Blue Bishops upset Blue Devils

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr
Shore Regional High School football team had the longest winning streak in the Shore Conference at 20 games going into the start of the 2016 season. They were also heavy favorites to keep that streak going and win on the road in Asbury Park.

Mark Costantino, head coach of the Shore Blue Devils, knows that

Walter O’Neill, Jr. LINK sports Quadir Lawson (7), a transfer student from Asbury Park to Shore Regional, fights off a former teammate to make a tackle.

might not have the depth and amount of players as other schools, but they’ve always had speed and athletic ability. For the first time in years, Shore went into the halftime break behind their opponent and scoreless as Asbury Park had a 7-0 lead.

The Bishops first-half touchdown was a 16-yard pass play in the second quarter. Most of the first half was played between the 30’s and the Blue Devils offense was having problems holding onto the ball. They were also having issues creating holes offensively and stopping the Blue Bishops rush.

Going into the final 10 minutes of action Asbury was still leading 7-0. Shore was mounting a good drive but was cut short when quarterback Matt Pennell was intercepted. Later in the quarter Asbury Park was forced to punt and  downed the ball on the Shore one-yard line.

The Devils were forced to punt after starting so deep in their own end of the field. Asbury Park capped off that offensive series with a two-yard touchdown run with 3:37 left to play. They led 14-0 and the Shore crowd was stunned as the explosive offense they were used to seeing was held scoreless.

Shore was not giving up and with 2:04 left in the game Pennell connected on a 48-yard touchdown pass to Paul Christopher. On the ensuing kickoff the Devils attempted an onside kick which Asbury Park recovered. The Bishops were then able to gain a first down and run out the clock taking the 14-7 win.

Football experts had predicted  that the Blue Devils would be in contention for a third consecutive NJSIAA State Championship. Last year Shore had a perfect season going undefeated and winning the divisional and state titles.