Secret Weapon Leads Bears, 14-13

By Josh Cohen
11/5/04

East Brunswick -- She posed naked at midfield, smiling and winking. She was striking, knocking down 10 pins each frame. She was mesmeric, forcing shame on others. And perhaps most importantly, she was East Brunswick’s secret weapon for three quarters.

She did not have a name exactly, or any human features for that matter. She was a mindset, one that propelled the Bears (7-1) to a 14-13 victory against the Woodbridge Barrons (4-4) on Friday night.

After Jimmy McCloskey scored a go-ahead touchdown for the Bears early in the fourth, the Barrons were unable to move the ball past midfield on their next three possessions.

Bears punter Raffaele Danise was a major key, forcing Woodbridge to start their offense deep in their own territory for most of the game.

Shamar Graves scored twice for Woodbridge, including a 26-yard TD reception on the opening drive of the game.

The Barron defense, led by Matt Barringer, Jarren Smith, and Josh Felton, held the Bears scoreless for all but 43 seconds in the first half.

Joe Skibar passed for 49 yards on six completions for the Barrons, while Matt Mariano threw for 46 for East Brunswick.

Despite the loss, Woodbridge qualified for the North II Group IV state playoffs, where they will be the seven seed. Who they will play is still a question mark, although it may be against Greater Middlesex Conference rival Piscataway.