FOOTBALL: Central Stops Southern In OT

Central Regional quarterback Mike Miserendino passed for two touchdowns and ran for one and running back Mike Bickford rushed for 200 yards and one score as the Golden Eagles opened the 2015 season with an overtime victory over Southern Regional, 27-20, in Manahawkin.

The Eagles -- who are looking for more this year after sharing the Shore Conference Class B South title and reaching the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III playoffs, both for the first time since 1994 -- had to battle from behind and then hold off a late effort by Southern to secure the win, according to media reports.

Central took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Miserendino connected with junior Dennis Corbin for a 9-yard touchdown that stood as the only points until halftime, according to the Asbury Park Press.

Southern opened the third quarter by tying the game on a 14-yard run by Pat Walker, and the Rams took a 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter when Brandon Barnetti scored from 9 yards out on a toss play, according to NJ.com. That touchdown was set up by an interception.

Central responded with Bickford breaking off a 67-yard run that put the ball on the Southern 3. Misrendino scored two plays later, but Central missed the point after, leaving the Eagles trailing by a point at 14-13.

Southern answered with a 69-yard run by Walker that made it 20-13 when the Rams, too, missed the PAT.

The Eagles, however, weren’t backing down; Miserendino hit Malcolm Vaughn with a 64-yard pass, and this time the PAT was good, making it a tie game.

The defense made sure the game went to overtime, stopping Southern after a fumble gave the Rams the ball near midfield.

And after Miserendino hit Corbin for the winning points in overtime, the defense came up with a pair of stops -- including a game-ending sack -- to secure the victory.

Central will play the remainder of its regular-season games at home after spending 2014 on the road while the turf field was being installed.

Get the rest of this weekend’s statewide scores here.