Ocean City Generates Some Offense in Loss to Hammonton

Despite trailing 17-0 after the first quarter, the Ocean City Red Raiders never gave up in their 44-13 loss against the undefeated Hammonton Blue Devils on Friday night in Hammonton. Ocean City was able to put together a few successful drives offensively, but the Red Raiders defense struggled to contain Hammonton throughout.

Hammonton’s senior running back Russell Forchion got things started early for the Blue Devils, scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter with a 38-yard touchdown reception and a 45-yard punt return. A 33-yard field goal from Nathan Haden brought the Blue Devils up by three scored before Ocean City put any points on the scoreboard.

In the second quarter, it was the Red Raiders who struck first after sophomore quarterback Chris Gabor completed a pass to senior halfback Chris Turner, who barreled through a couple of Hammonton defenders before being brought down for an 18-yard gain and giving Ocean City first and goal. After three unsuccessful goal line attempts, Gabor faked a handoff to senior running back Ben Bethea then rushed for the first Ocean City touchdown of the night.

“We felt great pounding the ball right at them,” said Gabor. “A lot of yards and a lot of plays is what we want.”

Hammonton has shut out two of its opponents this year, and held Mainland Regional to only seven points. The only team to outscore Ocean City in a game against Hammonton this season was Egg Harbor Township, with 15. Ocean City’s second touchdown came on another fourth and goal, this time a two yard pass from Gabor to wide receiver Matt Locotos with just over 10 minutes left in the game.

“It felt really good…I threw it to the back side, he [Locotos] found open space and used his height to his advantage and got the touchdown,” said Gabor.

Most of Hammonton’s touchdowns came on big yardage plays: Forchion’s in the first quarter were 38 and 45-yards; running back Dominic Williams scored on a 57-yard reception in the second quarter and again on a 50-yard run in the fourth quarter; and wide receiver Robert Barbieri scored on a 50-yard reception.

“We didn’t execute on defense or special teams,” said Kevin Smith, Ocean City’s head coach. “We did some good things on offense.”

With the loss, the Red Raiders drop to 1-6 and will host Oakcrest High School on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.