By Jim Hintelmann
UNION – Shore Regional is rapidly becoming an NJSIAA Group I football dynasty as the unbeaten Blue Devils made it two Central Jersey Group I championships in a row Saturday with an impressive 56-28 rout of Palmyra.
The Blue Devils (12-0) extended its overall winning streak to 20 games and won the game with a crushing ground game that Palmyra (9- 2) was unable to stop.
Seniors Doug Goldsmith and Jack Britton were the main forces, combining for 484 yards rushing with Goldsmith breaking a school record with five touchdowns.
“We just ran the ball like we usually do,” said Shore Coach Mark Costantino, who won his fourth overall CJ I title. “We knew that we were a lot stronger than Palmyra up front. Our offensive line has been so consistent this year. It makes it easy for our running backs.”
“Goldsmith missed six games last year,” said Costantino. “He’s a super kid and very intelligent.”
“We knew from the start that we would be good,” said Goldsmith., who is also an outstanding lacrosse player. “Our goal was to be 12-0 and we did it. This is a great way for the seniors to go out.”
“We worked so hard for this,” said Britton, whose dad, Tim, played on Shore’s unbeaten (11-0) 1981 team. “Our offensive line executed very well. I missed last year because of an injury but I’m healthy now.”
Palmyra, whose only other loss was to Woodrow Wilson of Camden, was still in the game at halftime, trailing 28-14, but Shore linebacker Devin McLaughlin intercepted a pass on Palmyra’s first series of the third quarter, and Goldsmith scored a few plays later.
Both Goldsmith and Britton, who is also a fine lacrosse player, were a dynamic dual for Shore this year with each player rushing for over 1,000 yards.
“This team is as good as any team that I coached in my 17 years here,” said Costantino.
“We knew that we would have a great team if we stayed healthy. We had the potential and the team responded.”
Goldsmith, who ran for 268 yards in 37 carries Saturday, finished as Shore’s third all- time leading rusher. He trailed only Tim Britton and Nick Lubischer (‘78).
Shore’s last loss was to Dunellen last year in a game in which neither Goldsmith not Britton played. With both players healthy, Shore crushed Dunellen, 41-0, this year.
