This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Powerful Pennsauken Halts Triton's Playoff Run

The Mustangs hang tough, but fall to the Indians 52-23 Saturday afternoon. Triton must now regroup for Thursday's showdown against Timber Creek.

After upsetting Southern Regional in the opening round of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs last week, Triton returned to Pennsauken High School Saturday afternoon looking to avenge their lone loss of the season and continue an improbable championship run.

Unfortunately for Triton (8-2), top-seeded Pennsauken (10-1) had other plans. Senior quarterback Manny Cortez controlled the game as he threw for five touchdowns and ran for another two as the Indians rolled to a 52-23 win that sets up a Dec. 2 date with Millville at Rowan University for the South Jersey Group 4 title.

After the game, Triton head coach Pete Goetz complimented Pennsauken’s dynamic attack, but felt his team didn’t play its best game.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“With the type of weapons these guys have, they are going to make plays,” Goetz said. “But we put our backs against the wall with costly penalties and turnovers.  It’s just really tough to fight back against a team like this.”

Cortez has now thrown 36 touchdown passes this season, the second-most in South Jersey history.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Despite the loss, Triton can capture the West Jersey Football League Royal Division Championship with a win over undefeated district rival on Thanksgiving. The Chargers (10-0) advanced to the South Jersey Group 3 Final with their Friday night.

“We’re playing for a championship on Thursday. We have to come back as a team and stick together and I think with this group of seniors we definitely will,” Goetz said.

Things started well for the Mustangs as they put together a time consuming 11-play drive that ended with a 26-yard field goal by Dean Cowley to give Triton a 3-0 lead. But Pennsauken wasted little time responding.

The Indians used terrific field position and its wide array of explosive offensive playmakers to score four unanswered touchdowns on its first 11 plays from scrimmage to build an early 27-3 lead.

Pennsauken’s third touchdown was set up on a beautifully executed punt return that conjured memories of the famous “Music City Miracle” play by former Tennessee Titans Frank Wycheck and Kevin Dyson during the 1999 AFC Wild Card Playoffs. Cortez fielded a Triton punt and threw it across the field to wide receiver Amar Williams, who sprinted down the sideline for a 57-yard gain.

Williams finished the game with two touchdown receptions, including a brilliant leaping 30-yard grab.

Despite the rocky start, Triton hung tough, answering with an 11-play touchdown drive midway through the second quarter that was capped by a 3-yard Jimmy Burns touchdown run. Burns was a force for the Mustangs, running through and around Pennsauken defenders. He finished the game with 138 yards and two scores.

Trailing 33-16 with under two minutes remaining in the first half, Triton took over at the Pennsauken 38-yard line after a botched punt attempt was sniffed out by defensive end Brian Keller, but the Mustangs failed to capitalize after going three and out.

From there, the Indians didn’t look back as they broke things wide open in the third quarter with a pair of touchdowns. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?