Chuck Donohue Sr. just had a feeling before the season.
“I thought we would be competitive in every game,” the longtime Southern Regional High School football coach said. “I really liked our team.”
The Rams opened their season with a 40-8 victory over Highland Regional.
Southern has been on a roll and is 7-0 for the first time in program history.
Southern will host Brick Memorial at 7 p.m in a Shore Conference interdivision game. The Rams are in first place in the B-South Division, and the Mustangs (5-2) are atop the A-South Division.
The Rams will look to keep their hot streak going, but the task will not be easy, Donohue said.
But his preseason instinct about his squad was spot on, and the Rams are playing like serious contenders.
“We are not a really big football team, but they are very strong. They are quick. They play together well. I just thought, if you get some breaks along the way, you never know what’s going to happen,” Donohue said.
“I have to say we have played very good football, especially in the first half of games, and got ourselves in a position where we could control the flow of the game in the second half. Anytime you can do that, you have a chance to win.”
Brick has a high-powered offense, averaging 33 points per game. The Mustangs’ defense has allowed 21.9 points per game.
Brick quarterback Jason Lajara has thrown for 1,320 yards with 16 TDs. The senior quarterback has 424 rushing yards with six scores.
Nyzier Matthews leads Brick with 584 receiving yards and seven TDs. Nazeer Whittaker leads with 549 rushing TDs and four scores.
However, Southern’s defense has only allowed more than eight points once this fall and has recorded three shutouts. The Rams are only allowing an average of 6.4 points per game.
“That’s always our plan, that we are going slow somebody down,” Donohue said. “We are in a situation where we have to limit their positions and speed the game up against these guys. They have to play well again this week.”
Southern defensive lineman Lucas Favorito has 24 solo tackles and 10 assisted. Safety Harrison Grose is one of the Rams’ top defensive players in coverage. Linebacker Tyler Eck’Art has 19 solo tackles and 12 assisted.
“I think we have to tackle extremely well, especially their receivers on the short passes. (Lajara) passes down the field,” Donohue said.
“They are dangerous kids and make people miss. Their quarterback is a running threat and a passing threat and, probably, the most dangerous quarterback, in that sense, we faced this year. So, that’s always an issue. He can drop back to pass then take off. In space, he is a dangerous dude.”
Along with Southern’s stout defense, its kicking game has been phenomenal, Donohue said.
Cole Celeste is perfect on his extra points. He has been great on kickoffs and usually sails the ball in the end zone, giving opponents the ball at the Rams’ 20-yard-line, which helps the defense.
“We have had short fields and been able to get leads earlier in most of the games this year. We just have to get good series going,” Donohue said.
The Rams will need to throw more to win, Donohue said.
Carson Abbato has thrown for 819 yards with 11 TDs and no interceptions. Chris Raub leads the Rams with 334 receiving yards with three scores. Darren Hamlin has 119 receiving yards and two TDs.
Aidan Covell leads the rushing attack with 546 yards and eight TDs.
“We are hoping the formula that has worked for us this year will work for us again, “Donohue said. ” We get some short fields in the first half and get a lead. But, I think, they are a similar team to us, so they are probably thinking the same thing.”
Brick and Southern have played almost every season since Donohue took over the program in 1998. Brick beat Southern last season, but the Rams have won three of the last five matchups between the schools.
“They are very good football games, so I don’t see any reason why this one won’t be, too,” Donohue said.
“They are a tough team. They are very well-coached. Coach Walt Currie, I think, is an outstanding coach. This is a playoff-type of opponent who is going to play good defense, run the ball and throw the ball. They are very athletic.”
Contact Patrick Mulranen: 609-272-7217
PMulranen@pressofac.com
Twitter @ACPressMulranen
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