Football playoffs within Owls' reach

The Owls took the first step to becoming part of the Central Jersey Group 1 football playoff picture. The team overcame a sluggish start and an early 6-0 deficit in rolling past Cardinal McCarrick for a 35-22 victory last Friday at Jay Dakelman Field.

It didn't start out promising for Highland Park (4-4). On the opening possession McCarrick scored on a 12-play, 66-yard drive capped by a one-yard TD plunge by fullback John Appiah.

Sloppy plays, penalties, and turnovers plagued H.P. throughout the first half. Sophomore quarterback Quatay Nesmith was intercepted twice by Eagles cornerback Casey Fennessy, and both squads were issued sideline warning penalties.

 

"It was a emotional game for us and a playoff type atmosphere out there," said Highland Park head football coach Rich McGlynn. "We were feeling our way through the first half."

The Owls posted only 44 yards of first-half offense until their last series, when they marched 77 yards in nine plays to tie the game. Nesmith threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tailback Quawi Bachelor -- who came out of nowhere to pick off a pass intended for Mike Long. The extra point by Harry Landis gave Highland Park a 7-6 halftime lead.

 

The Owls had won the opening coin toss and had elected to kick to McCarrick in the first quarter. The strategy paid off big time when junior wide receiver Tymier Aultman took the opening kickoff of the second half from his own 25 and raced untouched down the sideline 75 yards for the touchdown. The extra point by Landis gave the Owls a 14-6 lead.

 

After being stopped on downs, Highland Park took over at their own 34 and scored again on a five-play, 66-yard drive capped by a 21-yard reception by junior fullback Manny McClain. Another extra point by Landis gave the Owls a 21-6 lead. Key play on the drive was a 38-yard run by Bachelor.

"Once we settled down, we took control of the game," McGlynn said. "Our assistant coaches did a great job making some offensive adjustments because Cardinal McCarrick was stacking the line against us . . . once we were able to move the ball, they couldn't adjust," he added.

But the feisty Eagles squad did not roll over. After the Owls' third TD, McCarrick's Muhammed Alli ran the kickoff 21 yards into the midfield; senior quarterback David Whitfield broke outside the Owl defensive pursuit on third down and raced 69 yards untouched to the end zone. Whitfield ran in the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 21-14.

 

Patrick Ambrosio recovered the onside kick at the 49-yard line, and H.P. soon scored on a 35-yard strike to Aultman, who hauled in the pass after it was nearly picked off in the end zone.

 

In the fourth period, Nesmith capped a 74-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run, and a two-point conversion pass to Tyler Rios to pull ahead 35-14. McCarrick's Whitfield ran in from eight yards out and threw to William Thomas for another conversion, setting the final score 35-22. During the Eagles' last scoring drive, Highland Park was whistled for three separate penalties on the same play: 12 men on the field, a face-mask penalty, and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Nesmith completed 5-of-10 passes for 105 yards, with three touchdown throws and two interceptions; he ran the ball 12 times for 115 yards and a touchdown. Bachelor gained 81 yards on 16 carries for the Owls, who finished with a 4-2 division record in the GMC Blue.

"Going into the season, I thought our team could win between three to eight games. We were very green," said McGlynn. "How far we go depends on them. It is a tribute to the kids and our coaching staff." McGlynn added.

 

Highland Park next travels to Keyport on Saturday to conclude their season as the muddled playoff picture begins to settle. But McGlynn is keeping the team's focus in harness with regard to the post-season.

"We need to get ready for Keyport. We need to get ready to lock and load," McGlynn stated. "What happens next, we can't control."