SHOREtastic!

The powerful Shore Conference came into championship weekend with the possibility of 6 titles. Get the brooms out, because we won all 6!

7 teams played and we took home 6 trophies. Middletown South, our only team not to win, deserves winners respect because of the way they played, in defeat, to a very good Jackson team.

The Jackson/Middletown South game was the highlight game of the weekend, as the State of NJ crowned 24 winners in the Friday-Sunday finals. Going into the game as the #1 team in the Shore, the 21-18 nail biting  victory at Rutgers University, in absolutely terrible rain and wind conditions, certainly makes a case for them finishing as the top team in the 43 team Shore Conference.

The bizarre ending of this game is what everyone was talking about on the ride home. Mid South had come all the way back from a 21-3 deficit to make it 21-18 with 14 seconds left and the ball on the Jackson 11 yard line. That's where things began to get crazy.  Now keep in mind, I was on the sideline along with multiple other press members, and each was stunned by the chaos that was taking place.  Everyone was trying to get answers, as yellow flags were flying as refs were meeting with coaches on the field.

Assistant coaches screaming, press members yelling-what happen, everyone looking for answers.  The big screen at Rutgers showing replay after replay,  as what seemed like 30 minutes, was actually about 5. Craziness at its best.  What had been a tremendous 47:46 minutes of great football was turned into a final 14 seconds to remember forever.

Let me try and explain. -With 3:19 left, Mid South got the ball back on their own 13 yard line.  Playing without Cole Rodgers, who was injured midway into the 4th quarter, they quickly moved to the Jackson 21.  They lined up on a 4th and 6 to go for a first down. Head coach Steve Antonucci called timeout to discuss. He came back with his field goal kicker Matt Mosquera, who by the way earlier in the game had tied the Shore record for field goals in a season with his 14th.  The kick of 38 yards was blocked by big Brody Graham and the celebration began on the Jackson sideline.

But wait!  There was a flag thrown by the back judge who thought there were 12 guys on the field for Jackson, and he blew the play dead. They counted and he was wrong.  They had 11, but the "inadverted" whistle meant the down would have to be replayed.  So they lined up again and this time 2 flags were thrown before the ball was snapped.  What??

Jackson had 12 guys on the field.  Unbelievable!  This time they did indeed have 12 and a five yard penalty was marched off. Now the attempt would be from 33 yards out. Now I must mention again, Mosquera was 14/15 with his field goals this year and in his kicking career at Mid South was a perfect 82/82 in extra points.  Kick the field goal and we go to OT.

However with all the explaining that was going on on the sidelines, and the chaos on the field, Coach Antonucci and his staff had time to think and decided a fake FG would be in play.  Go for the win! Holder Nelson Peerless took the perfect snap and sprinted right, he was pressured, and his pass fell short of Dylan Rodgers as the Jackson sideline erupted again. This time it counted and Jackson had another championship.  What a game!

In post game interviews, Antonucci took full responsibility for the call. Class and dignity all the way for "Nuch".  "I decided to go for the win," he explained. "We had our tight end Pat Graham wide open in the end zone We just couldn't get him the ball."  Well played Steve.  You live and die with your decision.  The Eagles  will be a top 5 team next pre-season as they return many starters.

Jackson on the other hand, win the 4th State Title in school history.  Head coach Walt Krystopik and the Jags had a great year at 11-1.  They also return some excellent players(RBs  Mike Gawlick and Vinnie Lee) so expect them to be very competitive in 2015.

RBC (11-1) completed a season to remember with a convincing trouncing of Delbarton (45-20) to win Non-Public Group 3 on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium. Junior Eddie Hahn proved he will be one of the top returning players in the State next year with his performance in this years championship game.  Hahn threw for 234 yards and a TD, and ran for another 47 yards and a TD in the victory.

Hahn had plenty of help as Nick Lubuscher(4 receptions for 121 yards and a TD), Trevor Cowley(3 rec. For 90 yards), Tommy Spernal (96 rushing yards and 3 TDs) all added to the romp.  Head coach Jim Portela received the gator-aide bath with 1:30 to go in this one, as RBC won their first championship since 1976 and 2nd in history. Only an OT loss to Jackson  marred a perfect season for the Casey's.  With Hahn back, expect the Casey's to be right back up top next year.

I must congratulate Manalapan HS (11-1) for winning their first State Title with a 21-7 victory over previously unbeaten South Brunswick(11-1). Loved the comments of head coach Ed Gurrieri on how this championship is for all the players who got the Brave program to where it is today.  The Firkser's, the Grant's, John Sieczkowski, Mike Bimonte and others, who led the Braves to a 43-5 record since 2011, when they strung together 4 straight finals appearances before  winning this year.

This year it was Kyle Mullen, Imamu Mayfield, Dan Debner,  Ben Sieczkowski, Mike Caggiano, Joe Mendez, and Dan Anerella who have established themselves as champions!

Shore(11-1) beat South Hunterdon 42-12 for their 6th title in school history.  This win caps a fall season of 7 sectional championships won by the Blue Devils.  Unbelievable success by the program led by AD Harry Chebookjian.  Junior Doug Goldsmith led the Devils this year and returns next year to lead them again.

Rumson(8-3) won their 2nd in a row in CJ Group 2 with a 21-0  victory over Delaware Valley(7-4).  Princeton bound Charlie Volker led the Dogs with 161 yards and a 49 yd. TD. HC Brian Batchler is 2 for 2 in his first 2 years of coaching the Bulldogs. With QB Mike O'Connor only a Soph, the Dogs are in good shape for 2 years.

Matawan(8-4) a program rich in tradition in the Shore won their 7th title with a rain soaked 26-7 trouncing of Carteret HS on Friday night at Kean University.  Sensational freshman QB George Pearson threw 4 TD passes in terrible weather to lead the Huskies.  How he did it, I have no clue.  How he could grip the ball in the pouring rain is beyond me, but he did, and the Matawan offense was in high gear.

Pearson was 8/10 for 158 yards in the 1st half as they led 13-7 at the half.  Two 4th quarter shovel passes to Shawn Ramcheran iced it for the Huskies.  With former coach Joe Martucci in attendance, 3rd year head coach John Kaye led his team well, and the Huskies deserved to win this championship.  With Pearson and LB/RB Aliem Shaw back look for the Huskies to be tougher than ever in 2015.
It was a tremendous year in Shore football annals. 6 Champs.  Maybe we get a dome built next year, so we can all stay dry!   Congrats to all.