Toms River North Shuts Out Top-Seeded Lenape to Reach South Jersey Group V Final

South Jersey Group V

4-Toms River North 14, 1-Lenape 0

Junior quarterback Mike Husni ran for a short touchdown, senior running back Asante Moorer scored on a 37-yard run and Toms River North’s defense recorded its second shutout of the season to put the Mariners into their first sectional final since 2007.

A scoreless game at halftime, Husni put Toms River North up 7-0 with 1-yard touchdown run that capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive midway through the third quarter. Moorer’s touchdown run came with five minutes left and put the Mariners up by two scores.

Husni finished with 116 yards rushing and Moorer had 187 on 25 carries as the Mariners ran for over 300 yards as team.

Senior defensive lineman Dashon Copes was a one-man wrecking crew on defense with three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Pete Laquaglia made double-digit tackles and junior defensive back Bryce Watts had three pass breakups. Toms River North held Lenape to under 50 yards of offense and allowed the Indians to gain just three first downs.

The Mariners will take on Williamstown in the title game at Rowan University on the first weekend in December. The Braves edged Cherokee 27-21 in overtime. Toms River North’s last state title came in 2007 when it went 12-0.