St. Joseph Regional opened its defense of the Non-Public A state football championship with a 38-21 victory over Delbarton on Nov. 14, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Green Knights jumped to an early lead, with senior defensive lineman Chaz Gray returning an interception 82 yards for a touchdown.
Junior running back Andrew Wilson led the offensive effort, rushing for a career-high 169 yards and three touchdowns, reported NorthJersey.com.
Despite the win, head coach Augie Hoffmann expressed concerns regarding team consistency.
“We’re a little bit of a roller coaster,” Hoffmann stated.
The game was marred by a significant injury to Delbarton senior running back Kobe Irby-Mason, who required transport to a hospital by ambulance.
St. Joseph quarterback Ralph Tristani, filling in for the injured William Mitchell, completed 12 of 21 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown.
Delbarton attempted a comeback in the second half, scoring on two touchdown passes from Jayden Schmalz to John Trafford.
A blocked punt returned for a score by John Fitzpatrick further narrowed the deficit, but the Green Knights maintained control.
Hoffmann emphasized the need for better discipline, noting that the team committed double-digit penalties during the contest.
“We have to eliminate the little things that turn into big things,” Hoffmann remarked regarding the team’s performance.
The Green Knights now prepare for a semifinal matchup against Bergen Catholic scheduled for Nov. 21.
Mitchell is expected to return to the lineup for that game, as his absence was categorized as a precautionary measure, per the Yahoo Sports report.
Wilson attributed his recent success on the field to the improved blocking provided by his offensive line.
“They’re creating the holes these last two games and I’m just running right through,” Wilson said.
St. Joseph enters the next round looking to avoid the mistakes that plagued their quarterfinal outing.