Owls romp in Group 1 semi-finals

When the dust settled in the Central Jersey Group I semifinals with the second-seeded Bulldogs, two words described the overall performance from third-seeded Highland Park. Pure dominance.
It was time for four Nates and a Webb. Senior running back Nate Smith garnered 220 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while senior flanker David Webb picked off three passes and caught an 80-yard scoring strike in the Owls' 36-point shutout.
"This was a staple game for us," said Highland Park head coach Rich McGlynn. "The greatest moment of my life," said Webb, known by many in town and on the team as Spiderman.
The Owls play for the CJ Group 1 championship on Saturday, December 5th at Kean University against the top-seeded Blue Bishops of Asbury Park, at 11 AM. "We would love to play Asbury Park and they would love to play us . . .  the teams match up well, and they are the two-time defending champions," McGlynn added.
Highland Park (8-3) has established a solid pattern of hitting fast and furious on their opening drive, and today's took just 22 seconds as senior quarterback Louis Middleton (4-of-6, 162 yards, two touchdowns) hit Smith in the right flat to run for a 58-yard touchdown.
After Metuchen's first possession was stymied, senior Mike Long had a 91-yard touchdown called back because of a clipping penalty and the ball returned to the Highland Park six. No problem for Superman -- Smith exploded downfield on a 94-yard touchdown jaunt and a 13-0 lead.
With seven minutes remaining to halftime, Middleton arced a perfect 24-yard touchdown pass to Smith. On the two-point conversion attempt, Long snared a Middleton jump ball in the corner of the end zone for a 21-0 margin.
The play of the game came with eleven seconds left in the half. Playing third-and-one from his own 20, Middleton faded back to pass, did a quick scramble and threw another jump ball pass to Webb, who leapt over three defenders for the catch and ran for the 80-yard touchdown. Webb's three first-half interceptions increased his season total to 17. "I told Louis to throw it up and I promised I would come down with it." In McGlynn's words, "David is like another coach on the field and has great instincts to the ball."
The second half was a matter of ball possession for the Owls and running the clock out to secure the victory and a berth in the championship game.
A 13-yard punt by Deinzer in the third period gave the Owls great position at the Metuchen 39. Smith again made it look easy, running the ball on the very next play 39 yards for the final touchdown of the drubbing. "Once we scored, we wanted to put the nail in the coffin," said McGlynn. "We know that Metuchen can score quickly at any time and any moment on the field."
The Highland Park defense claimed eleven turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Manny McClain to squelch a late Bulldog drive; and four sacks, two by LaShaun Parkey, one by Manny McClain and one by Josh Gaines. Sophomore Quawi Bachelor who will be a big part of next year's squad, had an interception and rushed for 48 yards on six carries.
Deinzer completed just 12-of-24 passes for 135 yards. In two games against Highland Park this season, the Owl defense picked off Deinzer 10 times. Metuchen (7-4) was held to just 47 yards rushing behind punishing defensive play by Long, Gaines, Mike Ryan, Elijah Giles, Noah Kendall, Mike McClain, D'Andre Bell, Matt McKinney and Tyler Rios.
"The previous three years, we've been eliminated in the first or second round," said Parkey. "Our group of seniors didn't want to feel that feeling again. Our goal is to go all the way and win a championship."
Note: The Highland Park Alumni Committee celebrated before and after the semifinal game with their own tailgate party. Look for the same when the Owls battle for the Central Jersey Group I championship against Asbury Park.