Bulldogs Prevail in Central Mountain – Jersey Shore Classic

AdminOctober 28, 2016

2 minutes read

Malik Houtz

Trevor Smith

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — It was everything you’d want in a football rivalry. Jersey Shore and Central Mountain went back and forth for 48 minutes, the Bulldogs finally pulling out a 14-10 comeback win.

The game featured big plays on both sides and ‘Shore finally asserted itself for a game-winning final quarter drive just after Central Mountain had taken a 10-7 lead on Austyn Carson’s stunning 47-yard field goal.

But Jersey Shore answered right back midway through period four. Sophomore running back Kyle Tomb set up the Bulldogs with a long jaunt to the Central Mountain 6 yard line with 5:34 to go. Junior quarterback Elijah Shemory then came up with what proved to be the game-winner, an 11-yard pass to tight end Tyler Smith. Cameron Griffin’s extra point made it a 14-10 ball game and Central Mountain couldn’t move the ball on its final possession.

A defensive first half turned in Jersey Shore’s favor when Shemory connected on a 79-yard pass to Hunter Frantz to the CM 11 yard line. Two plays later Kevin Titus scored on an 8-yard sweep and a 7-0 lead. The Wildcats later responded with a drive to the Bulldog 19 yard line but quarterback Justin Neff had a pass picked off, halftime score 7-0.

But Central Mountain gained a tie on the second half kickoff. Griffin booted the ball away from Neff to Carson. The Wildcat backup quarterback took the kick at his own 30 yard line and threw a backwards pass across the field to Neff at the 25; he caught the ball in full stride and returned it for the score, Carson’s extra point making it 7-7.

The tie remained until Carson kicked his 47 yard field goal with 6:36 remaining and Central Mountain led for the first time at 10-7, setting up ‘Shore’s winning 76 yard touchdown drive.

Both teams were without a couple regulars each and the Wildcats lost stalwart two-way performer Mahlik Houtz who went down with a leg injury midway through the second quarter and did not return.

Neff finished his remarkable four year career with 111 yards rushing on 22 carries, plus his 75 yard kickoff return; he also passed for 82 yards on 10-of-16 passing. Jersey Shore’s Tomb, in just his second start, carried 32 times for 180 yards and helped the Bulldogs eat up the clock on their final possession. Shemory finished the night with an 11-for-19 log for 147 yards passing.

Jersey Shore finished the year at 7-3 and will participate in the District 4 AAAA playoffs, date and foe to be announced. Central Mountain ended with a three game losing streak and an overall log of 3-7, but gave the Bulldogs all they could handle in their final game.

Prior to the game the annual Sam Casilio Award was presented to Wildcat senior Dylan Cook for his contributions to the program. The award is named for the former Central Mountain lineman.