High School Football:
Cherry Hill East Defeats Triton in Freshmen Football
Friday, September 22, 2000
By Bob Wankel
SJSports Special Correspondent
The Triton Freshmen football team looked to bounce back this week after an embarrassing 34-13 loss in their opener. The Cherry Hill East team also went down hard in their first game. This gave both teams a reasonable shot at victory, as there was no clear favorite. Heading into the game the Triton coaches asked for more intensity from the players and that is what they received. Well, at least in the first half.
In the opening quarter the Triton defense set the tempo, after East marched down the field only to fumble inside their own 5-yard line. Pat Haley recovered the fumble and saved the Triton 6 points. Taking advantage of the turnover, the Mustangs struck first as Zac Finley broke down the sidelines for a 70-yard touchdown run as time expired in the first. Triton failed to convert the extra point and led only 6-0 after one quarter.
The Cherry Hill East defense set the tone in the second as they picked off Mustang quarterback Matt Reese's pass. Cherry Hill East then converted the turnover into 6 points, but they also failed to connect on the extra point. At half time neither team looked very impressive, but it set the stage for a second half dog fight.
The Cherry Hill East defense cranked up its intensity as it forced Triton to punt on its only two possessions of the third quarter. On Cherry Hill East's opening and only possession of the third quarter they crossed the goal line taking a 12-6 lead. The score remained the same through the 3rd quarter and into the fourth.
The Mustang defense, in desperate need of a stop forced a fumble with about 2 minutes remaining in the game. It was now up to the anemic Triton offense to produce something. With 50 seconds remaining quarterback Matt Reese found Jared Curry for a 60-yard connection down to the East 40 yard line. However, the late game drive was halted when Triton offense made a crucial error. Matt Reese was forced to throw a ball into double coverage that was picked off. That play sealed the deal for triumphant Cherry Hill East team. The dejected Mustangs walked off the field feeling the bitter taste of defeat once again. The team lacked intensity, the offensive line lost its edge, and ultimately it resulted in Triton losing for the second time in as many weeks. Hey boys, it's time for a gut check.
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