Patriots Leave It All On The Field
In a game that really meant nothing in the final standings. A game that the opponents had
to win to clinch 1st place in the American Conference Shore Division. A game where their opponents were coming in with
only one loss in the division and had a very upsetting lost in the playoffs the preceding week and were looking to reek havoc
on their next opponents. I t would have been very simple for the Patriots to roll over and just go through the motions.
However, this 2009 Patriot team had another course of action to follow. Go out as winners. After two previous
wins by shutouts in their final two games of the season, the Patriots knew they finally had what they envisioned for themselves
in the beginning of the season. Now they were ready to prove it to everyone and themselves. Due to the fact that it
was the annual Thanksgiving Day rivalry game and they were playing against Howell, made it even sweeter. Bring on the Rebels !!!
Playing against the number one offense and quarterback in the division was going to be a challenge
for the defense. Could our Patriots step-up to the challenge? With the exception of the second play of the game,
which was a tipped pass, that went for the initial Rebels touchdown, the defense were relentless in their pursuit
of the Rebels QB. With the secondary providing excellent coverage all day and the "D" rushing Jimmy
Ryan from all angles, he was forced to scramble all morning. The Patriots had 4 sacks and caused him to fumble
twice. His passing game was put to a halt. When they tried to run against the "D" line they were crushed and made little
or no gains. The Patriots defense caused many "3 and outs" for the Rebel offense. Something their explosive offense
was not accustomed to.
On the other side of the ball, The Patriot's offense had possession of the ball most of the first
half. Starting with their initial possession, the Patriots, behind the rushing of Matt Intile and the receptions
by Kevin Borden, Zach Cestero and Mike Mullen, QB, Joe DeFranco marched the team 79 yards down field for a touchdown.
The TD came on a 20 yard pass play to Mike Mullen coming out of the backfield for the score. The Rebel sidelines were
awed. That's not the way this game was suppose to go. They needed this win and they were being totally out-played
by a 2 and 7 team. One possession for Howell, two plays from scrimmage. A TD on a pass that was that was
almost blocked. The Patriots controlled the ball the entire first quarter and the score was 6-6. The second quarter
was a carbon copy of the first. Relentless pounding by the defense to their wide receivers, a full-out blitzing Patriot's
defense, excellent secondary coverage and, minimal yards on the ground from their backs, made it impossible for Ryan
and the Rebels to get their game going.
On Offense the Patriot's continued to grind out yardage. Continually moving the chains
for first downs. The Patriots had more first downs in the first half then they did in some entire games. DeFranco piloted
the team with poise and confidence. Spreading the field with a combination of short passes, Defranco used a variety
of receivers, along with some runs of his own and the running attack of Intile and Mullen to methodically move
the Patriots again down-field. Unfortunately, for the Patriots, although they controlled the ball again most of the
2nd quarter, they were unable to score.
At half time the score was Howell 6 and Township 6. Wait...this wasn't the way this was
suppose to be playing out.
In the second half, after some coaching adjustments by Howell, the patriots continued to
move the ball down field, but not as freely as in the first half. They moved the ball down to the Rebels 20 yard line.
When they couldn't score on three plays, Jeff Kurczeski was asked to kick a 30yd field goal. He graciously obliged.
That put the Patriots up 9 to 6. Talk about Rebel rage. They were stunned.
Late in the third quarter, Ryan, who was only 8 for 20 in the game, found an open receiver and
passed for a touchdown. This was a result of the Patriots having substituted some of their players , on the previous
play. Converting the extra point this time, Howell now took the lead 13 to 9.
In the fourth quarter, with their backs to the wall, holding on to a very slim lead, that Rebels
ground game took effect against a well worn Patriots defense. Keeping it on the ground the Rebels took to ball
down to the two yard line. It looked like the tide was turning for the Rebels and they were feeling good.
But after a penalty on a touchdown pass from Ryan to Hayes, The Rebels were forced to try it again. This time
it was almost disaster. Hayes fumbles the ball on the one yard line where the Patriots recover. With only minutes
left in the game, The patriots tried unsuccessfully to move the ball out of the end zone. On one play DeFranco
completed a twenty yard pass to Borden but was called for passing the line of scrimmage before throwing the pass.
With 4Th and 10 to go the Rebels put 10men in the box and rushed DeFranco from all sides. Trying to pass out
of the end zone, he was hit hard and coughed up the ball where the Rebels recovered it for a fumble. Converting the
extra point, the game ended with the final score
Howell.......20
Township....9
The boys gave it their all and they showed they can play with the best
(Note: After reading this account of the game, view the highlight
video of the game. Then read the attached Asbury Park Press article. Was staff writer Josh Newman watching
a different game?)
