Senior Tyrone Hinton earned his first win as Linden’s starting quarterback, as the Tigers defeated visiting Sayreville Saturday afternoon in the Big Central Game of the Week presented by Bellamy & Son Paving on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Hinton unofficially carried 14 times for 68-yards – capped off with a ten-yard touchdown with two seconds to go – to ice a 17-0 victory at Tiger Stadium. Hinton also had a solid game on defense at his linebacker spot.

The 5-11, 210 pound senior stays in the pocket more than his predecessor, Tequan Thomas, but he can run the ball, too, and is a more bruising rusher, as well. That proved instrumental in the Tigers’ success Saturday afternoon.

Linden took an early lead at 9:07 of the first quarter on its first possession, a nine-yard run by sophomore Joe Boyd, whose 54-yard run in the middle of the five-play drive was key.

The Tigers added a field goal from 35 yards out by senior Chris Garcia with :05 on the clock before halftime.

In the second half, Linden played bend-but-don’t break defense. Sayreville received the ball to start the third quarter, and methodically marched downfield, keeping the ball entirely on the ground. They went from their own 40 to the Tiger 11 on 13 plays, but fumbled it inside the ten, ending a drive that took 7:36 off the clock.

Linden failed to score, but came up big on their next drive in the fourth quarter with an interception to end another Bomber possession.

Linden improves to 1-1 with neighboring Colonia (2-0) coming in next Saturday, while Sayreville drops to 0-2 ahead of a home game next Friday night with Edison (1-1).

Click below for postgame reaction with Linden head Coach Al Chiola and QB/LB Tyrone Hinton, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen: