Steinert, Hamilton set to clash again in Backyard Brawl on Thanksgiving
Before you get started on your turkey and potatoes, head over to Hamilton High at 10:30 a.m. Thursday when a high school football county rivalry is renewed. Hamilton West is set to host Steinert in the township’s annual Backyard Brawl.
The Hornets hold a 34-23-1 edge in the Thanksgiving series over the Spartans, although Steinert has won the last two meetings. Last November, Jordan Morrison scored the game-winning touchdown with 3:41 remaining in a 1413 thriller.
Morrison, now a senior, remains one of the area’s most electrifying skill players and is committed to play at the University of Connecticut next year. He leads Steinert with 11 total touchdowns, including six as a passer, and 681 rushing yards.
The Spartans (5-4) are coming off a 49-41 loss to Wall in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs on Nov. 11. But they’ve been one of the county’s better defenses all season, limiting six of their nine opponents to 10 points or fewer.
Miles Smith is Steinert’s leading receiver with more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns, while Xavier Thompson has posted similar numbers as the team’s leading rusher.
Hamilton (3-6) last suited up Nov. 9 at South Plainfield in an NJSIAA consolation game that the Hornets lost, 21-17.
It has been a tough season following an appearance in last year’s South Jersey Group III semifinals for the Hornets, who have lost five in a row since their last win Sept. 22 against West Windsor South.
Hezekiah Patterson has been one of the county’s top passers as a senior with more than 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. Christopher Charles, Hamilton’s all-time in career receptions, is one of the top skill players around with nine receiving touchdowns and three interceptions this year.
Prior to Steinert’s two-game winning streak in the series, Hamilton won three of the last five Thanksgiving Day meetings.