Bridgewater-Raritan Fails to Convert in Close Loss

The Bridgewater-Raritan football team lost a close game at North Hunterdon 10-7 through the rain Friday night. The Panthers could not convert on two crucial fourth downs in the fourth quarter, and penalties hurt the team, which dropped to 0-4 on the season.

1

2

3

4

Final

Bridgewater-Raritan (0-4)

0

0

7

0

7

North Hunterdon ()

3

0

7

0

10

IN SHORT

The Panthers got their ground game going behind the efforts of Michael Pennella and quarterback Ray Mastroianni. Despite the recommitment to the run, it was a defensive first half with only three points scored between both teams. The half ended with a missed North Hunterdon field goal that sent a charge into the Panthers.

With the momentum on their side, they answered with an impressive start to third quarter. Defensively, the Panthers four forced fumbles in the quarter, but only managed seven points off of them when Mastroianni kept the ball on a quarterback keeper. However, on the ensuing drive, North Hunterdon came right back with a long touchdown run of its own.

The game came down to a Bridgewater drive that had the Panthers seeing a fourth-and-1 from the North Hunterdon 30. After a false start pushed them back, Mastroianni took a quarterback keeper for six yards that would have converted a first down. However, a holding penalty brought the Panthers back another 10 yards. With a fourth-and-15 to convert, head coach Scott Bray decided to go for it and the Panthers fell short after a nice defensive play to deflect Mastroianni’s pass out of Isaiah Solomon’s hands.

“We killed ourselves with the penalties today. Miscues and penalties and that’s what it came down to tonight. When you’re playing poor football, it’s about cleaning everything up and getting back to playing fundamental football.”—Head Coach Scott Bray

PANTHER OF THE GAME

Michael Pennella, running back/linebacker—The senior was the focal point of the running game that helped the Panthers possess the ball for most of the game.  He rushed 21 times for 85 yards and also contributed five tackles with a forced fumble on defense.

TOP PANTHER OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

PASSING:  Mastroianni (7-21 for 26 yards)

RUSHING:  Pennella (21 carries for 85 yards)

RECEIVING:  Tommy Goodberlet (17 yards receiving on one catch)

TOP PANTHER DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

TACKLES: James Burke (six tackles)

TURNOVERS: The Panthers forced four fumbles, all in the third quarter and Carl Szymanski had an interception in the first.

THEY SAID IT

“You got to finish. We had opportunities today. We forced a few turnovers and saw ourselves in a few fourth and short situations that we didn’t convert.  If you want to finish off games you have to finish them and that’s what I’m upset about.”—Bray