Dragons Defense Stands Tall in Win

With their back against the wall for the second drive in a row, the Brick defense came up big, once again, in a 10-6 win.

After shutting out Pinelands Regional last week and two straight stands deep in their own territory, the Dragons defense is looking like a completely different group that allowed running backs to rush for 200 plus yards in back to back weeks against Manchester and Central.

Kevin Matthews secured a big interception at the Brick six yard line, with 2:11 to play. Matthews went up and ripped the ball from receiver’s hands, stopping Ocean on fourth and nine from the Brick 34.

Trailing 10-6, the Spartans forced a three and out, getting the ball back with 1:05 to play on the Brick 35. Ocean picked up a first down and sliced their way to the Brick 17, but three straight incompletions gave Brick the ball back with only two seconds remaining.

"I told the kids what I tell them before every game," said Brick Head Coach Robert Dahl. "I told them (Ocean) was going to be bigger and faster, we need to play with our hearts and souls. I'm proud of the way we played."

A dominant first half only showed a 7-0 lead on the scoreboard. Brick took the opening possession 73 yards over eight minutes. 

"This was the first game where we did not defer and elect to send our defense out first. We wanted the ball first, to go down and score," said Dahl.

Brick took full advantage of two offsides penalties, both on key third and fourth downs, moving the chains for Brick.

Quarterback Brandon Kieslor was especially efficient, going 5-6 passing, to four different wide outs, totaling 38 yards while running twice for 22 yards and a score.

On second and six from the Ocean 18 yard line, Kieslor operated a perfect option read, pulling the ball out of Doug Cuccunelli's hands as defenders began to tackle him, peeled away to the right, and scrambled into the end zone for the score. Steve Ferlisi booted the extra point.

Kieslor finished 8-15 for 77 yards and rushed 16 times for 60 yards and the score. Cuccunelli rushed the ball 17 times for 77 yards. 

Brick only yielded one first down for the Spartans in the first half, as the teams exchanged punts.

"We knew Ocean is a quality team, they could be 5-0, their coach told me before that this game was their season," said Dahl. "They kept fighting all game and we knew they were not going to go away."

An Ocean three and out to start the second half gave Brick the ball at their 44, what would become a field goal producing drive. Cuccunelli's 39 yard rush set up Ferlisi for a 36 yard field goal he drilled, giving Brick a 10-0 lead making it a two score game. Ferlisi would later push a 43 yard attempt wide.

"I think our offense did a great job in the first half, and the defense really picked up the offense in the second half. We're still learning and adapting and next week we play a tough and I think the most balanced team in the Shore Conference in Barnegat."

Brick will travel down to Barnegat next Friday for the B-South battle at 7:00.