By Jim Hintelmann
Unbeaten Red Bank Regional (4-0) didn’t allow a steady rain and wind to slow down its fastest football start in years Thursday night.
The Bucs, led by running back Alim Godsey and quarterback Jack Navitsky, used a punishing running game to roll up 361 yards en route to an impressive 28-7 B Division North victory over Neptune.
The Bucs did this on the same night that it honored at halftime the storied 1975 team that capped a 10-0 a season with an historic 46-44 win over Hightstown in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II finals.
“I followed my blocking and the holes were right there,” said Godsey, who rushed for 182 yards in 25 carries. “My blocking was great and our defense got me so excited when I was on the sidelines, that I had to be out there and do my thing.
“I didn’t expect our defense to be that good because we were a little small,” he said, “but we were hungry, so that brought it all together. We worked hard in practice because we needed this game.”
After an exchange of punts, Red Bank began moving on its second series of the game and put together a seven-play, 70-yard drive for its first touchdown, an 18-yard run by Godsey. He had set it up with a 29-yard run. Mike O’Connor kicked the first of four extra points.
Sean Naiman set up the second Buc touchdown in the second quarter when he recovered a Neptune fumble at midfield. Seven plays later, Godsey scored on a 13-yard after breaking several tackles.
The Buc defense was so strong in the first half that Neptune was unable to get past the Red Bank 33.
On its first series in the second half, Red Bank, led by strong running from Godsey, put on a 72-yard touchdown drive in 13 plays with Sadiq Palmer scoring on a 3-yard run.
After its running game had stopped cold by the Buc defense in the first half, Neptune went to the passing game and had more success there.
After Neptune stopped a Buc drive on its 9-yard line, quarterback Chase Fairbanks sparked a 92-yard drive with four completions, including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Jacquez Clay.
Navitsky, however, led a 64-yard Buc drive following the kickoff by scoring on a 34-yard keeper after setting it up with a 20-yard run.
The win was important for Navitsky after Neptune defeated the Bucs last year.
“Our eyes were open at the sight of Neptune,” said Navitsky. “Last year, we started out 2-0, but lost to Neptune. There was nothing more we wanted to do than to be 4-0 after this game.
“You have to give credit to our offensive line,” he said. “We rushed for over 300 yards, and we hadn’t done that all year. They played a heck of a game.
“We needed a good game out of them because the weather was bad, and it was hard to pass the ball,” he said.
Red Bank has a pair of big games coming up, starting this Friday with a road game at Raritan, which is also off to a good start.
The top game, though, will be Oct. 16 when the Bucs play host to defending B North champion Red Bank Catholic in a game in which both teams could still be unbeaten.
