Hamilton, Steinert lock horns on Thanksgiving
HAMILTON >> The new definition for the word “frustration” is the Hamilton West football team on Thanksgiving morning.
In the past five Turkey Day clashes, the Hornets have outscored arch-rival Steinert 82-63, and yet the Spartans are 4-1 in those contests. In 2013 Steinert won 15-7, followed by a 31-0 loss. In the past three years, the Hornets have lost by scores of 14-12, 14-13 and 20-19
Surprisingly, in a rivalry so intense, this is the first time consecutive games have been decided by one point and just the third time overall (Steinert has won all three).
Whether it’s one or 100, Hamilton coach Tom Hoglen doesn’t like it.
“Any loss on Thanksgiving is tough,” the veteran coach said. “You feel like you are letting down your school community no matter how many points you lose by.”
This one, which kicks off 10:30 a.m. at Steinert, shapes up as another close one. Hamilton (6-4) is coming off a loss to Ewing in an NJSIAA cross-over game, while the Spartans (4-5) enter on a three-game winning streak with hopes of finishing .500. BRISTOL at Morrisville:
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“Steinert is playing very well at the end of the season,” said Hoglen, whose team leads the series, 34-241. “They have improved each week.”
The Spartans have battled injuries much of the year and the tone was set when starting quarterback Colin Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason. Nick Wright has shown progress over the course of the season as a runner and passer, while Miles Smith has been the Spartans biggest weapon as a receiver and rusher. Defensively, Xavier Roman, Joe Swindasz and Brendan James have been sold throughout the season.
“I think we have been playing Steinert quarterback Nick Wright looks for an open receiver against Notre Dame during a game this season.
Grateful Eagle fans tailgate on nutrisystem.
Last week: (2-2) .500
Season: (212-51)
well the last couple of weeks,” Steinert coach Dan Caruso said. “We have been playing good defense all year and that has continued but we have finally gotten the offense going in the last few weeks (109 points in the past three games). We have limited the turnovers and that has been key.”
Steinert’s current Thanksgiving streak marks just the second time in the series that the Spartans have won three straight. The only other time came from 1984-87 when they won four straight.
Caruso felt that while it would be nice to match that record, it’s secondary to avoiding a losing season after a 1-5 start. He doesn’t feel it serves a purpose to compare this team with squads from throughout the decades.
“Of course that would be great but that is not what we have been preaching to the kids leading up to this game,” Caruso said. “We have been preaching winning out, ending our season .500 and playing hard to beat our crosstown rival. The 2018 team did not control what happened (in this game) before us and will not control what happens after us. So while it would be nice to say we did that, we are not focused on it. Finishing .500 after a 1-5 start would mean much more.”
For Steinert to do that, it will have to slow down Kevin Boswell, who emerged as one of Mercer County’s top running backs in just his sophomore year. Boswell has carried the Hornets offense, rushing for 1050 yards and 10 touchdowns. He can be stopped cold on four straight plays and then erupt for a 70yard TD run; and is aided by a veteran offensive line anchored by Dan Ornosky.
“Boswell is one of the best backs in the county,” Caruso said. “He has the ability to carry the load as only a sophomore. He is also the type of back that can score on any play. He has speed and great vision. He also has the ability to run through tackles, which he showed against Ewing. There is no secret that he is getting the ball and even though everyone knows he is getting the ball he still gets the job done every week. He is a special back.”
While Boswell has only experienced one Thanksgiving loss, seniors such as Ornosky, quarterback Eddie Fennell, defensive back D’Angelo Hill, lineman Donovan Yon and John Dyott and place kicker Dominic Cooper are looking to avoid being shutout in the series.
“Our team will play hard for this senior group,” Hoglen said. “The seniors have been talking about this game for a long time. Both teams will play the hardest they have played all year.”
Like Steinert, Hoglen feels his squad is playing well heading into the county’s longest-running Thanksgiving match-up.
“I think the crossover games against Pennsauken and Ewing have prepared us for this game,” he said. “We need to do the little things right to come out on top. Eliminate turnovers and penalties.”
And therefore, change the definition of frustration.
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores