Eagles first to score during initial drive, but Ocean City responds, wins 24-7
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The Ocean City Red Raiders found themselves in a couple of unfamiliar positions Friday in a 24-7 victory against the Egg Harbor Township Eagles – a game that was much closer than the score indicated.
Despite those situations, Ocean City used timely defense, its potent running attack along with a dash of big-play pass catching to stay undefeated on the season at 6-0. The Red Raiders now sit alone on top of the Independence Division of the West Jersey Football League at 3-0.
Egg Harbor Township, which had won three games in a row going into the contest, falls to 3-3 and 2-1 in the Independence Division.
Ocean City coach Kevin Smith readily admitted after Friday’s game, the contest was not his team’s best. Smith said, though, the game was exactly the type of game his Red Raiders needed to test them when they are in some uncomfortable situations.
“We’re actually very thankful for this game,” Smith said. “First of all, I thought Egg Harbor Township played a heck of a game. They were physical and did some really good things. It forced us to handle some adversity and it was nice to see the way we handled that.”
Offensively, Ocean City got touchdowns from standout senior running back Sean Mazzitelli, junior quarterback Riley Gunnels and senior back Charley Cossaboone. But it wasn’t until the fourth quarter where the Red Raiders could truly put the game away on Cossaboone’s 2-yard run with 3:47 left on the clock.
“It was a big game because the winner of this would be leading the division all alone,” said Gunnels, who essentially scored the game-winning touchdown on his 1-yard score in the second quarter. “So we knew they were going to come out fighting hard and not giving up. [Egg Harbor Township] played very well.”
Ocean City, which came into the game with four shutouts in five games, saw Egg Harbor Township drive down and score on its first series, something that had not happened all season.
On that drive, it appeared the Red Raiders had stopped the Eagles on their first three plays and forced a punt. Egg Harbor Township punter – and running back – Mohamed Soumaworo bobbled the initial snap, saw Ocean City defenders running up field to set up the return, and ran for a 21-yard gain and a first down.
Rondell Vaughan Jr. ripped off a 21-yard run two plays later to set up quarterback Christian Rando’s 4-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 5:46 left in the first quarter.
“It was pretty disappointing to give up the touchdown but we knew we had to just shake it off,” said Ocean City cornerback Nasir Kelly, who Smith credited with helping keep the Eagles’ passing attack at bay. “Honestly, it did fire us up. I think this was a good experience. It’s going to help us in the months to come, so this was a good test for us.”
Looking inspired, Ocean City responded with a seven-play, 69-yard drive, sparked by Mazzitelli converting a fourth-down play with a 7-yard run on the Red Raiders’ own 45. Runnels then found junior wideout Patrick Lonergan downfield for a 50-yard catch to get deep in Eagles territory.
Mazzitelli scored on the next play on a 4-yard touchdown run, tying the game with 2:56 left in the opening quarter.
“That’s the first team that scored on us on their first drive all year,” Gunnels said. “I think hitting that deep route changed the momentum of the game quickly and got everyone on the sidelines excited. To be able to come right back and score on them after they took the lead was huge for us.”
While giving up a first-quarter touchdown was not his idea of starting the football game, Smith said how his Red Raiders responded put a smile on his face.
“They went down the field and scored on us, but when got the ball the first time, we went right down the field and scored as well,” Smith said. “That told me a lot about us handling adversity. This was a game we had to grind it out and that’s fine.”
Ocean City would score their second touchdown after stopping Egg Harbor Township on a true fake punt, setting up the Red Raiders on the Eagles 45 near the top of the second quarter. Runnels connected with Longeran again for a 30-yard reception and finished off the drive three plays later with a 1-yard run to go up 14-7.
“This wasn’t our best game but it showed even if we get in trouble we’ll be able to bounce back and finish strong the way we did today,” Gunnels said. “We had a shaky first half but we were able to play better in the second half.”
The rest of the game would be marked by Ocean City’s timely defensive plays. On the next Eagles’ series, Soumaweoro ripped off a 21-yard run and the Red Raiders were hit with a roughing the passer penalty to move the ball to the inside the Ocean City 20 with five seconds left before halftime.
But Egg Harbor’s 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked, leaving the score 14-7 at halftime.
Ocean City opened the third quarter with a nine-play drive that stalled out at the Egg Harbor Township 21, but Brendan McGonigle nailed a 38-yard field goal, boosting the Red Raiders’ lead to 17-7.
The Eagles fought back, going 12 plays, highlighted by another Soumaweoro run, 31-yards, to move the ball inside the Ocean City 10. Faced with a fourth-and-goal at the one, Egg Harbor Township bobbled the snap from center, losing a yard and preventing the score.
“I think they were trying for a quarterback sneak and rushed up to the line,” Smith said. “It happened really fast. It looked like we got pretty good penetration but I think they botched the snap, too. That was huge to stop them on defense after that had a successful drive.”
Cossaboone’s fourth-quarter score iced the game late but Smith insisted the benefit of Friday night’s game will show up down the road.
“Good teams have got to be able to do those things and I was really proud of the way we finish the game,” Smith said. “We said at halftime we’re going to be playing playoff games in November and they won’t be 38-0 games. Those games will be just like this so this game is going to help us handle what we are going to see later in the season.”
This is a bye week for the Red Raiders. On Saturday, Oct. 16, the Red raiders travel to Pemberton Township High School for a noon start.
The Mustangs improved to 3-3 with a 34-28 victory over Deptford Friday. Mainland Regional looks to improve its record this coming Friday, hosting Vineland at 6 p.m.
By CLYDE HUGHES/Special to the Sentinel