SPORTS

Edison serves Rice in Thanksgiving football win over J.P. Stevens

Greg Tufaro
@GregTufaro
The Edison High School football team takes the field for a game last season

Rice is not usually served along with turkey and stuffing on Thanksgiving Day, but the Edison High School football team dealt out hearty helpings of it Thursday morning.

J.P. Stevens received steady portions of senior defensive end Lance Rice, who spent much of his time in the offensive backfield while recording a career-high six tackles for a loss as the Hawks were held without a first down and limited to minus-14 total yards from scrimmage in a 35-0 loss at Matthew J. Drwal Stadium.

“Our defense played outstanding,” said Edison head coach Matt Fulham, whose Eagles allowed an average of 37.8 points over their six previous games. “I don’t know where it (the defense) has been all year. I wish we could have played like this in some other games. Our kids were physical, we got off blocks, we ran to the ball, and the big thing is we tackled. Today we put it all together and just played an outstanding game.”

Several dignitaries – including Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey and Schools Superintendent Richard O’Malley – attended the 50th meeting between the crosstown rivals, which commenced with a moment of silence for former J.P. Stevens coach and athletics director Ed Adams, a longtime educator who passed away earlier this year.

The stadium was resplendent with gold and red bunting, reflecting the home team’s school colors, and the game featured halftime performances from Edison’s four-time defending state champion marching band and its reigning Greater Middlesex Conference game-day performance champion cheerleading squad.

For the first time in school history, Edison, whose roster features 24 seniors, has won four consecutive meetings against the Hawks, who have been outscored 136-34 during that span. Although it hasn’t possessed the King of the Limb trophy – awarded to the annual winner – since posting a 7-6 victory five years ago, J.P. Stevens still leads the holiday series 25-21-4.

“It’s good to know you’ve got bragging rights around town and you know that for four years you dominated them as a whole team,” said Rice, who was named Edison’s Most Valuable Player of the game. “For the last two games (including an NJSIAA regional crossover victory over Marlboro) – after we knew we weren’t going to (be in) the playoffs – we focused on finishing off on the right note and sending our seniors out the right way.”

With the exception of Noah Stansbury’s 76-yard touchdown run, which gave Edison a 21-0 lead with 1:33 left in the second quarter, J.P. Stevens’ defense performed admirably in the opening half. After Reilly Gonzalez scored on a 3-yard run on Edison’s first possession, the Hawks did not allow another offensive touchdown until Stansbury’s long jaunt. Kasi Hazzard, Dante Negron and Jayden Stevens each sacked athletic quarterback Justin Turner (8 of 10 for 125 yards) before the intermission. Jahvon Scott was named J.P. Stevens' game MVP.

The game’s turning point came late in the second quarter. After J.P. Stevens made a huge defensive stop, forcing Edison to turn the ball over on downs at the Hawks’ 28-yard line, Nick Yanik returned a fumble 30 yards for a score on the ensuing play as Edison took a 14-0 lead with 4:37 remaining in the half.

Edison put the contest out of reach with two third-quarter touchdowns, cementing a second consecutive 1-9 finish for the Hawks. Sincere Williams scored on a 39-yard run and Turner connected on the next series with a wide-open Tahjae Thomas for a 45-yard touchdown pass that produced the final margin. Edison took advantage of a short field on both occasions as the Hawks failed to convert fourth downs on consecutive possessions preceding the scores.

Rice helped seal the victory with three fourth-quarter sacks, including two on J.P. Stevens’ final series. In between, he even got in on the offense.

The senior had his number called for a third-down handoff midway through the fourth quarter, a play designed to position the ball in the middle of the field to set up a 32-yard field goal attempt, which the Eagles eventually botched.

“I was nervous,” Rice said of the first carry of his varsity career, which lost a yard but did create a center hash. “I haven’t touched the ball since Pop Warner. (Fulham) said just go out there and stay in the middle of the field. Don’t get too wild. Just do what you’ve got to do.”

Fulham, whose team improved to 4-5-1, attributed Rice’s career-best performance to his defensive end’s offseason commitment.

“It’s a true testament to his work ethic and his character,” Fulham said. “He’s one of those kids who worked real hard in the offseason. He really wanted to have a great year and he really performed on the field. He was one of our dominating players on defense and a real leader on our team. He’s an all-around great kid – good in the classroom and a hard worker. I’m real proud of him.”

After working up an appetite while helping Edison register one of the best defensive performances in school history, Rice, who entered the contest with a team-leading 103 tackles, delineated his plans for the remainder of the holiday.

“I just want to go home and chill with my family – it’s family first always – and go eat some food,” he said. “I’m hungry.”