“My Thoughts”

Charles McDevitt

Monday, 10-20-2003

What a difference a few weeks make!

In the September 11^th Pre-Season Football issue of the Home New Tribune, the sports editors there determined the Woodbridge HS Football Team wasn’t worthy of a Top 10 position. They had Sayreville 1^st, JP Stevens 2^nd, Old Bridge 3^rd, East Brunswick 7^th, and Piscataway 8^th.

Then again in the September 29^th issue, the THNT still denied WHS of a Top 10 position placing Sayreville 1^st, JP Stevens 2^nd, Old Bridge 3^rd, Piscataway 5^th, East Brunswick 8^th, and South Brunswick 9^th. At this point, WHS had played and lost two games, but they were the two toughest games on the schedule (Old Bridge and Sayreville).

In the Old Bridge game, the lack of availability of Linebacker Josh Bernard, was a huge loss for the Woodbridge Defensive Unit. I know injuries happen and teams have to adjust, but Josh is an impact player and I believe his presence would have turned the lost into a win. Record: 0-1

The Sayreville game was a pure and simple butt whipping, by a very talented Bomber’s Team! Woodbridge failed to play up to its potential and the final score and statistics bore that out. Record: 0-2

Woodbridge reloaded for game 3 against Perth Amboy, with all personnel ready and available to play. The result was 327 yards on the ground, 7 tackles for losses with another 8 sacks, allowing only 102 total yards offensively, and a 23- 7 Win. Record: 1–2

Then came East Brunswick away! Both the Offense and the Defense showed up in big ways. First, Keith Zalasar put on an offensive ground show, rushing for 262 on 17 carries (15.4 per) behind an offensive line that dominated the line of scrimmage. Second, the Defensive Unit when needed most, shut down the Bears late in the game allowing only 206 total offensive yards. Result, 25-21 Win. Record: 2-2

Finally, on October 14^th, the Star Ledger decided the Barrons Team was not an also ran, and ranked them 10^th in their weekly rating.

Next up, Piscataway and their 16 game winning streak and Top 10 ranking! The Chiefs put 14 points on the board in the first quarter and it looked like Sayreville reincarnated. But the Woodbridge Team stiffened, and held Piscataway to only those 14 points. Early in the fourth quarter, the Barons put its first points onto the board with a tremendous catch and run by Matt Bouchard, and finally tied the game at 14-14 with 2:16 left in the game with a blast up the middle by Steffon Alexander and another catch for 2 points by Bouchard. In OT, the defense forced the Chiefs to attempt a 42 yard FG that was short. On the ensuing drive, Keith Zalasar’s rushing and a personal foul on Piscataway set up Ryan Mozolic’s FG attempt from 25 yards. GOOD! Result: 17-14 Win. Record: 3-2

Now, in the October 20^th issue, The Home News Tribune has ranked Woodbridge 8^th! With Sayreville 1^st, Old Bridge 4^th, Piscataway 5^th, JP Stevens 6^th, and South Brunswick 9^th.

There is no time for Woodbridge to bask and glow in their 3 game run, because there are 3 games to go! The goal is to “Run the Table”, secure a “Playoff” bid, and then “Run the Table” again! Then and only then can you slow and enjoy the number that will be beside your name: 1^st! NJSIAA North Jersey 2, Group 4 – Champions!