By TIM KELLY
Sophomore running back Jacob Wilson scored his first two varsity touchdowns and older brother Isaac, a senior, rushed for two more to help Ocean City to a 45-0 win over Triton Friday night in front of a large Homecoming crowd at Carey Stadium.
It was a physical and sometimes chippy game, but Ocean City left no doubt it had bounced back from its lone defeat of the year, a 35-3 loss at St. Augustine on Oct. 5.
The Red Raiders (5-1 overall, 3-0 in the West Jersey Football League Independence Division) went back to their dominating ways from the opening eight-play, 72-yard drive to backup defender Gavin Parto’s electrifying hit in the waning seconds to help preserve the shutout, Ocean City’s fourth of the year.
The victory assured Ocean City of a winning regular season record and sent Triton of the WJFL National Division back to Runnemede, Camden County, at 2-4 overall, 2-1 in the National.
“I liked especially that we played downhill all night,” Ocean City Head Coach Kevin Smith said. “That was great to see. We dominated the line of scrimmage on offense and defense. When that’s the case, a lot of good things can happen.”
Isaac Wilson’s 3-yard scoring run capped the first drive, highlighted by his previous 14-yard jaunt and consecutive Joe Repetti-to-Jake Schneider passes of 24 and 13 yards.
After forcing a three-and-out on Triton’s first possession, Isaac Wilson ripped off a 35-yard run and then his brother Jacob came off the bench for an 11-yard run and the drive capper, an eight yard-burst.
Brendan McGonigle, who also booted a 27-yard second quarter field goal, kicked the extra point to make it 14-0 with less than five minutes played.
The rout was on, and Isaac Wilson was the first Ocean City player off the sideline to congratulate his younger brother.
“I always looked up (to Isaac) and it’s always been a dream to play with him on the same team,” Jacob Wilson said. “He is always the loudest one cheering for me, and I’m the loudest cheering for him.”
Smith said he had hopes coming into the year that Jacob would be one of the Raiders’ top running threats, but the plan was derailed by a back injury.
“We had so many other guys doing a great job running the ball, (Jacob) kind of had to work his way back into the rotation. We’d like for him to continue to be (more of a weapon in the O.C. arsenal moving forward),” Smith said.
It was difficult getting knocked back on the depth chart, Jacob said.
“To be honest I didn’t like it,” he said of his time on the bench. “I knew I had to keep working and then show up when I got my chance to shine.”
Jacob added his second score of the night late in the game when he plunged in from the two to capitalize on Will Drain’s forced fumble and Matt Christy’s recovery deep in Triton territory. The score and conversion made it 38-0.
Game notes: As was the case in each of O.C.’s previous four wins, the Raiders cruised to a 35-point or more lead to set in motion the “running clock” rule.
Senior co-captain Brian Beckmann turned in another excellent all-around game, making a 38-yard TD reception, holding on extra points and field goals and helping spearhead the defense. He made a spectacular deflection on a long Triton third down pass to snuff out one of the Mustangs’ few offensive threats of the game.
Jake Schneider had a punt return of 40-plus yards to help set up one of the Ocean City touchdowns, in addition to some big chains-moving catches.
QB Joe Repetti was solid managing the game and hitting on some key throws, including a 54-yard TD to Brad Jamison. He just missed a second Jamison TD on a fade route when Brad was just inches out of bounds as he hauled in the ball.
Jake Inserra was in the middle of some big defensive plays, including a sack of Triton QB Adrian Fred late in the first quarter to take the Triton offense off the field. Ocean City’s defense held Triton to only three first downs all night.
The game was sloppy at times with several personal fouls being called on each side.
“We had some breakdowns on discipline, which we’re going to address,” Smith said. “Penalties like that can be costly.”
Triton found that out the hard way when a roughing the passer call tacked on 15 yards at the end of a Repetti pass to Schneider, setting the stage for Isaac Wilson’s second TD, a three-yard burst.
Smith, who usually has the team lift weights and watch film on Saturdays, gave the Raiders the weekend off from practice.
“We have an extra day of practice this week (with the next game on Saturday afternoon at Oakcrest) and at this time of the year it’s good to get the kids a little rest when we can,” he said.
