New Egypt football saving its best for last
Jackson set to defend its CJ Group IV title
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Jackson's Mark Schiavonne breaks a tackle and heads downfield during the Jaguars' home loss to Manalapan on Friday night.

PLUMSTED - In its most explosive performance of the season, the New Egypt High School football team erupted for nearly 500 yards of offense as it rolled to a resounding 40-6 triumph over Riverside last Friday night in a Burlington County Freedom Division game.

The Warriors amassed a total of 487 yards as it improved to 3-5 on the year.

Sophomore running back Langston Lacroix paced the offense, rushing for 206 yards on 24 carries.

"He is a real athletic kid," New Egypt coach Tom Farrell said. "He is strong and is equipped with good speed. He was giving the Riverside defense all kinds of trouble. Of course, his offensive line provided him with a lot of key blocks."

So far this season, Lacroix has emerged as New Egypt's main offensive threat. His ability to run, catch and break off the big play keeps defenses on their heels. In addition, he is an excellent punt returner and defender in the secondary.

"He does a lot of things for this team," Farrell said. "The best part is, he is going to be here for the next couple of seasons. He is only going to get better as he matures. We're looking forward to working with him in the next couple of years."

Senior quarterback Steve Panasuk put forth a big effort. Panasuk, who is Farrell's nephew, passed for 110 yards, and made a huge impact on the ground. He rushed for more than 100 yards on 12 carries.

"He got it done both in the air and with the run," Farrell said.

"It was one of his best games of the season."

Farrell was glad to see his squad maintain intensity and focus for the entire contest.

"We competed in this game for all four quarters," Farrell said. "The kids did an excellent job. They were ready to play and executed extremely well. We played solid football on both sides of the ball. We need to continue to play with that kind of focus and intensity. It was nice to see."

Jags fall to Braves

Needing a win to qualify for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoffs, visiting Manalapan exploded for all its points in the second quarter last Friday to cruise to a 28-10 victory over Jackson at John J. Munley Field.

Manalapan quarterback Craig Peterson shredded the Jackson secondary, passing for more than 250 yards and three touchdowns. Peterson tossed TD passes of 50 and 58 yards.

Jackson Senior tailback Mark Schiavone gained 125 yards on 21 carries as the Jaguars drop to 5-3 on the season. Tyler Wilton rushed for 45 yards on seven carries.

Quarterback John Cirri completed 9-of-22 passes for 102 yards. Wideout Mark Bergery hauled in three passes for 50 yards.

Jackson struck first when kicker Pat Martin nailed a 20-yard field goal late in the first quarter. That would be all the scoring Jackson would do until it was too late.

Later in the game, Tim Nolan recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for Jackson's lone TD.

Tomorrow night, the Jaguars will begin defense of the Central Jersey Group IV title when they play host to Colts Neck in the first round.

Colts Neck, already assured of a playoff spot before taking the field, was in a position on Saturday to get a first-round home game with a win against Brick Township.

But the Green Dragons (3-5) had something to say about that, scoring 20 points in the fourth quarter to knock off the Cougars, 28-19.

Turnovers, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a pass interception that led to a short field, helped Brick, which trailed 13-8 heading into the fourth quarter, turned the tide and upset the Cougars.

A 10-yard run by Ashton Jackson and a four-yard keeper by quarterback Kevin Kelly gave Colts Neck its 13-8 lead at the half.

A two-yard pass from Kelly to Jeremy Dinkin accounted for Colts Neck's final score.

Jackson continued his sensational season, gaining 163 yards on 27 carries.

Colts Neck (5-3) slipped to the No. 7 seed with the home loss.

The Cougars may be going into Friday's game at defending champion Jackson off a defeat, but in their first year in Group IV they've proved they can play with anyone. With a solid playoff record, the Jaguars will find the Cougars a very, very tough out.

Howell a sleeper pick

in CJ Group IV

The state playoffs also begin this weekend with Howell, the No. 5 seed in Central Jersey Group IV, to play No. 4 West Windsor South on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

It was simple for Corey Davies' Rebels Friday night in Howell - win and you're in.

Sean O'Reilly turned a close game into a rout in the second quarter, returning two pass interceptions for touchdowns leading to a 33-0 lead at the half against Marlboro (0-8) and an eventual 39-0 win.

After Howell had taken a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a one-yard run by David Hayes, Marlboro mounted a drive behind the short passes of quarterback Gerard Cicero. The Mustangs were knocking on the door inside the Howell 10 when O'Reilly returned a pass interception 97 yards for a score, and the rout was on.

O'Reilly followed with a 21-yard scoring strike to Brian Battaglia, and then stepped in front of another Cicero aerial at midfield and returned it 50 yards for another touchdown.

"He was in the right place at the right time, twice," said Davies.

Before the half was over, O'Reilly scored on a five-yard run.

O'Reilly, whose arm and quarterbacking talents have led the Rebels the past two years, displayed his versatility Friday night, coming up with one touchdown running, one passing and two on those pass interceptions. He was "only" 5-for-8 passing for 98 yards, but he picked up 199 rushing on just nine carries. His 50-yard run set up Howell's first score.

Scott Dankel, who used all of his 6-4 frame and stretch to make a diving catch, and Chance Carrick's catch while simultaneously getting hit, helped set up Howell's final drive in the first half.

Backup QB John Grinnell finished the Howell scoring with a 15-yard pass to Rich Devine in the fourth quarter.

This is the first time that Howell (5-3) has qualified for the state playoffs in back-to-back years.

Howell goes into the game at full strength health-wise, and battle tested.

"We've been in some close games this year," said Davies. "The Shore Conference has been unbelievable."

Howell got its first-ever playoff win last fall, and Davies noted that the Rebels head into the playoffs knowing that just being there is no longer enough.

"We have to win the game," he said.