Middlesex football wins third-straight Thanksgiving Day matchup against Dunellen
DUNELLEN -- The Middlesex High School football team has now won three straight meetings against its neighboring foe Dunellen in a Thanksgiving Day matchup that extended its series lead 17-15, a matchup in which dates back to 1959.
The 29-14 win for Middlesex gives it a world of momentum heading into next season. This year was certainly a rebuilding process and an uphill battle, even though the Blue Jays seemed to be competitive in every game they played in, as three of their losses on the season were by a total of 18 points.
Middlesex played with great determination since the opening kickoff, rallying behind senior leaders quarterback Michael Cresitello and defensive end/tight end Naeem Morgan. The first play from scrimmage, Cresitello pitched to versatile junior running back John Kressbach who took it down the Destroyers sideline for a 60-yard rushing touchdown to put Middlesex up 7-0.
After multiple defensive stops for both teams, Middlesex struck again, this time with Cresitello finding Morgan for a 22-yard passing touchdown with 1:59 to play in the first quarter. The two-point conversion made it 15-0 Middlesex after one.
“This win means everything to us,” Morgan said. “It’s been a tough season this year and we’ve been so close every game, so to get this win out here today and to play like we did it just means the world to me.”
Cresitello rushed 10 times for 42 yards and completed two passes on three attempts with one touchdown on the day as Morgan had one catch for 22 yards and a touchdown, while also having several tackles behind the line of scrimmage and a fiery spirit that kept the Blue Jays foot on the gas pedal.
The home team did not take the first two scores of the game lightly, as Dunellen’s junior quarterback Mike Harmon found running room late in the second quarter as he followed his big offensive line for an eight-yard touchdown with 4:01 left in the first half. His quarterback-keeper on the two-point conversion made the score 15-8.
Harmon ran hard all day as he rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 31 rushes and completed two passes on four attempts for 30 yards.
Another Kressbach touchdown with 6:30 to play in the third quarter, this time from four yards out, extended Middlesex’s lead 22-8.
Dunellen came fighting back again the next possession as Harmon connected with junior running back Conor McCrimmon on a perfectly executed flea-flicker for a 22-yard gain and a big first down to put them deep into Middlesex territory as the third quarter came to an end.
Harmon took the quarterback option for a nine-yard touchdown 1:38 into the fourth quarter to cut their deficit and make the score 22-14.
A failed onside kick attempt by Dunellen gave Middlesex the ball in good field position, setting up Kressbach with another big-time run for a touchdown, this time for 48-yards to put a stamp on the scoreboard 29-14.
“This is exactly the way we wanted to go out was with a win,” Cresitello said. “Everybody came out and supported us, it wasn’t just the seniors, it was a total team effort, and all the preparation in practice.”
Head coach P.J. Jankowicz knew what a game like this means for his seniors and for both communities on Thanksgiving Day.
“We worked extremely hard and the guys came ready every day to practice, and I’m just happy we get to send the seniors out with a victory,” Jankowicz said.
“It’s a huge game for the communities, both teams respect each other so much, and it’s great to come out here and play clean football and most importantly to have fun.”