Warriors' coach hopes winning streak continues

CHRIS KELLY staff Jackson Liberty's John Siedler (l) tries to get past Middletown South's Matt Martino during an away game on Sept. 26. Middletown South won 26-0. Twice before in school history, the New Egypt football team has started its seasonwith a 3-0 mark. In 2004 and 2005, the Warriors got out of the gates quickly, winning the first three games convincingly before eventually losing.

Coach Tom Farrell is quick to point out that the 2008 Warriors, who won their third straight game last Friday night with a thrilling 17-14 victory over Riverside, have had their share of good luck in starting the campaign undefeated.

"These have been three very close games," Farrell said. "We've had some lucky plays be a big part of our early success. We very easily could have lost a couple of these games. Our guys have been playing hard. We've come up with a big offensive play or defensive stop at crucial times in these first three games. Riverside was no exception."

Indeed, New Egypt relied on the lastsecond heroics of senior Langston Lacroix to capture the Burlington County Interscholastic Athletic League Freedom Division contest. Lacroix connected on a 32-yard field goal with 40 seconds remaining in the game to seal the win.

"He has been amazing this year," Farrell said. "It seems every time we need a big play he has something to do with it. He does everything for us — run the ball, kick it, pass it, you name it and he can deliver."

New Egypt had the ball and was marching toward the goal when a turnover nearly squelched its chance for the win. However, the Warriors recovered their own fumble inside the Riverside 10-yard line, setting the stage for Lacroix's game-winning field goal.

"That's what I mean when I say we've had a number of plays that have gone our way," Farrell said. "It seems the breaks have fallen on our side of the field. Of course, I know that sooner or later they are going to even out."

Riverside got the ball back after Lacroix's field goal and nearly scored. Riverside marched down the field and missed on a field goal attempt of its own in the waning seconds.

"They're a good club," Farrell said. "They play us tough every year. We can expect a battle every time the two teams step on the field. It was an exciting game. I'm just glad that the final score went our way."

Lacroix rushed for more than 100 yards, while teammate Dakota Havens scored a pair of touchdowns. New Egypt amassed more than 300 yards on the ground.

"We moved the ball very well against them," Farrell said. "Our offensive line has done a fine job of opening things up for our backs."

New Egypt has a bye this week and is scheduled tomeetWoodrowWilson of Camden on Oct. 10. Farrell said the Warriors will use the next week to review fundamentals as well as let injuries that have plagued his team heal.

"We're a little banged up at this point," Farrell said. "I think this bye comes at a good time for us. We'll spend the next week getting back to basics. There are a few things we're seeing out there that need improvement."

Jackson Memorial tops Howell

A huge defensive play late in the game enabled the Jaguars to knock off rival Howell, 12-6, last Friday night in a Shore Conference American Division game.

Senior Chris Margotti intercepted a pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game to give Jackson its first win of the 2008 season.

Margotti tipped a pass by Howell quarterback Jim Ryan, and then hauled it in, and raced untouched for the game-wining score. The victory evens Jackson's record to 1-1 on the season.

Howell falls to 1-1.

Jackson tailback Tyler Wilton put forth another stellar effort, rushing for 125 yards on 31 carries, including an eight-yard TD run in the first quarter.