Trenton’s Wharton rewarded for big day with TD Club honors
WEST WINDSOR — Needless to say, it had been a rough couple of weeks for Trenton football. The much-politicized political scandal that cost Trenton its Mayor also cost the Tornadoes their coach.
Trenton, however, was able to take a positive step this past Saturday, beating WW-P North 14-7 for its first win under interim coach Joe Misnick. Largely responsible was running back Ryan Wharton, who rushed for 252 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
“It really meant a lot,” Wharton said Tuesday night about the win. “It brought us back on track, and it gave us back our focus.”
With Ralphiel Mack gone from the Trenton sideline, Wharton said Misnick has had a positive effect on the team. He also said that the Tornadoes still believe in their preseason goal of winning a state title despite sitting at 1-2 on the season.
“We still do,” he said. “The first two games, we just weren’t how we were in that last game.”
Wharton was among the nine players honored by the 12th Man Touchdown club Tuesday night at the Mercer County Marina in West Windsor. Because last week’s ceremony was cancelled due to the threat of severe weather in the area, last week’s winners were recognized along with the standouts from this past weekend.
The three other players honored for their Week Three play were Hun’s Gordon DeGeorge, Notre Dame’s Prince Patterson, and Nottingham’s Ryan Malagrino.
DeGeorge, an offensive lineman for the Raiders, helped power Hun to over 400 yards of total offense in an impressive 47-28 home victory over the Brooklynbased Poly Prep. DeGeorge also plays along the defensive line for Hun.
“It was really exciting,” said DeGeorge about the win. “They run an option system, so our coaches told the down linemen to really sit, and for the defensive ends to come hard. We game-planned really well.”
Patterson, one of the Irish’s captains, was named Defensive Back of the Week after picking off three passes — and returning two for touchdowns — in Notre Dame’s narrow 23-14 win over Rancocas Valley.
“It was a career day,” Patterson said. “I wasn’t really expecting it. Rancocas Valley isn’t in the county, so they haven’t really seen us. I thought maybe they’d try to throw some balls my way… Coach [Chappy Moore] looks for the defense to step up when the offense is struggling, and vice versa.”
The honor of Defensive Lineman of the Week went to Malagrino, who recorded 12 tackles and two sacks in the Northstars’ 27-0 victory over Steinert. Nottingham, a team known traditionally for its offense, has been raising eyebrows around the county this season for its defensive play. Coach Jon Adams said that this might be the best defensive team he’s had.
“We can all rely on each other,” Malagrino said about the Northstars’ defense. “Everybody has had something to do with our success, but at the same time we can still get better.”
The five players recognized for their play two weeks ago were Notre Dame receiver Devin Griffiths, Hightstown offensive lineman Will Grelis, Steinert linebacker Rob Siracusa, Pennington defensive lineman Alex Pecora and Robbinsville tailback/ cornerback/punter Kyle Alston.