Special Teams Doom Montville Football

football team got off to a slow start in a 28-13 loss to High Point in a muddy quagmire at Montville High School on Friday night. The Mustangs received a pair of touchdowns by running back Austin Strickland but it was special teams that hurt Montville this time. The Mustangs surrendered a kickoff return and allowed a blocked punt which basically accounted for High Point’s two first-half scores. The Montville team trailed 14-0 at the half and never caught up against an opponent that is almost its mirror image in some ways. It was an emotional contest for Montville coach Jim Delaney, who had great success at High Point in the last four years and was coaching against all his former players and many of his former coaches.

For a photo gallery from Friday night's game, head here.

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Total

Montville (0-6)

0

0

7

6

13

High Point (2-4)

8

6

6

8

28

IN SHORT
The Mustangs came out flat and were without one of their most intense performers since fullback Nolan Entholt missed the game due to lingering injuries. The Mustangs limited their penalties and mistakes but they surrendered some long plays. Wildcats’ Javan Moore returned the opening kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown to put the Mustangs behind immediately. High Point also enjoyed a 75-yard touchdown run by Zachary Mathes in the third quarter just moments after Strickland scored on a short run to make it a 14-7 game. The Mustangs have no shortage of heart and are still giving good effort despite their record but in the end it was just another frustrating performance on the swampy Montville High field.

MUSTANG OF THE GAME
Austin Strickland, Running back —Strickland, a junior, filled in ably for Entholt. He scrambled for 96 yards on 27 carries in the marshy field. He also scored on touchdown runs of 1 and 3 yards to keep Montville in the contest.

TOP MUSTANG OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES
PASSING: John Jespersen (4 of 10 for 41 yards)
RUSHING: Strickland (27 carries for 96 yards; two touchdowns)
RECEIVING: Joe DeAlesandro (1 catch, 24 yards)

TOUGH OPPONENT
Javan Moore (High Point running back): He set the tone of the game with a 72-yard return on the opening kickoff in a sloppy field. The Mustangs never caught up.

THEY SAID IT
"Preparing for Montville was like looking in the mirror this week. I learned a lot from Coach Delaney. It was a tough week getting the kids to prepare for this offense. Even though we play it, it is still tough to defend. Our kids did a great job. There are definitely emotions here. I respect Coach Delaney so much. He was a mentor to me. His kids are warriors but our kids really wanted this one."–High Point head coach Bill Percey

Up Next—Sparta next Saturday at Sparta High School, 1 p.m.