PITTSGROVE TOWNSHIP (N.J.) - With the big news coming out of Hollywood this week that the writers' strike was over, it would be difficult to find a better script written for this year's Central Jersey Group 1 final.
The Arthur P. Schalick High School football team finished winless team only four years ago. The Cougars came into their latest matchup with a perfect 11-0 record.
Their opponent, Glassboro, entered with a 7-3 record under the direction of a new head coach.
A matchup made in Hollywood Heaven.
On a cool and brisk night in front of a large crowd, both defenses came out strong in the first quarter.
Schalick received the opening kickoff and made it clear it wanted to establish the run game early on. Junior running back Reggie Allen, Jr., utilized early and often, reeled off a 30-yard run on the game's second drive.
Glassboro countered with a bend, don’t break style of defense early on, and forced a Schalick punt.
Glassboro poses with its trophy after defeating Schalick, 20-0, in the Central Jersey Group 1 final football game played at Arthur P. Schalick High School in Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey on Friday, November 10, 2023. Andrew Daley for D2 Sports Network
The teams exchanged punts on their ensuing possessions. A 31-yard run by Dominic Barr set the Bulldogs up in good position, but the Cougars responded with a defensive stop on fourth-and-4 with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The intensive defensive battle came to a halt with 5:27 left in the second quarter when Glassboro quartetback Kristopher Foster hooked up with wide receiver Dayshaun Day on a 40-yard touchdown pass to build a 6-0 lead.
On the next possession, the Cougars were faced with a fourth-and-8 situation and attempted a fake punt that failed.
Glassboro took over with favorable field position and delivered with the play of the night. Glassboro freshman wide receiver Xavier Sabb took a screen pass from Foster, broke a litany of tackles, and found his way to the end zone to put the Bulldogs up 12-0 at halftime.
For Schalick, Allen led the way in the first half with 13 rushes for 68 yards on the ground. Foster went 4-for-6 passing for 105 yards and two touchdowns for Glassboro.
The lone score of the second half was a screen pass from Foster to Sabb.
Glassboro's stout defensive play held Schalick to under 40 yards of total offense in the second half. The Bulldogs also registered three sacks.
“It’s been a long season, but we’ve got to keep doing what we are doing," first-year Glassboro coach Timothy Breaker said. "These guys are really coming together, and to have such a young team playing for the main goal, it’s something special."