Jags pick up where they left off in win over Brick

VERONICA YANKOWSKI Jackson’s Nick Castellano tries to break free of a would-be tackler during the Jaguars’ opening day win over Brick High School on Saturday.

State’s No. 1 team posts impressive 24-7 win

By mike white

Staff Writer

A stingy defense and the accurate passing of senior quarterback Nick Anzalone combined for the expected result last Saturday as the Jackson High School football team cruised to a resounding 24-7 victory over host Brick Township at Keller Memorial Field in the season opener for both teams.

The Jaguars defense shut down the Green Dragons, holding Brick to less than 125 yards of total offense. In addition, Brick managed just five first downs for the entire game, and were looking at a shutout until a mixup in the Jackson secondary resulted in a 77-yard scoring play for the Green Dragons.

"Our defense played well," Jackson coach Reggie Lawrence said. "We did a good job of stopping the run and keeping pressure on their quarterback."

Anzalone impressed onlookers in his first varsity debut. The 5-11, 185-pound signal caller completed six of 11 passes for a total of 91 yards and two touchdowns. He put the Jags on the board early when he connected with senior wideout Jim Migliore on a 10-yard scoring play, with 9 minutes, 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Jags’ score, however, was set up by the defense. Jackson defensive tackle Ray Brown stripped a Brick running back, and Ryan Niemic recovered on the Brick 11-yard line. Three plays later, Anzalone found Migliore for the score. Senior kicker Mike Cortese added the PAT and Jackson had a 7-0 lead.

"I was a little nervous but gained confidence as the game went on," Anzalone said. "Our philosophy is to throw the first punch. We want to be the first team to score every game. We did that today and we never looked back."

Jackson built a 14-0 cushion on a 12-yard TD run by Nick Castellano. The senior running back suffered a neck injury late in the game and left the field in an ambulance.

Castellano, who finished with 55 yards on the day, gave thumbs up to a packed crowd before being taken to Brick Memorial Hospital for X-rays.

Castellano is questionable for Friday night’s 7:30 game against visiting Toms River North.

The Jags took a 21-0 lead into halftime when Anzalone found a wide-open Kelvin Vaughan for a 31-yard scoring play late in the second quarter. Anzalone praised the work of both his offensive line and receivers.

"I had plenty of protection," he said. "And we have a couple of receivers who are very talented. They can go get the ball."

Brick registered its only touchdown in the third quarter. Green Dragons quarterback Bryan Morgan tossed a 77-yard TD pass to James Rivera. A missed assignment on part of the Jackson defense contributed to the score.

This marks the third time in a row Jackson has beaten Brick in the last two years, but only the second time the Jags have won at Keller Memorial Field.

"It’s nice to be able to come in here and play well against them on their home field," Anzalone said. "They’re always a tough team at home."