Bombers destroy Brick, 34-13, in state playoffs
Sayreville will now take on West Windsor South
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Sayreville High School football team will visit second-seeded West Windsor South on Saturday in a second round game in the NJSIAA Central Group IV playoffs.

ANDREW MILLER staff Sayreville's Matt Gruytch struggles for yardage against Brick Township High School's defense during his team's 34-13 win.

The Bombers, seeded third, blasted Brick, 34-13, at home last Friday. Coach George Najjar's team was determined from the outset after losing its last three home playoff games, and pounced on an early turnover to get things started.

Sayreville kicked off to open the game and pinned the visitors deep in their own zone. Two plays later, junior Lavone Graham recovered a missed lateral, giving the Bombers the ball at the Brick 12-yard line. In short order, the home crowd was going wild as Javon Hodges crossed the goal line on a 5-yard run for a 7-0 lead.

"It was huge for us to get on top early," Najjar said. "They turned the ball over and we took advantage. As a result, we were one step ahead of them all night long.

With the momentum on its side, Sayreville cashed in again on its next possession, going 67 yards in 13 plays - capped by an 11-yard TD run by junior Matt Gruytch with time winding down in the first period.

Brick quickly responded early in the second stanza thanks to a 31-yard scoring run by Joe Cusanelli.

Undeterred, the Bombers marched down the field to make it 21-6 on a 3-yard run by Gruytch that was set up by a 40- yard pass from Matt McLafferty to Michael Leonard.

The visiting Green Dragons rallied at the start of the third stanza, capitalizing on a blocked punt to cut the lead to 21-13. Again, the home team responded immediately as Rashiem Clarke scored on a 41- yard run to keep Brick on its heels and put

Sayreville ahead 27-13.

"Our special teams played well and we benefited from a couple

of turnovers, and we were able

to take advantage of them,"

Najjar said. "Overall, I

thought we played well. Defensively,

we bent a bit, but we

didn't break."

As for West Windsor South,

which downed Jackson Memorial

28-14 in an opening-round game, Najjar was wary of their big-play capability.

"They're a very good, well-coached team and they like to go for the home run pass," the Sayreville mentor said. "We need to keep that in check and make them drive the ball down the field and let our defense do the rest. Offensively, we're going to try and control the ball with sustained drives and keep their offense off the field."

The winner of Friday's clash will meet the victor of Friday's game between fourth-seeded Montgomery and topseeded Howell at Howell for the Central IV championship.