Shore Sinks Destroyers, 30-6

PISCATAWAY - From a very early point in the game, things seemed to be going Shore Regional's way, as they defeated Dunellen, 30-6, to capture their first state sectional title since 1997 at Rutgers Stadium in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I Final on Dec. 4.

Both teams came into the game with identical records, but the Blue Devils' (11-1) stout defense and powerful running attack were too much for the Destroyers (10-2).

Shore's big day began after fullback Mark Coleman caught a pass on 4^th and 4 at the Dunellen 13-yard line, fumbled the ball, and it somehow ended up in the arms of runningback Pat Maggio. The lucky grab set up a 5-yard scamper by Stefanos Koursaris that gave Shore an early 7-0 lead. Shore would not relinquish that lead for the rest of the game.

The Blue Devils added another touchdown to build a 14-0 lead after senior quarterback Evan Ruane capped off a 13-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the second quarter.

Dunellen's lone score came in the third quarter on a breathtaking 48-yard run by Rontik Sadler, who tiptoed the sideline and cut across the field and made his way into the endzone. However, Dunellen missed the extra point, and settled for 6 points.

Shore really began to pull away in the third quarter after senior kicker Shane Carroll booted a 27-yard field goal to give the Blue Devils a 17-6 lead, Ruane picked off a Dunellen pass and brought it all the way to the Destroyers' 12-yard line.

Tight end Jake Armstrong recovered Maggio's fumble in the end zone for Shore's third touchdown and put them up 24-6.

Shore then successfully performed an onsides kick and Ruane promptly tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Carroll to make the final score 30-6.

Shore head coach Mark Costantino, who is in his nineteenth year at the school, called his squad's championship run "special."

"We knew we could be good, but maybe not this good," Coach Costantino said. "It was a matter of staying healthy, which we did."

The last time Shore Regional reached the sectional finals, in 2001, his team was defeated by South River, 12-7.

Coach Costantino said his team kept improving as the season progressed.

"This team just kept getting better each week," Coach Costantino said. "Once we got rolling, they kept it rolling."

Shore finished the season with the number one scoring offense in the Shore Conference. Ruane, who has verbally committed to Monmouth University according to Coach Costantino, led the offense. Maggio and Coleman, who both topped 1,000 rushing yards this season, led the running attack.

Coach Costantino credited a veteran offensive line led by seniors Patrick Migliaccio, Matthew Conte and Matthew MacStudy for helping pave the way for the running backs all season.

Shore's defense was also instrumental in the team's success and featured standouts along the defensive line such as seniors Kevin Rittman and Frank Camassa, according to Coach Costantino.

Coach Costantino said junior linebackers Koursaris and Nicholas Grigos also "blossomed" this year, and will be returning next year.

All these players worked together to create a dominant team that helped the team accomplish its goal of winning a title.

"They worked so hard, and they're very dedicated," Coach Costantino said. "They're good character kids who just got it done."

As for next season, Coach Costantino knows it will not be easy to repeat as champions, but he is hopeful that another successful season awaits his team.

"We have a lot to replace, but we bring back many good players who saw quality time," Coach Costantino said.