Sports
Bucs Soar into Playoffs with 37-7 Win Over Monmouth
Red Bank finishes regular season 5-3, clinching first playoff berth since 2004.
The Buccaneers sailed into the playoffs yesterday with a win over the Falcons of Monmouth Regional, 37-7.
The Bucs will see post-season action for the first time since 2004, ending their regular season yesterday with a 5-3 record after a romp under clear fall skies in Tinton Falls.
"I feel great for the community, and the seniors," said Coach Nick Giglio. "They have fought hard since ther sophomore year, and their leadership has spread throughout the entire team."
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The Bucs were never seriously threatened by a struggling Monmouth Regional team. In the first half alone, junior Ross Gisondi caught two touchdown passes, senior Nick Patterson caught one, and quarterback Terrance Scanlon rushed for a touchdown. Junior Dillon Stambaugh tackled a Falcon running back in the endzone for a safety, putting the Bucs up 30-0 at the half.
In the second half, with just over four minutes left in the third quarter, the Bucs scored once more, when Nick Patterson recovered a fumble in the endzone. Senior kicker Mike Malley hit his fifth extra point, and the Bucs were up 37-0.
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The Falcons' lone score came with just over five minutes left to play. Gisondi then returned the Falcons kick 57 yards, but the Falcons took over on downs, making one last attempt to put up another touchdown. They fell short as time expired when junior Carey Neff and sophomore Gary Johnson brought down Monmouth Regional's quarterback short of the goal line.
On defense, junior Garrett Sickels had two sacks, and the Bucs defense generally frustrated the Monmouth Regional offense all afternoon.
"I thought we played as a team and when we stick together we are a very strong team," said Gisondi. "From now on its about the team, the guy next to you, and winning."
The Bucs will face either Carteret, Manasquan or Rumson-Fair Haven in the first round of the Group II Central state playoffs next week.
Editor's Note: This story comes to you from Little Silver Mayor Robert C. Neff, Jr., who was previously a newspaper reporter for the Red Bank Register and Asbury Park Press. Neff's son Carey plays football for Red Bank.
