R’ville improves to 5-0 with 2nd straight shutout
ROBBINSVILLE >> History continues to be made this fall by the Robbinsville High football team after it extended its program record perfect mark with a 24-0 victory over New Egypt on Friday night.
“The guys are having a lot of fun,” said Robbinsville head coach Andrew Patterson, whose team improved to 5-0 with a second straight shutout. “We have the mentality that the next game is the most important one. Preparation hasn’t changed. The guys have stuck together and have seen what happens when everyone is sticking together.”
Senior quarterback Danny Surtz flourished behind center in front of a packed crowd on hand for homecoming night, throwing for 302 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Both of Surtz’s touchdown passes went to wide receiver Nick Carella, each of them coming in the third quarter.
After Robbinsville went into the half up 10-0, Surtz and Carella connected on the Ravens’ first possession of the half with Carella taking a pass over the middle and breaking through a tackle to go all the way for a 75-yard score to put Robbinsville up 17-0.
“When I caught the slant I turned around and knew I had all green and took it all the way,” Carella said.
An interception by Matt Cooper later on in the quarter helped set up the next Surtz and Carella score to extend the Robbinsville lead.
On 3rd down and seven, Surtz pump faked the bumble screen to his left and then throw a perfect back shoulder ball to Carella in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown to extend the Robbinsville lead to 24-0.
“That was a designed play and I knew I had to throw it to the outside and Nick (Carella) made a great play on the ball,” Surtz said. “My wide receivers and my offensive line made me look good. They did all the work.”
Surtz now has eight passing touchdowns on the season. He has 11 total touchdowns this fall for the Ravens.
Carella now has four touchdown receptions on the season
Defense, as its been all season for Robbinsville was a big story in the win for the Ravens, forcing four turnovers and holding New Egypt scoreless for its second straight shutout victory.
Junior captain Shane Martin helped force the first two New Egypt turnovers for the Ravens, picking up an interception in the first quarter and then forcing a fumble in the third quarter that was recovered by Colin Torny.
Senior Matt Heverin had a fumble recovery for the Ravens to finish out the third quarter.
Robbinsville is outscoring its opponents 108-36 this season and hasn’t given up for than 15 points in a game so far.
“We were swarming to the ball and playing with a lot of energy,” Patterson said. “Our defensive line has come a long way. Our linebackers are quick to the ball. We’ve made a couple adjustments throughout the season to get guys in the right spot. It’s nine to the ball, and if you can get 11 there, then you get all 11 guys to the ball.”
Sophomore running back TienAmir Siplin scored the first touchdown of the night for the Ravens in the second quarter on a two-yard score. The score was set up on the previous play with Surtz scrambling to his left and firing a 24-yard completion down field to Cooper.
The game’s first points came on a 25-yard field goal by Robbinsville’s kicker Anthony Yanucil on the second play of the second quarter.
Robbinsville will try to keep its perfect streak going next Saturday when they travel to play Riverside and avenge last year’s 36-34 loss to the Rams.
New Egypt (1-3) Robbinsville (5-0) 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 10 14 0 — 24
R — Yanucil 25-Yard FG
R — Siplin 2-yard run (Updegraff Kick)
R — Surtz to Carella 75-yard pass (Updegraff Kick) R — Surtz to Carella 17-yard pass (Updegraff Kick)
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