Shore Comes From Behind To Defeat Metuchen, Clinch Playoff Spot

With its back up against the wall in a game it had to win to secure a spot in the NJSIAA sectional playoffs, on Saturday against Metuchen, Shore once again exuded the same will and determination that helped it capture the Central Jersey Group I title last season.

Tied at 21, the Blue Devils capped a 14-play, 97-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge by senior quarterback Brendan Dula to give it a 27-21 lead with 9:37 left in the fourth quarter.

On the Bulldogs’ ensuing possession, Dula, recorded the second of his game-high two interceptions as he returned a pass from quarterback Anthony Feltre 54 yards for a touchdown to help Shore seal a 35-21 victory over Metuchen in a nonconference game at Robert E. Feeney Field. The win, the Blue Devils’ fourth consecutive, officially qualified them for the state playoffs.

Down 21-7 and continuously unable to capitalize on good field position, Shore (6-2) was finally able to utilize its good field position as it used a 32-yard kick return by Mark Costantino to set up a seven-yard touchdown pass from Dula to Nick Mahoney with 25.3 left in the first half.

Senior running back Nick Grigos, who rushed for 65 yards on 14 carries, helped the Blue Devils draw first blood in the second half with a 12-yard touchdown gallop with 7:49 remaining in the third quarter to bring the score to 21 apiece.

On the heels of Dula’s first interception, Shore then marched 97 yards for what would ultimately be the game-winning scoring drive. The senior running back combination of Grigos and Stefanos Koursaris combined for 76 yards on the drive.

Koursaris would pace the Blue Devils’ running attack with 152 yards on 19 carries (89 of his rushing yards coming in the first half).

The Bulldogs’ (5-4) ground game was led by senior running back Errol Lindo (197 yards on 33 carries), who shredded the Shore defense for 175 first half-rushing yards. But in the second half a rejuvenated Blue Devil defense held Lindo to just 22 yards.

“Lindo’s a very good player and they have some good linemen, but in the second half we stiffened up,” Costantino said. They’re committed to running the ball so they’re going to get their yards. We just missed tackles.”

Shore also received a strong contribution from Costantino’s son Mark whose kickoff return in the first half and 19-yard punt return in the second half helped to set up a pair of scores. Costantino (14 yards on three carries) also recorded a three-yard touchdown run on the Blue Devils’ opening drive.

“Mark’s a very fast runner and he’s doing a real good job,” Costantino said. “Him (Mark) and Stef (Koursaris) are primarily are sweep guys and we like to use (Nick) Grigos and Jack (Kelly) up the middle. But he had a big game today. I’m proud of him.”

Before Saturday’s game, the Blue Devils were holding onto the eighth playoff spot, four points ahead of Middlesex, which held the ninth spot. If Shore lost to Metuchen, it could have still qualified for the playoffs had Middlesex lost to Cardinal McCarrick on Saturday.

“We worked so hard during practice all week and we played our hearts out today,” Koursaris said “We’re excited to be able to defend our title and hopefully we’ll get another shot at Asbury. That’s what we’ve been waiting for all year after that one loss (referring to the Blue Devils’ 14-13 loss to Asbury Park on 9/30).

Whether or not they’ll get another shot against Asbury Park is uncertain but one thing is certain-Shore is back in the playoffs and will be able to defend its NJSIAA Central Group I championship.