Schalick jumps out to early in coach’s debut, but Group 3 visitors’ depth takes over in second half
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE – Matt Bloom and a couple of his Somerville assistants took the two-hour ride down the turnpike last Friday to check out Schalick’s final scrimmage of training camp. What they saw in the varsity half they watched didn’t really impact what they did in their game Friday night, but it never hurts to look.
They did pick up a tidbit or two during their visit, but it was more depth than play calls that played the biggest role in the Pioneers’ 34-17 win that spoiled by debut of Schalick head coach Kevin Leamy.
“You never take that for granted; you never know,” Bloom said. “It’s always being sure. New staff, lot of new players, a lot of things. We’ve never played anybody down in this part of the state, so it was one of those things we needed to make sure we got eyes on them from a first-hand experience.
“Plus, on film, they hadn’t played any offenses like our offense. Seeing them in person was crucial. I’m very glad we did (make the trip).”
From what they had seen in that very vanilla scrimmage, the Pioneers couldn’t have anticipated the way Schalick came out against them.
The Cougars were “ready for the moment,” jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead with their first two possessions and led 17-14 at halftime. But it was all Somerville in the second half.
The Group 3 visitors scored three touchdowns with their punishing ground game and kept the Cougars out of the end zone while holding them to only 31 yards of offense. The Pioneers ran up 174 yards of offense in the half before taking three knees to run out the final 1:40 of the game.
“What I said in the locker room (at halftime) was it wasn’t going to be about what plays we called, what defensive fronts that we’re in, it’s all about how hard we play,” Bloom said. “That’s really what we showed in the second half. How bad do you want to win and how bad you want to impose your will on opponents.”
“I don’t think it was anything necessarily momentum,” Leamy said. “We were exposed with not having much depth and their offensive line, a lot of credit to them in the second half, came out and pushed us around a little bit. That offensive line really took over the game in the second half and I give them a lot of credit more than it is a negative to our kids.”
One thing the Somerville coaches were glad to get on their visit was a glimpse of Schalick sophomore Kenny Bartee playing quarterback because the Cougars hadn’t decided between Bartee and Gary Simonini as their starting signal-caller at the time.
Bartee was given the nod Monday morning and he showed his athleticism not only in the regular offense but also on special teams, returning the kickoff after Somerville’s first touchdown 89 yards for a score.
He rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries, completed a pass for 28 yards and comported himself well enough in his first varsity game at the position that Leamy said he is “probably that guy moving forward.”
“That was pretty clear and obvious he was the guy,” Bloom said. “I’m glad we came down here and saw that because you never know. He’s a good football player. They have some good kids, for sure.”
Leamy’s called the start of his first game as the Cougars’ head coach “really exciting … until it wasn’t.”
The Cougars built their 10-0 lead on a 47-yard touchdown run by David Stewart on their first play from scrimmage and a career-best 39-yard field goal by Hunter Dragotta to cap their second possession. Then the Pioneers came to life.
“There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the game, but you’re not defined by one game; no coach is defined by one game win or lose,” Leamy said. “We’re on to next week. The message to the kids is this is one step, this is Week Zero, and our goal is to be playing our best football when it matters in October and November.
“Yes, we lost, but we learned a lot. The kids realized what they’re really good at and what they need to work on. We’re going to be better off having played this team than scheduling a different game.”
| SOM (34) | SCH (17) | |
| 15 | 1st Downs | 7 |
| 42-220 | Rushing | 27-124 |
| 6-10-1 | Passing (C-A-I) | 3-12-2 |
| 75 | Passing yds | 42 |
| 1-0 | Fumbles-lost | 1-1 |
| 4-34.8 | Punts-avg | 2-30.0 |
| 8-80 | Penalties-yds | 11-58 |
Somerville 34, Schalick 17
| Somerville (1-0) | 0 | 14 | 13 | 7- | 34 |
| Schalick (0-1) | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0- | 17 |
SCORING SUMMARY
SC: David Stewart 47 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 10:00 1Q
SC: Hunter Dragotta 39 FG, 3:29 1Q
SO: Aiden Bush 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 7:19 2Q
SC: Kenny Bartee 89 kickoff return (Hunter Dragotta kick), 7:02 2Q
SO: Justin Bowen 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 4:55 2Q
SO: Justin Bowen 2 run (kick failed), 4:40 3Q
SO: Aiden Bush 41 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 1:44 3Q
SO: Aiden Bush 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 7:08 4Q
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