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Before the clash of R-S Central and East Rutherford, East Rutherford football coach Clint Bland said that his club had to win. A little less than four hours later, he got his wish.
East Rutherford simply outplayed the R-S Central as the Cavalier students stormed the field in a 16-6 victory over the Hilltoppers at Bryan Harrill Stadium, Monday.
“Coach Watson came up with a great game plan and the kids played inspired football tonight,” Coach Bland said. “Big picture, we need to win the next one no matter what if we want a chance at the playoffs. We will enjoy the victory until practice on Tuesday and then get ready for Chase.”
East Rutherford (5-5, 3-4) began the night with a 12 play drive for a 22-yard field goal by Harrison Wilkerson to take the lead 3-0. R-S Central (6-4, 4-3) answered on the next possession with an 11-play drive as Tyran McEntyre scored for four yards out. A missed extra point and Central held it’s only lead of the night (6-3) at the end of the first quarter.
The Hilltoppers Matt Atchley blocked an East field goal on the next possession, but East Rutherford found the end zone before the half. One of the two biggest plays of the game took place in each quarter. R-S Central decided to go for it on fourth-and-one from their own 40 with 7:15 to go in the first half, but the Cavaliers defense held. Four plays later and quarterback, Calvin Camp (146 yards rushing) sped through the middle for a 10-yard touchdown run. R-S Central’s Andrae Burnette blocked the extra point as East led 9-6 at the half.
The biggest play of the game came during a five minute East Rutherford drive in the fourth quarter, which saw Camp run 57 yards and down to the Central 10. Saibyn Ruff soon pushed across from 3-yards out and sealed the deal with 5:38 left. Central, who got in the redzone on different occasions and couldn’t score with five passes reaching the endzone.
The final slate of regular season games take shape this week.
East Rutherford and Chase are the focal point this week. With a Cavalier win, East Rutherford will be county champs. If Chase were to win, it would go to a tiebreaker on margin of victory. Chase would have to win by more than 14 to become county champs.
R-S Central will host Burns to close out the regular season and a win would give them third place in the conference.
Thomas Jefferson took care of Pine Lake Prep on Monday with a 27-18 win. The Gryphons will travel to Highland Tech. If they win, they capture second place overall in conference this season.
Boys Soccer: Thomas Jefferson is twice a winner in the 1A playoffs. They played North Moore on Weds and will see Starmount or Union Academy on the road Saturday (11/8/14) should they make the next round.
Chase easily beat Randleman in the 2A playoffs and went to Salisbury on Monday. The Trojans unfortunately lost in overtime during the second round in a 2-1 decision.
R-S Central (12-7) on the other hand had their season cut short by conference rival Shelby. The Hilltoppers were the first placed wildcard team in the playoffs and unfortunately was paired with Shelby, losing 4-1 on the road.
NASCAR: If the Chase hasn’t been interesting enough for those still watching this season, Texas sure just spiced it up a little bit more. In a fight for the lead during the final laps, Keselowski ran into the driver’s door of Jeff Gordon and the four-time champ had seen enough of Brad Keselowski’s antics. Following the contact, it cut a tire on Gordon’s car, forcing him to spin out and finish 29th. Keselowski came home third.
More so, when Keselowski wouldn’t really acknowledge Gordon after the race. Gordon grabbed Keselowski and then all heck broke loose on pit road in Texas.
In Keselowski’s defense, he said he would do anything it takes to collect his second Cup title per warning to everyone who drives in the series. However, I don’t think Keselowski did anything wrong other than try to force the issue in a way he may not should have done considering Texas is one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. There is other issue of respect. Keselowski is willing to do anything to win and Gordon is trying to win a championship in the latter stages in his career. Kevin Harvick instigated things by pushing Keselowski towards Gordon, but Harvick is apparently tired of Keselowski as well.
Phoenix is next, I will take Kevin Harvick for the win. Give me Keselowski among not winning the championship this year. Making the final four of The Chase…Logano, Gordon, Harvick and Newman.
