Raritan Rockets Win Over RBR

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By Jim Hintelmann
LITTLE SILVER – After years of success, the Raritan football program took a dip the past three years with the Rockets winning just seven games, including a winless season in 2012, but that might be changing.
Raritan (3-2) spotted Red Bank Regional a 27-14 third quarter lead, but then roared back by scoring the final three touchdowns of the game to score an important non-division 35-27 win over the Bucs Friday night.
“This was all you could ask for from a team,” Raritan coach Anthony Petruzzi said. “We didn’t really change anything. Our defense really did a good job after we fell behind in the third quarter and we kept focused.”
Leading the charge for Raritan was junior tailback Derek Ernst, who scored three of the Rocket touchdowns on runs of 52, 8 and 6 yards, while rushing for 216 yards in 31 carries.
“We never gave up,” said Ernst, who has nine touchdowns this season. “We’ve been in this situation before and kept playing hard. The offensive line opens up some big holes for me.”

Raritan's Derek Ernst, No. 32, rushes for some of his 216 yards during the Friday, Oct. 10, game against RBR. Ernst scored three touchdowns during the Rockets come from behind 35-27 win. --Sean Simmons
Raritan’s Derek Ernst, No. 32, rushes for some of his 216 yards during the Friday, Oct. 10, game against RBR. Ernst scored three touchdowns during the Rockets come from behind 35-27 win.
–Sean Simmons

When Red Bank quarterback Jack Navitsky threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sadiq Palmer in the third period for a 27-14 Buc lead, it appeared that the Bucs were in control, but Raritan quickly changed things.
Taking the ensuing kickoff, Raritan drove 68 yards in 16 plays with Ernst scoring on an 8-yard run during which he shook off a flock of Bucs tacklers. Dylan Dewysockie’s extra point cut the lead to 27-20.
Raritan then surprised Red Bank with an onside kick that was recovered by the Rockets on the Buc 38. Ernst scored the touchdown on a 5-yard run after he ran 33 yards in five straight carries to set it up. Dewysockie’s point after touchdown put the Rockets ahead for the first time in the game 28-27.
“Our guys executed the kick and we were able to take advantage,” Petruzzi said.
Red Bank got the kickoff, but fumbled three plays later with Raritan recovering on the Buc 28.
Despite being hit with 20 yards in penalties, Raritan finally scored when quarterback Jonathan Rodriguez threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dewysockie for a 35-27 lead.
Red Bank still had something left. Helped by a 35-yard run on a keeper by Navitsky, RBR marched to the Raritan 3-yard line with a minute remaining.
Navitsky, however, was dropped for a 6-yard loss and Raritan’s Colby Jones intercepted a pass at the end zone to clinch the game.
“We’ve played very well this season, although we lost to Matawan and Freehold,” Petruzzi said. “Those are two good teams, however. We’ve also had injuries, but are working hard and getting better. We hope that this game will be a stepping stone for us.”
Despite the loss, Navitsky and Palmer were outstanding for the Bucs. Navitsky completed 5 of 7 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns, both to Palmer, while rushing for 131 yards, including touchdown runs of 64 and 12 yards.
In addition to catching touchdown passes of 47 and 33 yards from Navitsky, Palmer also had an interception to set up his first score, which gave Red Bank an early 7-0 lead.
Raritan tied the game minutes later on a 53-yard touchdown run by Ernst. Red Bank then got the lead back, 20-7, on Navitsky’s two touchdown runs.
Rodriguez narrowed the score to 20-14 with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mason Sheehan just before halftime and that set up the wild second half.
Red Bank (2-3) has a rough game Friday, Oct. 17, when it travels to unbeaten Red Bank Catholic. Raritan also has a strong opponent Friday when it plays host to unbeaten St. John Vianney.