Sometimes in football it simply comes down to a numbers game. For an undermanned Shore Regional team that was the case against perennial Shore Conference powerhouse Manasquan on Saturday.
The Blue Devils (2-2, 2-1) did all they could to keep up with the Warriors before falling, 21-7, in a nondivisional game at Vic Kubu Warrior Field.In the first half both schools’ stout defenses where on full display as neither offense could generate any kind of production.
Shore, which has been led by its strong defensive play through the first four games of the season, held Manasquan’s offense in check in the first half as both teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Blue Devils best opportunity to score in the first half came early in the second quarter when they took over possession of the ball at the Warrior’s 19-yard line after recovering a mishandled punt by Manasquan.
After getting the ball to the eight-yard line quarterback Brendan Dula hooked up with senior tight end Jake Armstrong for what looked to be a go-ahead touchdown. However a questionably penalty would erase the touchdown for Shore. The possession would result in a failed field goal attempt by Luis Bernardes.
Find out what's happening in Little Silver-Oceanportwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
After both teams were forced to punt on their respective opening drives in the second half, the Warriors (5-0, 2-0) drew first blood as 6-4, 210 lb. senior quarterback Tyler Saito found Louis Shiavone crossing over the middle for a 44-yard touchdown pass to give Manasquan a 7-0 lead with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter.
On their next offensive possession, the Blue Devils would use a 56-yard run by junior Jack Kelly to setup a six-yard touchdown plunge by senior running back Nick Grigos at the 31.6 mark in the third quarter to quickly tie the score at seven.
The fourth quarter, however, would be all Warriors as the Group II School used the running combination of senior Kodie McNamara and sophomore Joe Murphy to wear down a tired and shorthanded Shore defense. The two would combine for 111 fourth quarter-rushing yards with McNamara finishing off a pair of scoring drives with touchdown runs of two and four yards.
For Shore two-way players senior wide receiver/defensive back Tom O’Horo and sophomore defensive tackle/offensive tackle Chris Okupsky did not play due to injury, while junior running back Mark Costantino (the head coach’s son), Grigos and Kelly all played injured.
“We knew we could hang out with them (Manasquan) but we had several starters out today so we really didn’t know what was going to happen,” Head Coach Mark Costantino said. “We really should have been winning at the half. To call that touchdown back was terrible (referring to the Dula to Armstrong touchdown pass that was called back at the end of the first half). That really changed the whole outlook of the game.”
“We knew they were going to come out in the second half and try and pound us and towards the end of the fourth quarter they did. Playing a big Group II School is tough. We’re a Group I school and it showed late in the game when they started to wear us out. That’s just the way it is. I’m proud of my team though. They played hard. Manasquan’s a good team and my guys played their butts off. It’s unfortunate that we’re banged up, but it’s that time of the year. We’re a small school and it takes its toll."
Although disappointed that he and his team could not avenge last year’s 7-6 loss to Manasquan on coincidentally the same day from last year, Grigos recognizes that this is just one game and that the team’s ultimate goal is still attainable.
“We definitely would have liked to have won this game,” said Grigos, who in the loss recorded his third rushing touchdown of the season. “The win would have been huge for power points, but we definitely stuck with them which is pretty good. They are top five in the shore and they’re probably one of the best teams that we’ll see all year. Our goal going forward is to definitely win out, go to the playoffs and beat Asbury (Park)."
After winning its first two games of the season, Shore has now dropped two in a row (including a 14-13 home divisional loss to Asbury Park on 9/30).
The Blue Devils will look to snap their current two-game losing skid when they travel to South River to take on the Rams in a nonconference game on 10/13 at 7 p.m.
