Monmouth Regional Runs Its Record to 3-0 With 37-7 Rout of Metuchen

Photo's above: Dayshawn Porter running the ball courtesy of Skip Pierce and Ian Fitzgerald and Porter following game

TINTON FALLS – The Monmouth Regional Falcons improved to 3-0 trouncing an undermanned Metuchen squad for its first 3-0 start since 2010 when they finished with an underwhelming 4-6 record.

The Falcons are looking for their first winning season since 2006 when they finished with an 8-3 record and advanced to NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinals before losing to Middletown South.

“For the kids and the school being 3-0 is good,” said first-year head coach Larry Nikola. “It’s very rewarding. They’re working hard but our schedule really starts next week when we play Matawan and we’ll see where we’re really at.”

Monmouth scored early and often against the Bulldogs taking a 21-0 lead less than five minutes into the game.

After the defense forced a Metuchen three-and-out on their first series of the game junior Dayshawn Porter returned the punt 50 yards to the 24-yard line. On first down senior Ian Fitzgerald took the snap from center and went untouched down the right sidelines for a 7-0 lead after senior Devon Johnson split the uprights with the point after.

On the Bulldogs next play from scrimmage after the kick Porter picked off Metuchen quarterback Will Hronich at the 35-yard line returning it to Metuchen 20. Fitzgerald raced 16 yards on first down then took it in from the four untouched for a 14-0 lead with 9:50 still left in the first quarter.

Fitzgerald was the starting point guard on Monmouth’s basketball squad last season after transferring from Red Bank Regional and decided to give football a shot this season.

“I saw that we had a great program and that we looked fantastic in the weight room,” Fitzgerald said of his decision to go out for football. “I wanted to be part of it so I just came out to play. Dayshawn and I already knew each other from basketball season so we just worked hard together getting ready for football season.”

Following a touchback Metuchen advanced to the Falcons 40 thanks to an unsportsmanlike penalty but a sack by Mark Cirlincione and Josh Capellan and an incomplete pass on fourth down gave the ball back to Monmouth at their own 44.

Monmouth then went 56 yards in eight plays with junior Eli Rife taking a handoff from Anthony Gaurino on a reverse before splitting the defense for a 24-yard sprint into the end zone and 21-0 lead.

Following Johnson’s third touchback on kickoffs in the half, Hronich completed a pass to the 44-yard line before Cirlincione and Capellan teamed up again for a seven-yard sack on third down forcing a punt.

Two plays after the punt Fitzgerald went 67 yards for touchdown but the Falcons were whistled for an illegal block in the back bringing the ball back to the 25 after the spot foul. Gaurino then bulled his way for 20 setting up a first-and-goal from the five but the snap was fumbled on first down with Metuchen recovering at the nine.

The Falcons defense again forced a three-and-out with the Bulldogs punting from the end zone.

Taking over at the Metuchen 35-yard line following the punt Porter took the direct snap from center, rolled right and followed his blockers down the right sidelines for a 35-yard touchdown scamper.

Porter’s run pushed the score to 28-0 with 10:37 left in the second quarter and Nikola called off the dogs as he began removing his first teamers and substituting freely.

“They work hard in practice and get beat up in practice,” Nikola said of his second and third string players. “They deserve to get their playing time.”

Porter and Fitzgerald both took seats after dominating in limited playing time. Both are exceptional athletes who play multiple positions including quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive back. Nikola interchanges their positions depending on the formation allowing him to show different looks in an attempt to confuse opposing defenses.

“We like to give different looks,” Nikola said referring to his use of Porter and Fitzgerald. “They’re both very talented players no matter where they line up.”

“We practice all the positions during the week and just run and run the plays,” Porter said of his versatility. Quarterback is really fun but I like to play wherever coach puts me.”

Firtzgerald finished with 96 yards rushing and two touchdowns on four carries while Porter picked up 47 yards on the ground with a touchdown on three attempts and was 2-for-3 for 30 yards passing.

Following Porters 35-yard touchdown run Metuchen fumbled on first down of their ensuing possession with John Demarzo recovering for the Falcons at the 22.

With senior Colin Miller now at quarterback and junior Cameron Taylor and sophomore Blaize Moore at running back the Falcons went 22 yards in five plays with Miller finding junior Andrew Faccone on slant in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown and a 35-0 lead at 7:48 of the second quarter.

Sacks by Nazay Alexander and Ryan Convery on fourth down at the Monmouth 40 on Metuchen’s next possession gave the ball back to the Falcons, who then ran out the clock in the first half on two runs.

With a 35-0 lead heading into the second half the game was played with a running clock. Monmouth added a safety and Metuchen avoided a shutout with a meaningless 64-yard touchdown drive late in the third quarter.

“All season we work out at 5:30 in the morning and in the summer we practiced six to eight in the morning,” Porter said of his team’s commitment. “There’s a whole new attitude here and we’ll just continue to practice hard. We haven’t been 3-0 since I’ve been at Monmouth and it feels good.”

Follow @getmready