With a win in the NJSIAA Group IV Central playoff game against Jackson Memorial on November 10, the South footbal team now heads to the sectional semifinal where they host third-seed Sayreville on Saturday, November 17, at 1 p.m.##M:[more]##
Last week’s win was the team’s seventh in a row since it lost to High School North early in the season. Coach Todd Smith said the team “rose to the occasion.” While he pointed out that Mercer County teams often don’t do well in the state playoffs, the coaching staff knew “these kids had the potential to do this and get this far,” he said.
While the opening of the game saw Jackson return the opening punt for a 93-yard touchdown, it didn’t hurt the Pirates’ morale, as they responded with 28 points to carry them to a 28-14 victory. A major factor in the win over Jackson was the fact that the Pirates’ defense caused six Jackson turnovers and capitalized on them, he said. Two of the Jackson turnovers were interceptions, including one by star senior linebacker J.B. Fitzgerald, who carried one of the picks 58 yards to the end zone. The defense also foiled Jackson’s fake punt attempt in the fourth quarter.
The Pirates, on the other hand, had no turnovers. Quarterback Connor Farrell completed 6 of 12 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, one of them to Jeff Riemann for 55 yards. Dave Twamley rushed 19 times for 83 yards. Smith says that the team has been practicing hard for the November 17 game.
“Anybody at this point in the game is not going to be a bad team,” he said. “We’re going to give the same effort we’ve been giving.” If all the practice pays off, the team will then head to the sectional final the following week against Howell or Montgomery.
