42-7 victory over Hammonton Blue Devils
HAMMONTON – The Mainland Mustangs came into their second game of the year laser-focused after a disappointing performance in the season opener.
Mainland Regional High School scored on offense, defense and special teams as the Mustangs dominated Hammonton High School 42-7 on the road Friday, Sept. 5.
Mainland scored 35 points in the first half after being held to only eight points in their 25-8 loss to Atlantic City last week.
“We had something to prove after a really poor performance last week all around,” Mainland head coach Chuck Smith said. “Went back to the drawing board and sometimes to take a step forward you have to take two steps back. Guys came out hungry to prove something tonight that they are better then the team that showed up last week and they showed it.”
Senior quarterback John Franchini and the offense came out firing on their first drive of the game and were not going to be denied. Franchini found star receiver Jake Blum on fourth down and long to extend the drive before hitting Liam Kennedy for a touchdown.
“Coming into this week everyone was locked in,” Franchini said. “Me, Chase (Hoag), our leaders, we were all making sure everyone was locked in. This is the most focused I have seen our O-line. They were determined out there this week.”
Blum was also determined to make an impact in the game and had himself a day. On defense to start the second quarter, Blum jumped in front of Hammonton quarterback Cole Landichini’s pass for an easy interception that he returned 33 yards for a touchdown.
After the big plays by Mainland’s offense and defense, the special teams unit started to terrorize Hammonton’s punt attempts.
Hammonton’s first punt after Blum’s pick-six was mishandled by the punter and the Mustangs got ahold of him for an instant scoring opportunity for the offense.
Already up 14-0, Mainland got the ball needing only three yards for a touchdown and lined up Blum under center. He took a direct snap and powered through the line for his second touchdown of the game. Nate Kashey’s extra point put the Mustangs up 21-0.
Mainland forced another three and out and got ahold of their second consecutive punt. Luke Kerrigan broke through the line of scrimmage and blocked the kick to give the offense another short field.
Three plays later Franchini hit Blum from five yards away for another short-field touchdown for the offense. It was Blum’s third touchdown of the game as he finished with 43 yards and two touchdowns on offense, with a pick-six on defense for the cherry on top.
Franchini topped off his day with his third touchdown pass to Kennedy to close out a 35-0 halftime lead for Mainland. Kennedy hauled in two of his quarterback’s three touchdown passes.
Franchini and his two receivers are all in their final season at Mainland after playing with each other for years. On his relationship with Blum and Kennedy, Franchini said, “We’ve been best friends since we were 8 years old. Growing up in different towns was hard but then we got to Mainland and it’s so awesome to throw to them. I have all the confidence in the world in them, and I know they have the confidence in me to get them the ball.”
After halftime, the Mustangs cooled off with a massive 35-0 lead, but Trenton Roesch had one more punt block. Roesch pushed through the defenders immediately and swatted the ball away before it was even kicked. The ball bounced backwards towards the end zone and Roesch recovered it for a touchdown.
Asked after the game about the special teams’ performance, Smith said, “It’s a credit to our defense and the special teams’ punt block unit. We really played on a short field all night on offense.”
Mainland played in consecutive games on the road and will finally play in Linwood for the first time this season on Friday, Sept. 12. The Mustangs will host Millville High School in a battle between two of the top teams in the area in recent seasons. Millville beat the Mustangs 40-7 last year but stumbled out of the gate with a 0-2 record, including a loss to Atlantic City. Kickoff from the Mustang Corral is set for 6 p.m.
“It’s always nice playing at the Mustang Corral and it’s a special place for us,” Smith said. “We always have a big crowd and of course Millville coming in as one of the top teams in South Jersey. We have our work cut out for us this week, but we’re excited to get there.”
– By WILLIAM TRUITT/For the Sentinel