BMHS beats powerhouse Hunterdon Central, 21-17

Cody Cutter had a big catch a few weeks ago that forced overtime in Brick Memorial High School's 21-14 football victory at Jackson Memorial High School.

Cutter was at it again on the night of Nov. 13, this time in Flemington, where his 40- yard touchdown reception with 19 seconds left lifted the Mustangs to a 21-17 victory over previously unbeaten Hunterdon Central in its NJSIAA Group IV Central Jersey playoff opener. Brick Memorial squandered a 14-3 halftime lead on two touchdown runs by Anthony Altilio before coming back for its second straight victory after three straight losses.

Brick Memorial (5-4) is expected to play on Nov. 21 against the winner of Montgomery High School at Howell High School, which was postponed because of wet grounds to Nov. 16. Brick Memorial lost, 34-27, to Howell two games earlier.

"Without question, it was his biggest catch of the season," Brick Memorial coach Walt Currie said of Cutter's catch, an unusual play because it was only the second pass of the day thrown by quarterback Mike DiGuilmi. It came on second down and seven, on a play action slant pass over the middle to Cutter, who had a wide-open field.

Hunterdon Central had taken the lead with four minutes left.

"It pretty much came down to heart and not to x's and o's," Currie said. "It was their ability to look at adversity and come back. They never got flustered."

It was much like last season's postseason run to the state championship, when Brick Memorial pulled out thrilling victories over North Brunswick and South Brunswick before a dominating performance against Sayreville in the championship game.

Altilio scored his first two touchdowns of the season on runs of nine and 36 yards in the first half. Glenn McGinnis laid down big blocks for both scores while Russ Clayton moved out to take out a free safety closing down on the play on the first score, when DiGuilmi made a good pitch of the ball with a tackler wrapped around his legs. Jared Aksdal also laid down a key block that sprung Altilio on the long run.

"He [Altilio] plays on every special team, and we gave him the opportunity to carry the ball," Currie said.

McGinnis also made an interception on Hunterdon Central's opening series when it got deep into Brick Memorial territory.

It was a sharp upturn for a team that had allowed more than 30 points in each of its four previous games.

"The defense played a great game," Currie said. "It may not seem that way in the game, but when you look at film, you can see a lot of improvement."

Vin Sabba led a ground-gaining juggernaut that churned out nearly 400 yards with 22 carries for 130 yards. Now Currie feels that his team has shown him it has the makings of a playoff contender. And with Sayreville winning its playoff opener over Middletown North, 21-0, in the other bracket, it could lead to a rematch in the title game.

"I'm not sure if we were at that level, but we're at that level now and we hope it can continue," Currie said. "We won an impor- tant category in the turnover ratio, which is what helps win big games, when we got one off them and did not turn it over the whole game."

Brick Township High School was wary of Brick Memorial's late resurgence as it prepared for its NJSIAA playoff consolation game at Wall Township on Nov. 16, a game rained out on Nov. 13. The two Brick teams renew their Thanksgiving rivalry next week. Currie has requested the game be moved to 5 p.m. on Nov. 27.

Brick Township leads the series, 19-7-1. "They're flying high, and with that offense, it presents a problem," Brick Township High coach Patrick Dowling said.

His team brought a 4-4 record into Monday's game and hoped to bounce back from a 40-14 drubbing at Monroe.

"You have to be disciplined and prepare for it [Brick Memorial's triple option offense]," Dowling said. "But I like our defense. It's the strength of our team. If we can score some points, we'll be all right."

Brick Township averages 15 points a game, 10 fewer points than Brick Memorial, and Jordan Loiodice has kicked 27 extra points for the Mustangs.