Celebration Turns to Dejection Quick, 17-14 Bombers

By Josh Cohen
10/1/04

Woodbridge -- Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher sent 40 oblique greeting cards to Sayreville War Memorial High School, attached with smiley faces and witty winks. Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, on the other hand, sent 40 sympathetic cards to Woodbridge High School, attached with blood-stained penalty flags, the entire referee phone directory, and a list of obliging comments for use at press conferences.

In 2003, Pittsburgh cornerback DeWayne Washington was flagged for running into Tennessee place kicker Joe Nedney after missing a 31-yard field goal in overtime. Nedney, who admitted there was very little contact, took advantage of the five yard call, and nailed a game-winning 26-yarder to send the Titans to the AFC championship game, where they eventually lost, 41-24, to the Oakland Raiders.

Perhaps Nedney and Sayreville’s place kicker Matt Kenny spoke before Friday night’s game.

A 15-yard penalty on the Woodbridge Barrons for running into the kicker with less than a second remaining allowed Kenny, who missed his first try from 44 yards out, to nail a game-winning 29-yarder to give the Bombers (2-1) a thrilling 17-14 triumph over the Barrons (2-2).

“Penalties really hurt us tonight,” Woodbridge head coach Brian Russo said after the game. “But there is no reason to blame the refs. That’s not what this is about.”

Despite 10 penalties and three turnovers, the Barrons ran the ball effectively, and converted some big plays at key moments.

Trailing 14-0 with 1:20 remaining the first half, Woodbridge put an impressive six play, 1:14 drive together, which ended in a six yard touchdown catch by Shamar Graves to close out the first half.

Special teams never allowed Sayreville good field position to start a possession in the second half -- huge thanks to punter Rick Mozolic, who managed to kick away from speedy returnee, Shaune Thomas.

Similarly, the Barron’s defense, which featured three sacks from Graves, Josh Felton, and Justin Hinds, held Sayreville all-county fullback Vinnie Otero to 36 yards rushing in the second half.

On a third down and four with less than two minutes remaining in the game, all eyes engorged for more than three seconds when Woodbridge quarterback Joe Skibar, who passed for 140 yards, found Damien Mangine all alone on the 10 yard line for a game-tying (including PAT) 27-yard TD play.

Overtime appeared certain until Sayreville wide receiver John Monaco caught an outstanding 46 yard pass off a deflection – setting up Kenny’s eventual game-winning field goal.

Garrett Mozolic rushed for 107 yards, his second straight game with more than 100, while Jonathan Mercer had 61 yards receiving for the Barrons.

Both teams combined for 20 penalties and four turnovers.

Next week, the Barrons will take on the winless Edison Eagles, who have not won a game in more than two years.

Woodbridge HS, which celebrated their 50 year anniversary for the graduating class of 1954, gave this night a “classic” meaning.