Roaring Try: Defensive Lapses Cost Lions

The offensive spurts were impressive.

The defense — or lack thereof — for Middletown High School North's Lions (0-2), was not as impressive, hampering the Lions in a 45-20 loss to Toms River North, Friday night at Middletown High School North.

Despite impressive performances on the offensive side of the ball from quarterback Cody Thompson and running back Joe Raccioppi, the Lions defense struggled to get off the field all game, yielding points on all but one possession to Toms River North (2-0)

"They [Toms River North] are a very good football team, offensivley, they are very dangerous," Middletown North head coach Joe Trezza said, "I think the toughest part is the final score. I think we played better, overall, than the score is going to indicate."

Thompson was 8-17 passing for 77 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception, but was much more impressive on the ground, running 11 times for 59 yards and a rushing touchdown, leading the Lions offensivley.

Raccioppi was effective, as well, on the ground, compling 100 yards on 18 carries for Middletown North. He also made one catch, for 21 yards, which was a touchdown on the Lions last offensive play from scrimmage on the night.

After falling down 14-0 after the first two possessions of the game, the Lions struck back with a 72-yard drive, which was highlighted by three third-down coversions, including the touchdown.

Thompson put the punctuation on the drive with a 21-yard run on 3rd and 4. Earlier in the drive, Thompson connected with wide reciever Nick Welsh on a screen for an 18-yard game on 3rd and seven.

Three plays later, Thompon rushed for a nine-yards gain on third and two, advancing the ball to Toms River North's 22-yard line.

After climbing within a touchdown with 7:26 remaining in the first half, the Mariners would answer quickly and emphatically, scoring two touchdowns before the end of the second quarter --including a touchdown with two seconds remaining -- and open the third quarter with a field goal to score 17 un-answered points, taking control of the game.

The Lions' would score again, late in third quarter, on a one-yard touchdown burst by Thompson on fourth and goal from the one-yard line.

The drive was kept alive on fourth down when Thompson lead a fake punt for a first down. Thompson, who is also the punter, took the snap seven yards deep and rushed for a net gain of two yards, giving Middletown North a first down on fourth and one.

Raccioppi was the force of that drive, having rushes of 20 and 34 yards. The touchdown was set up by a personal foul penalty against the Mariners, placing the ball at the three-yard line of Toms River North.

Middletown North scored on the final possession, as well, driving the ball 55 yards in a span of 3:10, which was capped off by a 21-yard touchdown catch by Raccioppi.

"Those two [Cody Thompson and Joe Raccioppi] are very good, offensivley, we were very good tonight," Trezza said, "I think this week we eliminated the mental mistakes, the kids played hard, they executed, and we found two playmakers."

Still, the Lions' defense struggled to get off the field all game long, resulting in allowing 45 points to the Mariners.

"They [Toms River North] have six playmakers across the field, it's very hard to defend six playmakers. When you take one away, it opens up another to have a big game," Trezza said.

Thomas Curran was the leading wide reciever for the Lions, hauling in three catches for 21 yards. Tight end James Kavanagh caught two passes for 14 yards and Welsh made two catches for 21 yards.

Middletown North will be in search of their next win on Friday, Sept. 23 when they travel to Manalapan and take on the Braves.