Published Jun 9, 2009
A look back at New Jerseys thrilling win
Pat PJR Rice
Publisher
The Game At A Glance: New Jersey won on the game's final play, as Carlo Calabrese intercepted a pass off the intended Northeast receiver, lateralled to Josh Evans, who scampered down the field and ran parallel to the goal to run out the clock before scoring. It was enough to give New Jersey a 13-7 win.
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First Half Highlights: Both teams moved the ball in the first quarter, picking up first downs, but didn't do much beyond midfield. The Northeast picked up three first downs on the first drive, reaching the New Jersey 30, but was forced to punt. The drive featured the running of Rutgers bound back De'Antwan Williams. New Jersey featured the ground game, which was their bread and butter throughout the game, with nice runs from Ray Graham and Dillon Romain.
New Jersey fumbled twice on their first two possessions of the second quarter, setting the Northeast up with great field position both times. However, the New Jersey defense held and two field goal attempts were no good, leaving the game scoreless. New Jersey was moving the ball, reaching the 25, but their fake field goal attempt wasn't successful. The Northeast's Daryl Klotz intercepted on the New Jersey 47 and returned it to the 28 with less than 30 seconds remaining. Two plays later, Marcus Wasilewski found Derrell Person in the end zone for a 24 yard score and a 7-0 lead at the half as time ran out.
Second Half Highlights: New Jersey tied the score on the first drive, as Graham scored from 8 yards out with 8:16 left in the quarter. It was a twelve play drive that stayed strictly on the ground, mostly featuring Graham and Romain. New York answered with a drive; with the big play being a long pass from Purdue bound Najee Tyler to Penn State bound Justin Brown to the 29. Their attempt to go in front was thwarted by a Joshua Evans interception in the end zone with a minute and a half left in the quarter and he returned it to the 17.
New Jersey was driving for the winning score, but a late field goal attempt hit the upright, leaving the score tied. The Northeast was driving through the air, but the pass intended for the Northeast receiver bounced off him into the hands of New Jersey linebacker Carlo Calabrese, who lateralled to Evans. Evans took off down the sideline for the winning score, and then cut across the field parallel to the goal line, both scoring and running out the clock.
Play Of The Game: The Winning Score: the Calabrese interception, lateral to Evans, who ran for the winning score as time ran out.
Game Balls:
New Jersey:
DB Joshua Evans (Irvington/Florida) – the winning score on a lateral and a key second half interception changed the course of the game.
DE Michael Larrow (Union/Rutgers) – He was a force rushing the passer, especially in the second half.
RB Ray Graham (Elizabeth/Pittsburgh) – Very good day running the ball.
RB Dillon Romain (Don Bosco/Blair Academy) – Like Graham, also a very good day.
LB Carlo Calabrese (Verona/Notre Dame) – His interception on the last play set up the winning score.
DT Julio Geronimo (East Orange/Stony Brook) – He was very active from his DT position all game.
CB Logan Ryan (Eastern/Rutgers) – Was very good in coverage.
Northeast:
QB Marcus Wasilewski (Mount Carmel HS, Pa./Bloomsburg) – Had a good day throwing the ball and may have a good career at Bloomsburg.
WR Justin Brown (Concord, Del./Penn State) – Played very well and has a bright future.
RB De'Antwan Williams (Woodbridge, Va./Rutgers) – Showed promise running the ball.
CB Joelil Thrash (HD Woodson HS, Washington DC/Illinois) – Played a good game and was around the ball.
FS Stephen Obeng-Agyapong (JF Kennedy, Bronx, NY/Penn State) – Was very active.
WR Derrell Person (Calvin Coolidge HS, Washington DC/New Mexico) – He showed good playmaking ability.