LINWOOD — The Mainland Regional football team’s last winning streak — 15 games at home — came crashing down last Friday at the hands of undefeated Group IV kingpins Winslow, but the Mustangs will have another challenge this week at defending Group III state champion Delsea.
The 47-24 loss to Winslow (8-0), a team the Mustangs defeated in the Group IV state semifinals a year ago, dropped Mainland to 5-3 on the season. While Mainland’s playoff position in the NJSIAA Group III tournament is secure, both the Mustangs and the Delsea Crusaders will have something to play for.
“That was a tough loss because Winslow’s a very good team,” Mainland coach Chuck Smith said.
Mainland, which won the Group IV state crown last year, ranks No. 3 in the NJSIAA Group III South United Power Rankings behind Hopewell Valley (8-0) and Somerville (8-0), but Delsea (2-5) is in a more precarious position at No. 13.
“They are a lot better than their record indicates,” Smith said of the Crusaders, who underwent a new coach and offensive scheme in the offseason. “They’ve played a brutal schedule just like we have, we’re both fighting for playoff positions and we have to go there to play.”
Winslow came into the contest ranked No. 2 in the Group IV South rankings and had already beaten the two teams that Mainland lost to this season (Millville and St. Augustine Prep) by double-digits.
Yet the Mustangs looked poised for the upset by scoring on its opening drive of six plays ending with an 18-yard, first-quarter touchdown catch by freshman Dylan Granzow from quarterback John Franchini. Franchini is now two touchdown passes away from the school touchdown passing record. It was Granzow’s first varsity touchdown.
Mainland’s defense at the time was able to slow down the Eagles’ high-flying passing offense in the early stages.
The Mustangs lost a chance to go up two scores after failing to capitalize on a Franchini 51-yard catch by Granzow that took the ball to the Eagles’ 24. Winslow, which has been known all year for its outstanding defense, stopped the Mustangs with two yards to go for a first down at the 16.
“That’s a credit to them from keeping us to getting that first down,” Smith said. “That was a big one early in the game.”
But any dreams of an upset, however, crumbled in the final four minutes of the second quarter when a handful of mistakes turned into three quick Eagles touchdowns, giving Winslow a head-spinning 21-7 lead at halftime.
With Winslow facing a third-and-15 deep in its own territory, wide receiver Cam Miller, a Wisconsin signee, took a short swing pass and broke several tackles for a 56-yard catch-and-run to the Mainland 10-yard line.
Nyqir Helton finished the series on the next play with a 10-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jalen Parker, tying the score at 7-7 with 3:48 left before halftime.
Mainland failed to move the ball on its next series, forcing a punt, but a high snap from center forced punter Nick Kashey to cover up the ball at the Mustangs’ own 6. Again, Winslow needed one play with Roman Duckett scoring on a handoff, giving the Eagles their first lead, 14-7, with 2:05 left.
After the following kickoff return moved the ball to near midfield, Mainland fumbled on its second play, giving Winslow one more crack at the end zone before the half.
The Eagles again struck fast, with Parker connecting with Helton on a 57-yard touchdown with 1:30 left to completely turn the contest around. Winslow took the lead 21-7 at halftime.
“We just made too many mistakes out there against a team that we knew we had to pretty much play a perfect game against to have a shot,” Smith said. “We had a couple of bad snaps, a kickoff return, you just can’t do that against a team like that.”
Winslow opened the third quarter with a 10-play drive, ending with Miller’s 10-yard touchdown catch from Parker for a 27-7 lead after a missed extra point.
Mainland fought back on its first possession of the second half, moving the ball into the Eagles’ red zone before settling for a Kashey 27-yard field goal, cutting the lead to 27-10 at the 5:04 mark.
The Eagles responded to the threat with Jayden Poteat returning the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown, boosting Winslow’s lead to 34-10. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown against Mainland in recent memory.
Mainland, however, continued to fight, going on a nine-play drive, a mix of runs and passes, that ended with a Rocco DeBiaso 7-yard run to make it 34-17.
The Mustangs’ defense came up with a big play on Nate Rivera’s interception and return back to the Winslow 26.
On the first play, Franchini dropped a perfectly thrown over-the-shoulder touchdown pass to Jake Blum in the right corner of the end zone just before the end of the third quarter, slashing the Eagles lead to 34-24.
“I do admire the way our guys fought [Friday night],” Smith said. “We were down by 14 at halftime and we crawled back and made it an exciting game. In the end, it was just too many mistakes.”
Winslow, aided by a long pass interference penalty, put out Mainland’s momentum with a nine-play drive that ended with a Duckett three-yard touchdown run for a 41-24 advantage with nine minutes left in the game.
Winslow continued to leave its first team on the field to add a final score, a NaKeem Powell nine-yard run, late in the fourth quarter.
Winslow coach Bill Belton stayed away from the revenge theme and complimented Mainland after the contest.
“This was just one of nine games on the schedule, and we treated it that way,” Belton said. “They are a well-coached team, and we got tested tonight. We had to keep our boys in line and focused the entire game. They sent us home last year [in Group IV state semifinals], so it wasn’t the same feeling. It is what it is. I’m just happy we won tonight.”
In closing out the regular season against Delsea and into the NJSIAA Group III playoffs, Smith said his team still has plenty to work on.
“We know Delsea will be a tough task, but we’ll learn from tonight and get back on it,” Smith said.
– By CLYDE HUGHES/For the Sentinel
