OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Red Raiders had their 3-0 unbeaten streak ended after a tough battle against Camden High School, but the players and head coach Sean Matthews are keeping their heads held high.
Ocean City played hard until the final whistle but fell to Camden 32-8 Sept. 18. The Raiders pulled within 12 points to start the second half, but the defending Group II state champions did not give up much more.
“I told the huddle after the game how proud I was of their effort and that we have all the right kids here at Ocean City playing ball,” Matthews said. “We are not proud or happy with the scoreboard. There are things that must be worked on no doubt about it, but these kids battle every week.”
Ocean City had success in slowing down Camden on early downs and forced third-and-long situations. However, the potent running back duo of Jayden Boyce and Roman Duckett managed to find every yard they needed for a first down. They combined for four touchdowns in the game – the first points the Raider defense had given up all season.
On defense, Ocean City held Camden on two straight two-point attempts and looked to head into the halftime locker room down only 12-0. Camden’s commitment to the rushing attack opened up their passing game with 1:30 left in the half. Three big catches brought Camden right down the field in a flash before Duckett’s second touchdown and two-point conversion gave his team in a commanding 20-0 lead.
The Raiders responded well and came out of the halftime locker room looking for explosive plays to get them back in the game. Senior Michael Marczyk answered the Raiders’ call to action.
Quarterback Jackson Becker opened the half taking shots down the field and was supplemented by Cole Garreffi, who had two first downs on the drive. Becker then found Marczyk on the left sideline for a 55-yard touchdown pass.
Two-point conversions were the theme of the day after Camden went 1-3 on attempts so the Raiders tried their own. Ocean City pulled off a tricky fake field goal that saw Johhny Klebaur walk into the end zone for two points.
“We had a lot of young kids that got thrown into the fire and they responded well. We are very happy with what we saw out of our group and know where we can keep improving,” Matthews said. “At the end of the day, I have to give us some more chances to fight earlier in the game and defensively we have to get off the field in critical situations.”
At wide receiver/defensive back, Marczyk has been a big-play magnet all season for Ocean City with multiple touchdowns and forced turnovers.
Camden looked in prime position to match the Ocean City touchdown and marched down the field, but an errant throw in the end zone had Marczyk come up with the interception.
Earlier in the game, Marczyk recovered a loose ball on the opening kickoff.
The Raiders could very well run into Camden again in the playoffs later in the season as Camden was moved up to Group III this year.
Before any playoff schedules can be set, Ocean City has half the regular season to go and the biggest game of the season so far up next with a trip across the bay to Mainland Regional High School. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25.
Ocean City is looking for its first win over Mainland in four years and will enter the game with the superior record. The Raiders’ 3-1 record looks great compared to the slow-starting 1-3 Mustangs, but both teams would agree that this game never has cared about the records. Mainland eliminated Ocean City from the postseason last year and after its loss to Camden, Ocean City has no lack of motivation for this game.
“We talk about having an empty belly on Monday. Our belly’s empty right now,” Matthews said.
– STORY by WILLIAM TRUITT/For the Sentinel
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
