St. Joseph football rolls past North Brunswick
METUCHEN - After dominating North Brunswick with a potent yet balanced offense and a defense that was impenetrable until the game's final play, one pressing question remains about the St. Joseph football team, can it punt?
The Falcons never had to reveal that aspect of their game Saturday as they scored on their first five possessions en route to a 38-6 victory in the first-ever meeting between the schools.
RELATED: SPOTSWOOD FOOTBALL TOPS SOUTH RIVER
St. Joseph accumulated 351 yards of total offense, 215 in the air and 136 on 32 rushes, running for three touchdowns and passing for two. North Brunswick managed 98 yards of total offense, 76 on the ground, and failed to complete a pass until the game's final play.
"We were able to accomplish what we wanted, which was to dictate the football game," St. Joseph coach Casey Ransome said. "When we wanted to run the ball we were able to move them, when we wanted to throw the ball we were able to. I think that's the strength of our team, we're very balanced."
Paul Cocozzielo completed eight of 10 passes, connecting on his first and last four attempts, with Jack Sot hauling in three for 95 yards. Manny Resto powered the ground assault, registering a game-high 112 yards on 19 carries.
MORE: HOME NEWS TRIBUNE FOOTBALL PREVIEW
St. Joseph also displayed quick-strike capabilities, requiring two plays for one 81-yard touchdown drive and just one for a shorter strike from 21 yards after North Brunswick had to punt from its end zone.
The Falcons received the opening kickoff and promptly glided down the field for 82 yards in 11 plays, with Luke Yakely finishing from nine yards for his first of two visits to the end zone.
St. Joseph regained possession at its 19 yard and required just two plays to score. The Falcons stacked three receivers on the left side, drawing some added attention from the Raiders secondary that enabled Cocozziello to find Sot down the right sideline for an 80-yard touchdown and a 14-0 edge eight minutes into the contest.
"It's a diversion," Cocozziello explained. "We showed everyone to the left, everyone bit on that, backside right, touchdown. Today was a day where we showed what we have, and there's still more to come."
St. Joseph marched from its 20 to a third-and-goal from the 2-yard line on its next series, but it settled for a 25-yard field goal by Sot after a chop block penalty and a suddenly stout North Brunswick defense. The Raiders' offense came to life after that stop and picked up three first downs in forcing its deepest penetration to the Falcons' 20, before Jordan Davis terminated the threat with an interception in the end zone.
Resto scored from 24 yards out on St. Joseph's first play of the second half, following the short punt, and Davis extended the margin to 31-0 on a 1-yard stroll with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Yakely scored again for a 38-0 advantage that kept the clock in motion for the final six minutes.
St. Joseph appeared on the verge of a shutout before fumbling the ball away at its 22 on the game's penultimate play.
Christian Petrillo found Aaron Ahr in the near right corner of the end zone on the final play of game for North Brunswick's lone score, and completed pass, of the afternoon.
North Brunswick (0-1) 0-0-0-6-6
St. Joseph (1-0) 14-3-14-7-38
SCORING SUMMARY
SJ - Yakely 9 run (Sot kick)
SJ - Sot 80 pass from Cocozziello (Sot kick)
SJ - Sot FG 25
SJ - Resto 24 run (Sot kick)
SJ - Yakely 2 run (Sot kick)
NB - Ahr 22 pass from Petrillo
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing - NB: Allah 14-53, Petrillo 11-29, Bailey 2-4, Herrera 1-0, Session 1-minus 3, Dera 1-minus 6; SJ: Resto 19-112, Yakely 6-14, Cocozziello 4-10, Hogarty 1-2, Davis 2-minus 2.
Passing - NB: Petrillo 1-1-0-22, Dera 0-2-1-0; SJ: Cocozziello 8-10-0-215.
Receiving - NB: Ahr 1-22; SJ: Sot 3-95, Wyatt 2-59, Murray 2-43, Resto 1-18.