Sieczkowski's Record Setting Night Helps Braves Run Over Rebels [Video]

As Friday's game between the Howell Rebels and their guests from Manalapan went on, it became clear what the game plan was for the Braves. With very few exceptions coach Ed Guerrieri gave the ball to senior back John Sieczkowski and let him move the ball down the field.

By the time the game was done, thanks to the help of his offensive line Sieczkowski set a new Shore Conference record with 425 yards in the game and the Braves had a decisive 40-21 win over their hosts. The final score sent the two teams in very different directions with the Braves clinching at least a share of the A North title while the loss all but eliminated the Rebels from the Central Jersey Group IV tournament.

Through the first half it looked like the game would be competitive to the end with Howell senior quarterback Ryan Davies once again showing why he is among the elite passers in the conference. After both teams went scoreless on their first drives of the game Davies helped orchestrate a score thanks to a 24 yard touchdown pass to fellow senior Brendan Yaegel. 

The first quarter ended with Sieczkowski helping his team march down to the Howell 1-yard-line before he punched it in to start the second quarter. For as quickly as the Braves scored, Davies showed his quick strike abilities as he needed just one play to put his team back on top with another scoring connection with Yaegel. 

Incredibly enough, the scoring was not done for the two teams as the Braves answered right back as Sieczkowski gained 65 yards on three plays to cut the score to 14-13. The 20 points between the two schools was scored in less than two minutes of game time. 

As the first half came to an end it became increasingly clear that the momentum was slipping away from the Rebels. With a fourth and 1 on the Manalapan 10 yard line Howell coach Corey Davies originally considered kicking a field goal before calling a time out. 

When they attempted to convert the fourth and short Ryan Davies connected with Tory Robinson on a short yardage play that the refs measured and ruled to be just short of a first down, stopping the drive in its tracks. 

The Braves claimed their first lead of the game on the first drive of the second half after an unsuccessful onside kick gave Manalapan the ball at the Howell 49 yard line. It took Sieczkowski just two plays to run it in the rest of the way to put his team ahead 20-14. That was once again followed by a quick offensive drive for the Rebels capped with a touchdown pass to Robinson which put the Rebels back up by one. 

At that time, especially after the recent offensive outburst there was no way to know that that would be the last touchdown the Rebels would score in the game. It also did not help the home team's cause that on the very next Manalapan drive Sieczkowski helped move the ball down field before quarterback Mike Isabella connected with Anthony Firkser on a touchdown pass. 

With that score the Braves had the lead and never looked back from there. The defense also did its part to help with the win from that point on including Sam Mahon's interception that was returned for a touchdown. Ryan Mallozzi also had a near interception for the Braves that was waived off because of a flag, but on the next play Manalapan picked up a fumble to get another possession. 

Coach Gurrieri said he was proud of the way his team performed and gave credit to his offensive line and his fullbacks for helping Sieczkowski to his record breaking day. "You never know how it's going to go. You put a plan together and you say we have to slow them down they're a great offensive team," he said going in. "We want to keep our offense on the field. It's easier said than done. You don't want to score too fast because then you limit their time of possession."

With Isabella being a first year starter, having someone like Sieczkowski to carry the load is something the Braves are very happy to have. "They've just let him manage the game and then when he had to make a couple plays he really stepped up tonight and made some nice plays."

The coach added that despite knowing that Sieczkowski had 255 yards in the first half he did not realize until the end just how well he had performed. "I knew he was having a good night, I didn't realize it was that good."

As for the star of the night, Sieczkowski said he also did not realize he was even close to breaking Moreno's record. "I really had no idea. I had no idea at all," he said. "I just go out like a hard nosed runner and I just hit everyone I see."

Sieczkowski said he was proud to continue a tradition of Brave runners and is glad to be able to help his team. "I did not think I was going to do anything like this at all," he said. "I knew I was going to have to run but I didn't think I was going to have to do anything like this. 

The senior said the contrasting styles of the two teams helped his team get the win. "We just run the ball. Everyone doubts us but this is football in Manalapan, we just run the ball."

Ryan Davies, who had to leave the game after aggravating an earlier ankle injury said for at least half the game his team played well. "I thought we played pretty well in the first half," he said. "We fought in the second half. We didn't quit they're just a good team. They kind of just overwhelmed us a little bit."

Davies said he did not realize Sieczkowski had as many yards as he did until it was announced over the public address system that he had broken the record previously held by NFL player Knowshon Moreno. "He would run the ball and get hit at two yards and he'd get 10. He was just dragging people," he said. 

The senior quarterback also said that he believes his team will still be able to get fired up for upcoming games against Brick Memorial in two weeks and Colts Neck on Thanksgiving. "If we win the next two we finish the year with a winning record," he said. "We can still finish with a pretty good record. We definitely have things that can still motivate us."

The Rebels have a bye week before traveling to take on Brick Memorial the first week of November while the Braves will face the Mustangs next weeke before another big game against Toms River North on Nov. 4. They can clinch the division title outright with a win on Thanksgiving Day against Marlboro.