Post by admin on Nov 13, 2008 13:11:14 GMT -5
Colonials head to CJ undefeated
Freehold Boro gets by Howell
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
When the outcome of the game is on the line, Freehold Borough looks to its offensive line
RICH GRAESSLE Willie Thomas and his Freehold Borough teammates will take an undefeated 8-0 record into Saturday's home Central Jersey Group III playoff game against Nottingham. Kick off is 1 p.m.
"We just take care of business," said lineman Dan Barrow. "We're tough competitors."
Taking care of business is grinding out time-consuming drives. It has been a forte for the Colonials' championship teams of the past two years, and it was on display again Friday night when the Colonials hung on to defeat Howell 34-27 and remain undefeated (8-0).
After Howell pulled to within a touchdown of the Colonials with 9:02 remaining in the game on Will Hayes' 14-yard run and had all the momentum, the Colonials promptly burned more than five minutes off the clock, running the ball behind center Mac Matthews, Barrow, Alan Barnstead, Brandon Weiss, Mike Kasten and Darrin Love.
When they were stopped on downs in Howell territory, Gerry Plescia's punt was downed on the 10-yard line. Howell was going to have to march 90 yards in 3:58 to tie the game.
After a quick Rebel first down, Plescia's interception gave the Colonials the ball on the Howell 38 with 2:45 left in the game. If the Rebels could force a three-and-out, they'd have one more opportunity to tie it. But the Rebels would not get the ball back. Running behind his trusty line, Frank Noscia picked up two first downs, and the game ended with quarterback Nick Tyson taking a knee.
The Colonials were able to rush for more than 300 yards without any one, single rusher gaining 100 yards. Whoever's number was called, he rode the backs of the offensive line for yardage.
"We've got good chemistry," said Matthews. "We come together when we need to. It's all about conditioning."
The Colonials take pride in the work ethic that leaves them stronger in the fourth quarter.
Tyson, for one, appreciates what the offensive line means to Freehold Borough.
"They're tough," he said. "They get off the ball so well. They know what they have to do, and they do it."
Friday's nondivision tilt was an important one for the Colonials as they get ready for Saturday's Central Jersey Group III playoff game at home. Beating a Group IV team that won the state sectional title last fall was a good momentum builder.
"They're [Howell] big and physical," said Tyson. "It was a great win for us."
Friday's game was an entertaining one as both team displayed their wares.
The visiting Colonials struck first with the big play, a 52-yard touchdown pass from Tyson to Plescia.
Howell (2-6) bounced back by scoring twice off runs by Hayes (who scored all four of Howell's TDs) before the first quarter was over to take a 14-7 lead.
Brandon Brown took over in the second quarter. He scored on a four-yard run and then, after intercepting a pass that gave the Colonials the ball deep in Rebel territory, scored on a four-yard pass from Tyson. Freehold led 21-14 at the halftime.
It didn't take Howell long to tie it up in the third quarter as Hayes scored on a 32- yard run. The Colonials were now in a dogfight on the road.
"We try and never lose focus during a game," noted Tyson. "We never doubt ourselves. We know we can rally."
Which the Colonials did. Noscia capped a 63-yard drive that included a first-down pickup on fourth down by Willie Thomas, scoring on a four-yard run.
On the first play after the kickoff, Howell fumbled and Martin Corso recovered, setting the Colonials up on the Rebel 34.
Brown picked up 30 yards on an end around, and a facemask penalty against Howell put the ball on the two. Tezzy Thorpe scored on the next play, and in 29 seconds the game went from 21-21 to 34- 21 for Freehold Borough.
The Rebels would answer with a 58-yard scoring drive that culminated in Hayes' fourth touchdown of the night.
There was 9:02 left in the game, plenty of time to get the equalizer. But that's when the Colonial offensive line took over, and the Rebels would run just five plays for the rest of the game.
The Colonials are scheduled to play Nottingham (5-3), the eighth seed in the first round of the state playoffs, in Freehold on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
Last year it was "one and done" for the Colonials in the postseason. The Colonials don't expect a repeat of that this time.Winning the division title isn't enough for this group.
"We're a lot more hungry," said Barrow.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/1112/sports/062.html
Freehold Boro gets by Howell
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
When the outcome of the game is on the line, Freehold Borough looks to its offensive line
RICH GRAESSLE Willie Thomas and his Freehold Borough teammates will take an undefeated 8-0 record into Saturday's home Central Jersey Group III playoff game against Nottingham. Kick off is 1 p.m.
"We just take care of business," said lineman Dan Barrow. "We're tough competitors."
Taking care of business is grinding out time-consuming drives. It has been a forte for the Colonials' championship teams of the past two years, and it was on display again Friday night when the Colonials hung on to defeat Howell 34-27 and remain undefeated (8-0).
After Howell pulled to within a touchdown of the Colonials with 9:02 remaining in the game on Will Hayes' 14-yard run and had all the momentum, the Colonials promptly burned more than five minutes off the clock, running the ball behind center Mac Matthews, Barrow, Alan Barnstead, Brandon Weiss, Mike Kasten and Darrin Love.
When they were stopped on downs in Howell territory, Gerry Plescia's punt was downed on the 10-yard line. Howell was going to have to march 90 yards in 3:58 to tie the game.
After a quick Rebel first down, Plescia's interception gave the Colonials the ball on the Howell 38 with 2:45 left in the game. If the Rebels could force a three-and-out, they'd have one more opportunity to tie it. But the Rebels would not get the ball back. Running behind his trusty line, Frank Noscia picked up two first downs, and the game ended with quarterback Nick Tyson taking a knee.
The Colonials were able to rush for more than 300 yards without any one, single rusher gaining 100 yards. Whoever's number was called, he rode the backs of the offensive line for yardage.
"We've got good chemistry," said Matthews. "We come together when we need to. It's all about conditioning."
The Colonials take pride in the work ethic that leaves them stronger in the fourth quarter.
Tyson, for one, appreciates what the offensive line means to Freehold Borough.
"They're tough," he said. "They get off the ball so well. They know what they have to do, and they do it."
Friday's nondivision tilt was an important one for the Colonials as they get ready for Saturday's Central Jersey Group III playoff game at home. Beating a Group IV team that won the state sectional title last fall was a good momentum builder.
"They're [Howell] big and physical," said Tyson. "It was a great win for us."
Friday's game was an entertaining one as both team displayed their wares.
The visiting Colonials struck first with the big play, a 52-yard touchdown pass from Tyson to Plescia.
Howell (2-6) bounced back by scoring twice off runs by Hayes (who scored all four of Howell's TDs) before the first quarter was over to take a 14-7 lead.
Brandon Brown took over in the second quarter. He scored on a four-yard run and then, after intercepting a pass that gave the Colonials the ball deep in Rebel territory, scored on a four-yard pass from Tyson. Freehold led 21-14 at the halftime.
It didn't take Howell long to tie it up in the third quarter as Hayes scored on a 32- yard run. The Colonials were now in a dogfight on the road.
"We try and never lose focus during a game," noted Tyson. "We never doubt ourselves. We know we can rally."
Which the Colonials did. Noscia capped a 63-yard drive that included a first-down pickup on fourth down by Willie Thomas, scoring on a four-yard run.
On the first play after the kickoff, Howell fumbled and Martin Corso recovered, setting the Colonials up on the Rebel 34.
Brown picked up 30 yards on an end around, and a facemask penalty against Howell put the ball on the two. Tezzy Thorpe scored on the next play, and in 29 seconds the game went from 21-21 to 34- 21 for Freehold Borough.
The Rebels would answer with a 58-yard scoring drive that culminated in Hayes' fourth touchdown of the night.
There was 9:02 left in the game, plenty of time to get the equalizer. But that's when the Colonial offensive line took over, and the Rebels would run just five plays for the rest of the game.
The Colonials are scheduled to play Nottingham (5-3), the eighth seed in the first round of the state playoffs, in Freehold on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
Last year it was "one and done" for the Colonials in the postseason. The Colonials don't expect a repeat of that this time.Winning the division title isn't enough for this group.
"We're a lot more hungry," said Barrow.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/1112/sports/062.html