Middlesex defeats South River football 41-20

Bolstered by the stellar play of its linemen on both sides of the ball, the Middlesex High School football team used a balanced rushing attack and a couple of key play-action passes to post a 41-20 victory over South River on Saturday.

Anthony Marshall carried eight times for 110 yards and quarterback A.J. Abate completed two touchdown passes for a total of 100 yards as the Blue Jays got off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2011.

Kayshawn Wilson scored three touchdowns and Dennis Brodnax had a 63-yard scoring reception for Middlesex, which faces Asbury Park next weekend.

"We knew the game was going to be won and lost up front," Middlesex head coach P.J. Jankowicz said. "They have some big, strong kids that gave us some concern, but we knew if we just did our job and took it one play at a time we'd have some success.

"This is just a tribute to our strength and conditioning. We've really seen the benefits last week (in a win over defending sectional champion Point Pleasant Beach) and today. It was really hot and we did a good job. The line definitely got stronger as the game went on."

Matt Hode (35 yards) and Ryan Coke (24 yards) contributed to the ground game. Abate's two touchdown passes – including a 37-yarder to Wilson – came off play action.

"We saw some things that we felt we could take advantage of and Dennis has just been another kid whose hard work since March has been paying off," Jankowicz said. "A.J. Today put two throws right on the money for us and he let the playmakers make plays."

Coke joined ends Mike McGuire and Kyle Hornung in having stellar defensive games for Middlesex, which forced four turnovers.