Torres steps in as lead running back and has a career night as Woodstown tops KIPP Academy in CJ Group I playoffs; Next up: Pennsville
By Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN — The Woodstown football team has been surviving the second half of the season in a next-man-up kind of world, and Friday night another next-man-up came up big for the Wolverines.
Alex Torres stepped in for injured Bryce Belinfanti as the Wolverines’ lead running back and the senior responded with a career-high 152 yards rushing and two touchdowns as the Wolverines got past KIPP Cooper Norcross 31-8 in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group I playoffs.
“He was ready for the moment,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “We were confident in him and we knew he’d be able to deliver for us. He’s a great kid who plays super tough, does everything we ask him and he had his moment tonight.”
It’s not like he came in from left field. Torres has been big part of the rotation the last two years and he came into Friday’s game with 19 carries for 45 yards and no touchdowns. His previous single-game high rushing was 120 yards and two scores last year at Deptford.
The first two times he touched the ball Friday he went for 8 and 9 yards. He had six runs of 10 yards or more in the second half, including consecutive carries of 20, 13 and 15 yards.
The Wolverines’ offensive depth chart has been taking a hit in recent weeks. They already were playing with their third quarterback as Garrett Leyman continued to fill in as senior starter Jack Holladay continues to rehab a sprained shoulder, and that in turn shuffled their receiver rotation. Holladay gets re-evaulated Monday.
Belinfanti hurt his ankle in last week’s Diamond Division championship game at Glassboro and although he spoke confidently after the game of his return this week he didn’t play Friday. He was available if needed, but the coaching staff decided to give him another week’s rest.
“I think it’s a testament to our team,” Trautz said of the Wolverines’ ability to maintain their standard through the adversity. “We have faith and trust in the system, the kids trust the coaching and they trust their rules and Alex was able to execute tonight.
“I know we’re playing some backups at certain positions, but they’re not backup players. They’re really good football players who are doing whatever it takes to help us win right now.”
The Wolverines (8-1) now host county rival Pennsville in the sectional semifinals next Friday night.
Woodstown 31, KIPP 8
| KIPP (6-4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8- | 8 |
| Woodstown (8-1) | 7 | 2 | 7 | 15- | 31 |
SCORING SUMMARY
Wo-Garrett Leyman 7 run (Jake Ware kick), 1:25 1Q
Wo-Safety
Wo-Alex Torres 20 run (Jake Ware kick), 7:55 3Q
Wo-Alex Torres 1 run (Jake Ware kick), 9:11 4Q
Wo-Laitton Roberts 1 run (Bryceton Rooney pass from Carter Orlandini), 5:05 4Q
K-Michael Morton 25 run (Michael Morton pass from YahSan Cosby)
Riverview Sports News 