Defense Keys Paulsboro's Second Half Offensive Win

High School Football:
Defense Keys Paulsboro's Second Half Offensive Win
Saturday, September 21, 2002

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

What started out as a defensive battle in the first half of the Paulsboro and Woodbury game, ended with the Red Raiders capitalizing on mistakes to pull away from the Thundering Herd. Both of these teams represented the Colonial Conference Patriot Division and were participating in their second game of the season. Paulsboro's Nino Polimeni converted a 24-yard field goal to break a 7 all tie to pull away from Woodbury. The Red Raiders offensive would come alive to post a 31-7 road victory.

Paulsboro looked as if they were going to slowly work their way past Woodbury in the first half of this game. The Red Raiders struck first in the second quarter when Eric DiTonno crossed the goal line on his quarterback keeper with 3:52 remaining in the half. That lead would last all but 18 seconds in the half. A key pass interference penalty set up Woodbury's only score of the game. Kayin Grimes hauled in a pass from Melvin Rivera at about the 5-yard line and backed into the endzone.

When the Red Raiders entered the field for the second half, the defense picked up allowing the offense to get more points on the board. The Red Raiders defense took advantage of a fumbled punt attempt to set up the next score. DiTonno would throw his first touchdown of the day to Gary Conquest to build a 17-7 lead. Issac Redman would add a rushing touchdown and the defense returned an interception to complete the scoring for Paulsboro.

Photos by Art Redd