Sweet revenge

Last season the Owls lost a tough 16-14 decision to Middlesex in the Central Jersey Group I playoffs. This is a new season and Nate Smith, who did not play in last year's playoff game, took the game on his shoulders and the rest was history.

The senior running back scored six touchdowns and rushed for 250 yards on 22 carries as the Owls rolled to a 44-21 victory over the Blue Jays Friday night at Memorial Field.

"After losing on their field last year, we wanted to make a statement, and with this win, we took a step forward," said Highland Park head football coach Rich McGlynn. "We came into the game very focused after losing a tough game against Keyport," McGlynn added.

After Middlesex was stopped on its opening series on downs, the Owls calmly marched 57 yards downfield in seven plays to score. Smith rushed for 49 yards on the drive, capping it with a 25-yard touchdown run and the extra point to give Highland Park an early 7-0 lead.

Undaunted, the Blue Jays came right back scoring on an eight-play 61-yard drive. Matt Cleveland plunged into the end zone from a yard out and Chris Petiya kicked the extra point to knot the score at 7-7.

In the second quarter, Smith scored on an 18-yard touchdown run and added his second extra point to give the Owls a 14-7 lead. The drive was keyed by a 14-yard pass from senior quarterback Louis Middleton (7 of 12, 1 interception, 122 yards) to Mike Long along the sideline, down to the Middlesex 32. Smith scored on a 10-yard run as the Owls took a 21-7 lead. Key play on that drive was when Middleton threw a perfect pass to senior flanker David Webb, who made a leaping catch over two Middlesex defenders for a 53-yard grab down to the Middlesex five-yard line. Webb caught three passes for 67 yards for Highland Park.

Just before the half ended, Middlesex closed the gap to 21-14 on a two-yard plunge by Cleveland. 

The Owls took control of the game in the third quarter, marching 75 yards to score on the opening drive of the period. Smith ran to paydirt from 16 yards out and ran for the two-point conversion to give the Owls a 29-14 lead. Key plays on the drive included a 21-yard pass from Middleton to Smith, a 21-yard run by Middleton, and a late hit out of bounds penalty on Middlesex after Smith caught a short screen pass from Middleton.

"We made adjustments at the half. Middlesex went to a three-man line and we were able to mix up the passing and the running game," said McGlynn. "The plan for this game was for Louis to roll out on the run and throw. It would give him the confidence he needed throwing the ball."

On the Blue Jays' next series, Smith picked off an errant pass at his own 30 and raced 70 yards for the touchdown. He threw to Webb for the two-point conversion, boosting the Highland Park lead to 37-14. His 59-yard touchdown run and Webb's extra point in the fourth quarter was icing on the cake for Highland Park. Sean Gilbert of the Blue Jays scored on a 10-yard run for Middlesex with a minute remaining to close out the scoring. McGlynn was proud of his team.

"It was great team effort," said the coach. "Manny McClain was all over the field. Lashon Parkey had a great game at fullback. He made some great blocks which allowed Nate the room he needed to make plays and score," McGlynn added.

The Owls received solid defensive play from Smith (two sacks), Webb (interception return), Long, Jose Padilla, Noah Kendall, Mike Ryan, Parkey, McClain, D'Andre Bell and Josh Gaines.

The next match for Highland Park would be Gold Division rival Metuchen, in the H.P. Homecoming game at Jay Dakelman Field Saturday October 3rd.

"I have a lot of respect for their quarterback," said McGlynn. "He has a lot of moxie. It will be a great game and there will be a dedication ceremony on [Dakelman Field]," he added.

Highland Park will also host Monmouth Regional High School on Friday, October 9 at 7 PM.