In the football game pitting cross-town rivals and New Providence against each other, only one team left Tatlock field undefeated. Both Summit and New Providence entered the game at 5-0, but the ground and pound of the Hilltoppers was too much for the Pioneers in a 35-20 drubbing.
From the first whistle to the end of the game, Summit ran the ball down their throats, running 58 times for a total of 403 yards. A total of six players including AJ Iarussi, Ryan Bringewatt, Kyre Negron, Austin Carbone, Philip Jefferson and Mike Badgley all ran the ball. By keeping the ball on the ground, they were able to control the clock and dominate the game.
The game began with Summit missing a field goal and giving up a touchdown to New Providence, but after that they never looked back. Badgley and Iarussi could not be contained. After Negron scored the team’s first touchdown, Badgley and Iarussi shredded the Swiss cheese defense of the Pioneers for the remainder of the game.
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As Badgley returned punts, he looked like NFL star Devin Hester because of his lightening fast speed and elusiveness. He had 203 all-purpose yards and was a machine that could not be stopped.
“We have outstanding blocking,” Badgley said. “I just did my thing. I tried my hardest.”
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After Badgley returned a punt for a touchdown late in the first quarter, giving the Hilltoppers a 14-7 lead, Summit continued to pound the ball.
New Providence managed to squeeze a field goal in during the second quarter while Iaurassi added two more touchdowns giving them a commanding 28-10 lead at half.
The one player who kept everyone calm throughout the game was the captain and quarterback, Bringewatt. He threw for 100 yards, but also has legs like Michael Vick and rushed for an astonishing 148 yards.
“We have overcome adversity,” Bringewatt said. “Ryan did a great job with the offense,” Head Coach added.
As the second half began, the Summit offense sputtered as they strayed from their run game and put the ball in the air more. The third quarter began with a field goal from the Pioneers and a slightly adjusted New Providence defense. Summit was not able to run the ball and the offense looked stagnant.
After New Providence scored an early touchdown in the fourth quarter, the Summit defense clamped down and did not allow a single point for the rest of the game. With the score 28-20 Summit needed to score to put the game away. With fourth down and four in Pioneer territory, Liberato made a gutsy call; he went for the first down instead of kicking a field goal.
“We wanted the momentum,” Liberato said.
“I was a little nervous,” Bringewatt said. “Will Webber made a great play.”
Liberato was ecstatic after his team knocked off their rival and the reigning state champions. He said he was extremely proud of his players because they rose to the occasion and really played big when it was needed.
“It feels great to beat them,” he said. “Our offense did a wonderful job.”
