The Absegami High School football team was at less than full strength, but the Braves still gave perennial power St. Joseph a scare on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 8.
The Braves led at halftime behind three electrifying plays by David Hood, however, the Wildcats scored three second-half touchdowns, including a kickoff return for a score.
St. Joseph rallied for a 37-29 season-opening win at Bill Bendig Field in Hammonton.
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"I thought we played outstanding," Absegami coach Dennis Scuderi said. "St. Joseph is (ranked) No. 5 or 6 in the state. We were right there. We went toe-to-toe with them."
Hood made three big plays in the first half, including a 69-yard catch and run from quarterback Mike Dolan in the first quarter.
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Hood added touchdown runs of 62 and 60 yards in the second quarter to give the Braves a 20-14 lead at halftime.The Absegami running back needed just eight carries to eclipse the 150-yard mark, but barely played in the second half because of cramping. He was one of many Braves to miss action on Saturday.
Absegami's all-conference tackle Colin Lynch was out, as was defensive tackle JoJo Brennan, and star quarterback Rashard Kinlaw.
"We still had a chance to win," Scuderi said. "I give the kids a ton of credit."
St. Joseph opened the second half with a long drive, capped off by a Luke Ordille 12-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Anthony Giagunto to take a 21-20 lead. Absegami settled for a 34-yard field goal by Nick DellaVecchia in the fourth quarter for a 23-21 Absegami advantage.
However, the lead was short-lived, as Robert Thompson scored on a 80-yard return on the ensuing kickoff.
"We practiced last week to kick to the seven-man side," Scuderi said. "We wanted to angle the kick to the seven man side and we didn't do that. Those things happen."
St. Joseph's Cody Sampson scored the second of his two rushing touchdowns to put the Wildcats in front 37-23. Dolan finished the day with 185 yards and two scores, including an 11-yard pass to Dustin Miller. Absegami running back Tyler Bing, finished with 75 yards.
"We battled against obviously a good team like St. Joseph," Scuderi said. "We didn't know what to expect. St. Joseph beat up Camden Catholic in a scrimmage and they beat No. 1 Timber Creek. Coming in short-handed, I feel like we can do some pretty good things as long as we don't let this linger."
