Ocean wins consolation game over Robbinsville 28-13

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr

Teams that don’t qualify for the 2016 NJSIAA football playoffs are given a consolation game. Friday night the Spartans of Ocean Township hosted the Ravens of Robbinsville, the last game of the season for Ocean.

The Spartans scored a touchdown in each of the four quarters. With 2:11 left in the first quarter senior quarterback Kenny Pickett dove in from two yards out for the first Ocean touchdown.

The Ravens came right back and connected on a 50-yard bomb that gave them a first and 10 at the Ocean 17-yard line. As the first quarter came to an end Robbinsville had a third and goal on the Ocean four-yard line.

On the second play of the second quarter with a fourth and four, the Ravens ran in for a touchdown and the game was even at 7.

With 8:40 left in the first half, Pickett connected on a 26-yard pass to Joey Aldarelli for a touchdown. Going into the halftime break the Spartans were leading 14-7.

During the third quarter the Ravens scored on a five-yard run, but missed the extra point and were down 14-13. However, the Spartans came right back with a 17-yard touchdown run by Sean Rossback. The extra-point kick was good and Ocean now how a 21-13 lead.

In the fourth quarter the only touchdown scored was six-yard run by Anthony Tedesco. After the extra point the Spartans had the 28-13 lead and that is how the game ended.

Ocean finishes the season at 1-5 in the division and overall they were at .500 with a 5-5 record.

“I’m happy with the way we competed on a weekly basis and persevered through a difficult stretch of games in the early part of the season,” said Klein. He added that in his view the Spartans didn’t play consistent enough to win some of the bigger games on their schedule even though they had opportunities in every game.

Ocean came off a 2015 season with only two losses, both at the hands of Red Bank Regional. Going into this season the Spartans had made it to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinals in 2013, 2014 and 2015 but lost all three years.

The 2016 season saw a big change in the Shore Conference where all the divisions were realigned. The B North where Ocean plays became one of the hardest divisions of all. Powerhouse programs like Middletown South, Middletown North, Red Bank Catholic, Manasquan, Wall Township and Long Branch were all divisional opponents of the Spartans.

“The B North is definitely the hardest division. I compare it to the SEC in college football. We never get a week off,” said Don Klein. He just completed his tenth season as head coach of the Spartans.

“Kenny Pickett had a great season at quarterback and defensive back Joey Aldarelli led the Shore Conference in receptions as a three-year starter at wide receiver,” Klein said. He was also impressed by the play of senior Anthony Tedesco, senior Anthony Mazza, and junior Andrew Worthington on the offensive and defensive line. Sophomores Ryan Moran, Alex Bryant and freshman Sean Rossback all made major contributions.

Coaches don’t get much time off before they start thinking about next season. Klein said that he is looking forward to a productive off season where some of his younger guys can continue to develop physically. “I’m excited about the quality of players we return who gained tremendous experience this past season. We are looking to return to the top of the Shore Conference in 2017,” said Klein.