By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN – Saturday’s B Division Central football showdown between host Mater Dei Prep and defending champion Shore Regional was a study of contrasts.
The game matched Shore’s traditionally strong defense against Mater Dei Prep’s high-powered offense, and it was the Shore defense that finally made the difference.
The Blue Devils overcame an 8-0 deficit to defeat the Seraphs, 14-8, to take over sole possession of first place in the division. Shore can clinch the title in two weeks, if they defeat Point Pleasant Beach.
Although losing, Mater Dei Prep can still earn a three-way tie for the title if it defeats Point Beach and Shore loses.
The deciding moment of the game came with two minutes remaining when Shore had a fourth and one at the Mater Dei Prep 21-yard line.
Conventional wisdom would indicate a punt, but the potential of Mater Dei Prep’s offense, especially senior quarterback Christian Palmer who accounted for almost all of the Seraphs’ 265 yards of total offense, caused Shore coach Mark Costantino to gamble.
–SEAN SIMMONS
“Palmer is such a good player that I didn’t want to see him get the ball again,” Costantino said. “I asked my players what they wanted to do, and they said that they wanted to go for it.”
The ball went to senior running back Doug Goldsmith, back in action for the first time this season following a pre-season knee injury. He ripped off a 10-yard run for the deciding first down. Shore then ran out the clock.
“His eyes lit up the last two weeks when he found out that he was going to play against Mater Dei Prep,” Costantino said. “He’s a playmaker and can make tacklers miss. Something like that can make the whole year.”
Palmer rushed for 115 yards in 17 carries against the powerful Shore defense and completed nine of 18 passes for 138 yards, but Shore held on for the win.
Mater Dei Prep scored on its second series of the game when Tysaun White closed out a 78-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Palmer, who set up the touchdown with 59-yard pass to White, then ran over for 2 points and an 8-0 lead.
–SEAN SIMMONS
Shore came right back with a 58-yard drive as Goldsmith, who had a 31-yard run to set it up, scored on a 3-yard run. Substitute kicker George Notte, who was replacing the injured Jake Monteiro, converted to cut the lead to 8-7.
Goldsmith, who rushed for 142 yards in 25 attempts, scored the second touchdown just before halftime with a 3-yard run and Notte converted for a 14-8 lead.
Mater Dei Prep had scoring opportunities, but 90 yards in penalties killed off several potential scoring threats.
“We did a great job on defense,” Mater Dei Prep coach Steve Sciarappa said. “It gave us some opportunities to win, but the penalties killed us. Shore does such a good job of not beating themselves.”
The key penalties came in the second half. Mater Dei Prep moved to the Shore 25 late in the third quarter, but 30 yards in penalties moved the ball back to the near midfield.
The other infraction came with 4 minutes left when a holding penalty nullified a 25-yard Palmer-to-Lewis pass that would have given the Seraphs first down at midfield.
Mater Dei Prep is at Metuchen Saturday, Oct. 25, while Shore is at home hosting South River.
