Less than one minute into the game, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School football team sent a clear message that the visiting JFK-Iselin Mustangs were in a heap of trouble during the regular-season finale at Scotch Plains on October 20. Like an out of control stampede, the 2-7 Raiders galloped past the helpless Mustangs for a 39-0 Mercy Rule triumph.
ROMANO 3 TOUCHDOWNS, RICHARDSON GETS 2 TDS
Less than one minute into the game, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School football team sent a clear message that the visiting JFK-Iselin Mustangs were in a heap of trouble during the regular-season finale at Scotch Plains on October 20. Like an out of control stampede, the 2-7 Raiders galloped past the helpless Mustangs for a 39-0 Mercy Rule triumph.
Engineered by co-captain/quarterback Anthony Romano, the Raiders amassed 295 yards on 24 carries in the first half to make the score 32-0, all by rushing, then 56 seconds into the third quarter enacted the Mercy Rule with another rushing touchdown. The Raiders finished with 369 yards rushing on 32 carries. Romano did complete two passes for 15 yards in the first half – co-captain Noah Ricca (8-yards), Collum Fynes (7 yards).
Romano carried nine times for 104 yards, which included respective touchdown runs of 44 yards, 16 yards and five yards. Running back Jayden Richardson carried 12 times for 140 yards, including respective touchdown runs of 34 yards and 16 yards. Running back John Boyle had four carries for 74 yards. Ricca got to carry the ball three times for 20 yards – one on a fake punt. Fynes had a 21yard run. Backup quarterback Alex Chen had a two-yard carry and Xavier Vega carried twice for eight yards.
The Raider defensive onslaught was not very nice to the Mustangs either. The ruthless Raiders led by co-captains Jeremiah Mundle, Jason DelCore and Ricca, along with defensive linemen Shane Hickey, Paul Boyle, Alex Salameh,Tom Dowling and company, limited the helpless Mustangs to minus 12 yards rushing, which included sacking quarterback Richie Trotman five times. One was a 10-yard sack by Ricca and the others were crushing gang sacks. Primary running back Fiheen Howell was held to 24 yards on 10 carries. Prior to the Mercy Rule, Trotman completed four of nine passes for 31 yards then added four of eight passes for 61 yards, mostly against the Raiders’ reserve defense.
“We marked this one down as one we really wanted to get after what happened last year. The energy we had all week, we knew we were going to come out here and do something special for everybody that was here, all our friends and family. They gave us great support. It was great to give them a show to see,” DelCore said.
Ricca added, “We were prepared to come out as hard as we could and make them give up the first play. That was our goal and we made it happen. We shut them out from the first play. Every single play!
The Raiders received the opening kickoff and began their first offensive at the JFK 48. After a four-yard run by Richardson, Romano slipped by his right guard and galloped 44 yards for the touchdown with 11:12 on the clock. Sophomore Collum Fynes added the two-point conversion.
The Mustangs were forced to punt on their first series and Raider Jacob Handy made a huge return to the JFK 49. Unfortunately the Raiders failed to capitalize but did on the Mustangs’ next series when Cooper Tamase in- tercepted Trotman on the JFK 31. On the third play, Romano broke through with his 16-yard touchdown and Richardson added the two-point conversion for a 16-0 lead with 3:49 left in the first quarter.
A short time later, the Raiders had possession at their own 42. Richardson carried for eight yards and Romano followed with a 16-yard run to the 34. Richardson got the handoff and sprinted to the right for the touchdown with :31 left in the quarter. Romano ran in the two-point conversion for a 24-0 lead.
Constantly being battered by the huge Raider line and another gang sack convinced the Mustangs to punt. The Raiders took over at their own 27 and marched with eight running plays that was concluded with Romano’s five-yard bash up the middle with 7:47 left in the half. On that drive, Ricca carried out the fake maneuver. Romano carried in the two-point conversion for a 32-0 lead.
On his touchdown, Romano spotted the photographer and went into a pose displaying his guns. Romano explained, “I had to put the guns up once I saw the camera. I saw you. I was running to you. I flexed it. Very happy. I got three touchdowns and am excited to do it in front of my home crowd.”
The Mustangs tried to get something going but back-to-back bat downs of passes by Jake Fezza and Hickey would get the ball back into the hands of the Raiders, who wanted to get another score before halftime but came up a little short.
No problem, however! The Raiders kicked off to the Mustangs to start the third quarter. The ball was fumbled and was recovered by Raider Khani Williams at the 19. Romano carried to the 16 then Richardson finished it off with just 56 seconds off the clock and Santiago Becerra kicked the point after to set the Mercy Rule clock ticking.
The Raider sack attack continued with Ricca, a gang tackle and finally by defensive lineman Tom Riley as time ran out.
“We are excited! We are excited,” Romano exclaimed.”
“I am so excited. It feels real good. Amazing,” Mundle expressed. “We wanted to send these guys out with two or three wins in them. I am happy to do it with two. Hopefully three!”
JFK-Iselin 0 0 0 0 0 Sc Pl-Fanwood 24 8 7 0 39