FOOTBALL

GMC Football: Colonia regains bragging rights with win over Woodbridge

Angel D. Ospina
@AngelDOspina

WOODBRIDGE – Last year, the Colonia High School football team suffered its first defeat to crosstown rival Woodbridge since 2011 with a 19-14 loss. The Patriots watched as the Barrons took pictures with the Bragging Rights Trophy on their distinctive blue turf.

Luckily for the Patriots, a chance at redemption was offered as the two Greater Middlesex Conference White Division teams squared off in the season opener for the second year in row. 

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Colonia was able to avenge last year’s loss with a 18-0 shutout victory over the Barrons on Friday night at Woodbridge High School.

“It’s a tough game always,” Colonia head coach Tom Roarty said of the matchup with their rivals to kick off the season. “It’s two very good teams, they’re a division rival, a town rival, we can see them in the playoffs so it’s a tough opener but they are a great team.”

It was a tough matchup for both offenses as neither team could get going in the first half. Colonia’s offense wasn’t able to pick up a first down until the second quarter while Woodbridge only had one first down in the scoreless opening quarter of the season. 

“The first half we had a couple bobbled snaps and a couple of penalties,” Roarty said. “In the second half, we had a better routine and rotation. We held the ball and got the offense moving.”

The offense seemed to pick up its pace as senior quarterback Taj-Calvin Johnson got more comfortable under center. Last year, Johnson amassed 501 yards from scrimmage as a starting wide receiver, but was asked to take control of the zone read offense once last year’s quarterback Tyler Layton graduated. 

All the Patriots needed to get the offense rolling was a little momentum. 

The momentum came with just under two minutes remaining in the first half as the Barrons were set to punt from their own 24-yard line. The snap on the attempted punt sailed over Woodbridge punter Charles Sulse’s head and landed in the end zone, where senior Anthony Palmisano scooped the ball up for the touchdown to give the Patriots a 6-0 lead at the end of the first half. 

In the second half, the Patriots offense looked rejuvenated, and with the defense barely giving up an inch, Colonia was able to capitalize on another special teams mishap by the Barrons.

Colonia's drive began on Woodbridge’s 31-yard line and the Patriots were quickly able to get the ball into the red zone. Johnson capped off the short drive with a 12-yard touchdown run on a quarterback sweep to put the Patriots up 12-0 with 3:06 remaining in the third quarter. 

“I was a little nervous at first,” Johnson said. “During halftime coach told us to slow it down and breathe so that’s what we did. Our offensive line did a great job, I've got to give them all the credit.”

In his first game commanding the offense, Johnson rushed for 69 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown while throwing for 20 yards on 3-of-8 passing with one interception.
Johnson made up for the interception he threw on the following play as he intercepted a long pass from quarterback Donovan Tabon.

“I told my team I had to make it up to them,” Johnson said. “Before this game, I told them we were going to win and that’s what I had to do.”

Senior running back Luke Pero did what he had to do on the ground to seal the victory.
Pero broke off on a 23-yard touchdown run to put the Patriots up three scores with 6:52 remaining in regulation. He finished the game with 108 yards on 20 carries and one touchdown. 

For the senior running back, there was no better feeling than hearing the crowd go silent after his score. 

“I broke a tackle, cut back and I didn’t expect to make it in the end zone actually,” Pero said. “I’ve only lost to Woodbridge once in my career. Winning this game was big, but this is just the start.”

The Patriots will look to build off the win next week as they host North Brunswick.
While Colonia will quickly set their focus on their next opponent, the Patriots were sure to enjoy themselves holding the Bragging Rights Trophy on their rival’s home turf. 

“This win meant a lot,” Johnson said. “Some of the teammates were crying because that’s how much this game means to us.”