses time to breathe. That’ll be the biggest challenge for Mainland.
Click below to hear Somerville head coach Matt Bloom talk about the Pioneers’ Group 3 semifinal Friday night against Mainland:
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