By Tim Kelly
Kevin Smith called it one of the most unforgettable football teams he’s ever been around.
“I will remember this team and this season forever,” the Ocean City High head coach said following the Raiders’ hard play and strong effort in a 20-7 Thanksgiving Day loss to traditional rival Pleasantville. “There were so many memorable things that happened this year. You don’t normally say that about a 4-6 team,” Smith said.
The Greyhound win made the alltime series record 50-41 in favor of Ocean City, with six ties, according to Tom Williams of Prime Events.
Pleasantville, a Group 2 playoff semi-finalist, finished at 8-3 and 4-1 in its division of the West Jersey Football League. They had previously put up scores of 54-0, 63-6, 40-0, 49-0, 55-10 and 57-0 and were considered the heavy favorite.
But Ocean City was not intimidated and gave the ‘Hounds all they could handle on both sides of the ball, to lead 7-0 for most of the first half.
OC received the opening kickoff and on the Raiders’ first play from scrimmage Brendan McGonigle broke free on a 50-yard run to set up quarterback Ian Aungst’s 2-yard plunge for the touchdown and Henry Souto’s point after kick.
Raider quarterback Ian Aungst looks to pass behind strong blocking.
It was a surprising way for the offense to get off to a fast start. The Raiders came into the game as the most prolific single season passing offense in school history and hadn’t shown much of a ground game in long stretches throughout the year. The ‘Hounds were not expecting to be gashed by the run, and their offense sputtered out of the gate, as well.
Pleasantville fumbled on its second offensive play, which Austin Green recovered. After a failed OC offensive series, Pleasantville went on a time-consuming 18-play, 95-yard drive over the rest of the first quarter and the first four minutes of the second.
Quarterback Sahmir Jones capped the drive, aided by an Ocean City penalty, with a one-yard keeper. He then hooked up with Elijah Glover on the two-point conversion to take an 8-7 lead -- as it turned out, all the points Pleasantville would need.
The Raiders came back with a 64-yard drive, sparked by Billy Kroeger’s 14-yard run and an Aungst-to-Brandon Lashley completion good for a 25-yard gain. The drive died on downs, however, and Pleasantville made it 14-7 on a 21-yard Jones run.
Pleasantville, which did not punt or attempt an extra point in the game, failed on the two-point conversion attempt. The ‘Hounds were penalized on all three of their point-after plays, only converting the first.
Though down by 7 at halftime, OC had succeeded in keeping Pleasantville’s offense off the field, limiting big plays and pressuring Jones. Green, in particular was in the Greyhounds’ backfield all morning.
Ocean City’s defense holds firm defending the red zone against Pleasantville.
After a scoreless third quarter, a Pleasantville drive penetrated the Ocean City 10, but the Raider defense again held firm, forcing a turnover on downs with just over 6 minutes to play.
Two plays later, however, Brain Stallworth picked off Aungst and ran it back 25 yards for a TD to produce the final score. Green sniffed out the running play on the two-point try, and dropped the Pleasantville ballcarrier short of paydirt.
“I was just following my keys and I stuck to what my coaches have taught me,” said Green. “It’s been an awesome last game. It (stinks) we lost but it’s been great playing alongside these guys. This team is the best family.”
Afterward Smith reminded his squad they had accomplished more than their record showed.
“Don’t ever forget you made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 19 years,” he said.
With many returning players and strong seasons by the freshmen and jayvee squads, the future looks bright for Ocean City football. But Smith acknowledged he will be losing a special and talented group of seniors.
“Those guys were great role models for the younger players and they were great leaders. I hope the guys coming back learn from their example, and I think they will,” Smith said. “I’m excited for the future of the program.”
“To be honest with you, I know (the players) need a little time off, but I wish we were back in the weight room (right away) to start getting ready for next year.”
Raiders congratulate Pleasantville players after they defeated the Raiders 20-7 on Thanksgiving morning.
NOTES: Six Raiders were named to the West Jersey Football League’s All-Independence Division first team, tying Mainland for the most in the division. Seniors Ian Aungst (quarterback), Brandon Lashley (wideout), Brandon Lin (outside linebacker) and Billy Kroeger (linebacker-running back), were named to the team as were junior Chris Armstrong (center) and sophomore Jake Schneider (wideout).
Aungst came into the game as Ocean City’s alltime single season leader in passing yardage with 1,836 yards, threw for 17 TD’s, two short of the school record, and paced the team in rushing TD’s with 6. Unofficially, he added 128 yards through the air to fall less than 40 yards shy of 2,000 yards for the season.
Brian Beckmann’s interception thwarted a P’ville drive late in the third quarter that had advanced to the Ocean City 21-yard line.
Lin led the team in tackles for the third consecutive year and was on pace to register 90 tackles going into the game.
A shout-out to the coaches and staff for their access and candor all season.
Kudos to Pleasantville not just on the win but being great hosts for the game despite frigid temperatures, a scoreboard that did not work, and a pesky effort by the visitors. On a day with a wind chill in the teens, Pleasantville staffer Kia Allen brought hot coffee to those working in the press box.
High school players usually mumble “good game” in the mandatory postgame handshake line. Classy Ocean City said “congratulations” to each member of the ‘Hounds for grabbing the series trophy, which Pleasantville will hold at least until next Thanksgiving.
