GMC Football: Old Bridge advances to Central Group V semifinals with win over Trenton

The Old Bridge High School defense nearly pitched a shutout in a methodical 24-6 win over Trenton in a Central Group V quarterfinal Friday at Lombardi Field. The third-seeded Knights (7-2) get a rematch in next week’s semifinal against second-seeded South Brunswick, which beat No. 7 Hillsborough 42-7 Friday.

In the season opener for both teams on Sept. 8, South Brunswick won 35-6. Since then, the Knights have been rolling with six straight wins out of their triple option offense run by first-year starting quarterback Anthony Imbimbo.

READ: Media Blitz: High School Football Playoffs Frenzy

READ: South Brunswick tops Hillsborough in Central Group V

That prowess was on display against sixth-seeded Trenton (6-4), which competes in the West Jersey Football League. Old Bridge scored in each quarter and didn’t allow a Trenton touchdown until four mintues left in the game.

Imbimbo opened the scoring on a 25-yard touchdown run with 9:05 left in the first quarter. With 7:49 remaining in the second quarter, Chancellor Cooper punched in a 1-yard touchdown for a 14-0 Knights lead.

In the third quarter, Calogero Caruso booted a 24-yard field goal to give Old Bridge a 17-0 lead with 3:15 left. Caruso, who is now 6 of 6 on field goal attempts, made three extra points. For the season, he’s 25 of 25 on PATs.

With four minutes remaining in the game, Trenton scored on a 14-yard pass from Ji'Ayir Brown to Tommire Neal. The Knights, though, blocked the extra point.

Old Bridge came right back when Imbimbo bolted for a 29-yard touchdown run with 3:33 left and a 24-6 win.