My final regular season Friday night game versus Manville at Bound Brook was for the Big Central Football Conference Freedom Silver Division Title.

The Crusaders home game was Senior Night for the Football team and Cheerleaders. Bound Brook would win the toss and defer the choice to the second half.

The Mustangs would start their initial drive at the 40-yard line after the Bound Brook senior placekicker Zion Quesada would sqiub kick the ball to prevent a huge return from Manville’s dangerous returners.

The visitors, who run the Wing-T offense which uses multiple ball carriers, motions and misdirection while eating up the clock, forces the defense to be disciplined.

So it was no surprise that Manville’s first six plays would be running plays while moving into Crusader territory and facing a 4th and three from the Bound Brook 39-yard line. Senior Josh D’Ambrosio would line up at quarterback in the shotgun formation and run up the middle behind his center who picked up the blitzing linebacker while Josh gets the first down for a tough three-yard gain.

On the very next play, senior quarterback Samuel Echeverri, who aligns at halfback too, fakes the sweep to the halfback and rolls left hitting tight end Trevor Metz who is wide open for a 36-yard touchdown pass at 7:28 in the first quarter and a 7-0 lead.

Ironically Manville would send out sophomore placekicker Jaret Quesada, yes the cousin of Zion, to also squib kick while keeping rival Bound Brook’s returners at bay.

The Crusaders would also get the ball in decent field position running the ball with senior quarterback John Archer and senior running back Jake Markey also carrying the ball. Facing a 4th and one from midfield Archer would try to keep it himself but was stopped short when Manville’s middle linebacker Evan Canica blitzed into the backfield.

Manville would waste little time running senior Isaiah Bennett and D’Ambrosio for moderate gains, while the later would also attempt a pass to Metz which was overthrown, however, there was a roughing the passer penalty on the play moving the ball to the Crusader 41-yard line.

After a shotgun run for a 9-yard gain, D’Ambrosio would take the handoff from Echeverri going the distance while outrunning the defense for a 30-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Manville advantage with 3:42 in the first quarter.

Bound Brook would try to answer with Archer finding Zhamir Moore on a deep ball down the home sideline to Mustangs 45-yard line. On the very next play there was a holding call on the offense moving the ball back ten yards. There would then be an intentional grounding and an incomplete pass forcing a Crusader punt with 1:41 remaining in the first quarter.

The Mustangs would go back to running the ball with Bennett and D’Ambrosio getting the ball to the Bound Brook 28-yard line as the first quarter would come to a close with the Mustangs threatening and a 14-0 lead.

When play resumed D’Ambrosio was in the shotgun and giving the ball to Bennett who would go right towards the Manville bench while handing off to Echeverri on a counter play left while cuts up field inside the kick out block from his lead blocker for a 28-yard touchdown at 11:50 in the 2nd quarter and a 21-0 Mustang lead.

On the ensuing kickoff Manville decided to kick away to Zhamir Moore who lined up to the right instead of his normal spot on the left. It looked like that move was going to backfire as Moore took the ball at his 5-yard while getting knocked out of bounds at the Mustang 45-yard line. There was a holding penalty called on the return moving the ball back to the Crusader thirty yard line.

Bound Brook would go three and out after the penalty as the Manville defense was physically dominating the game and forced a punt at the 9:48 mark in the 2nd quarter up 21-0.

The Mustangs would only need 58 seconds for Echeverri to throw his second touchdown pass, this time to a leaping D’Ambrosio across the middle of the field for a 53-yard score and a 28-0 lead with 8:46 remaining in the 2nd quarter.

Bound Brook would get the ball to around midfield but would fumble the ball as a relentless Mustang defense knocked the ball out which was recovered by senior John Lunsford with 6:20 before halftime.

Manville needed only one play, as D’Ambrosio in the shotgun would roll slightly to his right, stop and throw back left to Bennett on a screen pass with left guard Tyler Johnson throwing the key block as the senior captain hid behind his blocker and then cutback right sprinting untouched for a 55-yard touchdown and 35-0 lead at the 6:05 mark before intermission.

The Crusaders would work their way down the field with trying to go deep with Moore but the Mustangs defense was not about to give up the deep pass so Archer would take the shorter routes as they advanced the ball to midfield.

However with the Bound Brook quarterback under pressure rolling to his right, he lofted a pass to his receiver who was momentarily open near the Manville sideline however a leaping D’Ambrosio from his safety position intercepted the pass with 3:54 still on the game clock before halftime.

The Mustangs would methodically run the ball with everyone getting touches and milking the clock as they moved into the red zone. With the ball on the Crusader 18-yard line, Echeverri would score again on the scissors play (counter) this time for 18-yards with 50.7 seconds before halftime and a 42-0 lead they would take into the locker room.

The Crusaders were set to receive the second half kickoff and fumbled the ball on the return at their 30-yard line. With a running clock in effect for the second half, the opportunities for the home team would be limited.

Manville would add one more score when senior Collin Shimp would take it in on a 6-yard run at 6:55 in the 3rd quarter making it 49-0.

Bound Brook would finally get on the board at 6:35 in the 4th quarter with a Jake Markey 1-yard run which made the final score 49-7 as Manville ran down the clock with their 2nd team finishing the game.

The celebration was on as the Mustangs captured the BCC Freedom Silver Division trophy, finished undefeated at 9-0 for the first time since 1968 and secured a home Central Jersey Group 1 first round playoff game against Asbury Park.

Here are my Week 8 Top Tens for the entire Big Central Conference, plus the BCC West, Middlesex County and Union County. There will be no more Top Tens until the conclusion of the season:

My Friday night game versus No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas and No. 1 St. Joseph of Metuchen was dubbed “The Battle of Plainfield Avenue” as the distance between the only two parochial schools in the Big Central Conference is a mere 1.8 miles.

Both schools did not play each other the first year of the Falcon football program, which was 2011 under Bob Molarz, the school’s first gridiron coach. They would play however in 2012 and from 2014-16 under Casey Ransone, Molarz’s successor. For whatever reason they did not play again until last season’s tilt at St. Joseph, which was won by Aquinas 34-20.

This year’s game was Senior Night for the Trojans Football team, the Marching Band and Cheerleaders. The home team would win the toss and defer the choice to the second half.

Joe’s would get the ball in decent field position at their 35-yard line and move the ball, mixing the run and pass with fullback Mike Wellet, halfback Reggie Bropleh, quarterback Justin Scaramuzzo and tight end Edgar Cruz deep into Trojan territory before they were stopped on fourth down at the 25-yard line with 7:15 remaining in the first quarter.

Aquinas would take over and run Ian Roberts on two consecutive power plays to the left for little or no gain. Quarterback Zymere Weaver would then find Anwar Witherspoon over the middle for a first down around the 40-yard line.

The Trojans would try Roberts again on a quick toss to the right but he was swallowed up immediately by the Falcons fast-flowing defense. On 2nd down Roberts took the handoff left for no gain. Weaver would then be sacked by Sebastian Assuncao on a safety blitz. Aquinas would punt at 2:35 in the first quarter with neither team scoring on their initial drive.

St. Joseph would waste little time on their second possession as Scaramuzzo would reverse pivot faking the belly looking downfield as his tightend ran down the middle of the field, the wingback running a deep out while the halfback Kenny Noonan runs a shallow out towards the home sideline while getting a tremendous block from Reggie Bropleh who knock three Aquinas players to the ground while Noonan stayed in bounds sprinting for a 55-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 2:23 in the first quarter.

St. Thomas’ Anthony Perez looked to have a decent return which was nullified by a holding penalty. Aquinas would try to get the running game going by getting their workhorse Ian Roberts the ball. However the Falcons defensive interior front line of Jason Gross, Tom Kwiatkowski, and Brody Picariello were reeking havoc early and often on three successive run plays as the first quarter came to a close.

When play resumed St. Thomas made the decision to go for it on fourth and two with Weaver faking the inside run to Roberts while looking to throw a slant pass which was batted down by St. Joseph linebacker Dylan Pierce.

The Falcons would look to run the ball with Scaramuzzo, Bropleh and Wellet getting most of the work while getting the ball to the Aquinas 22-yard line. After an incomplete play action pass to the left for dragging tightend Edgar Cruz, Joes would run counter for 2 yards setting up a 3rd and 8 from the St. Thomas 20-yard line. This time Scaramuzzo in the shotgun would find Bropleh on a slant play for a 20-yard score and a 14-0 advantage with 8:55 before halftime.

The Trojans would start at their 30-yard line with Weaver in the shotgun looking to throw. After a miscommunication and deep throw down the field, the sophomore quarterback would hit Perez on a deep out towards the Aquinas bench. On third and four Weaver would roll right and takes off to the Trojan’s 40-yard line and the first down.

Aquinas would get to about midfield with Weaver hitting Jaylen Frias on a slant route setting the offense up on about the 25-yard line of St. Joseph. On the very next play, the sophomore signal caller hits Perez on another slant who cuts back outside after the grab setting up St. Thomas with 1st and goal from the four yard line.

Weaver would try to run it in from the four but would lose a few yards and call timeout at 3:04 in the second quarter down 14-0. When play resumes Weaver sends Perez in motion to his left and then finds Witherspoon for a 6-yard touchdown on hook pattern while closing the gap to 14-7 at the 2:59 mark of the second quarter.

The Falcons would get the ball around the 40-yard line after an injury timeout on the kick return. Scaramuzzo would go deep on a fly pattern over throwing Dwayne Hunt. He would then run a screen to Wellet down the Aquinas sideline and then keep it himself getting to midfield. The very next play he would scramble again but there was a holding penalty on the play.

After moving the ball back, the shifty Scaramuzzo would run again this time straight down the middle of the field sidestepping the defense to the Trojans 25-yard line. Joes would run a screen to Wellet for three yards followed by an other quarterback scramble for a few yards with a timeout with 1:04 on the clock before halftime. Another inside run would force Joes to call their last timeout with 4th down and 5.

The Falcons elected not to kick the field goal as Scaramuzzo in the shotgun looked downfield as his right tightend Tom Meyers slow blocked the defensive end and then released wide open in the flat while getting the ball to the one setting up Scaramuzzo’s 1-yard plunge in the end zone and a 21-7 lead with 29 seconds on the game clock.

Aquinas would make it interesting with three straight completions, the last to Witherspoon who made it to the Falcons 25-yard line as he was knocked out of bounds by Falcon Franco Reinoso as time expired.

The Trojans took the second half kickoff but had a holding penalty on the play forcing them to start on their ten yard line. Weaver would throw a quick stop route but there was a roughing the passer penalty on the play moving the ball to the 25-yard line.

Weaver would hit Witherspoon on a quick out to about the 37-yard line. The Trojans would have a false start penalty making it 3rd and 8. A quick flair pass to Jaylen Frias who would sidestep multiple defenders getting the ball down to the 9-yard line setting up Aquinas with first and goal.

After a quick pass for four yards, Weaver would hit Witherspoon who would barrel his way through two would-be-tacklers into the end zone for an apparent 5-yard touchdown but a holding penalty nullified the score.

On second and goal Weaver would be sacked at the 20-yard line. He would scramble out of bounds toward the home sideline losing yardage. Aquinas would be stopped on 4th down after an in complete pass at 8:11 in the 3rd quarter down 21-7.

St. Joseph’s offensive line would start to wear down the Aquinas defense running the ball on ten consecutive plays while dominating the line of scrimmage and the game clock. After an injury timeout, Scaramuzzo would find Edgar Cruz for a 16-yard waggle pass and a 28-7 lead over St. Thomas Aquinas with 3:54 remaining the 3rd quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff Anthony Perez would take the ball towards the middle of the field and then cutback sharply to his right down the Aquinas sideline for an 88-yard score. A failed two-point conversion made at 3:42 made the score 28-13.

A fired-up Aquinas defense would force the Falcons to punt on their next play sequence with the snap hitting a Falcon player which was scooped up quickly and fortunately not blocked but setting up St. Thomas around midfield.

The Trojans would throw an incomplete pass and then have a short run for no gain. On 3rd and long Weaver would find Tyler Montgomery who would move the ball down inside the St. Joseph 30-yard line as the third quarter would run out with the score 28-13.

When play resumed to start the final stanza, Weaver would be sacked at the Joes 35-yard line. On the very next play Weaver looked to throw the ball to Montgomery but it went off his finger tips into the hands of Witherspoon who was running a crossing route behind him for what was surely the most unlikely of scores I have seen over my 13 years covering games.

The Aquinas two-point conversion play would fail making the score 28-19 with 11:25 remaining in the game. Following the score, Trojan placekicker Brandon Falke would attempt a pooch kick which was recovered by a leaping Elijah Contaldi giving St. Joseph excellent field position.

Scaramuzzo would run left on back to back runs then hand off to Wellet going right for a 1st down to the St. Thomas 25-yard line with an injury timeout with 10:00 to go in the game. On the very next play Scaramuzzo would find a wide-open Reggie Bopleh down the visitor sideline for a 25-yard touchdown pass and a 35-19 lead with 9:25 left on the game clock.

The Falcons would squib kick forcing Trojan returner Perez to dive on the ball to get possession. After getting a first down, St. Joes would strip the ball from the Aquinas runner while recovering it at the 8:22 mark in the game.

After two runs and facing third and eleven from the Aquinas 41-yard line, Scaramuzzo would launch a bomb down the middle of the field to Bropleh for his third score of the night and a comfortable 41-19 margin following a missed PAT with 6:49 left in the contest.

St. Thomas Aquinas would make a valiant effort to get back in the game but the Falcons defensive line made it extremely difficult as they put constant pressure on Weaver and his offensive line. The athletic sophomore would scramble but lose the handle on the ball while being chased down by the defense. Jack Cummings would recover the ball with 4:15 remaining in the game.

St. Joseph would run out the clock on St. Thomas Aquinas while ending their 35-game win streak against conference opponents which was the longest in the state while improving to 7-0 on the season.

Here are my Week 7 Top Tens for the entire Big Central Conference, plus the BCC West, Middlesex County and Union County:

My Friday night game in Montgomery had that “playoff feeling” as the Cougars hosted Woodbridge on Senior Night for the Marching Band, Dance Team, Cheerleaders and the Football Team.

The home team captains won the coin toss and elected to play defense by deferring the choice until the second half.

Woodbridge would open up the game with a play action pass by sophomore quarterback Dylan Stephen, who had only attempted 31 passes in the prior six games, hoping to catch the Cougar defense focused on one of the league’s premier rushers, Joshua Allen.

Senior free safety Trey McFadden was not fooled and snared the errant pass while returning it to the Woodbridge 22 yard line.

Montgomery wasted little time as senior quarterback Jack Kristjanson would toss a quick screen to wide receiver Obinna Obuba who sidestepped a would-be-tackler while sprinting to the end zone for the early score as only 27 seconds had elapsed off the game clock.

Woodbridge would get the ball on the 20-yard line as the Montgomery squib kick hugged the home sideline bouncing past the pylon into the end zone.

The Barrons would mix up the inside run and outside option with Allen getting the bulk of the carries. Fullback Kyle Campos and Stephen would keep the defense honest as they marched to the Cougars 45-yard line.

With the Barrons motioning Campos to the wide side of the field Stephen and Allen optioned to the visitors sideline with the rookie quarterback faking the pitch while avoiding one defender and sprinting to the Montgomery 3-yard line. Allen would tie the game with a run up the middle at 6:31 remaining in the first stanza.

The Cougars would get poor field position following a holding call on the kick return. After two incomplete passes and a batted down pass, Montgomery would punt from their ended zone setting up the Barrons at the home team’s 28-yard line.

Woodbridge would try to take advantage of the short field having Stephen throw deep to tight end Dylan Mastrola who was split out wide toward the visitors sideline. The pass was overthrown and there was a lineman down field moving the ball back to the Montgomery 33-yard line.

On the ensuing play, Stephen would run the option left and look to attempt a pitch which was batted in the air and recovered by senior defensive end Mike Bellamy who raced untouched for a 67-yard touchdown and a 13-7 Montgomery lead after a failed two-point conversion with 4:26 remaining in the first stanza.

The Barrons would start their third drive of the night at their own 20-yard line with two consecutive runs which set up a safe and effective swing pass to Allen towards the Montgomery sideline with the nifty senior running back’s cutback ability getting the ball to the Montgomery 40-yard line.

Allen would then take the handoff on a sweep play to the visitor’s bench led by backfield mate Kyle Campos moving the ball to the 31. After successive runs and an injury timeout, the 1st quarter would come to a close with the Barrons trailing 13-7 and having second-and-eight, with the ball on the Montgomery 16-yard line.

When play resumed, Campos would go in motion toward the wide side of the field taking the jet sweep handoff while barreling down the Montgomery sideline setting up 1st and goal at about the five yard line. An illegal procedure penalty on the Barrons would move the ball back five yards.

After a short gain by Campos, Stephen would hit Allen on a quick swing pass setting up a 2nd and goal from the five yard line. An inside run by Allen would only net two yards as the Cougars defense stiffened.

On 3rd and goal from the Montgomery 3-yard line and Stephen under center, he signaled Campos to motion left while tossing the ball to Allen who would score his second touchdown giving the Barrons a 14-13 lead at the 8:57 mark of the second quarter.

Montgomery would try to establish a running game with Caiden Miller, however the Barron’s defensive front led by seniors Jhonny Collado, Dylan Saab and A’arrow Andrewz made sure the gains were minimal.

The Cougar’s however were not afraid to let their quarterback Kristjanson take matters in his own hands as he hit Trey McFadden for a first down around their 31-yard line. A run to the left by Miller was thwarted by the Barron’s diving defensive tackle Collado for a loss back to the 30-yard line.

Kristajanson would look to pass on second and long but pulled down the ball and scrambled for the first down himself to the 42-yard line. He would then launch a bomb to a streaking McFadden down the middle of the field to the visitors 14-yard line.

A face mask penalty on a Miller run moved the ball half the distance to the goal setting up his inside run for three yards and a second and goal for Montgomery. On the very next play Kristjanson would audible to a quarterback power scoring on a four-yard run with 4:07 remaining before halftime. The Cougars would go for two but the pass was intercepted by defensive tackle A’arrow Andrewz, his third of the season, making the score 19-14 for the home team.

The ensuing kickoff would go out of bounds giving the Barrons the ball on their 45-yard line. They would gain two yards on run a play and call timeout with 3:08 remaining on the clock before halftime.

After the time out Stephen would throw an incomplete pass on an out route and then a quick screen to Sean Russo gaining only four yards which forced the Barrons to punt with 1:47 from their 49-yard line.

With Woodbridge looking to attempt a Rugby kick, Montgomery overloaded the left side of the defensive line with junior Zach Furey coming in freely to block the kick sending it out of bounds at the Barrons 35-yard line with 1:42 on the game clock.

Kristjanson would look to throw but he took off getting 8 yards down to the 27 of Woodbridge in the hurry up offense. Montgomery would quickly align in Trips Left Open Gun but hand off to Miller on the outside zone who raced down the Cougars sideline getting knocked out of bounds around the one.

Enter Mike Bellamy (OL/DL/LS/FB) into the backfield as the fullback scoring from 1-yard out with 37.8 seconds before halftime making the score 25-14 as the Cougars third consecutive 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Woodbridge would take the ensuing kickoff to about the 25-yard line and take a knee and head back to the locker room to make halftime adjustments only down eleven points.

Montgomery would receive the second half kick with junior Xaviar Harrigan setting the Cougars up on their 24-yard line after a 14-yard return. Miller would carry the ball three straight plays while Kristjanson would scramble for another. Facing third-and-five from their 39-yard line Kristjanson’s pass to senior Walcott Gesira who motioned across the formation, looked short of the first down by about 2 yards.

Montgomery would elect to go for it on fourth down coming up short of the line to gain and turning the ball over to Woodbridge at their 42-yard line up 25-14 with 9:03 in the third quarter.

The Barrons wasted little time getting right back in the game as Stephen would pump fake to his left and turn back right to find his tight end Dylan Mastrola streaking down the middle of the field for an easy 42-yard touchdown catch while closing the gap to 25-21 at the 8:54 mark of the third quarter.

Harrigan’s 13-yard return would allow Montgomery’s offense start on their 31-yard line. A quick hitch to McFadden would only net three yards as Allen from his right cornerback position was in tight coverage. The same play was called to the right or wide side of the field on 2nd down with McFadden the middle receiver in a trips formation. A quick reacting Dylan Mastrola from his linebacker position forced an incompletion.

On third and seven yards Kristjanson would look right to pass but dip his shoulder and turn up field running as defensive tackle Andrewz dragged him to the ground short of the first down at the Cougars 43-yard line. Montgomery would elect to go for it on fourth down lining up in a full house backfield. A high snap doomed the play as Kristjanson tried to pick up the ball while being swarmed by the Barrons defense.

Woodbridge would start their drive on the Cougars 38-yard line handing the ball to their workhorse Allen who would get about six yards on an Iso play on first down. Montgomery would be offsides on the next play to Campos on the fullback dive. Allen would then take the toss down the visitor sideline with a key block by Campos. On the next play the junior fullback would be rewarded with the inside handoff coming out of the mass of humanity for an 11-yard touchdown run at 5:48 in the third quarter and a 28-25 lead.

Montgomery would get decent field position as Harrigan returned the kickoff to the Cougars 38-yard line. With Bellamy at fullback, Miller would line up behind him in the I taking the handoff for a five-yard gain. They would line up in the same formation this time running the toss towards the visitors sideline for little or no gain.

Kristjanson would look to pass to a leaping McFadden across the middle on 3rd down but the normally sure-handed receiver couldn’t secure the catch forcing the Cougars to punt at 3:54 in the third quarter down 28-25.

Woodbridge would start their drive in the worst field position of the night thanks to a booming kick by McFadden to the Barrons 13-yard line. An inside run on 1st down netted about a yard. It was the 2nd down call however, a toss to Allen towards the Cougars sideline with great blocking by Mastrola and Campos which had the Barron faithful screaming as Allen was tackled short of the goal line by a streaking Miles Dawson from the opposite end of the field.

With first-and-goal from the eight, Allen would get to about the 2-yard line while Stephen finished the drive with a one-yard plunge at 1:23 remaining in the third quarter and an eleven point advantage for the visitors 35-24.

Both teams would trade punts with Montgomery getting the ball on their 21-yard line with a little more than eight minutes remaining in the game. Kristjanson would then toss a beautiful pass over the middle to a leaping Obuba who would score his second touchdown of the night a 79-yard sprint to the end zone drawing the Cougars to within 35-31 at 8:06 in the fourth quarter as the PAT attempt failed.

Woodbridge would methodically work its way down the field milking the game clock with Allen mostly carrying the ball as Stephen waited patiently to snap the ball as the official with the red wrist band started the delay of game countdown. Montgomery would call a time out with 5:17 remaining in the game as the Barrons moved into the red zone.

Stephen would keep the ball on third and 1 from the Cougars 21-yard line taking to the 17 as the clock continued to run. A short inside iso by Allen was followed up by his third score of the night a 14-yard sprint to pay dirt on a toss left as he split the blocks of his tight end Mastrola and fullback Campos giving Woodbridge a 10-point advantage at 41-31 with 3:47 remaining in the contest.

Montgomery would get one last opportunity to mount a comeback but were stopped by the Barrons on 4th down with 1:58 remaining in the game.

Woodbridge would move the ball forcing Montgomery to use up their remaining timeouts while letting the clock hit zero for a 41-31 hard-fought road victory while remaining perfect at 7-0.

Here are my Week 6 Top Tens for the entire Big Central Conference, plus the BCC West, Middlesex County and Union County:

My Friday night game in Lambertville at South Hunterdon was my first time covering a game in Samuel E. Jefferis Athletic Stadium, which was named after the legendary coach who guided the smallest public high school in New Jersey for 40 years.

His record of 188-182-8 was impressive when considering they played against teams which had twice or more the enrollment size like Hunterdon Central or North Hunterdon. The Eagles won the Central Jersey Group 1 Sectional title in 1975 and 1979.

Toby Jefferis, Sam’s son, has been around the program since he was a youngster, and played for his father who retired in 2006. Toby took over the reins of the team as he was part of the fabric of a tight-knit small school community which supports their academic and athletic programs as well as having that toughness no matter who they play.

With the Brearley Bears entering the pristine confines of the real grass stadium – which looked like a golf course – the pink-clad student section, cheerleaders and band members welcomed the visitors and their local youth organizations as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

South Hunterdon would receive the opening kickoff and proceed to methodically run the football with sweeps, counters and a bit of option with an occasional play action pass by Junior quarterback Tucker Hicks, who is a running threat too.

Hicks would get the ball to the Brearley 12 yard line using his legs, however a penalty, a short gain and incomplete pass left the home team with a fourth down and about 10-yards. South Hunterdon would go for it with Hicks sprinting right looking like he was going to keep it, but instead he tossed it to sophomore Mason Currie who was short of the line to gain.

Brearley would get a first down running the ball with senior running back Mathew Resende, who ran inside and outside. The Eagles were up to the challenge and forced the visitors to pass on third and long which was well-defended resulting in a punt with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter of a scoreless game.

The Eagles would get great field position around midfield and run the ball two consecutive plays losing a few yards as the first quarter would come to a close with zeros on the scoreboard.

On third and long Hicks would open left and bootleg right looking to run or pass. As he tried to escape the defender, Brearley was called for a horse collar tackle which allowed the Eagles to continue their drive.

Once again South Hunterdon would mix it up running the dive option, counters and quarterback keeps moving inside the 10-yard line. On 3rd down and about 4-yards, Hicks would execute a perfect fake dive to the fullback and toss the ball to a wide open tight end at the near pylon of the end zone but he couldn’t secure the ball. There was no hesitation to go for it on 4th down, nevertheless Brearley was ready for the option and pitch which was just short of the first down marker with 7:38 remaining before halftime.

Brearley would run the ball with Resende moving out of the shadows of the scoreboard end zone getting close to midfield. Quarterback senior Joe Squillaro would try a play action pass across the middle which fell incomplete as the receiver could not hang on to the ball. An inside counter run would not get the first down so Brearley would sprint Squillaro right, he would stop and throw a screen to Carter Stein who would get the ball in the red zone.

Brearley would mix it up with Resende and Squillaro carrying the ball while milking the clock. On fourth and one with 1:19 on the clock Squillaro would call his own number easily getting the necessary yardage as the Bears were starting to feel the momentum shift in their favor.

With the ball on the Eagles 17-yard line, Resende would have consecutive runs as he was hit out of bounds on the Brearley sideline. The penalty moved the ball to the five-yard line setting up Squillaro’s shotgun keeper to the right as he put the visitors up 7-0 with 31 seconds before halftime.

After receiving the squib kickoff, South Hunterdon would run one play and let the clock run down as both teams headed to the locker room for halftime.

Brearley would receive the second half kickoff as they chose to play defense at the coin toss. The Eagles looked to recover a squib kick which was quickly recovered at the Bears 40-yard line.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to capitalize on their great field position, as Resende took the snap in the Wildcat formation sprinting down the Bears sideline for a 60-yard touchdown at 11:43 in the 3rd quarter for and a Brearley 14-0 lead.

Brearley would kick the ball deep into the Eagles end zone and force them to start from the 20-yard line. A fired up Bears defense would force South Hunterdon to punt from their 23-yard line, nearly blocking the rugby kick which went out of bounds near the Eagles 30-yard line.

Resende would have his second Wildcat run called back as the senior crisscrossed the field towards the visitors sideline. Two more runs by the senior tailback would set up Squillaro for a three-yard keeper and a 21-0 David Brearley lead with 7:26 in the third quarter.

South Hunterdon was not about to pack it as running backs Dayton Ratkowski, Kellen Healy continued to run hard while trying to get back in the game. Nevertheless, a spirited Bears defense continued to apply pressure as Squillaro from his free safety position intercepted an Eagle’s pass with 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Brearley would run the ball as Resende and Squillaro would control the clock and the tempo of the game, driving into Eagle’s territory before missing a 27-yard field goal at 7:05 remaining in the game.

The young Eagle’ would have one more opportunity to score but were stopped on fourth down near the end of the game falling to 0-5, while the Bears improved to 3-3, having won their last three games and ending a 14-game losing streak.

Here are my Week 5 Top Tens for the entire Big Central Conference, plus the BCC West, Middlesex County and Union County:

My Friday night game saw St. Thomas Aquinas improve to 4-1, continuing their dominance in league play by winning their 34th consecutive Big Central Conference game versus a talented Elizabeth squad, 35-21.

Like two heavyweight boxers who traded punches in a highly-anticipated matchup , Elizabeth took the first shot on the opening kickoff with senior placekicker David Lazo recovering his own kick.

The Minutemen would then proceed to drive down the field mixing the run and pass for a little over five minutes in the the first quarter but the Trojans forced a fumble at their eight-yard line ending the Elizabeth scoring threat.

After a short three-yard jab by running back Ian Roberts, the senior speedster followed up with a 89-yard body blow as he raced down the Homecoming sideline putting Aquinas up 7-0 at 5:56 in the first quarter.

Once again, Elizabeth would mix the run and pass, hoping to limit the touches for the Aquinas’ high octane offense. However, they were forced to punt with just eight seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Aquinas needed just two plays before sophomore quarterback Zymere Weaver would land a haymaker on the Elizabeth defense, as he rolled right and cut back left down the visitor sideline for a 78-yard touchdown run and subsequent two-point conversion, extending the Trojan lead to 15-0 at the 10:58 mark of the second quarter.

On the ensuing Elizabeth drive junior quarterback A’rique Fleming would look to land a few punches of his own with quick passes and his own body shots as he punished would-be tacklers while methodically moving the chains into the red zone. Fellow classmate running back Jamiir Gregory would then finish the flurry with a 10-yard touchdown run at 6:04 in the second quarter closing the gap to 15-7.

Aquinas wasted little time regaining a two-score advantage with consecutive combos by Roberts, the second a 74-yard jaunt for his second touchdown and a 21-7 lead after the failed two-point conversion.

Neither team threatened before halftime as they headed to their locker room to make halftime adjustments.

Elizabeth looked poised to score, coming out after halftime, as the Minutemen marched down the field in four plays into the red zone. It was, however, a jarring hit by linebacker Dante Jennings that caused the Elizabeth ball carrier to cough up the ball into the arms of Anwar Witherspoon, who took it to the house for a score. But the play was called back due to defensive holding.

Aquinas’ Weaver and company wasted little time as the the nifty signal caller hit a wide open Tristan Bester on a 76-yard toss down the middle of the field for a 28-7 lead at 8:31 in the third quarter.

With neither team wanting to kick deep to the opposition’s returners, Aquinas was forced to re-kick after the first squib kick went out of bounds. The second attempt bounced directly into the hands of Eric Cespedes, who took it near the Aquinas sideline across the field to the visitor’s side and back across the grain to the Aquinas 11-yard line.

Three consecutive runs with the last a six-yard dive into the end zone by Fleming at 6:17 remaining in the third quarter brought the Minutemen closer making it Aquinas 28, Elizabeth 14.

Elizabeth would try to recover the ensuing onside kick with Lazo being called for illegal touching.

Aquinas would get the ball near midfield and adeptly mix the run and pass setting up Witherspoon for a 13-yard Wildcat touchdown run as he burst up the middle blasting his way through two Elizabeth tacklers for a commanding 35-14 lead with 2:58 remaining in the third period.

Once again, Elizabeth’s returner – this time Qua’Yon Williams – nearly returned the kickoff for a score, but a penalty moved the ball back to midfield. The quarter would end with Elizabeth still driving and Fleming scoring on a 14-yard run with 10:30 remaining in the game and the Trojans up 35-21.

St. Thomas would milk the clock advancing the ball down field and coming up a half yard short of a touchdown on fourth down.

Elizabeth – being down two scores – would valiantly try to score quickly, but the Trojans prevent defense and constant pressure proved too much for the visitors as the final horn sounded, giving St. Thomas their fourth win of the season.

Here are my Week 4 Top Tens for the entire Big Central Conference, plus the BCC West, Middlesex County and Union County:

My Friday night game saw Sayreville improve to 4-0 on the season for the first time since 2018 when they beat Williamstown to capture the NJSIAA Central/South Bowl Championship at MetLife Stadium, finishing that season at 11-1.

The Bombers raced out to a 21-0 lead over visiting Hillsborough as senior running back Shaun Jackson scored on runs of seven, 76 and three yards, while the defense held the Raiders in check for the first half in front of the Red, White and Blue clad hometown Bombers fans, celebrating a U.S.A. theme and their Class of 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees.

Hillsborough came out for the second half with a renewed sense of urgency and immediately got back in the game with a huge pass from senior quarterback Devon Khurana to fellow classmate Hameed Kamari which set up a Andrew Schwarz three-yard touchdown at 9:52 in the third quarter, making the score 21-7.

The Raiders defense would force Sayreville to punt with 3:20 left in the third quarter. They would mix the run and the pass moving the ball to midfield. Schwarz would then pick up a fourth-and-one on a run to his left towards the visitors sidelines.

After another Schwarz short gain and the clocking running down to the close out the third quarter, Khurana ran a play action pass, hitting a leaping Jayden Carter on a post pattern, who would then outrun the Bombers to pay dirt closing the gap to 21-14 to start the fourth quarter.

On their ensuing drive Sayreville would look to run the ball and limit the opportunities for Hillsborough. With the clock reading 6:47 remaining in the game, Sayreville would take a timeout facing a fourth down and one on the Raiders 46-yard line.

The visiting Raiders would be up for the challenge stopping the Bombers short of the line to gain.

Hillsborough would methodically run the ball with their workhorse Schwarz and mixing in short passes getting to the Bombers 29-yard line with an injury timeout called with three minutes and 56 ticks remaining in regulation.

Schwarz would carry to ball inside and outside down to the Bomber 20-yard line with Hillsborough facing a fourth down and five while there was an injury timeout with 2:40 left on the clock.

When play resumed, Khurana would hit Sanjay Mills who ran a stop route and was tackled by linebacker Chase Barnes and safety Shaun Jackson close to the line to gain.

My video footage from the game verified that the ball was short of the first down and it was the Bombers’ ball.

Hillsborough would use its remaining timeouts hoping to get another opportunity to possess the ball. Jackson would break a huge run cutting back towards the home team’s sideline while getting knocked out off bounds inside the Raiders ten-yard line.

After a few penalties on the offense, Jackson would cap the scoring with his fourth rushing touchdown of the night making the final score 28-14 and a 4-0 start in the Bombers second home game of the season.

Here are my Week 3 Top Tens for the entire Big Central Conference, plus the BCC West, Middlesex County and Union County: