In the Middletown South Eagles’ locker room, there is a sign that reads ‘Six Yards.’ The Eagles were a mere six yards away from tying the Freehold Boro Colonials at 21 in the 2008 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III State Championship Game. Middletown South fell six yards short in an attempt to capture their tenth sectional championship, and instead, the state title went to Freehold Boro.
In the Shore Conference, Middletown South is the football powerhouse. The Eagles have won nine sectional championships, 15 division championships, and have appeared in 17 state-playoffs. The team has put together eight undefeated seasons, including a Shore Conference record 43 game winning streak from 2003-2006. Middletown South was ranked No. 1 in the state of New Jersey during the 2004 season.
Freehold Boro Colonials.
Photo by Steve Goldberg
Freehold Boro has had recent success in the Shore Conference. The Colonials have won back-to-back Federal Division titles, and won their first sectional championship last season by defeating Middletown South in the final. The Colonials began the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the Shore Conference, but fell out of the Top 10 after a Week 2 loss to the Neptune Scarlet Fliers.
Since then, Middletown South has held the top spot in the Shore Conference. The Eagles have started their season 3-0, with wins over Lacey Township, New Brunswick, and Liberty. They have been waiting for Friday, Oct. 2 to have a chance at revenge against Freehold Boro. The Colonials will be looking to leap back into the Top 10 with a win at “The Swamp.”
“We have to come out hungry and show them that we belong,” Freehold Boro running back Rakim Thorpe said. “We should be ranked in the Shore. We should be No. 1 right now, and we’re going to prove ourselves Friday night.”
Playing the role of spoiler is nothing new for the Colonials. Freehold Boro has upset Middletown South in their last three meetings. In 2007, Freehold Boro marched into “The Swamp” and upset the Eagles 27-21, en route to their first Federal Division title. Last season, Middletown South finished with a record of 10-2; their only losses coming at the hands of the Colonials.
Despite their recent success against Middletown South, the Colonials still consider themselves underdogs going into the game on Friday night.
“I think every year is a totally different year,” Freehold Boro defensive coordinator Dave Ellis said. “South has definitely improved from last year. They’re a good team, and they’re going to fight back. It’s always a tough game. I don’t think last year’s success really affects this year at all because it’s a new slate.”
The two Federal Division rivals have some coaching history between them as well. Freehold Boro Head Coach Mark Ciccotelli was an assistant coach at Middletown South under Eagles Head Coach Steve Antonucci. Antonucci has a 112-18 career record in 12 seasons at Middletown South.
One of the major questions people have been asking about the Freehold Boro team is whether they can perform on the same level as last year without their two star players, quarterback Nick Tyson and wide receiver Brandon Brown.
Freehold Boro QB Martin Corso
Photo by Steve Goldberg
Those questions will be answered on Friday night when senior quarterback Martin Corso takes the field in Middletown. Corso played in last year’s state championship game as a linebacker. Now he will have to rise up to the challenge of facing the ominous Eagles defense in his fourth game starting at quarterback for the Colonials.
“As a quarterback, their defense is definitely something to deal with,” Corso said. “They’re a really good defensive team, so it’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be our will to win versus their want to get back on top.”
When the lights go down on Friday night at “The Swamp” in Middletown; revenge, team pride, Shore Conference rankings, and a push for the Federal Division title will be on the line for both teams. In a game between Freehold Boro and Middletown South, fate can be determined by a mere six yards.
