By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – It was just a case of too much Keyport defense in Saturday’s 20-0 B Central football win over Mater Dei Prep.
The Red Raider defense, led by 6-7, 265 pound defensive Travis Alvarez, put constant pressure on Mater Dei sophomore quarterback Kyle Devaney and registered eight sacks as it handed Mater Dei its second shutout of the season.
The win evened Keyport’s record to 4-4 and kept alive its hopes for an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I playoff berth. Only the first eight games count.
“It will depend on the power points,” said Keyport’s second year coach John Paczkowski, whose team was 3-7 last year “Our defense came to play today. We were focusing on it all week in practice.
“We’re like a big family,” he said. “That is what Keyport has always been is about. We haven’t made the playoffs in the past few years. This was a big opportunity for the seniors.”
“This was a big game,” said Alverez. “Mater Dei beat us 36-0 last year, but we came back as a team this year and got revenge.”
Keyport scored on its second series of the game, starting from midfield. Eight plays moved the ball to the 10, where Desmond Underwood scored on 10-yard run. A 38-yard pass from Chris Hogrefe to Matt Acuna was the big play in the drive. Christian Smith kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
“Keyport is a better than its record,” said Mater Dei Prep coach Shannon Hoadley, who was an assistant coach at both Keyport and Mater Dei before taking over at Mater Dei this season.”They are a very physical team and deserve a lot of credit.”
Keyport’s Evan Smutz set it up the next Keyport touchdown when he intercepted a Seraph pass at the Mater Dei 32. Six plays later, Ky’Sun Pryor scored on a 2-yard run with 53 seconds remaining in the half.
Mater Dei’s best chance of scoring came following the second half kickoff when it moved from midfield to the Keyport 10, but the Keyport defense stopped the threat.
Keyport scored its final touchdown in the final quarter on Pryor’s 25-yrd run.
After having one of its best seasons last year, when it finish 8-3, Mater Dei is in a rebuilding year and is struggling a bit with a 3-4 record.
“We’re a little banged up to right now,” said Hoadley. “We don’t have a lot of depth, but still hope to make the playoffs.”
Mater Dei, which played its final home game of the season Saturday, makes a journey to Point Pleasant Beach Friday while Keyport plays host to rival Keansburg in a revival of the annual Battle of the Bayshore Saturday.
