Most people would not have been surprised whoever won Saturday afternoon’s game between Phillipsburg and St. Joseph-Metuchen.

But few probably figured the No. 1 Stateliners and No. 6 Falcons would have been scoreless at the half, and probably fewer would have predicted a shutout in either direction.

But stout play up front on both sides of the ball was the decisive edge, and the Falcons came out with a 21-0 win at Brenner Family Field on the “Big Central Game of the Week” presented by Bellamy & Son Paving, one that will send ripples throughout all the media rankings, including Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Tied 0-0 at the break, St. Joseph scored three times in a 12 minute span in the second half. The first was a one-yard run by Michael Willett III, with a goal line play set up after a long run at the 3:07 mark of the third quarter.

Then, just three-plus minutes into the fourth, another big play set up a six-yard touchdown pass from Justin Scaramuzzo to Reggie Bropleh for his fourth TD catch of the year, making it 14-0.Then, a 24-yard run by Willett, his second TD of the game, provided the final margin.

All the while, the St. Joe’s defense continually stuffed running plays.

Oh, and Joe Ketuskey.

The sophomore cornerback had two interceptions off a fellow sophomore, ‘Liners QB Dominic Bracco, who hadn’t thrown a pick all year coming into the matchup.

The win was one of the biggest for St. Joseph in its young history; this is just the school’s 15th year of varsity football, while Phillipsburg is in its 120th. Also for consideration would be a win against a highly-rated Pope John club in October of 2023.

But it was also win No. 150 in head coach Tracy’s career. He was 56-57 in 12 seasons at Livingston, then 71-44 in eleven at Ridge, and now is 23-13 in Metuchen with the Falcons.

St. Joseph is now 6–0 ahead of a road game next week at St. Thomas Aquinas, while Phillipsburg drops to 5-1 and is back in action next Friday at home against Union.

Click below for postgame reaction from senior Reggie Bropleh and sophomore Joe Ketuskey, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen, followed by head coach Bill Tracy: