Bridgewater-Raritan Routs Hillsborough in Opener

If Bridgewater-Raritan High School junior Ray Mastroianni was nervous in his first career start, he didn't show it, and neither did his team.  

The 6-foot-2 newly minted, strong-armed starting quarterback tossed three touchdown passes in Bridgewater-Raritan High School's 26-8 victory over Hillsborough High School Friday at Basilone Field. The Panthers (1-0) next play at Westfield Friday at 3 p.m.

"For his first career start, I think he did an outstanding job," Panthers head coach Scott Bray said. "He made great decisions, and he did everything we asked him to do."

"I asked the quarterback to make throws, be accurate and be a leader," Bray added. "That's what Ray did tonight."

The Panthers led 13-0 at halftime, and Ray, who threw for 130 yards, was nearly perfect in the second half. He completed five of six passes, including two scoring tosses in the third quarter—one to senior wide receiver Derek Beck for eight yards and the second to junior A.J. Kolen for 12 yards—to push the lead to 26-0.

Panthers sophomore kicker Nick Norcia missed on one of the two extra point attempts.

"The receivers came off the ball hard," Ray said. "They make good breaks and tough crosses."

On the touchdown pass to Derek, Ray perfectly under-threw the fade route to where Derek used his 6-foot-4 frame to fight off the smaller Hillsborough cornerback for the score. The pass capped off an eight-play, 33-yard drive that came to fruition when senior cornerback Jordan Blair pounced on a muffed snap by Hillsborough's offense on the prior drive.

"Derek creates a lot of match-up problems," Ray said.

Derek's sidekick receiver—senior Jared Hargis, a transfer from Immaculata High School—was instrumental on punt returns throughout the game. On three occasions, Jared broke off returns of at least 15 yards, including a key 26-yard return on the possession following Derek's touchdown.

The return placed Bridgewater-Raritan at the Raiders' 34-yard line.

Several plays later, on a first-and-10 from the 12-yard line, Ray rolled out on a play action and found A.J, who went unscathed into the endzone for the score.

The Raiders' lone score came on senior running back Matt Leddy's one-yard run in the fourth quarter's first play. For the game, the Raiders were limited to just 178 yards on offense.

The Panthers' defense, led by seniors Connor Smith, who snared an interception, and Kyle Paustian, made life miserable for Raiders quarterback John Vonnessen, who completed just six of 22 passes for 53 yards.

"The kid's talented, but we were able to neutralize him by keeping inside the pocket," Kyle said. "He wasn't able to get out in space and make throws that he's able to make."

"We buckled down and made him uncomfortable tonight," Kyle added.

In the first half, the Panthers came up empty on a first possession by failing to convert a fake punt attempt.  

But Ray and senior Jamar Archer, who rushed for 52 yards, got things turned around for the Panthers in the second quarter.

Two possessions after the failed fake punt, Ray and Jamar touched the ball on every play of the scoring drive—nine plays and 68 yards—that was punctuated by Ray's first scoring toss. On a fourth-and-seven play from the Raiders' 32-yard line, Ray found senior Eddie Jahn streaking open on a beautifully run post route, catching the ball in stride and coasting in for the score.

"He ran a great route," Ray said. "The line blocked great as it did all night."

Later in the quarter, Jamar took to the ground for the Panthers' next score. The junior capped a four-play, 39-yard drive with a 22-yard scoring run.

On the second-and-seven play, Jamar broke two tackles near the line of scrimmage, then scooted free down the right sideline for the score. The drive was set up by Jared's 21-yard punt return.

According to Bray, the Panthers got what it wanted on this night, but he's fully aware of what lies ahead.

"The thing we preach to the kids is the next important game is the most important game of your life," said Bray. "This win is great, and we can savor it for the night, but come Monday, our biggest game of the season is Friday."