High School Football:
Moorestown Sets Pace In Liberty Division

Saturday, October 24, 1998

By Gary Steiner
SJSports Staff Writer

Delran went into Moorestown hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive. But unfortunately, the Bears had to go against another great Burlington County team. The Quakers were looking to keep pace with Holy Cross atop the Burlington County Liberty Division. Turnovers would be the key factor in the Quakers' 21-10 victory.

In the 1st quarter, both offenses were able to move the ball, but were unable to punch it in for the score. Delran came close to scoring with a field goal attempt, but it was blocked by the Quakers' Brian Reice. Moorestown was able to draw first blood when, after a 26 yard pass to Joe Dinubile to set up a 1st and goal at the 5, Ken Triboletti took two carries to run it in for the score. Joe Shakespeare's kick made it 7-0 with 5:05 left in the quarter. On their next possession, the Bears drove 54 yards down to the Quakers' 7-yard line, but were stopped on a 4th and 2 when Gaetano Barbuto intercepted a pass at the 5.

In the second quarter, both offenses were again stymied, exchanging punts before Delran managed to drive down to the Quakers' 19-yard line. But a sack forced a fumble which the Quakers recovered. Moorestown was able to drive down to the Bears' 14-yard line, where they fumbled the ball back to Delran with 0:17 left in the half. The clock ran out for halftime with the score still 7-0.

To start the second half, Delran's opening drive was highlighted by a 53-yard touch down pass from Ted Trump to Vinnie Marino. Ryan Molinaro's kick tied the score at 7-7. On the Quakers' next possession, Triboletti had an 80-yard touchdown run called back on a clipping penalty. This was followed by a fumble which gave the Bears a 1st and 10 at the Quakers' 11-yard line. But the Quaker defense held, forcing the Bears to attempt a field goal which gave them a 10-7 lead with 6:31 left in the 3rd quarter. Moorestown then responded with a 56-yard drive capped by Triboletti's 39-yard touchdown run. The point after gave the Quakers a 14-10 lead.

On their next possession, Delran had a 12-yard touchdown run by Chris Pell called back on a holding penalty. Then on a 3rd and 2 at the 4 they fumbled the ball back to Moorestown. The Quakers' then drove the ball for 96 yards, capped by a Triboletti 1-yard run for the touchdown. This took them to 5:51 in the 4th quarter and with the point after gave them a 21-10 lead. The Bears would get within scoring range one more time, but were stopped when Walt Bailey intercepted a tipped pass at the Moorestown 20-yard line.

Photos by Art Redd