Bucs Shut Out Colonials of Freehold, 21-0

Red Bank Regional's football team put all the parts together yesterday, shutting down Freehold Borough's offense and cruising to a 21-0 victory.     

The win brings the Bucanneer's record to 2-5 on the season, and Coach Nick Giglio attributed the performance to his team's work ethic and communication.

"Our team has a nice flow with one another this past month," he said. "We hope that flow will help us against a very good Barnegat team next week."    

The Bucs struck early in the first quarter on a 34-yard keeper by senior quarterback Ross Gisondi. The kick for the extra point went wide, and the Bucs were up 6-0.    

They struck again in the third quarter from the Colonials' 20-yard line, as senior Jahimere Hinton stormed the endzone. Gisondi kept the ball on the two-point conversion and pounded in to put the Bucs up 14-0. The touchdown came after a catch by senior wide receiver Steven Megill for a first down put the Bucs in scoring position.    

In the second half, senior defensive end Garrett Sickels sacked the Colonial's quarterback on Freehold's first drive, and the Bucs eventually took over on downs. It was like that all day long for Freehold, as Dillon Stambaugh, Isaac Coates, and the rest of the Bucs' defense overpowered Freehold's offensive attack.    

Later in the third quarter, after a penalty backed up the Bucs to their own 15 yard line, senior Tahji Tomaino blew through the Freehold defense for a 55-yard gain. Junior Dylan DeVita took a pass from Gisondi into the end zone on the next play. The extra point at 6:56 of the third quarter put the Bucs up 21-0, where the score remained.    

The Colonials' last possession was their best, bringing the team to the Bucs' 17 yard line, where they turned the ball over on downs after a drive that included two sacks by DeVita and Sickels and continued pressure by the Bucs' defense. Red Bank snapped the ball and took a knee to end the game.    

The Bucs' season has included one-touchdown games and two double-overtime losses. Coach Giglio said his players have handled the frustrating defeats, which have knocked them out of playoff contention, in stride. "They come out and prepare each week, and this sets up some real positive goals for our team to finish the season."     

For now, he said, "it's all about next week," referring to the Friday, Nov. 2 game at 7 p.m. at Barnegat Township High School.

Bob Neff, who serves as Little Silver's mayor and has a son on the Bucs football team, gives us the lowdown each week on the Red Bank Regional High School game.