Schools
Moran, Salt Keep Barnegat in Playoff Hunt
The senior kicker booted two field goals and the receiver caught two TD passes as the Bengals beat Red Bank, 20-17
Pat Moran has been an integral part of Barnegat's success this fall.
It was the senior kicker whose field goal in the waning seconds of the game lifted the Bengals to victory over Central Regional -- which has positioned Barnegat to win the Shore Conference Class B South title outright when Barnegat faces Pinelands on Thanksgiving.
And it was his 33-yard field goal on Friday night that provided the margin of victory as Barnegat beat Red Bank 20-17 in a nondivisional matchup.
Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
But it wasn't Moran's foot that mattered most last night. With Red Bank driving late in the game, Moran intercepted Red Bank quarterback Terrance Scanlon to put a final end to the Buccaneers.
Barnegat (4-3) took a 7-0 lead on a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mark McCoy to receiver Jordan Salt. And Moran made it 10-0 by adding a 27-yard field goal.
Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Red Bank (4-3) tied the game at 10 on a field goal by Mike Malley, then Bucs blocked a Barnegat punt, picked up the loose ball and ran it into the end zone.
Another McCoy-to-Salt hookup -- this one for a 74-yard score -- made it 17-10 Barnegat, and Moran's 33-yarder made it 20-10.
Barnegat travels to Holmdel next Friday, and should clinch a playoff berth in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group II section with a victory there.
