MRHS ties 28-28 with 33 seconds to go, but Pirates pull off big TD play
EGG HARBOR CITY — The Mainland Mustangs fought with championship effort but fell one play short of another sectional title to the Cedar Creek Pirates.
Mainland overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the South Jersey Group III title game at 28 points apiece and was 30 seconds away from forcing overtime.
Overtime never came to be, however, as Pirate Gyan King caught a pass and ran down the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown to stun the Mustangs and win 34-28 on Nov. 15. King narrowly stayed in bounds before shedding a tackle and sprinting into the end zone.
Winners of three consecutive sectional title games, the Mustangs faced an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter but played with what head coach Chuck Smith described as a “championship effort.”
The quarter started with Mainland getting the ball back after a long touchdown run by Cedar Creek to end the third quarter. Quarterback John Franchini and the offense stayed locked in and moved just past midfield before running into a fourth down. Down two scores, Smith left the offense on the field and trusted his star players.
Franchini scrambled in the backfield before firing a pass on the run to senior Jake Blum 40 yards down the field. Blum beat his defender and scored his second touchdown of the game when he was needed most. He also caught the two-point conversion from Franchini to put the Mustangs within three points.
The defense forced two consecutive Cedar Creek punts and finally got the ball back to the offense with two minutes left. Completions to Chase Hoag and Andrew Gillman brought the team to field goal range to tie the game. Kicker Nate Kashey, who owns school records in most kicking categories, made a 41-yard field goal to tie the game.
“This game was a true test of character for me,” Smith said. “We were down and had guys playing in spots they weren’t used to because of injuries, but they gave it a championship effort. They showed their championship DNA today by battling the entire way. Hats off to Cedar Creek — they made one more play than we did today and I hope they go on to win it. But I am just really proud of my guys. You cannot ask for anything more than giving 100 percent effort, and that’s what they gave today. Just fell a little short.”
Cedar Creek was explosive on offense and scored four touchdowns of at least 45 yards, but the effort and determination of the Mustangs kept them in the game.
Blum’s first touchdown of the game came on an 83-yard kickoff return, which kept the Mustangs within striking distance in the third quarter. It was one play after the Pirates opened the third quarter with another deep pass to take their biggest lead.
Blum is one of many seniors moving on after the season who left his mark on the school’s record book. He owns the single season triple crown for receivers as he holds the record in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Franchini also holds the record for touchdowns by a Mainland quarterback after he started all four years for the Mustangs. Kashey followed up those touchdowns with not just the most PATs in Mainland history, but the most PATs in state history as well.
With the season over, the curtain has fallen on one of the most exciting and successful four-year runs in Mainland football history.
The senior class as a team played in four consecutive sectional title games, reached two state championships and won the 2023 state championship behind an undefeated 14-0 record.
Asked about how he will remember this year’s team and group of seniors, Smith said, “The kids have always been the focus. We had a lot of big wins and championships, but it was really about the kids and families. Just the lifelong relationships we created and it’s going to be fun when they come back in five and 10 years from now for reunions when we bring out the championship teams.
“If this is the worst thing that happens to them, they are going to be OK in life. Hats off to all our guys for these years.”
By WILLIAM TRUITT/Sentinel Sports
