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Fired up Cioffi, Dooley lead Lacey
Published in the Asbury Park Press 10/22/00
By JOHN FORTUNA
CORRESPONDENT
LACEY -- The emotion was up a few notches; ditto for the intensity.
As Lacey gathered in its offensive huddle to begin yesterday's overtime
session against Middletown North, it was determined to give its day a
happy ending.
"We were all steamed up," running back Joe Cioffi said.
"We were going to get (the ball) into the end zone. We were more
emotional than we were earlier."
Three plays later, Cioffi sprinted up the middle for 9 yards and a
touchdown. And when his defensive teammates quickly snuffed out North's
rebuttal, Lacey had escaped with a 28-21 Shore Conference Constitution
Division victory.
The victory gives Lacey (5-1, 5-1) a chance to tie for the division
title with a victory over Central Regional on Thanksgiving Day. If the
Lions beat Central, they'll share the crown with the winner of the Toms
River South-Lakewood Thanksgiving matchup.
Middletown North (3-4, 3-4) forged a 21-21 tie with 6:01 to play in
regulation on a 3-yard run by Bill Lyons. The touchdown was the second
of the game for Lyons, who carried 30 times for 228 yards. North then
had a chance to win the game later in the fourth quarter after a botched
Lacey punt, but Ryan McLaughlin misfired on a 27-yard field goal try
with 59 seconds remaining.
"We had some opportunities that we didn't capitalize on,"
Lacey coach Lou Vircillo said. "When that happens, you know it's
going to be a longer day than you wanted. But Middletown North is a team
that plays everyone well. I don't know if this is the kind of game you
can put away."
Lacey had taken a 21-7 lead in the first half behind the passing of
quarterback Kyren Dooley. The junior completed 16 of 22 passes in the
first half for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He finished with 20
completions in 34 tries for 252 yards.
Dooley opened the scoring with an 8-yard toss to John Mari in the
first quarter. After North quarterback Kevin Farrell tied it with a
1-yard quarterback sneak late in the first quarter, Cioffi scored on a
2-yard run on the first play of the second quarter. Dooley and Mari
hooked up on a 5-yard connection with 7:19 left before halftime for
Lacey's third touchdown.
"I'm getting more confident every week," Dooley said.
"We had a game plan today where we though we had something with the
pass. Joe did a great job running the ball, and the line did a great
job. This feels good."
from the Asbury Park Press
Published on October 22, 2000 |
