OCEAN CITY — The Red Raiders football team delivered yet another blowout win Friday night at Carey Stadium.
Ocean City got better as the game went on and ran away with it against Seneca, prevailing 38-0.
“I thought that team was really good,” said Raider Jack Hoag, “but we were just at our best today. Our offense and defense had their best performances yet.”
“I thought this was going to be a test,” said head coach Kevin Smith, “and I think we passed it.”
The Red Raiders have absolutely steamrolled the front half of their schedule, outscoring opponents 118-6.
It looked like the Raiders were primed to seize control early, pushing Seneca backward on its first series then getting a huge return from Hoag.
However, it was negated by a penalty and their first drive stalled.
Another strong defensive effort, and strong running from Sean Mazzitelli, set the Raiders up for their first score of the day — a field goal from Brendan McGonigle late in the first quarter.
Zach Mazzitelli helped continue the defensive dominance with a sack for a huge loss on the ensuing Eagles drive.
“Our defense has been really good,” Hoag said. “I think we can keep this up next week too.”
This gave Ocean City another great opportunity from its own 45-yard line, illustrating an understated factor in the Raiders’ success this year:
“We’re getting amazing field position,” Smith noted. “Brendan McGonigle is such a weapon. We’re pinning opponents deep constantly because of his ability to kick the ball. Then our defense is playing great, so we’re starting off with good field position, and we’re finishing drives.”
They finished this one with a perfect long bomb from Riley Gunnels to Pat Lonerghan for a 55-yards score and a 10-0 lead.
“I think Riley is getting more confident every week,” Smith said. “You can see him relax a little more, not force anything, go through his progressions a little more. He’s starting to learn when to hang in the pocket a little more and when to bail out. He’s had virtually no varsity experience prior to this year, so he’s learning on the job and starting to play really well.”
The Eagles then threatened on their next series before penalties stymied their momentum.
“I think the most important thing is not giving up big plays,” Smith said. “It makes them try to put together a clean drive up the field, making five or six yards a play. That’s hard with high school kids. Eventually you’ll miss a block, get a bad snap or get a penalty and it’s going to set you back. So, if we can keep avoiding those home runs, we’ll be good.”
Seneca elected to go for a 4th-and-2 conversion but the Raider defense swarmed to the ball carrier to shut it down.
The defense found a way to clamp down every time the Seneca offense showed signs of life.
“I thought we just got better and better as the game went on,” Smith said. “The first quarter we were a little slow out of the gate, but I think our tempo was tough for them. They also had a bye last week and had only played two games. We kept emphasizing ‘fast, fast, fast,’ and I think that paid off.”
Mazzitelli pounded the ball upfield into the red zone, where Gunnels rolled out and found tight end Mike Gray for another score.
Gray had briefly left the game with an injury but looked just fine on his third touchdown of the season.
The Ocean City run game set up the passing attack perfectly.
“I think our passing game just keeps getting better,” Hoag said. “Gunnels has been throwing the ball really well, and I think we’re just going to keep going from there.”
Another quick stop set the Raiders up near midfield late in the first half.
The Raiders special teams have flashed all year long — every week it seems they nearly block a couple of punts.
“Honestly, we’ve only called one punt block all year,” Smith said. “We didn’t block it but we probably could have. So, it’s something we have to work on. But Jack is also such a good returner that you don’t want to risk roughing the kicker when he makes such positive yards. It’s a nice problem to have when you’re choosing between a block and a good return.”
A few plays later, Gunnels unleashed a deep ball for Hoag that looked like trouble.
Two defenders looked to close in short of Hoag, one leapt to swat it away and it flipped up in the air and right into Hoag’s arms for the circus catch.
“He tipped it right to me,” Hoag said. “That was a really good ball by Gunnels though.”
“He just concentrated and made a hell of a play,” Smith said.
Hoag made it all the way to the 1-yard line, where Tom Schutta dragged a pile of defenders into the end zone to essentially seal the game by halftime at 24-0.
Speaking to the standard Ocean City sets, an assistant coach called it the worst half they’ve played this season.
Coming out of the break, Seneca built a head of steam as Adam Klenk broke free out of the backfield for first downs into Raider territory.
They made it as far as the Raider 9 before the drive completely unraveled thanks to a pair of penalties and an 18-yard sack, and they were forced to punt.
“They have some talented kids,” Smith said. “(Klenk) is a heck of a football player. He’s going to play at Navy and I can see why; I don’t think we blocked him once all night when he was on defense. But we have a lot of options — we can run the ball, and we can throw the ball.”
From the Raider 15, Mazzitelli jump-started the offense with a 20-yard run.
Another 20-yard run, this time from Charley Cossaboone, crossed midfield.
Hoag put a nasty move on a defender and sprinted up to the Eagles 2-yard line.
“This year I was supposed to just play slot,” Hoag said. “Last year I played running back. So they have me at both positions, which is a lot to learn, but it’s been amazing and really fun. I love it.”
Cossaboone capped the drive with his first score of the year.
A quick stop and a bad punt set up the final score of the day and prompted a running clock the rest of the way.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Gunnels hit Hoag with a perfect deep ball, connecting with him in stride.
“They told me to run a post and I just knew I was going to be open,” Hoag said. “I gave a double stick and he couldn’t guard me. I just outran them.”
“He’s like a Schneider 2.0,” said Smith, referring to 2020 grad Jake Schneider, who owns all the Raiders career receiving records. “He’s good because while he’s naturally gifted with quickness, his work ethic is phenomenal. If you watched that kid practice, you would think that every day is a game. It’ll be a Tuesday afternoon and you would think he’s playing in a game, and his practice habits definitely translate.”
Hoag has been an impact player for the Raiders in a variety of roles — running back, receiver, returner and defensive back.
“It’s a lot, but I just love playing,” Hoag said. “Anywhere on the field, as long as I’m in it’s fun.”
At 38-0, the Raiders hung on for the shutout while being able to mix in some younger players.
“We had a really good week at practice,” Hoag said, “and we’re just going to do that again this week. We’ll bring that same energy next week.”
After a shaky start, Ocean City played a very clean game.
“We’ve been much more disciplined as we’ve gone on,” Hoag said.
Despite the excellent start to the season, the Raiders know they haven’t reached their goals.
“We’re definitely going to keep our heads,” Hoag said. “We need to stay focused and not let any of these teams or media get in our heads. We’re just going to keep grinding.”
They’ll look to keep dominating at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at Egg Harbor Township High School.
By KYLE McCRANE/Sentinel Sports
