Lions claw Spartans 32-8

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr

The 2016 football season for the Spartans of Ocean Township came to an end on November 4, when they hosted and lost 32-8 to Middletown North.

At the start of this season Don Klein, head coach of the Spartans said that this year was going to be extremely difficult. “The B North division of the Shore Conference is like the SEC in college football. Every week we are playing a top team, there is no break,” said Klein.

The B North has Middletown South, Middletown North, Red Bank Catholic, Manasquan, Wall Township and Long Branch. “Just look at that list, all of them are athletic and powerful teams,” added Klein. New to the B North this season were both Middletown schools and Manasquan.

Ocean last year had a 9-2 season. Both losses were at the hands of Red Bank Regional High School. The Spartans had made it to the NJSIAA Central Jersey III semifinals three consecutive years, and lost all three. Klein and his staff were hoping that 2016 would be the year to get over the hump.

However, the finished the season 1-5 in the division with their only victory over Long Branch. Overall they finished 4-5, which kept them out of the 2016 NJSIAA playoffs.

On the bright side of the season, senior quarterback Kenny Pickett finished the regular season with 1,222 yards and eight touchdowns. His career passing number is 4,104 yards with 35 touchdowns. On the ground he rushed for 370 yards this season and nine touchdowns. His career rushing yards is 712 with a total of 15 touchdowns using his feet.

Another big presence was Anthony Tedesco, who had 61 rushes this season for 447 yards and eight touchdowns. Joey Aldarelli was one of Pickett’s favorite targets. He caught 33 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns.

Teams that don’t make the NJSIAA playoffs get what is called a consolation game. The Spartans will host Robbinsville on November 10, to close out the year. No Thanksgiving Day game this year, as Monmouth Regional no longer wanted to play on Turkey Day.