Owls still "golden" in division
Win in So. River extends team to 4-2 overall
Sunday, October 18, 2009
"We wanted to get other guys involved in what we do and make big plays," said Highland Park head coach Rich McGlynn.
Smith put in a good day's work -- the senior fullback rushed for 260 yards and four touchdowns -- but it was a total team effort that keyed the Owls to a 35-15 road victory. Highland Park improves to 4-2 on the season and remains unbeaten at 4-0 in their GMC division, as well as 3-0 on the road.The Owls struck fast and furious just 52 seconds into the game to grab an early 7-0 lead. Smith took the handoff at his own 34 and raced 66 yards untouched to paydirt for the touchdown.
"Nate's emotions were so high. On the touchdown run, he looked like he was shot out of a cannon," said McGlynn.
The Rams came right back after a punt by Steven Moore pinned the Owls at their own one-yard line. The Rams defense gang tackled Smith in the end zone for a safety to cut the Highland Park lead to 7-2.
The turning point of the contest for Highland Park came immediately after the safety when the free kick by Smith was recovered by Mike McClain of the Owls at the South River 46.
Senior quarterback Louis Middleton threw to senior flanker David Webb, who made a lunging catch over his shoulder for 43 yards to the South River 11. Two plays later, Smith scampered in for the touchdown. Manny McClain ran in the two-point conversion for a 15-2 lead.
That series "put South River on their heels," said McGlynn. "Webb is our playmaker, he has incredible hands." From Webb's perspective, "Our offensive line and our running backs put in the extra work, this gave Louis (Middleton) time to throw and he knew where he wanted to throw the ball." The offensive line is led by senior guard De'Andre Bell, sophomore guard Manny McClain, senior center Manny Diaz, senior tackles Noah Kendall and Alex Squeo, and sophomore tackle Elijah Giles."Tyler Rios and LaShaun Parkey were all over the field today defensively and played especially well in controlling Taariq Phillips," McGlynn added.
The Owls scored as time ran out in the first quarter to take a 23-2 lead. Middleton threw to Webb again on a slant for a 12-yard touchdown and Manny McClain ran in the two-point conversion again.
A bad snap on a Smith punt gave the Rams new life in the second quarter and great field position at the Highland Park 25-yard line. Senior running back Steven Moore (19 carries, 102 yards), scored on a five-yard run as the Rams closed the gap to 23-9.
The remainder of the period was penalty filled on both sides.The Owls' final score of the half featured a penalty on Smith for excessive celebration after an apparent 63-yard touchdown run. Smith was also called for a helmet-to-helmet penalty on a long run, even though he was the lead runner on the play. Smith capped the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run.
South River's second drive of the third period was thwarted by a Webb interception. As the period came to a close, sophomore tailback Taariq Phillips (13 carries, 150 yards), took the handoff, broke a few Highland Park tackles and raced 83 yards for the touchdown to cut the Highland Park lead to 29-15.
"I told our players at the half that we needed to close the door and put teams away," said McGlynn. "We've given up too many points with the players we have and allow other teams to hang around," McGlynn added.
Highland Park did indeed close the door on a 6-play, 49-yard drive with 9:30 remaining. Smith scored on a 10-yard run and rushed for 43 yards on the drive.
Webb recorded his second interception of the game late to stop the final drive of the game for South River. On the season, Webb leads the team with 10 interceptions.The other interception for Highland Park was recorded by sophomore Quawi Bachelor in the second quarter with the Rams trailing 23-9. Strong presence on the line was felt by the play of Kendall, Mike Ryan, Bell, Manny McClain, Mike McClain, Josh Gaines (quarterback sack), Mike Long, Giles, Smith and Middleton.
Other contributors for the Owls on offense included Middleton, who completed 3-of-6 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, and Webb, who caught two passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. Mike Long had one reception for 17 yards, while Rios rushed for 28 yards on four carries.
Next up for Highland Park was a Gold Division showdown with the Spotswood Chargers on October 23rd at home."Spotswood has a good team and a good record, but if we put in a good practice this week, we will be able to take on the challenge," Webb said.
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