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Jackson finishes quest for title
Published in the Asbury Park Press 11/25/00
By BRYAN HOLT
STAFF WRITER
STAFFORD -- After receiving an early scare, top-ranked Jackson
erupted for 21 second-half points to pull away and post a 28-7 Shore
Conference American Division victory over Southern last night.
The win gives the Jaguars (11-0, 7-0) the division title. The Jaguars
play Shawnee Dec. 2 for the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV title.
Tied 7-7 early in the third quarter, wide receiver Mark Rodriguez
caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gary Edwards on a
third-and-15 to give the Jaguars their first lead of the game, 14-7.
"They (Southern) were doing good and we had a few mental
breakdowns on offense in the first half," Rodriguez said. "But
we went over what we had to do in the locker room during halftime and we
came out and started passing. We thought that would be more effective
than running the ball. We put in the air and that opened up the running
game."
On both sides of the ball, the Jaguars were led by Nick
Castellano,
who rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries at running
back. Defensively, Castellano, a linebacker, led a unit that held the
Rams to 20 yards of offense in the second half. He also blocked a
30-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter and had two tackles for
losses.
Following Rodriguez's touchdown reception, Castellano scored on a
3-yard run and Joe Serratelli scored on a 4-yard run to put the
finishing touches on a 21-point third quarter.
"We came out flat today, just like coach (Reggie Lawrence)
said," Castellano said. "This is a look-ahead game, because we
are looking ahead to Shawnee next week. But Southern is a really good
team and they have given teams a run for their money this season."
The Rams jumped out to a 7-0 first quarter lead when quarterback
Chuck Britton faked a pitch on an option play and scored on a 12-yard
touchdown run. Josh Corle set up the play with a 44-yard run.
With just over a minute remaining in the first quarter the Rams had
opportunity to increase their lead. But Britton's pass on a
fourth-and-goal on the 6 fell incomplete.
On the next play Castellano took a handoff, broke a tackle in the
secondary and cut back across the field for a 94-yard touchdown run that
tied the game going into halftime.
from the Asbury Park Press
Published on November 25, 2000 |
