Red Raiders Defeat EHT, Improve to 6-0

By TIM KELLY Ocean City’s sixth straight win, 24-7 on the road at Egg Harbor Township, had its high points. But the football contest was anything but easy. The Red Raiders came back from their first deficit of the season, and relied on the running and defensive prowess of Sean Mazzitelli, an historic kicking performance from Brandon McGonigle and a stingy defense to stay undefeated. “I thought EHT played great,” Ocean City head coach Kevin Smith said. “They were physical and they executed well. It was great to have some adversity to respond to. I was proud of the way we handled it.” Both Ocean City lines played a huge role in the game, paving the way for Mazzitelli’s (unofficial stats) 63 second half yards on 11 carries, and a first half touchdown which helped the Raiders tie the game. Mazzitelli, a senior who also plays outside linebacker, ran down an EHT ball carrier with a touchdown-saving tackle in the third quarter. That play prevented a score which could have brought the Eagles back to within three points. Ocean City's stiff defense records a sack. Egg Harbor Township came into the game with a 3-2 record and three consecutive wins. The Eagles never backed down against the favored Raiders. Instead, they went on a 12-play, 69-yard scoring drive to open the game, capped by Christian Rando’s four-yard run and a 7-0 lead many observers weren’t expecting. Ocean City answered with a drive of its own, covering 68 yards on seven plays. Quarterback Riley Gunnels connected on a 48-yard strike to Patrick Lonergan to set up Mazzitelli’s 5-yard scoring run and the first of three McGonigle extra points, giving him 100 for his career. “We’re 5-0 but the work does not stop,” Gunnels tweeted before Friday night’s game. “Getting better every day.” Gunnels backed up his words in the second quarter. He hooked up with Lonergan again on a 40-yard pass play to highlight an eight play, 55 yard drive. Mazzitelli’s 12-yard run, sprung by guard Justin Gooden’s block, brought the ball to the EHT three-yard line. From there, Gunnels, a 6-4, 215-pound junior, powered in for the go-ahead score on consecutive runs of two and one yards, respectively.  McGonigle’s point after made it 14-7 with 5:47 left in the half. The running game is a key part of the Red Raiders' win. McGonigle’s hot performance continued in the third quarter with a 37-yard field goal to make it a two-possession game. It was his 10th field goal of his career. Still, EHT did not go away. The Eagles drove all the way down to the Ocean City one-yard line with 1:30 left in the quarter. But on fourth down, a bad snap was fumbled and recovered by Rando, ending the threat. They had another opportunity penetrating the Ocean City 36 in the fourth quarter. Rando rolled left, lost control of the ball, fumbled it and C.J. Conti recovered for the Raiders. Later in the quarter, Ocean City sealed the win, going 51 yards on seven plays, a drive highlighted by a 10-yard Gunnels sprint, a 28-yarder by Mazzitelli, and a 10-yard run by Taylor Eget. Charley Cossaboone crashed over from the one with 3:37 left. McGonigle booted the extra point, his 100th as a Red Raider. “That game will help us down the road, as we prepare for the playoffs,” Smith said. The 24-7 win lifts Ocean City's record to 6-0.