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Join the Viking Huddle Club!
The Viking Huddle Club is inviting you to become a member of our 2008 Football program. We are going to print with our 2008 Viking Football Media guide August 23rd and you and your family will want to be included! Click on the link to our Viking Huddle Club webpage on our Main Menu to the left. Then Click on "Handouts" for a Huddle Club membership form and more information.
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Preseason Family Picnic and Picture Day
August 23, 2008 - 12:00 PM --
Our Family Picnic and Team Picture Day was held on Saturday Aug 23. Bill Gaze took our 2008 football photos. Thanks to all who donated, volunteered and participated.
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'08 preview: Opportunities open for South Brunswick's playmakers
September 11, 2008 --
Mohamed Sanu was such a one-man show for the South Brunswick Vikings a year ago, it could take up to eight players to replace the multifaceted athlete in 2008.
Sanu played quarterback, safety, linebacker and punter, while also returning punts and kickoffs. His proficiency in all those areas led the Vikings to the NJSIAA playoffs for the first time in 30 years.
The good news is, even if it takes eight players to make up for one, second-year head coach Rick Mantz has those players, which could make things difficult for the opposition.
"If we needed to make a play, Mohamed would get it for us," Mantz said. "Everyone in the place knew he was getting the ball and he would still make the play. He put us on our backs and got the job done."
Nowadays, when the Vikings need to make a play, Mantz will have a choice to make. Or perhaps several choices.
"It could take seven, eight or nine guys to replace Mo," Mantz said. "We have two guys, Mike Muha and Tim Doehler, who will platoon at quarterback, we have three guys who will play at free safety in Jim Mikedes, Danny Acevedo and Tom Dunleavy, we have two guys who can punt and we haven't even talked about return guys yet."
Although none of the players listed are at the athletic level of Sanu, who has commited to Rutgers, Mantz said he feels the committee system will work.
"I think it's a good thing," Mantz said. "We run the option, so balance is the key. If one guy gets the ball all the time, you can stop it. But we have a quarterback, a fullback and two halfbacks who are all legitimate threats. People are going to have to be aware of everyone now."
Robert Powers, a senior lineman, said he likes that idea as well.
"It's exciting because we'll be able to keep the defenses guessing," Powers said. "We can strike from anywhere in the air or on the ground with a lot of different players."
As for the quarterback situation, Muha and Doehler know they can't replace Sanu, but they appear comfortable in their roles.
"Mo put us on the map last year because he is such a great all-around player," said the left-handed Doehler, a senior. "But this year, we're deeper, more experienced and we have a lot of great athletes. Without Mo, a lot of other people will have to step up, but we have the players who are doing that."
Added Muha, a junior, "Mo is one heckuva player and we're not trying to replace him, we're just trying to do what we do best. We have a lot of good players back, so I think we can be even better than last year."
Ironically, there's one player who practices with the team everyday, a player who will hopefully make the team better than last year — Mohamed Sanu. Growing up in a small African country, then moving back and forth as a youngster, Sanu lost a year of eligibility. He will graduate from South Brunswick in January, then enroll at Rutgers.
In the meantime, he's on the practice field everyday. Why?
"To help make them better," Sanu said. "I want to help coach Mantz, he did a lot for me, and I'm still friends with guys on the team. These guys are really coming together as a team and I think they should have a real good season."
In the Trenches
Name: Robert Powers
Grade: Sr.
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 215
Pos.: OL-DL
Quote: "The line is a nasty place and there's not a lot players who can take it. But when you line up with the five other guys, they all understand the pain and the glory that comes with it when we score. I used to play fullback, but I can never leave the line. I love it there. Our goal this year to have 1,000 yards rushing"
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New-look Vikes exude optimism
September 12, 2008 --
By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
Fans heading to South Brunswick High football games better buy a program. They will need the roster to keep track of the Vikings’ weapons. A year after seeing Mohamed Sanu steal the show with his talents at quarterback and in the defensive secondary, South Brunswick will look to create a hit with an ensemble cast. Sanu accounted for 146.8 yards total offense per game in 2007; the next closest player was at 38.3 yards per contest. ”We’re ready,” said second-year coach Rick Mantz, who guided the Vikings to a 5-5 record last season and their first sectional playoff appearance in 30 years. “In a word, our strength is balance. A lot of guys are going to touch the ball and contribute. We’re going to have four guys who rush for 600 or 700 yards. You’re going to have to stop a lot of people.” South Brunswick, which opens the season tomorrow night at 7 at home against Woodbridge, will turn over its option offense to quarterbacks Tim Doehler and Mike Muha. Doehler, a senior, will start, but the junior Muha will see action as well. Justin McLendon and Cody Shelcusky, both seniors, will spearhead the running game while senior Dan Acevedo leads the receiving corps. McLendon rushed for 338 yards and two touchdowns last season while Acevedo had a team-best 15 catches for 377 yards and two scores.
James Kugel and Robert Powers, both seniors, anchor a deep and improved group on the line.
Linebackers Shelcusky, Devin Young and Patrick Goldsmith are expected to play key roles defensively. Young and Goldsmith also are seniors. The Vikings have 19 upperclassemen on the roster, and they are anxious to improve upon last year’s campaign.
”The kids are coming in knowing they were a playoff team,” Mantz said. “All of the kids returning are bigger, stronger, faster and a year more experienced. They know it’s within our grasp. If we do what we’re supposed to do, why not us? The kids know it’s not a pipe dream.
”We honestly truly believe the only team that can beat us is us. If we break down, we can’t beat anybody. But we really feel that everybody does their job on every play, we can beat anybody on our schedule. That’s how we’re approaching it. We’re focusing on us.”
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Mikedes hit sparks South Brunswick
September 13, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • STAFF WRITER
SOUTH BRUNSWICK —With the Woodbridge High School football team in total control and looking to run the clock out to preserve a one-point victory, South Brunswick head coach Rick Mantz questioned his team's toughness.
Senior defensive back Jim Mikedes made a hit so hard, Mantz may not have to question anything ever again this season.
With under five minutes to play, Woodbridge quarterback Johnny Mayi took off on a keeper to the right side on a 2nd-and-11 from midfield. But Mikedes lowered his shoulder into Mayi and the highlight-reel hit popped the ball loose. Linebacker Devin Young alertly scooped it up at the South Brunswick 40 and juked his way all the way into the end zone with 4:31 left in the game, giving the Vikings a seven-point lead (with the extra point) at 20-13.
Justin McClendon tacked on a late score with a 25-yard score as the home team posted a 27-13 victory season-opening victory.
"Woodbridge was hammering us and I was worried," said Mantz, whose team came in ranked No. 6 in the Home News Tribune Top 10 poll. "I said to myself "Are we tough enough?' Then Mikedes made the hit to turn the game around."
In a game played in thick mud caused by a steady rain, the game was scoreless at the half. Then 40 points of fireworks started.
The Barrons, ranked No. 10, opened the second half with a 96-yard kickoff return by Kristian Cullins. After hurdling two would-be tacklers at the 30, Cullins had one man to beat and that man fell down as the Barrons posted a 7-0 lead.
The Vikings, however, were not phased at all as they answered in just three plays. After a two-yard loss, lefthanded quarterback Tim Dohler hit Danny Acevedo with a 46-yard pass after a creative play fake. One play from there, fullback Cody Shelcsky burst up the middle for a 20-yard touchdown run. The PAT was off the mark, however, as Woodbridge held a 7-6 lead.
After holding Woodbridge on downs on the ensuing possession, the Vikings got the ball back and Doehler went right back to work. After a 22-yard run by McLendon, Doehler and Acevedo hooked up for a 35-yard TD strike. Despite excellent coverage, Acevedo, the top returning receiver in the Greater Middlesex Conference, soared high above two defenders to haul in the pass at about the 10 yard-line. He scored easily from there. After a failed run on the conversion, South Brunswick led 12-7.
The Vikings were in control now, even recovering a fumble after a punt. But unable to score, the Barrons would take over the momentum to start the fourth quarter. Driving 90 yards on five plays, Woodbridge scored on a 30-yard run by Mayi, who kept it himself after a shotgun snap. A 38-yard pass from Mayi to Jose Clemente keyed the drive, which produced a 13-12 lead with 9:53 to play.
When the Vikings got the ball back, Mayi picked off Doehler at the Woodbridge 29 with 8:11 showing.
Driving again, the Barrons recorded two first downs on the ground and looked as though it may be able to run down the clock since the yards were coming fairly easy.
That's when Mikedes stepped in.
"It was ugly, but we finished it," said Mantz. "Woodbridge is a very good team. They're big and strong, I thought we were a little lucky."
And a little tough.
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Busy body
September 15, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • STAFF WRITER
South Brunswick running back/linebacker/punter Devin Young had a busy night on Friday. Young, who picked up a fumble and zig-zagged his way 40 yards for what proved to be the winning touchdown late in the game, also punted the ball six times with each one going 40 yards or more from the point of where he punted the ball. In a game of field position, especially in nasty weather conditions, Young's body of work as a punter was invaluable in his team's 27-13 victory
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SOUTH BRUNSWICK 28, UNION CITY 7
Photo courtesy of Bill Gaze Sportshots
Muha nets 3 scores as Vikings stroll
By KEN WEINGARTNER
Muha was more than ready Friday night. The junior quarterback threw for two touchdowns and ran for one to lead South Brunswick to a 28-7 win over Union City in nonconference action.
Muha was 5-for-5 for 128 yards one week after Doehler threw for 109 yards and a touchdown in a 27-13 Vikings' victory at Woodbridge.
"When they call my name, I just come out and try to do the best I can," Muha said. "I just give it the best I've got. It's not difficult at all. We're cool. There are no problems at all. We can come off the field and communicate with each other and help each other out. He's a great player, too, so he can really help me out. It's a great situation."
The Vikings' defense got the Homecoming Night party started when Jimmy Mikedes returned a fumble 42 yards for a touchdown on Union City's first play from scrimmage.
William Osley recoved a fumble on Union City's next possession to set up Muha's 10-yard touchdown run with 3:58 in the first quarter.
A Vikings' turnover led to Union City's lone score less than three minutes later, but Muha's 50-yard bomb to Dan Acevedo midway through the second period gave South Brunswick breathing room.
"Timmy Doehler made some great plays last week; Mike stepped up tonight and made some phenomenal plays. We talked about balance, about a lot of guys needing to contribute for us to be successful, and I think you saw that tonight."
Muha capped the scoring by connecting with Tom Dunleavy on a 44-yard strike late in the third quarter. Dunleavy and Mikedes had key third-down receptions to keep the drive alive.
"The offensive line was fantastic; the protection was awesome," Muha said. "I was able to deliver some good throws to some great receivers. We just made some big plays. It's a great start. We work our butts off every day in practice for this. It's a great feeling. It really is. We work every day, and this is what it's for — this feeling."
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Doehler, Muha share S. Brunswick QB role
September 26, 2008 --
Photo courtesy of Bill Gaze Sportshots
BY MIKE KINNEY
For the Star-Ledger
If Mohamed Sanu was considered irreplaceable as South Brunswick's offensive leader, then someone forgot to inform the very players who weren't supposed to be qualified to replace him.
It's true that senior Tim Doehler is not precisely Sanu's athletic equal, but almost no one in the Greater Middlesex Conference's Red Division was last year or is now. Doehler is a very legitimate ground threat who also has the ability to throw with consistency out of the pocket.
And junior Mike Muha does not yet possess the catapult-like arm strength that Sanu displayed, but he indeed throws with both accuracy and zip and also has a deep understanding of how his team's spread option offense is designed to work.
Individually, Doehler and Muha might not match Sanu, a Rutgers-bound senior who could not play for South Brunswick this season because he turned 19 in the summer. As a two-headed QB monster, though, they also can strike fear in the heart of opponents.
Doehler and Muha, plus a legion of eager-to-go runners, lead South Brunswick (2-0) against Old Bridge (0-2) in a GMC Red Division clash at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Perth Amboy High. Old Bridge is playing its second home game there and will return to its new FieldTurf facility next month.
"We knew Mo (Sanu) did so many things. The kids knew that a lot of guys were going to have to pick up the slack," South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz said. "We talked about balance being so important now, about a lot of different guys touching the football.
"No one understands that more than our two quarterbacks," he said. Doehler (6-1, 185) played the bulk of the first game, a come-from-behind, 27-13 victory against Woodbridge, and showed off both his quickness and passing efficiency, hitting on five-of-nine throws for 111 yards and a TD.
"He's athletic, more of a cutter and slasher," Mantz said. "He does have a nice arm and he throws very well on the run."
Muha (6-1, 175) was given his share of snaps the following week and responded by hitting on four-of-four passes for 118 yards and two scores in a 28-0 victory over Union City.
"Mike is such a student of the game. He's smart, strong and he reads defenses," Mantz said. "He's so cool and level-headed. Doesn't get flustered.
Doehler is more of a riverboat gambler sometimes, but he makes it work."
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Young and Mikedes form a dynamic duo
September 26, 2008 --
Photo courtesy of Bill Gaze Sportshots
By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
It might be too soon to tell whether the stars are aligned for the South Brunswick High football team, but after two weeks there appears to be some type of cosmic symmetry at play.
Two weeks ago, Jim Mikedes forced a fumble that Devin Young returned for a touchdown to help turn a 13-12 deficit into a 20-12 lead for the Vikings with just 4:31 to go in the season opener against Woodbridge. South Brunswick added another TD for a 27-13 victory.
Last Friday, before a large Homecoming Night crowd at South Brunswick, Young returned the favor. He caused a fumble on the first play from scrimmage for Union City, which Mikedes picked up and ran it back 42 yards for a touchdown. It started the Vikings on their way to a 28-7 triumph.
”I was there for him, he was there for me,” Mikedes said. “It was good. We had to come out with a lot of intensity; we came out pretty slow last game and didn’t score any points in the first half. We had to change that up. Luckily, we got the turnover and scored.
”Our defense really stepped up. We just had a lot more intensity. That was the key.”
Equally key was the play of junior quarterback Mike Muha. One week after senior Tim Doehler threw for more than 100 yards and a touchdown in the win over Woodbridge, Muha completed all five of his attempts for 128 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings’ two-headed system.
”We knew Mike could do those things,” Mikedes said. “He finally got his chance and took advantage of it.”
The last time South Brunswick began a season 2-0 was in 2005, when the Vikings finished 7-3. It’s been seven years since their last 3-0 start.
On Saturday, the Vikes will face Old Bridge, which fell to 0-2 with a 35-21 loss to Sayreville. The game will be played at Perth Amboy because of renovation work being done at Old Bridge.
”We expect big things this year,” Mikedes said. “We’ve got a lot of seniors who really want to win this year. We want to make the playoffs and go from there.”
Last season, the Vikings began 0-3 before a five-game win streak propelled them to the state sectional playoffs.
”I’m not a math guy, but 2-0 is better than 0-2, no doubt about it,” South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz said. “Before the season, we talked about balance, about a lot of guys needing to contribute for us to be successful. I think you saw that.”
Symmetry in action
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Vikings shut down Old Bridge attack
September 27, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • STAFF WRITER
PERTH AMBOY —Jim Mikedes walked out of Waters Stadium on Saturday carrying a well-sharpened battle-axe with him.
While Mikedes had the battle-axe literally in his hand as a reward for being the top defensive player for the South Brunswick High School football team a week ago, the Old Bridge football team felt the wrath of that axe figuratively speaking as the Vikings posted a 28-6 victory in a game played at Perth Amboy High School.
The 3-0 Vikings, who haven't been 3-0 since 2001, completely shut down the Knights' attack. Before Old Bridge (0-3) scored on a 96-yard drive in the final minute against the Vikings' reserves, South Brunswick held Old Bridge to 117 total yards — 105 on the ground, 12 in the air.
"Picking the battle-ax award this week is going to be tough," said South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz, referring to his team's balanced defensive effort. "Both teams run the option, so it's easier knowing what we're going to be doing, but we have some athletes who were able to make plays on both sides of the ball."
The Vikings' linebacking corps was exceptionally active with William Osley (one sack), Steven Mychalczuk (one sack) and Devin Young leading the way, while Michael Ferrara and Mikedes came up with interceptions.
"We had a real good feel for their option," said Mikedes. "We were able to pinch and squeeze. Things have really been going our way. We seem to get all the bounces, but I think that has something to do with our preparation. We seem to know where the ball is going to be."
Offensively, it was another day at the office as Justin McClendon led a balanced charge with 12 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown. In the opening game, Tim Doehler went the distance at quarterback for the Vikings, while Mike Muha pitched a complete game a week ago. In this one, the two alternated. Quarterback play was not a big factor in this one overall, but the Vikings did claim a 7-0 lead after one possession as Doehler (4-for-5, 87 yards) led Danny Acevedo with a beautiful 43-yard TD strike.
South Brunswick claimed a 14-0 lead with 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter when McClendon took a pitch to the left side and scored from 10 yards out.
The Vikings made it 21-0 with 2:35 left in the half. After Mikedes ran an interception back 35 yards to the Old Bridge 25, fullback Cody Shelcusky scored three plays later from six yards away.
The Vikings added their final score with 3:22 left in the third quarter when Old Bridge, operating from its own 15, botched a handoff. The ball rolled backward all the way into the end zone with James Kugel recovering. Kugel became the eighth different Viking to record a touchdown this season.
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HNT FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
October 1, 2008 --
Vikings' Mikedes makes noise on field
BY JOHN HALEY • STAFF WRITER • SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20080930/SPORTS0303/809300368/1121
Jim Mikedes is a quiet person, but he sure makes a lot of noise and sets a lot of examples when he's on the football field.
The play of Mikedes at safety has been a huge reason the South Brunswick High School football team is off to a 3-0 start.
He is the Home News Tribune's Football Player of the Week.
"He's made so many great plays for us," South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz said. "Plays which have had a big impact on each game."
Against Woodbridge on opening night, the Barrons were in control and basically trying to run out the clock to victory. But on a quarterback keeper to the right side, Mikedes came up and made a crushing hit. The ball popped loose and linebacker Devin Young took it to the house 40 yards as the Vikings went on to win.
A week later, on the very first play of the game vs. Union City, the roles were reversed. Young made a stick to force a fumble, then Mikedes picked it up and ran 42 yards for the score en route to a 28-7 victory.
For his play in the Union City game, Mikedes was awarded with the "Battle-ax Award' which is presented to the team's top defensive player for the week.
Against Old Bridge, Mikedes didn't rest on his laurels and he set up the Vikings' third score in a 28-6 victory by taking an interception 30 yards to the Old Bridge-25. He also upped his solo tackles total to 12 on the season.
"I don't consider myself a leader, I just play," said Mikedes, also the team's punt returner. "I'm not a vocal player, I guess I just lead by the way I play."
Mikedes is an example how hard working paying off.
"I didn't play too much last year, but I kept working hard to get a chance and to prove myself," Mikedes said. "Now that I'm playing I want to make the most of it because it will probably be the last time I play football."
Not if he keeps this up.
JIMMY MIKEDES
School: South Brunswick
Year: Senior
Height/Weight: 5-9, 175
Position: Safety, wide receiver
Hobbies: Playing video games, hanging out with friends. "I'm a pretty simple guy."
Other sports: Just focuses on football
Favorite food: "Fat Lady" sandwich at Hoagie Haven
Favorite athlete: Brian Dawkins
Favorite sports team: Yankees
Favorite T.V. show: Lost
Favorite subject: Business
Favorite type of music: "I can get into anything."
Favorite actor: Al Pacino
Favorite movie: The Sandlot
Favorite book: The Body
Favorite sports moment: The hit he made against Woodbridge this season, which forced a fumble and led to the winning touchdown in the final minutes.
Pregame ritual: Wears the same Nike undershirt (it's washed after each game of course)
Place I would most like to visit: California
What would you like to be doing 10 years from now: Living in a bachelor pad with a lot of money
Biggest influence: My parents
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Practice has made perfect through first three games
October 2, 2008 --
Thursday, October 2, 2008 7:15 AM EDT By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/10/03/south_brunswick_post/sports/doc48e2ca05c11df753837858.txt
It’s common for coaches to remind their players they play the way they practice.
For the South Brunswick High football team, good practices have led to good plays. The Vikings are 3-0 for the first time since 2001, thanks in part to the emphasis placed on preparation.
”We have to practice at a high level of intensity; we have to do thing full speed,” said South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz, likening the work to that of a racecar driver. “Jeff Gordon can’t practice 60 mph all week and expect to go 200 mph on Sunday.”
The Vikings have put the pedal to the metal so far this year. They’ve outscored their three opponents 83-26 and, remarkably, scored a defensive touchdown in each contest. James Kugel fell on a fumble in the end zone for a TD in last week’s 28-7 victory over Old Bridge; Jimmy Mikedes and Devin Young returned fumbles for scores the previous weeks.
”We’ve drilled scoop-and-score drills, interception return drills, and it’s nice to see on film when (the defense gets the ball) everyone turns around and becomes offensive players and blocks someone,” Mantz said. “We don’t do a lot of live tackling and a lot of live banging because we’ve got a lot of kids going both ways, but we do enough high intensity drills during the week to simulate some of those things on game day. It’s coming to fruition and the kids are making plays.
”The kids are listening and learning and giving us great effort on defense. Defense is about effort. They’ve done a great job pinning opponents down and giving our offense a chance to score. P.J. Jankowitz, our defensive coordinator, has done a great job. Our tackling has been outstanding. The kids have been where they’re supposed to be and they’ve tackled and made plays.”
Last week, the Vikings limited Old Bridge to 117 yards until the Knights scored on their final drive.
Offensively, Tim Doehler (4-for-5, 87 yards) tossed a touchdown pass to Dan Acevedo – who has seen three of his four receptions this season turn into TDs – while Justin McClendon ran for 70 yards and a score. Cody Shelcusky also rushed for a touchdown, which was set up by Mikedes’ 35-yard interception return.
”We’ve put some drives together and a lot of guys are touching the ball,” Mantz said. “We’re trying to spread it around, trying to pace ourselves. We’re trying to anticipate playing 11 or 12 games in a season and we play in a physical league. We have to make sure a lot of guys are ready to play.”
Friday night, the Vikings host East Brunswick at 7. The Bears (1-1) opened the season with a loss to Sayreville and won last week, 28-14, over North Bergen.
”I like to think we do a good job reminding the kids – and I think the kids have gotten to the point now where they know themselves – that we still have work to do,” Mantz said. “They’re appreciative of the things that have come our way and I don’t think anyone is going to get too big of a head here. They know East Brunswick is a challenge and we’ve got our work cut out.”
Work that begins in practice.
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Vikings get focused in second half
October 3, 2008 - 07:00 PM --
By KEN WEINGARTNER • CORRESPONDENT
SOUTH BRUNSWICK —After preaching perfection, South Brunswick High School football coach Rick Mantz witnessed the opposite.
Fortunately for the Vikings, the imperfection lasted only a half.
Justin McClendon ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns Friday night to help lead South Brunswick to a 27-17 win over East Brunswick in a Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division game.
The Vikings, who trailed 10-0 before scoring on their first four second-half possessions, improved to 4-0.
"The irony was the focus point for this week was about doing things exactly right," Mantz said. "All week we focused on doing things exactly right and then we went out and played the worst half we've played all year. At halftime, we told them not to panic. We didn't have to make any major adjustments. We just had to relax and focus."
East Brunswick limited the Vikings to 13 yards in the first half and came away with two turnovers. The first, a fumble recovery by Nick Scalia, turned into a 22-yard field goal by Tyler Yonchiuk. The second, an interception by Dustin Schuld, led to Schuld's 27-yard touchdown run with 8:34 in the second quarter.
"The first half means nothing," East Brunswick coach Marcus Borden said. "We came out and played football, but we didn't play the second half and they did. The bottom line is they came out with more fire and emotion in the second half. They beat us, right up front. Bottom line."
South Brunswick went on a 10-play, 62-yard drive to start the second half, capped by Tim Doehler's 14-yard touchdown run. Six minutes later, McClendon scored on a 6-yard burst to give the Vikings a 13-10 lead. A 32-yard run by McClendon and third-down reception by Dan Acevedo keyed the march.
Mauro Tucci's 38-yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave East Brunswick the ball near midfield, but the Vikings forced a punt. Four plays later, including a 55-yard dash by Cody Shelcusky, Doehler was in the end zone again.
South Brunswick then used a squibb kick, which the Bears weren't able to handle, and Steve Mychalczuk recovered the ball for the Vikings. A 38-yard catch by Acevedo on third-and-18 led to McClendon's 5-yard touchdown run to give SB a 27-10 lead with 4:23 to play.
"In the first half, we were off-balance and didn't play very good," McClendon said. "But at halftime, everyone was calm and I knew I could trust my teammates. We came out in the second half and played like champions. Everyone did what they were supposed to do.
"In the second half, we brought it to them."
East Brunswick got its final touchdown with 2:17 in the fourth quarter. An attempted onside kick went out of bounds and South Brunswick ran out the clock.
"We cut down on the mistakes, we didn't turn the ball over, and we executed and blocked," Mantz said about the Vikings' second half. "The guys might have been pressing, trying to do too much early on. Once we settled down and let things happen, we had a nice half."
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Acevedo is aces as a receiver
October 9, 2008 --
Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:14 AM EDT
By Ken Weingartner, Sports Writer
It always helps to have an “Ace” in the hole. For the South Brunswick High football team, it’s senior Dan “Ace” Acevedo. Acevedo is the team’s leading receiver, with six catches for 226 yards – an average of 37.7 yards per reception. Of his first four catches, three went for touchdowns. In last week’s 27-17 win over East Brunswick, he hauled in two passes for 52 yards. Both converted third downs, keeping alive scoring drives. ”Dan has done an incredible job for us,” Vikings coach Rick Mantz said about Acevedo, who plays safety on defense. “He adjusts on a ball better than any player that I have ever coached and what has impressed us most about him this year has been his work ethic and his unselfishness. He is one of the best blockers on the team and is responsible for many of our long runs and TD runs. ”He also runs great routes everyday and can catch anything thrown near him. He is a special player.”
Last year, Acevedo had 15 catches for 377 yards and two touchdowns.
Playing in an option-oriented offense limits the Vikings passing – they average 36 rushes and seven passes per game – but Acevedo is fine with it.
”I would like to get the ball as much as I can, but I have faith in Coach Mantz and the staff,” Acevedo said. “I trust what they’re doing. I’m happy. All that matters is winning.”
South Brunswick is 4-0 heading into Friday’s game at winless J.P. Stevens. At the midway point in the chase to qualify for the postseason, the Vikings are No. 1 in power points in Central Jersey Group IV. South Brunswick leads Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division rival Sayreville by two points. The two meet in Monmouth Junction on Oct. 17.
”We could go all the way. We can only beat ourselves,” Acevedo said. “This team could be amazing. We could go 12-0; take it all the way to a championship.”
Last week, the Vikings trailed 10-0 at halftime, but rallied with 27 unanswered points. South Brunswick gained 279 yards in the second half, compared to 13 in the first.
”The first half wasn’t pretty. We came out a little flat and people were messing up assignments,” Acevedo said. “In the second half everyone got pumped up. After the first drive (of the third quarter) everything got going from there.”
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McClendon scores three touchdowns!
October 10, 2008 - 07:00 PM --
SOUTH BRUNSWICK 45, J.P. STEVENS 20
EDISON —Justin McClendon set the tone for his three touchdown performance by returning the game's opening kickoff 68 yards for a score as the undefeated South Brunswick High School football team rolled to a 45-20 victory over J.P. Stevens on Friday night.
McClendon broke off scoring runs of 50 and 27 yards — both in the first quarter — as the Vikings (5-0) raced out to a 28-0 lead.
J.P. Stevens (0-4) quarterback Charles Conley completed scoring strikes of 43 and 74 yards to wideout Kevin Murriell. Conley also broke off a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter when J.P. Stevens closed a 35-7 deficit to 38-20.
Conley passed for 187 yards. He rushed for 107 more.
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HNT Football Notebook
October 15, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • Staff Writer
ON THE BALL: Sometimes, statistics from a game can be a little shaky when a team manager is trying to keep track of everything that is going on during the game. It gets quite hectic.
Most coaches will do the stats the next morning after breaking down the game film, so that gives us a more accurate account of the game statistically.
And then there's South Brunswick.
The Vikings have a student, Billy Perrine, who is money. I've done two South Brunswick games so far and our stats did not differ more than 10 yards one way or the other. That's impressive.
Perrine has aspirations of attending Notre Dame and doing this type of work in college.
The kid may make a great SID (Sports Information Director) one day.
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Similar teams looking to stay undefeated
October 17, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • Staff Writer
Undefeated, division championship on the line, big crowd expected, pep rallies . . .
For the Sayreville High School football program, it's another big ballgame. For South Brunswick, it's the world.
Since moving to the Red Division of the Greater Middlesex Conference in 2000, the Bombers have won the division crown three times and finished second three times. In two "off" years, they finished third and fourth.
South Brunswick over that same stretch? Sixth, sixth, sixth, seventh, seventh, fourth, fifth, third. In fact, since the GMC was formed in 1986, South Brunswick has never finished higher than third and that includes many years in the White Division and three in the Blue.
That all could change tonight when the 5-0 Bombers, ranked No. 1 by the Home News Tribune, plays at 5-0 South Brunswick, ranked No. 3, in The Game of the Week. Kickoff at South Brunswick is 7 p.m.
Sayreville, 5-0 in division play, will clinch another division crown with a victory. South Brunswick, 4-0 in the division, would clinch at least a tie since it still has to play Piscataway, which has one division loss.
Both camps understand the importance of the game, but each may be approaching it differently.
"We won't do anything different in our preparation," said Sayreville coach George Najjar, who is 106-37 in his 14th season with the Bombers. "Obviously the intensity level will be higher because of the magnitude of the game, but that's natural. But we will try to keep the kids on an even keel."
South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz is in his second year with the Vikings, but his resume is as equally impressive as Najjar during his 12 years at Hillsborough.
"As far as the nuts and bolts of the game, we're preparing for it like any other game as far as breaking down the opponent and things like that," said Mantz, 91-44 as a head coach, 81-39 at Hillsborough. "But at the same time, this is new territory for our kids. Sayreville and Piscataway are always battling for the division, always in the thick of the playoff hunt, so why can't we? These kids worked very hard to get to this point, so this is a great opportunity for them. We don't want to minimize that."
Although both teams align differently on both sides of the ball — Sayreville runs the wing T and plays a 4-3 defense, while South Brunswick runs a multiple option and a 3-3 stack defense — there are so many similarities.
Sayreville averages 28.8 points per game, yields 11.2 and outscores its opponents by a 17.7 margin. South Brunswick averages 31.0 points, gives up 12.0 and outscores the other team by a 19.0 margin.
Depth. Ten different Vikings have scored at least one touchdown, while eight different Bombers have scored.
Offensive weapons. Running backs Javon Hodges (323 yards, 3 touchdowns), Curtis Davison (250, 3) and Matt Gruytch (236, 4) are all used equally, quarterback Mike McLafferty (556 yards, 6 touchdowns) can handoff all game or throw for 200 yards if the situation calls for it and receivers James DeMild (371, 3) and David Milewski can catch anything.
The Vikings feature a fullback who averages 9.0 yards per carry with three touchdowns in Cody Shelcusky and a halfback who averages 8.7 yards with six touchdowns in Justin McClendon. Mantz was a little skeptical about a quarterback platoon prior to the season, but Tim Doehler and Mike Muha have each performed at a high level, so there's a comfort level there now. Receiver Mike Acevedo (236 yards, 3 touchdowns) leads a solid corps of receivers.
"South Brunswick is so well-coached," said Najjar. "They are always in the right position, they fly to the ball defensively and they have so many weapons offensively. They have two quarterbacks to prepare for which is different. They are so much tougher to prepare for this year because of all their different weapons."
Mantz has similar respect for the Bombers.
"You take a tape off the shelf from 10 years ago or last Friday and you'll see the same thing," said Mantz. "George (Najjar) does such a great job. They are always so disciplined, so consistent and if you make one mistake, they'll burn you. They have so many weapons with three halfbacks, a fullback, a quarterback who runs and throws and great receivers. So who do you stop? We'll have our hands full."
So what will the game — and the Red Division title — come down to?
Najjar: "The least amount of mistakes, execution, field position."
Mantz: "Less mistakes, field position, special teams."
There you have it in a nutshell.
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Vikings earn share of GMC Red Championship!!
October 17, 2008 - 07:00 PM --
Muha's passing lifts Vikings to 13-9 win
By JOHN HALEY • Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK —Rushing yards were non-existent, so Sayreville and South Brunswick had to go to the air to make things exciting in the Home News Tribune's Football Game of the Week on Friday night.
South Brunswick junior Mike Muha, who platoons with Tim Doehler, took advantage of the situation.
Muha, a 6-1, 170-pounder, completed 5-of-6 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns — all in the second half — as the Vikings posted a well-played 13-9 victory in a battle of unbeatens. South Brunswick (6-0) clinched at least a tie for the Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division title with one game left — at once-beaten Piscataway Friday night. Sayreville, ranked No. 1, fell to 5-1.
Third-ranked South Brunswick trailed 9-7 with 5:48 remaining as it took over at midfield following a punt.
On third-and-16, Muha had to scramble, but was able to hit Jimmy Mikedes on the right sideline for an 18-yard gain to the Sayreville 39.
Two plays later from the 39, Muha dropped back and hit running back Justin McClendon at the 10-yard line. McClendon did the rest as he broke a tackle, then carried in a defender five yards for the score with 3:24 remaining. The two-point run failed as South Brunswick led 13-9.
"I only did half of the work on that," said Muha. "Our line blocked, Justin got open and then did the rest breaking tackles."
Sayreville, which had driven 75 yards in one final drive to beat Piscataway in the closing seconds earlier in the season, took over on its 26 after the kickoff and a brutal hit by Johnny Mayfield.
The Bombers converted two fourth-down plays and drove to the Vikings' 25, but the game ended on two incomplete passes in the end zone — one a close one to James DeMild, who was losing his balance as the pass was coming his way. Sayreville quarterback Mike McLafferty completed 8-of-17 passes for 159 yards for the game.
Sayreville finished with 97 rushing yards, including just eight in the second half. South Brunswick had just 63 total yards on the ground.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game like that," said South Brunswick coach Rick Mantz. "I didn't think we were aggressive enough in the first half, so we didn't make many adjustments at the half. It was more of an attitude thing. But we did see some things what were open for us in the air and we took advantage."
Trailing 3-0 at the half, the Vikings took a 7-3 edge when Muha, on third-and-three, surprised the Bombers by rolling out and hitting Danny Acevedo with a 37-yard touchdown pass down the right side. South Brunswick then recovered an onsides kick and were in total control of the momentum.
The Vikings could not convert from there and when Sayreville took over on its own 10 with 5:39 left in the third, the Bombers regained control.
After a 47-yard screen pass from McLafferty to Javon Hodges, Sayreville had the ball at the Vikings' 18. Two plays later, Matt Gruytch took it in from the five as the Bombers led 9-7 after the PAT failed with 3:02 left in the third.
When the Vikings took over, they were forced to punt, but Craig Cleffi made a diving stop in the end zone as the ball was batted back to the two. That play changed the field position, which South Brunswick was able to take advantage later in the game.
"Yards were very tough to come by, but by pounding it out, it opened up the passing game," said Muha. "And it was a real team effort. The line blocked and everyone executed."
Sayreville held the upperhand at the half — 142 total yards to 69, seven first downs to two — but only led 3-0. On the Bombers' first two possessions, they drove deep into South Brunswick territory.
On the opening drive, Sayreville drove right down and had a first down at the South Brunswick 5, but the Vikings' defense stiffened, holding the Bombers to a 23-yard field goal by Daryl Stephenson.
On its next possession, Sayreville drove from its own 31 to the South Brunswick 16 and had first-and-10, but wound up missing a 32-yard field goal, which had the distance but not the direction.
South Brunswick's offense in the opening half was limited to two big plays.
Devin Young broke a 38-yard run after getting to the outside. South Brunswick got as far as the Sayreville 27, but on fourth-and-one, the snap was muffed as the Bombers took over.
Later in the half, quarterback Tim Doehler hit Danny Acevedo with a 26-yard pass to the Sayreville 29, but a combined sack by Kashad Leverett (he had one earlier) and Kevin Ishola ended the threat as South Brunswick had to punt.
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Vikings shoot down Falcons!!
November 7, 2008 - 07:00 PM --
SOUTH BRUNSWICK 19 MONROE 7
Vikings take advantage of big plays!
By KEN WEINGARTNER • Correspondent • November 7, 2008
SOUTH BRUNSWICK —With a sloppy field making long drives difficult, big plays were the difference as South Brunswick High School's football team locked up homefield advantage through the opening rounds of the NJSIAA Central Group IV playoffs with a 19-7 win Friday night over Monroe Township.
South Brunswick was coming off a bye, which followed a 27-7 loss at Piscataway two weeks ago. The Vikings got touchdowns on a 72-yard kickoff return from Justin McClendon and a 46-yard interception return from Jim Mikedes to go with a safety and 22-yard field goal by Kyle Morse.
The Falcons (6-3) entered the contest as the No. 1 team in Central Group III, but could gain no additional power points with a win because only a team's first eight games count toward qualifying for the postseason.
"It was a playoff atmosphere," Monroe coach Chris Beagan said. "It had a lot of importance for South Brunswick, and they played like it. What it really came down to is they outhit us and made more plays than we did. I have to give the credit to South Brunswick."
South Brunswick threatened to blow the game open in the first quarter. The Vikings got Morse's field goal on their first drive and their safety on Monroe's ensuing possession when a bad snap on a punt attempt forced the Falcons to kick the ball out of the end zone.
On the free kick, McClendon burst through the Vikings' wedge to score, giving South Brunswick 12 points in a little more than two minutes.
"I saw a hole, I busted through it, I scored a touchdown," McClendon said.
After forcing Monroe to punt on its next possession, the Vikings drove inside the Falcons' 20, but stalled on downs. Max Stanice then connected on 3 of 3 passes for 66 yards, including a 28-yard TD strike to Frank Ruopoli, to pull Monroe within 12-7 with 7:21 in the second quarter.
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Vikings earn first playoff victory!
SOUTH BRUNSWICK 21, PENNSAUKEN 12
South Brunswick knows how to perform in the mud!
By KEN WEINGARTNER • Correspondent • November 14, 2008
SOUTH BRUNSWICK —After a few days of practicing in the mud, the South Brunswick High School football team was able to weather the storm.
The storm Friday night was not in the form of heavy rain, but rather relentless pressure from Pennsauken in the opening round of the NJSIAA Central Group IV playoffs. South Brunswick, the section's No. 1 seed, scored two touchdowns during the fourth quarter to post a 21-12 win over the Indians.
The Vikings' Justin McClendon scored on a 23-yard run to cap a seven-play, 75-yard drive after Pennsauken pulled within 7-6 late in the third quarter. After the Indians got within 14-12 less than two minutes later, Tom Dunleavy capped a 10-play, 67-yard march by South Brunswick that sealed the outcome.
South Brunswick will play host to No. 5 seed Brick Memorial next Friday.
"We dominated up front on those two drives," Vikings quarterback Tim Doehler said. "It was big the way our line responded. I definitely think we wore them down."
With the field a quagmire, the teams struggled early to gain an advantage. Pennsauken fumbled inside the Vikings' 10 on its first possession and failed to move the ball from inside the South Brunswick 25 on its next series.
Mike Ferrara's 30-yard punt return set up South Brunswick's first touchdown, which came on a 22-yard pass from Doehler to a sliding Dunleavy on fourth-and-15. It was the only score during the game's first 16 possessions.
"Tim put a perfect ball right in the corner. It was right there," Dunleavy said. "I was able to make the catch and score a touchdown. It was big."
Two third-quarter fumbles put the Vikings in trouble, with Pennsauken finally breaking through courtesy of the second miscue thanks to a 28-yard touchdown pass from Nagil Johnson to Gerry Phillips. But the Indians missed the extra point (while South Brunswick's Kyle Morse was 3-for-3).
Cody Shelcusky had a key third-down conversion run on a third-and-9 to help South Brunswick's response. Dan Acevedo had a clutch third-down catch from Mike Muha on the Vikings' final touchdown drive.
"We feel that if we keep running our offense, we're going to find some seams and we're going to make plays," Dunleavy said. "The practice field was worse than this. We kind of got used to it practicing in it on Thursday. It was tough. You've just got to keep your feet under your body."
After beating Monroe under similar conditions a week ago, the slop might be turning into a home-field edge for South Brunswick.
"We are starting to get used to it," Dunleavy said with a grin.
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Thanksgiving WIN!- South Brunswick 7, North Brunswick 2
November 27, 2008 - 07:00 PM --
The Vikings victory on Thanksgiving establishes a new school Record for wins in a season. The 2008 Vikings 9-2 season brought a lot of "Firsts" for SBHS Football. First GMC Red Division Championship. First Playoff Home Game- First Playoff Victory, First #1 Seed in the Central NJ Group IV Powerpoints. The Vikings also were able to Host 7 games at SBHS in 2008 through their number 1 Playoff seed ( Another first in program history)
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HNT All-Area Football - Devin Young
December 13, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • Staff Writer • December 13, 2008
The athletic Young has the All-Area numbers — 87 tackles, 10 for loss, a fumble recovery for a touchdown — but his leadership ability and his timing were just valuable as any numbers. Young positioned the defense before every snap and he had an uncanny ability to make the big hit and the big play to change momentum in a game. Young also bailed the 9-2 Vikings out of a field position jams by averaging 32 yards per punt, including 17 inside the 20 and six inside the 10. Young is being looked at by several Division I-AA schools.
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HNT All-Area Football - Justin McLendon
December 13, 2008 --
By JOHN HALEY • Staff Writer • December 13, 2008
The Vikings turned in the best season in school history and McLendon was a big reason why because of all the things he did on the field. Offensively, the speedy one rushed 107 times for 556 yards and nine touchdowns, while catching five passes for 131 yards and a TD. Defensively, the corner had over 20 tackles with one interception and seven pass break-ups. As a kickoff returner, McLendon had 296 yards for a a 32.9 average with two returned for touchdowns. McLendon is being recruited by several Division I-AA schools.
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HNT Football Coach of the Year!
December 13, 2008 --
Mantz takes South Brunswick from pack to powerhouse!
By JARED SHANKER • Staff Writer • December 13, 2008
It hasn't taken long for Rick Mantz to make his presence felt at South Brunswick High School. Maybe that should have been expected considering his stellar resume as the head football coach at Hillsborough for 12 seasons but after delving deeper into South Brunswick's football history, maybe not.
Before Mantz took over prior to the 2007 season, the Vikings were hardly enjoying success on the football field. The Vikings had just a single winning season from 1998-2006 and hadn't made a state playoff appearance in 30 years.
In Mantz' first season at the helm, the Vikings snapped that 30-year streak. In his second, Mantz took the Vikings to unimaginable heights.
The Vikings earned a lot of firsts in team history in '08. They won nine games and a state playoff game for the first time in school history. The biggest, however, was the Vikings' first win against Sayreville and, as a result, their first Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division championship (sharing it with Piscataway and Sayreville).
"I think their confidence built slowly through each of those weeks," Mantz said of the Vikings' 5-0 record entering their Oct. 17 showdown with also undefeated Sayreville. "(Sayreville) was going to be a measuring stick for us. We knew that night we were going to play for the (Red Division) championship and that it was going to be a major test."
The Vikings passed that test with flying colors, showing their grit and toughness by turning a 9-7 fourth-quarter deficit into a 13-9 victory over the Bombers.
Before the season questions surrounded the Vikings, specifically who would replace dynamic quarterback Mohamed Sanu. The answer: a boom-or-bust solution of a quarterback platoon of senior Tim Doehler and junior Mike Muha.
"We knew going in we had a talented senior and junior," Mantz said. "We wanted to give both an opportunity. Both were extremely unselfish, and they were going to make the most of their opportunities if it was their turn. The team responded very well, no division. . . . We viewed it as a positive."
The platoon couldn't have worked out better, and Mantz rode it all the way to an NJSIAA Central Group IV semifinal game and the Home News Tribune's Coach of the Year.
It took more than just two players to replace Rutgers-bound Sanu, who dominated as a safety, linebacker and returner in addition to quarterback. Just as Doehler and Muha did under center, Mantz turned to a number of guys to replace the production.
"As a guy coaching 23 years, you don't get to coach a lot of young men like (Sanu)," Mantz said. "But we realize we needed a lot more guys to contribute. I think the key to our success this year was balance. Every week a different guy or a couple of guys really stepped up and contribute. A lot of guys touched the ball, and a lot of guys stepped up each week offensively, defensively and special teams."
In just two seasons, Mantz has taken the Vikings from a middle-of-the-pack type of team in a GMC division to a player on the state level.
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