Previously Winless Wall Shocks No. 2 Brick in Double Overtime

In an upset that sent shockwaves across the state, previously winless Wall made its first victory under new coach Dan Curcione one that many Crimson Knights fans will never forget when it ended an 11-game losing streak by shocking previously unbeaten Brick, 28-27, in a double-overtime thriller at Keller Memorial Field on Friday night.

After Brick scored on a short run by senior running back Ray Fattaruso to start double overtime, the extra point was no good after it hit the crossbar. Things looked bleak for Wall after a holding penalty backed the Crimson Knights up to the 37-yard line on their double-overtime possession, but junior quarterback Matt Cluley found wideout Liam Ferguson for a 37-yard score that tied the game. Junior kicker Nick Maciejewski then nailed the extra point to knock off the defending Central Jersey Group IV champion Green Dragons (4-1), ranked No. 2 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10.

"It's an unbelievable feeling,'' Curcione said. "The only word I have to say is 'proud.' I'm so proud of everybody involved the last four weeks. We played some really good teams, but we continued to get better every week. If you came to our practices, you wouldn't be able to tell if we lost the week before."

The Crimson Knights (1-4), who lost their final seven games last season and their first four this year, had two weeks to prepare because of the bye week and were able to hold a Brick offense that entered averaging 40 points per game to just 14 in regulation. Linebackers Rich Eknoian and Tim McGevna spearheaded the defensive effort.

"We knew what was ahead of us, but we had a good feeling going in because we had two great weeks of practice,'' Curcione said.

The Crimson Knights built a 14-0 halftime lead on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Cluley to sophomore R.J. Janeczek and a 2-yard keeper by Cluley after he hit three straight pasess to get them to the goal line.

Brick halved the lead on a touchdown run by senior quarterback Carmen Sclafani and then the Green Dragons tied it with only 1:49 left in regulation when Sclafani hit senior wideout Ja'Quez Johnson from 23 yards out and K.C. Stackable added the extra point.

Wall shook it off and scored to start overtime on a touchdown pass from Cluley to Ferguson. Brick then tied it on a touchdown run by Sclafani to set the stage for double overtime. Cluley finished with three touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown to end Brick's seven-game winning streak.

"He just played a really gutsy game,'' Curcione said.