Tough Mudders

Walt Currie and the Brick Memorial coaching staff made a decision to play their football game against Toms River South, as scheduled, on a dreary, rainy, windy Saturday afternoon at DiFabio Field.

On a day that only ducks would like, and a day when only true fans would attend, that decision to play could have come back to bite the Mustangs. Currie's thinking was that the bad weather could neutralize the speed of Tymere Berry and Khaleel Greene, the top two Indians. He was correct in his assumption.

The pregame festivities began with the honoring of senior football players and cheerleaders, which instead of being on the field, was held on the track. Barely a handful of fans were in attendance as the 12:50 p.m. announcements began. As flowers were handed out, the rain and wind didn't seem to bother the parents and players, as one by one, they marched down the Brick Memorial track.

Having been one of those senior parents awhile back, you look forward to this day when you watch your son play one last time on his home field. Knowing the many sacrifices you must make during the grueling season, it's a special feeling waking hand and hand with your son on Senior Day.

The team had warmed up for 40 minutes in preparation for the game and elected to stay on the field as opposed to going back to the locker room as it usually does. South did go back to the gym and elected to stay inside as the seniors were being honored. They arrived about 12:55 and seemed sky high as they assembled in the end zone. The Indian chant was "no more losing, we will not lose again," as they roared onto the field while the wet and bundled-up Indians band played its familiar war chant.

The six-man officiating crew made their way to midfield and the captains met on an already muddy, wet field. South won the toss and deferred its choice to the second half, so Memorial would receive and be on offense first. A quick three-and-out and the punt team was on the field. This was the first of many mistakes on the rain-soaked field. The Memorial snapper, who was filling in for injured long snapper Tim Santiago, snapped the ball well over the head of the punter and South recovered and had the ball inside the Memorial 10-yard line.

Keep in mind that Santiago is also the starting quarterback and was on the sideline with a boot on his injured ankle, as backup Justin Bates took over the starting job. The Indians scored first, but missed the point as Greene went in from two yards out. The 6-0 score would hold up for the first half as both teams headed to the locker room for a much-needed break.

There had been five fumbles, two lost by Brick Memorial, and just 117 total yards by both teams during the first half. Hot chocolate and hot soup was the play of the day at the Memorial snack bar, as everyone tried to warm up for the second half. The second half was a carbon copy of the first, as both teams could get nothing done on offense. Both defenses were playing well, with field position being of utmost importance. Then with under five minutes left, and still trailing 6-0, Memorial faced a fourth down inside South territory and decided to punt.

That, to me, was the key play in the game as Brick Memorial held the Indians and forced them to punt back to Memorial, which took over on the Indians 39-yard line, and the offense began to click. Matt Cathey(78 yards) and Connor Owen (87 yards) were picking up chunks of yardage, and finally Cathey scored from 12 yards out. After some major discussion on the Brick Memorial  sideline, Matt Cuppari kicked the extra point and Memorial had a 7-6 lead. After another three-and-out, Brick Memorial got the ball back and scored again on a 21-yard run by Owen in the final minute and added a two-point conversion on an Owen run to win it 15-6.

The win moves Brick Memorial into a possible home playoff game in South Jersey Group V, while Toms River South finds itself on the outside looking in at the playoffs. A great decision to play, and a great win by Brick Memorial.

Congrats to Manalapan (7-1), who destroyed previously undefeated Freehold Boro on Sunday morning. The final was 42-3, as the Braves ran off 42 straight points after a first-quarter field goal by Freehold. It was strength and power by the Manalapan fronts that completely controlled this one. Freehold (7-1) comes right back against Middletown South this week. Manalapan clinches at least a tie for another A North title. The Braves play Howell next week for the outright title.

Ugly ending to the Toms River North-Brick game Friday night in the Green Dragons' 30-13 win. Brick's Tommy Leech was ejected, as was teammate Ray Fattaruso. Leech will also have to sit out the Toms River South game this week, while Fattaruso will be able to play, since only one of his two 15-yard penalties was an unsportsmanlike foul. Leech was called for two unsportsmanlike fouls, and that draws a one-game suspension. Brick has had a target on its back all year and must move past this game and concentrate on another run to a championship in Central Jersey Group IV

Congrats also go out to Saint John Vianney, Shore Regional and Brick for clinching at least a tie for a championship in their respective divisions. Red Bank Catholic has clinched the B North title outright with a 45-13 win over Ocean. Also a tough break, literally, for Ocean junior running back Tyler Thompson, who broke his leg in the loss. He'll be back next year.

Join us Thursday night from 7-8:30 p.m. on the Investors Bank High School Football show on News Talk Radio 1160 and 1310 WOBM AM and on ShoreSportsNetwork.com. Joining us live at the Water Street Bar and Grille will be head coaches Mark Ciccotelli of St. John Vianney and Walt Currie of Brick Memorial. Both will have a star player from their teams with them.