South Plainfield football team stuns undefeated Carteret, clinches playoff berth

Despite playing without one of its star players, the South Plainfield High School football team posted a stunning upset of previously undefeated Carteret, handing the Ramblers and their high-powered offense a 10-0 setback at “The Pit” on Friday night.

With the victory, South Plainfield improved to 5-2 and unofficially secured a Central Group III playoff berth.

The Tigers began this weekend’s action with the seventh most power points in the section, while the Ramblers (5-1) were sitting with the fourth most power points in the section.

Carteret entered the contest averaging a league-leading 317 rushing yards per game and a conference-best 423 yards per game.

Sophomore running back Zach DelVecchio gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead in the third quarter with a 15-yard run and Deshai Smith added a 39-yard field goal with 1:33 remaining in the contest to produce the final margin.

Carteret's running back tandem of Quartius Byrd and Antoran Chandler were limited to a combined 63 rushing yards. Ramblers' quarterback Angelo Golino passed for 247 yards.

The Tigers recorded two interceptions – one from Mike DeAngelis inside the red zone and another from Smith on a “Hail Mary” pass – to keep the Ramblers off the scoreboard.

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South Plainfield head coach Gary Cassio credited defensive coordinator Mike Jakubik with preparing a stellar game plan and the Tigers for executing.

“We were really prepared,” Cassio said. “Jakubik had a great game plan and the kids followed it. They played a complete game. From whistle to whistle, they finally played with a little swagger. They played tough.”

The Tigers were without offensive playmaker Charles Lovett, who missed his second consecutive game with a high ankle sprain.

Quarterback Ryan Marston, who was spectacular, completing 13 of 18 passes for a career-high 238 yards and two scores in last weekend’s loss to Colonia, efficiently managed the offense as South Plainfield looked to establish its running game and win the field position battle.

“Offensively, DelVecchio ran real well and (Ben) Lundy was a great lead blocker,” Cassio said. “The (offensive) line played well. We played the field position game. I’m not saying we were being conservative, but we wanted to (win) the field position (battle).”

Dillon Harris, who entered the game with a team-leading 54 tackles, anchored South Plainfield’s defense.