The defending 2008 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III State Champion Freehold Boro Colonials started their season on a winning note, defeating the New Brunswick Zebras 34-10 on a rainy Saturday at Cal D. Wilson Field.
Running back Derrick Bender.
Photo by Steve Goldberg
Derrick Bender, a junior running back, was the star of the game for the Colonials, racking up 142 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns in the victory.
“I’d have to say my key to success was the offensive line. They got a good push in the defensive linemen,” Bender said. “But I don’t care how many yards I rush for, as long as we get the W.”
The Freehold Boro defense held New Brunswick to 65 total yards in the game. Russell Bailey had two interceptions, one of which he ran back for a 26-yard touchdown. Jazzmar Clax, a sophomore transfer from St. John Vianney, also had an interception in his first game as a Colonial.
Ryan Solley, a senior linebacker, applied pressure on New Brunswick quarterback Jalen Long throughout the game.
“We played well, but we still have to work on a lot of stuff,” Solley said.
The Colonials led the Zebras 20-0 at the end of the first quarter, when New Brunswick wide receiver John Simpson made a catch and broke three tackles for a 32-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter. New Brunswick would kick a field goal to cut the Freehold Boro lead to 20-10, but the Colonials responded by scoring touchdowns in both the second and third quarters to put them ahead for good.
Towards the end of the fourth quarter, Freehold Boro put in their reserves. The second team offense drove down the field but was stopped short of the goal line. Defensively, second team sophomore lineman Stacey Sunnerville forced a fumble which allowed the Colonials to run out the clock.
“We did some nice things, and we beat a good team from Middlesex County,” Freehold Boro Head Coach Mark Ciccotelli said after the game. “We’re proud of that, but we need to polish up some of the things we’re doing and we need to execute a little better.”
Lineman Dante Weaver.
Photo by Steve Goldberg
One player who showed leadership on the field for New Brunswick was lineman Dante Weaver. Weaver, a 6’4” 330 lb. senior, was named to the 2009 MaxPreps Preseason All-State second team defense and is being heavily recruited by Temple University.
“He’s a good prospect, and he’s a great leader on our team. When things got tough out there today, he kept the guys together. That’s the mark of a kid with good character,” New Brunswick Head Coach John Quinn explained. “He likes the situation at Temple, and I think it’s a good fit for him. Hopefully it will work out.”
Freehold Boro will travel to Neptune to take on the Scarlet Fliers on Thursday. Coach Ciccotelli hopes senior running back Tezzy Thorpe will be fit to play in Thursday’s game. Thorpe has been recovering from a knee injury that kept him out of the entire pre-season.
New Brunswick will be in action on Thursday as well when they host the Middletown South Eagles, another Federal Division powerhouse.
“You go from out of the frying pan and into the fire,” Coach Quinn said. “South is very good and we have to get better. I told the kids they have the bus ride home to lick their wounds and we have to be ready for practice on Monday.”
