Comeback Knights defeat the Chiefs

Griffin Nugent, who recorded a sack, an interception, and nine tackles, jams the opposing reciever at the line.

BY KNIGHT LIFE STAFF

On September 25, the Knights mounted an amazing second-half comeback to defeat the Piscataway Chiefs 27-26. Senior Chase Rizzo scored two rushing and two receiving touchdowns to nail down the victory.

Going into the game, the Knights knew they would have to bring their all. “They were the number one ranked team, and we haven’t beaten them in nine years,” said Rizzo. The Knight victory brough their winning streak to four games while handing the Chiefs their first defeat.

The first half ended with the Knight behind 26-o, leaving the team and fans discouraged. “My thoughts were on how bad we played during the first half, and we went over things we had to fix and going into the second half we knew we had to do better,” said junior quarterback Aiden Rios.

Junior Dante Pluchino holds his ground and blocks the opposing lineman.

Rizzo scored a 74-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to turn the night around and give Old Bridge the momentum. “It was a motion to Jordan Mercado. The defense went with him, and it opened me up,” said Rizzo. “The O-line did a great job blocking.”

After playing the underdogs for the entire first half, the Knights stepped up in the second half, especially on a long run where Prince Asomaning caught Piscataway’s star running back from behind. “Prince, our corner, was locked in and did not allow them to make the touch down which would bring Piscataway over 26.”

Senior Jeffrey Kanzas, who contributed two sacks and a tackle for a loss, line up and prepares to rush the quarterback.

Old Bridge tallied five sacks and six tackles for a loss, including when it mattered most. “At the goal line, we had Connor Long making big plays and big stops,” said Jaxon Cronin, who led the team with 14 tackles. Long made a goal-line stop and John Jablonski blocked a field goal to keep the Chiefs scoreless in the second half.

Rizzo gave Old Bridge the lead late in the fourth quarter on a 71-yard touchdown reception, his fourth touchdown of the night. “It was Aiden Rios; he threw a beautiful pass, and it got me open,” said Rizzo.

As the fourth quarter clock ticked down, Griffin Nugent made a game-saving interception to ensure the win. “We were playing man, and they put a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He threw it up and it just came right to me,” said Nugent.

Junior defensive back Justin Burch prepares to lock up the opposing reciever

While the team anticipated a difficult fight, tensions arose outside of the Friday night lights in the days leading up to the game. “One of our guys transferred over to Piscataway, and he has been saying a lot of stuff online and talking on the internet,” said Cronin. “It wasn’t about that though; that wasn’t the importance of the game.”

This historic win made for an amazing senior night memory for many players. “It was a great feeling and a great atmosphere. The fans were hype,” said Justin Barkaszi. “It was the best feeling.”

The nail-biting 27-26 victory showed the power and dedication behind the team. “It gives us big momentum going into next week, and it’s exactly what we need to do to keep winning,” said Rios.

Show up and support the team against Sayreville at Pink Out on October 2.

Senior Dylan Finkelstein fights off a defender to create a lane for a running play.
Junior quarterback Aiden Rios, who rushed for 117 yards, leaves a defender on ground behind him as runs upfield.
Aiden Rios, who passed for two touchdowns and 115 yards, races to the edge.
Prince Asomaning lines up and prepares to lock up the opposing player.