Bing, Absegami dominate EHT on gridiron

Now it's time for the Absegami High School football players to take a deep
breath.

Behind a dominating defense and explosive running attack, Absegami cruised to a 28-7 victory over visiting Egg Harbor Township on Oct. 12. Absegami has next weekend off before a tough upcoming schedule.

The win improved the Braves to 4-2 with key wins over the Eagles and Millville, who are also in the Group V playoff chase.

"Being 4-2, the key to the whole thing is that we have beaten two of
the four Group V teams on our schedule,” Absegami coach Dennis Scuderi said. "We talk about controlling the controllable so we have to win those games even before the other games so we can make the playoffs. Our schedule is extra challenging.

"So to be where we are beating Millville and EHT; and playing Holy Spirit and St. Joseph;  and winning against Mainland, a traditional power; and to be 4-2 after that six-game stretch going into a bye is huge."

Absegami turned its fortunes around after being shut out by Holy Spirit
last week. Scuderi credits the seniors for getting the team ready to play after a loss to the rival Spartans.

"We had a much better week of practice than the week before Holy
Spirit," Scuderi said. "We had intensity.  We have a good group of kids. The seniors didn't want to lose and they wanted to rectify the mistakes, and that pushed us over the edge."

It didn't hurt that the Braves' offensive line and backfield dominated against the Eagles.

Tyler Bing rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns, and teammate David Hood added 142 yards on the ground and one score.

Hood opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run to give Absegami
a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Tyler Bing scored from 13 yards out to give
Absegami a two touchdown lead at halftime.

Egg Harbor Township, who has shown the ability to rally from behind this
season, scored the first touchdown of the second half on Matt Clayton's 1-yard run. However, Absegami made sure there was no Eagles comeback.

 Bing scored from 80-yards out in the third quarter and 14-yards out in the
fourth to put the score out of reach. The Braves defense continued to shut down the Egg Harbor Township offense to clinch the win

"Tyler Bing had his best game of the season, and David Hood had a
tremendous game," Scuderi said. "But there were things you may not
see in the box score like Billy Gilbert on the perimeter making key blocks on runs and the same thing for Dustin Miller. Mike Dolan played a good game and really managed the game extremely well."

The Braves put themselves on solid ground for a playoff push, but still
have key games coming up, against traditional powers, including matchups with Atlantic City and Hammonton.

However, for a few days they can relax and get much-needed time to rest and
heal.