Football: Late surge lifts Bridgewater-Raritan over North Hunterdon

BRIDGEWATER – It was a back and forth affair on Friday evening, but the Bridgewater-Raritan High School football team took control late in the second half and remained undefeated this season with an impressive comeback victory.

The Panthers (5-0) scored 21 unanswered points starting late in the third quarter as first-place Bridgewater-Raritan went on to defeat a surging North Hunterdon squad 52-31.

There were a total of five lead changes and 11 touchdowns scored between the two teams in Friday’s barnburner.

“We went into halftime and challenged the kids, this is a character game, we’re either going to fold under the pressure, or we’re going to build ourselves a team under the pressure,” Bridgewater-Raritan coach Scott Bray said. “They built and did exactly what we asked of them. I’m glad we were able to put it away in the second half like we did.”

With the scored tied 31-31 late in the third quarter, junior running back David Usewick ran for a seven-yard touchdown, his second rushing touchdown of the game, to give the Panthers a 38-31 lead with under 40 seconds left in the quarter.

On the ensuring Lions drive, the Panthers defense recovered a fumble to set the offense up at the 50-yard line. Senior running back Matt Alesandro then ran for a 41-yard touchdown to put the Panthers up 45-31 with 9:54 to play.

According to Bray, the Panthers’ offensive line was consequential in the final surge.

“Our offensive line played their best game of the year,” Bray said. “Our O-line coach came up to me at halftime and said to go with them, and we did. They stepped up to the challenge.”

Alesandro would go one to score his fourth rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 52-31 after a Chike Nwankwo interception set the Panthers up at the Lions’ 16- yard line. In a game where both teams traded scores for most of the game, the turnovers were crucial for the Panthers.

“In the second half, we were able to convert on our turnovers,” Bray said. “Turnovers are huge, but the important thing is we converted off them and made something of them.”

The Panthers took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter after a Nick Attanasio 67-yard punt return touchdown and a 20-yard Usewick rushing touchdown. North Hunterdon ended the first quarter by scoring 21 unanswered points courtesy of three passing touchdowns from junior quarterback Matt Busher.

After trading scores with the Panthers and now trailing 31-24 with 3:52 left in the quarter, senior wide out Jacob Berg scored his third touchdown of the game on a 28-yard pass from Busher to tie the score at 31.

The Panthers would shut the Lions down the rest of the way.

Staff Writer Daniel LoGiudice can be reached at dlogiudice@gannettnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @danny_logiudice.