Nick Zauck didn't act or feel like he just turned in a career performance, maybe one of the best individual games in recent Ocean City High School football history.
The Red Raider's junior wasn't into reflecting on his night. He was too upset with the team's performance.
The same can be said about Matt Schuler, Ben Bethea, Bob DeLuce and several other players. The coaches feel the same way too.
Find out what's happening in Ocean Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Ocean City's effort and interest in its 32-22 loss to visiting Camden (1-8) on Friday night at Carey Stadium was in doubt.
The Red Raiders drop to 1-8 after their NJSIAA consolation loss, their fifth straight loss, with just their Thanksgiving Day meeting with Pleasantville remaining on the schedule.
Find out what's happening in Ocean Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“We have to play with more heart, especially in this game,” Zauck said. “It was a close game the entire time. We had so many opportunities to hop ahead, but we didn’t execute.”
“You need heart,” Schuler said. “You just can’t come to the field thinking this is just another game to get over with. You have to come to play, stick your head in there, and play together.”
Zauck picked off three passes, returned a fumble for a touchdown, and added a rushing touchdown while rushing for more than 100 yards.
“I can have 100 touchdowns and thousand yards in one game, if it’s not in a win, it doesn’t matter to me,” Hauk said.
The Red Raiders added two more interceptions with Jon Toro and Schuler picking off passes. Bethea also scored a rushing touchdown and also had more than 100 yards on the ground.
Ocean City had two running backs rush for more than 100 yards, won the turnover battle, 6-3, and also had fewer penalty yards than Camden, but still found a way to lose.
Camden never punted, and when the Panthers weren't turning the ball over, they found the end zone.
“Camden used their athletes well,” Ocean City coach Kevin Smith said. “I was very disappointed with the way we played. That was a very poor effort by us.”
Camden quarterback Tavaris Hedden helped ease the pain of five interceptions with three touchdown passes to three different receivers. Khalif Williams, Sean Chandler and Quashon Jones all caught touchdowns. Williams also ran one in. The Panthers also converted all four two-point conversions.
Ocean City never led, but twice cut Camden’s lead to two points, trailing 16-14 at the half.
However, the Panthers scored two straight touchdowns in the second half to take a 32-14 lead.
Zauck’s 72-yard touchdown run and Chris Gabor’s two-point conversion to Matt Locotos came in the final minute of play.
