Bulldogs Survive And Advance

Saturday's NJSIAA Quarterfinal matchup between Dayton and Belvidere was full of surprises. The final score, however, wasn't as the 2^nd-seeded Bulldogs eventually pulled away from the 7^th-seeded Seaters, 31-10, in Union.      

Led once again by a stingy defense and solid play from its 'skill position' players on offense, Dayton [9-1] won its first playoff game under head coach Joe Goerge and ninth-straight overall.       

One surprise was a turnover-prone first half in which neither team could fully capitalize on the others' miscues. There were four turnovers in the first half, including three from the Seaters. Dayton, however, couldn't make use of the swing in field position, as Belvidere was able to stand tough and hang around.      

Senior do-everything Skyler Apicella, who had a game-high 155 yards rushing, said he thought the pageantry of having a home playoff game might've been the biggest distraction.      

"I think a lot of guys were just concerned with the outside atmosphere instead of between the lines," he said.          

Star receiver Aaron Williams agreed, adding they came out flat because of past experiences with Belvidere.  

"In the first half we weren't playing our game and playing down to their level, letting them get into our heads," Williams said, recalling the way Dayton manhandled Belvidere, 33-6, at Belvidere on Oct.15. "The second half, our motivation was to play our game because when we play as a unit, we can't really be stopped."     

Williams's remark would prove to be prophetic but not before another surprise by Belvidere. Opening the second half, the Seaters executed an onside kick, recovering it at the Dayton 48. Goerge believed that was actually the turning point of the game—for the better. He said the shock of being in the midst of a scoreless tie and being put on their heels by an inferior opponent awakened the Bulldogs.    

"At halftime we remained calm. Our coaches did a great job of going around to the players and telling them to keep their heads up. And then Belvidere starts off with the onside kick," Goerge said, adding they weren't necessarily shocked by the move. "But then we picked off a pass on that series, so it was kind of a wash."                   

Four plays after the surprise play, Belvidere tried another ambush—a fake punt pass. This time Dayton was ready for it and Anthony Cioffi picked off the wayward pass, returning it to Dayton's 43 yard line.       

"That was most critical stop when we got that four-and-out after that fake punt," exhorted Goerge. "That might've been the most critical stop because it got the juices flowing going again and our confidence back. And then I think Anthony [Cioffi] scored on the next series."      

Cioffi indeed scored three plays later culminating a drive in which he also hit Williams on a beautiful 23-yard pass play. Cioffi's 31-yard jaunt seemed to open the floodgates for Dayton and allowed them to get back their swagger.      

"We get two quick scores after the half and got the juices flowing," Goerge said. "And then we get the third one and go up three [touchdowns]. That was big. It was excellent effort after the half."               

Belvidere's star running back Steven Mottola fumbled on his own 20-yard line on their next series, allowing Dayton to quickly capitalize again. Linebacker Chris Maslo perfected the scoop and score, giving Dayton a quick 13-0 lead.       

Apicella was happy to see the unassuming Maslo shine but wasn't surprised at how easily the defense turned into offense.           

"Our defense played great as usual and it's what wins all these games for us," Apicella said, who added an interception of his own. "They really played great, especially whenever [an opponent] is in their red zone or we have a team backed up in our red zone."         

The defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession and Dayton made quick work to stretch the lead. Apicella had a 30-yard run, Carl Korieocha added an 18-yard run, and Cioffi culminated the drive with a two-yard touchdown run. The 19-0 lead would be an advantage they'd never relinquish.    

Goerge was happy with the win and appreciated his team's grit and ability to fight through adversity.          

"At first I think we were kind of hoping, 'Oh, maybe Anthony [Cioffi] will break one. Maybe Aaron [Williams] catches one.' We did that instead of just saying, 'Let's go get it,'" said Goerge. "I think some kids got flashbacks of last year [an opening round home loss to Becton], thinking, 'Oh man, we beat this team already and it's only 0-0 by halftime.' That's why we just told them at halftime to 'clear your minds and move on to the second half.'"      

Dayton certainly didn't start out as the offensive juggernaut that's racked up an average of 27.4 points per game but the defense made up for it.         

"Offensively, the first half wasn't there—and sometimes that happens. But that defense! How many turnovers did we force in the first half," George exclaimed about a defense that forced three of Belvidere's five turnovers in the opening half. "They gave us every opportunity. Two INTs [interceptions] and a fumble in the first half. C'mon!"       

Goerge further credited his defensive staff, most notably Bob Martin.     

"Give credit to Coach Bobby Martin. He does the defense. I don't do much on that side of the ball other than yell at the linebackers to make tackles," said Goerge of a defense that has yielded only 72 points all season. That's the least amount of points allowed in Union County. "Me and Bobby been together since 1984. Nobody does it like he does. His work ethic, intensity, and scouting, he does it all."                   

Coach Martin's defensive line rotation of Kareem Jackson, Jesse DiCocco, Alfonso Cacciatore, Matt Lyna, and Connor Goad were routinely in Belvidere's backfield. DiCocco, who was returning from a shoulder injury, registered two fumble recoveries, while the aforementioned group battered quarterback Willie Harris, including a sack from Jackson.      

About the only damper was an injury to Cioffi early in the fourth quarter. He injured his throwing hand [right] on an option pitch to Williams, who raced 61 yards for the touchdown. Alas, the play was called back for holding, making Cioffi the recipient of a brutal hit on a non-play. Apicella scored two plays later on a breathtaking, ankle-breaking 58-yard run down the sidelines. Cioffi's injury .     

Up next for the Bulldogs is a date with Jersey City's Lincoln High School. Bitter rival New Providence also won, 24-21 over Hoboken on a field goal at the gun, so you can bet Dayton has one eye on what the top-seeded Pioneers are doing.      

"I'm aware," Apicella said with a sly smile when told of New Prov's victory. "[A rematch] would be great. But we try to stay focused on each game at a time. But it's definitely in the back of our minds to get a little payback on them. We're really just going to focus on Lincoln first because they're a tough team and they're up next."          

Williams, who had three catches for 81 yards and three rushes for 73 yards and a touchdown, took it one step further saying he won't allow his team to look past Lincoln.   

"It's always in the back of your mind but you have to stay focused," Williams said of a possible rematch with New Prov. "Lincoln is next and we can't get to New Prov if we don't handle business next week first."   

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