R’ville wins home opener to reach 4-0 for first time
ROBBINSVILLE >> The Robbinsville football team has a motto on defense.
“9-5-9 — nine men who can be five yards to the ball 90 percent of the time,” head coach Andrew Patterson said. “Search and destroy.”
That certainly was the case Friday night as the Ravens suffocated Clayton and won their home opener, 16-0, for the first 4-0 start in school history.
After years of missed opportunities, hardships with injuries and rebuilding, this season is shaping up to quite a renaissance.
Two years removed from an 0-9 campaign, the Ravens are on a viable path to reach the NJSIAA sectional playoffs for the first time since 2007.
“We trust each other and we play for each other,” said quarterback Danny Surtz, who had two touchdown passes. “We’re not going to quit. No matter what the score is, no matter what the situation is, we’re going 100 percent the entire game and we’re going to play for one another.”
Just look at the early-season results for evidence. Robbinsville began by grinding out three straight road victories. The offense made timely plays as the defense limited Manchester Township, Gloucester Catholic and Maple Shade to 15 points or fewer.
Yards came at a premium against previously 2-0 Clayton — a team Robbinsville lost to last year, 33-0, and was battling for supremacy in the WJFL’s Classic Division.
“They were pretty fast and athletic,” Surtz said. “They keep could keep contain really well. It was hard to get outside, but we figured out ways to get it done.”
The first points came with 15 seconds left in the first quarter. Clayton curiously opted for a fake punt on fourth-and-18 from its own 33 and lost six yards, giving Robbinsville prime field position.
The Ravens cashed in on the next play when Surtz lobbed a pass downfield to a wide-open Nick Carella for a 27-yard touchdown. Shawn Updegraff’s extra point made it 7-0.
“The play was to the right for one of my other wide receivers and then I saw he wasn’t open, started scrambling around, rolled out to the left and then, me and Nick, we looked at each other and he knew to go deep,” Surtz said. “And I just tossed it to him.”
The defenses traded jabs for the rest of the first half. Robbinsville refused to succumb to Clayton’s pistol sets and attempts to manipulate the pocket and create space.
Tackles-for-loss by Colin Tonry and Ben Quinn forced a Clayton three-and-out on the ensuing series. Later in the second quarter, Jaylen Gundy provided sound coverage on a deep ball to stall another Clayton drive at its own 35. And finally with 2:13 left when Clayton had one more opportunity from the 31, Aaden Butler and Matt Heverin recorded backto-back sacks.
Whatever the situation, Robbinsville’s unit had an answer when it mattered most as all 11 players on defense stuck to their assignment.
“Their plan was just to contain the backfield and make them put the ball up in the air,” Patterson said. “In the first two games they were out to the edge, out to the edge, quarterback broken run, rollout, sneak back, get the cutback lane. We knew if we kept their quarterbacks, running backs in the middle and the ball goes in the air, we knew that passing wasn’t their strong point.”
The home team began to salt the game away in the second half.
After another Heverin sack forced another punt, Tien-Amir Siplin spearheaded Robbinsville’s running game deep into Clayton territory. Anthony Yanucil booted a 35-yard field through the uprights, extending Robbinsville’s lead to 10-0 with 6:41 remaining in the third quarter.
Clayton made a late charge to get back into the game by driving from their own 20 all the way down to Robbinsville’s 24. But after a holding penalty and a teamup sack by Heverin and Quinn, the Clippers faced fourth-and-16 at the 30. A desperation heave into the end zone went over a receiver’s head.
Surtz promptly guided Robbinsville’s on a clinching drive, showing off his dual-threat abilities by scrambling for 11 yards and later completing three passes to his tight end, Tonry, including a 20-yard connection in the end zone with 5:17 remaining.
“I know the offense well now,” said Surtz, a senior who is now in his second year starting under center. “I trust my o-line to block for me, I trust my wide receivers. They’re all great playmakers. I give them the ball. In space they’re going to go and make some plays. It’s a pretty fun offense to have.”
Robbinsville hosts New Egypt for Homecoming next Friday night before heading back on the road for two games.
“They’re having fun, man,” Patterson said. “They don’t care who gets the ball. (Surtz) doesn’t care if he throws touchdowns, or if 22 scores or if 20 scores. We don’t care. There’s no egos here.”
Clayton (2-1) Robbinsville (4-0) 0000—0 7 0 3 6 — 16
1st Quarter
R-Carella 27 catch from Surtz (Updegraff kick) 3rd Quarter
R-Yanucil 35 kick
4th Quarter
R-Tonry 15 catch from Surtz (kick blocked)