Phillipsburg High School's football team remains snake-bitten against Hunterdon Central

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

History certainly has a way of repeating itself.

Phillipsburg High School's football team suffered a frustrating 28-25 loss at Hunterdon Central on Friday night. It was the Stateliners' fourth straight loss to the Red Devils and their first in 2010.

This latest debacle was eerily similar to the Stateliners' last trip to the Red Devils' Stewart Field, a 32-28 loss in 2008.

P'burg led that game 21-3 and had a first-and-goal on the 2-yard line. The Stateliners were pushed back to the 6 and a fourth down pass off a fake field goal was incomplete.

Hunterdon Central threw a 94-yard touchdown pass on the next play. That 14-point swing spearheaded the Red Devils' come-from-behind victory that night.

On Friday, P'burg was coasting with a 22-7 lead late in the second quarter. Three P'burg fumbles later, the game was deadlocked 22-22.

A field goal by P'burg's Anthony Castro was offset by a Chris Ibrahim to Vincenzo DiTrolio touchdown pass, giving the Red Devils a 28-25 lead with 7 minutes left.

P'burg had life when a clutch 36-yard reception by Rob Howell, his first catch of the year, set up a first and goal on the 3. (Does this sound familiar?).

Much like the game two years ago, P'burg was unable to penetrate the fired up Central defense. Four running plays netted nothing and the Red Devils took over with 3:28 remaining.

Hunterdon Central picked up two first downs and ultimately ran out the clock.

This loss had to hit P'burg's seniors particularly hard because they've never beaten Central. The Stateliners' last win over the Red Devils was a 28-18 conquest in Raritan Township in 2006.

The heartbreaking defeat spoiled a number of outstanding performances by P'burg. Two-way standout Matt Deery caught four passes for 73 yards. On two of the catches, Deery was covered like a blanket by Central defensive back Colton Schenck. Deery, who also had several pass breakups on defense, used his exceptional athletic ability to come up with the ball.

Fullback Gerald VanDeCruz bolted 77 yards for a touchdown and finished with 101 rushing yards on 10 carries. Running back Dana Lee added 73 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Quarterback Justin Scuorzo completed 8-of-11 passes for 184 yards and also rushed for a TD.

VanDeCruz, a noseguard on defense, and linebackers Kyle Williams and Dajuan Lee recorded sacks. Guard and linebacker Sean McNerney blocked an extra point.

Howell punted twice for a 34-yard average. Interestingly, it's the first time the Stateliners punted since the opener against Plainfield.

Phillipsburg and Hunterdon Central may meet again in the NJSIAA North 2 Group 4 playoffs. Until then, the Stateliners can only wonder what might have been.

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