Green Wave proves itself against Eagles
Long Branch gives top-ranked Middletown South quite a scare
BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Long Branch’s Manny Navarro puts a hit on Middletown South’s David Dosil during the Eagles’ 7-0 state playoff win on Friday in Middletown. At right, Long Branch running back Thomas Jeter muscles his way for some extra yards.

MIDDLETOWN — Going into Friday night’s Central Jersey Group III semifinal game against Middletown South, the Long Branch Green Wave knew they were going to have to step up and play big in order to be competitive with the state’s top-ranked team.

They did more than just step up, playing the unbeaten Eagles even through 3 1/2 quarters before giving up the game’s only touchdown late in the fourth quarter to fall 7-0.

Long Branch’s Robert Cheese looks for some running room that isn’t there during the Green Wave’s 7-0 loss to top-ranked Middletown South on Friday.

The touchdown was set up by a 61-yard pass from South quarterback Dan Stivala to Eric Daneman with just over three minutes left, which put the ball on the Long Branch 7-yard line. On the next play, Knowshon Moreno broke free of a Miguel Encarnacion hit in the backfield, and scurried seven yards for the game’s only score.

However, the score did little to take away from what was a near flawless defensive effort, in which the Green Wave proved what their coach has been saying all along — this is a better Long Branch team than people think.

“We had our game plan for the night and carried it out,” said head coach Dan George. “Having the number one team in the state on the ropes like that is a real tribute to the kids and the program.”

In holding the Eagles scoreless through 3 1/2 quarters of play, the Long Branch defense did what nobody else has been able to do over the last two seasons — hold Moreno in check.

The Green Wave defenders were seemingly in the backfield on every snap, holding the talented tailback to just 85 yards rushing on 23 carries. And it was a hard 84 yards, as Moreno struggled to find daylight against a swarming Long Branch defense that simply wouldn’t budge.

“Against the Middletown South offense, if you don’t execute on every play, any play can result in a touchdown,” said George.

The Green Wave defensive line, comprised of Manny Navarro, Kevin Richardson, John Jasio, Jared Brabham, Cameron Zuidema and linebackers Robert Cheese and Alex Decos, led an inspired defensive effort.

“It just goes back to believing in the system and playing with heart in every game,” said George.

The Green Waves secondary was just as solid, as the Eagles struggled to get anything going in the air as well. Aulander Daniels, Jerett Sanderson, Antwion Tucker (one interception) and Encarnacion blanketed the Eagle receivers, while also coming up to help stop the run when needed.

“We’re really proud of our secondary,” George said. “They’re currently leading the Shore in pass defense.”

Another aspect of the Long Branch team that kept them in Friday’s game was their ability to execute on special teams play. The combination of center Decos and punter Terrence McKeller managed to pin Middletown South deep in its own territory several times throughout the game, making it hard for the Eagles to get anything started.

“Our special teams have played well all season, and Terrence has punted well all season,” said the coach.

Offensively, Long Branch came out throwing against the tough South defense. Quarterback Maurice Turpin, who has passed for over 1,200 yards on the season, struggled for the most part (4-for-17 for 70 yards), but did manage to successfully drive the Green Wave down deep inside South territory late in the third quarter (following Tucker’s INT), but the Eagle defense stiffened, stalling the drive.

Normally, following a close loss in the playoffs, it’s hard to focus on the positive things your team did. But in this case, George has no problem talking about the pride he feels for his team this season.

The Green Wave made a statement Friday night, and George had no complaints despite the loss.

“No one really gave us a shot this season,” said George. “Our goal was to win a championship. We came close; now we have to regroup and stay up for our next game.”

The 7-3 Green Wave will not have any problem getting up for its final game, as they prepare for a battle against rival Red Bank Regional tomorrow morning.

“It’s a huge game every year. There’s always a tremendous amount of pride on the line in this game,” said George. “It’s the oldest rivalry in the state of New Jersey, and the game has a real sense of honor and tradition.”

Game time is 10:30 a.m.

The Long Branch-RBR game is one of a pair of local rivalry games of interest this Thanksgiving.

The Red Bank Catholic Caseys will look to end what has been a successful season at 5-4 when they travel to Rumson Fair Haven tomorrow for a 11 a.m. start.

The Caseys, who lost to Don Bosco Prep in their state tournament opener, have been one of the Shore’s top young teams this year, and would like nothing more than to close out the year on a high note.

As for Rumson, the Bulldogs are 6-3 on the season, and have played well of late. This contest looks to be a good one on paper, with both squads having the weapons to put points on the board.

The Ocean Spartans, who dropped their CJ Group III semifinal game to Wall Township, 23-7, on Friday, will host rival Monmouth Regional on Saturday. With a win, the 6-4 Spartans will put a nice finishing touch on what has been a superb season for head coach Sal Spamoanato’s squad.

As for Monmouth, they look to get to 3-7 in their final game of the year. Game time is 1 p.m.