South Plainfield football clinches home playoff game with dramatic comeback win and goal-line stand

The South Plainfield High School football team used a goal-line stand in the closing minute to hold on for a dramatic 16-13 comeback victory over J.F. Kennedy on Friday night.

The victory was costly for the Tigers, who lost star middle linebacker Dillon Harris (team-leading 66 tackles) to a high ankle sprain in the first quarter and who lost star offensive performer Charles Lovett when he reinjured his ankle.

With the win, the Tigers (6-2) positioned themselves to host a first-round Central Group III playoff game. Depending on residual points, South Plainfield could be seeded as high as third in the section.

J.F. Kennedy unofficially secured a No. 8 seed in North 2 Group IV. The Mustangs received some help from Immaculata, whose win over Phillipsburg had a domino effect on North Hunterdon, knocking the Lions out of playoff contention. North Hunterdon entered this weekend’s action one power point behind the Mustangs, ahead of whom they could have leaped if Immaculata lost. J.F. Kennedy will unofficialy play a first-round game at Middletown South.

The NJSIAA will announce official playoff pairings on Sunday. The eight teams with the most power points in each section at the conclusion of this weekend’s action will qualify for the playoffs, which commence with first-round games next weekend at the site of the higher seed.

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With his team trailing 13-9 in the fourth quarter, sophomore fullback Zach DelVecchio scored on a 10-yard run to produce the final margin.

The Mustangs (4-5) answered, driving to the South Plainfield 1-yard line, but failed to convert a first-and-goal. On fourth down, the Tigers recovered a fumble on a quarterback keeper to ice the victory.

J.F. Kennedy quarterback Kyle Heaney carried 16 times for 168 yards and one touchdown. Gianfranco Tiseo booted two 32-yard field goals and a PAT, accounting for the Mustangs’ other points.

Jean Sapini scored on a 58-yard touchdown reception to give South Plainfield a 6-3 halftime lead. Deshai Smith’s 38-yard field goal gave the Tigers a 9-3 advantage in the third quarter.

Ryan Marston had another stellar game at quarterback for South Plainfield. Ryan Stankan made a game-saving play, tackling Heaney a yard shy of the goal line on J.F. Kennedy’s final drive.

“It wasn’t our best game tonight, but when the game was on the line, the kids stepped up and the goal-line stand really showed what kind of heart they have,” South Plainfield head coach Gary Cassio said. “Going into the playoffs, we’ve got to get heathy.”